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The Washington Network, Inc. Fosters Technology Adoption with K-12 Schools

 

Leading Unified Communications Provider Helps Education Leverage Today’s Technology

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA — November 14,2013 — The Washington Network, a leading provider of unified communications, announced today that the company will be launching a program designed specifically for the education market. Today’s teachers are utilizing outdated technology which is not only robbing them of much needed functionality but is also incurring unnecessary expenses during tough economic times. The Washington Network is actively spreading awareness about several of today’s technology advancements which increase a school’s capacity to collaborate, establish continuous communication channels and most importantly, improve overall campus security. These developments are affecting the lives of students, teachers, faculty, administrators and parents alike.

             “Today’s school phone system is not like our parents’ phone system,” stated RickEndres, Presidentof The Washington Network. “Today, we’re able to provide educators with dramatically greater levels of communication and security than ever before. Frankly, this technology simply didn’t exist in years past, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to bring this caliber of technology to our school systems, for a cost that they can actually afford, especially since the features are much needed.”

            One of the growing concerns of schools across the nation is security. With the unfortunate growth of domestic terrorism, this issue of campus safety has come to the forefront of discussion. Recent advancements in technology have given The Washington Network the ability to increase overall campus security like never before. One example is the development in instant messaging capabilities. For instance, in the event of an intruder on campus, students and teachers are now able to receive instant notification on their phones and 911 lockdowns are immediately initiated. In the event of such an emergency, two-way classroom communication allows teachers to speak back and forth with a central office than waiting for help. Such security is invaluable and provides far greater levels of comfort for parents and local district officials of schools that are deploying this type of technology.

            Another far less dramatic usage for the same instant mass messaging technology, is targeted group messaging. An example of this in action would be if a basketball game were being cancelled, all patrons, students, athletes, officials, parents and transportation could immediately be notified of the cancellation, instead of having to coordinate with everyone separately. Furthermore, these messaging functions also ensure that the sent messages are delivered, received and read by the intended recipient, adding a new element of clarity.

Another in-classroom example of new technology impacting educators is the fact that teachers can now eliminate the mundane repetitiveness of taking daily classroom attendance. It is now commonplace for students to have cell phones and teachers can now take attendance with the push of a button via cell phone. “There are plenty of features and advancements to examine that enable schools to communicate more effectively, enhance security, and save time for educators and students,” added Mr.Endres.

 

ABOUT The Washington Network, Inc.

 

Founded in 1987, The Washington Network, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia, provides computer networks, VoIP phone systems, IT support and other technology solutions for associations and businesses in the Washington, DC Metro area.

Serving clients without a large in-house IT staff, The Washington Network lowers operating costs while increasing worker productivity. The company’s flat-rate managed services include remote network monitoring, preventive maintenance, help desk, redundant back-ups and on-site support.

A member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, The Washington Network has been honored as the Chamber’s Professional Service Business of the Year.

Through its strategic membership in the Technology Assurance Group, The Washington Network serves and supports clients with multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada.

The Washington Network is located at 30 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. For more information on The Washington Network, call 703.212.7100 or visit www.WashingtonNetwork.com.

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