More than just software
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Simplified software sourcing
As part of the IT curriculum, the school teaches its students how to use software, including graphics, web design, photo and video editing tools from Adobe. The Nottingham Emmanuel School needed various software licenses to support these activities. Previously it procured these from a number of different suppliers – an approach that IT manager Jeff Marriott, upon his arrival at the school, found to be unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming. Another headache for the school was that some software packages were evolving so quickly that it was becoming a challenge to keep teachers and IT staff up to speed with the latest versions.
One-stop shop: software and training
Softcat now provides a direct one-stop shop for all the school’s software licensing needs, looking after everything from Adobe to Microsoft and Symantec. The IT provider keeps track of all the licenses, so the school no longer has to scan endless websites and reams of paperwork to stay up to date.
Softcat, whose accreditations include both Adobe Platinum Reseller and Adobe Platinum Education Reseller status, advised the school to buy an Adobe CS5 Design Premium site license to cover the majority of its machines, as well as upgrade protection, which ensures that it can benefit from free upgrades, including the latest release of the software, within a two-year period.
The school also bought Adobe Captivate, a programme that allows teachers to record lessons to share with others, and that uses rich media and other features to make presentations more engaging. Softcat and Adobe have been visiting the school together, arranging training and webinars for the teachers and the IT department. The plan is that some school staff, once trained, will become ‘product experts’ and can use Captivate to train other staff members to use the latest software.
Making the most of IT
The school talks to Softcat regularly to identify ways to make the most of IT available to pupils and teachers alike. The changes Softcat has made have spared the school weeks of admin. And because Softcat is taking care of IT and training issues, teachers now have more time to focus on teaching, and have new, efficient ways to share information, make lessons interesting and keep pupils engaged. “Softcat is a company that really looks after you. We simply handed the whole process over to them, and the next thing we knew, we had our logins and were ready to go” commented Jeff Marriott, IT Manager for the school. “As a package what Softcat offers us is very useful. We keep up to date with the latest IT, and it doesn’t cost us an arm and a leg.”
Project profile
- Adobe CS5 Design Premium Site License
- Upgrade protection
- Adobe Captivate
- Enhanced, engaging presentation