All too often, the biggest communication gaps in school aren't just between teachers and students, but among teachers, students, administrators, and parents.
With this in mind, Apple developed the Communications Bundle, a complete package of hardware and software expressly designed to help your entire school communicate more freely, acquire information more quickly, and collaborate more productively.
Education has always been about just two things: the creation of information, and the sharing of information. That's why we created the Communications Bundle.
In one complete package, your school gets everything it needs to streamline communications between teachers, students, and administrators -- even those using Windows PCs*. Practically overnight, it can transform the way a school's staff members communicate with one another. Memos bulletins, schedules, questions, comments, agendas, and meeting notes pass immediately from one educator's computer to anothers. Or to the entire faculty.
One that makes it easy for students to collaborate on projects even when they're not in the same classroom. And, one that gives administrators a direct link to critical information such as: student records, curriculum guidelines, budgets, and staff information.
The heart of all this is a remarkable software program called FirstClass. It was designed with the needs of educators in mind: It's very easy to use, yet offers powerful features including the ability to access your computer with remote access**. Remote access can open up your school to the whole community. District administrators can use their computer and modem to send and receive messages, and join discussions.
Parents and students with computers can also access the system to pick up homework assignments, read school news, and exchange messages with the faculty.
And because this FirstClass software deserves to run on first class hardware, it's bundled with your choice of two Apple Workgroup Servers. Should you wish to expand your system, two of more servers can communicate with each other -- from different buildings or different cities.
We'll even send an Apple authorized technician to install your server and FirstClass software.
Before the information superhighway comes to town, you'll first need to connect your school's own network. With this bundle, you're paving the way.
FirstClass software
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Designed for educators, it combines easy-to-use operation with powerful communications features. Best of all, it has the kind of easy-to-use design that Macintosh software is known for.
* Installation will include set up of your Workgroup Server, connection to your existing LocalTalk or Ethernet network, as well as installation of a sample education configuration of the FirstClass software developed in our Apple Classroom of Tomorrow research project.
* Documents, graphics, video clips, and audio messages can be "attached" to e-mail memos.
* Automatically sends, receives, and stores your e-mail in the background, until you're ready to read them (so your work goes on without interruption).
* Capable of handling a virtually unlimited number of mail boxes.
* Must be purchased with either a 100-client, or 250-client package.
* Built-in conference for on-line discussions Remote access lets staff, parents, and teachers (with a modem) access e-mail and on-line discusssions. Passwords and guests permissions limit access on the server, so students, teachers, and parents only see what you want them to see.
* Can be used by both Macintosh and Windows computers*.
Apple Workgroup Server 60
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Our most affordable server is ideal for schools or buildings that require the support of up to 50 teachers, students, and administrators at a time. High-speed Ethernet is built-in, for up to 10 times faster file access than with standard LocalTalk cabling. Can be upgraded to higher-performance Power Macintosh technology, if and when you wish.
* 50/25Mhz 68040 processor with built-in math coprocessor.
* Supports up to 50 people communicating at the same time.
* Support for optional DDS-DC tape backup system.
* 8 MB memory (expandable to 68 MB).
* 230 MB hard drive.
* Expansion bay for additional hard disk or CD-ROM drive.
* Expansion slot for processor-direct or 7 inch NuBus expansion card with adapter.
* High-performance SCSI interface.
* High-speed Ethernet networking.
* AppleShare 4.0 server software pre-installed.
* Ready for PowerPC processor upgrade.
Apple Workgroup Server 80
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Allows up to 100 teachers, students, remote users, and administrators to connect at the same time to retrieve mail, send files, and collaborate through on-line conferencing. Built-in Ethernet networking and high-performance SCSI ports help prevent data bottlenecks. Built-in CD-ROM allows for access of additional resources such as on-line encyclopedias or reference materials. And a built-in tape backup enlarges the server's capacity and protects valuable data. Can be upgraded to higher-performance Power Macintosh technology.
* 66/33Mhz 68040 processor with built-in math coprocessor.
* Supports up to 100 people communicating at the same time.
* 16 MB memory (expandable to 256 MB).
* One-gigabyte hard drive.
* Built-in dual-speed CD-ROM drive.
* Built-in DAT tape backup system.
* Expansion bays for two additional hard disks.
* Three NuBus expansion slots.
* 68040 processor-direct slot.
* High-performance SCSI interface.
* High-speed Ethernet networking.
* AppleShare 4.0 server software pre-installed.
* Ready for PowerPC processor upgrade.
Ordering information
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* Communications Bundle with Apple Workgroup Server 60; includes setup and connection to your existing network.
B2094LL/A
* Communications Bundle with Apple Workgroup Server 80; includes setup and connection to your existing network.
B2096LL/A
In addition to the purchase of a communications bundle, you will need to purchase user licenses to allow users to connect to your server. These licenses are available in 100 and 250-user configurations. Additional users can be added at anytime with the purchase of additional packs. For example, start with a 250-user pack and, when you need to add more users, you can purchase additional packs to increase the capacity of your system.
FirstClass user license:
* T1377LL/A: 100-user pack
* T1378LL/A: 250-user pack
* Windows connections will require purchase of a Windows Client Option.
** Remote access requires modems.