Spencer Community School District – Smoothwall Filter Case Study
Find out how Smoothwall helped this Iowa school district that had previously struggled to maintain a reliable web filter to keep students safe online while also protecting against hidden dangers, find a solution that worked for them.
What’s the background?
There was only one web filtering option in mind when Landon Allen started his new role as Director of Information technology at Spencer Community School District in Spencer, Iowa.
The 3,100-user school district had issues with their previous web filter and wanted a consistent solution that was easy to use. Though the district’s 1:1 program initiative focuses on 2,300 Chromebooks for 2nd through 12th graders, their network also consists of iPads and Windows computers for teachers and administrators.
When Landon took over as the new Director of Information Technology in 2017, he tested three other web filters before choosing Smoothwall. Ultimately, his positive experience with Smoothwall at his previous district influenced his decision when the time came to make the change.
What was the challenge?
While their existing web filter handled the basic demands of their district’s network, it was inefficient and inconsistent. Landon and his team had struggled with managing throughput and maintaining connectivity that regularly left their users with protection.
Smoothwall’s Unified Threat Management has simplified how we manage our network. It’s education-specific features help us protect students from online harm and maintains productivity, all at an affordable price.