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Case Study: Grace Christian School Supports Digital Learning with Zhone Technologies Passive Optical LAN Solution
[January 19, 2016]

Case Study: Grace Christian School Supports Digital Learning with Zhone Technologies Passive Optical LAN Solution


OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital learning, connected devices, and cloud-based software and applications have become essential parts of classroom education at institutions ranging from elementary schools to universities. Grace Christian School, a K-12 school in Anchorage, Alaska, is no different. During the last three years, the school has purchased $100,000 of technology such as SMART Boards®, interactive projectors and Apple TV® modules as part of an initiative to prepare its students for secondary education. Yet, these tools are only as effective as the network they are connected to.

Digital learning, connected devices, and cloud-based software and applications have become essential parts of classroom education at institutions ranging from elementary schools to universities.

In a case study titled "Grace Christian School Supports Digital Learning with Deployment of Zhone Technologies Passive Optical LAN Solution," Dr. Terry Thornhill, Chief Technology Officer at Grace Christian School, articulates how Zhone Technologies FiberLAN was used to update the school's network infrastructure in order to provide reliable connectivity that allows teachers and students to utilize digital tools and technology every day. The case study is available for download at www.zhone.com/grace-christian/.

Built in 1980, the school was still utilizing its original Category 5 copper cabling, and was experiencing frequent lapses in its connectivity and a lack of bandwidth to support the school's increasing number of network-enabled devices. Thornhill knew the school needed to update its infrastructure to support the size of the campus and its long-term growth. It also required a network that would allow parents to have access to the campus' Intranet.

"We were using Category 5/5e cables, which didn't have the signal range we needed for our campus layout," said Dr. Thornhill. "We ran into so many issues – signal degradation, dropped connections, signal loss. The result was our teachers wouldn't use the technology for fear of losing valuable class time. In short, th signal latency was really affecting our students' learning."



DSI, Inc., a woman-owned communications infrastructure company in Anchorage, Alaska, recommended Zhone Technologies FiberLAN solution, a next-generation Optical LAN solution. Zhone Technologies and DSI collaborated to create a solution that provides reliable high-speed data, voice and video services for the school's 60 teachers and 600 students. The case study outlines the following aspects of the deployment:

  • Using Zhone Technologies' access and aggregation platform equipment, DSI designed a high-speed, large-scale network that delivers triple-play services to more than 40 classrooms and offices.
  • The reliability of the new network gave teachers confidence to use network-connected technology in their lessons.
  • With the new network infrastructure, operating and maintenance issues were virtually eliminated, allowing Grace Christian's small IT team to focus their time elsewhere.

"The Zhone solution gave us connectivity everywhere - it's like being on a new campus," reports Dr. Thornhill. "I don't have to spend two or three hours of every day working on the infrastructure. I haven't had a single ONT fail and I don't have to deal with a fiber connection not working like it's supposed to. Teachers don't have their workstations dropping off the network. Everything works like it's supposed to, every time."


* Apple TV® and SMART Board® are registered trademarks of their perspective companies.

About Zhone Technologies
Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE) is a global leader in the fiber access market, serving more than 750 of the world's most innovative network operators. The IP Zhone is the only solution that enables service providers to build the network of the future today, supporting end-to-end Voice, Data, Entertainment Social Media, Business, Mobile Backhaul and Mobility service. Zhone is committed to building the fastest and highest quality All IP Multi-Service solution for its customers. Zhone is headquartered in California and its products are manufactured in the USA in a facility that is emission, wastewater and CFC free.

Zhone, the Zhone logo, and all Zhone product names are trademarks of Zhone Technologies, Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change without notice.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "target," "will," "would," variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to financial estimates; projections of revenue, margins, expenses or other financial items. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, commercial acceptance of the Company's products; intense competition in the communications equipment market; the Company's ability to execute on its strategy and operating plans; and economic conditions specific to the communications, networking, internet and related industries. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in the Company's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Zhone Technologies

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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/case-study-grace-christian-school-supports-digital-learning-with-zhone-technologies-passive-optical-lan-solution-300205926.html

SOURCE Zhone Technologies, Inc.


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