Technical Services

Audion Visual Design and Installation
Technical staff achieve InfoComm International Technology Specialist certification in areas of specialized audio systems, display technologies,control systems and Smart Classroom design. Our technicians will conduct a site visit and provide you with an accurate quote to meet the goals of your project.

Barracuda Networks Aggregate Storage Services Provider

MCIU has partnered with Barracuda Networks as a strategic affiliate for purposes of providing aggregate offsite storage services for eastern Pennsylvania. Barracuda is recognized as an industry leader for providing advanced secure and comprehensive data backup solutions. Barracuda also has a complete email archiving and discovery solution integrated into its product. Barracuda services are backed by 24x7 technical support.

Internet 2

Internet 2 is a research and academic network connecting institutions throughout the world with the ability to have nation-wide and international videoconferencing, and access to instruments such as microscopes and telescopes. Coordination of these projects is handled through the MCIU partnership with MAGPI at the University of Pennsylvania. Internet2 services are provided to Montgomery County districts as part of the core technology membership fee.

Lightspeed Systems, Inc. Total Traffic Control (TTC) Service
MCIU has partnered with Lightspeed Systems to get consortium pricing on the Total Traffic Control product. It is a software product that contains full network security, anti-virus solutions, content filter, spam filter, desktop management, computer inventory (hardware/software), portable media control, packet shaping, and email archive solution. The product aggregates many functions as wells as cost reduction and better product interdependencies.

Meraki

MCIU has signed on to be a reseller of Meraki, a Google-backed company delivering a strong value proposition to School Districts especially given the current budget challenges. School District benefits with Meraki include:

Award Winning Cloud Managed Wireless Cloud Controller:

30 to 50% lower TCO compared to premise based controller solutions from Cisco, Aruba, Motorola and Juniper
Integrated Mobile Device Management at NO additional cost to gain control of mobile devices including iOS, Macs, PCs, Laptops
Integrated Application traffic shaping at NO additional cost to contain ISP costs, control recreational traffic & ensure QoS for higher priority apps
Simplify management of distributed Access Points
Reduce future controller costs associated with Wireless expansion plans, new features, new OS, replacing of End Of Life controllers
Scaling is simple given Meraki’s Cloud Data Centers are provisioned to enable customers to seamlessly scale as their Wireless footprint expands

Cloud Managed Security Appliances:

Simplify management of distributed security devices
Integrated feature set including traffic shaping, multi-site VPN, Client VPN, Firewall, Link Bonding, 3G/4G Failover, Content Filtering, WAN Op

Cloud Managed Switches:

Simplify management of distributed edge switch infrastructure
Rich troubleshooting and Configuration functionality

Montgomery County Education Network
The Montgomery County K-12 Network consortium consists of thirteen school locations connected at gigabit speed and twelve other schools connecting at T1 speed. Internet Services are provided through two 100MB Internet connections located at the “Carrier Hotel” in Philadelphia. Access to Internet2, a research and academic network connecting institutions throughout the world, is also available through a partnership with MAGPI at the University of Pennsylvania. Through this service, districts may participate in special programs such as international videoconferences. Technical staff achieve CNE, CNA, MCSE, MCSA and MCP certifications.

Networking Services

Application and System Hosting
In-house developed applications as well as third party systems may be hosted at the MCIU. Due to uniqueness of applications and systems as well as developing the most cost effective solution an analyses must be performed to determine hosting costs. Systems such as Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint Services, WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) extends the HTTP/1.1 protocol to allow clients to publish, lock, and manage resources on the Web.

Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery
TIS has developed (final phase completion fall 2008) a suite of services, allowing you to customize a storage or recovery strategy that meets your exact requirements. That means you can maintain continuous or nearly continuous connectivity despite interruptions that threaten your infrastructures. Based on a robust network, redundant power systems and advanced technologies, this infrastructure provides incredible levels of resiliency, redundancy and reliability. Off-load tedious, time-consuming tasks, or supplement your internal strengths.

Content Filtering
Children’s Internet Protect Act (CIPA) complaint workstation filtering is available for any number of specified workstations. This service does not require a server or extra management effort at the school level.

Data Hosting
TIS provides secure storage and backup of databases. Remote administrator options available to school database administrators to allow full remote control of databases. Query and report building services are also available at nominal rates.

Email Hosting
TIS provides a customized approach to email hosting based on the school or district needs. Services range from hosting to a fully managed solution.

Infrastructure Services (Networking and Server Support)

Infrastructure Services provide technology support for a variety of networking and server services. Staff possesses Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), and Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) certifications enabling schools and districts to obtain services (listed below) via phone, on-site visits, and remote connections.

Internet Services
The Montco K12 Network consortium consists of nine Gigabit fiber connected school locations and thirteen additional schools and districts connecting over T1 circuits. Internet services are provided through two 100MB Internet connections located at the “Carrier Hotel” in Philadelphia. The entire network has 20,000 computers accessing the Internet and related services.

SPAM and Virus Email Gateway Service
MCIU will provide “Zero Day” SPAM and Virus gateway service in order to protect the local school district investment in existing internal email server(s). The gateway service will eradicate viruses and reduce SPAM emails that burden users and strain email servers. The SPAM email filtering service uses a revolutionary technology with Sender Address Verification (SAV) logic to combat SPAM. The Sender Address Verification (SAV) logic delivers messages directly from any allowed domain or email address. The allowed domains and email address are pre-loaded in the system as part of the implementation process. Addresses not in the system go through a simple process to be added and have all future emails delivered uninterrupted.

Technical Support and Repair Services
Technical services certified staff repairs countless types of PC and Apple computers, peripherals, and printers. Technical Services offers an extremely cost effective method of repairing computers and printers through participation in our On-site Computer Repair Program. Warranty Service available for Dell, Gateway, Apple and Lexmark brands.

Department Contact

Sheldon Wedemeyer
Technology Infrastructure Supervisor
Email: swedemeyer@mciu.org
Phone: 610-755-9357
Fax: 610-539-9185
Monica Weber, Secretary, mweber@mciu.org