Moby

I may have a role coming up for a technician in West Yorks area in a few weeks if that of any help.

There used to be a primary school in Bradford that had a couple of them. Serious money if I remember rightly. Never been 100% sure what the difference between the boards was.

Your probably right. Same old problem though. School want it fixing now, now, now, not when I've figured out what I'm doing. Google here I come!

PRINCE2 Practitioner certified since 2007. Paid for out of my own funds, and a week of my holidays. Never smegging used it!!! Done loads of projects before and since!

I haven't had a quiet period in any school in the last .... 6 years maybe? Every other 6 week holiday used to have a week or two with nothing to do when no major upgrades where happening but many schools I work with are opening through the summer period, most of easter and half terms. This even includes the primary school's. Downtime? Yesterday's news mate.

Well obviously yes. But that assumes I have an interest in MAC. In truth I don't!

I am aware of around a dozen schools, even after going through BSF that are all MAC. Major stumbling block is cost of machine, software and finding enough support staff who can support them. My current school has 3 suites of them, and only one on my team knows anything about them. Real problem.

Actually that's untrue. All technicians who wanted to move across did. The IT/system/network managers ae the ones who normally find it more difficult. See the Redstone threads mate.

Richie, I'll chose my words carefully mate. Having worked on both sides of the fence, (if you get my meaning) I'll happily give you the benefit of my experience: 1. Network managers roles normally cease to exist, simple as. Some schools retain their previous Network manager as a go between, or for looking after systems that the outsourced company doesn't support. Its a managed service mate, in my experience the network manager isn't needed. 2. Ah one of the big problems with BSF is flexability. The problem with one size fits all is, it doesn't. The level of flexability you have comes from hammering out the school's needs in the endless bargining that goes on prior to go live, so be pro-active mate. 3. School's problem to resolve 4. Helpdesk location - Depends on the company. Some have a help desk in a central location, other's just log calls via the engineers onsite as the work is requested. Not heard of one in India yet though!!! basically managed service does not work without a good quality help desk. This is how the company gets paid, and how the LEA's claw money back for SLA's missed. 5. Again, this will be combination of hard bargining and what's in the contract. Managed services are normally kit plus maintenance, then any other service via heated debate! 6. None as far as I'm aware. Desktop support staff are TUPE'd straight across and normally get the best deal. System managers either, continue to work for school in some other form, accept a slightly different role with the company or simply chose to find another job. You need to get whoever is incharge of the TUPE process to push for details. Your poisition is very strong prior to the migrartion. (That's what I did). I was lucky, my school gave me 12 months notice of my role disappearing and could not have been more supportive in trying to help me find another job. Training/SIMS/Whiteboard's/Securus/Website are all areas where you might be able to continue to work for the school. Just remember though Richie, this is 2009 and no job is for life. 7. Very few in my experience 8. See point 1 10. Depends if your a re-build or new build. Normally Managed services want to start out with new kit. This diecision is normally taken at LCC level. 11. If your TUPE'd they are the same for at least 12 month's I think. You are legally protected. Private companies normally can offer better benefits, and may want you to sign a new contract after 12 months. You might be asked to work full time or you might not, totally depends. You are almost certain to get better training and career development. bear in mind RM were voted the UK's number 1 company to work for so its not all bad news. 12. depends on size of school. One manager will normally look after 3-4 school's so you should see the boss once a week minimum. 13. Primary school's get a good deal, secondary schools, I've never heard any school say the service was better under BSF. Truth If you are more than 2 years away from going live on BSF I'd not worry too much. Based on the country's finances, the current depression, and that the college's have all ground to a halt due the govement no longer having funds, I think BSF will simply fizzle out. When labour lose the next general election, the the whole project is likely to be scrapped anyway. Moby