BBS Einbeck – School rolls out iPads thanks to the Bechtle partner shop and parental financing

BBS Einbeck – School rolls out iPads thanks to the Bechtle partner shop and parental financing.

In 2020, BBS Einbeck was certified as one of the best schools in Germany. Since the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year, the school has opted to use iPads in education. The devices are used across the board as a mandatory tool for pupils. In doing so, BBS Einbeck aims to foster their students’ digital expertise and prepare them for the increasingly digitalised world of work. Together with Bechtle, the school opened up a web shop that parents could purchase the devices from without a high financial burden so that their children gain access to digital learning aids.

Project details.

Services

Modern Workplace

Industry

Public sector

Manufacturer

Apple

Company size

< 250 employees

Challenge.

BBS Einbeck is a vocational school that is well-known for winning the German School Award 2020 for its innovative concepts that see the students develop their school and classes by means of providing feedback. The idea of expanding their students’ digital expertise in order to prepare them better for an increasingly digitalised world of work meant that there was a growing need for a unified IT environment with a homogeneous structure and device class that can be centrally managed. There was also a pressing need for the school to offer a solution that was financed by the parents without being too high a financial burden. Since the school was already using JAMF as a mobile device management (MDM) system for the existing tablets for distributing selected profiles and apps to Apple devices, the iPad was chosen as the go-to device, as it can be managed centrally via Apple School Manager with ease and is secure from external attacks.

By equipping our students with their own iPads and introducing a dedicated web shop with parental financing options by Bechtle, we are showing our commitment to digital education. The Bechtle web shop is not only a comfortable solution for parents to purchase the recommended devices, it is also a seamless interface between the school and the families that fosters access to digital learning aids, while offering financial flexibility.

Ulf Scupin, Head of Economics and IT, BBS Einbeck

Solution.

Bechtle was able to realise BBS Einbeck’s vision in no time. In a dedicated web shop created by Bechtle, students or their parents can buy hardware and software from a portfolio that has been put together by the school. The underlying shop system by ideaalnet was customised by Bechtle according to BBS Einbeck’s wishes. Inside the shop, the students can choose between a 9th Gen iPad 64 GB, 256 GB Wi-Fi, 10th Gen iPad 64 GB, 256 GB Wi-Fi or iPad Air 64 GB, 256 GB Wi-Fi—depending on the school type there are different device types and all classes decide what devices are on offer. Together with BBS Einbeck, Bechtle created a portfolio with the corresponding products and there is an option to purchase covers, keyboards, styluses and an insurance. Bechtle also saw to it that each child or parent received their own credentials they can use to access their specific year group’s shop to purchase the iPad with accessories with only a few clicks. Bechtle provides financial flexibility by providing the opportunity to buy tablets directly or in instalments (without a background check) with zero per cent interest and individual durations, so that there are no hidden costs when buying in instalments. And in the event that a family is struggling to pay for the device, there is a foundation (ideaalnet) that is supported by large IT companies which allows for payment breaks or subsidisation. The device ultimately belongs to the student, but should there be any damage, the parents can turn to the ideaalnet foundation, where they will receive support in their language.

Every device that is purchased from the Bechtle web shop by students of BBS Einbeck has been switched to school mode so that the devices are limited to educational applications. This way Bechtle makes sure that the devices are ready for education. Neither the parents nor the school have to worry about the devices, as they come preconfigured and with a JAMF lifetime licence. Thanks to the mobile device management software, every iPad at BBS Einbeck is connected to the school network, managed centrally, has all the apps on it that are required for school, and updates and backups can be deployed by the school fast and efficiently.

Business benefits.

With Bechtle rolling out the ability to order iPads through the ideaalnet foundation’s partner shop with parent financing, BBS Einbeck has made use of the device one of its distinguishing features. Thanks to these devices, the students now learn important digital expertise and have access to a host of digital tools. The management and organisation of the IT infrastructure are easier thanks to integration into JAMF and the Apple School Manager. This way schools, teachers and students always have the latest devices and can save and edit their school work on one device. Thanks to the ideaalnet foundation’s web shop, the financial strain for the parents has been minimised. The use of iPads in different courses poses new possibilities for BBS Einbeck for creating a modern and future-oriented learning environment.