IN THIS ISSUE:
2007 MiCTA Annual Conference Update
The Cost of Not Acting: Total Telecom Cost Management Benchmark Report
Malware Migrates To Cell Phones-Viruses, Spam Now Target Mobile Cellular Devices
Welcome New Members
Request To Update Member Information
Florida Virtual School Debuts Forum Virtual Teachers
Desire2Learn Invites You To Join A December Webinar Event
Grant Alert From eSchoolnews.com
Remember To Check Out This Month’s Vendor Corner
Just For Fun
2007 MiCTA Annual Conference Update
Five of the seven sessions at the 2007 MiCTA Conference have been announced. Each session will include discussion on the following topics:
· Monopolistic Trends: Patents, Mergers, and Buyouts
· CALEA Update
· State & Federal Regulatory Update
· Update of the State of Georgia State Wide VoIP Initiative
· How will the BlackBoard Patent & Legal Issues Effect Your Institution? (Panel Discussion)
In addition to these topics there will be two additional sessions, networking, and vendor presentations. Check next month’s Alert for a complete conference update, as well as the topics of discussion for the remaining two sessions. Any questions about the conference can be directed to Heather Nostrant, hnostrant@mictaservice.com.
The Cost of Not Acting:
Total Telecom Cost Management Benchmark Report
BOSTON, MA – December 5, 2006 – The average Fortune 500 Company reports that telecommunications and related network services are a top-line item expenses accounting for 3.6% of their revenue. Over the past two decades, telecom costs have followed a deflationary trend, yet many enterprises’ spending continues to rise as declining rates for telecom services are offset by ineffective cost management and increases in the consumption of services. On average, enterprises proactively manage 67% of wireline expenses and only 57% of wireless expenses.
Joe Basili, Research Director, and lead author of the report states, “Enterprises forfeit 12% to 17%, if they do not have a proactive approach to cost management that leverages technology and process improvements through outsourcing. Contrary to conventional thinking, 65% of our survey respondents incur late payment penalties. The ability to pay invoices on time has a significant impact on the ultimate cost of telecom services.”
Aberdeen’s research shows that technology can be an enabler for both internal and outsourced TTCM programs, with savings from labor savings of 21% for invoice-processing and reductions for sourcing, audit, and other categories.
Enterprises need to manage the full lifecycle for telecom expenses and address gaps in process and technology. The report recommends that organizations:
· Aggregate all telecom expenses with an invoice-processing system in the next 12 months through business process outsourcing, hosted, or licensed software.
· Centralize telecommunications procurement (for both wireline and wireless services)
· Select metrics to track telecom expenses and labor costs associated with managing telecom expenses
· Gather TTCM benchmark data and expertise from industry peers, fact-based research and to identify best practices for processing billing, and allocating expense charge backs
· Add system, people and/or process capabilities to manage telecom.
This report provides benchmarks to evaluate process efficiencies with a framework for taking action to tackle telecom costs.
The report is made available by Aberdeen Group at no charge and may be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Aberdeen Group is pleased to have MDSL, Patec, ProfitLine, and Tangoe as sponsors for this report.
Aberdeen Group, Inc. provides fact-based research and insights focused on the global, technology-driven value chain. Aberdeen’s benchmarking, market and solution assessments, sales acceleration programs, and conferences support Global 5000 value chain and technology executives and the solution providers who serve them.
For more information, click here or call 973-763-6525.
Malware Migrates To Cell Phones
Viruses, spam now target mobile cellular devices
From eSchool News staff and wire service reports
Cell phones and smart phones are becoming increasingly vulnerable to viruses, spam, and other threats that traditionally have targeted computers. To combat the rising tide of cell-phone viruses, mobile spam, and other electronic threats, both wireless carriers and traditional security companies are stepping up efforts to fortify what they say are hackers' next big targets: the multipurpose cell phones and 'smart phones' that more and more school leaders and other consumers now carry. The remainder of this article is available by clicking this link to the eSchoolNews.com website.
Welcome New Members
Alameda County
Another Step, Inc
Berrien Middle School
Bibb County Public Schools
Bremen City Schools
City of Monroe
Connections CSP, Inc.
Florida Carpenters Regional Council
Hopkinsville Electric System
Housing Services for Eaton County
Houston County Board of Education
Ithica Elementary
Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's Healthcare
Jones Elementary
Lithonia Middle School
Maryville University
Middle Georgia RESA
Mountain Comprehensive Care Inc.
Northeast Community College
Savannah Christian Middle School
Sewell Middle School
SIA Tech
Skyview Elementary
South Cobb Elementary School
Southwest High
The Federated Church -Chagrin Falls
Tucker High School
Florida Virtual School Debuts Forum For Virtual Teachers
Monthly forum encourages educators to share best practices, knowledge
By Corey Murray, Senior Editor, eSchool News
As interest in online learning among U.S. students continues to mount, the Florida Virtual School, one of the nation's largest institutions in support of online learning, has announced the creation of a new web-based forum dedicated to meeting the needs of online instructors. Organizers say monthly discussion sessions featuring some of the brightest minds in online learning will provide educators with an opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and build stronger online learning environments for K-12 students. Please click this link to continue reading this entire article.
Desire2Learn Invites You To Join A December Webinar Event.
On December 13th, join us for the next webinar event in our series entitled How to Use Competencies within the Desire2Learn Learning Environment. This webinar will be presented at 2:00PM EST and will highlight the following:
• Benefits of Standardized Assessment
• Creating a Learner Centric Course
• Building Competencies and Rubrics
Check the website below for more details and to register for one or both of these free events.
The first five people to register will receive a special early bird prize!
For more information on upcoming webinar events and topics please visit www.Desire2Learn.com/Webinars or email Webinars06@Desire2Learn.com
Two More Grant Alerts From eSchoolnews.com
$10,000 for projects that empower and promote education for women
Grant Title: AAUW Community Action Grants
Organization: American Association of University Women Educational Foundation
Eligibility: See web site
Value: $2,000-$10,000; number of awards varies
Deadline: January 15, 2007
One of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.
Contact: http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/community_a...
Free school security equipment
Grant Title: SchoolSpan Safe Schools Grant
Organization: SchoolSpan
Eligibility: K-12 schools
Value: Grants of $500
Deadline: January 15, 2007
In response to increased concern about school safety, SchoolSpan is offering a Safe Schools Grant that provides its Anonymous Alert tip line service free of charge to school districts in the U.S. and Canada, effective immediately. As a public service to help improve school safety, SchoolSpan will provide this service to schools at no cost. SchoolSpan Anonymous Alert is a web-based module that enables anyone in the school community to send an anonymous message to school officials, warning them of drugs, guns, violence, unusual student behavior, unauthorized visitors or any potential student crisis that warrants immediate attention. Information is immediately relayed via email directly to the school principal or district administrator for proper action. The system tracks IP addresses of tipsters and schools can set an optional password to limit access to those that may provide the tip to school officials.
Contact: http://www.schoolspan.com/
Welcome To The Vendor Corner
Brodart Manufactured Furniture and Shelving – 20% Off!
The Warmth of Custom Crafted Library Furniture from Brodart!
Brodart custom furniture is handcrafted from premium solid hardwoods, then covered with your choice of 6 classic wood finishes. Or choose from 29 high-pressure laminates for a durable work surface that resists scratches, stains and fading. Brodart custom manufactures circulation desks, tables, chairs, technology stations and lounge furniture, and every piece is UL-listed and meets or exceeds strict ANSI-BIFMA standards.
Create your own library by selecting from seven exclusive Brodart designs, including our newest line of Ovation furniture with 2” laser-cut circle accents for a contemporary look. Choose from a wide variety of Brodart solid wood shelving, including tilt and store periodical shelving, glass-door shelving , picture book shelving and more. Brodart’s line of Omega shelving combines the beauty of wood with economical metal shelves, and our Design-Flex™ Shelving allows you to choose the configuration and the shelf style.
See our complete selection of Brodart manufactured Furniture and Shelving in our 2006 catalog or go online at www.shopbrodart.com.
For more information on products and services for MiCTA members from Brodart:
Call: 1-800-233-8467 ext. 4338
Click: www.shopbrodart.com/pricing/micta/
Fax: 1-800-578-1064
Gateway Monthly Special-M285 Tablet computer for under $1400! Save Over $250 on the M285 by calling Matthew Barry at 800-846-2042 ext. 25373 or click this link to view the quote.
1) Which horse won all races in the Triple Crown in 1973?
A) Affirmed
B) Citation
C) Secretariat
D) Avatar
2) I rise in northern France and I am one of Europe's major rivers. I flow northwards to Belgium and then to the Netherlands, finally splitting in two before entering the North Sea. My name at the end of my journey is different from the name I started with. What is my first name?
A) Meuse
B) Rhone
C) Rhine
D) Seine
3) I rise in the Cumberland mountains and flow north-west past Frankfort and into the Ohio River. What river am I?
A) Kentucky
B) Wabash
C) Ohio
D) Allegheny
4) What is the average life span of a red blood cell?
A) 120 days
B) Unknown
C) 6 hours
D) 7 days
For answers to "Just for Fun", please visit the Members' homepage.
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