Education Service Center Region 12

For Release:
Oct. 20, 2004

Media Contact: Jennifer Marshall-Higgins
Title: Communications Coordinator
Phone: (254) 297-1198
E-mail: jhiggins@esc12.net

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 18

WACO, TEXAS — From computer security to managing the expense and liability of disposing obsolete equipment, technology support staff must have a wide-range of expertise to tackle issues quickly and efficiently. In the education arena, as in government and private business, technology is vital. However, money, time and staff are often lacking and the costs of supporting technology are often underestimated.

To share the latest cost and time-saving technology support advancements, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 has partnered with the Austin chapter of the Help Desk Institute (HDI Austin) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) to present “Meeting the Challenge: Foundations of Technology Support,” scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18 at ESC Region 12 (Bagby & Hwy 6) in Waco.

This one-day conference is aimed at providing attendees with tools and techniques to lower support costs and save time resolving computer problems. Training sessions will address three key areas:

achieving quicker incident resolution through effective information gathering,
minimizing the time, expense and exposure associated with computer disposal,
and ensuring a secure computing environment.

Also, participants will have the opportunity to establish working relationships with individuals who share similar challenges in their field. The Waco conference is a pilot project that conference organizers hope will become an annual event for all 20 education service centers.

“ESC Region 12, TASB and HDI Austin teamed together to bring this conference to Waco to provide the education, government and business communities in Central Texas with the kind of experience you normally have to travel long distances and spend a substantial amount of money to get. This conference will benefit those in technology support positions because it addresses the challenges they deal with every day and will help them provide faster, better, cheaper technology support. The end result will be better use of technology in education and business,” said Martha Lundgren, the department director of the Information Center for TASB.
The cost of the conference is $65 and attendance is open to the public.

For more information call 254/297-1260 or email mnolan@esc12.net.

About ESC Region 12

One of twenty regional education service centers, ESC Region 12 provides professional development and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students so that no child is left behind. Based in Waco with satellite offices in Copperas Cove, Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, and Teague, Region 12 encompasses 11,318 square miles and includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties.

About HDI Austin

HDI Austin was formed to provide support professionals with regular opportunities to meet and share ideas and solutions to the common challenges all support organizations face. In addition to networking opportunities, chapter meetings provide professional quality presentations on topics specific to the support industry.

About TASB
Created in 1949, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) is a voluntary, nonprofit, statewide educational association that serves and represents local Texas school districts.