Businesses, hospitals, financial institutions, manufacturers and a range of other commercial enterprises have long understood the benefits of co-sourcing service agreements as a means to maximize their IT investment and enhance overall performance.  Yet the idea of a public/private IT services partnership is relatively new in the K-12 environment. Technology firms have historically been called upon only to install hardware and software systems or fix infrastructure issues, not help districts run day-to-day operations.

One district that is relying heavily on an IT partner for day-to-day operations is Keller ISD in North Texas. The Keller ISD CIO states: “Our co-sourcing arrangement with Dell provides more logistical and budgetary flexibility than we ever had in the past. We are now able to deliver far better IT support at no additional cost.”

Keller views technology as a tool that should enable learning and has developed a forward-looking strategy with that end in mind. Through the co-sourcing relationship with Dell, they are able to provide teachers and staff with a stable, reliable, networked technology environment, 24-hour, world-class IT help desk, professional learning solutions, and additional support for the “bring your own device”  environment common in many districts today.

The district goals at Keller ISD are not unique. As today’s classrooms across the country are realizing the benefits of technology like never before, learning-enabling infrastructure and platforms are bringing lesson plans to life.  Meanwhile mobile devices and virtualization can enable 24/7 access and anywhere learning. Districts that are ahead of the curve are realizing that optimizing technology in the face of tight budgets requires a strategic, forward-looking plan.

As a result, Keller provides a strategic model for other districts to consider to take advantage of co-sourcing their technology management. Keller is able to spend more time and resources on innovative strategies that support teachers’ learning initiatives and less on ensuring that existing infrastructure remains up and running.