The Riverside Technology Story
11/14/2009 -
In 1998, Riverside Academy contacted a young computer company to discuss a project designed to bring the school into the age of computer networking. At the time, the extent of Riverside Academy’s technical arena consisted of a variety of personal computers scattered throughout the campus.
Riverside at this time had control over two of the three elements which broaden a school, athletics and education, but no idea how and where to start with technology. Riverside had already contacted a former student, Lennen Madere to discuss a plan to connect all areas of the campus -- academic, athletic and administrative. Little did they realize where this idea would take the small private school in Reserve, LA. The idea of spending a portion of the budget on “technology” was thought to be somewhat risky. The project had to be accomplished with minimal funding, as there were other needs at the time that took a higher priority.
In his spare time, Mr. Madere managed to piece together what would become the backbone of a computer network that is today arguably one of the finest in the academic community of St. John the Baptist Parish. Lennen Madere would later become the IT director of Riverside. He, along with Wendy Peytevin faced the difficult task of introducing Riverside to the world of Technology. Realizing that contracting the services of the larger, more established computer companies in New Orleans or Baton Rouge was beyond their budget, the small “self appointed” committee contacted John Braun and his new company, ACT Technologies, for assistance.
ACT Technologies had just been formed in the face of an overwhelming opinion that there was no way that St. John the Baptist Parish could support a computer technology company.
The consensus had been that there simply wasn’t enough potential revenue for anyone to succeed. Mr. Braun disagreed. He saw the need in his home parish for a company that could cater to the technical needs of his community. So ACT Technologies and Riverside formed a “partnership” that benefited both entities. Riverside could obtain the technology it required, and ACT had a client that could help Mr. Braun make payroll, however meager it was for his small band of outcast technicians.
ACT took over the responsibility of putting together a network with whatever cable, fiber hubs and switches it could cobble together, using computers that probably should have long since been retired. Over time, a network was born. It was crude but functional, slow but reliable. Most importantly, it was a network. It worked. Soon it gained the attention of the teachers, the administration, and, above all, the parents.
THE LAB, ITS NEED, AND OUR SERVICES
Until that time, the only computer lab was Ms. Fontenot’s typing classroom - a room full of PCs that were going to be put in the dumpster anyway had been donated by the chemical plants that are located up and down the Mississippi River in the parish. The lab needed computers that could withstand the abnormal wear and tear of five or six different students beating their keys and mouse daily which, at the same time, would fall within the constraints of a budget that had grown but was still somewhat small. Once again ACT had the solution -- a reasonably priced PC that could be serviced locally that had the advantage of immediate parts availability.
Service was the key to success, and ACT responded with authority. ACT Technologies technicians soon became as recognizable on campus as any of the teachers and administrative personnel.
Although ACT was continuing to grow they never once allowed the service and response to Riverside to suffer. This was not an easy task for ACT at a time when its reputation for quality and service was spreading and other clients were demanding attention.
Another year passed, technology at Riverside was growing at a pace that challenged the Board of Directors to reevaluate its priorities. All of a sudden the school had entered the computer age and everyone was getting on board. The need for technology was clear. Another lab was added and ACT was there to help create it.
THE DISASTER
On July 1st 2003 Riverside Academy was struck with the worst disaster of its history. A tornado ripped through the school destroying many of the existing buildings. Major damage to the gymnasium was sustained as well as to an expansion project - new construction which included 2 of the 3 computer labs. Last, but not least, it destroyed the majority of the computers on campus. Riverside found a way and again called on ACT Technologies to rebuild, rewire and reconnect a “modern day” Ethernet backbone network that continues to expand to the present day.
RIVERSIDE/ NEW CHALLENGES, NEW SOLUTIONS
In 2005, Riverside’s new principal, Ms. Heidi Tomeny-Duhe, realized that new technology was overwhelming them. They had been through a series of IT personnel, some of whom were teachers with technical skills and abilities, others who thought they could handle the now complex series of networks but later found out they could not. Only ACT Technologies could keep the system running at its peak. Riverside knows that they can call ACT Technologies and the company will be there to keep their series of interconnected networks running at optimum performance.
Ms Tomeny-Duhe knew that the school needed a true I.T. director. Mr. Braun agreed. She sought, pursued, and finally recruited Lennen Madere for the position that he presently holds.
Today Riverside and ACT Technologies continue to enjoy an outstanding relationship. Mr. Madere keeps the school’s technical arena running. He continues to utilize the expertise of ACT. Most recently, he has employed ACT to incorporate wireless (an area in which ACT has had many years of experience) into the infrastructure. Riverside Academy provides computer technology that is second to none. Specific courses are taught via PC’s and servers. In addition, the study of computer technology itself is now available to the students, with classes in computer science, programming and even Microsoft-specific applications. A+ certification classes are on the horizon. Riverside Academy’s plans include installing video in the football stadium for the Athletic Department. ACT finds this refreshing -- academics and athletics working hand in hand.
In addition, Riverside continues to purchase its entire new network, personal computers and laptops for the new portable and wireless labs from ACT Technologies.
KATRINA
In August, 2005 along came Katrina, and practically every computer company in New Orleans disbanded and technicians were scattered throughout the United States. St. John the Baptist Parish survived virtually unscathed missing the brunt of the storm by merely a few miles. Much of the population of New Orleans headed west – up the Mississippi to the River Parishes. As a result, Riverside Academy and ACT Technologies had to grow to meet the needs of this new population.
IN CONCLUSION
ACT Technologies has expanded at a rapid pace. During the course of Riverside’s technical awakening, the parish elected Nickie Monica as its president. The forwardthinking Mr. Monica understood the need for technology and enlisted the technical expertise of ACT. ACT Technologies continues to dispel all rumors that a technical computer company cannot survive in this parish. It has grown into the premier computer company of the three river parishes and has expanded outside of the area. ACT Technologies will always consider Riverside Academy as its signature account. John Braun ensures that Riverside Academy gets only the finest from his sales, service and administrative staff. Because of the confidence that Riverside Academy had in the fledgling company, ACT was able to prove itself as well as Mr. Braun’s belief that technology can thieve in St. John Parish. Without the partnership of Riverside Academy– who knows?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT