Cloud-Based + EdTech Network Solutions: What Schools Should Know

K-12 schools have quickly become some of the most complicated networks that exist. Demand for connectivity and bandwidth is high, for everything from staff collaboration to integrated learning, video streaming, and online testing. The volume of devices connecting to school networks has also surged since the pandemic, and many of these devices move locations hourly—disconnecting, then reconnecting in a new classroom.

If you and your IT staff hear daily complaints about your slow, lagging wi-fi, if teachers regularly experience network downtime and learning disruptions, and if everyone struggles with outdated technology that can’t keep up with new learning or administrative tools, these are clear signs it’s time to upgrade your network.

Then the question becomes, how can your district modernize your network while keeping it flexible enough to adapt to the next technological evolution? Your networking solutions must also be affordable and easy to support on limited time and resources.

Here's why cloud EdTech network solutions are a cost-effective and tech-savvy option for districts in this position, and how EdTech leaders can navigate the available options and the transition effectively.

What Are the Key Cloud EdTech Network Solutions and Technologies?

Cloud networking is the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, enabling Bismarck school districts to securely access and manage their data and applications over the internet. In simple terms, it refers to leasing network infrastructure and capabilities from a third-party cloud provider.

This can mean routers, firewalls, load balancers, adapters, and other network devices.

It can also mean using remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data rather than relying solely on local servers or personal devices. By doing this, you ensure smooth data exchange and remote access for everyone in your district.

This flexibility means there are a few different types of cloud networks, as well as strategies and approaches.

The two types of cloud networks are cloud-based networks and cloud-enabled networks. Here’s the difference:

Cloud-based networking: in cloud-based networking, both the network management software and hardware are leased from the cloud provider.

Cloud-enabled networking: this is a hybrid model where you manage your on-site network infrastructure using the cloud, which helps centralize and streamline management.

Then, there are a few different cloud networking strategies:

Hybrid cloud strategy: this approach combines public and private clouds to maximize flexibility and security and enable districts to leverage the benefits of both environments.
Multi-cloud strategy: with a multi-cloud approach, your district utilizes multiple cloud providers for different services or applications. This helps prevent vendor lock-in through diversification and ensures redundancy for network continuity in the event of service disruptions.

Finally, there are the different technologies, spanning the networking devices themselves to the platforms to manage them.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking)

Cloud-based networks, or SD-WAN networks, optimize traffic routing between cloud applications and school sites. They enhance performance by using automation and programmability, prioritizing critical educational apps, and leveraging the cloud’s capability to provide centralized and remote management for multi-site environments. For school districts, this is a big benefit as it decreases or eliminates the need for physical network infrastructure on site, streamlines administration, and decreases costs while increasing network effectiveness.

Cloud-Managed Networking Platforms

Cloud-managed networking platforms allow IT teams to manage switches, access points, and firewalls remotely from a centralized dashboard—perfect for resource-constrained school districts.

Cloud-Based Network Access Control (NAC)

Similar to traditional NAC, cloud-based NAC ensures that only authorized users and devices can access the network by applying role-based permissions and enforcing compliance with school policies. The differences are that cloud-based NAC is managed via a cloud dashboard or platform, can integrate with various cloud providers and security solutions, can be less expensive, and is often easier to deploy and scale across multiple locations—again, big benefits for school districts.

The Benefits of Cloud Networking for K-12 Schools

No matter which approach or strategy you move forward with, cloud networking offers K–12 Oregon school districts a modern, scalable, and secure way to support digital learning. As we mentioned, it can also help lower costs by reducing or eliminating the need for physical hardware, maintenance, and upgrades—which is a significant benefit for school districts constantly facing the challenge of tight budgets.

Cloud-based networking can also centralize management of devices and campuses, improve network reliability, and reduce the burden on local IT staff—freeing leaders and techs alike to focus on more strategic work. This is particularly true when you work with a trusted Managed IT partner to manage your cloud networking for you. A partner like this will always look to you as the expert on your district and its needs and ensure you retain full access to your environment, while lending their expertise to build and maintain a high-performing network.

Cloud-based or enabled EdTech network solutions also support flexible learning and adapt easily to growing bandwidth needs. Schools, including Juneau school districts, can also easily scale up or down based on increased budget, or budget cuts, and even to handle large spikes in network demand such as during statewide testing events.

Cloud networking solutions also deliver powerful, centralized security capabilities that traditional on-premises solutions struggle to match. With built-in security features like zero trust architecture (ZTA), end-to-end encryption, identity and access management (IAM), automated threat detection and response, plus pre-built compliance templates, automated audit logs, and role-based access controls, schools can gain the double benefit of leveling up their security posture.

With school districts specifically targeted by cybercriminals thanks to a perception of lower security, cloud EdTech network solutions can help protect sensitive student, family, and staff data, enable fast, automated responses to evolving threats, and make compliance reporting easier and more transparent.

Cloud Migration Best Practices for IT Leaders

As you’ve likely gathered, migrating to cloud-based or cloud-enabled networking is a bit more complicated than a simple technology upgrade. It's a transition that requires a strategic approach that aligns with your district’s educational goals, policy mandates, and community expectations. Here are some key best practices to ensure success.

Conduct Regular Infrastructure Assessments

Audit existing hardware, software, and traffic patterns to identify gaps, performance issues, and cloud-readiness. For any new technology integration, it’s critical to work across the districts’ users to align upgrades with real needs and justify spending with data-driven ROI.

Prioritize Scalability and Interoperability

Select solutions that scale across campuses, integrate with current platforms, support open APIs, and avoid vendor lock-in—ensuring long-term flexibility and innovation.

Develop a Resilient Disaster Recovery Plan

Minimize downtime with cloud-based failover, automated backups, and regular recovery drills. Cloud-managed tools often include built-in safeguards to quickly restore operations after disruptions.

Invest in Training and Culture

Empower users through ongoing training, including educators, staff, parents, students, and even IT staff. A tech-savvy school community enhances security, supports effective tool use, and drives better educational outcomes by ensuring everyone is set up to get the most out of their new network.

Budgeting and ROI for Cloud-Managed Networks

As you well know, EdTech leaders must balance driving innovation with cost-efficiency. Fortunately, when planned strategically, cloud networking delivers both immediate benefits and long-term savings. As you plan, budget, and build a board presentation, here is what to keep in mind.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Go beyond upfront costs and factor in licensing, hardware refreshes, maintenance, staffing, and energy use. Cloud solutions reduce operational overhead by eliminating manual updates, on-site servers, and location-specific management. There are also significant costs associated with downtime and security breaches, so consider tracking metrics like network uptime and reduced security incidents to demonstrate ROI. Improved staff efficiency and satisfaction, as well as student engagement, are valuable metrics as well.

External Funding Opportunities

Many cloud investments qualify for support from programs like E-Rate, which can help fund an extensive suite of network-related services, including a Co-Managed MIBS (Managed Internal Broadband Services) partnership.

How a Trusted IT Partner Can Help

Migrating to cloud-based networking isn’t a simple tech upgrade. Whether you call us your coach, your cheerleader, or your reinforcements, Northriver IT is here to help make it easier to navigate. We’re there for every step of the way, from securing E-Rate funding to strategic planning to ensuring a smooth transition.

When you pair our depth of experience and specialized expertise with your own IT team’s expertise in your users, your existing infrastructure, and your district’s needs and goals, together we can enable your team to deliver a truly transformed network experience for your users—at a cost your district can afford.