Have the confidence to change IT providers.
Do you ever feel that you're tied down by your current providers, whether it’s IT, photocopiers or facility management for example. Please remember that you’re the customer and all service providers should do their best to support your school vision and requirements and not force their own business agenda on you for the benefit of what’s most profitable for them. I would like to reflect on my own experience of this to highlight what has been and is still happening today.
It was a cold morning in January 2008, the first day back after the Christmas break and also my first day of working in a school. I had left my transport career behind before Christmas and had taken a leap of faith to do something to allow me to give something back and help others to overcome barriers to using technology. The first few days I would be working closely with the current IT Technician who was provided by an external provider. It quickly became apparent that this provider had a firm hold of schools and were doing everything they could to keep them invested in what had always been done. The school was embarking upon a new build journey and one of the main statements that had been used by the Local Authority in press statements was that this would be a ‘visionary building with state of the art technology’. As part of the conversation about the technology vision, the current provider was looking at doing what they’ve always done with the same Windows PC’s & Servers etc with an outdated, blinkered view for the future. I had already discussed other options for the future with the school and governing body as part of my new role with the school. The Headteacher invited me to the first building development meeting to propose the school vision which was totally different from the standard model that the developers alway go with. There was a big focus on creativity, simplicity and tech that just works with a minimum amount of support required. Apple technology offered all of this with iMac, Macbooks and the exciting news of the iPad which was still a rumor but did launch in 2010 when the school opened. The proposal was accepted by the School governing body but the new build project team wouldn’t break away from their archaic model and let the school use funds from their model of technology for the Apple solution as it didn’t fit within their standards for schools! Following this meeting, a follow up meeting with the IT technician and provider he worked for was greeted with a response of, ‘if you choose to move to Apple technology then we can't support you’. Their contract wasn’t renewed and we swiftly moved forward with a seamless strategic plan for the future. This led to a 1:1 roll out of iPads in 2013 along with many other solutions that were simple and cost effective for the school.
This story is still happening today. IT Providers in particular have their own agenda and don’t focus on what’s sensible and practical for the schools that they are working with. I am proud to say that my approach to a different way of thinking has helped many schools to save money and embed the use of technology across the whole school. Facilities Management services are another area where schools are often tied in with ridiculously high costs for repairs and site visits etc. One example I was asked for advice on from a school; they needed to replace some outside lights around the grounds. The contracted provider was quoting over £3,000 to replace them or fit new lamps etc. I asked one of the electrical contractors that we work with to call in to see them. They quoted the same replacement lamps and lights as quoted by the main contractor for £1,200 fitted and could do this in a single visit within a day. The school seriously questioned the high cost from the main contract provider and didn’t renew the contract due to the way they were unfairly treated.
Be confident and always challenge your service providers to give you the best possible value and service. The one thing I always say as a service provider myself, I truly believe that I shouldn’t bite off the hand that feeds. We all have to make a living and cover costs, but shouldn’t take advantage of schools who don’t always have the confidence or knowledge to challenge things.
Nigel Milligan
IT Director.
