CSI@K12 Education Cloud : Version3

CSI@K12 Education Cloud

What is the "Cloud"?

Designed to build an environment that continuously leverages evolving cloud technologies in order to facilitate focused, safe and effective instructional communication for students, teachers, parents and community…

What is the CSI@K12 Education Cloud?

The concept of cloud computing is not new to education and today is be touted as the solution to delivering an increasing number of services. However, these services are often disparate. The CSI@K12 Education Cloud links together the key communication and collaboration tools that are sought after in today’s education environment… and it is not the hype you normally hear or read about regarding cloud computing.

With the CSI@K12 Education Cloud communication and collaboration tools are hosted and supported by CSI. As a result educational institutions do not have to purchase software and hardware that have limited use, invest in technologies that are quickly outdated, or invest time in supporting these solutions. As a result, these services become highly scalable and in return, reduce the time and complexity of deploying these services within the current technology environment. Additionally, these tools become available from anywhere through a web browser, allowing people to communicate and collaborate from anywhere in the world.

The CSI@K12 Education Cloud provides the education community with enterprise class voice, email and web - A triple advantage when provided together, you get a solution that is inexpensive to operate and provides a complete unified communication and collaboration environment.Take advantage of your existing infrastructureIn partnership with Microsoft Live@edu, CSI@K12 Education Cloud provides schools with world class email integration, Web portal access and Voice—a triple advantage when added together, you get a system that’s inexpensive to operate and creates a complete unified communication and collaboration environment.

One of the key benefits of the CSI@K12 Cloud, is that software and storage are hosted and supported on the CSI@K12 servers, so educational institutions don't purchase software that’s hardly used, invest in technologies that are quickly outdated, or spend hours with technical support. And, there is no limit to how much can be stored. This makes cloud computing highly scalable and IT departments can stop worrying about out of date software. And one of the greatest benefits: Data can be accessed using a Web browser, allowing people to access their files and applications from anywhere in the world, rather than only from their desk or laptop. And, because these technologies are expected to grow rapidly, we’ve added VoIP for educational institutions looking for ways to save money and integrate unified communications and collaboration into their environments.

An e-Rate Fundable solution, CSI has invested in the resources, knowledge and processes to ensure the highest level of program compliance in accordance with federal rules and regulations in providing E-rate solutions. Because E-Rate funds and other data-networking initiatives are now being presented into the education sector, CSI@K12 provides schools with the unique opportunity to expand and enhance their personalized Unified Communication and Collaboration strategy.

What Makes It Unified?

In a nutshell, the CSI@K12 Cloud replaces multiple communications devices and applications with a centralized approach by providing:

Effective communication. Enables smarter communication through consistent delivery of information across a schools infrastructure and existing technologies.
Immediate ROI. Unifying communications systems results in student, staff and faculty productivity gains as well as direct monetary savings. These savings vary from school to school, but usually organizations benefit from not having to spend money on system additions and changes.
Benefits that increase with scope. The more users a school equips with a unified communications solution, the greater the overall return. That may seem intuitive, but it’s nevertheless worth noting this reason for schools to embrace unified communications wholeheartedly.
E-rate invested. The E-rate program is a pivotal part of our business and a pivotal source of funding for our customers. For this reason we approach program compliance very seriously in effort to protect ourselves as well as our customers.

Tying It All TogetherMicrosoft has partnered with CSI Technology Outfitters to support the capability of a fully integrated communications platform. CSI@K12 provides a more productive communications foundation, improves student, faculty and staff productivity and enhances school and district efficiency.