The Education Secretariat of Goiás state in Brazil has launched the Simdesk on-demand computing platform as part of the ministry’s widespread technology deployment for education.
Goiás is adopting the new technology as part of its initiative to foster learning and for 250,000 students at its 1,600 schools.
The new program was implanted as an answer to a common problem around the world – the economic gap that prevents disadvantaged students from having access to the same technology tools as their richer colleagues.
Texas-based Simdesk will provide Goiás teachers and students access to enterprise-class file storage, file sharing and e-mail services delivered over the Internet. They will be able to communicate, collaborate and share information with each other at any time.
"Simdesk is a great fit for our overall technology initiative because the technology provides us with a fantastic level of flexibility and cost savings, especially when it comes to installations and program updates," said Claudia Tomaz, manager of information technology for Goiás’ Ministry of Education.
"Prior to Simdesk, we spent too much time and resources updating the education software in the computer labs at our 1,600 institutions."
Simdesk is partnering with Brasil Telecom and CPM to develop a Cyber School Technology system that takes advantage of Simdesk’s on-demand computing services over the Internet.
According to Simdesk, the Brasil Telecom Cyber School Technology implementation, which eliminates the need for the Goiás Secretariat of Education to invest in and maintain expensive IT infrastructure, has proven instrumental in helping Goiás achieve many of its key education goals and has reduced its overall infrastructure costs by 20 percent.
"Goiás’ commitment to lower cost and improved technology access for its student population aligns perfectly with our company’s vision and mission," said Louis Waters, president and CEO of Simdesk Technologies. "We’re pleased to work with Brasil Telecom and CPM to deliver meaningful technology to every student in Goiás and provide the tools they need to succeed beyond their school years."
Simdesk – www.simdesk.com