Technology Planning:

As a district's dependence on technology increases, so do the demands on the district budget.  Growth of technology must be directly aligned to both curriculum and budget through careful, thorough, planning.  Let Trimble Consulting guide your district through the process.

You may be interested in integrating your technology planning into your School Improvement Plan, into your curriculum, or creating a simple stand-alone document to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements (e.g. No Child Left Behind (NCLB),  Education YES!, or E-Rate/USF).  

Trimble Consulting has a very thorough understanding of the requirements of these programs.  Let us help make the most of the planning time you invest with your staff.

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Technology Audit

A Technology Audit will provide you with third-party observations, analysis, and recommendations pertaining to the use of technology resources in your district.  This detailed report will cover everything from infrastructure through personnel.  The report will be written in language suitable for sharing with administrators, boards, and technical personnel.    

A technology audit can provide you with the following:

	A description of all technical resources in your district infrastructure and connectivity of your networks computers, printers, and other hardware major software packages personnel resources
	Suggestions on what is worth keeping as well as a practical disposal policy.
	A practical assessment of your technology support model. Do you need more support personnel? Should you hire or out-source?
	Practical suggestions on areas where you will be able to save money.
	An assessment of your district's technical status in light of your Technology Plan.
	An assessment of district processes and policies related to technology. Technology decision making processes Technology purchasing processes Technology related Policies (AUP, Student Discipline, Board Policy) Technology Committee role

This has proven to be the most popular service we offer.  Contact Trimble Consulting for a complete outline of available audit services.

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Needs Assessment

A pre-requisite of all successful technology purchases and implementations is a careful needs assessment.  The development of a good solution requires an accurate definition of the problem.  

Let Trimble Consulting design and implement the survey instruments you require to accurately assess the needs of your staff and students, before you embark on expensive technical projects and purchases.

Trimble Consulting can also help you design a decision making process for technical purchase decisions based on the following:

	Board goals and mission statement
	Current district policy
	Existing district budget
	Links to existing curriculum and School Improvement Plan
	Needs assessment

The one-time cost of the development of such a process will show long term savings year after year.

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Technology Policy Development and Review

The need to keep technology related hardware and software up to date is generally recognized.  Periodic review of district policy related to technology is just as important.  Clear, up to date Technology Policy will make all technology decision making processes easier and less contentious.  Student use of technology requires clearly defined, widely published, policy to maintain discipline. 

Below is a short list of policy issues that Trimble Consulting can help you develop and review.

	Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
	Technical Standards Policy
	Network Security Policy
	Email Use Policy
	Discipline Policy
	Parental Informed Consent Forms
	Web Filtering Policy
	Web Publishing Guidelines
	Copyright Policy

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Request for Proposal Development and Evaluation

Do you worry about whether you are getting the best value for your district when your vendor both writes your RFP and bids on the project?  

Trimble Consulting sells NO products, only services. 

Trimble Consulting will help generate your RFP from a third party perspective with no conflict of interest.   We will help you publish an RFP that accurately describes your district's needs.

Does your district have the time and the technical expertise to evaluate the responses to technical RFPs?   

Trimble Consulting will apply years of experience and expertise to the evaluation of your RFP responses.    We will help you choose a winning bidder based on solid data and clear information.

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Training and Staff Development

Overall success of any technology project ultimately hinges on the effectiveness of the training and staff development plan that is an integral part of any technical implementation.

Technical support staff must be trained on the installation and support of the new technical systems.

Staff development workshops will need to be delivered to all staff who will be operating the new technical systems.

Technical training and operational staff development are distinct activities and will have little chance of success without careful planning.  

Trimble Consulting can help design a Training and Staff Development Plan that will meet the unique and specific needs of your district.  We can help design an overall district plan or a plan for a specific technical project implementation.

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Interim Information Technology Management

Industry wide, the average length of employment of Information Technology professionals is just over 16 months.   Qualified IT workers are among the most mobile in the economy. Competent IT management is difficult to find, recruit and keep.

Trimble Consulting can use its extensive network of technical contacts to help you find and recruit a perfect match for your needs.    

Personnel transitions in IT are inherently disruptive.  In addition to the usual personnel issues, there is the additional issue of maintaining the security and reliability of critical technical systems during the transition. 

Trimble Consulting can provide your district with an interim IT management solution and help minimize the inherent disruption caused by IT personnel turnover.  

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