International Horizons College selected an all-SaaS cloud-based IT infrastructure with no servers to create a cost-effective and agile learning environment. This included networking, hardware, and education applications provided as managed services by du. The cloud-based model with Google Apps, video conferencing, and a mobile-first approach allows for powerful collaboration between students and faculty both on-campus and remotely. Choosing SaaS avoided the high costs and complexity of maintaining physical infrastructure, while still providing state-of-the-art learning technology.
Indiana University - IT Service Firm Helps University Improve Communication, ...Ellie Vollerthum
"When you replace a 20-year-old phone and voice-mail system with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Exchange Unified Messaging, there’s no comparison." Director of Informational Technology.
Training and development through e learning a case studyTapasya123
Telecom sector plays an important role in supporting the growth of other
sectors of the Indian economy .Indian Telecom Industry has a multiplier
effect in the country and also contributes in the efficiency of the economy
India's internet industry is expected to contributes US$ 100 billion to
India's gross domestic product (GDP). With contributing of about 5.3% in
India’s GDP, telecommunications with Information Technology has
significantly accelerated the growth rate of the economic and social sectors
of India very clearly. In fact, the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP 2012)
works with a vision to transform the country into a more empowered and
inclusive knowledge-based country, using telecommunications as an
important platform. According to the World Bank, a 10% increase in
mobile penetration boosts per capita and GDP by 0.8% points in developing
nations. Through this paper researcher wants to discuss
telecommunication sector as a prime driver in accelerating India’s
economic growth. Indian Telecom Industry has a multiplier effect in the
country and also contributes in the efficiency of the economy.
Powering E-Learning with the Enterprise YouTubeMediaPlatform
There was once a time when workplace learning was uninspiring and involved nothing more than a classroom, an instructor, and a heavy binder of content. An evolution in how training is created and delivered is changing all that.
By offering a more impactful learning experience, companies embracing the enterprise YouTube for e-learning are benefitting from a collaborative, engaged, and educated workforce. Best of all, these companies are seeing an immediate impact on their bottom line.
UpGrad - our vision for online higher education UpGrad
For individuals looking to advance in their professional journey, UpGrad will empower them to reach their full professional potential, through our rigourous and engaging online learning courses developed with the best-in-class faculty and industry and always-on, personalised support.
This slideshare throws a little more light on who we are and our vision for online higher education in India
For an organisation human resource is an altogether important asset.
Skills and knowledge of people are the driving force of growth and social
development. Training and Development ensure that employees may
develop competencies and maximise their potential. The major factor
hindering employees training are time and budget. The emerging trends in
technologies require development of new skills and knowledge so as to
meet the emerging challenges. Therefore, companies are nowadays
focusing on advanced and effective training methods to train and develop
their people. E-learning is becoming a dominant tool that is widely used in
organisations worldwide for the purpose of employee training. This case
study identifies the use of E-learning for training and development
processes within the organisations being studied.
Annual Survey: Online Executive Education in India: July 2012Pranab Singh
“Annual Survey Report 2012 - Online Executive Education in India” is an initiative by AVAGMAH Online School to gauge awareness & perception about online education in India. The aim of survey was to: understand demographics & student profile; identify the factors that drive executives to online education; understand the perceived value students’ gain from such a program and identify future trends in the industry.
A presentation at Connect More in England (Manchester), 27 June 2019.
Speaker: Aftab Hussain Strategic ILT Leader, Bolton College.
Hear how Ada, a digital assistant powered by artificial intelligence (AI), has enabled Bolton College to provide personalised and contextualised one-to-one support for every student on the campus. Beacon assessors describe Ada as “potentially a game changer for the whole of the FE sector.
Establishing a culture to transform the use of technology across the whole co...Jisc
A presentation at Connect More in England (Manchester), 27 June 2019.
Speaker: Steven Hope, head of independent learning, Leeds City College.
Establishing a culture to transform the use of technology across the whole college In this session Steven will draw on his experience from Leeds City College and talk through how to set a vision and strategy that drives technological transformation and creates a culture where experimentation with technology is celebrated.
Steven will also discuss what professional development and CPD strategies look like at Leeds City College and how they have supported the creation of this culture.
Hybrid Training Resource Management: Keys to Transforming Your Learning Tech ...Training Orchestra
Before the pandemic, coordinating resources for virtual and in-person training was challenging enough. Then overnight, classrooms shifted online. Now as new hybrid training models emerge, the process of organizing and tracking resources has become more complex than ever.
Are you still struggling to get by with spreadsheets and email as your primary training coordination tools? How can a specialized solution help?
Find out how to conquer these issues by joining us for this informative roundtable with industry experts:
John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning
Tynan Fischer, VP at United Training, and
Stephan Pineau, CEO at Training Orchestra
You’ll learn:
How hybrid learning models are changing, and what that means for resource management
Which strategies work best when transforming training operations
How to integrate specialized resource management tools into your learning ecosystem
Steps for effective implementation and rollout
What kind of results to expect, and how to measure business impact
Don’t miss this opportunity to get practical insights and advice directly from innovators in professional learning strategy and technology!
Powerplan: the alternative software for presentations at local area network u...IJECEIAES
Software development from the results of this research is not only beneficial for educational institutions but also for personal or specific institutions and institutions who want to conduct seminars, presentations, or other activities that involve many audiences. The advantage is that the audience will not experience problems such as when using an LCD projector, such as limited visibility, location or space, and the viewpoint of the audience on the Projectors. This research can be the answer to the need for using LCD projectors that often occur in the process of education, meetings, or seminars that continue to increase every time. Also, the lack of LCD compared to the number of teaching needs in each class and the unstable electricity conditions and the low electricity ratio in East Nusa Tenggara, so that makes the device LCD vulnerable to damage. Testing on LAN networks withthe same number of clients on each test shows that there was an increase of 18% and 75% in each addition to the number of servers. The best performance of Powerplan is still shown when the number of servers that present several five, with the response time of each client connected under two seconds.
Indiana University - IT Service Firm Helps University Improve Communication, ...Ellie Vollerthum
"When you replace a 20-year-old phone and voice-mail system with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Exchange Unified Messaging, there’s no comparison." Director of Informational Technology.
Training and development through e learning a case studyTapasya123
Telecom sector plays an important role in supporting the growth of other
sectors of the Indian economy .Indian Telecom Industry has a multiplier
effect in the country and also contributes in the efficiency of the economy
India's internet industry is expected to contributes US$ 100 billion to
India's gross domestic product (GDP). With contributing of about 5.3% in
India’s GDP, telecommunications with Information Technology has
significantly accelerated the growth rate of the economic and social sectors
of India very clearly. In fact, the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP 2012)
works with a vision to transform the country into a more empowered and
inclusive knowledge-based country, using telecommunications as an
important platform. According to the World Bank, a 10% increase in
mobile penetration boosts per capita and GDP by 0.8% points in developing
nations. Through this paper researcher wants to discuss
telecommunication sector as a prime driver in accelerating India’s
economic growth. Indian Telecom Industry has a multiplier effect in the
country and also contributes in the efficiency of the economy.
Powering E-Learning with the Enterprise YouTubeMediaPlatform
There was once a time when workplace learning was uninspiring and involved nothing more than a classroom, an instructor, and a heavy binder of content. An evolution in how training is created and delivered is changing all that.
By offering a more impactful learning experience, companies embracing the enterprise YouTube for e-learning are benefitting from a collaborative, engaged, and educated workforce. Best of all, these companies are seeing an immediate impact on their bottom line.
UpGrad - our vision for online higher education UpGrad
For individuals looking to advance in their professional journey, UpGrad will empower them to reach their full professional potential, through our rigourous and engaging online learning courses developed with the best-in-class faculty and industry and always-on, personalised support.
This slideshare throws a little more light on who we are and our vision for online higher education in India
For an organisation human resource is an altogether important asset.
Skills and knowledge of people are the driving force of growth and social
development. Training and Development ensure that employees may
develop competencies and maximise their potential. The major factor
hindering employees training are time and budget. The emerging trends in
technologies require development of new skills and knowledge so as to
meet the emerging challenges. Therefore, companies are nowadays
focusing on advanced and effective training methods to train and develop
their people. E-learning is becoming a dominant tool that is widely used in
organisations worldwide for the purpose of employee training. This case
study identifies the use of E-learning for training and development
processes within the organisations being studied.
Annual Survey: Online Executive Education in India: July 2012Pranab Singh
“Annual Survey Report 2012 - Online Executive Education in India” is an initiative by AVAGMAH Online School to gauge awareness & perception about online education in India. The aim of survey was to: understand demographics & student profile; identify the factors that drive executives to online education; understand the perceived value students’ gain from such a program and identify future trends in the industry.
A presentation at Connect More in England (Manchester), 27 June 2019.
Speaker: Aftab Hussain Strategic ILT Leader, Bolton College.
Hear how Ada, a digital assistant powered by artificial intelligence (AI), has enabled Bolton College to provide personalised and contextualised one-to-one support for every student on the campus. Beacon assessors describe Ada as “potentially a game changer for the whole of the FE sector.
Establishing a culture to transform the use of technology across the whole co...Jisc
A presentation at Connect More in England (Manchester), 27 June 2019.
Speaker: Steven Hope, head of independent learning, Leeds City College.
Establishing a culture to transform the use of technology across the whole college In this session Steven will draw on his experience from Leeds City College and talk through how to set a vision and strategy that drives technological transformation and creates a culture where experimentation with technology is celebrated.
Steven will also discuss what professional development and CPD strategies look like at Leeds City College and how they have supported the creation of this culture.
Hybrid Training Resource Management: Keys to Transforming Your Learning Tech ...Training Orchestra
Before the pandemic, coordinating resources for virtual and in-person training was challenging enough. Then overnight, classrooms shifted online. Now as new hybrid training models emerge, the process of organizing and tracking resources has become more complex than ever.
Are you still struggling to get by with spreadsheets and email as your primary training coordination tools? How can a specialized solution help?
Find out how to conquer these issues by joining us for this informative roundtable with industry experts:
John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning
Tynan Fischer, VP at United Training, and
Stephan Pineau, CEO at Training Orchestra
You’ll learn:
How hybrid learning models are changing, and what that means for resource management
Which strategies work best when transforming training operations
How to integrate specialized resource management tools into your learning ecosystem
Steps for effective implementation and rollout
What kind of results to expect, and how to measure business impact
Don’t miss this opportunity to get practical insights and advice directly from innovators in professional learning strategy and technology!
Powerplan: the alternative software for presentations at local area network u...IJECEIAES
Software development from the results of this research is not only beneficial for educational institutions but also for personal or specific institutions and institutions who want to conduct seminars, presentations, or other activities that involve many audiences. The advantage is that the audience will not experience problems such as when using an LCD projector, such as limited visibility, location or space, and the viewpoint of the audience on the Projectors. This research can be the answer to the need for using LCD projectors that often occur in the process of education, meetings, or seminars that continue to increase every time. Also, the lack of LCD compared to the number of teaching needs in each class and the unstable electricity conditions and the low electricity ratio in East Nusa Tenggara, so that makes the device LCD vulnerable to damage. Testing on LAN networks withthe same number of clients on each test shows that there was an increase of 18% and 75% in each addition to the number of servers. The best performance of Powerplan is still shown when the number of servers that present several five, with the response time of each client connected under two seconds.
EFFECTIVE WAYS CLOUD COMPUTING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EDUCATION SUCCESSacijjournal
Cloud computing and education sounds ambiguous on the face of it. Naturally, it’s because, very few individuals, publishers and users alike come from the education sector. In most cases, cloud computing is only associated with businesses and how they can leverage their efficiencies. Just to introduce how the cloud deserves a place in our current education institution, it’s important to reiterate the education philosophy. Its essence is knowledge. It’s this knowledge which brings advancement, achievement and success. However, there are several things which make these parameters unattainable. In blunt language,this is failure. Small classrooms, lack or resources, short-handed staff, lack of adequate teachers…the list is endless. One way or the other, cloud computing can be utilized to improve education standards and activities. The end result will be to curb the above problems and instead, boost performance.
E-learning, often known as "online learning," "virtual learning," "remote learning," and other similar terms, is an alternative to traditional classroom instruction. "Distance education," "digital learning," or "mobile learning." E-learning involves using several distinct technologies, including the web, open broadcast, loop, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fibre optics, satellite, wireless communications equipment, audio/video conferencing, and others, for one-way or two-way transmission. To improve educational knowledge, e-learning makes use of interactive technology and communication infrastructure. It has the ability to change how we typically teach and learn across the board. It will improve standards and increase long-term learning involvement. Although it cannot completely replace teachers and lecturers, it will improve the quality and scope of their instruction and reduce the time spent on administration. Each learner will be changed to reach his or her full potential, and it will make it easier to give an academic force the freedom to change. It makes a very ambitious educational system for an emerging learning society feasible. As demand grows, there is a need to standardise the E-learning system and to use new technologies to raise the standard of the current system. Despite the fact that many corporations and academic institutions have previously adopted various standards, there are still certain issues with these standards' benefits and drawbacks that must be addressed by incorporating new technical standards into the current norms to improve their usability and systematicity
Hospital in order to host multimedia content, licenses and staff in-service education in learning, learning
platform to promote construction of the clouds. In this study, quantitative research to explore the building
through the clouds to enhance the learning platform with the hospital staff in the benefits of the correlation.
First, literature review to identify the factors that measure the effectiveness of e-learning. Second, using a
questionnaire designed to identify factors that enhance the effectiveness of online learning platform and
build the relationship between the cloud-learning platforms to identify design strategies. The again, using
these factors to design cloud e-learning platform for hospital. Finally, the assessment review of the
applicability of the cloud-learning platform.
THE USE OF CLOUD E-LEARNING PLATFORM TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY OF HOSPITAL IN JOB...ijcsit
Hospital in order to host multimedia content, licenses and staff in-service education in learning, learning platform to promote construction of the clouds. In this study, quantitative research to explore the building through the clouds to enhance the learning platform with the hospital staff in the benefits of the correlation.
First, literature review to identify the factors that measure the effectiveness of e-learning. Second, using a questionnaire designed to identify factors that enhance the effectiveness of online learning platform and build the relationship between the cloud-learning platforms to identify design strategies. The again, using these factors to design cloud e-learning platform for hospital. Finally, the assessment review of the applicability of the cloud-learning platform.
Hospital in order to host multimedia content, licenses and staff in-service education in learning, learning platform to promote construction of the clouds. In this study, quantitative research to explore the building through the clouds to enhance the learning platform with the hospital staff in the benefits of the correlation. First, literature review to identify the factors that measure the effectiveness of e-learning. Second, using a questionnaire designed to identify factors that enhance the effectiveness of online learning platform and build the relationship between the cloud-learning platforms to identify design strategies. The again, using these factors to design cloud e-learning platform for hospital. Finally, the assessment review of the applicability of the cloud-learning platform.
Importance of cloud computing in education sector!Sushil Deshmukh
Check the requirements of the institutes as well as guarantee that quality training is given to each student after his participation, class exhibitions and so on can be adequately kept up without stressing for the framework issue. The cloud guarantees that students, instructors, personnel, guardians, and staff have access to basic data utilizing any gadget from anyplace. Both open and private foundations can utilize the cloud to convey better administrations, even as they work with fewer assets
The report will covers case studies of mobile technology pilots over two sessions in 2012 in a learning and teaching context. It will discusses the results of the surveys undertaken as part of the Project, to highlight the successes and failures of these pilots. The report also outlines the work done, and the results so far, in the development of a mobile solution for CSU Subject Outlines and learning resources.
The session includes a brief history of the evolution of search before diving into the roles technology, content, and links play in developing a powerful SEO strategy in a world of Generative AI and social search. Discover how to optimize for TikTok searches, Google's Gemini, and Search Generative Experience while developing a powerful arsenal of tools and templates to help maximize the effectiveness of your SEO initiatives.
Key Takeaways:
Understand how search engines work
Be able to find out where your users search
Know what is required for each discipline of SEO
Feel confident creating an SEO Plan
Confidently measure SEO performance
The What, Why & How of 3D and AR in Digital CommercePushON Ltd
Vladimir Mulhem has over 20 years of experience in commercialising cutting edge creative technology across construction, marketing and retail.
Previously the founder and Tech and Innovation Director of Creative Content Works working with the likes of Next, John Lewis and JD Sport, he now helps retailers, brands and agencies solve challenges of applying the emerging technologies 3D, AR, VR and Gen AI to real-world problems.
In this webinar, Vladimir will be covering the following topics:
Applications of 3D and AR in Digital Commerce,
Benefits of 3D and AR,
Tools to create, manage and publish 3D and AR in Digital Commerce.
In this presentation, Danny Leibrandt explains the impact of AI on SEO and what Google has been doing about it. Learn how to take your SEO game to the next level and win over Google with his new strategy anyone can use. Get actionable steps to rank your name, your business, and your clients on Google - the right way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Real content is king
2. Find ways to show EEAT
3. Repurpose across all platforms
A.I. (artificial intelligence) platforms are popping up all the time, and many of them can and should be used to help grow your brand, increase your sales and decrease your marketing costs.In this presentation:We will review some of the best AI platforms that are available for you to use.We will interact with some of the platforms in real-time, so attendees can see how they work.We will also look at some current brands that are using AI to help them create marketing messages, saving them time and money in the process. Lastly, we will discuss the pros and cons of using AI in marketing & branding and have a lively conversation that includes comments from the audience.
Key Takeaways:
Attendees will learn about LLM platforms, like ChatGPT, and how they work, with preset examples and real time interactions with the platform. Attendees will learn about other AI platforms that are creating graphic design elements at the push of a button...pre-set examples and real-time interactions.Attendees will discuss the pros & cons of AI in marketing + branding and share their perspectives with one another. Attendees will learn about the cost savings and the time savings associated with using AI, should they choose to.
Digital Commerce Lecture for Advanced Digital & Social Media Strategy at UCLA...Valters Lauzums
E-commerce in 2024 is characterized by a dynamic blend of opportunities and significant challenges. Supply chain disruptions and inventory shortages are critical issues, leading to increased shipping delays and rising costs, which impact timely delivery and squeeze profit margins. Efficient logistics management is essential, yet it is often hampered by these external factors. Payment processing, while needing to ensure security and user convenience, grapples with preventing fraud and integrating diverse payment methods, adding another layer of complexity. Furthermore, fulfillment operations require a streamlined approach to handle volume spikes and maintain accuracy in order picking, packing, and shipping, all while meeting customers' heightened expectations for faster delivery times.
Amid these operational challenges, customer data has emerged as an important strategy. By focusing on personalization and enhancing customer experience from historical behavior, businesses can deliver improved website and brand experienced, better product recommendations, optimal promotions, and content to meet individual preferences. Better data analytics can also help in effectively creating marketing campaigns, improving customer retention, and driving product development and inventory management.
Innovative formats such as social commerce and live shopping are beginning to impact the digital commerce landscape, offering new ways to engage with customers and drive sales, and may provide opportunity for brands that have been priced out or seen a downturn with post-pandemic shopping behavior. Social commerce integrates shopping experiences directly into social media platforms, tapping into the massive user bases of these networks to increase reach and engagement. Live shopping, on the other hand, combines entertainment and real-time interaction, providing a dynamic platform for showcasing products and encouraging immediate purchases. These innovations not only enhance customer engagement but also provide valuable data for businesses to refine their strategies and deliver superior shopping experiences.
The e-commerce sector is evolving rapidly, and businesses that effectively manage operational challenges and implement innovative strategies are best positioned for long-term success.
Mastering Local SEO for Service Businesses in the AI Era is tailored specifically for local service providers like plumbers, dentists, and others seeking to dominate their local search landscape. This session delves into leveraging AI advancements to enhance your online visibility and search rankings through the Content Factory model, designed for creating high-impact, SEO-driven content. Discover the Dollar-a-Day advertising strategy, a cost-effective approach to boost your local SEO efforts and attract more customers with minimal investment. Gain practical insights on optimizing your online presence to meet the specific needs of local service seekers, ensuring your business not only appears but stands out in local searches. This concise, action-oriented workshop is your roadmap to navigating the complexities of digital marketing in the AI age, driving more leads, conversions, and ultimately, success for your local service business.
Key Takeaways:
Embrace AI for Local SEO: Learn to harness the power of AI technologies to optimize your website and content for local search. Understand the pivotal role AI plays in analyzing search trends and consumer behavior, enabling you to tailor your SEO strategies to meet the specific demands of your target local audience. Leverage the Content Factory Model: Discover the step-by-step process of creating SEO-optimized content at scale. This approach ensures a steady stream of high-quality content that engages local customers and boosts your search rankings. Get an action guide on implementing this model, complete with templates and scheduling strategies to maintain a consistent online presence. Maximize ROI with Dollar-a-Day Advertising: Dive into the cost-effective Dollar-a-Day advertising strategy that amplifies your visibility in local searches without breaking the bank. Learn how to strategically allocate your budget across platforms to target potential local customers effectively. The session includes an action guide on setting up, monitoring, and optimizing your ad campaigns to ensure maximum impact with minimal investment.
In this presentation, Danny Leibrandt explains the impact of AI on SEO and what Google has been doing about it. Learn how to take your SEO game to the next level and win over Google with his new strategy anyone can use. Get actionable steps to rank your name, your business, and your clients on Google - the right way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Real content is king
2. Find ways to show EEAT
3. Repurpose across all platforms
Unleash the power of UK SEO with Brand Highlighters! Our guide delves into the unique search landscape of Britain, equipping you with targeted strategies to dominate UK search engine results. Discover local SEO tactics, keyword magic for UK audiences, and mobile optimization secrets. Get your website seen by the right people and propel your brand to the top of UK searches.
To learn more: https://brandhighlighters.co.uk/blog/top-seo-agencies-uk/
Most small businesses struggle to see marketing results. In this session, we will eliminate any confusion about what to do next, solving your marketing problems so your business can thrive. You’ll learn how to create a foundational marketing OS (operating system) based on neuroscience and backed by real-world results. You’ll be taught how to develop deep customer connections, and how to have your CRM dynamically segment and sell at any stage in the customer’s journey. By the end of the session, you’ll remove confusion and chaos and replace it with clarity and confidence for long-term marketing success.
Key Takeaways:
• Uncover the power of a foundational marketing system that dynamically communicates with prospects and customers on autopilot.
• Harness neuroscience and Tribal Alignment to transform your communication strategies, turning potential clients into fans and those fans into loyal customers.
• Discover the art of automated segmentation, pinpointing your most lucrative customers and identifying the optimal moments for successful conversions.
• Streamline your business with a content production plan that eliminates guesswork, wasted time, and money.
Digital Money Maker Club – von Gunnar Kessler digital.focsh890
Title One is a comprehensive examination of the impact of digital technologies on
modern society. In a world where technology continues to advance rapidly, this article delves into the nuances and complexities of the digital age, exploring Its implications across various sectors and aspects of life.
Top 3 Ways to Align Sales and Marketing Teams for Rapid GrowthDemandbase
In this session, Demandbase’s Stephanie Quinn, Sr. Director of Integrated and Digital Marketing, Devin Rosenberg, Director of Sales, and Kevin Rooney, Senior Director of Sales Development will share how sales and marketing shapes their day-to-day and what key areas are needed for true alignment.
SMM Cheap - No. 1 SMM panel in the worldsmmpanel567
Boost your social media marketing with our SMM Panel services offering SMM Cheap services! Get cost-effective services for your business and increase followers, likes, and engagement across all social media platforms. Get affordable services perfect for businesses and influencers looking to increase their social proof. See how cheap SMM strategies can help improve your social media presence and be a pro at the social media game.
Coca Cola Branding Strategy and strategic marketing plan
ACN Cover Story August 2013
1. Aligning business and IT strategies in the Middle East for 28 years
HEALTHCARE IT: CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS IMPROVING HEALTH
An ITP Technology Publication August 2013 | Volume 26 Issue 8
Create the
cloudcampus
Enduser
Proving ID
Mobile services
require more
than two-factor
authentication
Skills certification
Certification is
essential to prove
competence and
achievements
PLUS
Dr Michael Dobe,
President and CEO
of International
Horizons College
International Horizons
College selects an all-SaaS,
no server, set-up to create
agile, cost-effective
learning environment
40
User Experience
Tailoring enterprise
applications to bring
better usability
ERPOPTIMISATION
COREAPPLICATION
GETSNEWCAPABILITIES
52
BUILD
ORBUY?
DATACENTRE
DECISIONS58
Dubai Financial
Market cuts downtime
Hosted backup helps
DFM to stay online
46
3. August 2013 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS 41
/INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
August 2013 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS 41
/INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
WHEN INTERNATIONAL HORIZONS COLLEGE SET UP
OPERATIONS IN DUBAI, IT WANTED TO KEEP ITS SYSTEMS
SIMPLE YET ENABLE POWERFUL COLLABORATION
BETWEEN STUDENTS AND STAFF. IT TURNED TO DU,
TO DEVELOP AN EXTENSIVE MANAGED SERVICES
PACKAGE, INCLUDING NETWORKS, HARDWARE AND
EDUCATION APPLICATIONS IN THE CLOUD
BY MARK SUTTON
Dr Michael Dobe,
Ph.D, president
and CEO of
International
Horizon’s
College, a
new American
Honours College
in Dubai.
CREATING
A CAMPUS
IN THE CLOUD
4. /INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
42 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS August 2013
etting up green field operations can
be an expensive and time consum-
ing business for any organisation,
but for the education sector, where
expenditure ideally is focused on
learning rather than support struc-
tures, it is even more important that
every dollar is spent wisely. With the
education sector increasingly moving
towards connected classrooms and
a much greater degree of technology
in teaching however, delivering the
modern systems and infrastructure to
enable state-of-the-art learning while
keeping IT investment under control
is a difficult proposition. For Interna-
tional Horizons College (IHC), a new
American Honours College, based in
Dubai, the solution to how to deliver a
21st century learning experience without major investment, was to
turn to the cloud.
Dr Michael Dobe, President and CEO of IHC, said that the col-
lege, which offers two-year Associate of Arts degrees, aims to take
a global, collaborative approach to learning, and to give its high-
performing students an advanced and open learning environment,
to prepare them for study in leading US academic institutions. The
college teaches the American curriculum, and has a partnership
with another two year college in the US, to provide pathways into
the prestigious University of California system. IHC was accred-
ited by UAE authorities in December, and took on a small group of
students in January. The college will have a full launch in Autumn,
with the aim of taking on 50 students.
As a ‘start-up’ operation, with no existing infrastructure, IHC
could be flexible in terms of IT, but it was very much committed to
putting technology, such as videoconferencing at the heart of teach-
ing, Dobe explained. Solutions such as high-definition video are a
vital part of IHC’s vision of a Global Classroom, which enables face-
to-face collaboration between students and faculty in Dubai, and
with their counterparts at the partner college in the US. The aim is
to expose students to US teaching methods, and foster collabora-
tion, rather than to create a distance learning program.
“We don’t use it as a distance education platform, we use it as a
face-to-face virtual enhancement. We are all about the global class-
room, the physical facilities are critical to us,” Dobe said. “We really
value face-to-face, whether it is physical or virtual, we value the
interaction between students and faculty, and we share the skepti-
cism about the quality issues of fully online distance programs. Our
model is face-to-face, where the quality of instruction and interac-
tion between the faculty and students is at the heart of the experi-
ence — you can’t replace that with a blog.”
The solution to putting in high end solutions, without the at-
tendant costs, support requirements, time to deploy and complex-
ity, was to look to managed services. Dobe has previous experience
with managed services, both in the region and the US and Europe,
and has even worked as a managed service CIO. IHC turned to
UAE telco du, to see what could be developed in terms of managed
services. Using his past experience with managed solutions, Dobe
IHC has a ‘no servers
now or in future’
policy, with all
applications taken
on a SaaS basis, and
virtual docs preferred
over hard copy.
5. August 2013 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS 43
/INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
worked with du to develop a wide-ranging deal, which involves
du providing connectivity to the campus, hosting applications, and
providing the hardware and software systems such as video confer-
encing cameras, all delivered in a hosted model.
“We have a unique relationship with du, they are a very agile
company, they have been very co-operative and very flexible,” Dobe
said. “We are getting solutions from du — we don’t focus on the
equipment, we focus on what we need the functionality to be. du is
able to meet our needs in a way that blends networking, hardware
and software, so that it is transparent to us which components we
are actually getting from them. The equipment in the classrooms,
no one has ever gotten that as part of a bundle [before], we devel-
oped that with du as a complete end-to-end solution.”
IHC is a ‘campus in the cloud’ both physically, as well as tech-
nological. Located on the forty-second floor of the U-Bora Tower
in Dubai’s Business Bay, the college benefits from being in a brand
new building, with good IT infrastructure and connectivity. With
all of the college’s systems in the cloud, a stable, resilient network
connection was required, and du provides a two fibre run to IHC to
ensure constant availability and no single point of failure.
In terms of applications, IHC has committed to an all Software-
as-a-Service model, with no in-house coding and no servers on the
premises, now or in future.
The student information management system is sourced from a
cloud provider in the US, and because the UAE Ministry of Educa-
tion has based its best practice approaches on US accreditation
“WE BELIEVE
STRONGLY THAT THE
PLACE FOR OUR IT
PEOPLE IS WITH
STUDENTS AND
FACULTY, HELPING
THEM WITH THEIR
LEARNING, NOT
IN THE BACK
OFFICE WRITING
CUSTOM CODE OR
SETTING UP SERVER
INFRASTRUCTURE.”
6. /INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
44 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS August 2013
bodies, maintenance of course materials and so on, this meant that
the system could be used out-of-the-box, costing 10-20% of what an
on-premise system would have cost.
For the learning and collaboration applications, IHC selected
Google Apps for Education, Dobe explained: “We use a number of
different systems that are cloud-based that enable collaboration
with faculty and students. The baseline that we established was
Google apps, we thought the email was a great fit, but it is more
than just email. Google Apps for Education includes docs, spread-
sheets, videos, groupware, you can have a common discussion
group etc.
“We use the full range of Google Apps for Education to provide
people with the ability to collaborate on the cloud. That means they
have a time when they are sitting in the same room, they can be
working through the cloud on their laptops, or they could continue
that conversation when they are back at their apartments, so a
student can collaborate with another student, they can reach out to
a faculty member, they are always connected. Remote collaboration
is not a substitute for face-to-face, it is a way of extending it, and
continuing the conversation even though you are not physically in
the same room,” he added.
One benefit of the SaaS approach is that, as a relatively small
learning establishment, IHC is able to access powerful solutions
without having to scale down systems meant for larger organisa-
tions. It also has green benefits, Dobe said.
“Everything for us is born digital, and we can ad hoc produce
the print copies. We have only used three reams of paper on our
printer since opening, so we think that’s a win for green computing.
It is just more logical, I travel a lot, and I have to have to access to all
of the materials, and I can’t just bring it with me. It is an operational
KIT LIST
Google Apps for Education
Polycom RealPresence video solutions
Polycom EagleEye Director cameras
Polycom RealPresence Desktop 3.0
Blackboard Learning Management System
Vaddio Cameras
Vaddio whiteboard Squiggle Kit
Steelcase media:scape collaboration systems
MacBook Pro
Google Android Nexus Tablets
Samsung S3/S4 smartphones
BlueCoat Systems managed video caching services
All of IHC’s
infrastructure and
solutions have been
provisioned from du
as managed services,
saving cost and
complexity, says Dobe.
7. August 2013 ARABIAN COMPUTER NEWS 45
/INTERNATIONALHORIZONSCOLLEGE
necessity, an academic benefit, and an environmental benefit too.”
The hosted systems also means a much smaller IT staff require-
ment — the college has just one IT support person, compared to
the 12 that Dobe estimates an inhouse approach would require. The
managed services also mean more time for the IT staff to work with
students and faculty.
“We believe strongly that the place for our IT people is with
students and faculty, helping them with their learning, not in the
back office writing custom code or setting up server infrastructure -
that is just not a good use of higher ed. dollars,” Dobe explained.
One fifth of all the courses and lessons are delivered from the
partner campus in California, using Blackboard’s Learning Man-
agement System, and it is here, as well as in connecting faculty
and students to each other, that the Managed Video-as-a-Service
(MVaaS) solution that du is hosting plays a vital role.
The solution uses Polycom RealPres-
ence HDX video systems equipped with
Polycom EagleEye Director cameras,
Vaddio cameras and interactive white-
board solutions in the classrooms, to give
very high quality telepresence. The system
includes a cloud-based Polycom RealPres-
ence Collaboration Server and Polycom
RSS recording and streaming software
delivered by Polycom local partner FVC
and du. The whole systems is integrated
and managed by du. IHC also has a Steel-
case media:scape collaboration workspace
system, for collaborative work groups. The
system is used not just for learning, but for
faculty meetings and interviewing.
Mobility is also a big part of the
infrastructure, with all students, faculty
and staff being issued with MacBook Pro,
with Polycom RealPresence Desktop 3.0
software, to enable remote video confer-
encing. The same model of MacBook Pro
is used throughout, to simplify adminis-
tration and ensure a uniform experience.
Students also have Google Android Nexus
tablets while staff have Samsung S3 and S4
smartphones to also enable a wide degree
of flexibility for mobile connection.
Dobe says that in future the college will look at mobile device
management solutions, not to close off systems, but to facilitate bet-
ter collaboration and interaction. It is part of an open approach to
sharing of content and access.
“One of the things that has always been a real frustration to
faculty, is all of these layers of complex passwords, user names,
segregation of access, it has been a long history, the last couple of
decades, in higher ed. of blocking and filtering and not allowing
people to get access to things,” Dobe said.
“We don’t do that — our access is open, the whole model is to
keep it open, and allow faculty, staff, students and visitors to use
the systems. Where we need to protect our student data we do so,
but we want our users to share Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint
presentations. Higher Education is not about guarding secrets, but
rather about broadening the corpus of human knowledge.”
“REMOTE COLLABORATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE,
IT IS A WAY OF EXTENDING IT, AND CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT PHYSICALLY IN THE SAME ROOM.”