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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Improving the Student:Computer Ratio
When Greg Young, technology director at the Dallas, Texas-area Rylie Family Faith Academies, began working at the school, he had an enormous challenge. He had to figure out how to buy enough computers to serve every student.
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008
CDI Computer Dealers Helps Virginia School District

From RedOrbit.com

CDI Computer Dealers Helps Virginia School District Provide Technology Resources for 4,700 Students Adoption of 300 Refurbished Computers Provides $230,000 in Savings to Louisa County Public Schools and Enables 2:1 Ratio of Students to PCs

Friday, March 28, 2008
CDI Doubles Capacity for Recycling and Reselling Information Technology
CDI Doubles Capacity for Recycling and Reselling Information Technology Markham, Ontario, March 25, 2008 – CDI Computer Dealers, Inc. (CDI), one of the largest independent re-marketers of IT equipment in North America, today announced the opening of a new, 64,000-square foot processing facility in Toronto that more than doubles its capacity to recycle and remarket technology assets.
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Poll

What prevents you from reaching all your technology goals for the year?

Not enough budget
Not enough staff
Not enough variety of product
Not enough variety of suppliers
Too much red tape (applying for grants, RFQ's etc.)
Not allowed to buy from every supplier

Results

Advisory Board Survey - Keyboards

Our first Advisory Board survey dealt with specific features educators would want to see incorporated into the first keyboard and mouse manufacturered specifically for schools. The information collected was directly used in the design process in conjuction with Bedmas Educational, a computer hardware manufacturer.

Additional topics include interest levels in Netbooks and which educational publications are most commonly read by our advisory panel.

Survey Results

1. Anti Microbial Shield
By contracting Aegis we are able to create a keyboard with a clinically proven ability to destroy 99.99% of microbes that come in contact with the keyboard. The Microbshield lasts for 7 years, is not harmful to the environment and releases no toxic elements.

Responses

Percent

Critical- I will not buy a keyboard without it.:

5.32%

Important- I consider this to be an important feature.:

40.43%

Average- This feature would be nice to have but not crucial.:

48.94%

Unimportant- This feature will not affect my decision on which keyboard to purchase.:

4.26%

Negative- This feature will actually dissuade me from choosing this keyboard.:

1.06%

Total Responded to this question:

100%

Total who skipped this question:

Total:

100%

2. Spill Proof
By segregating the electrical components in an enclosed area we are able to create a keyboard that can not be damaged by spills. Liquids run through the keyboard and do not affect performance.

Responses

Percent

Critical- I will not buy a keyboard without it.:

9.57%

Important- I consider this to be an important feature.:

41.49%

Average- This feature would be nice to have but not crucial.:

34.04%

Unimportant- This feature will not affect my decision on which keyboard to purchase.:

14.89%

Negative- This feature will actually dissuade me from choosing this keyboard.:

Total Responded to this question:

100%

Total who skipped this question:

Total:

100%

3. Laser Etched Keys
By laser etching the characters directly on to the plastic, the keyboard keys will not fade with use. Laser etched keys are guaranteed to not rub off for 10 years.

Responses

Percent

Critical- I will not buy a keyboard without it.:

6.38%

Important- I consider this to be an important feature.:

42.55%

Average- This feature would be nice to have but not crucial.:

35.11%

Unimportant- This feature will not affect my decision on which keyboard to purchase.:

14.89%

Negative- This feature will actually dissuade me from choosing this keyboard.:

1.06%

Total Responded to this question:

100%

Total who skipped this question:

Total:

100%

4. Extended USB Cables
Most keyboard kits come with a standard 6' USB connection for the mouse and keyboard. What would you consider the ideal cable length?

Responses

Percent

10' or over:

10.64%

8':

24.47%

6':

54.26%

Shorter than 6':

10.64%

Total Responded to this question:

100%

Total who skipped this question:

Total:

100%

5. Overall Quality
Keyboards come in a wide variety of construction quality. Assuming your keyboard was fully covered under warranty for 3 years regardless of quality, and assuming that higher quality means higher cost, what would you consider to be the sweet spot between quality and price?

Responses

Percent

Highest Possible Quality- approximately $40; similar to MS Natural keyboards or high end Logitech Keyboards.:

5.38%

High Quality- Approximately $25; similar to most keyboards included with corporate grade brand name systems.:

48.39%

Average Quality; Approximately $15-$25; similar to most keyboards given with clone machines. Reliable but will break under abuse.:

40.86%

Low Quality- Approximately $10-$15; functional and reliable but can be bent or broken with moderate abuse.:

4.3%

Lowest Quality- Under $10; functional but easily destroyed by inappropriate use.:

1.08%

Total Responded to this question:

98.94%

Total who skipped this question:

1.06%

Total:

100%

6. If there are other features, concerns or comments about keyboards and mice in general please include them here.

Responses

Percent

Responses:

100%

Total Responded to this question:

53.19%

Total who skipped this question:

46.81%

Total:

100%

7. Please share any thoughts you have about adopting netbooks into your schools.

Responses

Percent

Responses:

100%

Total Responded to this question:

80.85%

Total who skipped this question:

19.15%

Total:

100%

8. Which of the following publications do you regularly read?

Responses

Percent

Scholastic Administr@tor:

32.93%

T.H.E Journal:

30.49%

District Administration:

42.68%

Technology & Learning:

60.98%

Education Week:

29.27%

eSchool News:

59.76%

Campus Technology:

8.54%

Total Responded to this question:

87.23%

Total who skipped this question:

12.77%

Total:

100%

CDI Announces Perpetual One-To-One Initiative

Chicago, IL, November 23, 2009 - CDI, North America's largest supplier of recertified, brand name computers to the educational market, now provides Schools with a set-annuity technology solution that is perpetual and care-free: PERPETUAL ONE-TO-ONE INITIATIVE (POTO). This initiative dramatically lowers technology costs, provides seamless guaranteed replacement rotation for the equipment while maintaining or improving their computer-to-student ratio.
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CDI and RISTE Sponsor Free Technology Waste Disposal Day

Chicago, IL, October 06, 2009 - CDI, North America's largest supplier of recertified, brand name computers to the educational market, is sponsoring a Free Technology Waste Disposal Day in conjunction with the Rhode Island Society of Technology Education (RISTE) on October 27, 2009 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This event is open to all private and public school districts in Rhode Island and will take place at the Northern Rhode Island Collaborative. The event will benefit area school districts by providing them a free and easy way to dispose of their technology waste.
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Interactive Whiteboards

Explore the benefits of Interactive whiteboards. A new and dynamic way to add interactivity to your classroom.

CDI in the News

Read independent articles about CDI and schools that have transformed the way they purchased computer equipment.

Special Needs Bundles

Our Special Needs bundles combine affordable CDI hardware with specially priced software bundles targeted at educating special needs children.
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Bedmas Educational 101 Keyboard

Learn about the Bedmas Educational Keyboard - a keyboard and mouse designed by our advisory panel of Tech Coordinators, Principals, Superintendents and educators specifically for the school environment.
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CDI Certified - The Process

Our CDI Certification process ensures that CDI computers are as reliable and dependable as when they were first manufactured. See the steps that every single CDI Certified computer goes through before it is ever shipped to a school.

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In Secondhand Computer Market, Brand Names are still Important

Whether its cars, watches or computers, the quality behind an established brand extends from new items to used ones.
That's why, all other things being equal, you're better offbuying a business-grade Dell, HP or Lenovo PC than an unbranded "whitebox" unit assembled by a discount supplier.
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