Computer Disposal Instructions

[lajackson]

A thread in another area of the Forum contains information the implies that the instructions for computer transfer and disposal have changed. In fact, the implication is that there is no longer "transfer", just "disposal", and that disposal is done by the FM group.

The pertinent quote from what I would deem to be a reliable, though unofficial source, said:

The Computer Transfer and Disposal Instructions document ... is obsolete. FM groups have a new document and process that also applies to local unit computers and copiers.

Do we need to rethink our plans for the 15 computers that will be going away this next year?

[jdlessley]

A thread in another area of the Forum contains information the implies that the instructions for computer transfer and disposal have changed. In fact, the implication is that there is no longer "transfer", just "disposal", and that disposal is done by the FM group.

The pertinent quote from what I would deem to be a reliable, though unofficial source, said:

The Computer Transfer and Disposal Instructions document ... is obsolete. FM groups have a new document and process that also applies to local unit computers and copiers.

Do we need to rethink our plans for the 15 computers that will be going away this next year?

I think we've asked CopierAdmin to clarify his/her remarks. The tie-in to computers may not be valid. We need to waite and hear from CopierAdmin.

Just checked on the other thread related to this one. Check here. It looks like CopierAdmin will adjust their wording and that there is no tie-in to PCs.

[aebrown]

A thread in another area of the Forum contains information the implies that the instructions for computer transfer and disposal have changed. In fact, the implication is that there is no longer "transfer", just "disposal", and that disposal is done by the FM group.

The pertinent quote from what I would deem to be a reliable, though unofficial source, said:

The Computer Transfer and Disposal Instructions document ... is obsolete. FM groups have a new document and process that also applies to local unit computers and copiers.

Do we need to rethink our plans for the 15 computers that will be going away this next year?

Since the current policy published in Computer Transfer and Disposal Instructions doesn't involve the FM Group, and I haven't heard from any official source that it is changing, in my opinion the policy hasn't changed. However, I have heard from an unofficial source the same thing you quoted above, so I certainly allow for the possibility that it is changing, or that for some parts of the Church organization it has changed.

If it has changed, someone should inform all the Stake Technology Specialists, remove the old policy, and post the new one. Because the current published policy only involves the STS and the stake president, we wouldn't even talk to the FM group, and thus we would dispose of computers without ever hearing about the alleged new policy.

However, since any new computers will be delivered through the FM group, it's entirely possible that we will be told of the policy in conjunction with the delivery process. I personally don't have any particular plans that would be affected one way or the other -- I don't need to know what to do with the old ones until the new ones arrive. But if you have plans that would be affected, I'd advise you to contact your FM group.

[russellhltn]

The part I'm wondering about is: "The Computer Transfer and Disposal Instructions document ... is obsolete. FM groups have a new document and process that also applies to local unit computers and copiers."

That was found in the quote back of Alan's message but it's not in Alan's post. So where did that come from?

Of course this is exactly why I suggested they not reference the PC instructions because now we're getting our information on what to do with our PCs from a copier admin. I don't think that's the way things are supposed to work. :rolleyes:

[lajackson]

I don't think that's the way things are supposed to work.

Which is exactly why we are ignoring it and will continue to use the current procedures, at least until official instructions arrive.

[Copier Admin-p40]

Hi,
The attached document has been provided copier administration by Church Purchasing. I am assured that this is the current standard process for FM office and local unit pc disposal. However, since we have simply adopted the program for copier disposal, and our team does not make or implement policy for computers, I cannot say more. All I can say is that the attached is what we are told is the current process. I would assume further questions could be referred to the stake PFR who could then ask the FM group. If the FM group didn't know, they would probably ask their Purchasing Department contact.

The following sentence is a quotation answering my inquiry to a Purchasing dept rep: "
The word document is from the FM office instructions for replacing their office equipment, we are also using it to explain how to dispose of ward equipment and copiers."

Copier Administration has adopted a paragraph from the pc policy for local unit copier use. We are using the same recycling program to dispose of old warranty-expired copiers. The doc was created for FM groups. Thanks,
Copier admin.

[mkmurray]

...And then here is the document as .doc and .pdf files.

[lajackson]

I am assured that this is the current standard process for FM office and local unit pc disposal.

We got this with the last computer that showed up for the FHC. Note that the help desk number is the Global Service Desk, not the Admin help desk. I imagine we will get something similar when the new Admin PCs start showing up next year.

For the record, I am all for recycling, and I fully support this program. I am only tweaking the communication process. And if the Church will no longer let us wipe the old computers and give them to members, we will stop doing that.

[aebrown]

... I fully support this program. I am only tweaking the communication process.

Indeed, that is the abysmal failure here. The old disposal instructions are still posted, and the new ones will apparently dribble out to various units over time. Not very impressive communication. One simple e-mail to Stake Technology Specialists, or a notice sent to Stake Clerks via MLS messaging, would have been so easy to do.

I tried to plead for improvements in the documentation in my Out of Date Documentation thread, but although one Church employee chimed in, I doubt that it made much difference. I don't understand why the Church thinks that accurate documentation is a relative waste of their time.

[lajackson]

The old disposal instructions are still posted, and the new ones will apparently dribble out to various units over time. Not very impressive ...

Priorities, I think. As a communication major many years ago, I see a still developing process for sending out information with not much of a process at all for correcting or changing it, except for the highest levels of information. Granted, these are basic processes. But they are still processes. [grin]

As for disposal instructions, when we got the boxes five years ago that we are using today, they actually came with disposal instructions for the old computers. In most cases, we followed those instructions. At that time, they were recommended, but not required.

In a few select and (local) priesthood approved cases, members were blessed with machines that have enabled them to faithfully serve as Family History Consultants, and in other callings that have blessed the lives of many of our members.

This is one of the little things I have personally appreciated and tried to do over the years. Options.

And there you have it. Priorities. Options. Welcome to life.