Case Study: Universal Docking Stations Improve Access and IT Operations in Schools

When a school district in Missouri transitioned from exclusively supporting Windows to managing a mixed fleet of Windows and Mac laptops, they could no longer rely on docking stations designed for and sold by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Recognizing the need for a single, universal solution, they worked with Plugable to find a docking station that would work for all laptops—regardless of make, model, or OS. Together, the district’s IT team and Plugable were able to streamline hardware deployment, simplify training, and eliminate compatibility issues. 

Background: District IT Department Supporting 5,800 Users 

The district’s IT department oversees the IT operations across a network of schools serving 5,000 students and 800 staff members. Their responsibility includes supporting technology integration and usage throughout the schools. With a user base representing everyone from experts to novices, the district needed an easy-to-use, triple-display docking station durable enough to stand up to classroom use, and compatible with Windows and Mac.

The Challenge: Supporting Multiple OEM Devices

The school district, traditionally a Windows-only environment, decided to give their staff and schools a choice between Apple Silicon laptops and Windows laptops, the new mixed fleet came with hardware compatibility complexities. The existing infrastructure relied heavily on dongles and adapters to connect laptops to displays and peripherals. It became clear quite quickly that the district needed a docking solution that could support multiple display outputs and provide universal compatibility to streamline its IT infrastructure.

The Solution: Simplifying Operations with a Universal Dock

Given the range of laptop specs now supported by the district’s IT team and a requirement that each dock needed the port flexibility to connect multiple devices, Plugable proposed the UD-3900PDZ. This universal docking station is compatible with Apple and Windows devices, offers three HDMI outputs, and is equipped with DisplayLink technology to sidestep the display limitations of their MacBooks. 

The Plugable docks also offered a simple deployment for the IT department, an easy one-cord connection for users, the flexibility of USB-A ports for their legacy peripherals, and USB-C ports for their newer connections. With a wide range of compatibility and rich feature sets, this one dock was able to replace multiple OEM solutions. 

The Results: Lower Costs and Better User Experience

Since the initial roll-out two years ago, the district has standardized on the Plugable UD-3900PDZ Universal Docking Station. As a result, they have seen several significant benefits including:

• Enhanced Connectivity: The 12-in-1 universal docking stations provide a simple connection for up to three additional displays including monitors, TVs, and Projectors
• Cost-Effective: Plugable’s competitive pricepoint was below the limit that would have required board approvals
• User-Friendly: The single cord connection simplified setup for non-technical users and reduced the need for training
• Flexibility: The universal compatibility and extensive port options allowed for easy integration with older and newer devices

The district’s refresh cycle calls for updating their devices every four years. They anticipate refreshing high school laptops in 2024 and expect to deploy another 150-200 units. With a shift towards Apple devices (now at 90% compared to Windows), a flexible, universally compatible docking solution that overcomes display limitations is vital. 

The Take Away: Universal Docking Stations Improve IT Operations

Plugable’s UD-3900PDZ dock met and exceeded the district’s connectivity needs, becoming the standard choice for its IT infrastructure. The universal compatibility and cost-effectiveness of Plugable’s products have significantly improved IT operations and user productivity across the district. The district’s experience with Plugable underscores the importance of versatile, high-quality docking solutions in a diverse IT environment. 

The Next Step: Let’s Connect

Plugable is dedicated to supporting education by providing affordable technology solutions rigorously tested to ensure security, effectiveness, and ease of use. Our commitment to K-12 and higher education sectors is reflected in our efforts to assist buyers in finding connectivity solutions for learning environments.

To learn how Plugable can help your school or district, contact us directly at sales@plugable.com.