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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:The Digital way of working
Moderator:QUARK::LIONELON
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5321
Total number of notes:139771

1566.0. "SURPLUS EQUIPMENT POLICY?" by CALS::DIMANCESCO () Mon Aug 19 1991 02:15

    Since I have roots in an Eastern European country, I am very interested
    in helping foster private enterprise there so that the country can get
    its economy rolling again.  I was hoping to find of way of getting
    Digital to donate old, surplus computers that could be used to help
    train budding entrepeneurs.  However, I recently saw a Digital corporate
    statement that said that surplus computers would not be donated under
    any circumstances.  Can anyone shed any light on this policy? Or does
    any one know of any avenue in Digital for donation of used equipment
    to worthy causes?
    
    In the meantime I have found a Boston-based non-profit organization -
    The East West Educational Development Foundation - that was founded
    expressly for the purpose of seeking donations of computers and
    peripherals for placement in Eastern European countries.  This
    organization was founded by Pat McGovern of IDC and includes J. Presper
    Eckert, Esther Dyson, and Gwen Bell on its Board of Advisors. 
    
    If you should have any old systems (Rainbow vintage, etc.) that you
    personally own and no longer need and would like to give them to a
    worthy cause, I'll be happy to put you in touch with the East West
    Foundation.
    
    (Moderator:  Please feel free to delete the last two paragraphis if
    thise is deemed an inappropriate solicitation.)
    
    Dimitri Dimancesco 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1566.1SDSVAX::SWEENEYPatrick Sweeney in New YorkMon Aug 19 1991 11:3914
    There is a very, very active market for used systems, options, and
    modules for Digital Equipment equipment.  Digital is a player in this
    market, although it is not the biggest player.
    
    Digital has had a long series of misadventures with its used equipment,
    most recently when equipment that was supposed to be salvaged for gold
    on the connector edges was re-sold into the used market.  Ditto for
    equipment donated to non-profits, basically the institutions that got
    them decided that they were obsolete and re-sold them into the used
    market.
    
    There's a formal corporate contributions group that is supposed to be
    involved in anything we give anyway.  With a bit of effort you ought to
    be able to find out who they are.
1566.2Donations to eastern EuropeWADD::BOERSRobert Boers, CEC development & Eastern europeTue Aug 20 1991 07:3852
Re .0

Dimitri,

(We both worked for the DECCOM product line remember?  1974 or so)
I've been working the issue of donating excess inventory to eastern Europe
with some success: We (Engineering) have donated about 50 MV2000s and
some larger machines (6000's) to Universities in Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
The process was extremely painful, over the last 18 months I've run in to
numerous administrative bottlenecks (like the last country in W-Europe
where the equipment transits gets zapped with the full standard cost of
the equipment, even if it is written off to 0$), and also unwillingness
to see our excess equipment turn up in eastern European Universities.
Renato TAVA in our Monza (Italy) office, heads a group to resolve these admin
issues. 

There still is a great deal of interest for our older products in eastern
European schools, and in Europe alone we have about 100M$ (at standard cost,
estimate of the Country group II A&L Mgr) of excess equipment, a lot (like 600
MV/VS2000's) written off to 0$. We are looking at specific projects for which
we could use these, e.g. a PCSA introduction configuration of a MV2000 with
3 286-class PCs (of which we have about 2000 in excess). Usual constraints are
resources to plan and ship the equipment, and funding for residual value and
shipping.

We also shipped some donations to the Politechnic in Kiev, where I've made
some good contacts (took a year, admin process and shipping was a nightmare...)
Anyway, we can put our plans for the USSR on the backburner now.

We received a number of requests for donations to eastern european
institutes, and in order to handle those I created the 'Danube' committee in
Geneva (notesfile shire::danube). We use existing processes like corp donations
and the external research program to implement donation requests, but act as
a 'mailbox', sinch there are no subsidiaries yet to handle those requests
(except Hungary). The committee will go away as soon as the subs take over.

There are quite a number of Engineering programs like student exchanges,
external research, support of Academic libraries, etc which also apply
to eastern Europe, or have been created for eastern europe. I've a small group
in Vienna called CEED (Central Europe Engineering development), like me also
part of TNSG, to handle those programs. CEED is managed by Heinz Schrey,
DTN 855-1662, VNABRW::SCHREY_H. Any support, e.g. hosting a technical
student out of eastern europe for a few months, is very welcome.

Our long term interest in central and eastern europe are the incredible talented
people we have encountered there, but the lack of funding and the total lack
of infrastructure and communication channels means that we go slow.

Always available for more info

Regards,
Robert Boers
1566.3ACOSTA::MIANOJohn - NY Retail Banking Resource CntrWed Aug 21 1991 22:1218
RE:                      <<< Note 1566.0 by CALS::DIMANCESCO >>>

>    train budding entrepeneurs.  However, I recently saw a Digital corporate
>    statement that said that surplus computers would not be donated under
>    any circumstances.  Can anyone shed any light on this policy? Or does
>    any one know of any avenue in Digital for donation of used equipment
>    to worthy causes?

I looked into this once when I saw a bunch of computers being sent
to the scrap heat.  The answer I got was that Digital only donates new 
equipment because were do not want to trouble the donees with the
maintenance headaches of old stuff.

Its probably a coincidence that we only get rid of old equipment after
it's fully depreciated so Digital would get little to no tax benefits
for donating it.

John
1566.4Recycle into employees hands.!!CSC32::R_GROVERThe CIRCUIT_MANFri Aug 23 1991 13:1311
    RE: -.1
    
    If that is the case, why then don't they offer to sell/give it to
    employees who might like to have some type of computing in their home,
    to help them in their career/job.?
    
    It would seem to me they could get a lot more mileage out of this
    stuff, as long as it isn't to far gone, and can be repaired fairly
    easily.
    
    
1566.5Virtually impossible to even get a terminal at homeCOVERT::COVERTJohn R. CovertTue Aug 27 1991 13:575
Well, at least in the case of Germany, our Betriebsrat (work's council)
frowns on any working at home at all.

All evenings and those 9 1/2 weeks of vacation *must* be protected from
misuse by the company!
1566.6A FEW BAD APPLESDELNI::PILLIVANTThu Aug 29 1991 18:366
    The reason for not selling DEC equp to empolyees is that in the past
    some have sold the equip thus possably hurting DEC's market. A few bad
    apples spoil it for everybody.
    
    garry
    
1566.7HELP IS ON THE WAYSALEM::KENNEDYMon Sep 16 1991 17:3422
    If you would like a terminal at home, why not look on the Digital
    Idle Asset Listing (DIAL)?  DIAL is available on VTX by typing
    VTX DIAL.  Many times you can find a terminal at zero cost, have it
    transferred to your cost center (also for $0), and take it home on
    a property removal pass.  So what if you don't own it.  It's yours
    as long as you work for Digital.  
    
    There is also a policy around buying a Digital computer if you are
    leaving the corporation.
    
    As far as donations go, there is a donations policy in place and 
    it is really quite simple.  I'm not sure about donations to European
    countries.  For help on that, call the DIAL manager, Paul Coute at
    223-9960.
    
    I will post both policies (donations and employee sales) here in this
    note for your information.
    
    If you want to buy non-Digital equipment, you might want to try
    VTX PDCSTORE.
    
    
1566.8DONATIONS POLICYSALEM::KENNEDYMon Sep 16 1991 17:37173
            USED DIGITAL EQUIPMENT POLICY- CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS
  
  STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE 
  
  To establish a consistent policy for the donation of used 
  Digital computer equipment 
  
  	o  provide alternative use of computer equipment in the community 
           versus the standard disposal of devalued equipment.
  	o  complement Digital's community relations activity
  	o  provide a valuable tool for community non-profit organizations
  
  MAJOR FOCUS 
  
  	o  Organizations with Digital linkages (located in Digital 
           Community, Employee involvement, etc.)
  	o  Programs that may not otherwise acquire new computer equipment 
        o  Complement Digital's community relations activity 
  
  POLICY SCOPE
  
  This policy pertains ONLY to Digital Computer Equipment as 
  listed below.   
  	      
  	o  Only expensed or fully depreciated equipment and
  	o  Only equipment that has been listed on D.I.A.L. 
  	   (please see Standard Procedures for D.I.A.L.)
  
  ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT/PRODUCTS
  	
  	o  Standalone PCs & Workstations 
  	o  Terminals
  	o  Printers
  	o  Related software and operating systems 
  	   that are part of the system being donated.
  	o  Modems, cables, peripherals of stand 
  	   alone system
  
  
  TERMS	- WARRANTY/SERVICES/TRAINING   
  
  
        o  Digital will not be held liable for the condition of the 
           donated products. The recipient agrees to accept the 
           product(s) "as is".
        o  If the equipment is no longer required or becomes inoperable, 
           the recipient agrees to dispose of the equipment appropriately. 
           The recipient further agrees that the equipment or products 
           provided under these terms and conditions will not be sold or 
           donated to a third party. 
  	o  Warranty, Services or Training will NOT be offered as part of 
           the donation.  Services may be purchased directly by the 
           recipient from Digital.   


  Digital Equipment Corporation
  Used Equipment Policy 
         page 2
  
  TERMS	- WARRANTY/SERVICES/TRAINING - continued
  
  	o  Digital's Hot-Line assistance is NOT available to the recipient   
           as part of the donation.  
        o  Appropriate Group and Telephone Numbers should be provided to 
           the recipient in order to purchase any of these services for 
           the standard cost.
  
  STANDARD PROCEDURES THROUGH DIAL
  
  Digital products must be listed on D.I.A.L. (Digital Idle Asset Listing)
  for required period of 3 months.  Cost Center must obtain sign off from
  DIAL coordinator when 3 month period expires.
  
  HOW TO PROCESS THE DONATION  
  
  	 1.  QUALIFYING THE NON-PROFIT
  
  	     o Proof of tax-exempt, non-profit status
  	     o Tax Exempt #
  	     o Organization's practices are in line with overall Digital 
               Philosophy
  
  	 2.  Non-profit Data Form ((Attachment A) filled out and signed 
  	     by Cost Center Manager and Non-Profit representative - Form 
  	     includes Hold Harmless Agreement
  
  	 3.  Authorization for Capital Equipment Disposition filled out 
  	     and signed by Cost Center Manager
  
  	 4.  Confirmation Letter sent to Non-Profit listing equipment 
  	     being donated, appropriate Telephone #s to purchase Service 
  	     from Digital, and copy of Non-Profit Data form w/Hold 
  	     Harmless Agreement (Attachment A).
  
  	 5.  Arrangements made with Non-Profit to pick up equipment
  
  	 6.  Copies of Data Form, Capital Equipment Disposition, and 
  	     Confirmation Letter retained in Cost Center files.
  
  	 7.  Copies of same sent to Corporate Contributions Office for 
  	     general information on all company donations.  
  
  The Cost Center Manager owns the responsibility for ensuring that the 
  proper process was followed and recorded.   
  
  Digital will not incur the cost of shipment, installation, services, or 
  warranty on any used equipment donations.
  
  (NOTE: This policy does NOT pertain to non-Digital computer equipment, 
  larger Digital Systems (VAX, MicroVAX, PDP), typewriters/copiers, or 
  furniture.    Standard Capitalization and Disposition process needs to 
  be followed.  
  
  March 1989


  ATTACHMENT A
  
                            NON-PROFIT DATA FORM
  
  ORGANIZATION:                                      DATE:
  ADDRESS:
  CITY/STATE:
  CONTACT:
  TELEPHONE #:
  
  TAX EXEMPT #:
  
  DIGITAL GROUP/ORGANIZATION:
  COST CENTER:
  COST CENTER MGR:
  
  PRODUCTS DONATED                    SERIAL #S
                                      
  ________________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________________________________
  
                            TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  
  *DIGITAL WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE CONDITION OF THE DONATED 
  PRODUCTS.   THE RECIPIENT AGREES TO ACCEPT THE PRODUCT(S) "AS IS".
  
  *DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, SERVICE, TRAINING, AND WARRANTY ARE THE 
  RESPONSIBLITY OF, AND ARE TO BE INCURRED BY, THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION.
  
  *IF THE EQUIPMENT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED OR BECOMES INOPERABLE, THE 
  RECIPIENT AGREES TO DISPOSE OF THE EQUIPMENT AS APPROPRIATE.  THE 
  RECIPIENT FURTHER AGREES THAT THE EQUIPMENT OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED UNDER 
  THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WILL NOT BE SOLD OR DONATED TO A THIRD PARTY. 
  
  
  
  BY EXECUTING THIS ORDER I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND 
  ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS STATED IN THIS DONATION.
  
  
  ________________________________________________________
  RECIPIENT SIGNATURE/TITLE                        DATE
  
  
  ________________________________________________________
  COST CENTER MANAGER                              DATE
  
  
  ________________________________________________________
  FINANCE MANAGER                                  DATE
  
  
  
  

1566.9EMPLOYEE SALE POLICYSALEM::KENNEDYMon Sep 16 1991 17:41261
       THIS MEMO IS FROM JOHN CAULFIELD AND JUDY ZAPPALA
 

We are pleased to announce a new program that will allow employees to 
purchase used computer equipment. This program will provide employees 
who have accepted the transition package, with an opportunity to purchase 
the equipment they have in their homes provided the guidelines below are met.

o   Equipment must have a zero book value.

o   Equipment is limited to "Personal Use" equipment (e.g., PC, workstation,
    printer, etc)

o   Employees may purchase no more than the equivalent of two "Personal
    Use" systems.

o   Employees must sign the enclosed purchase contract.  

o   All third party software must be removed by a Customer Service
    representative in order to comply with existing license agreements.
    
o   The purchase price for used equipment is $200.00 for each PC and
    $75.00 for each printer.  The purchase price is to reimburse Digital
    for administrative expense and Customer Service fees.

o   Funds collected should be sent to the U.S. Cashier.

8.  Cost Center managers are responsible for completing all capital 
    asset write off forms after the sale is complete.

We would like you to communicate this information to the organizations
you feel are appropriate.  We have enclosed the procedure that Cost 
Center mangers should follow and a copy of the purchase contract which 
employees must sign.  

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.










        PROCEDURE TO SELL USED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT TO EMPLOYEES.


1.  Equipment has been identified as excess with no internal demand
    for the product.  

2.  Equipment must have a zero book value.

3.  Equipment is limited to "Personal Use" equipment. (e.g., PC, 
    workstation, printer, etc)

4.  Employees may purchase no more than the equivalent of two personal
    use systems per year.

5.  Employees must read and sign the enclosed purchase contract.

6.  All third party software must be removed by a Customer Service
    representative in order to comply with existing license agreements.  
    This should be completed at a Customer Service Service Center and 
    each Cost Center manager should receive written verification that
    it has been removed.

7.  The purchase price for used equipment is $200.00 for each PC and $75.00 
    for each printer.  The purchase price is to reimburse Digital for 
    administrative expenses and Customer Service fees.  

8.  Funds collected from the purchase of used equipment should be sent to the 
    U.S. Cashier at PKO 3/2-29 for Deposit.  The following information should 
    accompany the deposit on a separate sheet of paper:
  
      - Cost Center Manager's name
      - Cost Center Manager's telephone number
      - Cost Center Manager's electronic mail address
      - Check Number
      - Check Amount
      - Employee Name
      - Amount of Check
      - Cost Center to receive credit
      - Account Number to credit

9.  Send a copy of the U.S. Cashier's memo (see 8 above) to Judy Zappala @CFO.

9.  The appropriate capital asset write off forms must be processed by 
    the employee's cost center manager after the sale is complete.

      
      	   DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION USED EQUIPMENT EMPLOYEE 
      	   	     PURCHASE TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
          
             
      The following are the terms and conditions under which Digital 
      Equipment Corporation agrees to sell and/or license and You agree 
      to buy and/or license the equipment and software (Products) which 
      are the subject of this sales agreement.  This Digital Used 
      Equipment Employee Purchase Program is a service for Digital 
      employees.  Products purchased through this program can only be 
      purchased for Digital employees and their immediate families.  
      Products cannot be purchased for resale or for individuals or 
      organizations outside the employee's immediate family.  All 
      shipments must be to the employee's home address.  
          
      	   1.	TAXES
          
            	Prices are exclusive of, and You are responsible for all 
                sales,use and like taxes.
          
      	   2.	PAYMENT
          
            	Payment may be by personal check (up to $300.00), bank 
                cashier's check or money order (for amounts of $300.01 or 
                more).  The employee's name must be imprinted on a 
                personal check.  All checks are to be made out to DIGITAL 
                EQUIPMENT CORPORATION.  The amount of the check must 
                equal the total purchase price of the items being 
                ordered, plus any applicable sales/use taxes.  The 
                employee's badge number should also be written on the  
                check.
      
      	   3.	EXPORT
          
           	United States export laws prohibit You from either 
                directly or indirectly exporting any Product without 
                first obtaining a license from the United States 
                Government.  If You desire to export (move) the Products 
                outside the United States, You should contact the Manager 
                of DIGITAL'S Export Services Group for further 
                information and assistance.
          
      	   4.	LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
          
      	   	DIGITAL WILL NOT BE LIABLE IN ANY EVENT FOR ANY DAMAGES 
                INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS OR SAVINGS, CLAIMS 
                AGAINST YOU BY ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR 
                CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF OR 
                INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCTS, EVEN IF DIGITAL IS ADVISED 
                OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
      
      	   5.	INSTALLATION
          
      	   	Installation of the Products is Your responsibility.
          
      	   6.	WARRANTY
      
      	   	A.  WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS
      
      	   	    ALL PRODUCTS FURNISHED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE 
                    PROVIDED "AS IS".  DIGITAL DISCLAIMS, WITHOUT 
                    LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND 
                    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO EVENT WILL 
                    DIGITAL BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, 
                    INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR 
                    CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  THIS LIMITATION IS, HOWEVER, 
                    WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO CLAIMS BY YOU FOR PERSONAL 
                    INJURY SUFFERED BY YOU.
          
      	   	B.  APPLICATION SOFTWARE
      
      	   	    No provisions have been made to license any third 
                    party application software previously residing on 
                    used equipment.  All third party application software 
                    has been deleted from the system as certified by a 
                    Digital Customer Service Representative in accordance 
                    with the Employee Used Equipment Sale Policy. 
      
      	   	    You have the sole responsibility for obtaining 
                    software products which will run on the used 
                    equipment.  Digital does not warrant the existence or 
                    availability of software programs which will run on 
                    these systems.  
      
      	   	D.  LIMITATIONS
      
      	   	    THESE WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS AND THIS EXCLUSION OF ANY 
                    IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF 
                    MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE 
                    ARE MADE PART OF THIS AGREEMENT BECAUSE THE PRODUCTS 
                    BEING SOLD ARE PRODUCTS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED 
                    EXTENSIVELY BY DIGITAL INTERNALLY.
      
      	   7.   SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE
      
      	   	All Digital Software residing on Used Equipment at the 
                time of Sale is furnished under the following Terms and 
                Conditions:
      
      	   	1.  All Digital software residing on the Used Equipment 
                    at the time of Sale is licensed to You for Your 
                    personal use and may not be transferred.
      
      	   	2.  The software and any part thereof may be used on only 
                    the single personal computer on which the software 
                    was installed, at the time of purchase and may be 
                    copied in whole or in part (with the proper inclusion 
                    of the DIGITAL copyright notice and any DIGITAL 
                    proprietary notices on the software) only for use on 
                    such personal computer;
      
      	   	3.  In the event that an equipment malfunction occurs in 
                    the above single personal computer causing the 
                    software to become inoperable on such single personal 
                    computer, the software (or a copy thereof) may be 
                    used on another single personal computer on a 
                    temporary basis during such malfunction;
      
      	   	4.  You shall not provide or otherwise make available the 
                    software or any part of copies thereof in any form to 
                    any third party except for authorized use of your 
                    personal computer;
      
      	   	5.  No title to or ownership of the software or any parts 
                    thereof is transferred to You;
      
      	   	6.  DIGITAL shall have the right to terminate any 
                    software license granted under this agreement if You 
                    fail to comply with these license terms and 
                    conditions. You agree, upon notice of such 
                    termination, to immediately destroy the software 
                    provided under such terminated licenses and all 
                    portions and copies thereof.
      
      	   8.	GOVERNING LAW
      
      	   	This agreement is governed by the laws of the 
                Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
      

     DIGITAL and PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EACH HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS
     THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SALE CONTRACT.  BOTH DIGITAL
     AND PURCHASER FURTHER AGREE THAT THIS SALE CONTRACT CONSTITUTES THE
     ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND THAT BOTH AGREE TO BE BOUND 
     BY ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.  NO DEVIATION FROM 
     THIS SALE CONTRACT SHALL BE BINDING UNLESS IN WRITING AND SIGNED
     BY THE PARTY AGAINST WHOM THE DEVIATION IS SOUGHT TO BE ENFORCED.


     _____________________________ DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
            (Purchaser)

     Address:_____________________ Address:_____________________________

             _____________________         _____________________________

     				   By:__________________________________
        				(Authorized Signature)

				   Title:_______________________________


     Name: _______________________ Name:________________________________
            (Typed or Printed)             (Typed or Printed)


     Date:________________________ Date:________________________________


1566.10What about modems and terminals?PLOUGH::KINZELMANPaul KinzelmanThu Sep 19 1991 19:261
What about modems and terminals like VT100, VT220, 240, etc.?