CReSED

Built on Ubuntu Pro

Built for computers that can’t upgrade to Windows 10

With Microsoft’s Windows 10 approaching the end of support in October 2025, many schools will be faced with obsolete computing equipment unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. To address this critical educational technology gap, our Ubuntu Pro School Extension provides a robust, affordable, and comprehensive solution that integrates seamlessly into the school’s existing infrastructure.

Your Computers Aren’t Outdated — Your Software Is.

Most schools, universities, and TAFEs already have the computers they need. What’s holding them back isn’t old hardware—it’s the bloated, expensive, and resource-hungry software that came with it.

CReSED (Cloud-Ready Secure Education Distribution) is the solution. Designed in Australia and built on top of the powerful Ubuntu Pro platform, CReSED is a full-featured, open-source operating system tailored specifically for education. It gives you everything Microsoft does—Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams equivalents—but without the massive licensing fees, performance drag, or hardware upgrade requirements.

If you’re running Windows 10 and can’t upgrade to Windows 11, you don’t need new devices. You need CReSED.

Why Education Needs a New OS

Schools and universities are facing a perfect storm:

Windows 10 reaches end of support in 2025.
This means thousands of perfectly functional devices are headed for landfill unless you buy new ones—or switch to CReSED.

• Budgets are tight.
  Software subscriptions, antivirus costs, and constant upgrades add up. CReSED dramatically reduces licensing fees without sacrificing functionality.

• Security threats are growing.
  CReSED is built on Ubuntu Pro, which includes 10 years of security updates, kernel live patching, and advanced compliance tools. Combined with Crystal Eye EDU security platforms, your school network is always protected.

• Cloud platforms matter more than ever.
  CReSED is fully integrated with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Nextcloud, and more. Students can log in, save work, collaborate, and access email—without ever worrying about compatibility.

What Comes with CReSED?

Out of the box, CReSED includes:

LibreOffice
The complete Microsoft Office alternative (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access equivalents). Supports .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx natively.

Multimedia Suite
Video editing (Kdenlive), audio production (Audacity), and image editing (GIMP), all preinstalled.

Browser-Based Tools
CReSED includes Mozilla Firefox and Chromium browsers, ready for Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Moodle, Canva, YouTube, and everything modern education uses.

Email & Calendar
Thunderbird mail with built-in calendar and address book, or connect directly to Gmail/Outlook using browser-based access.

STEM Ready
Python, Jupyter Notebooks, Arduino IDE, and Scratch all come standard, making CReSED the perfect coding and robotics platform.

Accessibility Options
Dyslexic-friendly fonts, screen readers, and keyboard navigation features ensure inclusivity for all students.

Local Server Support
Integrate with your school’s Active Directory or replace it completely with our Samba-based directory service and secure file server.

Ubuntu Pro Security
Live kernel patching, full CVE coverage for 23,000+ packages, FIPS and CIS compliance (ideal for government reporting), and 24/7 security updates.

Why Techs Will Love CReSED

Easy to Install. Even Easier to Manage.
Boot from USB, install in under 10 minutes, and you’re ready to go. With CReSED’s lightweight footprint, even 10-year-old laptops can run fast.

Centralised Management
Add-on tools like Landscape and Canonical Livepatch make it easy to manage multiple devices at once. No more logging in one-by-one for updates or maintenance.

Replace Active Directory with Samba AD
CReSED supports complete school-level user management: student logins, shared drives, group permissions, printer access, and home folders—all without Microsoft.

BYOD, VDI & Virtualisation
Whether your setup is BYOD, on-prem, or cloud-based, CReSED can be deployed to thin clients, virtual desktops, and refurbished computers.

Built for Real IT Environments
Full Linux root access. Terminal tools. SSH-ready. Remote support. This isn’t a toy OS—it’s enterprise-level tech with education-level simplicity.

Cost Comparison: CReSED vs Microsoft

Who’s Behind CReSED?

CReSED is developed by Digital Education Systems, an Australian company with deep roots in education, accessibility, and IT sustainability. We’ve partnered with Canonical, the creators of Ubuntu, and Red Piranha, Australia’s leading cybersecurity company, to create a system that meets the demands of modern classrooms and keeps your school data safe.

We’re more than just developers—we’re educators. Our team includes school IT managers, digital curriculum experts, and accessibility consultants. We understand your pain points because we’ve lived them.

Accessibility & Inclusion at the Core

CReSED is proudly inclusive. The system was developed with contributions from people with disabilities, including neurodivergent developers and testers. We believe in technology that everyone can use—regardless of background or ability.

Most of our internal team are either neurodiverse or living with a disability, and our company is committed to hiring, training, and empowering individuals who often face barriers to traditional employment. That same spirit of inclusion is built into the OS.

Case Study: A Rural School’s Transformation

A small rural school was facing an impossible decision: either spend $80,000 upgrading their outdated Windows 10 computers—or abandon digital learning. Instead, they installed CReSED.

Within two weeks, the same computers were running faster, students were editing videos and coding games, and teachers were using the same familiar file formats they always had. No retraining. No replacement costs. No downtime.

Now, the school has invested its savings in robotics, faster internet, and staff development—instead of throwing money at unnecessary upgrades.

Designed to Work With What You Have

Whether you’re running a computer lab of old Dells or managing a BYOD fleet across a university campus, CReSED is made to integrate, not disrupt.

• Use existing monitors, keyboards, printers, and smartboards.

• Connect to your existing file servers or use Nextcloud for seamless online sharing.

• Sync documents and calendars through Google or Microsoft 365.

• Replace Microsoft Teams with Element, Jitsi Meet, or BigBlueButton.

• Replace SharePoint with our secure Samba/Nextcloud integration.

Optional Add-Ons and Services

For schools that want full turn-key support, we offer:

Crystal Eye EDU Appliance – real-time threat detection, firewall management, and compliance tools with physical device that protects the entire school network with AI-based threat response
Ubuntu Pro Licenses – full compliance and enterprise-grade security
Training for IT Staff – so you’re confident managing the system
Custom Branding – school logos, themes, wallpapers, and pre-configured profiles
Full Migration Services – we’ll handle the transition from Windows for you

It’s Time to Stop Renting Your Software

CReSED lets you take back control. No more per-user licensing fees, no more forced upgrades, no more proprietary lockdowns. You own your OS. You choose how it runs. And you decide where your students’ data lives.

For less than the price of a replacement charger, you can give every student a high-performance, cloud-connected, fully secure system that just works.

Try CReSED Today

You don’t need to commit to 1,000 devices to see the benefits. Install it on one laptop. See the difference.

Digital Education Systems can walk you through every step—from deployment to training. Whether you’re an IT lead at a public school, the head of ICT in a university, or just a teacher who’s had enough of broken computers and forgotten passwords, CReSED is for you.

Replace the system—not the hardware.

Secure your network.

Empower your students.

Go open source.

Go CReSED.