Paying for Researcher Workbench Costs

The first step in activating a payment method for the All of Us Researcher Workbench is to set up a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) billing account if you don’t have one already. You have two options: via a self-managed GCP Billing Account or through a third-party reseller.

Determining the best approach

1. Compare costs and benefits

   • Consider the costs, benefits, and potential trade-offs of setting up directly versus using a reseller. Compare service fees, support offerings, and additional services provided by the reseller.

2. Consult with internal stakeholders

   • Engage key stakeholders within your organization, such as finance, IT, and procurement teams, to gather input and ensure alignment with organizational goals and preferences.

   • If your organization has existing relationships with resellers or contractual obligations, review these to understand if setting up through a reseller aligns with your organizational commitments.

   • If you are unsure whether this applies to you, you can talk with your department’s contract person or by reaching out to Carahsoft to ask whether your institution has an existing contract already.

3. Evaluate long-term strategy

   • Consider your long-term cloud strategy, including scalability, future growth, and the potential need for additional cloud services or support beyond initial setup.

   • Example: If your team plans to set up a joint account for multiple billing users or you plan to link your billing account to more than five workspaces, it’s best to set up the account through Carahsoft or another reseller.

Leveraging a GCP partner or reseller

1. Local expertise and support

   • Resellers often provide localized support and expertise, which can be valuable if you need assistance navigating regional regulations, languages, or specific requirements.

2. Contractual agreements and terms

   • Some institutions prefer working through resellers due to existing contractual agreements, bundled services, or negotiated pricing that can potentially offer cost savings or additional services.

3. Administrative convenience

   • If managing multiple vendor relationships or streamlining procurement processes is a priority, using a reseller might simplify billing consolidation and vendor management.

4. Value-added services

   • Resellers may offer value-added services such as consolidated billing across multiple cloud services or customized reporting, which can enhance operational efficiency and financial management.

5. Strategic partnerships

   • If your organization has established partnerships or preferred vendor relationships with a reseller like Carahsoft, leveraging these relationships can provide strategic benefits and support specific business objectives.

6. Support for researchers with NIH funding

   • Carahsoft, a U.S. based partner, supports the NIH STRIDES (Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability) Initiative by providing services that let NIH and NIH-funded researchers leverage cloud computing resources effectively.

   • If you are using the Researcher Workbench, are based in the U.S., and qualify for GCP discounts through STRIDES, we recommend working with Carahsoft to set up your billing account.

Now that you know your options, read how to set up a GCP billing account.

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