School ICT News Bulletin No. 208 - 21/09/2012 Published by ICT Shared Services Schools Internet Filtering Update 21st September 2012 At the beginning of September we advised that we have found a filtering solution that is a like for like replacement for the current service which can be delivered within the constraints of the current contract, but in addition provides more granular and flexible solutions for those schools that require it. ICT Shared Services is pleased to inform you that through working closely with BT they have offered the alternative filtering solution, Smoothwall. We told you that we intend to move to the new service as soon as possible through a formal project once the solution has been validated by our commercial team, technical processes and approved by the Schools ICT Steering group (19^th September). Schools ICT Steering Group is considering the proposal and have asked us to continue through the validation process. They have asked us to consider the impact of changing the product when the current contract with BT is due to end in March 2014 as well as the options at the end of the contract. We also discussed that if we do change product, some schools training will be required and we will have to consider whether schools or Childrens’ Services will fund this. The replacement product means that schools can have the same range of filtering profile options as currently exist. So schools can continue in the fully managed profile most schools currently have. No additional training will be required for this option. The benefit of the change will be the option to have an on-line portal to change access to content for example different classes, year groups, for certain times of the day or year etc. This option might require some level of user training to administer the online portal to meet your filtering requirements. As per previous discussions, the change of product is within the constraints of the existing contract and does not incur additional costs for NCC. We will of course continue to keep you informed on progress. Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 208 - 21/09/2012

Published by ICT Shared Services

Schools Internet Filtering Update 21st September 2012

At the beginning of September we advised that we have found a filtering solution that is a like for like replacement for the current service which can be delivered within the constraints of the current contract, but in addition provides more granular and flexible solutions for those schools that require it.

ICT Shared Services is pleased to inform you that through working closely with BT they have offered the alternative filtering solution, Smoothwall.

We told you that we intend to move to the new service as soon as possible through a formal project once the solution has been validated by our commercial team, technical processes and approved by the Schools ICT Steering group (19^th September).

Schools ICT Steering Group is considering the proposal and have asked us to continue through the validation process.

They have asked us to consider the impact of changing the product when the current contract with BT is due to end in March 2014 as well as the options at the end of the contract. We also discussed that if we do change product, some schools training will be required and we will have to consider whether schools or Childrens’ Services will fund this.

The replacement product means that schools can have the same range of filtering profile options as currently exist. So schools can continue in the fully managed profile most schools currently have. No additional training will be required for this option.

The benefit of the change will be the option to have an on-line portal to change access to content for example different classes, year groups, for certain times of the day or year etc. This option might require some level of user training to administer the online portal to meet your filtering requirements.

As per previous discussions, the change of product is within the constraints of the existing contract and does not incur additional costs for NCC.

We will of course continue to keep you informed on progress.

Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 208 - 21/09/2012

Schools Internet Filtering Update 21st September 2012

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