• Does another application in the university already provide the function?
• What Operating Systems are supported?
• Does it require a Database?
  • Which Databases are supported?
• Does it require a Website?
  • What webserver application does it use; e.g. Apache, IIS?
• What firewall rules are required inbound and outbound to the server. What Ports to which IP addresses?
• What type of data will you be storing? See information classifications 
• How much resource is required?
  • Number of cores?
  • GB RAM?
  • Hard disk space required?
• What resiliency is required? How much downtime can the business afford to this application? You will not be able to obtain 100% uptime.
• How are updates/patching to the application handled?
• Who is managing the application? Who is the technical point of contact for end users using your application?
• If you are using large volumes of storage, does this need to be backed up each day? Just for disaster recovery? Not at all, as the data can be recreated?
• Do 3rd parties providing support require access via a VPN?