Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Hi all,

I'm sending this hoping to pick a few experienced brains.  (and I'm
sending it to both confocal and flowcyt mailing lists for good measure
:-)

Our Institute has just purchased a Leica SP2 AOBS confocal for our Core
cytometry facility, an instrument which has long been desired by
Faculty.  We do not have a similar instrument in Core.  Whereas it would
be nice to be able to provide 'scope use free of charge, in the real world
that is probably not going to happen. I've been asked to inquire about
folks' experiences introducing a major new instrument like this to a Core
and how they have solved the attendant problems.

Three crucial questions that come to mind.  Probably more that I am
missing right now! :-

(1) How does one calculate a recharge schedule?  We're leaning towards an
hourly rate, and we only have to cover the service contract (mucho
$$$$!!!!) and incidental costs (Core staff salaries are covered from
other funds).  Service contracts have been discussed before on both
mailing lists; as a worst-case scenario let's assume that we purchase a
full-blown contract. How much of this should get passed on to users, and
how much is it reasonable to ask the institution to subsidise, given that
they bought the capital item in the first place?

(2) What's the strategy for introducing a recharge schedule?  Going "cold
turkey" and slapping on a full rate is one way, but this is probably not a
good idea because people will not have a budget for it in their grants.
How have people implemented charging for a new instrument?  What's a
reasonable ramp-up time and how did everyone's Faculty react?

(3) What's the best way of calculating a recharge rate for a new
instrument - how have people approached this?


As always, any and all advice muchly appreciated.

All the best


David Chambers
Salk Institute CCMI, La Jolla, CA
<[log in to unmask]>