As published in Tribune Local
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PRESS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Pam Hoover
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Batavia Public Schools District 101 Migrates to Cisco CallManager
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CHICAGO– Students spend almost a third of their day in school and more and more schools are realizing the need for better safety measures.
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While school administrators cannot eliminate safety and security risk all together, many are discovering how technology can decrease emergency response times and help teachers and students feel more secure during the school day. Additionally, school administrators are using technologies such as video surveillance to protect school grounds outside of school hours.
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Proactive safety and security is a priority of Batavia Public Schools District 101. The district’s director of technology, Tony Inglese, works hard to proactively make school a safer environment. Inglese understands how in today’s fast paced world, technology plays a big role in the lives of all people.
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”Communications is a fundamental of safety and security, and technology is intrinsic to that end. We use technology to monitor and enhance safety in our schools,” said Inglese.
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Batavia Public Schools District 101’s vision for a safer and more efficient school included an Internet Protocol (IP) network that would allow the integration of new applications even several years down the road. Inglese partnered with Maron Structure Technologies to help make this vision a reality.
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Inglese said, “Communication systems must have the capacity to grow over time and be adaptable to a wide variety of needs. This system’s design and flexibility provides that potential and we anticipate it will continue to meet our needs for many years to come.”
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With a network that converged voice and data, Batavia Public Schools District 101 was able to implement a Cisco CallManager voice solution and Emergency Responder. Emergency Responder is an E-911 application that allows a 911 dispatch center to pin point the exact location of a student or teacher.
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”Our systems go beyond E-911 zone compliance; when 911 is dialed, the exact location and room number of the caller is broadcast to the dispatcher automatically,” Inglese explained. “In the event of an emergency, first responders and school resources are now deployed instantly and congruently – in seconds.”
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Already, Inglese is seeing the benefits of the implemented technology. The Cisco CallManager allows the district to place a telephone in each classroom and office (over 500 handsets), while reducing overall service cost.
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 ”The best part about this system is that each teacher now has their own voicemail box for messages, the ability to make conference calls, inform parents of student progress directly from each classroom, hold a parent/teacher voice conference with parents at different locations, and collaborate with colleagues in other buildings,” said Inglese. “This technology helps teachers manage their classroom and their daily schedules so they can focus on what is most important – teaching.”
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Inglese said parents, faculty, and students can expect easier, more flexible, and efficient communications. Parents can expect a smart communication system that, in the event of an emergency, provides quick notification when response time is critical.
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Maron Structure Technologies is high caliber technology consulting firm that specializes in designing technology solutions for the public sector. For more information, please contact Pam Hoover at phoover@structure-tech.com

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