what’s open or how far it’s buried beneath expense of hiring a full-time IT administrator. the other file we’re using,” he said. with With the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) “But Windows 7, everything is displayed in a very 2010 Beta 2, a solution accelerator for minimally intrusive way, helping cut down on application and operating system clutter and making it possible to keep track of deployment, Garvis automated the Windows everything that's happening on the desktop.” 7 migration process by standardizing desktop images. Because the deployment process is Improved security so simple, he was able to train Hogean to Document security is critical in an manage it himself. educational environment, especially when dealing with confidential student information ease of deployment of Windows 7 is “The like student grades, personal files and exam incredible. As a small school, we don’t have questions. the budget to employ a full time IT administrator, but with a little training and With Windows 7 Advanced Backup and guidance from Mitch, I can re-image any of Restore, staff and students don’t have to the PCs on my own,” say Hoogendam. worry about losing their files when unexpected power interruptions occur. With Moving forward BitLocker and BitLocker to Go, teachers can In the future, Meadow Green Academy is ensure that information on hard drives and looking to technology to help them create USB keys are secure, preventing sensitive new ways for teachers, parents and students information, like exam questions and student to communicate. With a stable technology files, from falling into the wrong hands. environment now in place, the school is considering implementing Microsoft In addition, features like Windows Firewall SharePoint® Server 2010, a communications and Advanced Security help protect students and collaboration server, and Office 2010 to from accidentally accessing harmful Web create a Web portal where teachers can sites by blocking unauthorized network traffic share updates and other information. flowing into or out of the classroom computers. it’s in a virtual or real setting, a “Whether school should provide a safe setting for kids. With Windows 7, the firewall helps block harmful information before it even gets to the machine,” says Hoogendam are “Kids naturally curious, so it’s important that we put these measures in place to ensure they stay protected.” Simplified IT Management With Windows 7, Meadow Green staff can resolve small IT issues internally before they turn into larger problems without the added
what’s open or how far it’s buried beneath the other file we’re using,” he said. “But with Windows 7, everything is displayed in a very minimally intrusive way, helping cut down on clutter and making it possible to keep track of everything that's happening on the desktop.” Improved security Document security is critical in an educational environment, especially when dealing with confidential student information like student grades, personal files and exam questions. With Windows 7 Advanced Backup and Restore, staff and students don’t have to worry about losing their files when unexpected power interruptions occur. With BitLocker and BitLocker to Go, teachers can ensure that information on hard drives and USB keys are secure, preventing sensitive information, like exam questions and student files, from falling into the wrong hands. In addition, features like Windows Firewall and Advanced Security help protect students from accidentally accessing harmful Web sites by blocking unauthorized network traffic flowing into or out of the classroom computers. “Whether it’s in a virtual or real setting, a school should provide a safe setting for kids. With Windows 7, the firewall helps block harmful information before it even gets to the machine,” says Hoogendam “Kids are naturally curious, so it’s important that we put these measures in place to ensure they stay protected.” Simplified IT Management With Windows 7, Meadow Green staff can resolve small IT issues internally before they turn into larger problems without the added expense of hiring a full-time IT administrator. With the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2, a solution accelerator for application and operating system deployment, Garvis automated the Windows 7 migration process by standardizing desktop images. Because the deployment process is so simple, he was able to train Hogean to manage it himself. “The ease of deployment of Windows 7 is incredible. As a small school, we don’t have the budget to employ a full time IT administrator, but with a little training and guidance from Mitch, I can re-image any of the PCs on my own,” say Hoogendam. Moving forward In the future, Meadow Green Academy is looking to technology to help them create new ways for teachers, parents and students to communicate. With a stable technology environment now in place, the school is considering implementing Microsoft SharePoint® Server 2010, a communications and collaboration server, and Office 2010 to create a Web portal where teachers can share updates and other information.