Edgerton School District Delivers Big Impact through STEM Program with the help of PC Locs
18.02.19 in Blog, Testimonials
Background
Edgerton, Wisconsin is a small town of just over 5,500 people; with a school system that boasts well rounded and accomplished graduates year after year. A system committed to academics, well-maintained facilities, arts, athletics and, of course, technology.
The district, made up of four schools, not only remains up-to-date with technological developments but also paves the way for students to incorporate tech into their learning. Students are using mobile devices to be introduced to computer coding skills, app development, math strategies, presentation display, and Internet safety.
There are two Elementary STEM Centers in Edgerton – learning spaces for students in grades K-5 to experience Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. These learning experiences encourage problem-solving and critical thinking and serve children at the universal level – meaning they’ve been carefully developed to give students flexibility, empowerment and ultimately, an equal opportunity to succeed.
One of the teachers leading the charge is Sheila Fox. “We are hoping to encourage children to use mobile devices in a smart and safe way and also to expose them to the advantages that devices can have on their learning environment,” said Fox.
Sphero robots are one of the educational tools Fox and her colleagues are utilising to give students a variety of learning modes with visual, tactile and auditory applications.
Challenge
With new technology comes new responsibility and logistics. When the Edgerton School District staff first introduced Sphero robots to their STEM Experiences, charging and safety were their top concerns. They needed to maintain safe, student-friendly learning stations. They also knew they’d need to share and transport the devices between the two Centers and beyond.
Solution
The Sphero Charging Case™ by PC Locs is tailored precisely to these needs. It accommodates up to six Sphero BOLT or Sphero SPRK+ robots, along with their inductive charging bases, tools and accessories in a compact and neat hand-held container.
“The Charging Case has been exactly what we were hoping. It has allowed a safe space for storage and is very versatile to move from one classroom space to another learning environment” said Fox.
The Case prevents unwanted clutter and tripping hazards that exposed cords can create, which is vital in classrooms that are often tight to begin with. Open architecture design lets you see that all devices are in place, which in turn means they’ll be charged and ready to work, learn and play.
Strong aluminum, a keyed lock and a lifetime warranty are matched with a lightweight, compact design easy enough for children to carry around, which helps get them ready to work, learn and play, too.
Learn more about the Sphero Charging Case.
You can download the PDF of the case study here.
Why Security is Imperative in Storing Portable Electronic Devices
10.01.19 in Blog, Industry News
Storing Portable Electronic Devices.
Keeping property safe is at the forefront of many people’s’ minds. We have home security systems, security guards, locks, passcodes, complicated passwords, and so many other ways to keep our valuables secure.
With many organisations using portable electronic devices like laptops, iPads, and mobile phones for conducting everyday activities, it’s imperative to keep these items safe. Many of these devices have hundreds of gigabytes of private data on them, including credit card numbers, healthcare information, and social security numbers, to name a few. Imagine if you had a break-in happen in your organisation. Now, imagine if the thieves got ahold of your customers’ critical information.
Data loss costs more than you think. According to an article from Druva, “every lost laptop costs an organisation approximately $49,000. These costs are based purely on the value of the data on the device – the loss of intellectual property and the impact of potentially compromised proprietary data. Once you add in the cost of employee downtime, the economic impact that data loss has on an organisation rises even further.”
For example, the University of Utah eye center found out in June of 2018 that a computer and its associated external storage device was stolen from its facility. The University had to warn 607 patients that their protected health information might be at risk, and they needed to proactively establish a dedicated call center. This could have damaged their reputation to a point of no return as patients would have lost trust in their care.
In July of 2018, burglars broke into a school in San Diego and stole 172 iPads, two iMacs and one MacBook Air… an estimated loss of about $90,000. Washington D.C. reported that at least 300 computers or tablets have been stolen from D.C. Public Schools in the past 3 years. Could all of this have been avoided? Quite possibly, with the use of a muli device charging station.
There are many ways to keep portable electronic devices safe, and the one that is the most effective is a system that charges these devices and locks them up at the same time. PC Locs offers secure storage solutions for schools, hospitals, STEM labs, and more. Request a consultation today, or contact us for more information.
Consumer Grade vs. Professional Grade Charging Stations
10.01.19 in Blog, Industry News, Product News
We all love to bag a bargain. But many of us also know through experience the meaning of a false economy. According to a study by Gocompare.com, a financial services comparison website, one of the biggest false economies is comparing only price, not quality, when purchasing a product or service. The study, named “The top 20 false economies”, claimed that 38% of people admitted they had been a victim of this in the past.
So why is it that so many professional organisations still get caught out thinking they can get exactly what they need for a bargain price?
With so many mobile devices in use, and an increasing number being used for work purposes, the number of tablets and mobiles that need charging is vast. That is why for many organisations, mobile charging stations have become commonplace, as they carry many benefits over individual charging of devices. But for those looking for a good deal, are consumer grade charging stations inferior to professional grade tablet charging stations?
If we look at the number of smartphones that were stolen or lost (and never recovered) in 2013 alone, which amounts to more than 4 million, the benefits of ensuring your smartphone or device is safe and secure when not in use are clear. 44% of thefts happen because the victim left their device unattended in public places.* With a professional grade charging station that focuses on charging as well as security, there is no need for that to happen.
James Symons, CEO of PC Locs explains, "All of the products PC Locs offers are designed with the user in mind. Devices are expensive and should be protected at all times during charging. That is why we offer mobile device security that is second to none. Nearly all PC Locs tablet charging stations are extremely durable, featuring high-quality steel and ultra-secure, hardened locks for ultimate protection."
"In addition to the safety of your device and the cost of losing a device, there is also data and personal information to consider – as well as additional factors such as breakage rates."
"Nearly 41% of all data breach events from 2005 through 2015 were caused by lost devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. That is a huge number and can have a consequential impact on leakage of personal data. This is not only a breach of privacy for the user, but can also in some circumstance be illegal if there is legislation to protect personal data."
"Furthermore, when deploying devices, a breakage rate of around 8-10% can be experienced. Counting 100 x iPads, with 10% breakage rate of a $600 device, that works out at $6000/year for a small deployment. In addition, the more time your staff takes to track down missing devices or to deal with breakages, the less productive they are."
The above reasoning alone should be enough to start the integration to a professional mobile device charging station. But if you are still wondering why it is potentially better to invest in a professional charging station, here are some additional points to consider below:
Warranty
Do consumer grade products offer enough warranty protection? Most PC Locs products offer a lifetime warranty, ensuring you won’t have to replace your charging stations. This can lead to a big saving in the long run.
A central point of charging:
With multiple consumer charging stations compared to one central professional grade station, employees may not know where to find devices at the beginning of the day. A central point of charging can save a lot of time, and also helps as they know where to put them at the end of the day, meaning devices are always charged and ready to go.
Unique product features:
Be it the external lights of the Putnam 8 or 16 Charging Stations that lets employees know at a single glance if a device is fully charged, saving them valuable time, or the cloud management portal on the FUYL Tower allowing employees to seamlessly check-in/out devices without assistance from a staff member – PC Locs offers solutions and features far superior to many other consumer charging stations. PC Locs products are designed to save time and make life more convenient.
Small footprint with efficient charging:
If space is at a premium in your office/workspace, PC Locs offers several compact charging stations to meet just about any need. The stations charge 5-32 devices simultaneously from one outlet without any worry about blowing a fuse. From a health and safety perspective, this also helps when weighing up potential risks and hazards in the workplace.
Adaptable:
Is the consumer product universal? PC Locs charging stations easily accommodate multiple device types and have the ability to adapt to different devices as technology changes. Open concept designs of the Carrier Charging Stations and Revolution 32 Cabinet means users can store and secure more than just mobile devices. Simply remove the provided racks or baskets and use the space to fit your unique charging and security needs.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with comparing the price of an item or a service to the benefits it provides. In fact, it makes very good financial sense to do so. However, as finance information Money Expert advises, you must consider the price and the quality holistically. For until you have explored this, you cannot fully appreciate which offers better value to your business or organisation.
Ready to implement a charging station in your workplace?
Contact us to learn how a charging station can make all the difference.