School ICT News Bulletin No. 307 - 08/02/2023 Published by ICT Solutions eBulletin Items IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google NSIX accounts audit of E-safety monitors IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the forthcoming half-term holiday period IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the half-term period Could you help us extend Norfolk's Internet of Things Innovation Network? IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Techathon is back - February 16th and 17th! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Update - New Broadband Framework now available IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Anycomms Plus Unavailability - February 13th - 15th 1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google NSIX accounts audit of E-safety monitors As part of the Google NSIX email service, we include e-safety monitoring of emails sent to and from your school’s Google NSIX email accounts. All pupil NSIX accounts have this monitoring in place, but it is optional for your staff accounts. Each school/academy must have at least one nominated NSIX e-safety monitor. Because e-safety is a priority for everyone, we are currently reviewing the NSIX e-safety set up for all our Google NSIX schools to make sure that the correct e-safety monitors are configured for each school. Over the next few days we will be contacting all NSIX schools asking you to confirm who your e-safety monitors are. It is very important that all schools respond with the required details so we can ensure that the right e-safety monitor details are configured for your school. For further information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the forthcoming half-term holiday period To reflect the reduced demand on the Service Desk over the forthcoming half-term holiday period, we will be changing the hours of the Service Desk accordingly. From February 13th - February 17th, the hours will be as follows - 08:30 to 16:00. Normal opening hours of 08:00 to 16:30 will resume on Monday, February 20th. For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the half-term period We would like to ask schools to refrain from turning off the power to the core networking equipment over the forthcoming half-term period. Core networking equipment includes routers, switches and servers, often in a wall or floor cabinet. These devices are monitored by ourselves and Updata and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in your school incurring a charge for an engineer visit. Services Affected: Schools Internet, email and any service accessed via the internet Services Not Affected: All other school systems which do not access the internet When: 13th February - 17th February 2023 What You Need To Do: If there is no alternative to powering off the communications cabinet and core equipment then please contact the Service Desk to advise us in advance For More Information: Please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk 4. Could you help us extend Norfolk's Internet of Things Innovation Network? The Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Network is the largest free public sector Long Range Wide Area Network (LoraWAN) deployment in the UK, funded by the Local enterprise partnership it delivers county wide connectivity to support large amounts of Internet of Things "IoT" sensors. It has the overall objective of kick-starting innovation in the region and enabling local business, schools, colleges, and individuals to learn, trial, prototype and develop IoT services with this new technology. We are looking for more schools and other premises where we can install a IoT Gateway to extend the coverage of the Internet of Things network What is it used for? The Network is a community-based resource, and we are working closely with many different interested groups to build solutions, such as supporting Adult Social Services to identify where the network can be used to help vulnerable people throughout your community. The network is also already being used for such things as Crop Management at Ben Burgess monitoring crop growth, water precipitation, soil dynamics; If your school has an allotment/gardening project maybe we can help install similar sensors to the ones being utilised by Ben Burgess. School children of all ages have been using IoT to create projects; NCC and ICT Solutions will be working in collaboration to encourage the usage of IoT throughout schools in Norfolk. Using Arduino boards, it's possible for children to create and learn about sensors for a multitude of applications i.e. air quality sensors, rainfall sensors. Other uses across the county include water level monitoring on the Norfolk Broads, desk occupancy and road temperature sensors to support the winter gritting program but has unlimited applications. We are also looking to support air quality management, farm protection, flood awareness and many other use cases to support the county. What is the device, and have you installed any already? The gateway itself is approximately the size of a home router/tablet/small laptop with an antenna approximate 0.60m in length. These gateways require an ethernet connection to them and they work on 'line of sight' so higher buildings work best. We have already had these devices installed at 99 locations including Rackheath Primary School, Magdalen Gates Primary School, Mile Cross Primary School, Coltishall Primary School, Thorpe High School, Broadland Academy in Hoveton, Alderman Peel High School, Springwood High School and we are currently speaking with several other Trusts, schools, and academies throughout Norfolk. We also have gateways installed at Norwich County Hall, Norwich Millennium Library, Gressenhall Museum, Kings’ Lynn, Dereham, Swaffham, Great Yarmouth, Wroxham, Acle, N Walsham, Aylsham plus several other Fire Stations throughout Norfolk but are looking for further suitable buildings to help this project and provide the network across the county to complete the project. Health and Safety Please note that the frequency of this equipment will not interfere with CCTV or any other wireless equipment. All the installs are carried out with completed Risk Assessment and Method Statements plus the Council Legal Department has drawn up a letter explaining that the council must cover all costs for the install and continued maintenance of these devices and that we'd be liable in the event of any damage because of these installs. There is no downtime of network or your buildings services during the installs. Contact Us I hope that this explains a little about what we'd like to do and the next step, if you'd allow us, is for me to arrange a suitable and convenient time for myself and possibly an engineer to visit the site to see if what we are proposing is actually viable. We will, of course, adhere to any site rules and any other regulations currently determined by COVID-19. If you're interested in hosting a gateway or want more details about what the Internet of Things could do for you and your business, please email Steve Boyd or Ali Cubitt on the following email address - in@norfolk.gov.uk 5. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Techathon is back - February 16th and 17th! Norfolk County Council are proud to be one of the sponsors for the two-day techathon for young people, running as part of Norwich Science Festival over half term week. Tickets for the two-day event cost a maximum of £10, and include lunch, snacks and refreshments on both days. Book your tickets on Eventbrite now! A fun filled event The Techathon lets young people aged 8 to 18 explore the possibilities of technology in an informal and creative environment. Over the course of two days, each team takes on one of our challenges, trying out ideas, finding out what works and what doesn’t. It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, expert mentors and even potential future employers. It’s a fun-packed event with the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and even win prizes. Find out more at http://stepintotechathon.org/ For any additional queries email hello@stepintotech.org. General Volunteers and Tech Mentors required We are looking for both general volunteers and technically minded mentors to help with the techathon on both days. If you would like to volunteer, please contact tanya.allen@norfolk.gov.uk for more information. Lunch and refreshments will be provided to you on both days. 6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Update - New Broadband Framework now available ICT Solutions have tendered for suppliers to be on a Multi Broadband supplier framework, effective from September 2022. The framework agreement is open to all education establishments (e.g., Schools, Academies, Trusts, Federations, Adult Learning centres, Nurseries, Preschools, Alternative provisions) to purchase from, within East of England (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex) and Lincolnshire. The scope of this framework agreement includes the supply, installation, management, maintenance, technical architecture, system design and project management associated with the provision of the services. As part of this tender process, we have assessed suppliers’ technical solutions, compliance against legislation, financial checks, and experience with working with educational establishments to meet your requirements and provide you with a Framework to call off from to meet procurement regulations. We are pleased to announce the following four suppliers have been awarded a place on our Framework: MLL Telecom Ltd Rydal Communications Talk Straight Ltd T/A Schools Broadband Unfortunately, Eastern Telephones Ltd T/A Eastern Voice and Data are currently not providing quotes due to an acquisition by 4com. We are waiting for 4com to confirm their compliance against our framework requirements before we agree to novate the award over to them. For Schools, Academies and Trusts currently on the Updata Connection: The Capita Updata contract is due to expire on 31^st March 2024, and due to infrastructure changes to the current network, it will not be possible to continue with Capita Updata services in its current format after this date. ICT Solutions have set up a project team to support all Schools, Academies and Trusts in requesting new quotes and migration to new suppliers and services. We will be requesting quotes from all our current Framework suppliers for you based on your current solution (or any upgrades that may now be possible in your area). There is no obligation to purchase from this Framework, and we have asked our Suppliers not to directly market you. We have begun working with Capita Updata on exit planning and impacts of leaving the service early, as realistically we will need to start migrating services away during 2023. Capita have confirmed that 40% of the remaining contract term will be payable on migration to another provider, and our suppliers are currently looking at ways they can help with this charge. We will be in contact with you directly soon about your services and future requirements. For Schools, Academies and Trusts with a different supplier: The Framework is free for you to use to carry out a direct award or run a mini competition against your requirements. You do not need to come via ICT Solutions for quotes or support, your own teams can deal directly with the supplier. If you would like to contact the suppliers for more information or quotations please see below, stating Norfolk Framework to get the agreed pricing: MLL Telecom Ltd Ross Billington - r.billington@mlltelecom.com Rydal Communications Neville Narnia - n.nania@rydal-group.co.uk Talk Straight Ltd T/A Schools Broadband Charlie Bennett - info@schoolsbroadband.co.uk 7. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Anycomms Plus Unavailability - February 13th - 15th We have been advised by AVCO that planned maintenance will be carried out during the forthcoming half-term holiday period. Starting early on Monday, February 13th, to close of play on Wednesday, February 15th, the service will be unavailable whilst the platform is upgraded. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

School ICT News Bulletin No. 307 - 08/02/2023

Published by ICT Solutions

eBulletin Items

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google NSIX accounts audit of E-safety monitors
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the forthcoming half-term holiday period
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the half-term period
Could you help us extend Norfolk's Internet of Things Innovation Network?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Techathon is back - February 16th and 17th!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Update - New Broadband Framework now available
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Anycomms Plus Unavailability - February 13th - 15th

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Google NSIX accounts audit of E-safety monitors

As part of the Google NSIX email service, we include e-safety monitoring of emails sent to and from your school’s Google NSIX email accounts. All pupil NSIX accounts have this monitoring in place, but it is optional for your staff accounts. Each school/academy must have at least one nominated NSIX e-safety monitor. Because e-safety is a priority for everyone, we are currently reviewing the NSIX e-safety set up for all our Google NSIX schools to make sure that the correct e-safety monitors are configured for each school.

Over the next few days we will be contacting all NSIX schools asking you to confirm who your e-safety monitors are. It is very important that all schools respond with the required details so we can ensure that the right e-safety monitor details are configured for your school.

For further information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Service Desk opening hours over the forthcoming half-term holiday period

To reflect the reduced demand on the Service Desk over the forthcoming half-term holiday period, we will be changing the hours of the Service Desk accordingly.

From February 13th - February 17th, the hours will be as follows -

08:30 to 16:00.

Normal opening hours of 08:00 to 16:30 will resume on Monday, February 20th.

For more information, please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Powering off core network equipment over the half-term period

We would like to ask schools to refrain from turning off the power to the core networking equipment over the forthcoming half-term period. Core networking equipment includes routers, switches and servers, often in a wall or floor cabinet. These devices are monitored by ourselves and Updata and turning off the power results in false alarms. This could potentially result in your school incurring a charge for an engineer visit.

Services Affected: Schools Internet, email and any service accessed via the internet

Services Not Affected: All other school systems which do not access the internet

When: 13th February - 17th February 2023

What You Need To Do:

If there is no alternative to powering off the communications cabinet and core equipment then please contact the Service Desk to advise us in advance

For More Information:

Please contact the Service Desk on 01603 475603 or ict@norfolk.gov.uk

4. Could you help us extend Norfolk's Internet of Things Innovation Network?

The Norfolk and Suffolk Innovation Network is the largest free public sector Long Range Wide Area Network (LoraWAN) deployment in the UK, funded by the Local enterprise partnership it delivers county wide connectivity to support large amounts of Internet of Things "IoT" sensors. It has the overall objective of kick-starting innovation in the region and enabling local business, schools, colleges, and individuals to learn, trial, prototype and develop IoT services with this new technology.

We are looking for more schools and other premises where we can install a IoT Gateway to extend the coverage of the Internet of Things network

What is it used for?

The Network is a community-based resource, and we are working closely with many different interested groups to build solutions, such as supporting Adult Social Services to identify where the network can be used to help vulnerable people throughout your community.

The network is also already being used for such things as Crop Management at Ben Burgess monitoring crop growth, water precipitation, soil dynamics; If your school has an allotment/gardening project maybe we can help install similar sensors to the ones being utilised by Ben Burgess.

School children of all ages have been using IoT to create projects; NCC and ICT Solutions will be working in collaboration to encourage the usage of IoT throughout schools in Norfolk. Using Arduino boards, it's possible for children to create and learn about sensors for a multitude of applications i.e. air quality sensors, rainfall sensors.

Other uses across the county include water level monitoring on the Norfolk Broads, desk occupancy and road temperature sensors to support the winter gritting program but has unlimited applications. We are also looking to support air quality management, farm protection, flood awareness and many other use cases to support the county.

What is the device, and have you installed any already?

The gateway itself is approximately the size of a home router/tablet/small laptop with an antenna approximate 0.60m in length. These gateways require an ethernet connection to them and they work on 'line of sight' so higher buildings work best.

We have already had these devices installed at 99 locations including Rackheath Primary School, Magdalen Gates Primary School, Mile Cross Primary School, Coltishall Primary School, Thorpe High School, Broadland Academy in Hoveton, Alderman Peel High School, Springwood High School and we are currently speaking with several other Trusts, schools, and academies throughout Norfolk.

We also have gateways installed at Norwich County Hall, Norwich Millennium Library, Gressenhall Museum, Kings’ Lynn, Dereham, Swaffham, Great Yarmouth, Wroxham, Acle, N Walsham, Aylsham plus several other Fire Stations throughout Norfolk but are looking for further suitable buildings to help this project and provide the network across the county to complete the project.

Health and Safety

Please note that the frequency of this equipment will not interfere with CCTV or any other wireless equipment. All the installs are carried out with completed Risk Assessment and Method Statements plus the Council Legal Department has drawn up a letter explaining that the council must cover all costs for the install and continued maintenance of these devices and that we'd be liable in the event of any damage because of these installs. There is no downtime of network or your buildings services during the installs.

Contact Us

I hope that this explains a little about what we'd like to do and the next step, if you'd allow us, is for me to arrange a suitable and convenient time for myself and possibly an engineer to visit the site to see if what we are proposing is actually viable. We will, of course, adhere to any site rules and any other regulations currently determined by COVID-19.

If you're interested in hosting a gateway or want more details about what the Internet of Things could do for you and your business, please email Steve Boyd or Ali Cubitt on the following email address - in@norfolk.gov.uk

5. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Techathon is back - February 16th and 17th!

Norfolk County Council are proud to be one of the sponsors for the two-day techathon for young people, running as part of Norwich Science Festival over half term week.

Tickets for the two-day event cost a maximum of £10, and include lunch, snacks and refreshments on both days. Book your tickets on Eventbrite now!

A fun filled event

The Techathon lets young people aged 8 to 18 explore the possibilities of technology in an informal and creative environment. Over the course of two days, each team takes on one of our challenges, trying out ideas, finding out what works and what doesn’t.

It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, expert mentors and even potential future employers. It’s a fun-packed event with the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and even win prizes.

Find out more at http://stepintotechathon.org/

For any additional queries email hello@stepintotech.org.

General Volunteers and Tech Mentors required

We are looking for both general volunteers and technically minded mentors to help with the techathon on both days. If you would like to volunteer, please contact tanya.allen@norfolk.gov.uk for more information. Lunch and refreshments will be provided to you on both days.

6. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Update - New Broadband Framework now available

ICT Solutions have tendered for suppliers to be on a Multi Broadband supplier framework, effective from September 2022.

The framework agreement is open to all education establishments (e.g., Schools, Academies, Trusts, Federations, Adult Learning centres, Nurseries, Preschools, Alternative provisions) to purchase from, within East of England (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex) and Lincolnshire.

The scope of this framework agreement includes the supply, installation, management, maintenance, technical architecture, system design and project management associated with the provision of the services.

As part of this tender process, we have assessed suppliers’ technical solutions, compliance against legislation, financial checks, and experience with working with educational establishments to meet your requirements and provide you with a Framework to call off from to meet procurement regulations.

We are pleased to announce the following four suppliers have been awarded a place on our Framework:

MLL Telecom Ltd
Rydal Communications
Talk Straight Ltd T/A Schools Broadband

Unfortunately, Eastern Telephones Ltd T/A Eastern Voice and Data are currently not providing quotes due to an acquisition by 4com. We are waiting for 4com to confirm their compliance against our framework requirements before we agree to novate the award over to them.

For Schools, Academies and Trusts currently on the Updata Connection:

The Capita Updata contract is due to expire on 31^st March 2024, and due to infrastructure changes to the current network, it will not be possible to continue with Capita Updata services in its current format after this date.

ICT Solutions have set up a project team to support all Schools, Academies and Trusts in requesting new quotes and migration to new suppliers and services. We will be requesting quotes from all our current Framework suppliers for you based on your current solution (or any upgrades that may now be possible in your area).

There is no obligation to purchase from this Framework, and we have asked our Suppliers not to directly market you.

We have begun working with Capita Updata on exit planning and impacts of leaving the service early, as realistically we will need to start migrating services away during 2023. Capita have confirmed that 40% of the remaining contract term will be payable on migration to another provider, and our suppliers are currently looking at ways they can help with this charge.

We will be in contact with you directly soon about your services and future requirements.

For Schools, Academies and Trusts with a different supplier:

The Framework is free for you to use to carry out a direct award or run a mini competition against your requirements.

You do not need to come via ICT Solutions for quotes or support, your own teams can deal directly with the supplier.

If you would like to contact the suppliers for more information or quotations please see below, stating Norfolk Framework to get the agreed pricing:

MLL Telecom Ltd

Ross Billington - r.billington@mlltelecom.com

Rydal Communications

Neville Narnia - n.nania@rydal-group.co.uk

Talk Straight Ltd T/A Schools Broadband

Charlie Bennett - info@schoolsbroadband.co.uk

7. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Anycomms Plus Unavailability - February 13th - 15th

We have been advised by AVCO that planned maintenance will be carried out during the forthcoming half-term holiday period. Starting early on Monday, February 13th, to close of play on Wednesday, February 15th, the service will be unavailable whilst the platform is upgraded.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.