[BIC-announce] ATT: BIC PIs - New BIC Computer Infrastructure billing scheme

[Jennifer Chew, Ms.]

 Dear BIC PIs:

I am forwarding this message on behalf of Dr. Louis Collins.  Jennifer 


Jennifer Chew
McConnell Brain Imaging Centre
MNI - WB317
3801 University Street
Montreal, Qc  H3A 2B4
Telephone:  514-398-8554
Fax:  514-398-2975
___________________________________________

Greetings BIC PIs,

I'm writing in my role as head of BIC Computer Infrastructure.  We are advancing in our integration of a fee-for-service model for all BIC core services.  Please read the introductory document below that describes some of the changes associated with the second phase of the fee-for-service model for computer infrastructure.

There will be a Q/A period to discuss these changes on Monday, February 28 2011 in the deGrandpre communications center after the BIC talk.

best regards,

-Louis

D. Louis Collins, PhD			McConnell Brain Imaging Center
Associate Professor			Montreal Neurological Institute
Neurology & Neurosurgery	WB-314Biomedical Engineering		3801 University St.
louis.collins at mcgill.ca		Montreal, Quebec.
voice: (514)-398-4227/8554	CANADA               H3A 2B4
Fax:   (514)-398-2975
http://www.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/PeopleFaculty/CollinsDLouis


BIC Computer Infrastructure - New billing procedures Feb 22, 2011

As most of you know, the Brain Imaging Centre (BIC) has received core support since its creation in the mid-1980s via MRC and CIHR for PET, MRI and computer infrastructure. Unfortunately, CIHR closed the Research Resource Grants (RRG) program approximately 4 years ago and this left a large shortfall in the BIC's core budget (of more than $4M), forcing us to move to a fee-for-service model to pay for core resources.  This model has been implemented for MRI and PET scanning and partially implemented for computer infrastructure.  Even though we were awarded an MNI CECR grant, a budget shortfall for computer infrastructure still exists.  Furthermore, the CECR grant will end in May 2011.

The computer infrastructure core at the BIC operates at a budget of approximately $275k/year.  This amount includes the salaries (and benefits) of two system administrators that manage over 120 machines, as well as equipment maintenance and replacement costs.  The computer infrastructure also includes access to the computers for processing and analysis using the software tools that have been developed in the BIC. 

Over the past few years, we have implemented a 3-tiered fee-for-service model for disk space usage that has brought in just over $150k/year. Changes are required to so that we no longer operate at a loss. The new fee-for-service model has been designed to spread the real costs of system administration more fairly across all users so that everyone that uses the system will pay something, and those that use it more, pay more. The main changes are:

>      Disk usage fees have been reduced to have a declining incremental cost (details below).
>      A new charge for machine maintenance has been implemented to better reflect the efforts of the system administrators (also with a declining incremental cost).

Our goal is to operate on a non-profit, cost-recovery model where expenses are distributed as fairly as possible.  Simulations have shown that we will eliminate the shortfall in the computer infrastructure budget.  Any difference from a zero year-end balance will lead to an adjustment of costs for next year.  A comparison between the new system and the previous scheme for 2009 shows that all PIs will pay less for disk space and most PIs will have no or only modest increases in their total bill.

The BIC is one of the largest and most productive neuro-imaging research centers in the world with over 60 faculty and more than 200 graduate students and post-docs that rely on the BIC's infrastructure for their research.   Our past success has been possible through the collegial support of all participants.  Our future success will depend on your continued collaboration, where each member pays his or her fair share and failure to contribute runs the risk of loss of service not only for the individual, but for the group.

We will have an information question/answer period after the BIC talk in the DeGrandPre center on February 28, 2011 to discuss implementation of the new costing scheme.


The cost scheme is as follows:

DISK SPACE

The basic disk usage unit is for 100GB.  Currently, the costs for disk space are:

	$1200 - 100GB/y of full-service (mirror + tape backup)
	$  600 - 100GB/y with mirror only
	$  300 - 100GB/y as scratch (no mirror/no backup)

The new declining cost schedule is as follows:
	units 1-2: $1200/600/300 each unit for full-service/mirror-only/scratch
	units 3-5: $1000/500/250 each
	units 6-10: $800/400/200 each
	units 11-20: $500/250/125 each
	units 21+: $300/150/75 each

	for example, 800GB of full-service + 1TB of scratch
		= (2*1200 + 3*1000 + 3*800)  + (2*300 + 3*250 + 5*200)  = $10150/year
		(instead of $12600/year using the existing system)

COMPUTER workstations

JFM and SM aid in the selection/purchase of new equipment, maintain existing equipment and software, debug problems with workstations and install new software.  The costs associated with such management are:

	workstations 1-2: $1500 each
	workstations 3-5: $1200 each
	workstations 6-10: $1000 each
	workstations 11-20: $750 each
	workstations 21+: $500 each

	for example, a lab with 6 machines will cost
		= 2*1500 + 3*1200 + 2*1000 = $7600

You will be billed for both disk space use and computer workstation maintenance costs in the next bill for computer infrastructure.