Purchase equipment through IT

Why buy through us?

We strongly recommend that all computers and most computer peripherals be purchased through Medical IT (and that's required if you are part of the UM hospitals and clinics.  

Why?  The UM campuses have collectively negotiated aggressive discounts with a number of supporting hardware vendors.  Our select "bundled" computer packages carry heavy discounts off retail pricing.  By purchasing recommended computing hardware, you also help us reduce the total cost for the Medical Center to maintain and manage information services.  Standard equipment and processes lead to efficiencies.

For workplace systems purchased using University account funding, our teams will handle all aspects of your order for you -- including receipt (and any needed returns/exchanges), delivery, and installation with Medical Center network configurations.  We also have in-house Dell-certified hardware repair technicians for warranty-covered equipment.

Employees and students can take advantage of discounted pricing for personal purchases, using various employee purchase programs.  (Unfortunately, we generally cannot provide assistance with installation or configuration of home systems.)

Department vs personal purchases

If you already know what kind of workplace system you want, you can go directly to the departmental purchases section of the Technology Store.  There you will find links to Apple, Dell and other vendors' customized UM sites. 

If you're not sure what to order or how to go about placing your order, contact the Technology Store team (305-243-1189) to discuss the system(s) that will best meet your needs. 

For personal purchases, use the personal purchases section of the Technology Store.  Because the sites linked from that section are limited to University employees and students, you will usually need to provide your Medical ID and associated password to access them.

Whether you are making a purchase for work or for your personal use, it may also help to read our guide to choosing the right computer.

Placing an order

Once your departmental/workplace system has been selected, and a quote received, send us an IDR with the quote attached.  (We need a emailed or printed copy of the full electronic quote, including specifications.) 

You can send the IDR+quote by campus mail (Dominion Parking Garage, Suite 165, Locator R-26) or fax it to us (at 305-243-6417).

For personal purchases, you will be using your own funds (typically, a personal credit card) and receiving the equipment at a location determined by you (typically, your home).  We are not involved in those transactions.

Estimated delivery

Dell computers typically have a turnaround time of around 10 business days.  Apple computers and equipment can take up to 3-4 weeks.  Once your order is placed, you can contact the Order Coordinator (305-243-4451) for an estimate of delivery time.  Having the applicable IDR number ready will help us track down your order quickly.

(For personal purchases, you are on your own for tracking.  Usually the vendor will provide you with a tracking number and other order information.)

Delivery and setup

Our teams will deliver and set up your workplace computer free of charge.  If you order components for a computer or laptop, a technician can perform that installation too.   

Appointments for delivery and set-up are typically determined prior to delivery.  Contact the Order Coordinator (305-243-4451) or the Help Desk (305-243-5999. help@med.miami.edu) to schedule it. 

Your old system

For security reasons, you must process your old workplace computers through Medical Information Technology (305-243-5999).  This helps the Medical Center ensure that our asset inventory is kept up to date, and that the equipment is handled properly before disposal.  Improper disposal of old computers is one of the most common ways that sensitive information is "leaked."  Don't let it happen to you!

Medical Information Technology will ensure that hard drives and other data storage media are "sanitized," and that any software packages licensed solely for University use are removed.  There is no charge for this service.