EFFECTIVE IT technology has never been more important to the education sector – and now is the time to invest in systems.
That’s according to specialist Fifteen Group which is seeing an increasing number of schools and colleges turn to its experts for support.
The business believes that at a time of increasing pressure on education leaders from inside and outside the classroom, schools and colleges need to act now to ensure their IT systems are working to the same high standards they expect of teachers and students.
Add to that the ever-changing data security threats and greater demands on staff time and IT Support Team Leader Paul Williams says the services offered by companies like Fifteen Group can provide a lifeline in more ways than one.
Paul said:
“There has never been a more important time for education providers to review their IT infrastructure and the role it plays in their overall aims. Not only can access to the right technology enable schools and their students to achieve their full potential, the right IT support can free up valuable teaching time.Whether it be making sure systems are running at their peak, or ensuring data is fully protected, we at Fifteen Group do what we do best, so teachers can concentrate on what they do best. And with many education centres feeling the funding pinch, it pays to ensure systems are well maintained and working at optimum levels.”
Fifteen Group offers a range of services that can be tailored to the needs of individual schools.
These can include engineer visits, remote and on-site support, anti-virus software provision and server monitoring.
Paul added: 
“We have extensive knowledge and experience of not only installing equipment into schools and colleges but also of what these establishments demand from their IT and communications systems. And because we can put together a bespoke package of support, it leaves schools in control of their costs.”
Jared Eccles, chief executive of The Moorlands Primary Federation, said:
“We have commissioned Fifteen Group for IT support on several occasions. Their team are professional in demeanour, skilled and knowledgeable in practice. In this rapidly changing sector, it is reassuring to know there is an organisation such as Fifteen Group we can contact to solve our small or large IT issues that might otherwise cause our company loss in business. We would recommend their services unreservedly.”
Paul believes that while schools and colleges are having to look closely at funding issues, technology is an area where they can find value for money – with the right guidance.
He added:
“January 2020 will see the end of support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 operating systems. These systems are still heavily used by a lot of educational establishments and will leave them vulnerable. Schools should be asking whether their next solution is value for money, what the total cost of ownership will be and whether the solution will meet the needs of the organization should it grow or join a multi-academy trust. As a Microsoft Partner, we are constantly up to date with the latest offerings. We also have a wealth of knowledge of other technologies offered by players such as Apple and Google and would be able to talk the customer through the pros and cons of each solution on offer.”
