The plan also confirms to participating companies that their donated and discounted equipment will be used effectively. All participating districts and schools develop a Technical Plan to implement a district wide area network and install cabling to each classroom and administrative office in participating schools. The SmartSchools model involves installation of a basic network infrastructure and cabling to at least 75 percent of the classrooms and administrative offices. If resources are limited, it is much better to start with a small, but scaleable infrastructure, and add to it over time, rather than install a cheaper solution throughout the school that will have to be discarded and replaced within a year or two. The culmination of months of preparation and planning is the volunteer event or SmartSchools NetDay itself.
Activities vary from school to school, depending on how much work is completed prior to the event.
Volunteers generally complete cable terminations in individual classrooms and wiring closets, install LAN and WAN equipment, configure workstations to access the Internet, and unveil school World Wide Web home pages. The day can begin with an introduction from key members of the school and community, followed by several hours of serious work for volunteers. Mike Pine, Director of Information Systems, East Side Union High School District, became involved in SmartSchools NetDay during its early stages. He was part of the team that made the prototype school a possibility in November 1995. Before NetDay Representatives from East Side schools were gathered to view a prototype three months prior to SmartSchools NetDay.