Durham School rolls back ICT

[bossman]

@Dataspire:

Speed we have, approx same as you have quoted for fat client logon 15-25 secs new profile cached profile 5-10secs.
Management of software we have can deploy software at the click of a button and have it installed immediately on the fat client workstation (knowing that it will run).
Power usage is slightly more per machine for our fat clients than thin (looking at ways to reduce this).

Storage and connectivity includes remote access from anywhere in the world (Cloud computing) and when we move onto our next platform we hope to move into the virtual desktop environment with Citrix which will allow our users access to their desktops anywhere and use all the software that the school resources has.We have bought and maintain our own SANs plus our whole infrastructure and have done for the past 9 years.

Obviously we have not spent the earth on our system but we have managed it well and the Infrastructure is there which is the key point in any good network whether it is LAN or WAN.
Why would we want a thin client architecture throughout the school if it doesn't deliver what we have now at even more expense to the school to fill the coffers of corporate businesses pushing totally new concepts for their own profits.

I don't want to seem against new concepts but when companies state one thing and they mean another then the confusion they cause along with the interruptions to the students teaching and learning has an impact on the schools involved, and all in the name of progress.

I don't doubt for one minute that your clients are as happy as can be with the solutions you have provided for them but what is the benchmark you use as the measurement of your success how have you measured it?

[mavhc]

a) web apps make investing in thin clients to make managing software more easily pointless
b) is it really that hard to make apps deploy? After spending a few days reading some web pages and with all free software I've got numbershark, workshark MSIs created from scratch, and MSTs for Promissor Administrator, O-Generator, Riff, Nessy Learning Programme and BSquared Connecting Steps deploying over 4 sites. Now companies are selling this streaming installation stuff it'd be even easier if you had money

[GrannyPeter]

The truth of it is that it’s a total failure. Private consultants paid thousands of pounds a day for doing nothing. Chaotic management from Durham County Council. Technical ineptness from Capita with no creativity or direction. Far worse than the IT solution the school already had. Millions pounds to set up and tying the school into a contract costing several thousands every year.

[mavhc]

Giant companies have no more clue than 1 person, they just have lots of layers of people with no clue to get to the 1 person with the same amount of clue as anyone here, and you can't talk to the person who's actually doing the work for you without 17 layers of Chinese whispers.

[GrannyPeter]

The school system is still not anywhere near functional or capable as of August the 6th 2010. What a total waste of tax payers money. Considering that the school used to pay around 40k a year and the setup cost for this has been around 6 million is just scandalous.

[NikChillin]

I heard similar stories from a staff member at another 'BSF' school down here the other day....... it must be difficult for the in house IT staff, tuped or not.

[AngryTechnician]

This made the local news again yesterday:

Computer system at Durham Johnston School scrapped (From Durham Times)

[jem961]

Im a student at DJ. IT DOES NOT WORK> IT CAN TAKE 30 MINS TO LOG ON TO A LAPTOP. I mean the old system was not good but atleast it worked

[webman]

jem961: Have you discussed the computer-related issues with other students in a formal way - e.g. school council or similar group? Have your concerns been relayed to staff at the school?

Is it a problem for everyone in all places within the school, or just certain people and specific locations/types of computer?

It's ridiculous that that learning time is still been negatively affected by the changes that the school has gone through.

[jem961]

Good news. New It system to be installed at Easter. Windows 7