(From Analysis of the System Administrator Occupation Copyright © 2000 by SAGE, The System Administrators Guild.)
86. Evaluate needs and develop system design and upgrade proposals/justification.
87. Research and evaluate hardware/software/equipment to satisfy requirements (e.g., user needs, budgetary, legal, technical specifications).
88. Write software/hardware specifications to meet user needs (e.g., RFI, RFP).
89. Evaluate and recommend third- party products and services.
90. Develop/write purchase justification (e.g., based on growth and needs).
91. Negotiate/renegotiate service- level agreements and terms with provider to optimize costs and/or services (e.g., technical support, equipment, maintenance).
92. Establish and cultivate relationship with vendor for problem resolution, technical support, etc.
93. Monitor vendor contract performance (e.g., track vendor response time).
94. Place, manage, and track equipment orders.
95. Establish/update equipment inventory.
96. Provide/solicit information to/from vendor to fix software_ to/from vendor to fix software bugs and problems.