achieving more with less - infrastructure
TRANSCRIPT
A long time in politics
• From “future technologies” to “austerity”...
• Budget freedom
– The more you can squeeze from your ICT budget leaves more money elsewhere
• Impact on Education
– Costs increasingly scrutinised
– Reduction in investment in certain areas
– New builds less likely, refurbishment key
Relieving budget pressure
• Go green
• Print management
• Planning a more efficient network
• Make do and mend
• Thin clients and personal devices
• Learning Platforms
• Leasing
Going GREEN
• Many of us have been hugging trees since before we had to go all austere
• Increase in ICT kit has resulted in an additional energy (and cost) burden
• A whole-school utility that is designed to monitor your energy usage in school
• Monitors and report on all aspect of energy use, tracked via the web
• Carbon Trust endorsed (=100% tax relief*)
• Potentially large cost savings to be made
* In Year 1
John O’Gaunt School
• Using RM Utileyes for less than a year
• Annual savings of £16,700 expected
• Much improved green credentials
– Committed to the 10:10 project
– In excess of 10% of total energy cost saved
– Energy Rating moving from D to B
Projector Management
• Networked projectors becoming standard
– Wireless or Wired installs
• System Alerts & Monitoring
– Over heating
– Errors
– Lamp life
• Scheduling
– Cost Savings
Print Management
• Different levels of cost savings
– Changing your printer settings
– Printer credits
– Enterprise Print
Print Management
• Printer Settings
– Keep up to date with latest drivers
– Print Quality
– Duplex Printing
Print Management
• Printer credits
– Community Connect 3 and 4 allow you to set printer credit quotas for your users.
• Allocates users a printer credit quota
• Set a “page cost” on your printers
• Auto-allocation strategies can be applied
– In CC4 you can modify auto-allocation so you can set a daily allowance for your users.
– Other generic printer credit software
Print Management
• Enterprise Print Solutions
– One set price for printers, toners and maintenance
– Can drastically reduce Total Cost of Ownership
– Set up rules to manage costs
– “Follow me” printing
HardwareServers
Servers
• The heart of your network
• Storage that is often the driver behind adding more servers to your network
– It’s estimated that storage requirements in a school is expected to grow by 75% over the next 3 years
• This leaves you with a choice in terms of your network strategy
Hardware:
• Option I: Carry on adding Servers
– Do you need the extra processing capacity?
– There are disadvantages:
• Increased running costs
• More technical management time
• Increased complexity
• Server room capacity
ServersHardware:
• The successor to the RM Serv– Super quiet
• Just 20 decibels
• Liquid cooling efficiency
– Designed for classroom/office
– High Performance drives– Internal RDX backup drive
– Roughly 58% of standard server energy use
– Supports up to 50 CC3 clients
RM DualServ eXL
• Option II: Centralise your Storage
– Network Attached Storage Devices (NAS)
• Store large files on a centralised storage area
• Same associated cons as adding an additional server such as Domain Controller
ServersHardware:
• Option II: Centralise your Storage
– Storage Area Network (SAN) Devices
• Reduce Downtime
• Increase Performance
• Utilise Space More Efficiently
• Easy Transition
• Prevent Bottlenecks
• Increase Attainment
• SAN means less downtime
ServersHardware:
• Option II: Centralise your Storage
– Virtualisation
ServersHardware:
• Option II: Centralise your Storage
– Virtualisation
– Fewer physical servers means further cost savings
• Less ongoing hardware outlay
• Fewer support contracts
• Less energy used
• Less physical space needed for housing
ServersHardware:
HardwareComputers
• Maintaining what you’ve got
– Defrag
– Clean
– Update
• Notebook batteries
– Calibrate
– Charging Cycles
ComputersHardware:
http://www.rm.com/support/technicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC49012
• Hardware Audit
– Automated (as on CC4) or Manual lists
– Upgrade existing hardware
• Memory
• CPU
• Network cards
– Redeploying computers based on use
– Purchase more sustainable kit
ComputersHardware:
• Designed specifically for education
• Fully configurable
– High powered fully featured to “Essentials”
• Environmentally friendly
– Recycled plastic
– Eco mode
– Reusable screen
– Energy efficient power supply
•Carry handle•Height-adjustable Screen•Secure height lock•Spaced, front-facing USB ports •Base unit rotation rollers•Control settings access•Integrated card reader option•Security features
• Thin Clients & Terminal Servers
– Utilising underpowered machines
– Buying specialist Thin Clients
• Cheaper
• Greener
• Longer life
ComputersHardware:
• RM ThinClient
– Locked down client software interface removing risk of student disruption
– CC4 Anywhere compatible
– Display streamed video without noticeable frame loss
– Easy setup and deployment
– Support multiple screen sizes and multiple outputs
ComputersHardware:
• RM ThinClient
– Easy-to-use management software
– Performance to be equivalent to using an entry-level PC running dedicated OS
– Smaller form factor than RM miniPC
– Robust fascia
– Mounting options including PSU and cable management
ComputersHardware:
HardwarePersonal Devices
• Installed on the prospective user’s device
• Ensures conditions before user log-on
– Anti-virus up to date
– Microsoft Updates enabled
• Can display an AUP at log-on
• Enables teachers and learners to work from any place using their own devices whenever they need to
– Use mobile devices on your network via a 3G or wireless connection
– Users can log in and work from home, using an iMac, iPad or an RM miniBook
• Lets people use networked software, even if it's not installed on their device
• Manage your network on the move from a portable device like an iPhone
• Provide a more sustainable approach to ICT using thin client technology
• Online Homework• Goal Setting• Progress Checking• Activities, Blogs, Wikis• Newsletters• Uploading resources (not printing them!)• Checking Attendance• Supporting Evidence• Comments, and contributions
Learning Platforms
• Total solutions can be chosen based on what is most suitable and not just what budget dictates
• Pay for resources as they are used, not in advance
• Easier budgeting
• Efficient acquisition and planning
• Conserve working capital
• Technology refresh options allowing you to add new equipment to a lease during the term
• Our educational focus enables us to provide solutions appropriate to you
• View your lease and it's terms online
• Fair and transparent contract
• Flexibility - you are in control
Conclusion
• Becta may have gone, but....
• Infrastructure Strategy should look at:• What can be retained, and how?
• What measures will increase sustainability?
• What can save me costs in the long run?
• Lowering the total cost of ownership
Primary School Saving
Cost/Difficulty to implement(1-low, 5-high)
Switch to Virtualisation £12,000 4
Switch on Power Management £9,000 2
Switch to lower energy devices £4,000 3
Switch your communications £10,000 4
Switch to remote access £3,000 3
Stop buying every computer yourself £15,000 3
Stop photocopying/printing £20,000 2
Stop buying so much software - 1
Stop your email servers £7,500 1
Save students money I - 1
Save students money II - 1
Save money on upgrades £3,200 2
Save your old computers £3,000 2
Save your software budget £300 1
GRAND TOTAL £88,000
Conclusion
Source: Microsoft – UK Schools Blog
Conclusion
• Even if a proportion of these savings can be made, it can have a huge impact
• Not to mention the other possibilities we have explored in this (and the next) session