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Classroom Results Improve with Google Apps Professional Development

Eduscape Logo
Cumulus Global and Eduscape Learning Partnership Delivers Certified Educator Training

Following successful participation at last week’s FETC 2014 conference, Cumulus Global today announced a strategic partnership with Eduscape Learning, offering comprehensive professional development programs for schools and districts using Google Apps for Education.  The partnership combines Eduscape Learning’s existing professional development services and Google Apps Certified Trainers with Cumulus Global’s experience and “Google Guides” peer resource program.  Beyond basic use of Google Apps, the firms offer a multi-track curriculum that focuses on the needs of teachers, administrators, and student interaction.

“We provide professional development to teachers and administrators, giving them a practical path to facilitate technology integration into the curriculum, including Common Core Standards,” noted Alex Urrea, Managing Partner Eduscape Learning. “Our workshops, delivered by former educators, provide classroom teachers with useful strategies to create engaging lessons for 21st century learners.”

Instead of relying on canned digital curriculum offerings which take creativity and differentiation out of the teacher’s hands, Eduscape Learning’s workshops help teachers facilitate collaboration and communication in the classroom to support curriculum outcomes.

In addition to Eduscape Learning’s proven courses and workshops, more schools and districts have access to Cumulus Global’s “Google Guides” program.  Google Guides is a peer-to-peer resource program for schools and districts that want to leverage best practices in support of successful adoption of Google Apps during and after deployment. The Google Guides program improves the migration and adoption process by providing advanced education to tech-savvy faculty and thought leaders within the school.

“Moving to Google Apps for Education and deploying Chromebooks is not the end point,” stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “Once in place, Google Apps is a platform that facilitates improved learning outcomes.  The key to success is empowering faculty and administrators to leverage the collaborative features of Google Apps.”

Cumulus Global and Eduscape Learning deliver workshops in a blended format using an onsite, face-to-face model combined with web-based offerings that increase and support teacher adoption.

About Eduscape Learning
Eduscape Learning is a company whose primary goal is to advance 21st Century Skills in the classroom. Comprised of primarily educators, we make classroom technology relevant for students and teachers by taking a curriculum-driven approach to professional development.

 

Cumulus Global Offers Solutions and Seminars at FETC 2014

FETC-2014Visitors to FETC in 2014  in Orlando later this month have a unique opportunity to learn how Google Apps for Education can serve as platform for robust administrative and classroom computing.

Cumulus Global (Booth #256) is hosting a series of in-booth seminars covering a range of topics from system administration, data protection, and security, to 1:1 program design and professional development for faculty.  Cumulus Global is webcasting the sessions as well, for those unable to attend FETC in person.

With more than a dozen sessions, Cumulus Global intends to offer attendees new perspectives on how schools can effectively Deploy solutions, Gear Up with the best devices and infrastructure, and Transform the learning process.

Session presenters include experts from Backupify, Bettercloud, CloudLock, Edsby, and Eduscape Learning.

Click Here for more information, or to register for one or more of the webcasts. Feel free to Contact Us with any questions.

As a featured exhibitor, Cumulus Global is able to offer the following discount codes for FETC 2014 attendees:

  • Register using code FREE974 for your free Exhibit Hall Pass and access to the Learning Labs, a $50 value.
  • Register using code EDUCATE to save $60 on FETC Full Conference Registration.

CIOReview names Cumulus Global a Top 20 Education Tech Solution Provider

The Navigator for Enterprise Solutions
Annual list showcases the 20 most promising education technology solution providers.

 

Boston, MA, December 13, 2013 – CIO Review (www.cioreview.com) has selected Cumulus Global (www.cumulusglobal.com) as one of CIOReview’s 20 Most Promising Education Tech Solution Providers.  The annual list, published in CIOReview’s December issue, identifies solution providers offering innovative, value-add solutions to the education market.  CIOReview’s selection panel and editorial board selected Cumulus Global after reviewing the company’s growing portfolio of cloud-based solutions for K-12 and higher education, as well as Cumulus Global’s track record of success.

“Cumulus Global is helping transform the in-classroom learning process,” stated  Harvi Sachar, Publisher & Founder of CIO Review. “Beyond helping schools move to Google Apps for Education and deploying Chromebooks in the classroom, Cumulus Global delivers the professional development and consulting services necessary to use the technology in a transformative way.”

Cumulus Global assists schools and districts with both educational and administrative computing initiatives.  The company’s services extend beyond the technology to include policy and administrative guidance for Google Apps for Education deployments, staff development, and 1:1 programs.  Examples of these services include: the company’s Google Guides program, which creates a peer-to-peer support team within the school, and 1:1 program policy guidance, asset planning, and financing services.

“We are honored that CIOReview recognizes our work with schools, nationally, as innovative and forward thinking,” noted Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “We continue to learn from schools about how they want to improve the learning process and outcomes.  We will continue to find and deliver solutions that enable success.”

Cumulus Global is a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller and an authorized reseller for Google Apps Vault and Chromebooks for Education.

About CIO Review
CIO Review (www.cioreview.com) constantly endeavors to identify “The Best” in a variety of areas important to tech business. Through nominations and consultations with industry leaders, our editors choose the best in different domains. Top 20 CIOReview Education Tech Solution Provider is a listing of 20 Most Promising Education solutions companies in the U.S.

 

Cumulus Global in the News Recently

Cumulus Global is active in the cloud solution provider channel and markets.  Allen Falcon, our CEO, has been quoted several times recently in the trade and industry press.

Nice Work If You Can Get It: The IT Talent Shortage Is More Serious Than You Think
CRN: November 4, 2013
Our View:  IT talent is out there, but too often lacks the business understanding necessary to delivery the best solution.

Annual Trivia Bee in Westborough to Support Schools
Community Advocate, November 4, 2013
Our View:  We are proud to support the Westborough Education Foundation and the innovative programs it supports via educator grants.

CSBcommunity.com Combines Business Strategy, Modeling Tools and Educational Programs for Cloud Service Brokers
PRweb: October 29, 2013
Our View: You cloud solutions provider needs the right business model if they are going to support your business well.

Google CEO: Flying Cars, High-Altitude Balloons On The Way … Some Day

CRN, October 25, 2013
Our View: Google continues to demonstrate innovation and advanced technologies that will, at some point, enter the markets we serve

Government Shutdown Ends, but VARs Wary of the Future
CRN, October 17, 2013
Our View: Uncertainty continues to hamper growth, as companies hold off on major spending

Acer Targets Booming Education Market With Latest Chromebook
CRN, October 10, 2013
Our View: Performance and durability are important considerations for schools selecting a Chromebook model.

Cumulus Global named to CRN’s Next-Gen 250 For Second Consecutive Year
MarketWatch, September 12, 2013
Our View: We are honored to be recognized for our innovation, services, and success

 

Breakfast With Google Apps and More …

Good morning
We don’t often blog about events, but this one is unique.

On Thursday September 19th at 8:00 am, you can join us at Google’s NYC offices — or via live simulcast — for Breakfast with Google.  While enjoying a full breakfast, you have the change to meet, learn from, and discuss Getting More from Google Apps with some of the best Google Apps for Business and Government experts around.

Registration is easy, and required, given limited space and security requirements.

So, even if you cannot enjoy the eggs, french toast, and coffee in person, join us online for a unique learning opportunity.

Co-hosted by Google and Cumulus Global, we are joined by supporting sponsors The 4th Bin, Google Gooru, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

Cumulus Global named to CRN’s Next-Gen 250 For Second Consecutive Year

Next-gen-250


Westborough, MA, September 12, 2013
Cumulus Global announced it has been recognized for a second year as a member of the CRN Next-Gen 250. The annual list highlights up-and-coming solution providers that are new to the market, and take a smart and different approach to solution selling and integration. The Next-Gen 250 honors those solution providers focused cloud computing, unified communications, and other emerging technologies. These companies stand out from the pack when it comes to transforming their business or breaking into new technologies.

“We are excited and honored to be part of the Next-Gen 250,” stated Allen Falcon, CEO. “We appreciate the recognition of our cloud-centric, pragmatic approach to helping our clients benefit the most from the cloud solutions they choose.”

As a cloud solutions provider, Cumulus Global leverages its Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller status to offer small and midsize businesses, local and regional governments, and educational institutions a broad range of cloud-based services — from email and productivity tools to managed file services and servers and cloud-based applications.  Cumulus Global works closely with existing internal and hired IT resources, extending capabilities while saving customers money.

“The challenges facing today’s channel executives are constantly evolving, and we make it a priority to keep pace with that change to help the channel community effectively compete. The Next-Gen 250 represents the up-and-coming solution providers dedicated to addressing those challenges in a more complete and dynamic way,” said Robert Faletra, CEO, UBM Tech Channel.  “We congratulate these companies on being named to the prestigious list and look forward to covering their continued success.”

A sampling of the 2013 Next-Gen list is featured in the August issue of CRN Magazine and is featured online at www.crn.com. The complete list of 250 companies will be available in the CRN Tech News app, available for iPad and Windows 8.

 

Google Apps Admins Win with Cumulus Global / BetterCloud Partnership

One of the challenges of cloud computing solutions is effectively managing the services. While most cloud services let you manage the service, they do not always provide tools that help manage how the service is used.  As a BetterCloud Preferred Partner, Cumulus Global offers organizations using Google Apps for Business, Education, and Government an admin-friendly cloud management tool.  FlashPanel’s simplifies many management tasks, enhances administrators’ ability to secure and control the Google Apps domain, automates common management tasks, and enables delegation of responsibilities.

“FlashPanel simplifies the management of advanced Google Apps features, such as Groups, making them more accessible to users”, noted Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global. “Available features such as inbox monitoring and sharing management help organizations properly secure their Google Apps domains.”

Cumulus Global offers FlashPanel as a value-add service for Google Apps customers and as an integrated component of its CumuluSuite offerings.

“Cumulus Global is a great resource for small and midsized businesses looking to go Google or enhance their use of the platform,” said David Politis, CEO and Founder of BetterCloud. “We’re thrilled to have Cumulus on board as a preferred partner and are excited to work with them to not only to increase the distribution of FlashPanel, but to also expand the adoption of Google Apps.”

As a Preferred Partner, Cumulus Global offers organizations two versions of FlashPanel.  The Partner Edition, available for free from Cumulus Global, offers all of the features of the self-service free edition in the Google Apps Marketplace, plus a range of administration, security, automation, and reporting features.  For a small, per-user, annual fee, the Enterprise Edition includes a wide range of administration and automation features, designed to enable bulk changes, multi-domain management, scheduled activities, and user-provisioning workflows.  The Enterprise edition also delivers sharing management/compliance and inbox monitoring features.

About BetterCloud

BetterCloud (www.bettercloud.com) is the leading provider of cloud management and security tools for Google Apps. FlashPanel, its flagship product, installed by over 20,000 companies and 12 million users worldwide, is a directory management and Google Drive security application that empowers Google Apps administrators by providing added controls, visibility, automation and more. BetterCloud also powers Ask the Gooru, which provides free Google Apps training videos and aims to further the adoption of Google Apps.

About Cumulus Global

Cumulus Global (www.cumulusglobal.com) provides cloud solutions for small and midsize enterprises.  As a Cloud Solutions Provider and a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller, Cumuls Global helps small and midsize businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions move from in-house systems to cloud computing solutions.  We align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. In addition to Google Apps, Cumulus Global offers a range of cloud-based security, storage, and server solutions.

Life in the eCity for Cumulus Global

On August 14th, Google Inc. (GOOG) bestowed Westborough, MA with the honor of “digital capital” of Massachusetts as a 2013 eCity.  Research firm Ipsos and Google analyzed how small businesses in communities across the state utilize the Internet to market and grow their businesses.  Factors in Google’s and Ipsos’ analysis included the number of small businesses actively using web sites, web services, mobile apps, and cloud services.

Beyond a robust community of small businesses using Internet-based technologies to market their businesses and grow, Westborough is home to many firms that provide the infrastructure and services.  With more than 600 employees in Westborough, the electronic medical records firm eClinicalWorks, LLC provides advanced IT solutions for more than 236,000 providers and 472,000 healthcare professionals across all 50 states.

Smaller, and less well known, Cumulus Global helps small and midsize businesses, schools, nonprofits, and governments move to cloud computing solutions.  The eight person firm has resided in Westborough for more than 8 years in modest offices off Bellows Road, behind the Post Office.

A Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller, Cumulus Global offers a wide range of cloud and hosted solutions, including managed file services, cloud storage, cloud servers, and off-site backup services.  Cumulus Global is also authorized to offer Google Apps for Government and Chromebooks for Education and Business.

“We are proud to help local businesses, and those across the country, improve their IT solutions and profitability”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “And, our team finds working with K-12 schools inspiring.  It is great to see how technology can transform the classroom in creative and effective ways.”

As acceptance of cloud computing grows, Cumulus Global continues to see rapid growth. Sales jumped from under $1 million in 2011 to over $3 million in 2012.  The firm is on track to exceed $6 million in sales for 2013 with more than 1100 customers from Maine to Hawaii.

According to Paul Drotch, Cumulus Global’s CFO, much of the growth is attributable to expanding services to K-12 schools and districts.  “With schools moving to Google Apps for Education and deploying Chromebooks in the classroom, the opportunity has exceeded our expectations.”

To further the options available for small businesses, Cumulus Global recently began offering advanced cloud solution packages that give companies secure, managed file services and virtual servers in the cloud.  “We are going beyond email and calendars”, notes Chris Caldwell, Cumulus Global’s co-founder and COO.  “Our integrated solutions replace in-house servers with secure cloud services that increase accessibility and reliability.”
Going forward, Cumulus Global is continuing to expand.  In July, the company opened its first remote office in New York City, and is currently planning the launch of several new services.

Cumulus Global in the News in August

NewsBeacon.150Cumulus Global is active in the cloud solution provider channel and markets.  Allen Falcon, our CEO, has been quoted several times recently in the trade and industry press.

Forrester: Global IT Pushed to $2.06 Trillion in 2013
Unified Communication Strategies, July 29, 2013
Our View: Spending focus is on business value, not technology.

Microsoft Mobile Office Heads To Android OS, But Still Not Tablets
CRN, July 31, 2013
Our View: Microsoft needs to move faster to keep up with its customers

Microsoft Drops Surface Pro Tablet Price
CRN, August 5, 2013
Our View: Microsoft blew it; new pricing is too little, too late

BetterCloud Launches Management Console for Cloud Services Brokerages
PR Web, August 21, 2013
Our View: We can better serve our customers

Map It Out: The Best States To Start A Solution Provider Business
CRN, August 21, 2013
Our View: Massachusetts is chasing service providers away.

PC Sales Set For Comeback In 2014, Piper Jaffray Says
CRN, August 21, 2013
Our View: Cloud-centric clients no likely to help Intel much.

 

 

Cumulus Global In The News

NewsBeacon.150

Cumulus Global is active in the cloud solution provider channel and markets.  Allen Falcon, our CEO, has been quoted several times recently in the trade and industry press.

IT Spend To Grow 2 Percent In 2013: Report
CRN, July 2, 2013

Solution Providers Increasingly Focusing on Encryption
Unified Communications Strategy, July 4, 2013

3-Click Cloud Transition from Appcara
Unified Communications Strategy, July 12, 2013

Software To Propel 2013’s Global IT Spend To $2.06 Trillion, Forrester Says
CRN, July 17, 2013

Google Says It Will Be Investing More In Its Enterprise Business
CRN, July 19, 2013