Classroom365 is an ICT procurement specialist offering schools impartial advice and competitive pricing for the education sector. Our services include procurement for a single classroom to new schools and large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Technology hardware and ICT equipment from Classroom365 are direct from the manufacturer or UK distribution channels. Bid prices, deal registration and economies of scale are all made easy – 50 iPads will be discounted over 1 iPad!
- As a supplier on the Crown Commercial Framework, Classroom365 has been approved to meet the Government’s requirements to provide goods and services to the public sector.
- We are accredited partners with many of the top brands known in education, including SMART, Clevertouch, HP, and Samsung.
Whatever your ICT procurement process or requirements, please complete the form below for friendly, no-obligation advice or a free quote.
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ICT Procurement for Classrooms
Typical hardware devices required by teachers and students in the modern classroom include:
End User Devices
Laptops, Chromebooks and iPads are all purchased regularly by schools for end users, whether teachers or students.
iPads
Schools often request a set of classroom iPads with rugged cases and a charging storage trolley. Classroom365 offers education pricing for iPads and all accessories. Our rugged cases are competitive, branded, and available in different colours. iPad charging trolleys are cheaper than online, and we recommend the Zioxi range.
We can also supply LapCabby and LapSafe directly from the manufacturer or distributor.
Chromebooks
Chromebook procurement for schools is very competitive, and prices vary considerably between online and ICT procurement specialists. Chromebook costs are on a bid basis in the education market. With pricing and stock changing continuously, we can offer discounts for schools for larger quantities of classroom Chromebooks.
For secure Chromebook storage, charging trolleys are available at prices well below those listed by online retailers.
Interactive Devices
The most expensive purchase for a modern classroom is an interactive touch screen. With so many rival brands on the market, each fighting for market share of the education sector, there are great deals to be had for schools. When browsing the internet, schools should ignore online prices and contact specialist suppliers for schools. For example, a SMART Board from Classroom365 will be considerably cheaper than found online. Best value for schools is something we are passionate about.
Whichever supplier and brand of interactive touch screen you choose, shop around and contact the supplier directly. Classroom365 will happily advise you on all interactive classroom screens, size options, and installation safety – critical as these are heavy items and must be securely installed on the wall and floor, if necessary.
Infrastructure Procurement Specialist for Education
The IT Infrastructure is the backbone of a computer network, and without a solid and well-designed network, there will be weak spots and points of failure. Infrastructure procurement in schools will cover the following:
Network Services
The commission of network Cat6 cabling and fibre connectivity – connecting different network components over longer distances (above 100m) than Cat6 can guarantee.
Network switching and comms cabinet cabling projects. This will include the PoE requirements for devices such as wireless access points, CCTV cameras, door access control and VOIP telephones.
Digital Telephony
With the switch-off of analogue phones in 2027, schools must get quotes in advance for moving their telephones to a digital system. Classroom365 works closely with two fantastic telecom providers, and we collaborate to provide free consultations and quotations for schools.
WiFi
Secure and reliable WiFi infrastructure is critical to schools, with more and more classroom devices being used simultaneously. So many WiFi access points and cloud solutions are available, some good, some not great at all! Classroom365, with 20 years of experience installing WiFi in schools, recommends WatchGuard, Ruckus Networks and HPE Aruba Networking. Brands we do not recommend include TP-Link and Ubiquiti.
Aruba is the preferred hardware manufacturer for the Government’s Connect the Classroom Scheme. However, Aruba is by far the most expensive solution and not the best value for most primary and secondary school procurement. Whether or not your school qualifies for the Connect the Classroom funding, Classroom365 can help advise and work with you and your DfE advisor for the best value WiFi upgrade possible.
WiFi installations from Classroom365 using a Ruckus wireless network or WatchGuard solution are reliable, secure and fast and present excellent value in the long term.
Security Procurement for Schools
Whether building a new school or refurbishing an existing school, security is vital for staff, students and visitors alike. There are 3 essential components for ICT procurement in school security:
CCTV
A modern school CCTV system from Classroom365 protects against vandalism and theft from the school’s property and safeguards students and staff. CCTV footage is kept for at least 28 days, and all equipment recommended and installed is NDAA compliant. Beware of CCTV companies proposing brands such as Hikvision and Dahua (Wizsense), which are not NDAA compliant and can pose security risks. This has been widely reported in the press, and these brands have been banned in many countries.
Access Control
Door access control systems range from a buzzer and intercom at an outside gate to keycard and fob entry systems. It can be overwhelming with so many choices, including biometrics and auto number plate recognition (ANPR). Many schools are upsold systems that are too complex and, to be honest, unnecessary.
Visitor Management
Along with access control and CCTV, recording who visits your school and at what time is essential for security and safeguarding. A staff and visitor registration system will integrate with your school’s network, MIS data, and access control system.
All three security systems can be procured together or separately. However, it makes sense for new school-build projects to coordinate them, a management service Classroom365 provides to LEAs and multi-academy trusts. It doesn’t mean a single company should provide door access, CCTV, and visitor management.
Classroom365 recommends the opposite and to choose specialists in their field. For example, Paxton is a company we have worked with for years, and they specialise in door access control. InVentry Sign-In is a solution provider for visitor management with whom we have built a great relationship. InVentry with Classroom365 can save schools money over their listed retail price and, with our collaboration, ensure any network, WiFi, electrical or system requirements are met.
Procurement of IT Services and Support
After IT hardware and school security, the ICT procurement of services covers a range of vital components required for the successful running of a school. For example:
Broadband services are another considerable expenditure for schools. Procuring school broadband can often require a contract of 3 to 5 years with a supplier. Classroom365 will advise on the different internet options, whether an LGFL broadband package or FTTC option with Smoothwall or WatchGuard internet security and filtering options.
Other ICT services from Classroom365 for education include photocopier leasing, print management, website design, data protection and GDPR compliance consultancy.
Secondary schools and multi-academy trusts often have a dedicated network support team. However, most schools outsource their ICT support to a third-party specialist such as Classroom365. This saves schools money and ensures technical expertise for the school’s network infrastructure.
A service level agreement and helpdesk are significant ICT expenses and responsibilities and should be put out for a tendering process to get the best value and service. We are happy to provide a free quote for a new ICT service level agreement and site visit to help determine your requirements.
Software Procurement
A wide choice of MIS software for large secondary to small independent fee-paying schools. Classroom365 covers the different MIS options and offers impartial procurement advice to any school, regardless of size or requirements. Other software procurement for schools include Microsoft licencing, Apple MDM software, and Google management licences.
Curriculum teaching tools and interactive whiteboard software add to schools’ expenditures, with prices varying widely between retailers.
Procurement Strategy for Schools
An ICT procurement strategy can be much more than requesting 3 quotes for some ICT hardware. Of course, if your school has a fantastic computer system in place, and you want to purchase a laptop trolley, then getting different quotes from different suppliers is a wise choice. For a new school project, the ICT procurement process begins at the planning stage and with the school’s senior management team’s vision.
An ICT vision and mission involving Classroom365, coupled with a strategy for the implementation and the procurement process, is something we are passionate about and experienced in. We can bring together experts in their fields with different pricing options for services and hardware. Lastly, coordination planning and project management with architects, staff, building contractors and LEA advisors can be arranged in person or remote meetings as and when required.
Please get in touch to learn more about Classroom365 and our ICT strategies for school improvement. These vary from small to large-scale procurement commissioning projects in the education sector.
Finance Options for IT Procurement for Schools
For schools considering procurement of ICT hardware and services, there are a few finance options available:
- The most common and cost-effective option is purchasing outright from the school’s budget. With no ongoing costs, and the school owns the hardware on payment.
- Leasing computers, laptops, and other ICT hardware is becoming increasingly common as schools’ budgets are increasingly stretched. Leasing enables payments to be spread across 3 to 5 years, and at the end of the lease, the equipment is either returned to the leasing company (operating lease) or the school keeps the equipment (finance lease).
- Government schemes such as Project Gigabit and Connect the Classroom provide broadband and WiFi infrastructure upgrades for eligible schools. A DfE advisor should have already contacted you, but if you haven’t, we can help.
- Fundraising and applying for grants is an option. Many grants are available in the UK, and bid writing services are available from companies. Please do your research, though, as many professional companies will charge fees to write your bid and application.
If you would like to learn more about finance, procurement and purchasing in the education sector, please get in touch.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.