May 2004 — Applications
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Snowflake USD Discovers a Cost-Effective Way to Deliver Technology to All Students
The district's IT support staff was struggling to support 700 desktop computers, and with the technology plan's goals they soon would have had to support 2,000 computers. This would have been impossible without increasing the size of Snowflake's IT staff - something that was not an option with the district's lean budget. However, by choosing to use thin clients, the district's three IT staff members are now able to support more than 2,000 desktops from a central location.The most significant benefit Snowflake USD experienced was a cost savings of more than $500,000. This was achieved through a few different areas, including reductions in up-front technology costs, replacement costs, utility bills, and the number of hours required to perform updates and ongoing maintenance. The district saved $50,000 on furniture and equipment costs alone because thin clients can sit on smaller, lighter and less expensive desks.
The district was also able to purchase 400 thin clients, as well as develop and implement the infrastructure necessary to run a server-centric computing environment for the same amount of money they would have spent on 400 desktop computers with no back-office support. In addition, it's important to note that thin clients don't become outdated as quickly as desktop computers.
Utility bills were reduced as well since thin clients require less power to operate than desktop computers. And schools are able to keep the computer labs on the same temperature scale as the rest of the school, rather than spend additional money to cool the labs because of the heat desktop computers emit. The district also saved on maintenance costs because thin clients can be set up in a classroom in minutes with all devices centrally managed using Wyse Rapport software, which has reduced computer maintenance and repair costs by 85% districtwide. In addition, updates and changes can now be pushed to the devices without a technician needing to physically touch the thin client.
"We accelerated our deployment plan and met our project goals earlier than expected because we were able to buy twice as many thin clients with our budget than we would have with PCs," says Sims. "[And] the district's projections show that we will continue to see savings over the life of the equipment."
Snowflake USD has fulfilled its technology plan goals and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by implementing thin-client computing. As a result, its teachers now have the capabilities to expose their students to cutting-edge technology, while the students have greater opportunities to expand their horizons and learn how to be contributing members of the next technological age.
- Gregory A. Wyman, Ed.D.
Contact Information
Wyse Technology Inc. (800) GET-WYSE www.wyse.comCite this Site
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