Andycat

We've received tender responses for new WiFi and related switching. One of these is for Cambium, one for TP Link Omada, alongside some Aruba and Meraki options, and while people on here have kindly shared experience with the Cambium WiFi element, has anyone used either's switching? We're familiar with Aruba and Cisco stuff, we have a mix at the moment of old Cisco and a newish Aruba core. The Aruba and Meraki options are coming out nearly twice as much, and obviously times are hard etc.... Thanks in advance, Andy

HI all, I suppose I may cross post this in wired too..... We've received tender responses for new WiFi and related switching. One of these is for Cambium, one for TP Link Omada, alongside some Aruba and Meraki options, and while people on here have kindly shared experience with the Cambium WiFi element, has anyone used either's switching? We're familiar with Aruba and Cisco stuff, we have a mix at the moment of old Cisco and a newish Aruba core. The Aruba and Meraki options are coming out nearly twice as much, and obviously times are hard etc.... Thanks in advance, Andy

Yes, plus some nasty court things too. Probably a rise in letters done via AI.

BTNet, similar price to what you're being quoted.

We generally use iPads as 1:1 yr 7-11, managed by inTune. We're starting a laptop scheme for 6th form and these look very promising, if they can be managed with InTune as well as the iPads can.

October Stonebook Pro was 479, last month 639. If the Neo is 400-500, it's extremely good value *currently

Same

CT Cloud, with Veeam licenses.

We've got everything on 11, regardless of age until we can replace.

They will be an option when we look, we've only just signed for a year. But their site to cloud stuff is very expensive, so trying to get everything with one provider might mean leaving. Impressed so far though.

Druva currently but will be looking at a solution for both on site and Cloud at the end of the year.

Ours seem to be looking at the Blackout app. Has anyone any experience?

Workstation at work is Windows, but also use a Mac mini. At home or laptop, yep, M4 Macbook Pro

We may well be interested in some big screen ones, but would have to be posted (we're in Lancashire). We're still running Avaya

Best bargain for me (and this is the 3rd time we've done it) is 25% off Interrail passes.

Still 15.6" for data tasks etc, and a full size keyboard

I concur!

Our last lot were Stone Probooks, great price, people love them so far and out of 70 there's only been one issue, sorted on site the day after.

https://www.rossmartin.co.uk/sme-tax-news/7281-electric-car-charging-hmrc-bik-policy-change

It's not only schools, it's all workplaces. Plus, if you get reimbursed for charging at home from your work generally, this isn't a BIK anymore either.

I bought a TCL to replace my Samsung, I've been very impressed. Modern TV's are a lottery, with companies making Black Friday specials with lower components. Worth watching https://www.youtube.com/@allenfleckney5969 if you want info and current trends. Some "respected" brands are just badged Vestel, including Panasonics etc.!

Apparently not, there's an exemption for EV charging due to electricity (currently) not being classed as a fuel. But please check this!

We don't charge staff, no. Yes, you can apply for the grant as many times as you want up to a number of chargers, rather than number of times, whilst it's running.

We've just applied for a 2nd time to have more installed. Our first lot are Rolec Quantum (up to 22kW), on the Monta platform. You can add our existing ID cards when you setup the app, they're connected via 4G sim, as most can't see hidden networks (that took some working out, as the electricians were clueless). They're on a back car park (closest to building), and we don't let public use them, as to charge a fee/public use, you then have to pay into a subscription model for the management platform. We're applying for more as we're currently having to run an ad-hoc rota due to the uptake of EV's.

It's a mish mash. Glad I'm retiring in the next 18 months!