Background 

In 2018 the Three Rivers Academy (TRA) appointed European Electronique, via the RM1050 framework, for the installation and commissioning of all ICT network infrastructure, client devices, classroom AV, telephony equipment and associated services. The Three Rivers Academy was a brand-new build taking over from an existing school as part of The Howard Partnership Trust.

The Requirement

Although TRA was the immediate project, delivering the procurement was an opportunity to look at centralising and standardising ICT solutions across the Trust. European Electronique and the Trust worked in partnership on the strategic planning for the improvement of ICT systems, and to ensure that the new systems enhanced teaching, learning and administration for all users.

The Trust’s vision for the increased use of mobile devices was realised and a standardised Trust-wide solution was implemented, which eliminated the need for staff to login to different systems. 

The Solution

The initial part of this project comprised an end to end solution for the new Three Rivers Academy. The solution design had to provide enterprise architecture, based on industry standard technologies that were not only reliable and robust but provided a level of future proofing to the Trust.

HPE Aruba wired and wireless infrastructure was implemented alongside HPE Server and Storage systems whilst leveraging the benefits of cloud-based services such as Office 365. The HP Inc. client device estate focussed on HP 400 series All-in-One desktops and HP ProBook 440s for mobility. All mobile devices had to be of sufficient specification, have enough battery life to last a full Academy day, and be light enough without the weight proving a hinderance for users. The devices proved to be so successful that circa 500 additional devices to date have been rolled out as part of the ongoing programme.

The solution comprised the following elements: 

  • HPE/Aruba wired/wireless, servers/storage infrastructure.
  • Deployment and imaging of 324x HP Client Devices and Managed Print Estate.
  • Installation of 74x Iiyama 65” interactive teaching displays.
  • Design and installation of two complex large space audio visual solutions.

European Electronique was responsible for managing the delivery of the wired, wireless, hybrid cloud solution and all front-end technologies. We created complex school programme plans, highlighting key risks and implementing a strict change control process following sign-off of the central design document using Prince2 methodologies.

The timescales were incredibly tight and the assigned Project Manager worked effortlessly with the Professional Service team to ensure completion on time and under budget, often working outside of normal hours and during weekends.

The project went from design through implementation, to handover in 11 weeks. European Electronique supported the Trust for the duration of the contract and continues to do so as the Academy and Trust grows. Since then the company has successfully rolled out multiple further projects, providing standardisation of technology, centralised solutions and a consistently high-standard of support.