Waikato Testimonials
What our clients say
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, Hamilton
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls and Edtech have enjoyed a long relationship, during which the school has significantly grown its ICT use in teaching, learning and administration. Growth in ICT can be haphazard, clumsy and very expensive – as we have discovered over the years! Changes in personnel, pedagogy and use of technology has been rapid at our school, but having Edtech as our service providers has been a constant, which has been an enormous benefit. With a stable staff and quick communications and responses, Edtech is very familiar with the vision, ethos and priorities at our school, and can advise us on efficient solutions that are in keeping with our big picture.
This relationship is not one that either party takes for granted. In 2008 we tendered our service provider contract, and closely researched, using an external consultant as an advisor, the applications we received. While others could offer certain benefits to us, it was Edtech’s consistent placement of the student at the centre of their modus operandi, and their visionary approach to ICT in our school, that won them a long-term contract with us. As a result, we are now able to work as a team, setting a clear direction for ICT, and planning further ahead than we could before.
We have a site-specialist engineer working on our server and networks fortnightly, and a support technician in the school on a weekly basis. Both are considered part of our school team, and interact positively and constructively with staff and students. Their problem-solving abilities are second to none, and they are also proactive in identifying preventative measures to avoid future problems. Edtech’s management is also part of our strategic planning and futures-thinking group, contributing the latest research on educational technology, and helping to inform our thinking. They have set up school visits for us, and provided staff professional development for us as well.
Edtech has its preferred suppliers, but they willingly work with the school’s suppliers if required, and are adaptable to our specific requests. They have undertaken some major projects for us recently, including the supply and installation of a virtual server. Having set up the network they now need only work on site for 4 – 8 hours per week. They work with integrity, and are very patient with the pace at which decision-making in schools can take.
By forming an open relationship of trust and reciprocal understanding we believe we have a futures-focused, valued partnership with Edtech.
Juliette Hayes, Deputy Principal
Te Awamutu College
Throughout the year of 2008 our school was experiencing major frustrations with our IT service provider. We were paying a fee of approx $800 per month and yet we had very little contact from our provider, unannounced visits were occurring and we were not receiving any form of reporting back. Communication was very minimal. When times got really challenging, a meeting would be called, promises would be made, but unfortunately few changes were made. It was at this point that the school started to look at other IT service providers in the Waikato region.
I was impressed with the friendliness, professionalism and transparency of Edtech when I was first introduced to them. Our school was also in the process of needing to upgrade three large servers and Edtech gave the school sound advice. The possible services of Edtech and other IT service providers for 2009, were discussed amongst the school’s IT Focus group (a group made up of the IT Technician and 8 other teachers) and the school’s Board of Trustees. It was unanimously decided that Edtech was by far the company that best suited the needs of our school. Edtech offered future focused solutions but yet made it possible to deal with the reality of the school’s present situation.
Now, having worked with Edtech for the past 9-10 months the school is very happy with the services that Edtech offer. The upgrade of the servers at the start of the year had an enormous impact on the school; Edtech supported us through this transition tremendously. The school receives regular reports from the technician, problem shooting occurs immediately and communication is transparent and ongoing.
We are delighted that we have made the switch to Edtech and we look forward to a long future ahead with them.
Mary Davis, Deputy Principal
Whatawhata Primary School
Writing a reference requires both a professional and personal belief in the product and more importantly the service that has been provided, and that is why I have no hesitation in providing this statement in support of the outstanding team at Edtech.
When our worn out server collapsed this year, the team that were best suited to meet the exacting demands of providing a future proofed, robust and high spec replacement were Edtech.
When they arrived, they found our whole infrastructure on the verge of collapse. To ensure we had uninterrupted access to our files and the outside world, the members of the technical team were quick to respond. Al Ritchie and his team were patient and very understanding of those less technically proficient. They were able to problem solve and respond in a manner that made our transition to a new system seemingly faultless.
Now our system is comparable to the best. We have excellent security measures, user friendly networks, and most importantly a system that will carry us as we expand to meet the emerging technologies of the future.
I have no hesitation in recommending Edtech to schools who wish for peace of mind, excellent customer service, outstanding support and most importantly a product and service to rely on.
Michael Malins, Principal