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Helping Schools Maximize E-Rate Funding Through Network Transformation

E-Rate, or the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support program, is a federally funded program in the United States that helps educational institutions afford essential broadband and telecommunications services. BlueAlly has served numerous school districts funded by the E-Rate program by improving their networking operations so they can provide better student-learning opportunities.

From 2020-2023, we leveraged our expertise to transform a public school district’s networking infrastructure. This project included configuring and implementing new hardware and transitioning the district to a cloud-based management platform. Through this project, our specialists empowered our client with robust technological capabilities, enabling further educational enrichment through cost-effective network transformation.

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Public School District

Our client is a public school district in the United States. It serves over 1,000 students in grades K-12. Over 20% of its students are economically disadvantaged.

Erate Library

Public School District

Our client is a public school district in the United States. It serves over 1,000 students in grades K-12. Over 20% of its students are economically disadvantaged.

The Problem

The school district struggled with operational silos in its previous network because its switches and wireless access points were from disparate vendors. Our client needed to replace and unify its infrastructure but lacked the capital and staff to complete such a complex technological undertaking. They struggled with strained resources, as many public school districts only have a few technology specialists to operate and maintain their full networking footprint across multiple sites. Due to these challenges, our client sought E-Rate funding and BlueAlly’s third-party expertise to facilitate its network transformation.

The BlueAlly Solution

Our specialists collaborated with the school district’s stakeholders to understand its existing infrastructure’s limitations, its most pressing technological needs, and its available budget. To address these challenges, we migrated our client to HPE Aruba network switches and HPE Aruba wireless access points. This helped the school district dismantle its technological silos and unify operations through modern hardware that could support its evolving performance requirements.

Our top integrator configured and installed each hardware piece on-site to expedite the project’s completion, including 31 HPE Aruba switches and 100 HPE Aruba wireless access points. We also migrated the school district to Aruba Central, a cloud-based management platform that empowered our client with a simplified, single-pane view of its IT and network operations.

The Results

Our tailored approach resulted in a total network migration within 4 years, helping the school district consolidate and upgrade its infrastructure to strengthen performance, efficiency, and visibility. This consolidation also bridged our client’s technological silos, enabling the school district to conquer complexity by simplifying and modernizing its network and IT operations.

By maximizing its technological investment and E-Rate funding, this network transformation positions the school district for future innovation that supports its overall mission of educational enrichment for its students. Due to this project’s success, our client plans to expand our partnership through further IT and cybersecurity collaborations in 2025 and beyond.

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Cost Efficiency

Met our client’s budgetary requirements while maximizing its E-Rate funding.

Project Overview

Enhanced Visibility

Provided a unified view of network assets to simplify management and operations.

Agile Project

Agile Project Management

Expedited the migration through comprehensive project management.

Project Execution

Streamlined Implementation

Handled on-site configuration, installation, and implementation to streamline our client’s network transformation.

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