Scottish Police College Selects Enterasys Networks to Deliver Cyber Training Facilities in Preparation for Tomorrow's Policing
State-of-the-Art Network Environment Supports E-Learning Initiatives For UK Police Authorities
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NEWBURY, ENGLAND -- April 6, 2001--Enterasys NetworksTM, a leader in secure, available and mobile enterprise communications solutions, today announced that the Scottish Police College, the country's central police-training establishment, has selected Enterasys Networks for the implementation of a state-of-the-art network, designed to directly support the College's forward-thinking e-learning and e-training initiatives. This solution was selected in association with Edinburgh-based Comptacentre, Enterasys' channel partner.
Running over Enterasys' high-availability network infrastructure are technology-based training applications and web-based training systems supporting in-house training and full open and distance learning. The system has the capacity to serve all police forces and central service organisations throughout Scotland, and will be available to 20,000 staff who have access to the Scottish Police College's e-learning facilities. The system will offer training and development opportunities which will directly support policing in the 21st century.
"Our vision to be a centre of excellence at the heart of a learning organization is dependent on our ability to embrace new technologies," explains Andrew Bowie, Head of IT Division, Scottish Police College. "It was imperative that we selected a network solution that encompasses leading-edge technology, that empowers our current and future e-learning activities, and that was from a company with a solid background in the enterprise communications sector."
Established in 1954, the Scottish Police College provides comprehensive training for police officers, including specialist programs for detective and traffic officers. The utilization of e-learning allows the college to improve productivity and expand the number of topics without the requirement to add additional facilities. Through these technological advancements, the College clearly shows that it has commitment and vision to support its goal of becoming a centre for e-learning excellence throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, thus ensuring a positive working environment to attract training and IT professionals of the highest quality.
The College's planned introduction of online learning include the latest interactive teaching methods utilizing video streaming, video and audio conferencing, Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and Internet access. In turn, familiarizing tomorrow's police officers with leading computer technology allows police officers to seamlessly utilize IT in day-to-day operations. Activities from obtaining and recording pertinent intelligence information, to gaining faster access to police and public records via the Internet and PNN2 (Police National Network), will enable enhanced communications between police authorities in the effort to fight and reduce crime throughout the UK.
In order to support its training activities, the Scottish Police College turned to Enterasys to provide the network foundations. The new Enterasys network infrastructure utilizes its leading-edge X-Pedition family, the industry's number one range of Layer 3 switch/routers, to ensure a highly available and secure Gigabit Ethernet backbone to support the college's anticipated usage of voice and video technologies. Enterasys' Vertical Horizon switches provided the college with high-performance and cost-effective desktop connectivity, seamlessly managed by Netsight, Enterasys' enterprise network management software. Enterasys' X-Pedition and Vertical Horizon families were selected due to inherent Quality-of-Service (QoS) capabilities, allowing Bowie to ensure guaranteed availability of training facilities, as well as assurance that bandwidth would be sufficient for future 'simulation' training exercises.
"We required a highly resilient and available internal network which could evolve and integrate with future technologies and create a foundation for secure expansion. With Enterasys Networks' X-Pedition products we found this," enthused Bowie. "The installation of the new network was seamless, taking only two days. I am confident that as new services come on-line we will be able to reap the benefits now that a future-proofed infrastructure is in place."
"Winning the Scottish Police College' network demonstrates Enterasys' commitment to supporting e-learning, as well as our expertise in the area of education and training," commented Vice President for UK & Ireland, Stefan Michal. "Enterasys has long been a leader in the higher education segment where on-line training is a growing requirement. Our solutions provide the necessary performance to support the high-bandwidth demands of on-line learning, while simultaneously providing the secure environment needed to protect student records and proprietary courseware. In addition, Enterasys' 24 x 7 x 365 availability, coupled with complete mobility of secure network access, on campus and off, ensure that students, trainers and administrators have access to capabilities they need at any time, from any location. We are proud to be part of the effort to ensure that Scotland, and the rest of the UK, has the best-trained Police Service in the world," concluded Michal.
For further information on Enterasys' complete portfolio please visit http://www.enterasys.com/solutions.
Enterasys Networks
Enterasys Networks is a new type of company that combines a single market focus with a strong technology heritage to provide communications infrastructures for enterprise-class customers. Enterasys' networking hardware and software offerings deliver the innovative security, availability and mobility solutions required by Global 2000 organizations coupled with the industry's strongest service and support. Based in Rochester, New Hampshire, Enterasys is backed by Silver Lake Partners and Cabletron Systems (NYSE: CS), and was named a "Company to Watch in 2001" by CIO Magazine. For more information, visit enterasys.com.