Kohila Männi kindergarten success story: How GreenDice solved 8 years of troubles in 12 hours

The director of Kohila Männi Kindergarten shares an honest and firsthand account of their previous IT situation and how shifting to a service-based model has transformed the entire team’s work culture.

How would you describe the kindergarten’s IT setup before collaborating with GreenDice? What were the biggest daily obstacles?

Our fleet of computers was old, and we faced numerous problems. Since the devices had been acquired on hire-purchase and one by one, we could barely manage to replace only the most critical ones. When GreenDice conducted an audit, a sad reality came to light: out of 20 computers, only one was fit for work; the rest required immediate replacement.

Another major headache was support. Our kindergarten has an all-female team without deep technical knowledge, and our previous maintenance partner took weeks to respond to requests. On top of that, our internet connection was subpar—we felt that everything was slow, but we didn’t know how to look for a solution ourselves.

For years, tablets received from the state sat in the corner of your cupboard. What happened to them?

It’s an incredible story—I had been waiting for a solution to the tablet problem for 8 years. They were so poor that they just sat idle. GreenDice reviewed them and concluded that nothing could be done with them, but they immediately offered new devices as a replacement. This problem was essentially solved in 12 hours! Now, we can finally use microscopes and conduct educational outdoor games, which used to be nothing but a dream.

The GreenDice model is different – you don’t buy the devices you use them as part of a service. How does this work for a kindergarten?

That is precisely the main advantage: we didn’t buy hardware we bought a service that came with the computers. I get a two-in-one solution at a very reasonable price. I’ve had to explain this several times—that the devices do not belong to us—but it is financially sound and a cost-effective solution. I always have proper equipment and IT support available.

How did the new equipment and ergonomics affect the teachers’ daily work?

Previously, many worked using only a small laptop screen. GreenDice taught us how to use two screens simultaneously, which has made working much more comfortable. After all, digital tools are a kindergarten teacher’s daily instruments—all documentation, communication with parents, and personnel files have moved online. We no longer have a single document on paper.

How smooth was the transition to cloud solutions (OneDrive and shared folders)?

Even though we have been using computers for 15 years, it was only during the GreenDice training that we received “grassroots” level instruction for the first time. We were guided practically: which programs help us and how to use shared folders. This has made our workflow faster and simpler.

Have you noticed that the training has boosted the staff’s confidence?

People now actively use shared folders and programs. Alexander (the GreenDice trainer) made the material very simple, but we are still in the learning process. Teachers don’t have time during the day to figure out programs on their own, so this kind of guided approach was essential. The most important thing is peace of mind: I get an answer to my question in less than 12 hours and a solution within a day.

To whom and why would you recommend GreenDice’s service?

I would absolutely recommend it to all educational institutions. It is financially sensible and provides immense added value specifically through its service and support. For us, it was a stroke of true luck that we “stumbled upon” you!