Tech Journal College Deploys Hundreds of Lenovo Devices to Enable Remote Student Success

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted colleges’ approaches to learning. And, with this adjustment, leaders realized they needed to support students with newer devices. However, they also realized that different classes required different device features to support particular learning outcomes.

In December 2020, as students continued their education from home, a Vancouver college approached Insight to see if we could store, support and distribute devices to their students learning remotely. The college’s older devices weren’t configured for current courses, particularly those in the art and design program that combined in-classroom theoretical teaching with hands-on, practical training, allowing students to gain real-world experience.

To facilitate this experience, such courses required GPU intensive machines to run apps such as Maya, Adobe Premiere, Autodesk, Unreal Engine and more. As a result, the college was looking to update approximately 800 devices.

Organize, support and distribute.

After recognizing that a one-device-fits-all approach wouldn’t suffice, the college approached Insight and Lenovo to find the right devices to support their students’ work. Lenovo was chosen due to the variety of features they offer, as well as the price point.

Insight and Lenovo worked together to store, service and deploy over 800 devices to specific students based on the courses they were taking. Different courses had different device requirements; therefore, orders were organized in the system for each student before device shipment.

After choosing the correct device for each class, Insight segmented three groups of students based on their class enrollment. Then, Insight delivered each student the correct laptop based on their coursework. Additionally, Insight minimized the client’s storage, lab and shipping costs by holding everything in our own distribution warehouse to distribute.

Student success equals business success.

With a strategic plan in place, Insight distributed over 800 devices to the Vancouver college’s students ahead of the timeline initially agreed upon. With the right tools in hand, students are tackling their remote coursework with enthusiasm. And, with Insight managing device storage, the college can focus on fostering new educational experiences, rather than worrying about IT inventory, shipping and device management.

As a result, the college realized significant outcomes, including:

• Not having to hold device inventory
• Focusing on enrolling more students
• Having the right devices to support students in the right courses

Deploy your devices with confidence. Insight and Lenovo deploy powerful hardware with a low total cost of ownership.