New network to launch January 2009; will benefit Kansas hospitals, schools, libraries

The Fort Scott Tribune

TOPEKA -- Friday Kan-ed, a statewide information network administered by the Board of Regents, announced that a new network will be available to Kansas hospitals, schools, and libraries in Kansas beginning January 2009. The new network, called "Kan-ed 2.0," will bring new services to members and provide enhanced connectivity through a State contract with AT&T.

"We are excited to launch Kan-ed 2.0," said Brad Williams, Executive Director of Kan-ed. "The continuous expansion of the original network for distance learning, telemedicine, and other activities demonstrates a clear need for the services Kan-ed provides. Kan-ed 2.0 utilizes the latest technology to support and sustain that need, and it will position Kansas for the future. In addition, as Kansas government looks at providing a health information network, we believe Kan-ed 2.0 could be the secure data transport mechanism that is needed." Advanced Virtual Private Network technology will allow members to have one integrated network connection for private network connectivity for distance-learning activities and access to the commercial Internet. AT&T will work with local service providers to bring the Kan-ed 2.0 network to members, and Kan-ed will provide a 1.5 megabyte connection to every

Kan-ed member for free, while a 3.0 megabyte connection will be available for a small monthly fee.

"Libraries across the state rely upon Internet access and Kan-ed to provide service to patrons," said Christie Brandau, State Librarian of Kansas. "The Kan-ed 2.0 program will enable all libraries, no matter their size or location, to get outstanding accesses at an affordable price. I am very excited about the Kan-ed 2.0 and the high-quality services it will provide to community libraries."

Although Kan-ed 2.0 will not go live until January 2009, a pilot project is currently underway connecting a small number of Kan-ed members to the new network. "Participants in our pilot program are excited about the connectivity and features of Kan-ed 2.0," said Williams. "We have been preparing for this technology upgrade for several years and are excited about the benefits it will bring our members. To assist with the launch of Kan-ed 2.0, we are releasing network information through the 2009 Kan-ed 2.0 Connect Program."

Complete information about the 2009 Kan-ed 2.0 Connect Program can be found on the Kan-ed website, www.kan-ed.org. The program explains the new features, costs, and services that members can expect using the Kan-ed 2.0 network.

About the Kansas Board of Regents:

The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state's six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state's 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, a municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, GED, and career and technical education programs. The Board also authorizes private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions to operate in Kansas, and administers the Kan-ed network, a statewide network that provides broadband Internet access and distance learning capabilities for schools, hospitals, and libraries.

About Kan-Ed:

Kan-ed, a program administered through the Kansas Board of Regents, is designed to give Kansans a competitive advantage in the global marketplace by connecting the state's hospitals, libraries, higher education institutions, and K-12 public and private schools with high-speed bandwidth to bring members together through Interactive Distance Learning and the exchange of data. Kan-ed membership benefits include shared databases, video-conferencing, telemedicine, and content otherwise unavailable or available at costs too prohibitive for most schools, libraries and hospitals.

For more information, contact Brad Williams at (785) 296-0843 or at kan-ed@ksbor.org.

Online:

Kansas Board of Regents www.kansasregents.org.

Kan-ed www.kan-ed.org.