Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/698901
E d Te ch S h o w D a i l y 2 9 W e d n e s d a y, J u n e 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 Best of Show 2016 HOW TO BOLSTER IT SUPPORT PROCESSES DISTRICT-WIDE As part of their dual-funded BYOD pro- gram, Edina Public Schools wanted to bolster their already robust IT support team. With their existing team focusing on larger IT issues such as networking infrastructure, device lifecycle and active directory user management, they needed help with level-1 technical issues. That's where the Geek Squad ® Tech Hub from Best Buy ® Education came in. Why Edina Needed Geek Squad Tech Hub Support Edina Public Schools (EPS) went through a series of iterations for their student device program. Their initial 1:1 program was strictly district owned, in which Windows laptops were given to a pilot group of students. Based on the feedback from those stu- dents, EPS moved to an optional BYOD initiative. From there they fur- ther expanded their program, and part- nered with Best Buy Education to tran- sition from their optional student device program to their current dual- funded, device-required BYOD pro- gram. When the program became device- required, the existing IT support team was unable to keep up with the increase of hands-on troubleshooting needs for all the students. To provide their students with the support they needed, while continuing to properly maintain their larger network infra- structure, EPS decided to implement a Geek Squad Tech Hub kiosk in the high school to increase the availability of support. Advice for Implementing IT Support Processes After getting the program set up, EPS experienced an immediate workload reduction for their staff, and the students were able to readily access help with their IT challenges. Teachers and stu- dents also utilize the Geek Squad Tech Hub to address service issues for their per- sonal devices. Jack Salaski, Instructional Technology Specialist for Edina Public Schools, has shared three pieces of advice when it comes to design- ing an IT support process in schools: "1. There is no cookie-cutter solu- tion to IT support processes. Make sure the solution being implemented is going to fit your current and, perhaps more important, future needs. 2. Be consistent in building your IT support process. Ensure service level agreements are appropriate and stu- dents/stakeholders receive proper com- munication about support channels. 3. Use your resources! Students are a great resource for each other. We have clubs of students who want to learn anything and everything about IT. Tap into that enthusiasm." Experience the Geek Squad Tech Hub at ISTE Learn more about how a Geek Squad Tech Hub works by stopping by the booth to experience it for yourself. If any of your devices need support or repair while you're at the show, bring them by the Geek Squad Tech Hub and it will help you get them up and running again. Stop by booth #2923 to talk with an account manager about how a dual-fund- ed BYOD program could benefit your own school. After the show, connect with the company at www.bestbuy.com/education, 800.373.3050 or @BestBuyEdu. CHANGES TO E-RATE PROGRAM MEAN ADJUSTMENTS IN EDUCATION Schools can gain a lot from increased technology funding. As such, there have been some considerable updates made in an effort to provide more opportunities in wireless Internet and fiber-optic connec- tions, including a $1.5 billion increase in annual E-rate funding. "While the media coverage of the latest reforms has focused primarily on the $1.5 billion expansion of E-rate fund- ing, it's important to recognize that the additional money comes alongside key changes to the program rules to stream- line and incentivize cost-effective pur- chasing and investment in long-term. But this doesn't just mean imple- menting faster connections and improv- ing their overall quality – it also means phasing out certain legacy systems. As part of the new E-rate, landline services will no longer be subsidized after 2020, according to Lexology contributors Devin Smith, Danielle Frappier and Paul Hudson. This will be the result of an annual 20 percent decrease in funding for copper-based channels like legacy tele- phones. As such, schools will need to start migrating toward solutions that are more appropriate for the modern world – like the online fax service available from FaxCore. The Age of IP is Upon Us Because E-rate has been adjusted to begin phasing out funding for landline connections, educational facilities must examine alternatives. Legacy systems have helped to keep America moving for a number of years. But as the power of IP lines has evolved in recent history, so have the perceptions of what it is capable of doing. Voice over IP – or VoIP – is a con- cept that has been around since the early days of the Internet. But voice is not the only channel that has historically resided on landlines. Copper phone connections have also supported faxing – a channel that is still required by law for education- al facilities to possess. This is due to the platform's superior encryption when compared to tools like email. While fax- ing is essential, however, it does not have to take place on the monstrous and out- dated fax machines of old. Like VoIP, FoIP is proving to be an effective way for organizations to embrace the future in rational ways. For schools, this means that compli- ance and federal funding don't have to be exclusive concepts. As government sup- port for landline channels begins to diminish, it will be essential to invest in online fax capabili- ties in order to preserve finances while keeping daily operations protected and efficient. Technology is evolving, and the government wants to do everything it can to support the leaders of tomorrow while they are students today. But this means making new kinds of investments that make the best use of the funding in ques- tion. The E-rate program has been a valu- able initiative for U.S. schools to partici- pate in. In the modern day, part of doing so means abandoning aging assets and putting more powerful tools in place. Stop by booth #3652 to learn about its on-premise, cloud fax offering and 'Partly-Cloudy' fax options. After the show, visit www.faxcore.com. nightmares with other vendors, a famous quote from Arthur C. Clark came to mind: "Any sufficiently advanced tech- nology is indistinguishable from magic." The ClassLink team listened to the voice of the customer. Stan, the company Chief Technology Officer, was not only technically brilliant; he grasped what the pain points were for our team, our dis- trict, our teachers and students. It was clear that he cared deeply, demonstrating a shared sense of commitment to our suc- cess. Most problems were resolved in hours, not days. Selecting any product in a district the size of ours is always a risk. Many products that are successful in smaller districts crash and burn when subjected to a district with more than 200,000 users. On paper, ClassLink was the clear choice for our team. The scalability and responsiveness of the company has shown that they are the up to the task, and it's been reinforced each year as one of the best decisions we ever made. Upon retiring, I was approached by several companies, including ClassLink. If I was going to join any company, I needed to know that the technology was as strong on the inside as it was from my outside view. I need- ed to see that they were solving real problems; there's no point in commit- ting to a company unless we're solving problems. Spending time with them outside the confines of vendor-buyer relationship, I found all of these things in ClassLink. If I am to talk with school leaders about this product, I have to know that my reputation and integrity will remain intact, and that the compa- ny will perform as advertised. This is why I selected ClassLink. Again. That's my story. It's a new chapter, and one I'm very excited about. Who knows, maybe if you spend time with ClassLink, you'll see how they can become part of your school district's story. Just like I did. For more information, visit www.classlink.com. C lassL ink (C o nt'd. fro m p. 1 7 )