Schools hook up to Cisco technologies

The investment, includes more than 850 Cisco integrated services routers, a data centre, wireless network infrastructure and security technologies.

The upgrade is meant to reduce technology costs, standardise the department’s operating systems and improve network connectivity for 770 schools and 12 technical and further education colleges.

“The Western Australian Department of Education and Training is making significant strides to use Internet Protocol technology to help improve education outcomes for its students and communications for its workforce,” said Les Williamson, vice president Cisco A/NZ.

“This will apply particularly for the remote schools operated by the department as they take advantage of IP technologies to gain access to world-class education across the network.”

Optus subsidiary, Alphawest, is a Cisco Certified Gold Partner and will work with the company over the next three years to supply networking services and solutions to the department.

“Alphawest’s experience within the education sector, combined with our expertise in unified communications and collaboration solutions, reinforces our ability to deliver on complex projects like these,” said Rob Parcell, CEO Alphawest.

Glenn Veen, manager of infrastructure and telecommunications for the department, said due to the remote locations of schools in WA network connectivity and telecommunications is crucial.

He said schools can place the order for the Cisco solution through its intranet, the equipment is shipped to them, and Alphawest manages the implementation.