From their management systems to the use of iPads and computers, schools rely on technology every single day.
In fact, schools rely on it so much that if their technology and systems fail, their entire daily operations are disrupted to the point where schools may even be forced to close.
For instance, Budehaven Community School in Cornwall was forced to close due to IT issues.
That’s why, in this blog, we’ll cover the common IT challenges schools face, what IT support for schools should look like, and the benefits of outsourcing your IT support.
What are the common IT challenges schools face?
Every school’s nightmare is its IT systems having issues, but it’s no secret that they face plenty of challenges with technology.
Cybersecurity risks
You may not think so, but cyberattacks on schools are a major issue. With 60% of secondary schools and 91% of higher education colleges reporting breaches of some kind, schools are a significant target for cybercriminals.
This is often because schools lack the IT support and protection required to keep the confidential information they hold secure.
Having a strong IT support system protects schools from being hit by these cyber attacks.
Fragmented systems and poor network infrastructure
Student management platforms, online learning tools, and cloud storage services are just a few of the systems that schools rely on and use on a daily basis.
One of the biggest challenges that schools face IT-wise is that many of these systems work alone, often leading to multiple systems in use, and a struggle to keep all of these in one key place.
This fragmentation can lead to inefficiencies which slow down what could be a seamless workflow.
With the right IT support, schools can combine these systems into one place, giving them easy access to everything they need.
Technical issues with IT systems
Technical issues can cause massive disruptions to an average school day. It can prevent students from accessing work and teachers from being able to access admin or lesson resources.
That’s why schools need a plan to keep going with their day as usual, because things will go wrong sometimes.
By having a plan or expert IT support, you can keep disruptions to a minimum.
What should IT support for schools include?
It goes without saying that IT support for schools should include a list of complete services by expert IT professionals.
But what specific services should IT support for schools offer?
Office 365 support
Schools use Microsoft 365 every day. PowerPoint, Word, and Excel are tools used by students, teachers, and administrators that are integral to their teaching and learning.
It’s so important that schools fully integrate all the systems they use to get the best out of Microsoft 365.
By doing so, schools will reduce the number of softwares they have, the number of issues they’re having with staff and teachers gaining access, and see an increase in efficiency.
Managed cloud support services
A lot of schools nowadays have heaps of resources stored in cloud storage systems, so it’s important that they also have the right (and secure) data backup support they need.
Before doing anything with the cloud, schools need to find an IT team that can provide comprehensive cloud migration and management.
Network server services
Schools use a number of applications that can take up a lot of space and slow down your internet.
A reliable and quick network is crucial for a school’s efficiency and flow. If that’s something schools are lacking, it can affect the quality of education that they are able to offer.
That’s why most schools get help from a specialist IT support company that offers managed IT services.
The benefits of outsourcing IT support for schools
A wealth of IT expertise
Most schools likely won’t have the level of IT expertise required to deal with severe IT and cybersecurity issues in-house.
By outsourcing, schools gain access to a wide pool of IT specialists who can handle common day-to-day problems through to complex, data-threatening cybersecurity issues.
Secure data protection with no worry
With hundreds, if not thousands, of students in schools, colleges, and universities, there has to be strong data protection to prevent confidential information about students (and staff) from being put at risk.
A security breach could have serious consequences for the school and its staff.
However, outsourced IT support allows the school to live stress-free, as all its sensitive data is protected by the latest security measures, with IT experts monitoring and managing it 24/7.
Device and network management
Schools depend on a wide range of connected devices every single day.
Outsourced IT teams can handle and look after these devices, so that they run correctly and are properly connected to the school’s network.
They can also keep an eye on network performance, spot problems before they cause issues, and make sure the internet stays quick, steady, and safe across the school.
Cost-efficiency
An in-house IT department can end up costing your school a small fortune.
By outsourcing IT support, schools can control and predict their costs much more effectively.
Instead of paying out for unexpected repairs, schools can spend their budgets much more wisely on IT experts who can prevent issues from popping up.
When systems are maintained consistently, schools spend less on emergency fixes and more on what really matters.
A final thought
Every aspect of a school’s day-to-day operation depends on reliable IT systems, so when those systems fail, the impact is severe.
When schools are aware of the challenges and invest in the right IT support, they can move from simply managing problems to preventing them altogether.
By outsourcing their IT support, schools create a secure, efficient system that benefits teachers and students without disruption.
Choosing the right IT partner helps schools focus on what they do best.
