Technology & Learning - November 2008 - (Page 31)

Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders Keeping from being the Digital phones can save money for schools but there are many pitfalls. By Burain Nadeau In 2004, when Gary L. Allen was considering different approaches for replacing the Amarillo Independent School District’s antiquated phone system, he had a dilemma. The goal was to expand the features that the district’s phones were capable of while taking advantage of its digital infrastructure and cutting costs. But, should he buy the latest Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) equipment for AISD or have a company provide digital phone service? He’s not alone. Many districts consider VoIP for connecting its schools and are unsure which way to go. One of the most powerful digital technologies for education, VoIP can reduce communication costs by routing calls over a district’s internal network rather than the more expensive phone network. Instead of buying the equipment from the usual VoIP (pronounced voy-P) suspects, he went to Austin, Texas-based Trillion, which specializes in providing school phone services. “Early on, I came to the realization that it cost about the same over five years to have a company do everything for a monthly fee,” VoIP Cisco WRONG NUMBER ANSWERING THE CALL “Using VoIP is one of the best ways to cut costs and bring communications into the 21-st century,” offers Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst for enterprise voice and data at market One of the most powerful digital technologies for education, VoIP can reduce communication costs by routing calls over a district’s internal network rather than the more expensive phone network. explains Allen, who is the AISD’s chief technology officer. “The big pay off was that there was no money needed up front and they did it all.” Today, the district’s 56 schools and facilities are digitally connected and have an array of features that couldn’t be delivered with the district’s analog network. More to the point, AISD is saving bundles of cash. analysis firm Infonetics. “Above all,” he adds, “using VoIP involves a new way of looking at phones.” It’s not as simple as it seems. “When you get down to the details, VoIP for a school can be tough to get it all right,” explains Renaye Thornborrow, vice president of marketing at Trillion. “There are many places that a district can go wrong and make matters worse.” School CIO Special Section | 31

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - November 2008

Technology & Learning - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Put to the Test WeeWorld Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection SAS Curriculum Pathways Rosetta Stone Classroom Version Pulse Smartpen Highlights from T&L Top Classrooms Kepping the VoIP from Being the Wrong Number Watch It Back Office Business What’s New Keeping Tabs Leader of the Year Profile: Music to Their Ears

Technology & Learning - November 2008

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