The Enterprise Desktop Hardware Standardization Advisory Work Group released a set of proposed desktop and laptop hardware standards to agency chief information officers for comment July 16.

The Advisory Work Group was formed in April 2004 when the Statewide IT Policy team of the Ohio Office of Information Technology's (OIT) Investment and Governance Division extended an invitation to agencies to designate representatives to develop recommendations on the standardization of the state's desktop and laptop hardware. There were 25 state agencies accepting the invitation for participation, including elected officials, cabinet agencies, boards, commissions and offices.

The proposed statewide desktop and laptop hardware standards are comprised of three main parts -- a desktop hardware standard, a laptop hardware standard and a standards revision methodology. An exhaustive technical literature review was conducted as well as industry expert reviews and benchmarking of similar state and large private-sector corporation efforts.

The deadline for chief information officers to comment is July 30. Once all of the comments are received, the Advisory Work Group will recommend any necessary adjustments to the standards and submit them for final approval and publication. Once published, OIT will assemble a multi-agency procurement committee to begin the process of drafting a master procurement vehicle from which agencies will procure desktops and laptops.

Comments, questions or inquiries may be directed to:

Statewide IT Policy
Ohio Office of Information Technology
Investment and Governance Division
30 E. Broad Street, 39th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414