Tom Bradshaw asked how Dell handles multiple loadsets. Loadsets are numbered so when customers order equipment they can specify the loadset needed. Gateway is the only major computer manufacturer with a Virginia location, and Megabyte, located in Ashland, implements Gateway's seat management services. Effective seat management can accomplish those objectives. Important factors when procuring for seat management include incentives for both the customer and the vendor, organizational buy-in, agency standardization, using economies of scale, and considering upgrade packages to enhance performance while reducing costs.
Cultural changes occur when implementing seat management.
Pete acknowledged the loss of control is a large cultural change, especially where it concerns users not being able to load their own software. Another change that occurs with seat management is a shift in human resources. Staff are realigned to higher-level areas. Dan Gayk asked how a seat management player can reconcile KIS with clearly defining roles and responsibilities and cited the overlapping that VDOT is experiencing with the transition to Halifax machines. Tom Bradshaw also commented on the difficulty of standardization with all the upgrades a system must go through.