Technical Consultancy & Support The Schools ICT is a team of experienced and qualified professionals who provide a wide spectrum of high-quality technical support to almost all of Bolton’s schools.
Whether it is hardware, software, network, or security issues, the Schools ICT can help schools to solve them efficiently and effectively. The Schools ICT offer remote support, regular scheduled technician visits and a call-out service as required.
The Schools ICT also provide consultancy and advice on how to use technology to enhance teaching and learning, as well as to manage school data and administration. The Schools ICT is committed to delivering excellent customer service and value for money to all schools in Bolton.
Featured Services
Onsite Technician Scheme
We provide schools with an onsite technician for an agreed frequency, to provide local administrative tasks and support, separate to the support provided with hardware sales. The technician can perform any IT-related task that the school requests, as well as general regular network maintenance (users, PC/laptop imaging, updates, AV, backup) and can look at third-party equipment on a best-endeavours basis.
Central Technical Services
We support, develop, and manage a wide range of SLA services including firewall configuration, remote support, website content filtering, email filtering, anti-virus software, DNS management, multi-factor authentication, and Office 365 integration. This experienced team also acts as third-line support, working collaboratively to diagnose and deliver effective solutions for more complex and technical problems that require advanced expertise.
Supply, Support & Maintenance
The Schools ICT Unit can supply a wide range of computer hardware to schools, for use in the classroom to aid teaching and learning, and in school offices to help with administration. The technical team provide our own maintenance service, with technicians who have knowledge of your staff, network, and hardware and act as second-line support; you don’t have to deal with the equipment manufacturer for repairs or warranty issues.
Onsite Service
For more than 23 years, Bolton Schools ICT has proudly delivered our ever-popular Onsite Technician Service to schools across the region. While others may imitate, we firmly believe that no one matches our balance of outstanding service quality and cost-effectiveness. Our dedication to excellence and value makes us a trusted partner in school ICT support.
Our Onsite Service includes:-
- Local Server Administration tasks.
- Active Directory Administration – Users / Devices / Sites / Services / Domain.
- Group Policy Management and Administration.
- Management and Resolution of any centralised issues.
- Network printer / copier administration – Devices / Sites / Services.
- Centralised Windows Update deployment.
- Third party supplier liaison – Devices / Sites / Services.
- Organisation of Licensing Agreements Client / Server.
- Fast creation / recreation of Windows based PC builds via in-house Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (includes third party hardware; laptops, desktops, DfE etc. subject to appropriate licensing agreements).
- Centralised Windows Update deployment.
- Organisation and management of Licensing Agreements: Windows / MS Office etc.
- Software Installation as and when required.
- User friendly, centralised job logging – available site-wide via a handy desktop shortcut.
- Hardware Maintenance, diagnosis, upgrade and repair – including third party devices.
- Friendly and helpful technical support, assistance and guidance for staff, pupils, SLT, Governors, Parents etc. If we can help – we will.
- Assistance with strategy for iPad deployment.
- Acquirement of quotes / prices.
- iPad cabinet setup / maintenance.
- Creation and management of centralised Mobile Device Management console (MDM) in conjunction with SICT.
- Deployment of apps and acquisition of appropriate licensing (can also be performed by / in conjunction with SICT).
- Keeping iPads clean and tidy – both internally and externally.
- Assistance with strategy for Chromebook rollout.
- Sourcing quotes and competitive pricing.
- Chromebook setup and ongoing maintenance.
- Creation and management of a centralised Google Admin Console (in collaboration with SICT).
- Deployment of apps/extensions and management of Chrome Education Upgrade licenses (can also be handled by / with SICT).
- Maintaining Chromebooks – ensuring devices are clean, updated, and well-organised.
- Network Cabinet administration / maintenance.
- Maintenance of existing Wireless Networks.
- Comprehensive gratuity Wireless Survey (in conjunction with SICT).
- Wireless installation (in conjunction with SICT).
- Sourcing of reputable / cost efficient external contractors for maintenance and expansion of existing infrastructure and ancillaries – Network Cabling / AV supplies etc.
- Collection and arrangements for WEEE disposal and licensed recycling of redundant IT infrastructure.
- Small Appliance / PAT Testing (in conjunction with SICT).
- Creation and management of an asset register.
- Centralised storage for all school software and licenses as needed.
- Historical job tracking for tasks performed by your technician (with weekly/monthly updates to dedicated staff members or teams if required).
SICT Onsite Session Options:
- Weekly (3.5-hours – morning or afternoon)
- Fortnightly (3.5-hours – morning or afternoon)
- Monthly (3.5-hours – morning or afternoon)
- Full Day (7 working hours per day)
Please note that whilst we will always endeavour to accommodate your preferred day and time, sessions are scheduled according to workloads and availability.
At SICT we believe very strongly in face-to-face customer liaison – and keeping the jargon down to a minimum. By its very nature ICT is an area in which the customer is exposed to a plethora of technical ‘gobbledegook’. Some of this is unavoidable but we strive towards transparency.
