For Immediate Release: 22-May-2002
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADAAvaya, a leading global provider of voice and data networks to
businesses, announced today that the Calgary Board of Education
will equip more than 221 primary and secondary schools with
wireless learning capabilities using the Avaya Wireless local area
network (LAN) portfolio. Calgary is Canada's second largest school
board and more than 90,000 students will benefit from incorporating
wireless computer access into their classroom learning
environments. Students can now conveniently move desks around in the classroom
during project work, while strategically positioned access points
throughout the school enable them to move from room-to-room with
their laptops without losing network connections. Access to the Internet and a school's data network in the
Board's schools today is currently confined to desktop computers in
computer labs or a few computers in a classroom. Students will be given Avaya Wireless PC Cards to insert into
their laptops or desktops, connecting them immediately to an
industry standard 802.11 wireless data network which provides
Internet and data access at secure transmission speeds of 11 Mbps.
The installation of Avaya Wireless solutions supports the Calgary
Board of Education's initiative to bring laptops into the classroom
or reposition desktops to create a more flexible learning
environment for students and maximize efficient use of classroom
space. "We envision a learning environment where students are empowered
to research, explore and communicate with technology from every
corner of their school," said Mike Bester, ICT curriculum
specialist, Calgary Board of Education. "Avaya impressed us with
its ability to deliver the speed and security necessary to create a
solid network that supports our general curriculum and enables
students to benefit from easier access to computers and an enriched
learning experience." Avaya's BusinessPartner, Microserve, begins the roll out of the
Avaya Wireless LAN installations this month at the Tom Baines
School. The school has purchased five access points to support more
than 750 students with a connected mobile environment. "The Avaya Wireless LAN solution is ideal for a classroom
environment where price, safety and flexibility are key
considerations," said Patrick Lance, vice president of marketing,
Avaya Canada. "A wireless solution offers non-intrusive
installations at a feasible cost, addresses safety issues by
eliminating the need for network cable in a classroom environment,
and provides portable technology learning which will strengthen the
skills of future generations of Canadians." The Calgary Board of Education selected Avaya in a competitive
bid based on criteria outlined in a request-for-proposal
process. About Avaya
Avaya Inc., headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., is a leading
global provider of voice and data networks as well as
communications solutions and services that help businesses,
government agencies and other institutions including more than 90
percent of the FORTUNE 500® excel in the customer economy. Avaya
offers Customer Relationship Management Solutions, Unified
Communication Solutions, Service Provider Solutions, MultiService
Networking Infrastructure, and Converged Voice and Data Networks
including the company's no-compromise Avaya Enterprise-Class IP
Solutions (ECLIPS) all supported by Avaya Services and Avaya
Labs. Avaya is the worldwide leader in unified messaging, messaging
systems, call centers and structured cabling systems. It is the
U.S. leader in voice communications systems and services. Avaya is
an official sponsor for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women's
World Cup 2003 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments. With
Canadian headquarters in Markham, Ontario, and offices across the
country, Avaya employs more than 340 people in Canada. For more
information about Avaya, visit its web site at http://www.avaya.com. About the Calgary Board of Education
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is one of the largest school
boards in Canada, delivering public education programs to almost
100,000 kindergarten to grade 12 students. Another 30,000 students
access educational opportunities through Chinook College, its adult
and continuing education provider. The CBE is the dynamic learning community of choice. It provides
quality learning opportunities and options, delivered through a
commitment to excellence, equity and choice. Its community of
learners is a diverse and ever-expanding one. The CBE offers a wide
variety of life-enriching programs that promote quality learning
for students of all ages. The CBE's commitment to educational excellence means that it is
in a continuous process of critical inquiry as it works to enhance
students' opportunities and expand their capabilities. Administrative offices of the Calgary Board of Education are
located at 515 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, Alberta. For detailed
information on the CBE public education system, visit its Web site
at www.cbe.ab.ca. | 
