Education We’re already seeing partners come back to us seeking more


information and assistance in developing education business around Acer products, and fully expect to see this area of activity gathering momentum as we work together to support partners.


products that will get the job done and provide the best overall value and return on investment. Tat sounds easy enough on paper, but it’s not necessarily a simple


choice for education professionals to make. While there may be someone responsible for IT within a school, they won’t usually have any dedicated specialists. In both primary and secondary schools, they will usually be teaching staff who double up as the IT ‘expert’. While these individuals will have some experience and know-how,


most of their energy and focus will be on educating children rather than on technology. Navigating their way through the ever-changing world of IT and the complex array of options available to them is a constant challenge.


Needs assessment Tis is where IT reseller partners can really help schools. Tey always need help in assessing their needs and selecting the products that will deliver the performance and functionality required, and inspire and encourage children to engage with technology resources. Tese solutions must also be affordable to procure, manage, support and maintain. If they are interested in purchasing refurbished products, they may need some advice on what to look out for and how to be sure that the products will be reliable enough. Schools may also need assistance in meeting the purchasing guidelines for technology that have been set out by the government. Education is becoming more of a focus for Synaxon now. We


oſten hear from partners who are looking at options for schools, and, through our close relationships with vendor partners, we can provide some really good choices that will meet all the right criteria. Trough our recently announced partnership with Acer, for example, we are specifically targeting the sector with a range of Windows laptops and Chromebook devices that are perfect for use by schoolchildren and teachers. Like many vendors, Acer has special deals available that


make investing in its products more attractive for educational establishments, which always helps. Its STEM Rewards Programme is also an important differentiator. Tis provides schools with a £10 voucher that can be spent on specific STEM-related resources for every Acer Chromebook or Windows-based device purchased. For 30 devices, a school could claim a free LEGO STEM Kit, or a 90-minute IT training session, for example. Tis is a great scheme that really ticks all the boxes for schools and


makes it easier for partners to open up a positive conversation about their technology choices. It highlights the excellent and extensive array of Windows and Chromebook devices that are available for students and staff from Acer and gives them extra value that they can put to good use in developing their skills or purchasing teaching products and services.


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Infrastructure choices While a lot of focus tends to be on devices with schools, there are also good opportunities for partners to help schools make the right infrastructure choices. While a lot of apps and services are cloud-based, some are still, by necessity, run in-house and for many smaller schools, upgrading to modern server and storage devices will make a tremendous difference. It’s a similar story with networking and wireless equipment. In


many schools, the whole infrastructure will now be creaking under the strain of the higher bandwidth demands that are resulting from increased use of technology and blended learning. With WiFi 7 access points now widely available and eminently affordable, it’s an ideal time for schools to upgrade. Older network switches could also be causing bottlenecks and may need to be updated. One area that oſten gets forgotten about or is only considered


as an aſterthought is power protection. Schools are just as dependent on technology – and therefore on the electricity supply – as commercial organisations. Tey need modern, reliable, uninterrupted power supplies in place to provide contingency for unforeseen events. Nor should we forget security. Schools and the information within them need to be carefully protected, and firewalls, cybersecurity soſtware, and services must be kept fully up to date.


A wider discussion For partners, drawing the attention of schools to consider these areas of their IT set-up is a great way of adding value for a school and triggering a wider discussion about planned IT spending over an extended period. Tey can’t afford to upgrade everything at once, so they will need to decide on which areas need to be prioritised. Schools need help making all their technology spending choices,


and in managing and maintaining their IT set-up. Tey won’t always need the latest, cutting-edge systems, and tier-one brands may be out of their reach in many product categories. But schools won’t mind that one bit – what they want are solutions and services that work for them and their pupils and deliver the best return on investment.


The right choices By providing them with good options and attentive, personalised service and support, partners can do a great job for schools. In this respect, they are no different to smaller businesses. Tey need someone to focus on looking aſter the IT, while they concentrate on teaching. A Microsoſt video on Acer’s website starts with a teacher saying:


“I think the spark for me with technology comes from just seeing the joy on children’s faces when it clicks for them.” Tis perfectly sums up what schools are trying to achieve with technology. By providing simple and practical options, partners can help schools to make the right choices and use technology to inspire and enlighten young learners.


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