3 Creative Ways to Combat K-12 Supply Chain Shortages
Supply chain issues continue to pose challenges for K-12 IT decision makers. In addition to high demand and component shortages, many schools’ hardware is aging out. Old Chromebooks are being retired due to Google’s Auto Update Expiration policy, causing their operating systems to become outdated—which means apps and extensions stop functioning for entire districts.
But there are solutions. Whether you are a superintendent, CBO, IT Director, or other IT decision maker, we can help with some alternative ways to approach the supply chain shortage. Read on for alternative solutions that may help.
Here are 3 creative ways to combat these persistent supply chain challenges:
1. Reallocate Newer Hardware to High-Need Areas
2. Leverage Partnerships to Provide Alternative Solutions
3. Reach Out to Neighboring Districts for Spare Equipment
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1. Reallocate Newer Hardware to High-Need Areas
When distance learning began, it caused high demand for student devices such as Chromebooks, network products, and audio/visual equipment. Increased government funding also contributed to the rise in demand. High demand for these items has led to a shortage of learning technologies and their components—LCD screens, processors, chips, etc. HP and Lenovo, two of the largest manufacturers of Chromebooks, are desperately trying to deliver months worth of backlogs. If ordering today, schools can expect 6–18 month lead times on certain equipment—and this doesn’t include the backlog of orders placed before October 2021 that haven’t shipped yet.
If your district needs to upgrade networking equipment and is unable to get hardware, you may want to consider shuffling the newest hardware to areas of highest and most critical need, while moving the older, aging equipment to less critical or impactful areas of the school district.
“Districts may want to consider shuffling the newest hardware to areas of highest need.
-Orion Potts, Director of Education
We can help assess which areas of your IT infrastructure are most critical, and help you reallocate your networking equipment accordingly. This may sound like a lot of work—but so is down-time in critical areas of learning or testing.
2. Leverage Partnerships to Provide Alternative Solutions
You probably have your favorite hardware brands and devices already chosen. But with supply chain difficulties persisting, it may become necessary to consider brand alternatives. Instead of the price point and brand you are used to, you may have to branch out to higher-cost options, or competitors of the brands you are used to.
Your IT provider can help make alternative purchasing decisions simpler for you. Consider the following criteria when making large hardware orders:
Are there additional costs you may not have considered, like software licenses, warranties, etc.?
Is the hardware compatible with your current system?
Have you considered data security when selecting your hardware?
Have you chosen the most reliable option?
Reach out to alternative manufacturers to see if new equipment is available. We can help you select the proper equipment to suit the needs of your project, while prioritizing active vendor support.
3. Reach Out to Neighboring Districts for Spare Equipment
It may be a cliche, but it’s true: we are all in this together. Nobody wants our students to face learning challenges due to equipment shortages, nor do we want our school districts to operate ineffectively, hamstrung by supply chain delays. Therefore, another potential source of relief may be your neighboring districts.
Reach out to your fellow IT decision makers and see if they have equipment that could help your district in its time of need.Your IT counterparts may be able to lend you cold spares until your equipment arrives. If their district upgraded their equipment more recently than yours, their networking equipment may suit your needs. It never hurts to ask!
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Delayed timelines and order backlogs are a constant source of stress for IT decision makers. It’s not an easy situation for anyone. For us at Datapath, backorders and delays are an unavoidable reality. With open communication, patience, and perseverance, we will get through this together.
The bottom line is this: in the face of supply chain issues, we must be adaptable and flexible. Datapath’s experts can provide you with the knowledge and advice to make adapting that much easier.
Get in touch today for expert advice with tackling your hardware needs.