Published on the 01/03/2016 | Written by Fujifilm
AT A GLANCE
- Kelston Intermediate School
INDUSTRY
- Education
BUSINESS OBJECTIVE
- Establish cost-effective, future-proof IT infrastructure
- Provide learners with collaboration tools
- Introduce BYOD platform
- Introduce predictable cost of support
- Provide teachers with devices and services
SOLUTION
- FUJIFILM OptimiseIT
BUSINESS BENEFITS
- Scalable and secure solution which will support a growing school
- Learners provided with own login/services
- Predictable OPEX
- Improved collaboration
- Integrated services
FOR MORE INFORMATION
FUJIFILM Business Innovation
W: FUJIFILM Business Innovation
New Zealand
E: kevin.ptak.pc@fujifilm.com
T: +64 21 275 4321
FURTHER READING
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Faced with an ageing and disparate collection of information technology equipment and services, a West Auckland school sought a better way – and found it in Fuji Xerox’s OptimiseIT solution…
It’s a problem which doesn’t just beset schools, but also businesses of every kind: the steady addition of computers and technology services to the organisation meets point requirements, but soon results in a dreadful miscellany of unintegrated equipment of varying age, pedigree and capability. Fragmented IT is notorious for limiting efficiency rather than enabling it. Recognising the issue, Kelston Intermediate principal Phil Gordon looked to Fuji Xerox and its OptimiseIT for a better way.
Decile 3 Kelston Intermediate has some 265 students and has served the area for over 40 years.
Situation
When Gordon first arrived, the school had a mix of aging technologies, some owned, some leased. The fragmented infrastructure reflected a variety of changes in direction over the course of years, while age necessitated constant support.
As a long term FUJIFILM Business Innovation customer – using several of its multifunctional devices in the school – Gordon moved to request a proposal for outsourced printing and copying. He was intrigued to receive a proposal which went much further, describing an all-inclusive IT solution – OptimiseIT – which could completely change the school’s approach to technology.
“We wanted a total digital solution: devices for the kids, computers for our offices, laptops for the teachers, and connectivity. We didn’t just want to get ‘devices’. We wanted the right devices. Not the cheapest or most expensive, but the ones that allow us to do a better job for our kids. And we needed solutions for the specific types of problems that we face.”
Phil Gordon, Kelston Intermediate principal.
Solution
OptimiseIT is Fuji Xerox’s managed IT Service which provides a complete environment encompassing all hardware devices, infrastructure, cloud computing and HelpDesk support. “I liked the direction Fuji Xerox was taking. Discussing OptimiseIT planted a seed and that’s where the journey towards one provider, one solution, and one contract started.”
He notes the potential the school saw: “We wanted a total digital solution: devices for the kids, computers for our offices, laptops for the teachers, and connectivity. We didn’t just want to get ‘devices’. We wanted the right devices. Not the cheapest or most expensive, but the ones that allow us to do a better job for our kids. And we needed solutions for the specific types of problems that we face.”
OptimiseIT has resulted in the delivery of an optimal number of devices for the school: a ratio of one device to three students. Kelston Intermediate also has new All-in-One desktops for staff, laptops for teachers, 12 interactive projectors for classroom use, several shared printers and, of course, Fuji Xerox multifunctional devices.
Students have access to four All-in-Ones in the library and another three per classroom, and 30 iPad Minis. In addition, Fuji Xerox has delivered several new iMacs, adding to the 18 units the school had purchased outright with funding.
Results
Modernisation delivers an immediate benefit: “With our new IT capabilities and great range of devices for our students, we’re on a par with any primary or intermediate school in West Auckland,” enthuses Gordon.
He notes that thanks to OptimiseIT, the school has abandoned its cantankerous server, with all applications and services now remotely hosted, backed up automatically and fully managed by professional teams.
Being part of a shared Cloud environment means reduced costs and increased efficiency. The school automatically receives upgrades, updates and improvements to their environment and software. These changes are made remotely and uniformly, with no interruption to the school day.
“For me to actively promote a company, it has to be outstanding. It’s all about providing really good outcomes for our kids; I wouldn’t support Fuji Xerox if they didn’t share that same passion.”
Phil Gordon, Kelston Intermediate principal.
Gordon is sold on the value-for-money aspect of the OptimiseIT service. Because costs are charged at a set rate, the school’s IT budget is predictable, there are no overspends and no need for contingency funds for the unexpected.
“We are saving money because the contract is so inclusive,” said Gordon. “It covers everything including repairs, maintenance and insurance, and all consumables except paper. We used to put aside part of our IT budget every year just for repairs, and our insurance excess was so high that we were never able to replace like-for-like.”
Local support from the OptimiseIT HelpDesk means school staff always talk to someone in their own time zone who is familiar with their particular technology and the way they are using it. In addition, a technician calls in weekly as a ‘health check’ to troubleshoot any issues.
Gordon says Fuji Xerox has more than stepped up to the mark as a partner. “We want to make a real difference in students’ lives, so we don’t just work with ordinary companies, but rather organisations that care. I challenged Fuji Xerox right at the beginning to do that, because if you don’t care about my kids, then we can’t have a relationship.”
And his experience? “Despite any issues which have come up, you always have a sense that these guys are listening and want to solve the problem. For me to actively promote a company, it has to be outstanding. It’s all about providing really good outcomes for our kids; I wouldn’t support Fuji Xerox if they didn’t share that same passion.”
