Home Computer Initiative providers
Hi to all interested in HCI (the home computer initiative)
As an initial response to Gabriella, who started this thread, the main reason companies in the UK don't start a HCI scheme for their employees, which is without doubt the best of the bunch of current tax advantageous employee benefits, is that they dont have a clue how to administer such a scheme and need some help from an organisation such as the one I work for (Futuremedia PLC). a successful scheme should always end up being cost neutral to a company (certainly a large one) as the company themselves re-coup any marketing/consultancy costs over the 3 years of the scheme through reductions in their employers national insurance contributions.
The major advantages to any company offering the scheme are these: A more PC literate workforce (you're less likely to break a PC at work if you've taken the care to learn how to use one properly at home), a happier more satisfied workforce, provides a medium for blended/elearning through the PC's now within the workforces home, a sense of loyalty ( most of those who have taken up the scheme clearly intend to be with the company for at least the three years that the (majority) of schemes run for.)
The advantages for the employee are many and varied, firstly there's the financial aspect. You get to have a brand new, often top of the range computer in your own home, without having to pay out any lump sum, without having to undergo credit checks, and often costing 40% less than the same machine if bought direct from the supplier/hardware manufacturer....no commercial credit charges etc etc.....Often people that enrol in an HCI scheme have never had a PC in their own home, for these people it really is like stepping into a new world, and if you are fully PC literate this is a great way of upgrading without the financial burden.
Companies such as the one I work within are essentially enablers, we negotiate the best deals with the suppliers, provide technical support to those in the scheme through-out the duration of the scheme, extend the manufacturers warranty throughout the duration of the program, assist in marketing the scheme to the employees of the company and generally hold the hand of the company and the employee throughout the 3 year program and into the renewal period following on from the end of the scheme.
If anyone out there would like any more information, or specifics / case studies etc, feel free to email me at (e-mail address removed) or visit
www.futuremedia.co.uk and read up on what we do and what we offer. there are also lots of other providers out there (but I'm afraid I'm not in the habit of giving them free marketing!)
All the best and happy computing to all, Dan
