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FY2009 E-Rate Year 12 Eligibility Guide Featuring Solutions from VBrick Systems and Lifesize. E-Rate Program Overview. E-Rate is federal program that provides schools with technology funding E-Rate is an open bid process; no service provider is guaranteed any award
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FY2009 E-Rate Year 12 Eligibility Guide Featuring Solutions from VBrick Systems and Lifesize
E-Rate Program Overview E-Rate is federal program that provides schools with technology funding E-Rate is an open bid process; no service provider is guaranteed any award Service provider selection is weighted by cost, relationship, reputation IDSolutions educates applicants on which video solutions are eligible Our competitive edge is E-Rate video product and solution knowledge IDSolutions focuses on maintaining communication during the entire process
Introduction – IDSolutions and AT&T • E-Rate video solution experts • Video conferencing and streaming distribution for distance learning • Best in breed partners/products • VBrick and Lifesize, also AMX/Crestron, Polycom, Tandberg • Full professional services • Level one support, design services, installation/integration • Local presence with national reach • Customer relationship #1, AT&T partnership, central HQ with local offices
Introduction – VBrick Systems • Leader in using streaming video for distance learning • Live Video - Encoders • Real-time audio & video capture/delivery; virtual field trips • Stored Video – Video-on-Demand • Stored file delivery; self-created content for distance learning • Management/Control – EtherneTV Portal • Complete control system for managing the video distribution • Display – Decoders and set-top boxes • Send video to TV or monitor, Windows/MAC PCs, mobile devices, IPOD
Introduction – Lifesize Communications • Leader in using high definition interactive video for distance learning • Live Two-way Video - Codecs • Real-time audio & video capture/delivery; ultra low delay • High Definition Quality • Highest quality available for distance learning and virtual field trips • Zero fatigue on teachers and students • Management/Control – Easy to Operate • Push button remote allows “speed dial” to set up conference • Fully interoperable with all other video conferencing systems • The best quality, performance and price on the market today
Fact Finding – past, present, future • What video equipment do you have in place today? • How old is the video equipment and how often is it used? • How was the video equipment purchased? • Has your school purchased with E-Rate funds in the past? When? What %? • Does your school have a technology plan? • Does your school work with an E-Rate or technology consultant? • What application is your school looking to fulfill?
E-Rate ESL and Distance Learning • The USAC’s Schools and Library Division (SLD) releases an annual eligible services list (ESL) to define products and services eligible under E-Rate • The ESL states which Voice/Video over IP (VoIP) components are eligible as internal connections and which are not • This presentation will review the most popular distance learning applications that are covered under E-Rate • This presentation will help explain which VBrick and Lifesize products are eligible and how they relate to the functions defined under Internal Connections • Both VBrick and Lifesize have worked extensively with the USAC to get products pre-approved. The list of approved products can be found at: • http://www.sl.universalservice.org/vendor/epd_pilot/prod_info.asp
Product Eligibility • VBrick and Lifesize products fall primarily fall under the function “Video components” listed in the ESL • Products are further classified as “centralized video components necessary to transport information all the way to individual classrooms or public areas of a library are eligible”. • Specific to both VBrick and Lifesize: • CODEC/Video Encoder • Master Control Unit • A one-page XLS spreadsheet has been created to summarize product eligibility • This spreadsheet is useful for both calculating customer contribution responsibility as well as when filling out form 471 item 21
Streaming Video for Distance Learning • VBrick’s EtherneTV is a distance learning system that provides digital video distribution over existing IP networks • The most common E-Rate applications include: • News announcements from students or staff • Teacher delivery of classroom sessions to other classrooms or schools • This could be live or on-demand (or both!) • Streaming distribution of TV to discuss current news events • Delivery of VCR tape and DVD assets as part of classroom lessons • Virtual field trips to bring a live distant event into a classroom
Interactive Video for Distance Learning • Lifesize’s High Definition video conferencing is a distance learning system that provides interactive video communication over existing IP networks • The most common E-Rate applications include: • Instruction between classrooms not located in same building • Virtual field trips with other schools, museums, places of interest • Subject matter debates between classes in different schools • Expert instruction from a remote specialist to a distant school
How can these video solutions help a school? • Streaming and Interactive video can: • Reduce the cost of maintaining a separate network for video services • Allow schools to introduce and integrate cultures from other countries • Eliminate the need for VCR tape service • Help improve test scores through video studying • Reduce the travel costs associated with physical field trips • Reduce the costs of having to duplicate expert instructors at multiple locations • Allow teachers to integrate video to create more exciting lesson plans • Increase the reach of expert instructors to other remote schools • Allow more immediate discussions regarding today’s news and headlines
What are typical costs and product eligibility? • Lifesize products are between 88% and 100% eligible. • The codec itself is 100% eligible but the camera and microphone are cost allocated • The MCU, Gatekeeper and Transit Server infrastructure products are 100% eligible • Room systems are 89% eligible • Team MP systems are 90% eligible • Express systems are 88% eligible • Focus systems are TBD eligible • Please contact IDSolutions for complete costing information
What are typical costs and product eligibility? • VBrick products are between 90% and 100% eligible. • The encoders, codecs and control portal infrastructure are 100% eligible • The on-demand server and VBStar encoders are cost allocated for the hard drives • A VOD-W or WM is 90% to 96% eligible • An ETV MCU portal is 100% eligible • A set-top box is 100% eligible • An encoder is 100% eligible • A VBExpress streaming kit w/o hard drive is 93% eligible • Please contact IDSolutions for complete costing information • Note that the video sources (ie: cameras) and monitors are ineligible per the ESL
Where to Get More information • E-Rate Questions • Pat Cassella • pcassella@e-idsolutions.com • Office - 203.479.3506