From: Brian Durrant [mailto:
Sent: 13 November 2009 13:13
To:
Subject: LGfL Digitalbrain Service - information for Schools
To London schools using the LGfL ‘Digitalbrain’ platform. (via LA)
Colleagues
LGfL wrote directly to all London schools in February, and again in October, advising that the LGfL Digitalbrain (DB) service will cease on the 31st July 2010.
LAs, schools and users, who have files within the DB platform are strongly encouraged to arrange for the recovery of items they wish to retain, by download, well ahead of July.
We are aware that schools are very busy and that this deadline may be missed in some cases. Consequently a ‘grace period’ has been kindly agreed such that DB Education will allow users read-only access to the Learning Manager platform from 1st August 2010 to 31st December 2010 during which period users will be permitted to download resources from the platform as follows :
Yellow Folders
If users wishes to download an entire Yellow folder, this can be exported by setting up a WebDAV connection in the Windows filer environment. Individual files can be downloaded in the usual way, within the DB platform. Instructions on how to set up a WebDAV connection is available via but also attached for convenience.
Red Folders / Learning Module Folders
Red folders (Learning modules) can be exported by right clicking on the folder and downloading in the usual way.
After 31st July the email service will cease to be operational and therefore any inbound email will be bounced back to sender.
Emails stored within the platform can be exported into a zip file, one page at a time. The exported messages will be created in the open standard .eml format.
Guidance notes on how to download files from DB and transfer items into the London LME, are available at but also attached for convenience. DB will not provide telephone, email or other support except where LAs or schools have made individual arrangements directly with DB to do so. After 31st July the LGfL help number will no longer divert calls to DB.
Beyond 31st December 2010, it may be possible, in liaison with DB, to recover residual files from within the platform, but this will incur charges.
LGfL will not be downloading, or re-hosting individual LA or school content. This would be a vast and expensive undertaking, and it is considered that LAs and schools are in the best position to determine what remains current and of value.
DB is working on producing a series of migration support services and associated charges for LAs and schools who may wish to draw on them.
The LGfL Digitalbrain portal service has been available for all London schools, teachers and pupils since September 2001, and widely used. Following consultation, planning and re-procurement started in 2006, LGfL has provided a three year ‘overlap’ migration period to the London MLE from DB, which ends in July 2010. The LGfL Consortium greatly appreciates the long period of service and partnership with DB Education, and offers best wishes to management and staff for the future success of its business.
In summary, timeline:
January
- New public facing LGfL web site (CMS) launched initially in Beta at
- Full migration of CMS to will be announced soon after when complete.
31st July – last day of LGfL DB Service
1st August
- LGfL DB Service no longer operational
- Read only access to user areas on DB will be available to allow download of ‘forgotten’ files until 31st December.
- Inbound email to will bounce
31st December – all access to DB accounts removed – any further use, including data recovery, will incur charges.
Kind regards
Brian Durrant
Chief Executive
London Grid for Learning Trust/Adit London & South
CI Tower, St Georges Square, New Malden, KT3 4TE
a school improvement partner
for the public sector
anywhere, anytime learning
what's new on the LGfL
keeping learners safe online