Customer Case Study
Richland School District Two Enhances Communication and Cuts Costs by Over 50% with Steegle.One
Discover how Richland School District 2 leveraged Steegle.One Intranet to enhance team communication, simplify workflows, and boost operational efficiency in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Executive Summary
Richland School District Two, a leading public school district in Columbia, South Carolina, serving over 28,000 students with 4,000+ staff, partnered with Steegle to implement Steegle.One, a cost-effective and user-friendly intranet solution. This case study explores how this collaboration improved internal communications, significantly reduced costs, and achieved rapid implementation of hundreds of pages in just 4 weeks, all while maintaining seamless integration with Google Workspace.
About
Richland School District Two, nestled in suburban Columbia, South Carolina, is a shining example of educational excellence and innovation. As one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, it serves over 28,000 students across 40 schools, providing transformative learning experiences that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. The district’s hallmark initiative, the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2), empowers students with hands-on opportunities in fields like entrepreneurship, sustainable engineering, and advanced STEM disciplines, fostering creativity and global collaboration.
Richland Two’s unwavering commitment to equity and inclusivity ensures that every student has access to cutting-edge resources, such as its pioneering 1:1 device program and nationally certified magnet programs. Guided by visionary leadership and a culture of transparency, the district has earned national recognition for rethinking traditional education models and prioritizing community engagement. Richland Two stands as a beacon of what public education can achieve, blending innovation with a steadfast dedication to student success.
Challenges
Despite its strong foundation, Richland School District Two faced several challenges with its previous intranet system. While the district had invested in a feature-rich solution, the platform fell short in meeting practical needs, leading to inefficiencies and underutilization. Key challenges included:
Underutilized Features: The existing platform, Happeo, offered advanced features that went largely unused by staff.
Misalignment with User Needs: Teachers and administrators primarily needed simple, straightforward access to information, not an overly complex platform.
High Costs: The expensive system was difficult to justify given its limited use.
Time Constraints: A new solution was needed quickly to avoid renewing the costly Happeo license.
Content Migration: Hundreds of pages of content required rapid and efficient transfer to a new platform.
Custom Ticketing Extension for Confidential Queries
To improve the handling of internal requests, Steegle developed a custom ticketing extension using Google AppSheet. This extension enabled:
Secure submission of sensitive queries via Gmail.
Automatic routing of requests to the appropriate department.
Confidential handling of private information.
The ability to curate knowledge for shared learning when appropriate.
Implementation Highlights
Richland School District Two’s implementation of Steegle.One was a model of efficiency and collaboration. Key milestones included:
Needs Assessment: Thoroughly analyzed the district’s requirements to ensure an optimal solution.
Custom Solution Development: Tailored Steegle.One features, including the ticketing extension, to the district’s needs.
Rapid Content Migration: Seamlessly transferred hundreds of pages to the new platform.
Training & Support: Delivered targeted training to ensure all staff could easily adopt the system.
Phased Rollout: Launched the intranet in stages, minimizing disruption and incorporating staff feedback.
Key Facts:
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Industry: K-12 Education
Size: 28,000+ students, 4,000+ staff
Challenge: Need for a rapidly deployable, cost-effective, user-friendly intranet solution with efficient and private internal query management
Cost Reduction by Over Half : Achieved with a simpler, more targeted solution.
4-Week Full Implementation: From initial setup to migrating hundreds of pages and launching the platform.
Enhanced Privacy: Employee requests are managed through a secure ticketing process.
Improved Communication: Teachers easily find the information they need, boosting engagement.
Increased Efficiency: Streamlined internal workflows and faster response times to staff queries.
Higher Adoption: More staff using the system consistently, thanks to its intuitive design and Google Workspace integration.
Solution: Steegle.One for Google Workspace
Following a comprehensive tender process, Richland School District Two selected Steegle.One, a solution designed for seamless integration with Google Workspace. Steegle.One addressed the district’s unique needs, offering a streamlined, user-friendly, and cost-effective intranet platform.
Key Features of the Steegle.One Solution:
Rapid Deployment: Transitioned the district’s entire system within the tight four-week timeline.
Cost-Effectiveness: Delivered essential functionality at half the cost of the previous solution.
Google Workspace Integration: Enhanced collaboration through tools like Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail.
Improved Security: Built within the Google Workspace environment, ensuring compliance with FERPA and industry-leading security standards.
User-Friendly Design: Empowered staff to manage content and resources without technical expertise.
Results and Benefits
The partnership between Richland School District Two and Steegle delivered outstanding results:
50% Cost Savings: Achieved significant reductions in operating expenses while retaining all critical functionalities.
Rapid Deployment: Deployed the new intranet system, including content migration, in just four weeks.
Streamlined Communication: Simplified access to vital information, boosting staff productivity and engagement.
Seamless Integration: Leveraged existing Google Workspace tools for a unified user experience.
Increased Engagement: The intuitive platform drove higher adoption rates among staff.
Testimonials
Richland School District Two’s leadership shared their experience with Steegle, highlighting the impact of the collaboration:
“We needed a solution that was both functional and cost-effective, without overwhelming our staff with unnecessary features. Time was of the essence, and Steegle delivered incredibly quickly, implementing our entire system in just 4 weeks. The integration with Google Workspace has been seamless, and the ticketing extension has transformed how we handle internal requests. The system is not only cost-effective, saving us 50% compared to our previous solution, but also highly engaging for our staff.”
Tommy Carter, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer,
Richland School District Two
“The Steegle team was incredibly responsive, and it felt very practical working with them day-to-day. Using tools like Google Chat, we kept everyone in the loop, which made coordinating across departments easier than ever. I really enjoyed collaborating with the team at a hands-on level, and their approach made the entire process smooth and efficient.”
Scott S. Spencer Jr. Network Systems Engineer,
Richland School District Two
Conclusion:
The collaboration between Richland School District Two and Steegle exemplifies the transformative power of user-focused technology. By deploying Steegle.One, the district achieved:
50% savings on intranet costs.
Implementation of hundreds of pages in just four weeks.
Improved privacy and internal communication.
Streamlined workflows and boosted staff engagement.
Seamless integration with familiar Google Workspace tools.
This case study highlights how tailored technology solutions like Steegle.One can empower K-12 educational institutions to thrive under tight timelines while achieving cost-efficiency and fostering innovation. Richland School District Two’s success story underscores the value of combining vision with the right technological partnership.
Contact Us
Looking for an intranet solution for Google Workspace?
Since 2008, we here at Steegle.com have been delivering intranet development solutions for Google Sites. We have developed Steegle.One intranet system which builds directly to Google Sites for Google Workspace.
As a certified Google Cloud Partner, we specialize in Google Workspace based solutions. Give us a call at US +1 (302) 672 3007 or UK +44 (207) 871 502 or contact us today to view a demo of our intranet solutions, and see how it can help increase employee productivity and save time and money. Click below to learn more about the Steegle.One Intranet solution.