Cloud Computing
In the next 5 years, with the increasing utilisation of ‘cloud based’ technologies, school buildings will become points of connectivity and providers of specialist resources.
Cloud computing services support learning anytime, anywhere by anyone. We believe this approach will help develop and support a more personalised curriculum. With online access to productivity, collaboration and communication tools that can be securely accessed from any Internet connection, cloud computing will enable schools and academies to build links with other institutions nationally and globally through collaborative projects.
The cloud based approach will also enable greater integration and the potential to create a virtual learning community by supporting the creation and delivery of a personalised and virtual curriculum.
Server and Storage technologies are complimented by Microsoft 365. Which offers an extended network infrastructure platform to allow users additional storage and applications available over the Internet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Access is securely synchronized with the internal infrastructure of the educational establishment.
Gaia has recently been working with one of its partners, Microsoft, in developing the new Microsoft 365 product set. This includes:
- Exchange Online
- SharePoint Online
- Lync Online
- Office Web Apps
- Office Professional Plus desktop software
Exchange Online
Microsoft Exchange Online is designed for organisations that want to get the benefits of cloud-based email without sacrificing the business-class capabilities that Exchange Server has been providing for decades. Built on the same technology as Exchange Server 2010, Exchange Online provides organisations with the latest capabilities including built-in archiving, optional Conversation View, and MailTips, along with powerful web-based tools for managing online deployments. With Exchange Online, Microsoft handles the on-going maintenance, patches, and upgrades of the Exchange infrastructure while providing IT administrators the control and flexibility they require.
SharePoint Online
Microsoft SharePoint Online brings together the familiar SharePoint Server technology now delivered as an online service making the power of the cloud work. SharePoint Online helps users create sites to share documents and insights with students, teachers, parents and neighboring schools.
Lync Online
Microsoft Lync Online is a next-generation cloud communications service that connects people in new ways, anytime, from anywhere. Lync Online provides intuitive communications capabilities, instant messaging, audio/video calling and a rich online meeting experience including PC-audio, video and web conferencing. Transform communication interactions with colleagues and neighboring schools into a collaborative, engaging, and effective experience.
Office Professional Plus desktop software
Microsoft Office Professional Plus offers the latest version of the Office applications, seamlessly connected and delivered with cloud services, so teachers and students can access documents, email, and calendars from virtually any device. Office Professional Plus includes the new Office Web Apps, online companions to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which allow students and teachers to review and make light edits to documents directly from a browser.
All users will benefit from the following functionality:
- Large 25 GB mailboxes and the ability to send attachments up to 25 MB
- Anywhere-access to email, important documents, contacts, and calendar on nearly any device*, including PC, Mac, Windows Phone, iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry
- Works with the programs students know and use most – Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote
- Student access to Office Web Apps for viewing, sharing and light editing of documents
- Team sites to share documents, task lists, and schedules to keep workgroups in sync
- Industry-leading, always-up-to-date antivirus and anti-spam solutions