The director of Kohila Kindergarten Männi shares honestly and directly what their IT situation was like before and how the transition to a service-based model has changed the entire team's work culture.
How would you describe the kindergarten's IT environment before collaborating with GreenDice? What were the biggest daily obstacles?
Our computer park was old and there were many problems. Since the devices were acquired on installment and one by one, we could barely replace the most critical ones. When GreenDice conducted the audit, a sad fact emerged: out of 20 computers, only the director's was suitable for work, the rest needed immediate replacement.
Another major concern was support. We have a team of women in the kindergarten who lack deep technical knowledge, and the previous maintenance partner took weeks to respond to inquiries. Additionally, our internet connection was below any capability – we felt that everything was slow, but we didn't know how to seek a solution ourselves.
For years, tablets received from the government sat in your corner. What happened to them?
This is an incredible story – I waited 8 years for a solution to the tablet problem. They were so poor that they just sat idle. GreenDice reviewed them and also concluded that there was nothing to be done with them, but immediately offered new devices as replacements. This problem was essentially solved in 12 hours! Now we can finally use microscopes and conduct developmental outdoor games, which was previously just a dream.
GreenDice's model is different – you don't buy devices, but use them as part of a service. How does this work for the kindergarten?
This is the main advantage: we didn't buy the technology, but the service that came with the computers. I get two in one at a very reasonable price. I have had to explain this several times, that the devices are not ours, but it is financially sensible and a cost-effective solution. I have proper technology and IT support available all the time.
How has the new technology and ergonomics affected teachers' daily work?
Previously, many worked only with a small laptop screen. GreenDice taught us to use two screens at once, which has made working much more convenient. Digital tools are the everyday tools of a kindergarten teacher – all documentation, communication with parents, and personnel files have moved online. We no longer have any documents on paper.
How did the transition to cloud solutions (OneDrive and shared folders) go?
Although we have been using computers for 15 years, we only received "grassroots level" instruction during the GreenDice training for the first time. We were guided practically: which programs help us and how to use shared folders. This has made work organization faster and easier.
Have you noticed that the training has increased employees' confidence?
People are now actively using shared folders and programs. Alexander (the GreenDice trainer) made the material very simple, but we are still in the learning process. Teachers do not have time during the day to learn the programs themselves, so this guided approach was essential. The most important thing is the confidence: I get an answer to my question within 12 hours and a solution within a day.
To whom and why would you recommend GreenDice's service?
I would absolutely recommend it to all educational institutions. It is financially sensible and offers tremendous added value, especially in terms of service and support. It was a real stroke of luck for us that we "stumbled upon" GreenDice!
