ICT Support Services - The Solutions We Provide

Visit Becta's Website or follow the links below to find out more about FITS, the SRF and the ICT Mark.

Onsite ICT Manager

At ICT Support Services we pride ourselves on the flexibility we give our clients, with our onsite ICT Manager providing either a fully inclusive service or enhancing existing ICT infrastructures. Our wide ranging services provide from ad-hoc and emergency callouts to regular, dedicated support packages.

Current services available:

Weekly Onsite ICT Manager
A contract based dedicated 12 month support service covering term time, comprised of weekly half-day onsite sessions. To ensure consistency for the school sessions will, as far as possible, always be during the same time slot during the day (mornings or Afternoons) and on the same day of the week. This service also includes two out of hour’s emergency callouts between the hours of 6pm and 9pm Monday to Friday.

Support is available 9am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri via telephone and 24/7 via internet helpdesk.

Fortnightly Onsite ICT Manager
A contract based dedicated 12 month support service covering term time, comprised of fortnightly half-day onsite sessions. To ensure consistency for the school sessions will, as far as possible, always be during the same time slot during the day (mornings or Afternoons) and on the same day of the week.

Support is available 9am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri via telephone and 24/7 via internet helpdesk.

Monthly Onsite ICT Manager
A contract based dedicated 12 month support service covering term time, comprised monthly half-day onsite sessions. To ensure consistency for the school sessions will, as far as possible, always be during the same time slot during the day (mornings or Afternoons) and on the same day of the week.

Support is available 9am – 5.30pm Mon – Fri via telephone and 24/7 via internet helpdesk.

Banked Hours
Banked hours comprises ‘banks’ of prepaid hours of ICT support which can be used over the forty weeks of term time as and when required (to the next available time slot but usually within 48 hours). Each bank is comprised of 10 hours.

Pay As You Go
Callout based package used over the forty weeks of term time as and when required (to the next available time slot but usually within 48 hours).

Server Option
Added as an additional option to the above services and comprises of eleven, monthly, half-day sessions specifically for dedicated server support. A must for any server based network.

Onsite ICT Management Sessions
Each visit to your school comprises of a three hour session by one of our friendly professional ICT Managers. Sessions can be prearranged for either a morning or afternoon visit at a frequency to suit the needs of your school.

Some of the different types of work that can be under taken are:

Management of existing ICT Support to ensure your school gains maximum efficiency from existing sources.

	Management of existing ICT Support to ensure your school gains maximum efficiency from existing sources.
	Desktop / Laptop Support and Maintenance
	System monitoring for performance, memory, hard disk integrity and network functionality
	Software Installations including networked software such as RM Maths etc
	Software Updates
	Hardware installation including peripherals, Interactive Whiteboards, projectors, scanners, and digital cameras
	Server Support and Maintenance including backups*
	Network Support and Maintenance
	Printer Support and Maintenance
	Checking Antivirus / virus definitions to ensure they are all up to date
	Content Cache and EMBC administration

On completion of every visit a work order sheet will be completed and signed by your ICT Manager and left with you for your records.

ICT Management Consultancy
ICT Management Consultancy is a service designed to assist your schools' management team, giving extra help and advice in design, planning and implementation of all aspects of ICT within your school.

Some of the areas covered include:

	The implementation of FITS
	ICT Support requirement Planning
	The Self Review Framework and its associated 'ICT Mark'
	Long term ICT Strategy
	Backup and disaster recovery strategies
	Resource Planning
	ICT Budgetary planning.

Project Management
To reduce the impact on the normal running of ICT within schools Project Management undertaken by ICT Support Services is carried out outside of normal working hours, either after school, at weekends or during school holidays depending on the size and nature of the project. Examples of this type of work include major software installations or ‘roll outs’, installation of new computers and ICT suites and other projects such as wireless networks.

Website Design and Management
A school website is often an important initial means of information for perspective parents, as well as, a means of communication for existing parents. The key to a successful school website is the regular maintenance of the information contained within the site; ICT Support Services can provide your school with a complete website package. Even existing school websites can be enhanced, managed and kept current.

FITS (Framework for ICT Technical Support
'Becta has developed a framework for ICT Technical Support (FITS) which aims to provide a reliable and effective ICT infrastructure.' At ICT Support Services we aim to use FITS wherever possible enabling you piece of mind in the knowledge that the systems we put in place are both nationally recognised and respected.

What are the benefits of using the Framework for ICT Technical Support?

	Greater ICT reliability and user confidence
	Better understanding of school ICT management responsibilities
	Improved management of technicians
	Proactive and planned ICT management
	Schools can identify areas for improvement
	More networking between schools.

Why does ICT Support Services use FITS?

	Improved communications and relationships with schools
	Improved efficiency of Technicians
	Technicians have more time to be proactive
	Provides a baseline for technicians’ work
	Schools better understand what technicians need to do.

*For existing servers this service will be agreed upon inspection of the server by ICT Support Services. If it is found that the server is not setup correctly it will be reconfigured / rebuilt at cost to the school.