February 2002 — ConnectEd
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Districts Utilize Uplink to Keep Their Technological Edge
Implementing Applications
UplinkOS provides the infrastructure for what makes up the Uplink Network, a collection of secured applications ready for use by districts. The network features its own encrypted and secure programs, including the following:
- Uplink Messenger
- Technology Work Request System
- Maintenance Work System
- Board Applications Suite
- Online board policy
- Online student handbooks
- Committee contact organizer
- Bond/levy organizer
- Calendar management system
- Newsletter manager
- Content manager link to national, regional and local portals
- Government relations manager
- Special Education IEP System
UplinkOS not only provides for its own set of applications, it allows for the use of external software within it as well. VistaSource, an Uplink Network software partner, provides its full-featured Anyware productivity suite, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet, etc., within the Uplink Network. "Our district is currently implementing the Uplink Network with the VistaSource Anyware application suite for all staff and students at Delta Woods Middle School," says Annette Seago, assistant superintendent of instruction for Blue Springs School District. "This system allows all students to use the same technology tools at school, home and the library."
Network Objectives
Applications currently in use can be made part of the district's Uplink system as well. "One of the original objectives of the Uplink Network was to provide users with fast access to the applications they used, whether they were on a dial-up connection, fractional T1 or any other high-speed access - and I am glad to say we have achieved this," says Don Keeler, co-founder of GeKL Technologies and the chief architect of the Uplink Network. "The second major objective was to provide enterprise solutions, no matter the size of the organization. We developed UplinkOS to provide a solid foundation for any organization to deliver enterprise administration, enterprise applications and remote access. We have also gone to great lengths to develop secure Internet access, or some derivative of this, because we know this is where all applications are headed. And in anticipation of Internet 2 (see below), we wanted to provide solutions now," he says.
About Internet2...
Internet2 (www.internet2.edu) is a consortium led by more than 180 universities working in partnership with industry and government to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet. Internet2 is recreating the partnership among academia, industry and government that fostered today's Internet in its infancy. The primary goals of Internet2 are to:
