craig-schools Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) I need some help, I've been given an extra £15k to spend before March and I'm struggling. Options please, below is a run down of what I have currently. Primary school - F2 - Y6 Custom Server bought summer 2015 with UPS etc running HyperV and using Veeam (with support) Backup server had new drives, RAM upgrade , UPS battery etc summer 2016. Small NAS unit for secondary backup (little NetGear 2 bay) Switches are being replaced Feb half term. Ruckus Wireless with 12x AP's which cover the site with ease. 2x halls fully kitted out with 1080p 3d projector, lighting desk, sound desk, microphones etc. 2x digital signage screens 1x per building entrance. 16x IP CCTV Cameras Client side 16x Interactive Projectors in classrooms with the oldest one being just over 3 years now. 14x Visualisers (1x per classroom) with 2x intervention spaces without. 24x Staff use PC's (in classrooms / offices) SSD, 8GB RAM, i3 approx 2 1/2 years old. up to 4x PC's per classroom i3, ssd, 4gb RAM, oldest approx 18months old. 100x laptops for students, i3, 4g RAM, SSD oldest now 3 years old. newest about 1 year. 20x staff laptops, i3 8GB RAM, SSD, now 2 years old. lots of education software, most of which is current, the older versions are barely used so haven't paid for the latest version unless asked. Microsoft agreement already in place for licensing (moving to Windows 10 and Office 2016 in summer.) No real support contracts with external companies I do them all myself. Head teacher doesn't like Apple products otherwise AppleTV per class and ipad set would have been a no brainer. Suggestions please.. Edited January 19, 2017 by craig-schools
psydii Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 Do you have a rolling replacement programme in place? Do you ever start the year without enough money to do what you know needs to be done. If the answers are no and yes, replace the oldest kit even if though it hasn't reached the end of life. If you have no long term problems: ask the teachers. BETT is next week, take people along, get some excitement going and then run a little competition to find out how it might be spent to improve outcomes for the kids. I wonder given your excellent but traditional set up, high quality visualisers might be something to consider.
mukz Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 Tell them keep the money for when you actually need it! Times are hard! How is your CCTV? How is your Access Control? Maybe some UPS for your switches and Ruckus controller?
jmak Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 https://www.edugeek.net/showthread.php?t=179079 VR Classrooms?
craig-schools Posted January 19, 2017 Author Posted January 19, 2017 (edited) Rolling programmes have just finished for the Projector and student laptops. I'd forgotten the Visualisers and CCTV, I've amended the first post. We run Paxton for our Access Control too. UPS for each network cabinet wouldn't go amiss tho without power there wouldnt be much to keep it on for.. VR classroom might be awesome, but I can't imagine it would be used that much. I did try to convince the Design & Tech Co-Ordinator that we needed a 3d printer, but as a primary school she didnt think we would use it. I'd have had it running all the time for personal projects haha Edited January 19, 2017 by craig-schools
mukz Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 I'd forgotten the Visualisers and CCTV, I've amended the first post. We run Paxton for our Access Control too. UPS for each network cabinet wouldn't go amiss tho without power there wouldnt be much to keep it on for.. Is it the hardwired Paxton reader?? If your cctv is ip based, how does it stay alive if i cut the power? We have mini ups for the cctv and voip phones. Local LEA Camden for some reason give me headache with lots of power cuts!
psydii Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 Training. Teachers never know how to use Word or Excel properly. Ask them. Ask the bursar/BM. Maybe also look at bringing in some outside consultancy to see what you could do next? (I mean use the money to pay people rather than asking the best minds in the business for free advice via edugeek!) Tablet Academy spring to mind, XMA and EuroEle are also good at getting the ideas flowing, and then leaving you to it if that is what you want. Classroom/Onenote 1
Sagima Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Maybe ask your teachers if there's anything that they would appreciate having in their classrooms? Otherwise I don't think you need the money (let the school roll it into their buildings' maintenance) - if you really need to spend it maybe a half decent android tablet for each teacher and the software (airserver or similar) to mirror the tablet to the computer so they can do more App stuff in class?
craig-schools Posted January 20, 2017 Author Posted January 20, 2017 Yes the Paxton is the hardwired type, they will just release in the event of a power cut except our automatic gate which would stay open / closed depending on what state it was in at the time. The IP camera's all run from POE switches (in the currently non-UPS'd cabinets), but if I add in a UPS into each cab then that would resolve that too. In the 4 years I've been here we have only had 1x power failure and that was only in 1x of our 3x buildings. I'll have a chat with the teachers about training and if they can think of anything else they need, and I'll give XMA a call to see what they can offer / suggest. The school has a carry forward currently of £400,000+ so I can't put it back into the pot, we are WAY over our 10% that we are allowed to carry over, my budget was £30,000 which I had planned to spend and like I said they've just handed me another £15k with 6 weeks to spend it, or at least plan to spend it. Thanks for the ideas so far, keep them coming 1
john Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Ram upgrades for machines, 16GB would be good in them all as 8GB is getting a bit low if your users are like mine were in Edu and leave everything and every tab in the world open
Willott Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Second server to replicate primary for failover (or replicate services using DFS etc), kept in another section of site with A/C, UPS, security etc as relevant?
internetuser Posted January 21, 2017 Posted January 21, 2017 Use it for dr. Second server etc. Or improve net connection links.
MatthewL Posted January 21, 2017 Posted January 21, 2017 Another larger NAS to store more backup's on? Phone System? You got a VOIP one? Convert lines to SIP save cost? Internet, what sort of connection do you have?
Dos_Box Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 What about a 3d printer? Won't put much of a dent in 15k but will probably be well used, especially with the Creators Update on its way. 1
kidpressingbuttons Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 Maybe invest in a school management- web logging platform like impero/ net support. Will tick some safeguarding and prevent boxes aswell [emoji1303]
Wave9_Stuart Posted January 24, 2017 Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) Hi, My name is Stuart Hadley. The company I work for Wave Managed Services Limited (http://www.wave9.co.uk) provide a range of services to support schools with their ICT strategy including Broadband, Hybrid Cloud, Wireless and Networking solutions, VOIP, Office 365/Google for Education, Consultancy, Support and Training. If you would like a quick chat please e-mail me on [email protected] Many Thanks Stuart Edited January 24, 2017 by Wave9_Stuart
craig-schools Posted January 25, 2017 Author Posted January 25, 2017 Looking at a SAN and 2nd server for DR as currently although the backup server can run some VM's it will run from the last backup, requiring a restore, whereas stored on a SAN would be instant. Not on VOIP, has been put back until we think we need phones in every classroom, which will likely be never! We are in the process of being upgraded to 100mb on gigabit bearer Fibre broadband after being on 10mb for the last 3 years (bought as the guy I replaced left)
Wave9_Stuart Posted January 25, 2017 Posted January 25, 2017 Hi Craig, Hope you are well Would it be possible for you to message me directly [email protected] We provide a number of Hybrid solutions (Hybrid being your off-site disaster recovery) that will ensure you a have a robust and reliable high availability service. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.
djm968 Posted September 5, 2019 Posted September 5, 2019 Self assembly 3D printers can be a good way of spreading the value across a number of subjects. Assembly = D&T Set-up = IT Modelling and printing = D&T + IT + Art etc This post is over 2 years old, I think the money has probably been spent by now!
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