SMART Learning Suite with Notebook, LAB and amp (February 2016 onwards)

[VeryPC]

Hi Everyone,

 

As of February 2016, SMART have launched the SMART Learning Suite, which includes SMART Notebook™, SMART Lesson Activity Builder (LAB) and SMART amp. Subscribing to SMART Learning Suite is now the way to license all your SMART software.

 

VeryPC are a Certified SMART Authorised Reseller. We realise you may have questions about new and existing licences, so here's a quick guide to make it all nice and clear for you.

 

What does SMART Learning Suite include?

• SMART Learning Suite is the SMART software bundle that includes SMART Notebook™, SMART Lesson Activity Builder (LAB) and SMART amp all under a single subscription.
  
• SMART Notebook is the leading educational software for interactive displays, used in classrooms all over the world with inking, touch, content creation, student engagement, collaboration and many more tools and functions.
  
• SMART LAB is a component of SMART Notebook which makes it super easy for teachers to create activities for their students in double quick time. Emphasis on fun and game based learning.
  
• SMART amp is a browser based collaborative workspace that works on any device. A whole class of students can contribute and interact simultaneously using this versatile cloud software.
  

New licencing

• All SMART software is now licensed by taking out a subscription to SMART Learning Suite.
  
• SMART Learning Suite is licensed on an annual basis per teacher using the software.
  
• You can activate each SMART Notebook licence on 4 separate computers.
  
• You get 31 SMART amp user licences per SLS subscription.
  

For SMART hardware

• New SMART interactive hardware comes with 1 year's subscription to SMART Learning Suite.
  
• SMART Learning Suite can only be licenced for SMART hardware.
  

Existing SMART Advantage subscribers

• If you currently have a SMART Advantage subscription for SMART Notebook, you will continue to be licensed for the duration of your current subscription.
  
• At the end of your current SMART Advantage subscription, you will need to subscribe to SMART Learning Suite to continue using subscriber only features and receiving software updates and support.
  

Prices

• List pricing (ex.VAT as of 08/04/2016) for SMART Learning Suite are as follows. You can purchase SMART Learning Suite online at the VeryPC Shop.
  

[TABLE=width: 273]

[TR]

[TD]QTY

[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1 year[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2 year[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3 year[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]1-10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£32.40[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£58.05[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£82.80[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]11-20[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£24.75[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£44.10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£62.55[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]21-50[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£22.95[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£40.95[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£58.05[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]51-100[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£21.60[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£37.80[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£54.45[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]101-500[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£19.80[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£35.10[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£49.95[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]501-1,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£18.00[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£31.95[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£45.45[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]1,001-2,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£16.20[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£29.70[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£41.85[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]2,000+[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£14.85[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£26.55[/TD]

[TD=align: right]£37.35[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

More info

• For more info on SMART Learning Suite, including detailed info on SMART Notebook and SMART amp, please visit the SMART Learning Suite on the VeryPC website.
  
• For a list of all SMART Notebook features in the current version of the software, download this PDF.
  

 

Our SMART specialists will be happy to talk to you about the new licensing model or offer you a quotation for your educational establishment.

 

Just call 0114 321 8609 or email [email protected] to get in touch.

 

VeryPC also sell and install all kinds of interactive hardware: projectors, boards and flat panels. Whatever your interactive classroom requirements, VeryPC will be happy to help you out.

 

--- EDIT 08/04/2016: SLS only available for SMART hardware; posted prices ---

Edited April 8, 2016 by VeryPC

[Steve21]

Hmm so based on that:

 

New licencing

 

All SMART software is now licensed by taking out a subscription to SMART Learning Suite.

SMART Learning Suite is licensed on an annual basis per teacher using the software.

You can activate each SMART Notebook licence on 4 separate computers.

You get 31 SMART amp user licences - enough for a whole class.

 

It's basically another FTE license required? So if you have 100 staff members who use whiteboards you need 100 licenses? And can only install it over 400 computers in total?

 

Also guessing the 31 AMP licenses are per teacher? Or is that 31 for the entire school?

 

What's the price per Teacher for the new Smart then? Seems a very expensive way to use Smart going forwards!

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Michael]

The license costs vary, something like:

 

1 year subscription – £34 per board per year

3 year subscription – £25 per board per year

5 year subscription -£20 per board per year

 

I can't help but think the licensing model 'per Teacher' is really complicated, unless Smart adopted the same/similar model to Microsoft. Licensing based on full time members of Staff, but then that license can be used on unlimited devices registered to that establishment.

 

I wouldn't mind, but in my experience, 'some' Smartboards bearly last 5 years if you're unfortunate to buy a bad/problematic batch.

[Steve21]

My problem is based on the above though look at these scenarios:

 

1 IT Suite used by 100 Teachers = 100 Licenses per year.

 

1 Teacher using 100 Suites = 1 License

"or"

1 Teacher using 100 suites = 25 licenses as only 4 installs per license

 

1 Board = 31 AMP licenses isn't enough for rotating classes

100 Teachers = 3100 AMP licenses so silly amounts that we don't need

 

1 New Board = 99 Old Boards that can't use latest version of Notebook requires upgrade?

 

Depending on how Smart interpret their own wording would mean thousands of pounds different :s

 

Steve

[VeryPC]

Hmm so based on that:

 

1. It's basically another FTE license required? So if you have 100 staff members who use whiteboards you need 100 licenses? And can only install it over 400 computers in total?
   
2. Also guessing the 31 AMP licenses are per teacher? Or is that 31 for the entire school?
   
3. What's the price per Teacher for the new Smart then? Seems a very expensive way to use Smart going forwards!
   

 

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Steve, to answer your questions:

1. Simply 1 subscription required per teacher who uses the software. So regardless of how many boards you have, if 100 teachers use SMART software you need 100 SLS subscriptions to be licensed.
   
2. You get 31 amp users per SLS subscription, so teachers using SLS x 31 for the whole school.
   
3. Pricing varies depending on vloume and subscription commitment - contact our SMART specialists for specifics.
   

 

For more detailed info on any of the above and/or to get a quote, give us a call on 0114 321 8609 / 0845 0345 017 option 1 for sales or email [email protected]

 

Cheers,

 

Al (Marketing)

[Michael]

Hi Steve, to answer your questions:

1. Simply 1 subscription required per teacher who uses the software. So regardless of how many boards you have, if 100 teachers use SMART software you need 100 SLS subscriptions to be licensed.
   
2. You get 31 amp users per SLS subscription, so teachers using SLS x 31 for the whole school.
   
3. Pricing varies depending on vloume and subscription commitment - contact our SMART specialists for specifics.
   

 

For more detailed info on any of the above and/or to get a quote, give us a call on 0114 321 8609 / 0845 0345 017 option 1 for sales or email [email protected]

 

Cheers,

 

Al (Marketing)

 

What I'd like to know is why Smart think a single Teacher uses Smart Notebook on up to 4 devices? The reality is very different (especially in a Secondary school environment), so you end up having to buy additional licenses for virtual/non existent Teachers or Staff.

 

Another consideration is Smart Notebook is used to create resources on devices never actually connected to a Smartboard - for example on a notebook at home, then these files synced/copied back to the server ready for use.

 

Another scenario (based on 100 Teachers), is that Smart Notebook can be installed on 400 devices, yet the odds are, a school with 100 Teachers most likely has considerably more devices available to use in a network environment. In some schools I've seen Smart Notebook used by pupils to create presentations, so ideally Smart Notebook needs to be installed on every device.

 

I don't have a problem with Smart introducing licenses, but the license model just doesn't work in my opinion.

[snagrat]

The license costs vary, something like:

 

1 year subscription – £34 per board per year

3 year subscription – £25 per board per year

5 year subscription -£20 per board per year

 

I can't help but think the licensing model 'per Teacher' is really complicated, unless Smart adopted the same/similar model to Microsoft. Licensing based on full time members of Staff, but then that license can be used on unlimited devices registered to that establishment.

 

I wouldn't mind, but in my experience, 'some' Smartboards bearly last 5 years if you're unfortunate to buy a bad/problematic batch.

 

I think the new product is a lot more expensive, but for non Smart hardware you no long need to purchase Notebook at the expensive price

[VeryPC_Anthony_L]

Good morning Edugeekers,

 

It seems many people have a few questions on the SMART licencing so first off pricing.

 

Pricing:

SMART software licenses now cost the same whether you have a SMART or non-SMART product.

Depending on the amount of licences you require and the term (1,2,3 years) there are reductions.

At VeryPC we have seen alot of people using non-SMART hardware and so the new pricing is more affordable.

 

 

 

What do you get with each SLS licence?:

With each SLS licence you get

4 x SMART Notebook installs

31 x amp licences ( 1 license for a teacher and 30 for the students)

Access to SMART LAB

 

The comments we are receiving is how does the SMART Notebook licences work. Each licence allows 4 installs of SMART Notebook, these can be used for prep machines, classroom machines, laptops etc that the teacher or teachers have access to.

 

If you supply the teachers with laptops/tablet devices then this is much easier to understand as each teacher will have an install on their laptop and the other installs could be placed on machines in staff areas for prep or for cover assistants / support staff.

 

If your teaching staff don't have laptops and have a desktop in each room this will need to be looked at slightly different. On this model if you have 30 teaching staff and 35 rooms this would mean you would end up using 5 installs twice.

 

If you buy 40 SLS licences rather than looking at it as you have 40 I would actually suggest looking at it as you have 160 available SMART Notebook installs for teaching and support staff.

 

 

If anyone has any questions do feel free to contact either Ross or myself.

 

 

Anthony

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: Each teacher will need their own licence. If you have 30 teachers you will need 30 licences, if you have 50 teachers you will need 50 licences.

Edited February 23, 2016 by VeryPC_Anthony_L

[Steve21]

Hi Ant,

 

Thanks for that. Any chance you could check these specific cases out though:

 

1) What's classified as a teacher vs support staff? As in is it same as MS FTE per hours, is it only people assigned to classrooms with boards?

2) What if you have 1 board requiring the new software, but 100 staff who need to use it potentially (rotations) does that still need 100 licenses?

3) What if you have more computers you want it on than teachers, e.g. 100 Staff, 1000 Computers. Do you need 100 licenses, or 250?

4) Do files on the new licensing version work with 11.4 and older? Or do all machines then need upgrading for the new version?

5) How's this affect home-use as before they were allowed to install it on any devices they wanted. e.g. Does that count as one of the 4 installs? So back to #3 do they need 333 now?

 

As discussed on the phone the other day it seems to be a stupidly expensive way to buy a new board that we want smart one, if suddenly for 1 new interactive TV we required 100+ licenses :s

 

Thanks,

Steve

[VeryPC_Anthony_L]

Hi @Steve21

 

Sorry about the delay in responding. I am currently talking to SMART in regards to questions that both we have as well as yourself and other SMART users.

This is a very different licencing model to what SMART have been offering. Like many of you we are still trying to understand what certain parts mean and how it will effect how you operate and work.

 

 

If anyone has any questions on the new licensing and what it means please feel free to PM/Email/call me.

 

 

 

Anthony

[Steve21]

No rush Just be good to know as will vastly change our plans going forwards in the new budget if Smart are asking silly amounts to get a few new boards in haha

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Patman]

Does anyone know if there is a market for second hand SMART products? They have been absolutely terrible in supporting us. Always a flurry of emails and responses but nothing gets done. We are really fed up to the eye teeth with them. We cannot get timely responses for licensing issues, we cannot get timely responses and fixes for hardware issues, and we cannot get any onsite training for our staff. We are looking to unload our 90 boards. Does anyone know of a market for them?

[XiJ]

This is certainly help to turn people off Smart. With the foxcon buyout, Steljes and stupid licensing we've had many people look at alternatives.

[Patman]

This is certainly help to turn people off Smart. With the foxcon buyout, Steljes and stupid licensing we've had many people look at alternatives.

 

XIJ, do you know what the popular alternatives are? I am wondering about getting rid of the notebook software altogether and just using touch screen displays. Staff would not have to learn to use notebook software and could use the software they are used to using such as powerpoint, prezi, or any other software they are proficient with. Do you know what folks are doing?

[XiJ]

XIJ, do you know what the popular alternatives are? I am wondering about getting rid of the notebook software altogether and just using touch screen displays. Staff would not have to learn to use notebook software and could use the software they are used to using such as powerpoint, prezi, or any other software they are proficient with. Do you know what folks are doing?

 

While its early days we've had people trailing PowerPoint and open sankore. We also have some screens with built in annotation etc now.

 

Some schools have teachers who are too attached to smart and won't give it up. Other are more open to change. There is definitely a learning curve of changing software - and teachers do like using smart (probably cos they know use it)

[BenQ_Royce]

We've started including Oktopus with our panels as another option for these situations. It will shortly support the native opening of SMART files (currently imports), so a good choice if you don't want to relicense SMART but need to keep your files. If interested you can get a trial here http://qwizdomoktopus.com/

[tralv001]

Hi all,

 

I had Smart training just a few weeks ago, given by the head of training AND a smart director himself!!

 

They said that each board now comes with SLS, and 4 Notebook installs. The trainer advised that we could assign the installs as follows;

 

1 for the machine running the board (in our case a i5 NUC PC),

1 for each teachers own laptop that (s)he takes home.

1 for each support staff members laptop or desktop.

1 for... you decide

 

The point being that we are able to decide where those installs are used, to make sure the staff that need a copy have a copy.

 

Hope that helps.