The Challenge
Eliminate login sharing and track workstation usage
The Camden City K-12 school district numbers approximately 15,000 students attending 20 elementary/family schools, one middle school, two traditional high schools, two magnet high schools and one nontraditional high school.
Amid an increasing number of students sharing user logins, the Camden City District IT team found it challenging to track usage and enforce compliance with school internet and email policies. The team had been using a few outdated tools with Windows 2000 and 2003, but they were no longer supported by Microsoft and the capabilities were limited and did not provide the control they desired.
With the same user signed in to multiple computers, we found it difficult to track down students who were abusing the schools’ internet usage policies or sending inappropriate emails. We didn’t know who to reprimand because so many students were using the same login.
Patrick McGlinchey
Technology Systems Specialist
Patrick began the search for a Windows-based solution that would allow the district to monitor and secure network access. They needed to ensure that students were limited to using only their own personal login information and all sessions could be accurately tracked and recorded.
The Solution
UserLock for access control and visibility of student behavior online
After an online search led Patrick to UserLock, the district conducted a brief pilot and quickly determined that the solution was easy to use and met all of their access control requirements.
UserLock was very cost effective and supported Windows XP and Windows 7. The deployment was extremely simple and the bottom line was that it worked exactly how we needed it to.
Patrick McGlinchey
Technology Systems Specialist
In less than a week, the team was able to deploy UserLock to all PCs across 26 schools (for 15,000 users). With UserLock’s automatic installation option, each PC was instantly enrolled the next time it was online. Patrick easily configured the solution according to the district’s policy, which permits only one login per student and two concurrent logins per teacher. The district is also using the UserLock web server features, which allow users who have been locked out due to an improperly-closed connection to go online to log in and change their password.
With UserLock, we no longer have 30 students logged in with the same username at once. We’ve not only eliminated concurrent logins but now also have the ability to accurately track down and discipline individuals who are out of compliance with our internet and email policies.
Patrick McGlinchey
Technology Systems Specialist
Through UserLock’s login control and monitoring capabilities for their Windows network, Camden City School District has been able to completely eliminate login sharing and respond to inappropriate internet and email usage.
The district also had a positive experience with IS Decisions Support.
The support team was very responsive. Within two hours of submitting a ticket, I had a response and resolution. Considering other IT vendors today can take days to get back to me, we were very satisfied.
Patrick McGlinchey
Technology Systems Specialist