The North American region of Dimension Data Holdings, plc (London: DDT), a technology company providing network and multi-channel solutions to global corporations, announced the completion of a fiber-optic network solution for Pennsylvania's Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).
The new fiber-optic network utilizes IP telephony and video conferencing solutions from Cisco Systems and connects the county's 12 school districts, three colleges, three county government offices, five intermediate unit sites, and the Chester County Library with approximately 255 miles of fiber. The CCIU is a regional education service agency that provides educational, technological and administrative services to the schools and communities of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The network offers students, faculty and the community new opportunities to communicate through such technological innovations as international video conferencing, distance or e-learning, electronic field trips, video-on-demand, real-time video streaming, online coursework, and real-time mentoring. The implementation and installation of the Dimension Data solution utilizes the Cisco Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data (Cisco AVVID) -- an enterprise architecture that provides an intelligent network infrastructure for today's Internet business solutions. It involves the integration of data, voice, and multi-session video over the Chester County Community Network (Chesconet) fiber network.
This Cisco AVVID solution includes voice-enabled routers and switches as well as IP phones. The system facilitates job development, curriculum management and staff development. It also improves and streamlines administrative functions by centralizing data services -- all while reducing overall IT costs.
Dimension Data assisted CCIU in deploying this solution in three phases: data, video conferencing, and most recently IP telephony. Dimension Data designed and implemented CCIU's metropolitan area network and built out their network operations center (NOC) so that they could manage their own network.
The CCIU and Chesconet hosted a community-wide event to unveil the county's recently completed network, with demonstrations that illustrated the network's capabilities and advancements.
Major funding for the fiber-optic network came from a state grant awarded to the CCIU. CCIU, the local school districts, and several community organizations provided additional funding to purchase state-of-the-art network electronics.
About CCIU:
The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) is a regional educational service agency established by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education.
About Dimension Data:
Dimension Data Holdings plc (LSE: DDT) provides network and multi-channel e-business solutions to global corporations. For more information, visit www.didata.com.