A successful device management program at colleges and universities greatly depends on proper planning and implementation, especially in these challenging financial times, an analyst suggests in a recent article in EdTech Magazine. Zeus Kerravala is the founder of and principal analyst at ZK Research. In a recent column in EdTech, Kerravala offered best practices colleges and universities can follow to plan adequately for device management, which is a critical piece to a technology strategy.

Among Kerravala's recommendations:

Assess current and future device needs - Keep an inventory of current assets in addition to tracking condition and quality to ensure efficiency and reliability. "Such a proactive approach helps avoid unexpected expenses and ensures that students and staff are always equipped with functional devices," Kerravala writes.

Purchase devices in bulk - Purchasing in bulk increases the opportunity to negotiate a better price with vendors, Kerravala says. By standardizing devices, there are fewer compatibility issues and streamlined tech support. "Over time, the savings accrued from reduced maintenance, fewer replacements and improved productivity can outweigh the initial savings of buying cheaper but less reliable devices," Kerravala writes.

Read Kerravala's full article below.