Overview

That's good to hear - Lightspeed offers so much more than Safetynet in my opinon.

I know a few schools that are moving to them.

We are looking to go with SchoolsBroadband - would be interested in any one doing the same. All county services will be publicly accessible on the internet by September.

I would just make sure they can all deliver the content you need from county. Let me know how you get on.

I've had quotes from a number of suppliers. Schools Broadband, Exa, RM directly, I'm still waiting on a price from Zen & one other. I've probably been most impressed with Exa so far.

Look at my link above. Schools broadband You have until the end of September to make your choice.

Can anyone recommend or advise alternative internet providers in the Hertfordshire area? We are contemplating the HICS renewal, but would like to explore other options before we buy into the 3 year agreement with RM.

Thanks for the update matte53, I'm not sure how you get a invitation to the RM meeting so missed out on that. Larger schools would all change providers if they find out how much they could save if they swapped providers. HICS have been giving schools the hard sell trying to get everyone to sign this week when we have until November so another term to make a choice unless you want to change your line from FTTC to FTTP Have a look here: Hertfordshire Schools - Schools Broadband

I went to the meeting yesterday & RM spent a couple of hours demonstrating what will be available. Benefits on the current contract include: * User/Group based web filtering through RM SafetyNet. The system has an AD sync tool to update users/groups. User based reporting was much better than the current system * Remote/VPN Access through RM SSL Connect - Again can be managed for users/groups & the ability to auto load an RDP session, drive maps (among other things) on logon. * Greater flexibility & management of Firewall, DNS entries etc * Ability to have management of your own virtual firewall rather than through the central HICS firewall * User based filtering via Transparent Proxy should also be available Having never been much of a fan of RM I was skeptical but they did speak well & the product looked an improvement on anything that has been offered recently. The issue for me is the price, it does seem more expensive than what we could potentially get elsewhere. It all seems very last minute with HICS requesting a decision as to whether you wish to renew by Friday, having only released the actual details of the provider & their offering at the meeting yesterday.... They won't turn anyone away if you don't decide by Friday but if they don't have the numbers they hope for they may not be able to negotiate a cheaper pricing tier with RM. Any thoughts from others as to what direction they may head in?

I have not seen the invite to a meeting today. But have an alternative supplier in after seeing there prices. Looks like its going to work out better for us to jump ship. If you go let me know what you find out.

Anyone going to the HICS meeting today regarding the new provision? From my understanding (well what i've been told by the BM who is dealing with it, is that the first year is the same price, but then might drop in years 2 and 3, and speeds are mostly the same, but with an option for a 200mb connection, but he's not exactly the best at giving us any information.

I think we are going to change suppliers for a better price/supplier.

Does anyone think that the speed options are somewhat limited ?

RM but not light speed.

I've heard rumours that it's RM with Lightspeed filtering too

Not when I hear the provider is RM

Last time HCC changed they moved from Virgin to Updata. Now they might be moving from Updata to another provider. Would you prefer that they stay with the current provider? I ask because the last move didn't make as much difference to us as I had anticipated it might.

Hi, Anyone know whats going on with HIC Connectivity Procurement. May bail out and go with our own choice of provider if they go with someone else.

Anyone interested in purchasing, at a suitable price, a 4 year old LapCabby 16V - 16 Vertical Laptop Store and Charging Trolley? The SMT have never liked the size of it as our classrooms are not that big. We now have Yoga laptops in smaller desktop cabinets and wish to get rid of the LapCabby. The Stone laptops we bought it for barely last 3 years before the batteries were rubbish. Colin 07710390924 or PM me at http://www.edugeek.net/private.php?do=newpm&u=7115

Link: Accessing Twitter through the HICS network | HICS

Hi everyone, I just want to let you know that we are here to help answer any questions you may have about Ed Tech. We are located very close to Hertfordshire and work with quite a few network managers and schools in your area where we have been recommended to schools by the team at SITSS. We sponsor How do you do.....it? here on edugeek and look forward to engaging with you. Please get posting or pm me if your shy. http://staticc2.cdngeek.net/images/smilies/smile.png

If you register with the HICS site, you can choose to receive email notifications when updates are published.

For information: This was posted by HICS yesterday:

Hi Andy, Thanks for your reply. There is another update that I will be posting today [didn't get around to posting it yesterday]

Thanks for the updates Dave - I rarely get the time to get onto HICS/Sitss website, so your posts are much appreciated