MAT IT Team

[synaesthesia]

@sidney1 that wouldn't be a certain, "large cat" named trust would it?

[sidney1]

I don't really understand your attack on the concept given by that new person. There is nothing stopping an organisation doing exactly what they pursued - it just requires a lot of work to get there. I say that as we are embarking upon a similar journey. Started this year with Chromebooks for one of our academic years, and will continue being rolled out until all children have them. Teachers are currently being given one of those same Chromebooks as well as their existing Windows device. Further down the line, those Windows devices will be removed - once we are sure everyone can do everything they need to via Chromebooks.

 

The thing for us is making sure we don't jump to anything before replacements can do everything we need. The vast majority of our computing is done "online" already to be honest. The number of legacy programmes has shrunk year by year.

 

We are doing this after having done what you did - merged our network onto a single domain, with schools connected by leased line PTP lines. Only the main site has servers any more. Classrooms don't generally have desktops in them, with teachers having laptops instead.

 

I would suggest that your post comes across as incredibly unprofessional, accusing other professionals of being fan boys for pursuing a newer technology. People wanting to use something is not a reason to continue to do it. If we did, we'd still be on XP and Office 2003 - as people didn't like the change...

 

Ohh wow, that's a nice setup you have there. Unfortunately we still have a lot of software that is ancient but people won't find a suitable replacement. Which is fine as long as it keeps them happy and they don't complain.

 

Regarding Chromebooks, I don't have an issue with these devices, it's fine for students but not a great solution for staff. The issue was that when this was implemented, the person who pushed it so hard did nothing to support it after, no training for staff, ignored every person who tried to approach him for help and was generally ignored.

 

Not everything can be in Cloud, for example Sims, although it's coming in the near future but it aint there yet. Therefore we still have a kit onsite not to mention the cost of virtualising all of the servers we have into the cloud would not be cost effective.

 

I believe you also don't understand that out IT staff is very approachable and friendly and therefore it is so higly used. Where as we been told that IT staff in other places is different and sometimes unapproachable and I did see that level of customer service happen. It a cultural thing within working environment, we made it very welcoming for all staff.

 

By the way a person you refer as professional, is not, he doesn't have any IT background and has a teacher qualification in different subject.

 

I appreciate your opinion however I believe as much cloud is the furture but it is not fully ready yet and our hybrid solution of onsite tin and cloud services such as Microsoft and Google is just better option to meet our business needs.

 

Thanks

[localzuk]

Not to derail, but SIMS is a legacy piece of software now. There are alternative products. But yes, you're correct, virtualising server loads directly into the cloud is not cost effective (without designing a new way of running it - shared VMs etc...).

 

My comment was actually about the language you used to deride your colleague, and in doing so deriding those of us doing the same thing.

[sidney1]

@sidney1 that wouldn't be a certain, "large cat" named trust would it?

 

Sorry, I don't know what you mean

[CHiLL]

Sorry, I don't know what you mean

They're asking if the name of your trust is the same as that of a type of large cat.

[elsiegee40]

Sorry, I don't know what you mean

 

They're asking if the name of your trust is the same as that of a type of large cat.

 

And there is absolutely no need to confirm or deny if you would rather not

[CHiLL]

And there is absolutely no need to confirm or deny if you would rather not

Of course, I was just clarifying the original question

[synaesthesia]

It would be a no then, not to worry I just know someone who ended up in a similar state for very similar reasons!

[mavhc]

I worked as the only technician over 4 primary sized sites, 20 miles apart. When I started 2 sites had no servers at all. Created 1 domain for those 2 sites, then added the other 2. 1 image to deploy, same software everywhere pretty much. Centralised purchasing, training, email systems, 1 SIMS server, RDP or remote sql access as required. 1 login script that knew where you were and mapped drives/printers according to your location/ou/group. It was legally 1 school so the political parts were easier.

 

Re Gsuite/Chromebooks, no one likes change, but people like new things, we're really into having a GSheet for live organising of our Pick On The Day Options system, amusing side effect that the pupils want to be in registration and ready asap so they get first choice. Expanded it to ordering dinners now too