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Maximizing Efficiency and Savings in ICT Infrastructure

Discover strategies to achieve more with less in ICT infrastructure, focus on budget freedom, energy efficiency, print and projector management, and server hardware choices. Learn practical tips to optimize ICT budget and resources in schools. Monitor energy use, manage printers, and assess server options for enhanced performance and savings.

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Maximizing Efficiency and Savings in ICT Infrastructure

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

  2. 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

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

  4. 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

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

  6. 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

  7. 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

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

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

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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Hardware Servers

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. RM DualServeXL • 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

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

  20. 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

  21. and a sneaky peak at something new....

  22. RM Simply Works • A new way of “networking”, ideal for primary schools • A viable and more cost effective alternative • Utilises a single computer to be connected to up to 10 monitors and USB devices

  23. RM Simply Works • Each pupil has a personal computing experience • Individual, easily managed pupil accounts • Share files between groups • Public & private pupil folders • Single point of install for software • Easy monitoring of all computers

  24. Hardware Computers

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

  26. 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

  27. 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

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

  29. RM One Lite Sweet Spot PC RM Thin Client

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. [lite] • 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

  33. Find out more at the RM Village at BETT 2011 RM One Lite Sweet Spot PC RM Thin Client

  34. Hardware Personal Devices

  35. An unstoppable trend • No. of smartphones in the UK • 11 million • No. of iPhones sold since 2007: • 50 million • No. of iPads shifted in its first year: • 8 million • No. of tablet pc sales forecast by 2014 • 46 million

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

  37. 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

  38. 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

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. Conclusion Source: Microsoft – UK Schools Blog

  42. 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

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