You’ve heard the saying, “know your audience.” At TD SYNNEX, we know that’s true. That’s why we created a practical new Compete Guide to help you understand exactly what education customers need—and provide the competitive insights required to deliver the right technology solutions and close the deal.
With more schools embarking on their digital transformation, education customers’ face four unprecedented challenges. First, schools require technology that supports a mix of in-class and remote learning. Second, meeting the needs of every student has become increasingly complex—requiring technology solutions that empower students with different learning styles, physical abilities, languages, and so on. Third, with IT budgets being squeezed, schools must measure the cost of technology purchases with the value they deliver. And finally, schools today are one of the most targeted industries by bad actors—with three times as many cyber incidents reported in 2019 than 2018 and 13% of all education institutions having been a target of ransomware attacks. *
Our guide addresses each of these challenges and how Microsoft Education devices and tools help schools overcome them. And you’ll find the details you need to compare how Microsoft and Google stack up to meet customers’ critical needs, including affordability, accessibility, privacy, security, learning outcomes, and more.
Enable better outcomes with hybrid learning
While some students learn from home, others flex from in-class to remote learning. To help students stay productive from anywhere, devices need to support hybrid learning environments, both online and offline. Windows 11 devices, unlike Google Chromebooks, can run thousands of locally installed applications and web apps to ensure a consistent learning experience, even when students have limited connectivity.
Using Microsoft Teams and OneNote, students and teachers can also collaborate effectively from anywhere. Teachers can get real-time feedback on student progress and identify areas for improvement to boost learning outcomes. Google, on the other hand, relies on integrations with third-party apps to drive student engagement. You’ll find more details in our guide comparing how Microsoft and Google support hybrid learning.
Ensure accessibility for every student
Making sure learning is easily accessible to every student is table stakes these days. That’s why Microsoft empowers students by providing built-in accessibility features at no extra cost. For example, Windows and Microsoft 365 provide five times more assistive technologies than Google’s solution to help support students with a variety of learning, visual, hearing, mobility, neurodiversity, and mental health needs.
In fact, you’ll find a table comparing all the built-in accessibility features included with each solution in our guide. Line by line, you’ll see how Microsoft provides cutting-edge tools students need to succeed.
Deliver value with every education dollar
Education customers are looking for ways to make IT budgets go further while lowering their total cost of ownership. With Windows 10 devices starting as low as $239, Microsoft does more than offer schools affordable devices. It also provides generous licensing programs and simplified IT management to help schools reduce costs and save time.
For example, qualified institutions can save $50 per student, per year with Microsoft 365 Student Use Benefit. In addition, each Microsoft 365 license includes everything a school needs, from the operating system and security to management and productivity tools. See for yourself in the Compete Guide how Microsoft and Google stack up in terms of affordable devices, license uses, and ease of management.
Provide a comprehensive approach to security
With the rise in cyberattacks and concerns about the safety of students, security is top of mind for schools. That’s why Microsoft provides a comprehensive approach to securing students as well as school technology and campuses. Microsoft 365 offers built-in protection with a range of tools and features, such as multifactor authentication and access management. It even protects devices from other providers.
Want to see how Microsoft and Google compare when it comes to comprehensive security, student safety, information protection, and campus and device security? We’ve got it covered in the guide.
Ready to get started?
With Microsoft and SYNNEX, you have access to education experts familiar with the government contracting process. And we’re here for you every step of the way to help you deliver the right tools to your education clients. We’ll even help you build a complete educational offering—from choosing the right Windows 11 devices and accessing free physics and math lessons to providing STEM learning tools like augmented reality, drones, and virtual reality.
To get started selling, download our Compete Guide. Or reach out to TD SYNNEX if you need help.
*EdTech Magazine, Cyberattacks Increasingly Threaten Schools—Here’s What to Know, 2020
