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Relational Technology Solutions Partners With Shaw University for Technology-Focused Community Service Endeavor

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 March 2007, 12:00 CDT

Relational Technology Solutions (RTS), one of the largest independent technology leasing and converged technology solutions providers in North America, today announced a community service-based partnership with Shaw University, the nation's oldest historically black college in the south.

In conjunction with Shaw's introduction of a comprehensive community service program focused on extending the school's technological prowess and extensive educational resources to the larger Raleigh community, Relational is providing both hardware and IT consulting services supporting general computer education, enhanced online access via wireless Internet service and distance learning.

Shaw University's Executive Vice President Martel Perry unveiled the Bridging Global Initiatives & Community Beyond the Gates program at a morning press conference and discussed its long-terms goals: "By launching this community service project, we intend to facilitate dialogue between Shaw and a wide array of organizations -- both public and private, for-profit and non-profit -- which share our vision of fostering intellectual enhancement and technological skills both within and beyond the gates of our institution."

Through parallel partnerships with Relational, Avaya, Extreme Networks and Citrix, the university is expanding its deployment of a converged end-to-end data and voice systems network by extending its rich IP Telephony capabilities to South Park's Top Green Community Center. IP Telephony is software-based technology that uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to transmit voice as data over a computer network.

"Relational is proud to partner with leading telecommunications, networking and application delivery organizations to support Shaw University in launching this initiative," said Jeff Ehlers, chief executive officer at Relational Technology Solutions, who attended the press conference. "The university's commitment to extending its technology services and educational resources to the local community is commendable and should serve as a blueprint for other higher learning institutions to follow in the future."

Along with delivering wireless Internet access to Top Green, Shaw will make various university services available to the community center. Through donations of both equipment and consulting resources made by the four technology partners, Top Green will leverage an Application Gateway to access Web-based, university content via Avaya IP phones newly installed at the center. This functionality offers users the ability to simply use a touchscreen interface and press the graphic related to the Shaw University service in which they're interested.

"Extreme Networks is honored to contribute to Shaw University's unique community program, which leverages technology to extend educational resources throughout the Raleigh community," said Dan Sibille, senior director of North American Channels for Extreme Networks. "Through our relationship and combined expertise with Relational Technology Solutions and Avaya, we help allow networking and communications to make a positive impact on the community."

Previously, students from Shaw's Department of Computer & Information Sciences assisted Top Green in upgrading the capabilities of its existing computers. Anti-virus software was installed, as was additional memory, helping to ensure that these machines were adequately equipped to help users take full advantage of the wireless Internet access provided by the university.

Another aspect of the Bridging Global Initiatives program is an adult education component where students from the Department of Computer & Information Sciences will receive scholarships in exchange for leading training courses at Top Green, including instruction on basic computer skills, Internet access and general word processing.

"Participating in community service projects has such a positive, beneficial impact on students," continued Shaw's Perry. "It ties them closer to the local community and encourages them to interact with people from disparate backgrounds. The fact that students participating in this program will also gain teaching experience will be invaluable to them in the future."

For more information on the Bridging Global Initiatives & Community Beyond the Gates program, please contact Shaw University's Public Affairs Office at (919) 719-1999.

About Shaw University

Shaw University was founded in 1865 with a mission to admit students without regard to race, creed or gender and to provide educational opportunities, technical skills and character development for its diverse student population. Shaw is considered the mother of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in North Carolina. Five of the 11 historically black colleges were started on Shaw's campus or founded by Shaw graduates. Since 2003, the university has been under the leadership of Dr. Clarence G. Newsome. President Newsome's leadership pursues the theme: "Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!"

About Relational Technology Solutions

Relational Technology Solutions (RTS) is a premier independent technology and financial solutions provider dedicated to helping its clients solve business challenges with an integrated suite of solutions for technology acquisition, finance and disposition. Founded in 1990, the company now manages nearly $1 billion in assets for Fortune 2000 and midmarket companies across all industries. Visit http://www.rts.com for more information.

Source: Business Wire

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