[BIC-announce] problems with Le James for computers? was: Purchasing computers for University-related activities / Achat d’ordinateurs destinés aux activités universitaires

Fri Sep 25 08:52:51 EDT 2020

Hi all,

I’m writing to solicit your help in a discussion that I intend to have with Purchasing at McGill.  According to the email below, we are supposed to buy computer equipment from Le James.  I find this difficult to accept, because I (and others) have not had good service from Le James. For example:
I tried to order a MacBook from Le James.  It took 6-7 days to get a quote and they were going to take another 10 days to order it.  I ordered one on the web and had next day delivery to the Apple store on Ste-Catherine.
Last week I tried to order a common 1TB SSD drive, Le James could not get the model I wanted. NewEgg has 2-3 day delivery.
Peter ordered a keyboard and mouse from Le James recently and it took two weeks to arrive.
Simon tried to order 1 workstation and 1 regular desktop from Le James.  Despite detailed quotes with specific items supported within the BIC IT infrastructure, Le James insisted on buying another product that will result in difficulties with support
One colleague ordered a MacBook 3 months ago from Le James, and he was still waiting for it at the beginning of September.
Such lack of service Le James is unacceptable since Apple.ca, NewEgg.com and Amazon.ca and others all offer good (or often better prices), often with next day delivery, and much better service (including returns). Forcing profs to subsidize the lack lustre Le James using public funds is ridiculous..

If you’ve run into difficulties with Le James, can you please drop me a short email, and I’ll include you in the list (with or without your name, let me know) above when I communicate with Purchasing next week.  

thanks and have a good weekend!

-Louis

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: MRO McGill Communications <mcgillstaff.mro at mcgill.ca>
> Subject: Purchasing computers for University-related activities / Achat d’ordinateurs destinés aux activités universitaires
> Date: August 26, 2020 at 1:30:17 PM GMT-4
> To: x-All McGill Staff <x-AllMcGillStaff at campus.mcgill.ca>
> 
> This message is sent on behalf of Procurement Services and LE JAMES Bookstore.
> Le présent message est envoyé au nom du Service des approvisionnements et de la Librairie  <>LE JAMES.
>  
> La version française suit. <> 
>  
> Dear colleagues:
>  
> As you plan for the upcoming academic year, please remember that all University-related computer purchases must be made through the Institutional Sales unit of McGill University Bookstore (LE JAMES). This includes computers relating to research and administrative activities.
>  
> Institutional Sales will help ensure that the products will meet McGill requirements and work with the University’s infrastructure. The awarded contracts have provided the University with a wide range of top-tier manufacturers, including: Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Toshiba (Dynabook) and ViewSonic. 
>  
> Buying computer equipment through LE JAMES is a necessary part of compliance with our contractual commitment in accordance with the Quebec’s Act Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies and in adherence with the University’s Procurement Policy, the University’s Minimum Standard Requirements for IT Assets as well as the University’s Asset Management Program and Procedures. In early 2019, the University, through the launch of two public calls for tenders, entered into delivery order contracts with various computer suppliers for the resale of the computer equipment through LE JAMES.
>  
> The ordering process is fast and efficient:
> We can assist you in finding any machine as per your requirements. Standard machines are listed on our website (https://lejames.ca/institutional <https://lejames.ca/institutional>)
> The LE JAMES Institutional Sales staff (is.bookstore at mcgill.ca <mailto:is.bookstore at mcgill.ca>) is available to assist you with your product selection or technical enquiries.
> Request a quote from Institutional Sales: is.bookstore at mcgill.ca <mailto:is.bookstore at mcgill.ca>. Any additional information including in the request (specific requirements, model numbers, etc.) will help expedite this process.
> Once you have received your quote, issue a purchase requisition through the McGill Marketplace (please speak to your supervisor if you need access).  Upon receipt of an approved requisition, LE JAMES will order the requested product(s) from the appropriate contracted supplier(s).
>  
> Please direct any follow-up inquiries to LE JAMES Institutional Sales for greater efficiency. 
>  
> We look forward to assisting with all your technology needs.
>  
>  
> Chers collègues, <>
>  
> À l’heure des préparatifs pour l’année universitaire à venir, nous vous rappelons que vous devez obligatoirement faire tous vos achats d’ordinateurs destinés aux activités universitaires par l’entremise de l’équipe des ventes institutionnelles de la Librairie LE JAMES. Cette consigne s’applique aux ordinateurs destinés à la recherche et aux services administratifs. <> <>
>  
> L’équipe des Ventes institutionnelles s’assure que les produits répondent aux critères de l’Université et sont compatibles avec son infrastructure. L’Université a conclu des ententes avec plusieurs grands fabricants, à savoir  <> <>Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Toshiba (Dynabook) et ViewSonic.
>  
> Nous devons acheter le matériel informatique par l’entremise de la Librairie LE JAMES pour respecter notre engagement contractuel, conformément à la Loi sur les contrats des organismes publics du Québec, observer la Politique d’approvisionnement de même que le Programme de gestion des actifs et les procédures connexes de l’Université, et satisfaire aux exigences minimales de l’Université relativement au matériel informatique. <> Au début de 2019, l’Université a lancé deux appels d’offres publics qui ont mené à la conclusion de contrats avec divers fournisseurs pour la revente de matériel informatique par l’entreprise de la Librairie LE JAMES. <>
>  
> Le processus de commande est rapide et efficace : <>
> Nous pouvons vous aider à choisir l’appareil qui vous convient. Vous trouverez la liste des appareils offerts s <>ur notre site Web ( <>https://lejames.ca/institutional <https://lejames.ca/institutional>).
> L’équipe des Ventes institutionnelles de la Librairie LE JAMES ( <>is.bookstore at mcgill.ca <mailto:is.bookstore at mcgill.ca>) peut vous aider à choisir un produit et répondre aux questions techniques.
> Pour demander un devis à l’équipe des Ventes institutionnelles, rendez-vous à  <>is.bookstore at mcgill.ca <mailto:is.bookstore at mcgill.ca>. Plus vous serez précis (besoins particuliers, numéro de modèle, etc.), plus votre demande sera traitée rapidement. <>
> Lorsque vous aurez votre devis en main, faites une demande d’achat dans McGill Marketplace (au besoin, demandez un droit d’accès à votre supérieur). La Librairie LE JAMES passera la commande auprès du fournisseur visé dès réception de la demande d’achat approuvée. <> <>
>  
> Par souci d’efficacité, nous vous demandons d’adresser toute demande de suivi directement à l’équipe des Ventes institutionnelles de la Librairie LE JAMES. <> 
>  
> Au plaisir de vous servir! <>
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