IT Purchasing Process Improvement Initiative

TAR to become BuyIT

BuyIT logo

The longtime campus Technology Acquisition Request (TAR) process will be relaunched this summer, introducing a new streamlined interface and a new name: BuyIT. Beginning July 29th, 2024, campus users who purchase IT goods and services will begin using the new website to submit requests.

The change is part of a year-long collaborative effort between Academic Technology (AT), Information Technology Services (ITS), and other campus partners, including Procurement and the Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC). We also benefitted from campus input through focus groups and a user group comprised of staff and faculty whose input has been critical to this process improvement initiative.

For more information, visit buyit.sfsu.edu.

BuyIT home page

BuyIT home page

Academic Technology supports the IT review process for academic IT purchases, and to ensure that Academic Affairs users are informed about the new process, we are hosting a series of informational sessions on BuyIT. These informational sessions will provide a brief overview of the project and process history and a guided tour of the new IT purchasing interface.

Join us for one of the following 30-minute informational sessions:

Additionally, to schedule a 15-30 minute presentation and demonstration at an upcoming department or college meeting, email Academic Technology (at@sfsu.edu) to schedule.

Welcome to BuyIT

A streamlined IT purchasing experience, the new front end application provides users with comprehensive list of pre-approved items to request, option to engage IT support for more complex requests, and pathway to project intake.

Miss the informational town hall series? Looking to learn more about BuyIT and hear directly from the project team?

View the slide deck

Watch a recorded town hall session

Timeline

Spring 2023 - Project kickoff

Summer 2023 - Focus groups with key stakeholders

Fall-Winter 2023 - Application design and development

Spring 2024 - User groups and testing

Summer 2024 - Soft launch

Fall 2024 - Application rollout to campus

Stakeholder Units

DPRC

ITS Security

Procurement

Cross-campus TAR Users

Team

Academic Technology (AT)

Andrew Roderick

Jonathan Foerster

Robyn Ollodort

Charles O'Sullivan

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Jon Sehmer

James Tran

Technology Acquisition Review (TAR)

SF State technology acquisitions, whether purchased or free, are required to be reviewed for operational support, accessibility and information security requirements prior to acquisition and use.

All technology purchases require a completed TAR approving the acquisition. In the case of pre-approved technology, the required TAR process has already occurred.  

Services involving an IT component, such as consulting services requiring access to the University systems and/or data, also require a TAR to be completed. However, such services provided by an independent consultant or sole proprietor do not require a TAR as the necessary contractual language will automatically be inserted into their agreement with SF State.

TARs are used to (1) reduce IT costs by leveraging existing technology purchases and contracts; (2) determine whether technology meets CSU/ campus standards (3) meet compliance requirements with CSU policies and SF State practice directives, e.g. accessibility and IT security which helps to reduce the risk of data breaches resulting in harm to CSU or individuals and any damages arising out of these breaches, and (4) ensure campus resources are available to support the chosen technology.

For more information, visit the TAR informational page.

electrical outlet icon, hands reaching for gear and lightbulb and computer monitor

Latest Updates

July 29th, 2024 BuyIT Launch
July 2024 IT Purchasing Town Halls: Announcing BuyIT
March 7, 2024 Presentation to Technology Governance Committee
March 15, 2024 User group feedback sessions completed
March 22, 2024 Presentation to Staff Council
March 27, 2024 Presentation to President's Cabinet