Agenda Item
a. Approval of Blue Mantis (Not to exceed $350,268)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the purchase of infrastructure as a service (IaaS) through HPE GreenLake hardware, as well as Managed IT Services for HPE GreenLake infrastructure with Blue Mantis for an amount not to exceed $350,268.
Why: For the 2025-2026 school year, the Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) is requesting the continuation of Blue Mantis services to support HPE GreenLake server infrastructure at the William Bradley Bryant Center (WBBC). This site serves as the district’s main distribution frame (MDF), currently running nearly 100 virtual servers, with additional servers being added. Older systems, including the district’s phone system, are being consolidated into this new environment.
Details: Blue Mantis supports the DeKalb County School District’s core on-site server and storage infrastructure by providing advanced HPE hardware, including high-performance HPE Alletra all-flash storage systems, powerful HPE ProLiant DL360 servers, and high-speed network switches to ensure fast, stable connectivity. This setup is complemented by GreenLake Managed Services, which delivers comprehensive IT service management and operational support. Key services include technical support, incident and problem management, capacity and availability management, and configuration and change management. Blue Mantis also handles event and release management, service request fulfillment, and maintains effective relationship management to ensure clear communication and successful service delivery. Together, these solutions ensure optimal performance, reliability, and scalability for DCSD’s IT environment.
Financial impact: $350,268
General Fund: 100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678.676.1200
Effective: August 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Chronology: Blue Mantis
Over the past three years, DeKalb County School District has partnered with
Blue Mantis (formerly GreenPages Technologies) to strengthen its IT
infrastructure and support strategic initiatives. Services have included
network monitoring through a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC),
advanced technical support, staff augmentation, and HPE GreenLake server
infrastructure support.
For the 2025–26 school year, the Division of Instructional and Information
Technology (DIIT) is requesting the continuation of Blue Mantis services to
support HPE GreenLake server infrastructure at the William Bradley Bryant
Center (WBBC). This site serves as the district’s main distribution frame
(MDF), currently running nearly 100 virtual servers, with additional servers
being added. Older systems including the district’s phone system are being
consolidated into this new environment.
These services will include:
WBBC Production site w/out GMS 12 MO - Cost $288,600
Blue Mantis is providing advanced HPE hardware to support the DeKalb
County School District’s core on-site server and storage needs. This setup
includes:
● High-performance storage using HPE Alletra all-flash systems for
fast, reliable data access
● Powerful servers (HPE ProLiant DL360) with large memory and
processing power to support heavy workloads
● High-speed network switches to ensure fast and stable connections
between systems
Greenlake Managed Services – Cost: $61,668
Technical Support
● Incident Management- Handles both regular and security-related IT
issues—tracking, investigating, and resolving them efficiently
● Availability Management- Ensures systems stay up and running by
maintaining and adjusting configurations based on needs and
performance data
● Relationship Management- Keeps communication and collaboration
smooth between Blue Mantis and DCSD for successful partnership and
service delivery
● Capacity Management- Monitors system usage and performance, then
recommends and makes updates to keep everything running efficiently
IT Service Management
● Event & Release Management- Watches systems closely for
unexpected changes or alerts, ensuring timely action and organized
software updates
● Configuration Management- Keeps accurate records of the system
setup and changes, ensuring consistency and control
● Problem Management- Finds and fixes the root cause of recurring or
critical issues to prevent future problems
● Change Management- Coordinates system changes in a controlled
way, while DCSD oversees final approvals
● Service Request Management- Handles routine, low-risk requests (like
access or setup changes) quickly and efficiently
Financial Impact
Year Amount Approved
2024 $6,308,609
2025 $4,718,039
2026 $350,268 Amount Requested