Franklin McKinley School District goes VoIP with PWT IT and 3COM
Source: snapvoip.blogspot.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Sept 25, 2007 — PWT-IT Solutions Inc. a leading IT resource solution provider and 3Com(R) Gold service partner, announced today the completion of a new VoIP system upgrade and data network implementation for the Franklin McKinley School District.
Located in the heart of San Jose, Ca., the Franklin McKinley School District (FMSD) consists of 16 individual campuses including the district’s administrative offices. FMSD provides curriculum and classes for its schools serving K through 8th grade and supports more than 9,750 students and over 1,000 teachers, administrators and staff. Leveraging funding from the Federal E-Rate program and utilizing the extensive IT expertise of contract RFP bid winners PWT-IT Solutions, Inc. the district has been able to keep pace with national and state technology standards in-spite of its budget constrained constituency.
"The federally-backed E-Rate, fund was created to ensure that all eligible schools in the United States have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services," said Tim McClary, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services for FMSD. "Economically disadvantaged schools can receive discounts of up to 90% on telecommunications services, internal connections, and Internet access. This is the backbone infrastructure that enables a school to provide the very best in services both for students and staff. Our district has been very fortunate in leveraging these funds to hire excellent support contractors such as PWT-IT to provide the design, technology and personnel to implement and improve our total campus operations network."
FMSD’s phone network was based on the award-winning 3Com(R) NBX(R) platform that provides rich call-processing features and a suite of telephony applications for local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs). Working with Delma Jaurez, (Information Technology Director for FMSD) and Michael Nesbitt (Strategic Account Manager for 3Com) PWT-IT upgraded the entire campus network, replacing more than 1,100 phones with 3Com VoIP sets.
"My department is responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of all networks, databases, equipment, peripherals, telecommunication, and associated technology infrastructure at FMSD," said Delma Jaurez. "We have a great relationship with PWT-IT and view them as an extension of our IT team. They designed and implemented our VoIP network and data overhaul in real-time with no disruptions to our daily business. We appreciate their expertise and insight. By contracting for PWT-IT’s premium maintenance service program we actually have 1-2 full time network engineers on site every day ensuring optimal network performance, using proactive system monitoring to prevent problems."
To meet internal efficiency and safety standards FMSD now has a phone in each individual classroom and in every relevant staff access area across all campuses. The new phone system enabled PWT-IT to eliminate costly landlines and run the entire network through a consolidated trunk system saving significant hardware and physical line costs.
"FMSD is fortunate to have a board and administrative staff that truly sees the benefits of technology infrastructure. To their credit and the good fortune of their community, they are able to preserver in procuring the very best technology tools available," said Rany Polany, President of PWT-IT Solutions, Inc. "School systems are truly demanding environments and there are enormous challenges in designing and implementing technology solutions that do not require compromise and doing without. We worked very closely with Tim, Delma and their technical team to provide a leading edge VoIP and data network that supports their current operational needs without limiting them in managing future growth."
Account Manager, Allison Darin, and David Ricci, (PWT-IT Technical Project Manager) and their 3Com counterpart, Michael Nesbitt provided technical design insight and support ensuring that the overhaul fit the logistical time parameters for FMSD as well as the work schedule for each of its schools.
"FMSD has been able to use every dollar effectively on this project," said Michael Nesbitt. "Working closely with 3Com PTW-IT was able to purchase the best switches, desksets and networking products to meet current and coming needs for Franklin McKinley with no compromise in quality."
"In addition to the equipment upgrade our engineering teams was able to help FMSD actually repurpose switches with-in their system racks, moving older non-power switches to less priority assignment," said Allison Darin. "We understand the daunting challenges school IT departments face from an equipment need and budget standpoint and are committed to helping them implement the best possible technology and solutions as well as support available." PWT-IT Solutions is committed to providing its clients in the educational sector with the most cost efficient technology and support options available. It features exceptional implementation and support expertise enabling it to fulfill those objectives.
About Franklin McKinley School District
Established in 1913, the McKinley School District has grown in stride with the city of San Jose, Ca. Serving a core of economically challenged families, Franklin McKinley supports an ever expanding community, providing more than 9,750 K-8 grade students with the best teachers, administrative staff and technology tools available. Led by Superintendent Dr. John Porter the district is committed to advancing student achievement throughout all of the district’s schools. FMSD schools include: Captain Jason M. Dahl School, Fair School, Franklin School, Hellyer School, Kennedy School, Los Arboles School, McKinley School, Jeanne Meadows School, Santee School, Seven Trees School, Shirakawa School, Stonegate School, Sylvandale School and Windmill Springs School. For more information please visit http://www.fmsd.org
