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What is Available

Vouchers will be issued in two categories: 1) General Purpose Vouchers and 2) Software Vouchers. General Purpose Vouchers may be used to purchase specific hardware (listed below), any non-custom software for that hardware, evaluation tools, information technology (IT) services, and professional development services. IT and professional development services must be obtained from approved providers in Orange County schools. Software Vouchers may only be utilized to purchase specific categories of software (listed below) that are published or sold by any software provider. Both the General Purpose and Software

Vouchers may be applied by Orange County schools in an amount no greater than the standard academic price, or if an academic price is not available, in an amount not to exceed the normal or standard price established by the manufacturer or vendor for such software. The following list gives examples of eligible goods and services that may be purchased with one or the other category of the vouchers:

Hardware available for Orange County schools: Any new laptop, desktop, or tablet computer for any operating system platform; Peripheral devices: printers, scanners, monitors, keyboards, pointing devices (e.g., mouse, trackball, etc.); Equipment needed for networking and infrastructure (e.g., routers, servers, wireless network cards, or wireless access points); Hardware for accessing the Internet through television sets and Internet access for such hardware for students’ homes; Non-custom assistive technology devices for use by students with special needs

Software available for Orange County schools: Purchased with General Purpose Vouchers – Any non-custom software titles (any platform) that are designed for use on any qualifying hardware (see Hardware above); purchased with Software Vouchers – Specific categories of software offered by any software publisher or vendor, including: Operating system, Word processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Desktop relational database oriented towards single users and typically residing on a standard personal computer, Web-authoring, Productivity and/or Productivity Suite, Encyclopedia, Server, including client access licenses, Eligible software bundled with a computer purchased with the General Purpose Vouchers

IT Support Services available for Orange County schools: Services that primarily involve the maintenance of hardware procured through this Settlement and the installation and maintenance of software procured through this Settlement.

Professional Development Services available for Orange County schools: Professional development services directed solely at leadership development for school administrators in the use of education technology to improve learning at the site or district; Professional development services directed solely at general curriculum development and instructional strategies which utilize educational technology to improve instruction; Professional development services directed solely at the improvement of technology integration for any software title acquired through this Settlement; Training in the use of any hardware or software title acquired through this Settlement; Certification training for software and networking

What Schools are Eligible

Orange County Public school districts that have a state-approved technology plan may apply on behalf of their eligible schools. Orange County offices of education, direct-funded charter schools, and State Special Schools do not have to meet the state-approved technology plan requirement and can apply on their own behalf. “Eligible Schools,” as defined in the Settlement Agreement, means all public kindergarten through twelfth grade schools at which at least 40 percent of the attending students are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). “Eligible Schools” also include all public high schools in Orange County California that serve students from public elementary, middle, and junior high schools at which at least 40 percent of the attending students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals through the NSLP.

About the Author:

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Orange County schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/California/Orange-County/index.html

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Orange County and Microsoft Technology Voucher Program

In the fifteenth largest county in the U.S., Broward County, Florida ( www.broward.org target = "_blank">) Is growing steadily every year. In 2010, Broward County predicts the population will be about $ 2 million.

Currently serving more than 55,000 utility customers and processing more than 47,000 payments each month, the Water Services Broward County, was using an antiquated system. Hosting a large footprint NCR 7780 scanner, Broward had at home in a separate room because it was too noisy. The 7780 technology is still used of microfiche as well. With only one employee processing the payments, consulting exploration only requires about five to six hours a day.

Solution

In 2007, RemitPlus ProfitStars' system was installed along with a Canon CR-180 check scanner. The RC-180 is a small footprint, the unit desktop that runs quietly and efficiently. "RemitPlus does everything the larger system and no more," says Jerry Nickell, Customer Service Manager Water Services of Broward County.

RemitPlus allows multiple batches throughout the day as well as multiple users, freeing employees to focus on the service customer. RemitPlus search function has helped Broward County increase their level of customer service by providing immediate verification research and payment, while his client is on the phone. Before, it was a topic of research and tedious process that takes time and could not offer its customers instant feedback.

Impact

From RemitPlus allows multiple users, the processing time has been halved, with 2-3 employees in the exploration, manipulation, and verification reports. Broward County also has seen great improvements in their levels of customer approval. Before RemitPlus, had scores below 80% customer service, now from RemitPlus allows them to help their clients efficiently and timely, they are seeing the numbers grow. Reported last quarter A score of 83%.

Broward County has just ordered a second for RemitPlus remote branches and are excited about saving more time and money. They are also in process of moving from one armored vehicle to make their payments to the bank every day for electronically depositing checks at the bank, who are anticipating will save more money and allow a shorter time.

About the Author:

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – RemitPlus Processes Checks for Broward County