Executive Summary for Technology Equipment and Wireless Needs

Why is this necessary?

Need #1: Twenty-eight percent of computers (387 of 1353 units) in campus computer labs are obsolete, running operating systems designed over 7 years ago and no longer maintained by their manufacturers (e.g. Apple, Microsoft).

Need #2: Campuses facing 66% obsolescence in classroom equipment want to allow students and staff to bring their own technology (BYOT) but ECISD is only about 50% wireless district-wide.

Need #3: All staff and student accounts are manually created or updated via obscure programming scripts. An automated system is needed to accommodate growth and increasing systems integration, account management needs.

What happens if we don’t implement?

If nothing is done, then the ECISD campuses will be required to incrementally update their equipment (unsuccessful strategy), be unable to take advantage of mobile devices that use less electrical power and are ubiquitous, and account management will occupy tens of hours per week for EC Technology Operations staff.

How will we measure success?

Success is achieved when an upgrade or equipment replacement plan is in place for every piece of equipment and tracked in collaboration with the District's asset management system (e.g. Follet Destiny) and replacements/upgrades are made promptly to minimize support requirements and downtime.

When will this happen?

Per the schedule outlined in the Equipment Replacement Plan.

Recommendations

Based on funding available, the following is recommended. Note that the entire amount of $500,000 was not spent to allow for $25,000 in potential expenditures that may arise as a result of eRate carry-over from year to year. Also, these numbers are subject to change with new information. For the latest version, always check the spreadsheet online at http://goo.gl/CJRPij

1. Year 1 - $474,765.12 (does not include furniture cost of $30K)
2. These recommended options below will bring our computer labs up to date as well equip schools in proportion to their enrollment.
   1. Area 1 - Campus Technology Assessment Centers (a.k.a. Labs)
      1. $281,600 for equipment replacement and computers needed to reach projected lab levels (Option 2) + $3365 for patch cables (1 per computer, $9.56 per cable x 352 units)
      2. $30,000 for lab furniture (includes tables and chairs, wiring) - not included in total
   2. Area 2 - Wireless Access
      1. $35,100 for wireless access points in Libraries and Cafeterias (option 3) + $11,700 for cabling costs.
      2. $81,000 for 90 wireless access points in classrooms at multiple campuses (Option 4a)
      3. $28,000 (estimate is based on $300 per wireless drop with extra $1K added for just in case) for vendor cabling services for 90 wireless drops; remainder not covered under cost will be done by District Technical Support Staff.
   3. Account Management - Identity Automation (review proposal)
      1. $35,000 for initial purchase with $8K annual for year 2 and so on.
3. Year 2 - $472,500
   1. Area 2 - Wireless Access
      1. $42K for Wireless LAN Controller (Option 6 - required with Option 4b)
      2. $175,500 for 195 wireless access points in classrooms at multiple campuses (Option 4b)
      3. $59K for vendor cabling services for 195 drops
      4. $20K for data warehouse server, software and setup
   2. Area 3 - Classroom Equipment
      1. $150,000 for campus planning proposals (refer to EC Tech Planning Guide for more information) - Refer to Appendices 3 and 6 for suggestions
4. Year 3 - $500,000
   1. $200K - Upgrade of computer lab equipment that has reached end of life.
   2. $300K - Wide Area Network (WAN) Room (a.k.a. “The Core”) Expansion