Stockport Council sign up to blueSchool

System Structure

Liverpool Direct Limited (LDL) www.liverpooldirectlimited.co.uk have selected Blue Fountain Systems www.bluefountain.com as a partner to deliver a state of the art web based strategy to provide an e-communications infrastructure for 30,000 mail users with integrated email, calendar and content management for Stockport Schools. The system is designed to handle 5000 simultaneous users.

The open source system, which was successfully rolled out to schools throughout Stockport this Autumn, uses a single log-in screen to make access to the system simple with the integration of the different application areas making it easy to move from e-mail, to content management, to calendar. Whilst providing dynamic use of the Internet in a learning environment, the solution includes a number of security features which can automatically block any e-mails with inappropriate content. The system is fully scalable with plans to expand it in future.

Mike Partridge, Head of Education (E-services) for Stockport Local Education Authority said "Stockport Schools E- Learning Network working in partnership with BT/LDL chose Blue Fountain and open source technologies to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for schools email, web hosting and web site content management."

Mike added "The SSELN required the software to be of a high quality and adhere to open standards, enabling compatibility and interoperability. In introducing the services Blue Fountain ensured that the technical infrastructure was well supported and provided a logical and knowledgeable approach to the development of services that can continue to develop to meet future needs."

This move by Stockport Schools comes amid increasing interest in the potential of open source products to reduce costs in the field of education. The system marks one of the first deployments of an Open Source solution meeting recently announced government targets for learning platforms and follows a series of campaigns on the issue of Free Open Source Software in schools.

Colin Pye from Liverpool Direct explained "In selecting Blue Fountain BT/LDL recognised the importance of working with a local innovative SME ICT company to help deliver a technically challenging solution. By supporting SMEs, the local high-technology industry in the area will be encouraged which will benefit everyone and provide a strong platform for the future of Liverpool and the region."

About Liverpool Direct Limited

Liverpool Direct Limited is a joint venture partnership formed between British Telecom (80.1%) and Liverpool City Council (19.9%) in 2001. In a groundbreaking deal, the best of public and private working was joined to achieve exceptional results.