Achieving more with less Volume I: Infrastructure Gethin Nichols [email protected].

Achieving more with lessVolume I: Infrastructure

Gethin [email protected]

A long time in politics

• From “future technologies” to “austerity”...• Budget freedom– The more you can squeeze from your ICT

budget leaves more money elsewhere

• Impact on Education– Costs increasingly scrutinised– Reduction in investment in certain areas– New builds less likely, refurbishment key

Relieving budget pressure

• Go green• Print management• Planning a more efficient network• Make do and mend• Thin clients and personal devices• Learning Platforms• Leasing

Going GREEN

• Many of us have been hugging trees since before we had to go all austere

• Increase in ICT kit has resulted in an additional energy (and cost) burden

• A whole-school utility that is designed to monitor your energy usage in school

• Monitors and report on all aspect of energy use, tracked via the web

• Carbon Trust endorsed (=100% tax relief*)• Potentially large cost savings to be made

* In Year 1

John O’Gaunt School

• Using RM Utileyes for less than a year• Annual savings of £16,700 expected• Much improved green credentials– Committed to the 10:10 project– In excess of 10% of total energy cost saved– Energy Rating moving from D to B

Projector Management

• Networked projectors becoming standard– Wireless or Wired installs

• System Alerts & Monitoring– Over heating– Errors– Lamp life

• Scheduling– Cost Savings

Print Management

• Different levels of cost savings– Changing your printer settings– Printer credits– Enterprise Print

Print Management

• Printer Settings– Keep up to date with latest drivers– Print Quality– Duplex Printing

Print Management

• Printer credits– Community Connect 3 and 4 allow you to set

printer credit quotas for your users. • Allocates users a printer credit quota• Set a “page cost” on your printers• Auto-allocation strategies can be applied

– In CC4 you can modify auto-allocation so you can set a daily allowance for your users.

– Other generic printer credit software

Print Management

• Enterprise Print Solutions– One set price for printers, toners and

maintenance– Can drastically reduce Total Cost of Ownership– Set up rules to manage costs– “Follow me” printing

HardwareServers

Servers

• The heart of your network • Storage that is often the driver behind

adding more servers to your network– It’s estimated that storage requirements in a

school is expected to grow by 75% over the next 3 years

• This leaves you with a choice in terms of your network strategy

Hardware:

• Option I: Carry on adding Servers– Do you need the extra processing capacity?– There are disadvantages:

• Increased running costs• More technical management time• Increased complexity• Server room capacity

ServersHardware:

• The successor to the RM Serv– Super quiet• Just 20 decibels• Liquid cooling efficiency

– Designed for classroom/office– High Performance drives – Internal RDX backup drive – Roughly 58% of standard server energy use– Supports up to 50 CC3 clients

RM DualServ eXL

• Option II: Centralise your Storage– Network Attached Storage Devices (NAS)• Store large files on a centralised storage area• Same associated cons as adding an additional

server such as Domain Controller

ServersHardware:

• Option II: Centralise your Storage– Storage Area Network (SAN) Devices• Reduce Downtime• Increase Performance• Utilise Space More Efficiently • Easy Transition• Prevent Bottlenecks• Increase Attainment• SAN means less downtime

ServersHardware:

• Option II: Centralise your Storage– Virtualisation

ServersHardware:

• Option II: Centralise your Storage– Virtualisation– Fewer physical servers means further cost

savings• Less ongoing hardware outlay• Fewer support contracts• Less energy used• Less physical space needed for housing

ServersHardware:

HardwareComputers

• Maintaining what you’ve got– Defrag– Clean– Update

• Notebook batteries– Calibrate– Charging Cycles

ComputersHardware:

http://www.rm.com/support/technicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC49012

• Hardware Audit– Automated (as on CC4) or Manual lists– Upgrade existing hardware• Memory• CPU• Network cards

– Redeploying computers based on use– Purchase more sustainable kit

ComputersHardware:

• Designed specifically for education• Fully configurable– High powered fully featured to “Essentials”

• Environmentally friendly– Recycled plastic– Eco mode– Reusable screen– Energy efficient power supply

•Carry handle•Height-adjustable Screen•Secure height lock•Spaced, front-facing USB ports •Base unit rotation rollers•Control settings access•Integrated card reader option•Security features

•Carry handle•Height-adjustable Screen•Secure height lock•Spaced, front-facing USB ports •Base unit rotation rollers•Control settings access•Integrated card reader option•Security features

• Thin Clients & Terminal Servers– Utilising underpowered machines– Buying specialist Thin Clients• Cheaper• Greener• Longer life

ComputersHardware:

• RM ThinClient– Locked down client software

interface removing risk of student disruption

– CC4 Anywhere compatible – Display streamed video without

noticeable frame loss – Easy setup and deployment – Support multiple screen sizes and

multiple outputs

ComputersHardware:

• RM ThinClient– Easy-to-use management software – Performance to be equivalent to using an

entry-level PC running dedicated OS – Smaller form factor than RM miniPC – Robust fascia – Mounting options including PSU

and cable management

ComputersHardware:

HardwarePersonal Devices

• Installed on the prospective user’s device

• Ensures conditions before user log-on– Anti-virus up to date– Microsoft Updates enabled

• Can display an AUP at log-on

• Enables teachers and learners to work from any place using their own devices whenever they need to – Use mobile devices on your network via a

3G or wireless connection – Users can log in and work from home,

using an iMac, iPad or an RM miniBook

• Lets people use networked software, even if it's not installed on their device

• Manage your network on the move from a portable device like an iPhone

• Provide a more sustainable approach to ICT using thin client technology

• Online Homework• Goal Setting• Progress Checking• Activities, Blogs, Wikis• Newsletters• Uploading resources (not printing them!)• Checking Attendance• Supporting Evidence• Comments, and contributions

Learning Platforms

• Total solutions can be chosen based on what is most suitable and not just what budget dictates

• Pay for resources as they are used, not in advance

• Easier budgeting• Efficient acquisition and planning• Conserve working capital

• Technology refresh options allowing you to add new equipment to a lease during the term

• Our educational focus enables us to provide solutions appropriate to you

• View your lease and it's terms online• Fair and transparent contract• Flexibility - you are in control

Conclusion

• Becta may have gone, but....• Infrastructure Strategy should look at:• What can be retained, and how?• What measures will increase sustainability?• What can save me costs in the long run?• Lowering the total cost of ownership

Conclusion

Source: Microsoft – UK Schools Blog

Conclusion

• Even if a proportion of these savings can be made, it can have a huge impact

• Not to mention the other possibilities we have explored in this (and the next) session