The Computing Infrastructure Support Department is considering various alternatives to in-house maintenance of printers, as noted in a previous Computing News article. CIS would like to hear from employees on the issue. Here's the situation:

CIS cannot afford to stock parts needed to service the wide variety of printers in use across the Lab and the support group has only one technician on staff with the skills to repair HP printers. From a cost-effectiveness point of view, the best alternatives would involve having users arrange to deliver printers to a local business for repairs. The option of arranging comprehensive on-site support is likely to be very expensive.

"We are wondering what is more important to LBNL customers -- price or convenience," said Lab Desktop Support Manager Charlie Verboom, "or would they want us to outsource this to a vendor who is willing to provide both options?"

Employees can submit their opinions - or suggest other options - by using the computer support Help Desk's electonic suggestion box.