CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
All excess computers on base should be turned in to the base equipment control officer by May 1 to save money on Microsoft software licensing fees.
"If all the excess computers would be turned in, I think that Team Charleston could save close to $500,000," said Alvin Green, 437th Communications Squadron chief, network control center.
Air Mobility Command is about $3.4 million over their budget for software licensing this year, said Mr. Green.
In June of 2004, the Air Force signed an agreement with Microsoft allowing the Air Force to pay for needed software at a discounted price for every computer in the inventory.
Charleston AFB has 7,077 computers in the inventory, but only 4,253 are connected to the network. Basically, there are 2,824 computers that could potentially be turned in to save money.
"I don't know what the extra computers are being used for, whether they're just being left in a closet or being kept as a spare," said Mr. Green. "Not everyone needs to keep a spare computer because it's still costing a lot of money even though it isn't being used. It's up to everyone here to tell us when they have a computer they don't need."
Excess computers can be turned in to Master Sgt. Sue E. Grasty, 437 CS base equipment control officer, in building 302. The computers can be turned in as soon as possible on any day.
Once they are taken to Sergeant Grasty, they will then be transported to the Defense Reutilization Management Office. The computers will not be removed from the base's inventory until they are received by DRMO.
DRMO controls surplus U.S. Government property and distributes excess property, such as the computers, to other places where they are needed.
"We have a staff here at Charleston who is ready and willing to assist people who have computers to turn in," said Mr. Green.
For more information, contact Sergeant Grasty at 673-2933.