Total cost of ownership of elearning

I presume that this question needs to be looked at in the sense of the 'Total Cost of Ownership' or
'TCO' - Google this to get some useful papers from various sources, but these are some of the factors
involved in any software system acquisition:-

1) Server costs -- hardware purchase, operating system setup and any licence fee, ongoing server
support (maintenance, bug fixes and routine updates), backup device and media usage, network
cards and high speed access point to school network.
2) Application system support costs - this is the cost of just keeping it going (i.e. with no one using it)
in terms of initial installation, diagnosis of problems, installation of bug fixes and other updates,
backups and data security.
3) Integration costs to other systems - e.g. Student records/ assessment systems
4) Content provision costs - e.g. bought in or teacher provided
5) User support, training and conversion costs - internal or external

Don't forget that most of the costs will be of staff (either direct or indirect) and that
any salary needs to be increased by the overhead cost (Usually 40%+ but your HR/Accounts departm
ent will usually be able to give a figure)

Without knowing the scope of the project it is difficult to estimate, perhaps others know of schools or
colleges that could give examples?

Hope this helps to get you going

Laurence

Laurence Fouweather MBCS MIET BSc(Hons) MSc(Oxon)

Director
Oxford Academic Technology Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1865 451 670
Mobile: +44 (0)7968 692 380
Fax: +44 (0)7813 889 526
Web: http://www.oxact.com

Hi everyone

I am trying to find out for a piece of research I am doing what is the cost of Moodle,
administration, keeping it updated, the need to employ someone to look after it etc.

Any help as always greatly appreciated.

Regards