The summer break provides an optimal time for schools to upgrade their ICT infrastructure without disrupting daily operations. At Everything ICT, we understand the importance of making the most of this opportunity. Our team of experts will guide you through the process, offering personalised support for a seamless and compliant procurement experience while ensuring value for money.
Here are our top tips to help your school prepare for summer ICT installations:
1. Start planning in the spring term
Beginning the planning process early ensures a less rushed installation experience. Use the spring term to assess your current IT infrastructure and pinpoint areas requiring upgrades or replacements. This may involve a thorough audit of your network hardware, interactive displays, or devices. By identifying these needs in advance, you'll have ample time to:
Consult with IT specialists for guidance and recommendations.
Research and evaluate potential solutions that best fit your school's requirements.
Secure the necessary funding approvals from your finance committee.
Starting the process early also helps mitigate unexpected delays. Everything ICT can support you throughout the procurement process and connects you with over 200 trusted suppliers offering tailored solutions that meet your school's needs.
2. Engage with reliable suppliers early
Top ICT suppliers are often booked well in advance for summer projects, so it’s crucial to reach out to them as early as possible. Our Department for Education (DfE) recommended framework can support these connections, ensuring your school's specific needs and goals are effectively communicated.
With Everything ICT, you’ll have access to our pre-approved network of over 200 suppliers guaranteeing top-quality service and ensuring compliance. We’ll also support you with:
Getting multiple quotes to compare costs and service offerings.
Communicating lead times for equipment delivery to avoid potential delays.
Confirming installation timelines and availability to secure your preferred dates.
By engaging with suppliers early and leveraging Everything ICT's framework, you can streamline the procurement process and secure quality and compliant solutions for your school's ICT upgrades.
3. Develop a detailed project plan
Creating a comprehensive project plan and clearly defining your requirements through the tender process is essential for keeping your installation on schedule and within budget. Our team will work with you to ensure your needs are communicated including equipment delivery deadlines, installation requirements, and testing and quality assurance.
Everything ICT provides expert, personalised support to help your procurement stay on track and achieve a successful installation.
4. Communicate with your school community
ICT installations may temporarily impact other school operations, so it's essential to maintain open communication with your school community. Keep teachers, administrative staff, and students updated on the work schedule and any affected areas during the installation process.
Share project timelines and expected completion dates to set clear expectations.
Provide regular updates on progress to ensure transparency.
Encourage early feedback or concerns to address potential issues promptly.
By fostering open communication, you can effectively manage expectations, minimize disruptions, and promote cooperation among staff and students during the installation process.
5. Schedule staff training
For any new technology to be effective, school staff need to understand how to use it properly. Schedule training sessions well in advance to ensure that teachers and support staff are fully prepared by the start of the new academic year.
Appropriate training reduces the risk of under-utilising new technology, leading to a more productive learning environment for students. Everything ICT offers access to comprehensive training and support service suppliers to ensure your staff are ready to hit the ground running.
Summer ICT installations can significantly enhance your school’s digital infrastructure, but only with careful planning and early preparation. By starting in the spring term and engaging reliable suppliers through Everything ICT’s complaint framework your school can ensure a smooth and stress-free installation process.
Taking these steps now will enable your school to hit the ground running with new, fully functional technology on the first day of the academic year. Partner with Everything ICT for a seamless procurement process to deliver successful summer ICT installations and a strong technology base for your school's future.