Project XCOE: The Small COE Answer!

Escape has the answer. We call it Project XCOE. Here is what Project XCOE makes available to smaller COEs:

• No IT staff requirement for server and application management
• No server / system software requirement
• No application manager requirement
• Guaranty of Continuity of Operations
• Important physical plant requirements provided by Placer COE
• Least cost method of acquiring the best COE school business system available

The Placer COE Connection

Placer COE is an Escape Online customer, serving their 24 school districts. They have a very strong IT staff, great physical plant. They have run a very professional implementation. Their computing infrastructure includes redundant power supplies, internet connections, and cooling.

When we came up with the XCOE concept, we approached PCOE and asked if we could purchase our own equipment, but locate it within their safe computing facility and use their High Speed Network internet connectivity. We appreciate them enthusiastically answering, “YES!”

So we own the equipment we shall describe shortly, and PCOE provides the power, cooling and internet connectivity. They do not play any role in the operation of the Escape Online application.

Escape’s Role in Project XCOE

Escape Technology provides the IT staff to manage the hardware/software environment, perform upgrades, manage backups and so on. We also procure all hardware and software required for the XCOE system. New servers are added as required by implementations.

Our Customer Care staff performs system setup, creates new reports, maintains user records — in other words we perform the application management function instead of relying on COE personnel to do this.

It’s important to understand the cost savings to the COE with the XCOE arrangement. Beyond the server environment, managing the application itself is at least a .5 FTE requirement. And, as mentioned previously, it would be easy to utilize 50+ days of training services to get a COE application manager up to speed.

Putting It All Together

Escape Technology provides the application software, the server hardware/software, security and load balancing equipment, and the backup procedures.

Escape Technology acts as your application/system manager.

Placer COE provides the secure physical space for the XCOE equipment, the redundant power, cooling and internet connectivity.

Your COE installs the Escape Online client on each desktop/laptop that you want to access the system. With your connection to the internet, you are ready to get to work!