Strategic Plan
2014 - 2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This strategic plan has been developed to identify and capitalise on the opportunity to reach out to the secondary schools in Queensland and understand the benefits that extend beyond the standard UQSchoolsNet services. It recognises that whilst there are and will always be individual school needs which may differ from other schools within the UQSchoolsNet initiative there is the need to share common goals. It is these common goals that have been used to create the four themes and priorities outlined in this document.
This plan is prepared with the consideration of the environment as it can be perceived at this time. It is vital to highlight the issues in the general environment that UQSchoolsNet operates in and the relevant targets, resources, competitors and finally the positioning of the University in the community.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
• Political and regulations changes
• Increasing external suppliers and vendor innovation • Geographic distribution of customer base
• Situated in a growing area of the sector • Ecological changes - natural disasters
POSITIONING
• Seen as a leader in the sector
• Well recognised and established brand • Bargaining power
• Not-for-profit organisation
TARGETS AND COMPETITORS
• Potential and current feeder schools • Private, Independent, and Public schools • Universities and TAFE’s
• Business partnerships
• Others Service Providers and Carriers • AARNet
OUR RESOURCES
• Quality reputation
• Active committee of engaged schools • High-capacity, leading-edge network • Sought after content provider • Hands on staff
Our Vision
Connect students, teachers, and schools to each other and to
quality higher educational content in Queensland through the
provision of exceptional high-speed broadband services.
Enhance our reputation through outstanding customer service,
value for money, and innovative solutions.
Contents
Executive Summary
i
Introduction 4
Aim 4
Context 4
Strategic Intent
4
Theme 1: To be financially viable and sustainable
7
Theme 2: To increase the number of members participating
9
Theme 3: To improve the existing service offering and development of sustainable
services 11
Theme 4: Ongoing network and capacity planning
13
Appendix: Schools connected to Uqschoolsnet
14
INTRODUCTION
UQSchoolsNet is a trading name of The University of Queensland. UQSchoolsNet was first established in 2008 and is managed via the Information Technology Services Division. UQSchoolsNet aims to connect and deliver high-speed educational collaboration, content and Internet services to schools throughout Queensland. Currently connected schools are called member schools: the majority of which are The University of Queensland’s tier-1 feeder schools in South East Queensland. These member schools are connected to UQSchoolsNet via high-speed fibre circuits providing access to the large repository of collaboration networks and the Internet through the University’s Internet Service Provider, UQConnect. Today, UQSchoolsNet is seen as one of Australia’s leading providers of educational content and a network sought after by content providers.
A full list of current schools that are members of UQSchoolsNet can be found in the Appendices. Many of these UQSchoolsNet members are receiving a connection speed 50-100x faster, at no extra cost, compared to their previous provider. UQSchoolsNet achieves this by having a vertical market focus and the ability to purchase services based on volume of customers
AIM
The aim of this UQSchoolsNet Strategy is to provide guidance for the development and sustainability of the provision of service to the UQSchoolsNet community, to identify and capitalise on the opportunity to reach out to the secondary schools in Queensland, and to understand the benefits that extend beyond the standard UQSchoolsNet services. This Strategic plan is intended to function as a living document that is assessed and
updated frequently to reflect the needs and vision of UQSchoolsNet.
CONTEXT
Guidance for the creation of a superior UQ information environment is provided in the UQ Strategic Plan 2013-2017. The plan states UQ’s Strategic directions to 2020:
“The University of Queensland positively influences society by engaging in the pursuit of excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and
application of knowledge. UQ helps shape the future by bringing together and developing leaders in their fields to inspire the next generation and to advance ideas that benefit the world. UQ strives for the personal
and professional success of its students, staff and alumni.” This objective is supported by the themes of Learning, Discovery and Engagement, and these themes in turn serve as the foundation of the ITS Strategy, and in turn the UQSchoolsNet Strategy.
STRATEGIC INTENT
Our clients within the K-12 sector are provided with exceptional high-speed broadband services and quality educational content to help shape the future of teaching and learning. UQSchoolsNet is sufficiently agile and sustainable to grow, adapt to change, seize opportunities, and is viewed as the premier supplier of
THEME 1: TO BE
FINANCIALLY VIABLE
AND SUSTAINABLE
5
UQSchoolsNet will deliver a world-class Internet
service and educational content to future
generations that is financially viable
and sustainable in all aspects of
delivery of the service.
Since the launch of UQSchoolsNet in 2008, revenue has continued to grow year on year, with UQSchoolsNet having achieved an average 50% ROI since 2011. This profit generated by UQSchoolsNet is reinvested into the network, product enhancements, and services offered to the community ITS supports. A key to the continued success of UQSchoolsNet is maintaining and improving this ROI to enable broader service offerings and continued investment in the future. Some external factors can have a positive and negative impact on the financial position of UQSchoolsNet that include wholesale supplier costs and challengers in the market.
Remaining sustainable is key to the ongoing success of UQSchoolsNet which will need to leverage internal partnerships to strengthen the understanding of the competitive environment, current and prospective clients, behavioural trends, and future marketplace developments.
We will take a
proactive approach to
supplier and client agreements
Address all contracts that are out-of-date by the
end of the 2013/2014 financial year.
Actively engage in the process for renewal of
wholesale access agreements 3 months before
they are due.
Actively engage in the process for renewal for
UQSchoolsNet client agreements 3 months
before they are due, highlighting the
potential upgrade of the service.
We will be
fiscally responsible and
accountable operating unit
Utilise budget tools as a form of revenue/cost
control, forecasting revenue for a 2 year period.
Establish a carry-forward accounting mechanism for
the carry-over of any newly opened accounts into a
new accounting period.
Present the UQSchoolsNet budget to the Senior
Management committee at the beginning of each
financial year.
Reconcile supplier charges for
verification of correct billing.
We
will seek
alternative streams of
funding such as grants and
collaborations
Identify and apply for grant sources through
identifying how these could be utilised to
enhance the UQSchoolsNet future directions
- continual basis.
Identify synergies within UQ for
collaboration and funding -
continual basis.
We will
proactively monitor
and manage all
UQSchoolsNet accounts
Implement a reporting system that
monitors receivables, received
payments, and accounts that
have aged beyond 30 days
by the end of 2014.
THEME 2: TO
I N C R E A S E
THE NUMBER
OF MEMBERS
PARTICIPATING
UQSchoolsNet will increase the number of
member schools to enhance the experience of all
member schools.
With more than 200 schools connected, utilising the UQSchoolsNet connection for collaboration with other schools, and general Internet access, it is important to highlight that the more schools who connect, the cheaper
it get for everyone. UQSchoolsNet has enjoyed a huge first-mover advantage since its introduction, with
technical superiority, low cost, customized technical solutions, and ability to build strong customer
relationships.
Over the past twelve months the number of new schools joining the UQSchoolsNet network has slowed over the previous year’s strong growth, with a number of factors
contributing to this. Firstly, competitors have overcome the latecomer disadvantage by forming strategic alliances
and joint ventures to expand their market reach, develop new technologies, and
lower costs.
With the consolidation of suppliers servicing this market the advantages UQSchoolsNet once had have reduced yet the number of new schools join continues to grow. Every new school that joins reduces the overall costs of providing service
to each school which is passed onto each school if possible through annual pricing reviews and
something other providers in the market are not
yet doing.
We will promote
UQSchoolsNet to our target
audiences
Create an engaging advertising campaign for
distribution and use at K-12 sector events for the
beginning of the 2015 school year.
Provide collateral to Independent Schools Queensland
for distribution to its member schools for the beginning
of the 2015 school year.
Finalise all product collateral and service pricing for
the beginning of the 2015 school year.
We will grow
partnerships with third
party providers
Build partnerships with other types of
service providers delivering services to
the K-12 sector to identify synergies and
potential collaborations.
Implement referral partnership program
to be launched in 2016, allowing third
parties to earn commission/revenue
from selling UQSchoolsNet
services.
We will establish strong
working relationships with key
external and UQ stakeholders
Hold quarterly meetings with the Department of Education,
Training and Employment Queensland providing updates on the
UQSchoolsNet initiative and gauging interest from public schools.
Provide quarterly updates and an annual report for ITS Senior
Management Group on the UQSchoolsNet initiative.
Establish relationships with UQ units involved with school outreach
activities to promote UQSchoolsNet as a platform to reach their
target audience providing UQ generated content for UQSchoolsNet
members.
Begin to build a strong relationship with the newly created
initiative Independent Public Schools, which will grow to
be 120 schools by 2016, demonstrating the benefits
UQSchoolsNet can offer public schools through being
connected to the University along with potential
financial saving the initiative can offer
7
THEME 3: TO
IMPROVE THE
UQSchoolsNet aims to provide
members with sustainable and
leading service offerings.
UQSchoolsNet provides schools with three key services, Access, Collaboration, and Internet, from which schools have the ability to connect and utilize one of the fasted Educational networks in Australia. Each of these services give a school access to educational content from around the world to provide the highest level of end-user experience possible.
The three existing services give the foundation for additional services to be added and offered to customers readily using the UQSchoolsNet
network today along with ongoing enhancements being made to continue strengthen the services on offer.
This will be achieved by building partnerships with third-party providers who could leverage from the UQSchoolsNet network to deliver value added products and services to our schools.
We will develop a
standard 10GB product
offering on next generation
UQSchoolsNet network
Work with carriers to identify a suitable
provider of dark fibre services to
UQSchoolsNet.
Identify potential customers suitable for
an upgrade to 10GB.
Formalise product collateral
and pricing.
We will develop
UQSchoolsNet voice
service offerings that leverage
the Universities Voice Platform and
carrier rates
Work with the Voice Services team to identify SIP
based IP voice solution and product offering.
Identify potential customers looking for SIP
based voice solution that could be delivered by
UQSchoolsNet.
Formalise product collateral and
pricing.
We will develop a UQSchoolsNet
Share Services Platform (SSP) which will
include managed virtual Firewall, IPS, Web
Content Filtering, and Application Control;
Managed External Storage and Archive; and, up
to ½ DC Disaster Recovery rack space
Work with ITS groups to coordinate infrastructure
implementation and setup for FW, IPS, WCF, and AC.
Formalise agreements with third party storage and
archiving provider for resale of their service offering.
THEME 4: ONGOING
NETWORK AND
CAPACITY PLANNING
UQSchoolsNet aims to provide members with a
service that is underpinned by well-managed and
scalable infrastructure to support the aims of the
UQSchoolsNet initiative.
Since the inception of UQSchoolsNet a high importance has been put into providing connections that meet the current and future needs of our customers, at the lowest cost possible. This view has also continued into the design of minimizing complexity by reducing the time and cost of maintaining the network, and eliminating unnecessary equipment which costs money to run and maintain.
The network today is one of the largest educational networks in Australia, delivering schools over 20Gbps of capacity, all made possible through continued capacity increases with upstream providers and hardware replacements to build more resilience and reliability.
Four basic principles have been used and will continue to be utilized in this area:
Analyse:
analyse the current capacity and financial environment.Justif
y:
understand the future capacity and evaluate thefinancial benefits expected.
Implement: plan and perform intended work.
Validate:
test and ensure the change hasaddressed the end user needs and achieve financial savings.
A number of external factors can impact this area which may be out of UQSchoolsNet’s control, including upstream supplier cost increases, speed to acquire, and implement capacity upgrades.
An
aly
se
Valid
ate
Im
ple
m
ent
J
ust
ify
We will deliver a future proof
capacity-planning model
Review previous 12 & 24 month network growth
for future capacity increase planning.
Review existing carrier agreements for negotiation of
higher capacity for the same or lower cost.
Plan ahead for future key equipment or transit
capacity upgrades.
We will identify
educational content
providers
Identify and expand relationships with
educational peering and content providers.
Engage with UQ about the use of
UQSchoolsNet to deliver outreach content
material directly to schools.
We will build on
network reputation
9
APPENDIX: SCHOOLS CONNECTED TO UQSCHOOLSNET
School Name
Street
Suburb
State Postcode Website
A B Paterson College 10 A B Paterson
Drive Arundel QLD 4214 www.abpat.qld.edu.au
All Saints Anglican School HIghfield Drive Merrimac QLD 4226 www.asas.qld.edu.au
Bond University 14 University Drive Robina QLD 4226 www.bond.edu.au
Bremer SHS 133-153 Warwick
Road
Ipswich QLD 4304 www.bremershs.eq.edu.au
Brigidine C-ollege 53 Ward Street Indooroopilly QLD 4068 www.brigidine.qld.edu.au
Brisbane Boys College Kensington Terrace Toowong QLD 4066 www.bbc.qld.edu.au
Brisbane Catholic Education 243 Gladstone Road Dutton Park QLD 4102 www.bne.catholic.edu.au
Brisbane Christian Outreach
College 322 Wecker Road Mansfield QLD 4122 www.brisbane.coc.edu.au
Brisbane Girls Grammar
School Gregory Terrace Brisbane QLD 4000 www.bggs.qld.edu.au
Brisbane Grammar School 24 Gregory Terrace Brisbane QLD 4000 www.brisbanegrammar.com
Cannon Hill Anglican College Cnr Junction and
Krupp Roads Cannon Hill QLD 4170 www.chac.qld.edu.au
Canterbury College Old Logan Village Road
Waterford QLD 4133 www.canterbury.qld.edu.au
Clayfield College 23 Gregory Street Clayfield QLD 4011 www.clayfield.qld.edu.au
Concordia Lutheran College 154 Stephen Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 www.concordia.qld.edu.au
Downlands Sacred Heart
College 72 Ruthven Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 www.downlands.qld.edu.au
Fraser Coast Anglican College Doolong South Road Wondunna QLD 4655 www.fcac.qld.edu.au
Grace Lutheran College Anzac Avenue and
Mewes Road Rothwell QLD 4022 www.glc.qld.edu.au
St Joseph’s College (Gregory
Terrace) 285 Gregory Terrace Brisbane QLD 4000 www.terrace.qld.edu.au
Ipswich Girls Grammar School Cnr Queen Vic-toria Parade and Chermside Road
East Ipswich QLD 4305 www.iggs.qld.edu.au
Kimberley College 35-41 Kruger Road Carbrook QLD 4130 www.kimberleycollege.org
Livingstone Christian College 62 Reedmans Road Ormeau QLD 4208 www.livingstone.qld.edu.au
Loreto College 415 Cavendish Road Coorparoo QLD 4151 www.loreto.qld.edu.au
Lourdes Hill College 86 Hawthorne Road Hawthorne QLD 4171 www.lhc.qld.edu.au
Marist College 142 Frasers Road Ashgrove QLD 4060 www.marash.qld.edu.au
Martin Luther School 402 Hume Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 www.concordia.qld.edu.au
Matthew Flinders Anglican
College Stringybark Road Buderim QLD 4556 www.mfac.edu.au
Moreton Bay Boys College 258-302 Manly Road Manly West QLD 4179 www.mbbc.qld.edu.au
Moreton Bay College 450 Wondall Road Manly West QLD 4179 www.mbc.qld.edu.au
Mt St Michael’s College 67 Elimatta Drive Ashgrove QLD 4060 www.msm.qld.edu.au
Nudgee Junior College Twigg Street Indooroopilly QLD 4068 www.njc.qld.edu.au
Pacific Coast Christian College
3a Acacia Street Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 www.pacificcoast.net.au
Redlands College 38 Anson Road Wellington Point QLD 4160 www.redlands.qld.edu.au
Rockhampton Grammar Archer Street Rockhampton QLD 4700 www.rgs.qld.edu.au
Sheldon College Lot 5 Taylor Road Sheldon QLD 4157 www.sheldoncollege.com
Somerville House 17 Graham Street South Brisbane QLD 4101 www.somerville.qld.edu.au
School Name
Street
Suburb
State Postcode Website
St Andrews Anglican College 40 Peregian Springs
Drive Peregian Springs QLD 4573 www.saac.qld.edu.au
St Edmunds 16 Mary Street Woodend QLD 4305 www.sec.qld.edu.au
St Hilda’s School 52 High Steet Southport QLD 4215 www.sthildas.qld.edu.au
St James College 201 Boundary Street Brisbane QLD 4000 www.stjamescollege.qld.edu.
au
St Laurence’s College 82 Stephens Road South Brisbane QLD 4101 www.slc.qld.edu.au
St Pauls School 34 Strathpine Road Bald Hills QLD 4036 www.stpauls.qld.edu.au
Suncoast Christian College Cnr Schubert and
Kiel Mountain Roads Wommbye QLD 4559 www.suncoastcc.qld.edu.au
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
372 Mons Road Forest Glen QLD 4556 www.scgs.qld.edu.au
The Glennie School Herries Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 www.glennie.qld.edu.au
The Southport School Winchester Street Southport QLD 4215 www.tss.qld.edu.au
Toowoomba Grammar 24 Margaret Street East Toowoomba QLD 4350 www.twgs.qld.edu.au
Villanova College 24 Sixth Avenue Coorparoo QLD 4151 www.vnc.qld.edu.au
West Moreton Anglican College
