The logistics of maintaining software and associated licenses is expensive and complex. The exact configuration of each machine may be idosyncratic - compounding maintenance difficulties. Users have different levels of competancy and have become used to these idosynchracies. They find it confusing or impossible to switche from one machine to another, however you need the flexibility to be able to move people without moving their prefered machine as well. Different versions of application software make data and information sharing difficult, often involving costly workarounds.

Now audit the people to determine their computing skills (what versions of what are they are novice/intermediate/expert with).

Decide on a standard specification and configuration of machine which includes at least the newest version of the commonest applications you have found - not necessarily the newest versions that can be purchased.

Calculate costs and benefits grouping these by department or buidling in order to prioritise action. Costs include hardware, software, ongoing ownership, consultancy, networks, training and back-fill. Benefits can be calculated from improved productivity, reduced ownership costs and better customer service.

Purchase

Do it in phases!! Each phase being targeted at one department or one buidling at a time, tackling the areas which provide the best returns on investement first.

Train users to at least the same level of proficiency in the new versions of the applications as they were in the old.

Dont't forget to freshen up the printers and networks too!

Training users

People are now more flexible about where they can work.

Local hard disks can be used for any specialist software which is only needed by a small number of users.

Even though the desktops may not provide the very latest versions of applications, the opportunity now exists to undertake another more straight forward freshen up exercise in the future.