South West Grid for Learning and BT launch education cloud services

DC14-598 1 December 2014

South West Grid for Learning and BT launch education cloud services South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) has selected BT to help transform the use of technology in schools. BT will deliver education cloud services via a new framework, offering schools an innovative way to purchase information and communications technology (ICT) tailored to their needs. Those cloud services will improve the way ICT can support truly outstanding learning.

Over a four year period, this unique national framework will provide flexible, secure, cloud-based services, including the virtualisation of desktops 1, applications, learning content and user storage. All services can be tailored to meet individual school requirements and will be accessible from any teacher or student's device in the classroom or at home, embracing the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend.

Requiring no up-front capital payments, schools can access the range of services easily and benefit from simplified billing and predictable budgeting. Additionally, cloud-based web filtering, using the best online safety guidance from SWGfL, will help to ensure all learners using the service are kept safe online, whether at school or anywhere else.

Paul Hancock, Commercial Manager, SWGfL, said, The benefits available to schools through the use of cloud ICT services are becoming apparent, but the ways in which schools can realise them, and translate them into real improvements in educational outcomes, aren't so clear. SWGfL is delighted to be partnering with BT to change that we're here to find ways for ICT to advance education, and these new services will help us achieve that objective.

Paul Taylor, vice-president, Local & Devolved Government and Health, BT Global Services, said, Using feedback from teachers, pupils and school IT managers, we've designed services to help improve educational outcomes at reduced cost - available from any location, at any time, on any device. Combining these services with the education expertise and eSafety capabilities of the SWGfL, we're excited to help schools realise the possibilities of the cloud.

A free self-review tool underpins the services, helping schools make the right decisions on the suitability and efficacy of their existing ICT provision. It will also offer advice on ways to improve their ICT schools, including how the education cloud services can help deliver on-going improvements.

The education cloud services will be available over the coming months.

ENDS

To find out more about education cloud services and the self-review tool, please visit www.swgfl.org.uk/ecs.

1 Virtualisation of desktops means the PC being used is in the cloud and the end user device allows the user to control the Cloud PC though an internet browser allowing MS Windows to effectively run on any device.

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