As more and more electronic devices come into schools and classrooms, electrical service will need to be upgraded. Indeed, most schools and classrooms cannot support much beyond a single device given the design of the electrical service in the building. This is a significant issue. Different computing and network platforms entail different requirements for electricity, configuration, and management. How much support will be available may impact on the choice of platform.
Some platforms are more secure than others.
The functions carried on over the network may impact platform in terms of security. Personnel records, payroll information, confidential student information that is stored and accessed on a fully integrated network will require serious consideration of security and access issues and this should impact platform choice. If you have just received a large bond referendum and will design and implement a network in a short time, then the levels of training, the logistics of acquisition, and preparation for maintenance and support need to be cranked up accordingly. Again, budget, existing systems and resources, as well as the functions to be carried out on the network will help you define the medium to be used within buildings. Unable to decide which is the best medium, some new schools being built are having copper and fiber backbones installed at the same time.