20th June 2008 IT and internet services provider Redstone Managed Solutions has equipped the Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies (CCSS) with a 1Gb high-speed network, giving the centre’s boarding houses broadband internet access for the first time.

Redstone Managed Solutions was recommended to the school and was chosen out of a threeway pitch involving BT and NTL.

A 1GB fibre links the three teaching sites and SDSL connections share internet access out to the five boarding houses. The solution has the flexibility to increase capacity without needing to add to the infrastructure.

Neil Roskilly, Principal of CCSS, the UK’s leading independent sixth-form school, said: “Pupils taking media and film studies are an example of how the increased bandwidth is being used, by being able to run and send streaming videos. The school’s 98 teaching and administration staff also use the network to move large databases of files around the school virtually.”

Redstone manages the system for the school through remote-monitored switches, avoiding any disruption to the school from coming onto the site.

“Redstone Managed’s reputation as a company with a local presence and national expertise fitted what we were looking for. They installed a robust and future proof network, supporting us with personal service throughout the five month installation,” added Neil.

Jon Nowell, Redstone Managed Solutions’ operations director, said: “We are delighted to be working with CCSS in delivering enhanced ICT services to the education sector.”

ENDS

About Redstone Managed Solutions

Redstone Managed Solutions, a division of Redstone plc provides comprehensive single-source IT and communications infrastructure to the public sector and commercial organisations in the UK. Its solutions enable organisations to increase the productivity, continuity and security of IT based business processes, enable connectivity between multiple sites and assure the performance of internet based products and services. The division has offices in London,Cambridge, Birmingham and Stoke on Trent.

About CCSS

Cambridge Centre for Sixth-form Studies attracts students from over 70 schools and is one of the UK’s leading independent sixth form colleges, specialising in A-level and GCSE courses for entry into British universities.