High-speed connectivity supports virtual learning environment and provides increased resilience across three sites

College IT personnel now able to manage network configuration themselves

New network is more cost-efficient and resilient

ntl:Telewest Business has been selected by Sandwell College to deploy a next generation network NGN to connect its three campuses in the West Midlands. The network will enable staff and students to access administration tools, the Internet and e-learning facilities from any college PC. These include the open-source Moodle Virtual Learning Environment VLE , enabling 24 7 access to course-related assignments and learning resources, and Mindset 2000 s Profiler tool, which facilitates electronic student assessment.

Sandwell College, one of the largest providers of general further education in the area, runs a multitude of courses for 16 to 18-year-olds, as well as adults aged 19-plus. With technology in education moving well beyond email access and web browsing, an increasing number of staff and students across the Oldbury, Smethwick and West Bromwich campuses require access to VLEs, Web 2.0 tools and media-rich applications such as ClickView, which enables the distribution of pre-recorded video teaching resources direct to PCs. As a result, the college required a high-speed, durable network infrastructure that could support an effective and collaborative teaching and learning environment, as well as reliable access to business support systems, emails and file storage.

When the previous contract came to an end, Sandwell College tendered for network services and chose ntl:Telewest Business 100 Megabits-per-second Mbps Metro Ethernet VPN due to its cost effectiveness and resilience. To improve continuity, ntl:Telewest Business also deployed two new links into the core network, so that all three campuses have Internet access. In the event of a connection failure at a site, traffic can now be rerouted via one of the other connections to prevent loss of service.

Teachers and students are using innovative learning tools such as Moodle, which enables staff to create internet-based, interactive courses accessible from all three college sites, or via the Internet. All staff also have reliable access to any necessary business support systems, said Amir Kanwar, Network Development Manager, Sandwell College.

To date, ntl:Telewest Business has provided us with the network capacity and reliability we need to deliver quality network services. It is a cost-effective, dependable network that puts the IT department in the driving seat - we can make configuration changes to the network ourselves. This flexibility allows us to trial new technologies without the need to involve third parties, as was the case with our previous set-up. Now we can add new services as and when they are required much more quickly and efficiently with no additional network costs. So far we have recorded no network downtime, which is an improvement on the previous network infrastructure.

Sandwell College is a clear example of how a reliable, high-speed network can support innovative interactive digital learning across campuses as well as improve administration services, said Paul Lawrence, Head of Business Markets Sales, ntl:Telewest Business. By enabling the customer to have greater control over its network, ntl:Telewest Business has also ensured that minimal disruption is experienced when changes need to be made to these services. This means the IT personnel can run the network according to their specific needs.