Different types of in-plants approach the lease vs. buy question from different perspectives.

By Ray Chambers

Ray Chambers, CGCM, MBA, has invested over 30 years managing and directing printing plants, copy centers, mail centers and award-winning document management facilities in higher education and government. Most recently, Chambers served as vice president and chief information officer at Juniata College. Chambers is currently a doctoral candidate studying Higher Education Administration at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU). His research interests include outsourcing in higher education and its impact on support services in higher education and managing support services. He also consults (www.chambersmanagementgroup.com) with leaders in both the public and private sectors to help them understand and improve in-plant printing and document services operations. Contact him at:

raychambers@earthlink.net

HOW DO you acquire equipment? Do you lease? Do you buy? Do you even have a choice?

Different types of organizations tend to approach the lease-buy question from different perspectives. Businesses use a variety of tools, like computing the net present value of leasing vs. buying and picking the option that maximizes profitability. Non-profit organizations—including government agencies, colleges and universities—are not as concerned with profit, but they do need to look at the impact on operating and/or capital budgets to make financially sound decisions. In some cases, the decision is driven by organizational policy, legislative guidelines or procurement laws, so the in-plant manager has little if any choice.

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Ray Chambers Author's page

Ray Chambers, CGCM, MBA, has invested over 30 years managing and directing printing plants, copy centers, mail centers and award-winning document management facilities in higher education and government.

Most recently, Chambers served as vice president and chief information officer at Juniata College. Chambers is currently a doctoral candidate studying Higher Education Administration at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU). His research interests include outsourcing in higher education and its impact on support services in higher education and managing support services. He also consults (Chambers Management Group) with leaders in both the public and private sectors to help them understand and improve in-plant printing and document services operations.

Lease vs. Buy: What’s Best for You?