ASCS Technology Committee Meeting Notes - 11/11/2008
Attendees:
Frank Banul, Chris Ganus, Hank Caruso, Nick Mueth, Kathy Thompson, Mike Moline, Sid Steele, Marie Pishko, Kara Waterman, Dan Lemcke
Nick gave recap of last meeting
- Construction of the computer lab will be the main focus
- Hank reported that he had met with Core Plus to review our current set up and requirements for the lab. They discussed which applications would be required: Word suite, Mavis Beacon, etc. Hank sent an email out to the teachers asking what additional applications they might want.
Waiting for teacher responses.
- Hank is expecting a quote from Core Plus anytime now.
- Hank tried to contact Dell, but no response.
- Nick reports that the bid from Apple is too high for our budget.
- The lab will require the following:
- 24 student workstations
- 1 teacher workstation
- furniture
- overhead projector
- 2 black and white laser printers
- possibly a Smart Board if enough funds available
- Diocese policy requires 3 bids. Need to generate RFP to submit to potential vendors.
- Mike suggested some of the tradeoffs associated with thin client set up that we need to investigate/understand - must have very high speed network, application loading time, workstation mobility, open source application issues (reluctance by service company to support).
- Need to understand network bandwidth requirements per workstation on thin client set up and make sure our existing network infrastructure will support the required bandwidth.
- Also consider the potential abuse the workstations will be subjected to. An all-in-one unit similar to iMac might have benefit of getting all the hardware off the floor, reduce clutter, etc.
Projectors:
- Kara gave some discussion on DLP versus LCD projector technology. DLP is preferred. No burn-in issues, filter free. Kara is hosting a technology meeting for the diocese at TI on Tuesday. Hank will attend and bring room layout. Suggested to include lighting sources locations on layout.
- Kathy brought spec printouts of 4 projectors. Prices range from ~$600-$850.
RFP/Potential vendors:
- Pam has a quote from M&A to use as a starting point. M&A is the preferred vendor for Plano ISD.
- Sid will check with Dell and IBM on their education programs.
- The two Laser printers need to be included in the RFP.
- Hank will look for an RFP template.
- Meeting to be held on 11/18 to generate RFP. Follow up meeting to be held on 11/20 to review.
- Will need separate RFP's for furniture (Marie has catalog), thin client solution (Core Plus, Citrix, Thin, IBM,...), thick client solution (M&A, Dell,...)
- Projector does not have to be on RFP.
- Normally vendors want 30 days to respond. Timeline is very tight, especially given Thanksgiving week coming up.
Dan volunteered to investigate options for Internet Service Providers in the area. Hank suggested the ISP needs to be E-Rate qualified.
Next general meeting 12/9.

Hi all,
Just wanted to let you all know that we will be in the cafetorium due to the SAC meeting in the Library.
See you all tomorrow,
Nick

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to write a quick good luck to those who are attending the conference today. Also wanted to remind you all that about our next meeting on Thursday to finalize the RFPs and identify to whom we will send them. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Nick

Meeting Tommorrow Night

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to remind everyone about the meeting tomorrow night at 6:30. Please try to be as on-time as possible. The Home and School Association (HSA) scheduled an emergency meeting for the same night @ 7:00 so hopefully we can get right down to business, and maybe finish a little bit early. Excited to hear how plans are progressing.
Thanks,
Nick