Centralized technology management system to save millions for Western NY districts |
On Board Online • May 13, 2013
By Candace Reimer
Imagine turning off 23 million 60-watt light bulbs for a 24-hour period. That’s how much energy Erie County school districts will be saving per school year, thanks to a new “end point management system” housed at Erie 1 BOCES.
Funded by a $570,500 Governor’s Local Efficiency Grant, the system will save an estimated $2 million annually.
An end point management system is a tool that centrally manages computers located in hundreds of buildings. It will automatically power off approximately 94,000 computers located in schools throughout Erie County.
Increasingly, the audits from the state comptroller’s office have been focused on missed opportunities for efficiencies, such as energy use in school districts.
“When we heard about the Governor’s Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, we knew that BOCES was well positioned to implement real efficiencies and sustainable change,” said Donald Ogilvie, district superintendent of Erie 1 BOCES. “We are here to help schools focus on their primary mission of educating students.”
Erie 1 BOCES is home to the Western New York Regional Information Center (WNYRIC). The WNYRIC provides technology solutions for about 100 school districts and four BOCES in the western region of New York State. With the WNYRIC as their engine, the four WNY BOCES partnered with approximately 100 school districts across six counties to secure the full $570,500 Local Efficiency Grant.
Carol Barber, Erie 1 BOCES deputy superintendent in charge of the WNYRIC, says that the reduced energy consumption is just the beginning. “Now, the schools are positioned to push out anti-malware, anti-virus and other software updates, thus reducing the need for technicians to visit each terminal in every school building,” said Barber. “A return on investment study estimated that if all 100 school districts in the western New York region took advantage of this feature, approximately $4 million in soft costs could be redirected over the course of just one year.”
Candace Reimer is director of communications for Erie 1 BOCES.