Richard T. Franta
ABSTRACT
The Computer Center at the University of Minnesota has recently set up a retail store operation for the sale of computer-related documentation and supplies. This paper will discuss the factors which lead up to the decision to begin a retail operation as well as the policy decisions which govern the operation. I will also discuss the rules which affect the operation within a tax-exempt institution, the problems of staffing, stocking, space, and point of sale records. New problems which are the direct result of network expansion and microcomputer technology will also be addressed. It is my hope that this discussion will help you to avoid some of the problems that we encountered.
During the summer of 1980, there were many things happening at the University of Minnesota which eventually resulted in the opening of the University Computer Center Store. Inflation and the economy made it obvious that the Computer Center budget was not going to expand at a rate which would allow us to maintain our existing level of services. This meant that we had to search for new areas of income to offset our increased expenses and permit us to provide what we felt were needed services. All of the “free” services provided by the University Computer Center (UCC) came under close scrutiny to determine which ones could be eliminated, reduced, or provided on a charge basis. One of these areas was documentation.
Index Terms
- What's in store for you?
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