Apple combats
profit loss by working with U. Texas campus
(Daily
Texan) (U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas -- Computer companies working to develop new designs
and special features are looking to institutes of higher education to expand
their market and increase their sales.
Officials at these institutions are then left with the task of choosing which companies offer the best deals and allow students to learn in a user-friendly, but real-world environment.
The higher education market is particularly crucial to Apple Computers, which has reported a considerable profit loss over the last year.
Although some departments and colleges within the University of Texas may use different types of computers, the University mostly relies on Apple, a company that has begun to lose some of its hold on the education market.
Though some universities and colleges across the nation have begun to turn to such PC companies as Dell, Gateway and Compaq, the University continues to do most of its computer investing with Macintosh.
For example, in the Department of Advertising, G4 desktops and Apple flat-screen monitors make up the design studio.
"We're pretty much a Mac department," said Virginia Hueske, a student development specialist in the department's graduate school.
The University has a blanket purchase order with Apple, Dell and Sun Microsystems, a producer of hardware, software and other computer tools, which allows colleges and departments to buy computers without having to choose the lowest bidder.
However, Ron Gerling, account manager with Apple Computer, said the University is one of Apple's largest higher education customers.
"We've been working hard to strengthen the partnership between UT and Apple," he said. "And we know it's working because UT-Austin's purchases of Macintosh have increased by 40 percent in the past three years."
Daniel Updegrove, vice president for information technology, said the University's purchasing of Apple products has increased by $779,895 from 1999 to 2000. Figures for the 2000-2001 fiscal year were incomplete since the fiscal year for the University ends in August.
In addition, the University has instituted many Apple-related programs and classes on campus. The University is one of the founding members of the Apple University Executive Forum, a group of 15 or 20 representatives from colleges and universities across the country that meets with Apple two to three times a year, advising the company on their needs.
To maintain relations with the University, Apple has begun some programs, like the UT Macintosh Advisory Council, to promote Apple use on campus. Composed of representatives from different academic departments and administrative offices that use Apple Computers, the council advises Updegrove on computing needs.
In addition, Apple has extended special pricing to the University on selected products, which have been deeply discounted as a means to encourage purchases. The University signed a contract with Microsoft in August 1998 that allows students, faculty and staff to buy Microsoft products at much lower prices, including Microsoft Office 98 and 2001 for Apple computers for $5 each.
The new Unix-based operating system OS X, which sells for $129 on the Apple Web site, is offered for $72 through the Campus Computer Store.
Officials at these institutions are then left with the task of choosing which companies offer the best deals and allow students to learn in a user-friendly, but real-world environment.
The higher education market is particularly crucial to Apple Computers, which has reported a considerable profit loss over the last year.
Although some departments and colleges within the University of Texas may use different types of computers, the University mostly relies on Apple, a company that has begun to lose some of its hold on the education market.
Though some universities and colleges across the nation have begun to turn to such PC companies as Dell, Gateway and Compaq, the University continues to do most of its computer investing with Macintosh.
For example, in the Department of Advertising, G4 desktops and Apple flat-screen monitors make up the design studio.
"We're pretty much a Mac department," said Virginia Hueske, a student development specialist in the department's graduate school.
The University has a blanket purchase order with Apple, Dell and Sun Microsystems, a producer of hardware, software and other computer tools, which allows colleges and departments to buy computers without having to choose the lowest bidder.
However, Ron Gerling, account manager with Apple Computer, said the University is one of Apple's largest higher education customers.
"We've been working hard to strengthen the partnership between UT and Apple," he said. "And we know it's working because UT-Austin's purchases of Macintosh have increased by 40 percent in the past three years."
Daniel Updegrove, vice president for information technology, said the University's purchasing of Apple products has increased by $779,895 from 1999 to 2000. Figures for the 2000-2001 fiscal year were incomplete since the fiscal year for the University ends in August.
In addition, the University has instituted many Apple-related programs and classes on campus. The University is one of the founding members of the Apple University Executive Forum, a group of 15 or 20 representatives from colleges and universities across the country that meets with Apple two to three times a year, advising the company on their needs.
To maintain relations with the University, Apple has begun some programs, like the UT Macintosh Advisory Council, to promote Apple use on campus. Composed of representatives from different academic departments and administrative offices that use Apple Computers, the council advises Updegrove on computing needs.
In addition, Apple has extended special pricing to the University on selected products, which have been deeply discounted as a means to encourage purchases. The University signed a contract with Microsoft in August 1998 that allows students, faculty and staff to buy Microsoft products at much lower prices, including Microsoft Office 98 and 2001 for Apple computers for $5 each.
The new Unix-based operating system OS X, which sells for $129 on the Apple Web site, is offered for $72 through the Campus Computer Store.
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