I Date: May, 2023 I Full PDF can be downloaded here

What’s New!

4 in 5 K-12 Schools Considering Purchases, Upgrades

Article by Robin Hattersley of Campus Safety

…As stated previously, demand for new or upgraded systems is greater than ever. More than seven out of 10 respondents are either planning on deploying new or upgraded emergency notification solutions in the next two years (35%) or are not sure but considering doing so (36%).

However, when broken down by sector, K-12 schools and school districts appear to be leading the pack with 42% saying they plan on upgrading their systems and another 42% saying they are thinking about it. Although we can’t know for sure, that last May’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, may be a motivating factor.

Higher ed respondents are close behind K-12 schools at 37% and 30% respectively, compared to healthcare at 26% and 39% respectively.

At 30%, mobile apps are the most popular mass notification solution that campuses plan on upgrading or purchasing in the next two years.  Panic buttons and text message alert systems are close behind, with 25% of all survey takers saying they plan on upgrading or purchasing these solutions in the next 24 months. It should be noted that K-12 school respondents are the most likely to be planning purchases or upgrades of panic buttons: 35% compared to 19% of colleges, universities, and trade schools, and 17% of hospitals.

At 27%, K-12 campuses are also taking the lead in planning to upgrade or purchase intercoms/overhead paging systems, compared to only 13% of institutions of higher education and 4% of healthcare facilities. However, healthcare respondents lead the pack in their plans to acquire or upgrade digital signage: 22%, compared to 17% for higher ed and 14% of K-12.

At 11% and 9% respectively, higher ed and healthcare respondents were much more likely than their K-12 brethren to say they plan on purchasing or upgrading their call boxes.

A significant portion of survey takers still appear to be trying to decide what they will get. More than one in five respondents (21%) don’t know which emergency notification systems they will be upgrading….”

About Us

Who we are

ECC Technologies was incorporated in 1995 to provide technology and communications consulting services to Educational, Community, and Corporate (ECC) clients. This was at the time when the nation’s telecom- communications industry was changing drastically through deregulation.

For the past 20 years, ECC has provided technology and security consulting services to education, municipalities, government, and corporate clients.

ECC continues our mission to assist clients with the expansion of broadband and the implementation of technology and security solutions in communities to improve economic development, public safety, education, and health- care services.

Success Stories - ErieNET Business Plan and Design

Issue

Erie County recognized the need to solve their digital divide. They adopted a legislative resolution to form a local development corporation named ErieNET, to build, manage and support the county-wide OAN. They needed an experienced firm to help them through the process of developing a comprehensive business plan addressing route design, administration, marketing, and operations. Erie County determined through a competitive review of firm qualifications that ECC Technologies was the strongest team for a successful project.

Solution

ECC Technologies developed a business plan and network route design to fulfill the mandate. The business model encompassed several areas; mission statement, market analysis, route design & CAIs, construction cost and process modeling, launch services, a marketing plan for future growth, operation development, governance and responsibility allocation, financial projections, and sample operating agreements.

Outcome

ECC Technologies’ analysis and recommendations determined that the ErieNET Business Plan is an economically viable and sustainable business model.  Construction and ongoing administration, sales, and operations for a 5-year launch period will be covered using federal ARP funds; and in year 6 and onward ErieNET revenues will be sustainable for a successful and profitable operation.

Erie County is currently proceeding with a 400-mile network design and construction management contract with ECC Tech to design and manage the construction of the ErieNET OAN.