Chris Deigan wrote:
Must be referring to the use of Exchange perhaps?
On that point, I am having difficulty getting other solutions in to
schools other than Exchange. What I am finding:
- they (as in the decision makers at the school) don't necessarily like
Exchange but say something like "unfortunately it is the mainstay of
education" and they appear to be right, so going against the tide (to
try and change the tide of course) is hard if it doesn't all work
perfectly. Even though Exchange doesn't work perfectly either, the
perception is "oh, it didn't work, we should go with Exchange" type thing.
- requirements are generally:
+ email
+ private and shared calendars
+ multiple calendars
+ web based as well as client application access
+ sync to PDA (typically a Windows one of course)
+ private and shared contacts
+ home folders available for download only
all of which most other solutions provide in varying degrees except for
home folder access (I haven't come across one that does but then again I
haven't finished looking) and sync to PDA is somewhat tough.
- cost is not an obstacle - Exchange costs are minimal ($200-$300 for
private, not sure for public)
I guess if the DET left Exchange, then the tide could be said to be
turning, but it is a whole perception and attitude thing. I've found
most people (decision makers) in the schools don't want to think about
I.T. much as they have other things to do and so it tends to be
"Exchange will do - that's what everybody else in education uses isn't it".
Stats to say otherwise would be useful of course, but a real point in
favour of something else would be the ability to configure the time
slots on a calendar to align with school periods. I think schools would
be willing to skip features and exchange just to have that available.
Apparently Microsoft have been asked to add that feature (but people
aren't holding their breath of course).
Fil
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