Micron program will ease fed PC buys

Micron Electronics announced this week a new PC management program, called Mpower, that is designed to allow government agencies to trade in old PCs for credit on new purchases, set up a comprehensive leasing program and offer to dispose of old PCs in a safe recycling system.

Micron, which is the third-largest direct manufacturer of computers, is one of the top suppliers to the federal government. The company recently won a blanket purchase agreement to supply computers to the Air Force.

Harry Heisler, vice president and general manager of the public sector at Micron, said he plans to offer the program to all agencies, including the Defense Department. However, because of government regulations dealing with the disposal of equipment—particularly equipment that may have stored classified information—there may still be some barriers to the government becoming a big user of the program.

"Government is moving to commercial products, and this is our new commercial offering. Of course I'm going to offer agencies a chance to participate," Heisler said.

The program has a number of components:

Power Xchange: Customers can trade in current desktop and notebook systems from any major computer manufacturer in exchange for rebates on the purchase of new Micron systems. They also can trade in—any time from 12 to 48 months after purchase—any Micron system to upgrade to a new system.

Tech-Refresh Lease: This monthly leasing program permits upgrading at any time.

Green Recycling: Micron will dispose of obsolete PCs in an environmentally safe manner for organizations buying five or more new Micron PCs.