Achieving More with Less: Infrastructure Strategies for Budget Freedom and Green Savings

1. Achieving more with lessVolume I: Infrastructure Gethin Nichols gnichols@rm.com

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

13. Projector Management • Networked projectors becoming standard • Wireless or Wired installs • System Alerts & Monitoring • Over heating • Errors • Lamp life • Scheduling • Cost Savings

14. Print Management • Different levels of cost savings • Changing your printer settings • Printer credits • Enterprise Print

15. Print Management • Printer Settings • Keep up to date with latest drivers • Print Quality • Duplex Printing

16. 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

17. 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

19. Hardware Servers

20. Hardware: 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

21. Hardware: Servers • 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

22. RM DualServ eXL • 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

23. Hardware: Servers • 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

24. Hardware: Servers • 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

25. Hardware: Servers • Option II: Centralise your Storage • Virtualisation

26. Hardware: Servers • 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

27. Hardware Computers

28. Hardware: Computers • Maintaining what you’ve got • Defrag • Clean • Update • Notebook batteries • Calibrate • Charging Cycles http://www.rm.com/support/ technicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC49012

29. Hardware: Computers • 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

30. 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

31. Hardware: Computers • Thin Clients & Terminal Servers • Utilising underpowered machines • Buying specialist Thin Clients • Cheaper • Greener • Longer life

33. Hardware: Computers • 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

34. Hardware: Computers • 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

35. Find out more at the RM Village at BETT 2011

37. Hardware Personal Devices

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

45. Conclusion Source: Microsoft – UK Schools Blog

46. 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 www.rm.com/morewithless morewithless.wikispaces.com