Product Acquisition
Selection of a technology product for use at Northwestern University requires consideration of a number of factors, including whether it is compatible with the NU technology environment, complies with security standards, and meets functional needs. The selection process requires the participation of SAIT, Northwestern IT, Office of General Counsel, and the requesting department. Product acquisitions are also reviewed by the IT Steering Committee to ensure alignment with division priorities.
To provide sufficient time for review and approval, staff should submit requests for product acquisitions as early as possible using the Project Request Form. Upon approval, SAIT will contact the requester to guide them through the following general process:
A: Selection Phase
- Research functional requirements
- Select candidate product/RFP
- Evaluate product functionality, demos, vendor and product maturity
- Prioritize list of candidates
B. Evaluation Phase
- Environmental compatibility
- Quality and requirements compatibility
- Accessibility
- Support and training
- Overall product rating
C. Technical/Contract Phase
- SAIT technical compatibility assessment
- Northwestern IT security and contract assessment
- Office of General Counsel assessment
D. Execution/Installation Phase
- Budget allocation and approval
- Hardware and systems allocation
- Licenses and software acquisition
- System installation schedule
E. Training
- Schedule dates with vendor and staff
- Complete training
F. Closing
- Document newly installed system/product
- Securely recycle old equipment/systems, if applicable