Wave9_Lee

Hi Gareth, I can try..! want to PM me your contact details and I'll give you a call. cheers Lee

There are a number of factors to consider other than price (although our service can be very competitive). The route you take I guess depends on how much knowledge and time you have to manage a system/upgrades etc, how much responsibility you wish to take, as well as what your future plans are - becoming a MAT for instance. Appreciate you are looking for edugeek members to contribute, but if you want info or advice/pricing, I'd be pleased to help. cheers Lee

Hi Fiza, I'd be pleased to provide a quote when you're ready. We offer on-premise managed UTM/filtering that people seem to like. One thing I would say is that you should probably start investigating this now, as if a supplier wants to put a new fibre into your premises, it can take a while. As you are on a Viginmedia access tail at the moment, a replacement VM circuit won't take too long and you probably had BT in the past, so maybe no issues there either, but better to be safe than sorry. (we can provide either) You will probably find you need the next 3 months to consider properly all the other aspects that you might be 'entangled' with.. (apologies for hijacking the thread!) cheers Lee

Hi there, We'd be pleased to provide a quote/advice. We support quite a few schools in the West Mids, and know quite a bit about Link2ICT. If you'd like me to visit or would like an initial call, let me know, kind regards Lee

Hi bknaggs, I've spoken to Meraki - seems there is a lot of confusion internally with them too at this moment. If you would like me to help, I can ensure that you get your 100 free, rather than a trial. Let me know, regards Lee

I'll throw our hat in the ring here. We have provided schools with Broadband throughout the Midlands, and would be happy to quote. If you need help getting disentangled from LA systems, we can help there too. cheers Lee

Ok, investigated this with our Meraki Rep (again). System Manager should have been chargeable by now, but it's taken a long time for marketing/collateral to catch up with the new model, so they're doing 100 free (as previous) in the meantime. So the upshot is, if you want the free unsupported SM, get on the case soon, as it will end soon. After that you can have a short trial, but that's it.

+1 for SOPHOS

Hi Brimstone, that doc is out of date now (despite being on their website). There is no free MDM from Meraki any longer. It's all chargeable.

Hi Corey, We've helped several schools move. If you need help, drop me a line (we are a provider, not a school or school tech tho) regards Lee

Hi there, Meraki MDM is not free now, there is just a limited trial available or full purchase. regards Lee

Ref Backup - just noticed this thread from 3 days ago... http://www.edugeek.net/forums/internet-related-filtering-firewall/175913-virgin-business-internet-down-birmingham-you-too.html

What's going on with ancient post revivals today? Is it Throwback Friday?!

We'd be happy to provide a quote, we have supplied IP voice to many schools, and can combine with broadband if required. Particularly good for a MAT environment too - happy to provide references if needed, kind regards Lee

Hi there, One thing I would say is that whilst it's good to be clear about what you need/want in a tender document, it's also sensible not to be too prescriptive in some areas - i.e. by doing so you might exclude some bidders or solutions that would provide a great solution, but don't quite tick that niche box that you've inadvertently specified. I disagree with the 'don't need back-up' comments, yes leased line and EoFttC have good availability, but if there's a fibre cut in the vicinity, the service could be down for a considerable time, despite what your SLA says - a back up is like insurance, people who never claim resent paying it, but those that needed it are always thankful. We can send you a comprehensive evaluation document that might help with your thinking and ensure you have covered off all the key areas if you would like - drop me a PM We'd obviously be happy to submit a bid if asked, cheers Lee

Hi Owen, Echo what others have said - EoFttC > Business FttC, but money talks. Although if you are on a leased line today and want to step down to EoFttC, then the school will be making a saving on current levels. It perhaps doesn't make sense to go to the cheapest option - after all, once future budgets are set at the new low level and you want to increase/upgrade, you might find it harder to get access to the funds. I'd be happy to provide a quote if you're interested. If you just need a managed web filtering and security service as an add-on, I'd be pleased to quote for that too. regards Lee

Hi @djm968 We provide broadband for schools, filtered, secure and cost-effective. We provide several schools in Essex already as well as several Mats, would be happy to provide guidance and pricing. Regards Lee

Hi there, we offer a rental only model, which can be attractive when compared to the challenges of arranging leases in the education environment. We also offer traditional leasing, but find the rental model becoming more popular, If you would like more info, drop me a line, regards Lee

Hi JJames, we'd be happy to provide a quote for you. We offer hosted voice services, SIP, with call recording as an option - if you'd like some details, let me know, kind regards Lee [email protected]

BT are having major problems with power outage at Telehouse North. I imagine this is related. More misery for BT broadband users after new power cut - BBC News

Pleased to attend, good event! cheers Lee

PM'd cheers, Lee

PM'd cheers, Lee

I guess from a school's perspective it depends on your appetite for risk. I'm definitely not one for over-regulation or supporting quangos that offer no value, but if government procurement, regional broadband consortia, LEAs all believe that it's good practice, I'm not sure why you wouldn't go with this one.

[h=4]Illegal Online Content[/h]In considering filtering providers or systems , schools should ensure that access to illegal content is blocked, specifically that the filtering providers: Are IWF members and block access to illegal Child Abuse Images and Content (CAIC) Integrate the ‘the police assessed list of unlawful terrorist content, produced on behalf of the Home Office’ source: Appropriate Filtering - Safer Internet Centre