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O s e r C o m m u n i c a t i o n s G r o u p O r l a n d o W e d n e s d a y, J a n u a r y 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH FETC By Randal Heise, President of Mackin Educational Resources How many times have we heard the phrase, "there's no better time than right now"? Given the amazing state of technology within the field of education, this sentiment could not ring more true. "Now" is the optimal time, for the educator and the educated. We are incredibly fortunate to be living during the rapid and ever-changing for- mation of the digital age. As a company with more than 30 years of service provid- ing printed books, eBooks and digital resources to PK–12 schools and students, Mackin Educational Resources recognizes the magical quality of the world as we move toward this juncture. Keeping in step with this change, Mackin has con- sciously taken our roots as a provider of printed materials and blended them into our new digital initiatives. Spring of 2010 gave birth to MackinVIA™, our free digital resource manage- ment system. In the fall of 2012, we launched our digital reader and apps for two separate tablet platforms, allowing our customers to access their Mackin digital con- tent from our cloud. These revolutionary steps were taken so that Mackin could con- tinue providing state-of-the-art resources and tools to schools and students alike. In true Mackin service-oriented form, the MackinVIA content management system and MackinVIA reader app are made available at no cost. The result of our implementing these digital delights has resulted in a sizable shift in acceptance from publishers and customers alike. More and more content is MAKING THE GRADE THROUGH THE DOMINANCE OF DIGITAL AG iRepair is one of the largest and most advanced repair facilities in the nation, specializing in Apple and Chromebook device repairs. It is currently partnered with more than 700 school districts, providing repair solutions for iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and various Chromebook models. In addi- tion to repair services, AG iRepair also offers an extensive line of replacement parts for school districts that manage their own repairs in house. The company has more than 15 years of experience in the LCD repair industry and its technical knowledge, coupled with its advanced testing and repair equipment, allows it to perform highly specialized repair services successfully. At its 84,000 square foot facility, all repairs are performed in four class 10,000 clean rooms, which creates an environment free of dust and debris, ensuring the highest quality repair experience. AG iRepair is also well known for its ability to handle high volume repairs at ease and currently supports individual school districts with more than 40,000 iPads. AG iRepair offers school districts numerous advantages that sets it apart from the competition, offering the highest quality with the best educational pricing, a one to two day repair turnaround time, a one-year warranty on all repairs, and free inbound and outbound shipping. All of these advantages are becoming increasing- ly important as more and more school districts are starting to fund their own repairs, versus purchasing an insurance policy or a warranty to cover their devices from accidental damage. AG iRepair also offers its customers an advanced website that allows school districts to track all current and prior repairs. With its time stamped order manag- er system, districts can see when their order was received, if it is in production, Technology advances demand adaptability and mobility to remain relevant in today's and tomorrow's presentation environment. The MarvelVizion ® line of Audio Visual Furniture supports today's technologies and continues its tradition of manufacturing a high quality innovatively designed product that is made in America. Presenter friendly, each MarvelVizion product works with you to deliver your message. Stable platforms with large work surfaces, pull out shelves for added work space and equipment and locking drawers and cabinets for secure storage all facilitate a polished professional presentation. Integrator friendly, MarvelVizion furniture is designed to support various tech- nologies and options. Engineered with rack or freestanding component areas, wire and cable management channels, strategically placed knock outs, grommets and access panels for easy loading, MarvelVizion products enable a fast, efficient installation of your audio visual equipment. MarvelVizion arrives at your door with very little assembly required. Attractive, high pressure laminate tops are supported by heavy duty welded and riveted steel. These products are ready to go in minutes. The Instructor Cart Series functions as a Mobile Teacher's Station, supporting both A/V and Desk functions on a small footprint. The "Instructor" is designed to support today's classroom needs and safety requirements. All units feature a steel frame with a high pressure laminate top and a no-tip safe- ty base. Included with each is an electrical 8 outlet, 20-foot cord, 14 gauge AWG, on/off switch, pullout keyboard tray, locking interior drawer and interior 6U equipment An interview with David Allen, Founder and CEO of EDCO Education. ESD: How does your experience working as a CIO impact the way that you have grown and currently manage the way EDCO does business? DA: Working inside the school system gives you a whole new appreciation for the challenges school administrators face. From budgetary con- straints, working to ensure students and parents can get full use of and navigate the technology – it's in no way an easy job. It has been my goal with EDCO to have a com- pany that doesn't just sell a product but provides a full technology solution. That means providing the services that support the products and not resting until you're sure that everything functions properly and everyone is happy with the result. I make better busi- ness decisions because I understand the customer and that, at the end of the day, is the most important thing. ESD: EDCO has seen incredible success in the southeast over the past five years and has developed a reputation of integrity with its educators. What do you attribute that to? DA: We consistently deliver a quality product in a timely fashion. After that, we make sure teachers and administrators are trained on the product and we follow up to solve any problems. We have a very high customer satisfaction rating for precisely this reason. Continued on Page 25 Continued on Page 25 Continued on Page 20 Continued on Page 25 AG IREPAIR: DEVICE REPAIR AND PARTS FOR K–12 DIGITAL LEARNING INITIATIVES MARVELVIZION INTEGRATES FURNITURE WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGIES EDCO CEO SEES BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE