OpenDNS To Add Enterprise Services for Schools
OpenDNS is expanding beyond free DNS and security services for schools and launching premium services and support and additional new features targeted toward K-12 institutions.
OpenDNS provides a variety of Internet services and is widely used in K-12 and post-secondary institutions, including, as its name implies, free DNS services. These services also include adult site blocking, protection from phishing, Web proxy blocking, and domain whitelisting. More than 25,000 schools and districts currently use some combination of these services, and OpenDNS is in use by more than 15 million users around the world as of this month.
Now the company has announced that it's currently developing new premium offerings that have been designed to address requests from schools for new features and support. Among the various new options are service-level agreements with 24-hour phone support and ad-free service. The premium versions also add more advanced Web content filtering, customization options, and new account administration options.
The premium services are expected to be offered in two versions--OpenDNS Deluxe and OpenDNS Enterprise--and will be available at a flat rate for schools.
The new services are expected to launch later this year. Future versions are also expected to add per-user filtering and Active Directory integration, possibly next year. Further information can be found here. Organizations can apply to participate in the premium service early. Requests for more information about that can be made here.