Rachel Clay
Chief Strategist - Public Sector
Rachel Clay Linked In
The Bett 2025 conference was a spectacular showcase of the latest trends and challenges in the education technology sector. This year’s event buzzed with energy as industry leaders and educators explored the future of edtech. Here are the key highlights that made Bett 2025 an unforgettable experience for us…
Tackling cyber security challenges
Cyber security was a hot topic, with institutions recognising its critical importance. Discussions centred around:
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Visibility: monitoring all network activities to identify threats.
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Continuous monitoring: real-time surveillance to detect and respond swiftly.
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Cost management: balancing advanced security measures with tight budgets.
Why it matters
Senior leadership must prioritise cyber security to protect sensitive data, maintain trust, and avoid costly breaches, ensuring a safe digital environment for both staff and students.
Accelerated cloud migration
There’s a clear shift towards cloud platforms like Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), aiming to boost scalability and collaboration for educational institutions. Key focuses include:
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Infrastructure assessment: identifying efficient migration paths.
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Training: equipping staff and students for cloud-based tools.
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Data security: ensuring compliance during data migration.
Why it matters
Moving to the cloud can cut costs, streamline operations, and improve learning outcomes, making it a strategic move for future-ready schools.
Preparing for Windows 10 End of Support
With Windows 10 support ending on Tuesday 14 October 2025, schools must decide whether to:
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Extend devices - extend hardware life with updates.
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Upgrade - invest in new devices with up-to-date systems.
Why it matters
Proper planning now avoids disruptions later, helping to keep technology current and secure while managing budget constraints effectively. You can find out more about the impact Windows 11 is set to have on education, in our blog post here.
Streamlining software asset management
Consolidating software assets is key to reducing redundancy and managing costs. Schools are focusing on:
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Inventory management: auditing software to eliminate overlaps.
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Licence optimisation: consolidating licences for better pricing.
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Unified platforms: opting for integrated solutions.
Why it matters
Streamlined software management maximises resources and ensures every pound spent contributes directly to educational goals.
Ensuring timely application updates and third-party patching
Maintaining up-to-date applications is crucial. Schools are implementing:
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Automated updates: tools to handle updates seamlessly.
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Third-party monitoring: regular updates to avoid vulnerabilities.
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User education: encouraging prompt update installations.
Why it matters
Keeping systems updated reduces security risks and minimises downtime. This is crucial for maintaining smooth operations and protecting school data.
Embracing sustainability
Sustainability took centre stage, with schools focusing on:
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Energy efficiency: investing in low-energy tech.
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E-waste reduction: recycling and responsible disposal.
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Sustainable procurement: choosing eco-friendly vendors.
Why it matters
For senior leadership, championing sustainability not only reduces costs but also demonstrates a commitment to responsible stewardship, setting a positive example for students and the community.
Bett 2025 highlighted these critical areas, underscoring the evolving landscape of educational technology. As schools navigate these themes, the focus remains on enhancing security, embracing innovation, and promoting sustainable practices to foster effective and responsible learning environments.
Engaging with our customers
Softcat's engagement with customers at Bett 2025 was a highlight of the event. Instead of having a booth, we invited our customers to our Aspire at Bett event at the Aloft Hotel, just a stone’s throw away from the Excel, to meet with their account managers, senior leadership, and vendors outside of the main event.
These personalised interactions allowed us to provide tailored insights and solutions, addressing the unique needs of each institution. Our teams were actively involved in discussions and workshops, showcasing our latest offerings and demonstrating how our innovative solutions can help educational institutions navigate the evolving landscape of edtech.
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, and we are excited to continue building strong relationships with our customers, as we work together to drive the future of education technology. You can find out more about Softcat’s education offering and the ways in which we can support educational institutions, here.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Softcat as we continue to lead the way in education technology!