UK's Largest Networked Education Programme Exceeds Expectations on Completion

NETLinc, in conjunction with Ramesys today announced the phase four completion of the UK's largest networked educational programme.

NETLinc, in conjunction with Ramesys today announced the phase four completion of the UK's largest networked educational programme. The three year project, started in 1999, has successfully completed its fourth and final phase, setting the pace for networked learning and adoption of broadband technologies across the country.

The project has connected 450 sites across Lincolnshire, incorporating 106,000 users and 12,000 PCs to create one of the largest networked learning environments in the world.

Beyond the integration of educational resources for primary and secondary schools in the region, NETLinc has extended the programme to areas of the broader community. Libraries, children's homes and an innovative Mobile Learning Unit, have established a 'Community Grid For Learning' using the NETLinc National Grid for Learning (NGfl) infrastructure.

"Lincolnshire has set a precedent for integration and networking in education with the completion of this four year project. It is a clear demonstration of how technology is now an integral part of primary, secondary and lifelong learning," said Geoff Chandler, Lincolnshire educational and cultural services ICT project manager. "With the deployment and management of the network, students and the community have access to the best online learning we can provide, in addition to providing Lincolnshire with an excellent platform to achieve Government NGfL and life-long learning targets."

"A project of this scale requires constant attention in order to minimise downtime and maximise efficiency, passing on the benefits of the network to teachers and pupils alike," said Steve Smith, business development director, Ramesys. "The needs of the education sector are very specific and Ramesys has developed products and services that recognise and support the requirements for e-learning."

Being the largest single installation of Microsoft Exchange in the world and with half of the PC terminals across the County remotely managed, services continue to play a pivotal role in the NETLinc project. With downtime at 0.2% against an industry average of 2.0%, the initiative has exceeded IT, as well as educational, expectations.

Bertold Weidmann, ICT Manager, Education & Cultural Service Directorate, NETLinc commented: "NETLinc's continued development and expansion are key success factors in the Education and Cultural Services Directorate's long-term vision, strategy and planning. Our main aims are to widen and sustain access to ICT, transform teaching, learning and administration and raise standards in and through ICT. In addition NETLinc is committed to modernizing service delivery and adding value to the Directorate's work through Partnerships. By working together and engaging others, we can make real progress in all these areas benefiting the schools, the wider community and learners of all ages."

The NETLinc project will continue to expand as a fifth stage is now being undertaken. Connecting more PC's and sites to the broadband networking and expanding the platform further into the Lincolnshire community will provide the framework for future development.
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About NETLinc

Lincolnshire, part of the East Midlands, is very rural and sparsely populated yet has one of the fastest growing populations in the country. Its pattern of settlements creates the potential for physical isolation and social exclusion - overall, however, the quality of life is good in Lincolnshire (www.linconshire.gov.uk).

Within Lincolnshire County Council, Education & Cultural Services is the largest Directorate (ECSD). Having started as Lincolnshire's response to the National Grid for Learning Initiative in 1998, NETLinc has developed into a County-wide secure network for collaborative learning and working, presenting user groups with their own distinct interfaces to shared, interoperable services, on-line tools and digital content (schools: www.netlinc.org.uk; community: http//:cgfl.netlinc.org.uk).

Lincolnshire Local Education Authority is a member of the East Midlands Broadband Consortium (EMBC). ICT is a theme running through the Directorate's Education Development Plan and other strategies (e.g. the Annual Library Plan, Lincolnshire & Rutland Life-long Learning Plan). NETLinc is instrumental in reaching the County Council priorities, especially "Striving for Excellence in Education" and "Building a network of strong, self sufficient rural communities" and "working with others to provide better service to the public".

About Ramesys

Ramesys has over 15 years education experience and is one of the most accredited ICT providers in the UK. It Offers solutions to Local Education Authorities, Higher and Further Education Colleges, Universities, Schools and other Government Initiatives, such as Learn Direct, NGfl and BECTa. Ramesys' learning environment, Assimilate, provides a complete online learning environment for learners and teachers to collaborate, communicate and interact through dynamic content management and visually appealing presentation. Its flexible approach ensures Internet based learning is integrated with standard teaching methods to generate the best academic results for schools and learners.

Through an extensive portfolio of products and services, Ramesys enables organizations to maximise those opportunities offered by ICT and Internet technologies. Ramesys has an annual turnover of 70Million and over 8,000 clients. It serves customers across many sectors of industry and commerce, including Education, Public Sector, Legal, Construction, Membership, Hospitality & Travel, Food & Retail and Manufacturing.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Gent
Octopus Communications
+44 (0)1753 672 755
chris@octopuscomms.net

Matthew Rushton
Ramesys
+44 (0)115 971 2056
matthew.Rushton@ramesys.com

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