School ICT News Bulletin No. 219 - 03/05/2013 Published by ICT Shared Services Slow Broadband Performance and Smoothwall - Update We advised via a news item at the start of term that the implementation of the new schools filtering service (Smoothwall) had revealed some issues that we need to deal with before we could continue with the rollout. Unacceptable performance levels in some schools was found to be as a result of the significantly better performance of the Smoothwall solution putting pressure on the firewall. Therefore we took the decision temporarily to pause the project and rollback the schools that had migrated until we had resolved these issues. Implementations of this nature are complex by their nature and therefore can sometimes highlight unforeseen issues. BT working with CISCO has ordered a replacement firewall solution with delivery and implementation currently scheduled during the last 2 weeks of May. We will now review the project plan for Smoothwall and will update you shortly on the revised plan. Clearly we will ensure that the revised plan avoids key events in schools and in particular exams. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Author: Lynn Parvin Centrastage As part of our new Services to Schools offering we are implementing a new remote management tool called Centrastage to enable us to provide a better remote service to all of our customers. We are currently in the process of rolling out the Centrastage client to all of our ICT ProTech and ICT ProTech Plus customers and will continue to do so in the forthcoming week. Once the client is installed we will be able to remote directly to that device to provide the best support possible as well as carry out audits and health checks of those devices. If your school has an NCC Technician they will be installing the client during their next visit. Any device with the client installed will display the following icon in the status tray If you have any questions regarding Centrastage please do not hesitate to contact our Service Desk on 0845 303 3003. Please be aware that remote access to your machine will still be on a consent basis only and, in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, no data will be viewed or removed as part of this process. Author: Steve Boyd E2BN 2013 Conference E2BN, the East of England Broadband Consortium are holding their annual ICT conference on 25th June and 26th June 2013 This is a two day conference and exhibition for school and Local Authority staff, technical staff, school governors and all those interested in raising standards through the use of technology. Conference details: The Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre, Wyboston, Beds MK44 3AR on 25th and 26th June 2013. Robinson Centre Website Join a great two day conference and exhibition to find out how technology can improve learning and teaching in your school. The conference focuses on the ways appropriate use of technology in the classroom can make a difference in your school. During the two days you will: Learn about the latest technologies and their impact in the classroom through a choice of 28 inspiring workshops Be able to take advantage of a wealth of practical advice from around the region See examples of how innovation and best practice is improving education in schools across the region Benefit from great money saving offers and conference discounts from over 70 exhibitors The conference sessions and workshops have been organised to help all delegates gain the confidence to exploit ICT more effectively within their schools or subject areas. This conference will also focus on E2BN initiatives and collaborative broadband provision. For further information please telephone 01462 834588. First two delegates per school from Norfolk are free of charge – further delegates cost £50 per day or a discounted rate of £70 for both days. Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 219 - 03/05/2013

Published by ICT Shared Services

Slow Broadband Performance and Smoothwall - Update

We advised via a news item at the start of term that the implementation of the new schools filtering service (Smoothwall) had revealed some issues that we need to deal with before we could continue with the rollout.

Unacceptable performance levels in some schools was found to be as a result of the significantly better performance of the Smoothwall solution putting pressure on the firewall.

Therefore we took the decision temporarily to pause the project and rollback the schools that had migrated until we had resolved these issues. Implementations of this nature are complex by their nature and therefore can sometimes highlight unforeseen issues.

BT working with CISCO has ordered a replacement firewall solution with delivery and implementation currently scheduled during the last 2 weeks of May.

We will now review the project plan for Smoothwall and will update you shortly on the revised plan. Clearly we will ensure that the revised plan avoids key events in schools and in particular exams.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Author: Lynn Parvin

Centrastage

As part of our new Services to Schools offering we are implementing a new remote management tool called Centrastage to enable us to provide a better remote service to all of our customers. We are currently in the process of rolling out the Centrastage client to all of our ICT ProTech and ICT ProTech Plus customers and will continue to do so in the forthcoming week. Once the client is installed we will be able to remote directly to that device to provide the best support possible as well as carry out audits and health checks of those devices. If your school has an NCC Technician they will be installing the client during their next visit.

Any device with the client installed will display the following icon in the status tray

If you have any questions regarding Centrastage please do not hesitate to contact our Service Desk on 0845 303 3003.

Please be aware that remote access to your machine will still be on a consent basis only and, in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, no data will be viewed or removed as part of this process.

Author: Steve Boyd

E2BN 2013 Conference

E2BN, the East of England Broadband Consortium are holding their annual ICT conference on 25th June and 26th June 2013

This is a two day conference and exhibition for school and Local Authority staff, technical staff, school governors and all those interested in raising standards through the use of technology.

Conference details:

The Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre, Wyboston, Beds MK44 3AR on 25th and 26th June 2013. Robinson Centre Website

Join a great two day conference and exhibition to find out how technology can improve learning and teaching in your school. The conference focuses on the ways appropriate use of technology in the classroom can make a difference in your school.

During the two days you will:

Learn about the latest technologies and their impact in the classroom through a choice of 28 inspiring workshops
Be able to take advantage of a wealth of practical advice from around the region
See examples of how innovation and best practice is improving education in schools across the region
Benefit from great money saving offers and conference discounts from over 70 exhibitors

The conference sessions and workshops have been organised to help all delegates gain the confidence to exploit ICT more effectively within their schools or subject areas. This conference will also focus on E2BN initiatives and collaborative broadband provision.

For further information please telephone 01462 834588.

First two delegates per school from Norfolk are free of charge – further delegates cost £50 per day or a discounted rate of £70 for both days.

Author: Lynn Parvin

School ICT News Bulletin No. 219 - 03/05/2013

Slow Broadband Performance and Smoothwall - Update

Centrastage

E2BN 2013 Conference

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