The company has opened a "country store" retail outlet where sales people will help a customer order the right hardware. Alternatively, a customer can order a computer over the Internet or by phone. He said that 60% of people going in the stores buy PCs for the first time. He said the company strives for customer support and that Gateway offers a 3-year warranty and tech support 24x7.
Most computers have a 2-4 year life span for hardware. Product cycles very short in industry making it difficult for computer hardware makers to keep up. It is hard to make brochures, for instance, because as soon as they are printed, they are out of date.
Scott said that the industry has come full circle from dumb terminals and mainframes, to stand alone PCs, back to thin clients connected to servers again. He said that communication and networking was important now and wireless communications inside businesses is important. Some hospitals and businesses are now using wireless hubs in ceilings so that equipment may be easily moved and connecting wires are out of the way.
Scott showed a small footprint component system for $1,000 to $1,500 that required no tools to unplug the components. Scott also showed a self-contained computer having a 5- 9 hour battery for users that need a powerful but mobile computer from about $1,600 - $2,200. The system included the CPU, battery, flat screen monitor and cart.
He said that Gateway computers come with Go-Back software installed. The software saves certain system files so that the user may "go back" to settings of a previous date if software becomes corrupted.
In August we will have a field trip to the 911 center. To make it easy for people to both find a place to park and to find the 911 center, we will get together in the parking lot of Keplinger Hall and go over together at 7:30 sharp. If you come by yourself, park between the City Hall and the 911 Center. Here are two maps to help you find the 911 Center.
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here