Issue link: https://resources.nanotempertech.com/i/1533227
22 How do I make an informed decision? Based on the information you find by researching potential solutions and their manufacturers, you should be able to narrow down your list to one or two choices. You may want to ask vendors for a product demo so you can see how their systems work on your samples. In fact, their response can be a good indication of how easy their product is to set up and run. If the demo can be done quickly and without much difficulty, you can imagine how easy it will be to integrate it into your workflow. Use the demo as an opportunity to put these products to the test. Don't just test them yourself—let the other researchers in your lab run samples on the system and provide feedback. This gives you even more data points to further support your decision. How do I make the purchase? Buying a new instrument is not o en a decision you make alone. There is usually a committee or group in place who must weigh in. An essential part of the buying process is figuring out who the stakeholders are and what they need to know so you can supply them with the right information. In most cases, a lab manager or procurement officer is responsible for the budget. They will likely want to know that you've evaluated your options and that you are choosing the best instrument for the job. Engage these decision-makers early and o en. You will likely present them with multiple quotes and options before the purchase is made, so it's good to get their input before expecting to receive their full buy-in. The decision is also influenced by everyone who will be using the instrument. One of your colleagues' top concerns includes making sure the so ware and instrument are easy to use and that it is easy to train others to use it. These co-workers may also want to evaluate the instrument's technical capabilities to make sure it can give them the data they want. 22 Total cost of investment Budgeting properly for a new instrument means looking at more than just the price tag—there are other costs to consider. Here is everything to be aware of when thinking about the total cost of your investment: ظ Purchasing costs – the sticker price of the new system and its so ware ظ Installation costs – how much it costs to have the instrument set up by the vendor ظ Running costs – how much it costs to run the system in terms of consumables and energy ظ Service and maintenance costs – how much you get charged for repairs or regularly scheduled maintenance, and how that impacts lab downtime ظ Support costs – how much it costs to get technical support for the product(s) or scientific support for your applications ظ Additional so ware upgrades – what you can expect to pay for major so ware upgrades