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Netelligent - Hosted Voice with E-Rate Reform(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 11 August 2014 Release date- 08082014 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the E-rate Modernization Order on July 11, 2014. The Order takes major steps to modernize and streamline the schools and libraries universal service support program (more commonly known as the E-rate program). The new program changes will focus on expanding funding for Wi-Fi networks in K-12 schools and libraries across America. Since its inception 17 years ago, the E-rate program has helped ensure that eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to the Internet and traditionally funded voice telecommunications (circuits, hosted VOIP, voicemail, etc.). This announcement will have a major impact on K-12 schools and libraries facing already tight budgets 'doing more for less' while trying to keep up latest and greatest technologies for our students and increasing State demands. K-12 schools and libraries will need to figure out how to fund their voice systems from capital expenses (CAPEX) or operation expenses (OPEX) while also moving to a truly unified communication environment expected by staff, parents, teachers and their community. Along with the struggle of funding shortages, schools and libraries are faced with additional challenges in keeping their systems updated and refreshed to current standards. Educators are overwhelmed with technology upgrades, the added complexity and integration to voice, video and data platforms and networks required for unified communications. They have lost IT staff or have limited expertise to manage the complexities of the various technology environments. Because of these reasons, many schools and libraries have moved to a hosted VOIP environment. They are seeing the overall cost savings with hosted voice versus maintaining an on-premise voice system. Working with a service provider who can provide 24x7x365 proactively monitoring of their voice and data networks, it also provides them time to concentrate on key education initiatives (Common Core Standards, BYOD, etc.) important to the school - educating our students. What can schools and libraries do now to address the impact of changes in E-Rate funding? First and foremost, Educate Early - attend the many E-Rate training and sessions or meet with your E-Rate consultant to learn more about the changes and what components are eligible for E-Rate funding. Understand how you can leverage E-Rate funds which are still available for voice communications for several years. Second, meet with a Service Provider(s) who knows E-Rate and who can assist your school or library to 1) review the costs, design and details of your current voice, video and data networks 2) create a total cost of ownership (TCO) based upon your operation and capital expenses and comparison matrix for E-Rate funding over the next 3-5 years, and 3) provide your options available. Last but not least, share with your school administrators early in the E-rate season to help educate them on the impact and options to how to move to a hosted environment utilizing OPEX vs CAPEX funding and E-Rate funding available. By proactively working on a financial TCO model that makes sense to your school, you will be ready to leverage any type of funding made available to your school and a plan to migrate to a solution that will allow you to keep pace with the ever changing landscape of communications technology now and into the future. (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing - |