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Financing Your School’s 1:1 Technology Program

April 13, 2022 by eStormAus

As our world becomes increasingly dependent on technology, schools are desperately trying to keep pace within the classroom. Most students today don’t even remember a time before smart phones! As a result, schools are introducing more digital tools into their curriculums to strengthen the relationship between their students and the learning content. For many schools, a 1:1 technology program is a must to ensure that this content is being delivered in a way that is familiar, accessible and digestible to their students.

But outfitting every student with their own device can be an overwhelming endeavour, with schools often left asking…exactly how are we going to pay for this? Well eStorm has the answer. We’ve put together a rundown of the best financing options, to help your school find the right option.

1. Buying Outright

If you’re one of the lucky few educational institutions with the budget to be able to do so, then outright purchasing devices and accessories can be the most straightforward option to financing your 1:1 program. While an outright capital expenditure can be costly upfront, it often leads to long-term savings. From the outset you have full ownership of your assets and can decide their useful lifetime, enabling you to maximise the return on your investment. Buying outright also means an end to contract negotiations, interest fees and minimum terms. Without these constraints, your school has the freedom to develop and adapt your 1:1 strategy as you please.

2. Leasing

For many schools, an outright purchase is simply well outside the realm of possibility. In these circumstances, a finance lease can be an efficient use of funds, as it requires little to no upfront payment. Larger initial orders of equipment may be made, with repayments spread over an agreed upon span of time and the option to own at the end of the leasing period through compensation of any residuals owing. These fixed payments keep costs predictable and allow for more reliable forecasting of revenue spend. Financing through a leasing facility also relieves some of the hassle around a 1:1 program, as hardware, software, maintenance, installation, warranty, and other services may all be included in your contract. Leasing agreements can vary drastically between providers, so careful consideration is key to ensuring your school gets the right deal to suit your needs.

3. Renting

Renting is one of the simplest ways to finance your 1:1 program and can be beneficial to schools who approach technology as an ongoing expense. Much like leasing, renting grants schools access to equipment and IT services through ongoing payments. However, rental periods are often much shorter and more flexible than those of leases, relieving schools of long-term commitment. With rapid advancements in technology, many assets are quickly becoming obsolete and need to be upgraded more frequently. Through renting, schools are able to maintain a state-of-the-art classroom for a fraction of the cost, without the risks associated with ownership. 

4. Parental Contributions

Parental contribution schemes can be a great way of supplementing a 1:1 technology program, without impacting school budgets. Schools may approach a co-contribution model in a variety of ways. Devices may be offered on loan from an equity pool, allowing students to take them home or restricting their access to within school premises. Through the Student Resource Scheme, schools may also purchase devices on behalf of students and then offset the cost to parents. The SRS is a great cost-effective option for parents who wish to purchase a device for their child, as the school’s bulk buying processes heavily discounts the price of hardware. Furthermore, schools can also partially cover the cost of a 1:1 program by asking parents for a Voluntary Financial Contribution (VFC), as outlined in section 56 of Queensland’s Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. Both VFCs and participation in the SRS are voluntary. However, once enrolled in the SRS, a parent is invoiced and liable for any outstanding debts, whereas VFCs are not fees and cannot be enforced.

5. Buyback Schemes

To kickstart your schools 1:1 technology program, consider trading in your classroom’s old laptops, desktops and tablets. Older assets may be worth more than you expect, and their value can be used towards purchasing a whole new fleet of devices. Schools should be wary however, that the buyback industry can be complex to navigate, and not every company will have their best interests at heart. Device trade-in schemes are also a green initiative, helping schools to recycle out-dated technology responsibly and sustainably.

6. Apple Finance

Apple’s education finance program is both flexible and designed to create more engaging learning by offering access to a variety of fringe benefits. Apple Finance is tailored to your school’s specific needs, offering flexible term schedules and no down payments. Apple Finance also includes a variety of optional extras. For instance, by setting up an Apple School Manager account with Apple Finance, your school can save up to 50% off on bulk app purchases. In addition, AppleCare provides expert technical advice, as well as a range of programs to streamline your day-to-day operations. Older generational Apple devices can also be recycled through Apple Trade In and in some cases may even be used as credit towards upgraded devices.

 

Want to chat about your financing options? eStorm is here to help you choose the right option for your school. Contact us at sales@estorm.com.au

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Chromebooks vs iPads in the Classroom

September 1, 2021 by eStormAus

As the demand for technology increases in classrooms, the Chromebook vs iPad debate has been an ongoing discussion for schools and parents seeking to make the best technological choices for the development of their students and children.

Chromebooks and iPads are currently the forerunners when it comes to portable devices in the classrooms, and each have their advantages and disadvantages. It can be a difficult choice to decide which device is right for your students, so we’ve put together a short comparison to help you with your decision.

 

Usage:

iPads:

The technology used in iPads is unparalleled by any other tablets. The touch screen creates an immersive environment that encourages writing, drawing, and playing educational games. The iPad’s built-in applications such as Pages, Numbers, Swift Playgrounds, and Keynote support learning and creativity, and the device can be easily customised to help students overcome challenges with motor skills, eyesight or speech. You can also access traditional applications that have been modified for use on the iPad, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Chromebooks:

Chromebooks closely resemble traditional laptops, and inbuilt keyboards/touchpads encourage computer literacy, an important skill in today’s marketplace. Furthermore, Chromebooks in the classroom provide an opportunity for low-income students to have access to a computer for assignments and exams if they do not have one at home. Similar to the iPad, Google has its own set of applications (Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides), and Microsoft Office apps can be downloaded from the App Store.

 

Durability:

 iPads:

The glass touchscreen on iPads can be a recipe for disaster in the classroom, and a shattered screen could render the device useless until it’s replaced. Screen protectors and protective cases are a must to ensure they survive the trials and tribulations of daily classroom usage.

Chromebooks:

Many suppliers have designed Chromebooks specifically for durability in the classroom. As such, many of them can survive drops from up to 1.2m, have rubber edges for shock absorbency, and are spill-and-tamper-resistant. However, if students are able to take their devices home, it is recommended that you purchase inserts or sleeves to keep the device safe in backpacks.

 

Costs:

iPads:

Apple offers discounts for the education sector, making the latest iPad around $469 for 32GB of space. However, additional accessories such as a smart keyboard, Apple pencil, protective case, and screen protector can inflate these costs to $1000+ per iPad.

Chromebooks:

Costs for Chromebooks can start from $250 for very basic models. However, these budget models may not have the long-term usability that Apple products promise. A more durable and long-lasting Chromebook might cost between $400 – $800. The fortunate thing is that in most cases you do not need to worry about purchasing protective accessories as these features are already inbuilt.

 

Conclusion:

The bottom line is there is not necessarily a right or wrong choice when it comes to deciding between a Chromebook or an iPad for your students. Most of the time, it really depends on your school’s budget and preference, as both devices open the opportunity for creativity and learning, and have a wide range of apps that are vital for students in their journey through years K-12.

 

eStorm is a certified Apple Education Reseller, and has close partnerships with ASUS, Dell, and HP. Through these partnerships, we aim to provide competitive pricing fit for your school’s budget. Contact us today! sales@estorm.com.au

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Apple Authorised vs. Independent Repair Centres: What’s the difference?

March 9, 2021 by eStormAus

At eStorm, we understand how much you rely on your device everyday – whether it’s to check your emails, converse with friends, take important business calls, or binge that new show you’re obsessed with. Understandably, when your device faces an accident that renders it unusable, it’s imperative that you get it fixed as quickly and affordably as possible.

Oftentimes, people resort to shopping centre kiosks that promise cheap and fast service. While this sounds great in theory, what most people don’t realise is that these independent repairers (who are not affiliated or authorised by Apple) are able to provide services that are heavily discounted because of the low-quality materials they use to repair your device.

 

What is an independent repair centre?

An independent repair centre is a business that is in no way affiliated with Apple. They are not authorised to purchase genuine Apple parts and therefore cannot access high-quality materials and genuine parts from Apple’s own manufacturers.

Instead, they purchase very cheap bulk parts from China, most of which do not stick to strict quality control guidelines and certainly do not meet the requirements of Apple’s manufacturers. If you believe you are getting a bargain on your iPhone or iPad screen replacement, it’s more than likely because they are us using cheap imitation parts or second-hand materials.

On top of using counterfeit parts, most phone technicians are not trained by Apple to follow the best practices in repairing your device. Untrained technicians coupled with inferior parts can result in further issues with your device in the future and may even result in losing your Apple Warranty if considerable damage has occurred.

 

Apple Authorised Service Providers

An Apple Authorised Service Provider such as eStorm is a repair centre that has been approved by Apple. AASPs have access to genuine Apple materials and high-quality Apple diagnostic tools. Technicians at AASPs are also trained and certified by Apple to deliver outstanding repairs that will last and will not void your Apple Warranty.

Apple Authorised Service Providers Independent Repair Centres
  ✓ Trained and certified by Apple ✕ Inferior imitation parts
 ✓ Genuine Apple parts ✕ Untrained and unqualified technicians

 ✓ Apple diagnostic tools

✕ Possible loss of Apple Warranty

 

Why Choose eStorm over an Apple Repair Centre?

 

Retail Apple Repair Centres, run by Apple employees, are a much better alternative than independent repair centres. However, the benefits of having your phone repaired by an Apple-affiliated Service Centre like eStorm means you are able to have personalised service with technicians that are passionate about what they do!

Apple’s repair centres sometimes have inexperienced technicians, leading to repeat services, further time without your device, and dissatisfaction with the repairs. At the eStorm Service Centre, we have tenured technicians who have been repairing Apple products for nearly two decades. That vast experiences leads to first time fixes and quick turnaround times.

Furthermore, choosing eStorm for your repairs means you can avoid queues and shopping centres with no obligation to book in advance. We also have a stronger knowledge of older products and are certified Apple Solution Experts (meaning we have multiple suppliers with access to the best prices for new products).

Lastly, in most Apple retail stores they will not take into account intermittent issues. If you have issues with your phone happening  at random, we promise to look into it and will replace components if we feel it’s necessary.

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Got any questions? The friendly professionals at the eStorm Service Centre are always happy to help! Call us on (07) 3180 4228 or email info@servicecentre.net.au

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized

An update on our Apple Education Solution Partnership

August 17, 2020 by eStormAus

Here at eStorm, we have been working closely with Apple to provide the best solutions for our education partners. Recently, Apple refined the criteria to become an Apple Education Solution Specialist. We are excited to announce that we have continued to qualify as specialists in this field.

Why do we partner with Apple?

For over 40 years, Apple has been assisting educators to unlock student’s creative potential. Not only does Apple achieve this through powerful technology, but tools and curriculum that inspires and engages students. There is something unique about taking a device out of a box, plugging it in and being able to start using it straight away.

The Apple Education Solution Specialist criteria requires us to demonstrate an ability to assist schools from the inception of their Apple device initiative, all the way through to roll out. This also includes supporting IT departments and teachers, as well as school management along the way.

As an Apple Education Partner, we have been recognised for our work with educational institutions to provide tailored solutions for students and schools across Australia.

Specialised For You

Our team undertakes continual training to ensure our macOS and iOS technology knowledge is up-to-date. Under the Device Enrolment Program, we have access to tools to assist your school in implementing automate device enrolment through Apple School Manager. Such tools allow us to:
Assist Schools to automate device enrolment with Apple School Enrolment,
Manage student and staff devices with Mobile Device Management, and
Deploy devices to staff and students complete with Apple education tools such as Classroom and Classwork.

Understanding Your Needs

After working closely with schools in the past, we now understand that the needs of the schools are beyond just the device. We know the key to developing great programs is liaising closely with the leadership team, teachers and the community. To create a positive impact on teaching and learning, the eStorm team provides professional learning opportunities to incorporate content into the classroom. These include Apple Teacher, Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create.

Apple Authorised Service Provider Bonus

As an Authorised Service Provider, we can connect your school with the right devices that best enables your students to achieve their academic goals. By partnering with eStorm, we can offer education discounts for:

  • Faculty or staff members of public and private higher education institutions in Australia
  • Employees of public or private K–12 institutions in Australia
  • School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members in Australia
  • Parents and citizens/friends (P&C/P&F) executives currently serving as elected or appointed members in Australia
  • Qualifying homeschools in Australia
  • Employees of a public or private, profit or non-profit preschool in Australia.

Find out more about how partnering with eStorm as Apple Solution Experts can benefit your school today.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

eStorm Service Centre Google Reviews

eStorm Service Centre
4.6
Based on 120 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
Gary Fraser
8 months ago
Four weeks ago, I took my cracked iPad to this store for repair. The employee behind the counter informed me that because I did not have AppleCare, Apple does not fix iPads but rather replaces them entirely. He advised me to take it to an unauthorized repair shop, despite me explaining that the iPad was less than 12 months old. He insisted that Apple would not fix it.I followed his advice and had the iPad repaired elsewhere. However, it has now stopped charging. When I returned to your store, I was told that because someone had previously opened the device, this store could no longer assist with the repair. The first employee failed to inform me about this critical detail.As a result, I’m now stuck with a $1,300 device that doesn’t work. I feel misled and frustrated by the lack of proper guidance from the staff
Priscilla Parata-Reeves
8 months ago
Top notch customer service ,fast, reliable and trustworthy!My daughter cracked her iPhone 15 front screen! Luckily the phone was only 3 weeks old and eligible for apple care+! Dallas did an excellent job. Left the phone with him at around 9am and picked up at 10:30am !!!!!Also so convenient as I don’t have to drive out of spring field to get the repair done- saving me travel time and money!!!!!Will be going back in the future.Happy customer.
Bob Dix
9 months ago
Lachlan Fothergill
10 months ago
Very professional at handling airpods repair
Adele Rankin
10 months ago
Exceptional service.
Beatrice Ndebele
3 years ago
Fantastic service, was referred by Apple after MacBook developed a dark screen and wouldn’t turn off. I was informed of possibility to pay for diagnostic fee and expect to leave it for a fee days. I found the gentlemen friendly and accommodating. The service was prompt, fair subsequent charges. My MacBook had storage issues, I got a new laptop and they helped transferring my data. I will certainly be going back to them in future and I strongly recommend these professionals to anyone having issues with their devices.
julie farrell
3 years ago
2 nd time I have used this service. Needed new battery for my iphone 6 s in 2020. Then 2022 had a battery replaced in my iphone 7. Both times have been brilliant. Such a smooth and well organised service. The fellas at the counter on every occassion have been very patient and helpful. Thanks again, highly recommended
Gary wylie
3 years ago
Quick service. Reasonable pricing .Would recommend for apple repairs
Joel Berry
3 years ago
Awesome service, with a quick turn over. Genuine apple product dealers, most issues under warranty and or insurance will be covered free of charge or for a small cost.Highly recommended.
John Florez
3 years ago
Very knowledgeable, friendly and 100% helpful. They explained all the options and their pros and cons to improve my iMac's performance. My computer is now running much faster with these upgrades. Great Work! Highly recommended!
Melissa Moana
3 years ago
i had no idea they were here awesome service way better than having to travel to carindale
Desiree S
3 years ago
I discovered this apple repairer by chance and now I recommend them to everyone. Great service and reasonable prices.
Emily Martin
3 years ago
Dropped my MacBook in just shy of 3 years old with a battery issue. The team were very prompt in email response and with the computer. Dropped Saturday, said it would be ready Wednesday. To my surprise it was ready today (Tuesday) a whole day early. Even better they covered the replacement of the battery under warranty. Highly recommended!
Kyle PM
3 years ago
Great and easy service. Much simpler to deal with than an Apple store for repairs. As an IT professional, will definitely be back if a staff member breaks their phone. (Let's be honest, they will).
Ricardo Sé Cestari
5 years ago
Good professional service. Job well done and in a better than expected timeframe.
Kathryn Chee
5 years ago
Phone came back good as new after a nasty cracked screen. Service was efficient although I did have to come back 24hours later as they didn’t have my colour iphone Instock - so maybe call ahead the day before if you want same day screen repair?
Stevan Kostantinovic
5 years ago
Very helpful and professional staff as they are Apple certified and did a great job replacing my sisters broken macbook pro screen.Always remember, you get what you pay for.
Ivan ZiHao Tan
5 years ago
Effective and honest! It’s a nice and not busy place to get your IT stuff fixed. It is a bit out of the way but if you’re around west side, just go there. Traffic is smooth too!
Oliver Baumeister
5 years ago
Good service, quick repair of my MacBook Pro under warranty. 3 days to replace ‘top case’ (keyboard, trackpad, etc). Very satisfied.
Bradley Witham
5 years ago
Great shop. Highly recommended. Professional and very helpful staff. Did a great job for me. Will be back for sure - even though it’s over 1hr drive from my home!
Evan g
5 years ago
Friendly and knowledgeable staff coupled with quick service even during a busy period.
Jaidyn Somerville
6 years ago
Quick and professional service, I was told my MacBook would be ready in 2/3 business days and received a text to confirm it was ready two days later. Kept me informed with updates too. Defiently recommend these guys.
Mike C
6 years ago
Friendly, professional staff. Perfect job replacing Macbook keyboard and screen, all with a very quick turnaround. Best Apple experience yet - highly recommended.
Mark Schulz
6 years ago
My second time using the service - first for an iPhone battery replacement and this time to replace the battery in a Macbook Air. Service is great. Will continue to use them into the future.
Jason O'Connor
6 years ago
What a terrible experience dealing with eStorm in Springfield Lakes. After spending an hour on live chat with Apple last night they said that there was an issue with phone and to take it to one of their retail stores or to an authorised service centre. The closest to us was eStrom Service Centre in Springfield Lakes. We were booked in there by Apple who were 100% aware of the phone being out of warranty but due to the issue they were happy for it to be taken in. When my wife got there she was greeted by someone called Dallas who then proceeded to ask her for $40 as a diagnosis fee. At no stage were we made aware that there would be a fee even though Apple were aware of the phone being out of warranty. When my wife made him aware of that he said that it was their policy and there was nothing they could do about it. My wife turned around and walked out. I called to ask what the story was and Dallas said exactly what I have written above. No consideration about the fee, it was internal policy and not their problem that Apple didn't tell us about it. So disappointed at this experience and will never be using them again or would ever recommend them to anyone.
Kelley Knudsen
6 years ago
Great customer service, professional and polite, great results and fast turnaround!
Theticus _
6 years ago
Great service for Apple repair
Michael Bischa
6 years ago
Great service, let us know our options up front, found the solution and ordered parts in and completed the job in just 48 hours to get am important computer back up running. They are great!
Rob & Rebecca Ketelaars
6 years ago
Friendly staff. Fast service. Replaced the battery in my iPhone 6 in about 1.5 hours while I was shopping at Orion just across the road. Perfect.
Valentin Despa
6 years ago
Very professional, friendly and fast. I liked a lot that you get text messages with the status of your job. Thank you guys!
Anthony
6 years ago
Staff was very friendly and professional, only took 2 business days for my keyboard to be repaired; excellent service and absolutely no hassle.
Kazi Nazmul Haque Shezan
7 years ago
Just awesome experience. My apple watch 4 was not charging. I got a new apple watch in 3 days. They are very fast at resolving problem. The staffs are very helpfull
Helena Stibbard
7 years ago
Exceptional service; Explained everything and was very helpful with advice for backing up files; MacBook Pro full keyboard replacement done in 2 days; very little downtime which was really appreciated. Highly Recommended
Tom Parke
7 years ago
This is an easy five stars. I came into the store, explained my issue (I needed to have the entire screen of my laptop replaced). They told me they'd need to order in some parts, and the entire repair was finished in less than 24 hours. Superb team.
Sam D
7 years ago
I took my MacBook Pro in to get the screen diagnosed and replaced through apple warrenty, it was completed very quickly and estorm did an excellent job. It was so much easier going to estorm over an apple shop, no wait time, plenty of appointment times and no pushing your way through noisy crowds. Will definitely be going back to them for any issues. Thanks!
James C
7 years ago
Liam Sorensen
7 years ago
Excellent service and very professional atmosphere. I had a couple of apple devices that needed fixing and to my surprise were covered under warranty and were replaced free of charge!! The team there are an awesome crew very welcoming and very understanding.Look forward to requiring your service again.
Dallas Rankin
8 years ago
Wade
8 years ago
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