April Fools: UB Tech Squad to deliver pizza with IT help

Tech Squad students pose next to the Tech Squad van, complete with new pizza-themed paint job.

By April Fools

Published April 1, 2018 This content is archived.

An innovative pilot program beginning in April will add a pizza delivery component to UB’s Tech Squad service. While picking an appointment with the Tech Squad online, students will have the option to place an order for a personal pan pizza that will arrive, hot and fresh, along with your tech support.

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April fools!

April Fools is celebrated every year on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. Some newspapers, magazines, and other published media report fake stories, which are usually explained the next day. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.

The real enemy: hunger

“We found that many, if not most, of the tech problems we troubleshoot are actually hunger-related,” said Chris Clune, Director of IT Customer Service. “Low blood sugar can make it difficult to assess problems with network connectivity or malware. And since we’re already mobile with the Tech Squad, it was a natural progression to start delivering pizza too.”

Why pizza? “There’s something about that magic combination of dough, cheese and toppings that just seems to make everything better,” Clune said.

Sauce and strategy

“This new initiative is all about alignment,” said J. Brice Bible, UB Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “By aligning ourselves with all our customers’ needs—be it the need for a reliable network or a reliable knosh—we can deliver better service to everyone.”

If the pilot is successful, UBIT will be experimenting with combo options--garlic knots with a side of free software, anyone?--as well as branching out into other culinary directions. 

"Noodles, sushi...who knows? The sky's the limit," said Bible.

Tech squad van: tricked out (with toppings)

In order to deliver tech help and pizza in the same vehicle, some modifications needed to be made to the iconic Tech Squad van. Special toppings trays were installed so pizzas can be customized on sight, if need be, with a variety of popular toppings.

“But absolutely no pineapple,” said Clune. “Fruit on a pizza? That’s ridiculous.”

Students: Book the Tech Squad (Cheese Not Included)