Hardware & Infrastructure

Computer systems, major hardware & school/district facilities news


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You've Been Hacked! Explaining Cybersecurity to Students in an Interconnected Era

Computer hackers, also known as cybercriminals, are infiltrating our world with ever-increasing sophistication. It is critical that students understand both the benefits and risks of their devices — especially their smartphones. Educators have an important role to play in helping students understand and safely navigate an internet-connected world.

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Report: Worldwide IT Spending Forecast to Grow 1.4% in 2017

Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $3.5 trillion in 2017, a 1.4 percent increase from 2016, according to market research firm Gartner, Inc. This growth rate is down from the previous quarter’s forecast of 2.7 percent, due in part to the rising United States dollar.

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E-Rate Requests for High-Speed Internet Have Doubled Since Last Year

The number of E-rate requests for high-speed internet has doubled since last year, according to the 2016 E-Rate Trends Report, prepared by Oklahoma-based consulting group Funds for Learning.

Hawaii and Kentucky are Among States That Lead the Way in Connectivity

The second annual “State of the States” report on the state of broadband connectivity in United States schools finds that Hawaii and Kentucky are among a number of states that are leading the way in ensuring that their students have access to equal educational opportunities provided by technology.

More Than $4 Billion in E-Rate Funds Available for Districts in FY 2017

The Federal Communications Commission sets aside $3.9 billion annually for E-rate funding, and with $200 million rolling over from 2016, school districts will have access to more than $4 billion in fiscal year 2017 for connectivity upgrades.

Nonprofit Releases Tool for Districts to Compare Broadband Prices, Speeds, Bandwidth

EducationSuperHighway, a San Francisco-based ed tech nonprofit, has launched the full version of its Compare & Connect K–12, an online tool that helps school district technology directors and superintendents view and compare broadband services and bandwidth information for school districts across the country.

Schools, Libraries, Health Groups Launch Campaign to Tell FCC to Improve Connectivity

Slow internet connections are hampering the future of education and limiting libraries and health organizations, according to a coalition of schools, libraries and health groups in a campaign launched Thursday. The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition is urging the Federal Communications Commission to make emergency improvements to its Business Data Services (BDS) order to include high-capacity broadband lines.

California District to Save $1.6 Million with Energy Storage

San Diego's Poway Unified School District has installed 6.3 megawatt hours of energy storage in a move that will save it an estimated $1.6 million over the decade-long life of the contract.

California District to Save $4 Million with Solar

The Soledad Unified School District will install a new solar photovoltaic system projected to save $45,000 in annual energy costs.

Louisiana School District Benefits from E-Rate Discount

A Louisiana school district that used to restrict access to the internet because its service wasn’t strong enough is now completely online and preparing for an ambitious 1-to-1 initiative by 2020, thanks to federal E-rate funds.