The beginning of the school year is fast approaching. Soon, many educational institutions will face the same uphill battle: outdated network infrastructure, tight budgets, and small IT teams juggling competing priorities.
After struggling with these same challenges, Golden Hills School Division reached out to PC Corp. With our help, they procured more than one hundred Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise 48 PoE switches to modernize their aging network. Now, it can support the demands of a digital-first classroom, without overextending their budget or their IT staff.
As more of your learning, teaching, and school operations depend on modern technology, reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury. In this blog, we’ll explore why many IT procurement experts choose Ubiquiti’s switches to connect educational environments more efficiently. Keep reading to learn about the solution’s features, benefits, cost, and how it helps you stay prepared for the future.
Common IT Challenges in Education
Given the Alberta government mandates information and communication technology be taught as a “curriculum within a curriculum”—embedded within core subjects like English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies—digital tools have clearly become an everyday part of student learning. But many schools are still playing catch-up with the infrastructure needed to support this shift.
IT teams often contend with legacy networks that weren’t built to handle the volume of devices in a typical classroom, or the continuous connectivity modern learning requires. The resulting slow WiFi, dead zones, and frequent disruptions end up undermining both teaching and student engagement.
Budget constraints only add pressure. School divisions must stretch limited funding while trying to upgrade aging systems and accommodate a growing inventory of connected devices, from laptops and tablets to smartboards and security systems.
And with small IT departments often responsible for supporting multiple schools or even entire districts, just keeping things running is a challenge. Scaling to support new technologies (like AI tools and advanced learning platforms) can feel out of reach without the right tools in place.
What is Ubiquiti and Why Is It a Smart Solution for Schools?
To address these challenges and stay ahead as educational needs evolve, IT teams need solutions that are cost-effective, simple to deploy, easy to manage, and built to scale. Ubiquiti’s UniFi platform, paired with the USW-Enterprise 48 PoE switch, delivers exactly that.
What is a 48 PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch?
This type of network switch offers 48 ports capable of delivering both data and electrical power through standard Ethernet cables. You can power and connect devices to your network using just one cable. No separate power cords needed!
How does it work with the UniFi platform to make a difference?
In a traditional school network setup:
- Devices like computers, smart boards, and Wi-Fi access points are often connected through a patchwork of legacy switches and standalone hardware
- Each component may require its own power source
- Network management is typically fragmented across multiple systems or interfaces.
- IT teams often need to manually configure devices, run separate cables for data and power, and troubleshoot issues on a case-by-case basis.
Instead, you can manage your entire network through the UniFi Controller which provides a single interface for configuration, monitoring and updates – helping schools connect all their devices reliably and securely.
This type of networking architecture is great to support various activities that take place at schools: digital learning tools, streaming and other remote access needs. It lets you seamlessly integrate new technologies as schools modernize and maintain uptime and smooth performance during busy school days.
How Ubiquiti Supports and Strengthens School IT Infrastructure
For schools seeking a manageable and secure networking solution, Ubiquiti’s features align well with your needs, particularly when resources are limited.
Some of the practical benefits include:
- Centralized cloud-managed control: IT administrators can manage the entire network from a single dashboard, making it easier to monitor performance, push updates, and troubleshoot issues remotely.
- Built-in security features: Ubiquiti offers a range of tools to protect sensitive student and staff data. A zone-based firewall isolates traffic between network segments, while VLAN support for segments networks by role or device type. The switch also integrates with UniFi Protect for surveillance and smart alerts, and UniFi Access to manage users, visitors, schedules, and access policies.
- Scalable and consistent hardware: Ubiquiti’s UniFi platform is built to scale easily across growing school environments. With multi-site management, IT teams can oversee multiple campuses or buildings from a single controller. And switch stacking capabilities and a wide range of hardware options make expanding and tailoring deployments much simpler.
Cost Comparison: Ubiquiti vs. Competitors for School IT
You may be thinking: this solution sounds great, but how much will this cost me?
As IT procurement experts, we know that choosing the right networking solution is as much about long-term value as it is about upfront cost. Ubiquiti has gained attention in the education sector for offering a balance between affordability and functionality, especially for institutions with limited IT staff.
So, let’s talk numbers. The size and complexity of the deployment — whether it’s a single building or a multi-campus district — will play a major role. When evaluating total cost of ownership, it’s important to consider more than just the sticker price. The costs with Ubiquiti USW-Enterprise 48 PoE switches will include the initial purchase of switches, access points, and other hardware. You will also need to factor in the costs associated with ongoing expenses like software licensing, support contracts, and maintenance.
Choosing Ubiquiti switches can lead to significant cost savings in several ways. UniFi products—including access points, switches, gateways, and cameras—are license-free, so you avoid ongoing subscription fees. Plus, it is free to access the UniFi Controller software features and firmware updates for device management, no subscription required!
Another area where Ubiquiti stands out is in reducing hidden costs. With its easy-to-use interface and centralized controls, it takes less time to set it up, troubleshoot issues or train staff on how to use it. Many schools find they can manage everything smoothly without adding IT staff or relying on outside help, making it a more practical long-term solution financially as well.
If you’re curious about the pricing, we’ve crunched some real numbers for you.
Start the School Year Strong with Ubiquiti and PC Corp
Schools need networks that work: reliably, affordably, and without constant hands-on support. Ubiquiti helps meet those needs by offering straightforward tools that simplify setup and management, while keeping costs in check.
You don’t have to figure out technology solutions on your own. When your partner with PC Corp for our IT procurement, our experts will apply our deep expertise to help you find technology that aligns with your goals and budget realities. We have a dedicated education-focused team that specializes in sourcing technology for school boards and districts, so you know you’ll be in good hands.
If your school is planning a network upgrade or exploring other technology options, reach out to PC Corp to start the conversation. Our team is ready to help you build a smarter, more sustainable IT environment.
