IT investment cost-cutter for Childcare Assn

IT investment cost-cutter for Childcare Association

Technology is helping Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa / the New Zealand Childcare Association maximise its resources and cut operating costs.

The national training provider for early childhood teachers recently implemented a Telecom–managed high-speed, private data network to link its 15 nationwide sites to a central head office server in Wellington.

The Private Office network, which uses Telecom’s secure private network rather than the public Internet, facilitates the sharing of databases and easy transfer of emails and documents.

Association Chief Executive Rose Cole says the benefits of the network were evident from day one, improving between site co-ordination and record keeping and helping the association keep better track of its 450-plus students.

“The network helps us use our resources more efficiently. Changes in student numbers at any one time or place can cause the numbers of teachers to go up and down. Because student files are now saved centrally, it’s easier to track these changes and move our resources to meet demand, without having to recapitalise.

“This is a huge benefit, as we are always working to the margins.”

Because the Private Office network enables thin client technology, all IT needs can be met from the Wellington server, significantly reducing hardware, software, support and administration costs.

The investment was part of a staged development plan, which began with the establishment of a new Wellington head office in 2001, Mrs Cole says.

“First we set up head office and now that we have improved the communication and administration side of the business we can start to look forward to other areas of development.”

The association is anticipating cost savings through more efficient sharing of resources and information, she says.

“For an organisation such as ours, it’s important to always look for ways we can make savings. Telecom’s Private Office network has allowed us to do this and is helping us achieve our aim of providing a high standard of early childhood education training in New Zealand.”

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