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Page 7 of 8
Purchasing
6. Equipment Specifications
6.1 If you do buy or lease equipment, think through your requirements. For example:
- Technical specifications - output per hour, accuracy, wastage, controls, safety, reliability and the machine's life expectancy. Consider how you will use the equipment. A more expensive piece of equipment may save you money in the long term.
- Compatibility - with other equipment, available power supplies and your premises (especially if the building is old).
- Guarantees - will the seller still be around to honour the promises made now?
- Technical support - assume everything will go wrong. How soon will help come? Will spare parts be available? How experienced are the engineers? How steep will the charges be?
- Technical skills or training required - will you need to hire specialist staff?
- Options for expansion and upgrading - or will the equipment soon be obsolete?
6.2 What are the true costs?
- Purchase price.
- Delivery and installation costs.
- Maintenance costs - service and repairs, including parts.
- Running costs - power, lubrication, cooling and consumables.
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