Sixty-Two Percent of K-12 Schools Support Chromebook Initiatives, But Over 90% Still Rely on Windows Applications, According to Ericom Software Survey 

In Embracing Chromebooks and Other Mobile Devices, Schools Look to Browser-Based Access Solutions to Simplify Access to Windows Applications 

Closter, N.J., (July 27, 2016) - Ericom Software, a global leader in application access and virtualization solutions, today announced the findings of an independent industry study to assess current technology trends in K-12 education. 

The survey, directed at K-12 educators and IT professionals representing over 1,500 elementary, intermediate, and high schools and over half a million students, concluded that 62 percent of respondents' schools support Chromebooks initiatives to some extent and that almost a quarter (22 percent) of those schools use Chromebooks as a primary device in the classroom. 

However, while K-12 educators are beginning to realize the benefits of Chromebooks as educational tools, most schools have a heavy investment in Window applications. 92 percent of respondents indicated that their schools use at least one Windows-based application and more than a quarter (29 percent) use five or more Windows applications to support both learning and teaching. 

Survey data revealed that a top priority for adopting classroom technology is whether new devices are compatible with current applications, including Windows applications. For 43 percent of respondents, a dependence on both desktop and cloud-based Windows applications influences their thoughts about deploying Chromebooks specifically. However, 60 percent agree that browser-based access to Windows applications on Chromebooks would make them a viable solution for their schools. 

"This survey suggests that schools are searching for a solution that allows them to integrate cost-efficient Chromebooks into the learning environment without sacrificing access to Windows and other applications," stated Ilan Paretsky, Vice President of Marketing at Ericom Software. "HMTL5 browser-based remote access provides K-12 schools with a simple solution by making both desktop and cloud-based Windows applications available through a standard browser – a two-for-one solution, simplifying life for both users and IT staff."

According to the survey, one-to-one initiatives are also emerging as a popular solution in K-12 learning environments. Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of respondents' schools consider one-to-one capability when evaluating IT solutions. However, according to 71 percent of respondents, at this point, school-issued devices such as laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks, are limited to use during the school day and on school property. 

Based on survey results, K-12 schools are using a mixture of strategies to increase device access. 46 percent of respondents indicated that their school's top priority is giving every student access to a device within the next three years.

Although survey data shows that currently only 24 percent of students have access to devices inside and outside of school, BYOD is becoming a popular way to extend educational technology beyond the classroom. Currently, 43 percent of respondents' schools have a BYOD policy in place. 

Ericom was also able to gain insight into several current K-12 mobile technology trends:  

• Over 80 percent of respondents prefer mobile devices (laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks) over desktops for use in schools

• Tablets are falling out of fashion; 71 percent of respondents prefer laptops or Chromebooks as classroom devices while only 8 percent prefer tablets 

• Almost three-quarters (68 percent) of schools support online and cloud-based initiatives

View the full survey report here: https://www.ericom.com/education-survey-2016.asp

Ericom Software's AccessNow browser-based remote access solution allows students and faculty to easily access Windows and other web-based applications from any device, including desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets, using any HTML5-compliant browser and without downloading any additional software or hardware. For more information, visit: https://www.ericom.com/education.asp

About Ericom Software

Ericom Software is a leading global provider of Application Access, Virtualization and RDP Acceleration Solutions. Since 1993, Ericom has been helping users access enterprise mission-critical applications running on a broad range of Microsoft Windows Terminal Servers, Virtual Desktops, legacy hosts and other systems. Ericom has offices in the United States, United Kingdom and EMEA. Ericom also has an extensive network of distributors and partners throughout North America, Europe, Asia, the Far East, and Africa. Our expanding customer base is more than 30 thousand strong, with over 8 million users.

For more information about Ericom and its products, please visit our website. You can also follow Ericom Software on our blog, as well as on Twitter, Facebook, and our YouTube channel.

Ericom US Contact
Ilan Paretsky
ilan.paretsky@ericom.com
201-767-2210