Business Connections fro Winter 2020

WINTER 2020 5 BUSINESS CONNECTIONS ONLINE COURSES ARE CONVENIENT, FUN AND AFFORDABLE Oyster Ridge BOCES offers Ed2Go, a wide range of highly interactive courses for professional develop- ment and personal enrichment that students take entirely online. All of these courses include expert instruc- tors, many of whom are nationally known authors. Additional features and benefits of Ed2Go include: • Self-paced tutorials • Opportunity to build skills or earn continuing education credits • Most tutorials can be completed in a few hours • Quick self-study is available on demand • Supported independent study • Certificate of completion awarded with passing score Course topics offered through Ed2Go are: Accounting & Finance, Business, College Readiness, Computer Applications, Design & Composition, Healthcare & Medical, Language & Arts, Law & Legal, Personal Development, Teaching & Education, Technology, Writing & Publishing and more. More information can be found at www.kemmereroutreach.com/ ed2go. after-hours auto attendant. After some discussions with her and finding out the needs of Oyster Ridge BOCES, I proposed All West’s Hosted VoIP business phone system. In August 2019, All West installed this system.” What does Stewart think of the internet and phone services from All West compared to the services previously used by Oyster Ridge BOCES? She replied, “With our previous communications provider, we were always having internet issues which made it difficult to test students and get work done. Now that we have All West’s fiber internet, we no longer have those problems. We also love our new Hosted VoIP phone system. It’s allowed us to work more efficiently.” Given the vital importance of All West’s services to students and staff, Stewart appreci- ates the responsive customer service and tech support Oyster Ridge BOCES receives. “I think All West’s customer service and support is excellent! I know someone will be here quickly if we have an issue. The best thing is, All West will always try and help you over the phone first, which is great,” said Stewart. Marchant noted, “Oyster Ridge BOCES has been amazing for our All West team to work with. Since it’s an education center, having the fast speed of our fiber internet offers the students and staff the most effective classroom and work environments they can possibly have in rural Wyoming.” Past Successes, Future Plans This time of year is a natural opportunity to reflect on 2019’s accomplishments and look ahead to 2020’s goals, and Stewart was happy to share her thoughts on these topics. “The thing I am most proud of when it comes to the Oyster Ridge BOCES is that we truly are help- ing people. We want everyone to be successful in what they do, and we are here to assist them however we can. In 2020, our goal is to increase awareness in the community about everything Oyster Ridge BOCES has to offer,” Stewart said. With our previous communications provider, we were always having internet issues which made it difficult to test students and get work done. Now that we have All West’s fiber internet, we no longer have those problems.” — BRIDGET STEWART , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OYSTER RIDGE BOCES