OPTIONS
1)      Purchase – appropriate equipment for ongoing usage, or to be housed on-site for immediate availability in case of emergencies or as a supplement to existing cooling systems

2)      Rent/release – appropriate equipment for short-term or temporary use, for trial opera­tions, or to avoid significant expense or commitment from all-out purchase

WHY BUY?
Cooling isn’t just for people comfort. If you have a significant investment in electronic, computer, and telecommunications equipment, portable air conditioning is an inexpen­sive insurance policy. Proper temperature control is essential in computer rooms, elec­trical and telephone switching stations, hospitals, restaurant kitchens, for process cool­ing on assembly lines, and spot cooling applications in offices, warehouses, and manu­facturing sites, when material is too hot to handle or package. When people are exposed to hot operations such as welding, brazing, or ovens, spot cooling will make a difference in productivity and quality that’s easily measured. You can purchase portable units for primary, supplemental, or emergency cooling.

KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK POTENTIAL VENDORS

1)      Can equipment be delivered immediately? If not, how long will it take? Estimated setup time?

2)      Vendor experience/qualifications specific to my industry?

3)      Number and scope of projects like my own that the vendor has accommodated to date?

4)      What is the level and availability of technical expertise and assistance?

5)      Is start-up training provided for in-house maintenance staff?

6)      Is the equipment UL listed?

7)      Does it meet city codes in all our facility locations?

8.      What are the equipment’s limitations?

9)      What are the warranty terms? Is an extended warranty for parts and labor available?

10)  References available?

KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK VENDOR REFERENCES

1)      How similar to my own are your company’s cooling needs?

2)      How adequately does your equipment do the job for which it was purchased?

3)      What are some equipment quirks or limitations to be aware of?

4)      How reliable is it?

5)      Is it quiet enough?

6)      Was the equipment delivered on time?

7)      Was installation disruptive?

8.      Why was this vendor or equipment chosen?

a.       Were others considered?

9)      What did the selection process entail?

10)  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the provider or equipment?

BUYER BEWARE

1)      Make sure portable cooling equipment is really what you need. Sometimes it’s the only solution, as for rooms to which ductwork or chiller stems cannot be extended. But many ongoing applications can be covered by conventional cooling systems at a lower price, especially in company-owned buildings.

2)      If contemplating a purchase, plan for the future. Accommodating your cooling system needs of tomorrow maybe worth the investment today.

3)      Consider equipment availability in time of urgent need.

4)      Consider the geographic area covered by the supplier.

WHAT NEXT?
1)      Involve appropriate operations managers and facilities maintenance personnel in equipment evaluation and selection.

2)      Request or create a features matrix accounting for options and at-a-glance compari­son of all models being considered.

3)      After pre-qualifying all vendor candidates, request a presentation at your facility. Ideally, test actual applications applied to emergency cooling scenarios.

4)      Request written replies to follow-up questions not answered during vendor presenta­tions.

5)      Rent before you buy to give the equipment a trial run, or buy a single unit at outset and purchase additional units later.

6)      Do your homework now—not at time of urgent need.

www.bestitdocuments.com