E-Rate Program Overview - IDSolutions - Home

July 2008 - Property of IDSolutions

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FY2009 E-Rate Year 12 Eligibility Guide

Featuring Solutions from VBrick Systems and Lifesize


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E-Rate Program Overview

E-Rate is federal program that provides schools with technology funding

E-Rate is an open bid process; no service provider is guaranteed any award

Service provider selection is weighted by cost, relationship, reputation

IDSolutions educates applicants on which video solutions are eligible

Our competitive edge is E-Rate video product and solution knowledge

IDSolutions focuses on maintaining communication during the entire process


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Introduction – IDSolutions and AT&T

E-Rate video solution experts– Video conferencing and streaming distribution for distance learning

Best in breed partners/products– VBrick and Lifesize, also AMX/Crestron, Polycom, Tandberg

Full professional services– Level one support, design services, installation/integration

Local presence with national reach– Customer relationship #1, AT&T partnership, central HQ with local offices


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Introduction – VBrick Systems

Leader in using streaming video for distance learning

Live Video - Encoders– Real-time audio & video capture/delivery; virtual field trips

Stored Video – Video-on-Demand– Stored file delivery; self-created content for distance learning

Management/Control – EtherneTV Portal– Complete control system for managing the video distribution

Display – Decoders and set-top boxes– Send video to TV or monitor, Windows/MAC PCs, mobile devices, IPOD


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Introduction – Lifesize Communications

Leader in using high definition interactive video for distance learning

Live Two-way Video - Codecs– Real-time audio & video capture/delivery; ultra low delay

High Definition Quality– Highest quality available for distance learning and virtual field trips– Zero fatigue on teachers and students

Management/Control – Easy to Operate– Push button remote allows “speed dial” to set up conference

Fully interoperable with all other video conferencing systems– The best quality, performance and price on the market today


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Fact Finding – past, present, future

What video equipment do you have in place today?

How old is the video equipment and how often is it used?

How was the video equipment purchased?

Has your school purchased with E-Rate funds in the past? When? What %?

Does your school have a technology plan?

Does your school work with an E-Rate or technology consultant?

What application is your school looking to fulfill?


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E-Rate ESL and Distance Learning

The USAC’s Schools and Library Division (SLD) releases an annual eligible services list (ESL) to define products and services eligible under E-Rate

The ESL states which Voice/Video over IP (VoIP) components are eligible as internal connections and which are not

This presentation will review the most popular distance learning applications that are covered under E-Rate

This presentation will help explain which VBrick and Lifesize products are eligible and how they relate to the functions defined under Internal Connections

Both VBrick and Lifesize have worked extensively with the USAC to get products pre-approved. The list of approved products can be found at:

http://www.sl.universalservice.org/vendor/epd_pilot/prod_info.asp


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VBrick and Lifesize products fall primarily fall under the function “Video components” listed in the ESL

Products are further classified as “centralized video components necessary to transport information all the way to individual classrooms or public areas of a library are eligible”.

Specific to both VBrick and Lifesize:– CODEC/Video Encoder– Master Control Unit

A one-page XLS spreadsheet has been created to summarize product eligibility– This spreadsheet is useful for both calculating customer contribution

responsibility as well as when filling out form 471 item 21

Product Eligibility


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Streaming Video for Distance Learning

VBrick’s EtherneTV is a distance learning system that provides digital video distribution over existing IP networks

The most common E-Rate applications include:

– News announcements from students or staff– Teacher delivery of classroom sessions to other classrooms or schools

• This could be live or on-demand (or both!)– Streaming distribution of TV to discuss current news events– Delivery of VCR tape and DVD assets as part of classroom lessons– Virtual field trips to bring a live distant event into a classroom


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Interactive Video for Distance Learning

Lifesize’s High Definition video conferencing is a distance learning system that provides interactive video communication over existing IP networks

The most common E-Rate applications include:

– Instruction between classrooms not located in same building– Virtual field trips with other schools, museums, places of interest– Subject matter debates between classes in different schools– Expert instruction from a remote specialist to a distant school


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How can these video solutions help a school?

Streaming and Interactive video can:

Reduce the cost of maintaining a separate network for video services Allow schools to introduce and integrate cultures from other countries Eliminate the need for VCR tape service Help improve test scores through video studying Reduce the travel costs associated with physical field trips Reduce the costs of having to duplicate expert instructors at multiple locations Allow teachers to integrate video to create more exciting lesson plans Increase the reach of expert instructors to other remote schools Allow more immediate discussions regarding today’s news and headlines


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What are typical costs and product eligibility?

Lifesize products are between 88% and 100% eligible. The codec itself is 100% eligible but the camera and microphone are cost allocatedThe MCU, Gatekeeper and Transit Server infrastructure products are 100% eligible

Room systems are 89% eligible Team MP systems are 90% eligible Express systems are 88% eligible Focus systems are TBD eligible

Please contact IDSolutions for complete costing information


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What are typical costs and product eligibility?

VBrick products are between 90% and 100% eligible. The encoders, codecs and control portal infrastructure are 100% eligibleThe on-demand server and VBStar encoders are cost allocated for the hard drives

A VOD-W or WM is 90% to 96% eligible An ETV MCU portal is 100% eligible A set-top box is 100% eligible An encoder is 100% eligible A VBExpress streaming kit w/o hard drive is 93% eligible

Please contact IDSolutions for complete costing informationNote that the video sources (ie: cameras) and monitors are ineligible per the ESL


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E-Rate Questions– Pat Cassella– [email protected]– Office - 203.479.3506

Where to Get More information

E-Rate Program Overview - IDSolutions - Home

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