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Q: Does HelpMySchool provide direct support services?
Answer: Yes.  We function in the exact same role as a full-time district technology director.  As such, we contractually have the same purchasing authority and the same responsibilities.  That means that we are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the district technology and the resulting technical support.  We fill that role using remote technologies.  This technology has allowed us to further optimize our support systems and subsequently keep costs low for our client districts.  However, there are those times when an issue can not be resolved remotely and we must come to the site to fix the problem.  In many cases, we do that with our own personnel and resources.  That said, from time to time it is necessary to engage outside help which we do automatically and on behalf of the district.  In those cases, we simply hire an available service provider to do the work.  The service provider then invoices for the services directly to the district and is paid directly from the district.  Aside from managing and verifying the completion of the task, HelpMySchool is not involved in third party to school district relationships.

Q: Does HelpMySchool retain or make money from work performed by third party providers?
Answer: No.  We do not make percentages, referral fees or any other type of compensation for work sent to outside service providers.  Typically, we only engage outside support providers for tasks which we can not complete in a timely manner, or, are not equipped to handle.

Q: Does HelpMySchool benefit from the E-rate program?
Answer: No, we have no way of doing so nor will we ever.  Since we handle the E-rate application paperwork for our client schools, we can NOT be involved in the E-rate to provider relationships.  In fact, in recent E-rate filing cycles our clients have actually began to migrate away from leveraging E-rate maintenance agreements due to the increased capabilities of our support system.  Simply put, the districts no longer need the cost and overhead of maintaining maintenance agreements through E-rate because HelpMySchool Support Services already includes such solutions within its management structures.  Over past years, the number of E-rate maintenance agreements requested through our E-rate filing services have steadily decreased.

Q: Does HelpMySchool decide which E-rate bids are accepted?
Answer: No.  In situations where a client's need mandates involvement from a third party service provider through E-rate funding channels, HelpMySchool only facilitates the bidding process and does not become involved in the selection process.  We then work along side of the chosen provider to offer a consolidated support initiative for the district.  HelpMySchool has absolutely NO say in the selection process.  We are told by the district who we will be working with.  Since our approach is extremely flexible, we work well along side of a commercial provider for purposes of providing E-rate eligible Basic Maintenance.  Ultimately, HelpMySchool is still in charge of the support operations even though a third party provider may be doing the work.

Q: How much does HelpMySchool services cost the district?
Answer: The cost is based on factors relating to the school district.  The largest contributing cost factor is the findings of our FREE technology assessment.  In fact, typically we do not provide a services quote for consideration until we conduct a complete review of the district technology.  As a rule of thumb, though, in most cases the cost is between 25% and 35% of the total cost of a full-time person employed by the district.  In many cases, we have been able to provide all of our services for the same annual amount the district has paid to receive only E-rate filing services in the past.  That's always VERY attractive to our prospective clients.

Q: Is my district required to have in-house technology personnel if it engages HMS?
Answer: Absolutely not.  In most cases, we fill the role as the "Technology Director" for our clients.  However, in some cases the district engages us to manage their existing technology resources.  In these cases, the in-house staff (although employed by the district) actually works under the management and direction of HelpMySchool.  We work equally well in either situation and districts are never required to employee in-house staff.

 Q: What security measures does HelpMySchool install on our systems?
Answer: We take securing your technology very seriously.  As such, one of the first things we implement is a complete security review.  In most cases, we will also re-design your network security to mirror our standard security structure.  This structure assures your network security is well managed and that every user has access to the necessary resources.

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