[Mail_supt] Student Information and the ProgressBook Suite

[Thor Sage]

Good afternoon,
I wanted to provide some information regarding Software Answers acquisition of the Student Information portion of the ProgressBook Suite (formerly owned by the MCOECN).  Here is the associated news item that is posted on the MCOECN website:
http://www.mcoecn.org/2017/09/14/progressbook-suite-ownership-consolidated-no-impact-to-day-to-day-users/

Here are the most important items about the transaction relevant to MVECA districts:

-          Software Answers will assume full ownership of the ProgressBook Suite.

-          Development goals will still be prioritized by district and ITC personnel and the development committee and will advise Software Answers accordingly.

-          Software Answers is contractually obligated to maintain Ohio compliance in the Suite for a minimum of five years, even though they are expected to support the Suite in Ohio for much longer.

-          All existing ITC and MCOECN support structures and hosting for the Suite will remain in place and functioning as they are today.

-          Cost increases are capped over the next five years.

As you can imagine, there is significant complexity in a deal like this.  However, rest assured that ITCs and the MCOECN did work to protect the interests of schools using the Suite today to the fullest possible extent.
For anyone that is interested, I can provide additional thoughts about this transaction and am happy to do so.  Please know that, in my opinion, this transaction was a positive move for Software Answers and the MCOECN that will benefit ITCs and school districts using the ProgressBook Suite.  I also believe that full ownership of the Suite by Software Answers may improve the overall quality of the Suite itself.
Please contact me directly for more information.
Thank you,
Thor

Thor Sage
Executive Director
Miami Valley Educational Computer Association
937-767-1468  x3101
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Not-for-profit Technology Services for Education and Local Governments



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