Overcoming Rural IT Challenges: Ashburton College’s Success with New Era

Ashburton College, one of mid-Canterbury’s largest secondary schools, serves over 1,600 students and staff daily. Like many rural schools, it faced challenges with IT transformation due to its remote location, ageing infrastructure, and the growing demand for digital learning. For over a decade, New Era Technology has been a trusted partner, helping the school modernise its digital environment, improve connectivity, and future-proof its IT infrastructure.

Before partnering with New Era, Ashburton College faced several key challenges including:

• Ageing infrastructure – With Concrete-block buildings, this made network cabling difficult.
• Limited IT support – The school’s rural location meant slow access to external expertise and support.
• Expanding technology needs – A growing student population requires more robust IT solutions and
  setups, including support for specialised subjects like music, graphics, and visual arts.

Ashburton needed a technology partner who could provide hands-on support and a long-term strategy to keep up with evolving digital demands and a growing school population.

New Era stepped in with a customised approach to support Ashburton College's IT transformation for rural schools, beginning with the placement of a full-time onsite technician. They provided immediate on-site IT assistance, which in turn, reduced downtime and ensured the school’s systems remained operational.

Alongside the day-to-day support, New Era worked with the school on a strategic plan. This roadmap aimed to improve the school’s IT environment. Network and infrastructure improvements significantly enhanced connectivity, while the creation of specialised IT lab environments allowed students to work with the latest technology in their creative subjects. More recently, the outdated phone system was replaced with a modern VoIP solution. As a result, communication across the school has improved. New Era introduced a structured BYOD programme. This ensured seamless and secure student device management. The implementation of these solutions not only enhanced student learning, but also created seamless operations for staff.

Beyond infrastructure, New Era prioritised staff and student training, ensuring technology was not just available, but fully integrated into daily learning and administrative processes.

Overcoming Rural IT Challenges

Ashburton College doesn’t see New Era as just another service provider. In fact, they’re an integral part of the school community.

With a dedicated account executive and technician, the school has a direct line to expert advice and proactive solutions.

Ashburton allows New Era to take the lead when it comes to tech, as the partnership has open communication and a problem-solving mindset, which in time has built a relationship founded on trust and collaboration.

Ashburton allows New Era to take the lead when it comes to tech, as the partnership has open communication and a problem-solving mindset, which in time has built a relationship founded on trust and collaboration.

Looking ahead, New Era remains committed to Ashburton’s digital evolution and growing IT needs. Plans are in place to refresh the BYOD programme, future-proof IT infrastructure, and explore emerging technologies that will help enable students and staff with the most up-to-date tech, so they don’t get left behind.

With New Era’s continued support, Ashburton College can confidently embrace the future, knowing their IT is in expert hands and with a trusted partner.