I am IS Mgr with a modest network (50-60 clients). When a user needs hardware added or upgraded, I spec it to ensure some standardization, and on the Purch Req, must list the accounting code of the dept the PC is going into. What that means is that the PC belongs to the dept whose budget was charged. It does not belong to the IS Dept.
The problem I see with this is if Dept A lays off 10 people, Dept B hires 5, and Dept C hires 2, I do not have the latitude to redeploy PC’s where they are needed without someone raising their hackles over the departmental cross-charges. Recipients object to paying “new” prices for used equipment and start asking me to research fair market value. Depts losing the computers object because they don’t want market value for used equipment, they want what the invested put back in their budget.
I believe it would be more efficient for the IS department to “own” all network components and deploy them where needed, as requested by the in-house “customers.” This would also free IS to relocate equipment with less bickering.
I am interested in what other companies are doing. How is your equipment paid for/charged? Who has a say in how the IS Admin chooses to deploy the PC’s. What are pluses and minuses to the way your company handles this?