Unnecessary coverage adds to the cost. The older the equipment, the more it will cost. Sometimes travel time is an additional cost. Be sure that any cost associated with travel time is clarified within the contract. The vendor needs to know who is authorized to request a service call.
Unauthorized calls can result in unauthorized charges.
The contract should specify who has been designated as the University contact person. This streamlines the process and provides consistent service. The University cannot function for long without one of the mainframe computers, so we have a rapid response maintenance contract on each one of them. Some equipment could pose a potential hazard if it is not maintained regularly and correctly. Sometimes older equipment is less reliable than newer equipment and should be placed under a maintenance contract to maintain it in working order.