FAQ

DiSTRiBU-Q’s superiority comes from its simplicity in design of feature rich menu options.  It is a turnkey product that will make the deployment process easier and more efficient.  This is due to the fact that it is a cloud-based  software solution that takes away the burden of the distribution, repair tracking, communication to all stakeholders about the devices selected for your 1:1 initiative and helps in dealing with the disciplinary issues related to the device mishandling by students.  Added to all of the above is the great pricing we are providing to budget-strapped schools.  This will save you, literally,  thousands of dollars each year and hundreds of work hours.

The cost varies from district to district and from school to school because of the variations in student population total numbers.  Generally speaking, we have a one time setup fee for your specific server in addition to a per student or device record uploaded to DiSTRiBU-Q cost.  I am sure you will find our pricing very competitive and school budget friendly.

DiSTRiBU-Q is a turnkey cloud-based software solution.  This means tech support is included in our total cost.

Once you have paid the one-time server setup fee and per student or device upload yearly rate, there will be no additional expenses.  However, we are assuming that you will not have major changes in the total number of students uploaded.  Note: your per student upload yearly rate is reviewed every October and you will be billed according to new total number of students uploaded.

That’s the beauty of a per student uploaded yearly rate.  As long as your phases are not happening in the same school year, you total cost will not change.  If your roll out phases are happening in the same school year, your cost structure will have to be adjusted accordingly.

Method 1:

Automated Updates from Student Information System (SIS) vi SFTP

If you would like to have your students’ information updated automatically in Distribu-Q from your Student Information System (SIS) on a daily basis, our team will work with your IT department to access our SFTP server. This time-saving feature will ensure that the information stays current in our system.   Please do not hesitate to contact us about this feature.

Method 2:

1.  We need your students’ information in any of the following formats:

• A comma delimited file (.csv)
• A tab delimited file (Tab)
• Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
• Google spreadsheet
• Direct download from Google Admin dashboard
• A download from Student Management System (SMS)
• A download from Students Information System (SIS)

2.  The second set of information we need is your devices’ information in any of the following formats:

• A comma delimited file (.csv)
• A tab delimited file (Tab)
• Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
• Google spreadsheet
• Direct download from Google Admin dashboard

We spent a lot time designing DiSTRiBU-Q and streamlining the work process.  In addition,  we have created a help page on our website with manuals and how-to videos to help you become familiar with our product.  If a webinar is what you need, email us and we will schedule one for your entire staff.

Our software is school and student helper friendly because we have designed it to run using the minimum information possible: full name, grade, ID number, emails and device serial number.  In addition, as an admin you have the capability to restrict user access by profile/role and school location.

It does not matter if you are starting with one school or multiple schools.  Our servers are scalable to your increasing needs.  In addition, we do not bill you based on your entire student population because ours is  a per student/device uploaded to DiSTRiBU-Q rate per school year.

Yes, the data rolls over from year to year. The information does not get deleted.

In the reports area of the DiSTRiBU-Q, you have the ability to look at the checkout information by any date range you like.

Yes, you are able to add new student records in the admin section of DiSTRiBU-Q. If you choose to update student data using automatic updates from your SIS via SFTP, your data will be updated daily.

Yes, you are able to add new equipment records in the admin section of DiSTRiBU-Q.

As long as you have Internet access and you will be able to access Distribu-Q and login to conduct your transaction 24/7.

There are no limits to the amount of data stored on DiSTRiBU-Q.  However, part of the cost-savings we pass on to you are based on savings realized through keeping the information stored up-to-date and free from unnecessary old records.

Yes, you are able to sort student records in the reports tab of DiSTRiBU-Q.

No, you can use DiSTRiBU-Q with any device you choose for your 1:1 technology initiative.

DiSTRiBU-Q does not keep track of where the device is located.  Rather, it is a software that keeps track of who has what devices and the repairs performed on each device.

Yes, once you create a repair ticket, DiSTRiBU-Q will sent emails to the student, student’s parents, accounting department, and create a heat or help-desk ticket.  In addition, in DiSTRiBU-Q’s admin tab you have an option to add other recipients, such as administrators, tech coordinators, etc.

Yes, each repair done is attached as a record to the serial number of the device.

Yes, when set up in the ADMIN section of Distribu-Q, you will be able to keep a record of the disciplinary issues related to the improper handling of the device.

The answer depends on how fast you can get the data we need in the format needed to upload to Distribu-Q.  Once the data is ready and in the right format, it is ready on the same day.  If the data has to be parsed because it is in the incorrect format, you will have to allow our team about 5 days to get everything setup for you and for your specific data to populate the databases.

We have worked hard to apply the industry standard to protect your data along with ours.  That’s why DiSTRiBU-Q requires a Proxy login, and and the website is SSL certified.

We do do anything with the students information.  Students’ privacy is very important to us.  That’s why we have applied every industry standard to protect students’ data from unwarranted access as well.

In the reports area, you are able to extract data by all transactions performed, by open repair tickets, by closed tickets, etc.  In addition, you able to sort by date ranges and grade levels.  Please note:  we keep adding new reporting features as clients request them from our development team.

We know how important it is to be able to get everything running quickly after unforsen technical issues.  Therefore, we are applying industry standards through daily backups.

If you would like to have your students’ information updated automatically in Distribu-Q from your Student Information System (SIS) on a daily basis, our team will work with your IT department to access our SFTP server. This time-saving feature will ensure that the information stays current in our system. Please do not hesitate to contact us about this feature.

Yes, Distribu-Q provides an optional and simple automated invoicing system. The invoice is attached automatically to the repair email as a PDF.

Distribu-Q integrates your helpdesk ticket system via email.  You do not have to get rid of your helpdesk ticketing system.

Yes, you are able to see the device checkout history under Device Lookup.

Yes, you can setup Distribu-Q to send a daily/weekly digest email of incidents or repairs to whomever requests one.

You can use any barcode scanner.  However, we are finding that most of our clients prefer using a USB linear or laser barcode scanner because it shoots a thin beam, making it easier to aim at clustered barcodes on the back of devices.