Community Colleges Turn to Blackboard for Campus Commerce Solutions
Demand for Increased Service and Greater Operational Efficiency Drives Need Among Commuter PopulationsWASHINGTON, DC, Jun 06, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a leading provider of enterprise
technology to the education industry, today announced Cape Fear
Community College (NC), San Bernardino Community College District
(CA), Santa Barbara City College (CA), Bristol Community College (MA)
and Hawkeye Community College (IA) have joined hundreds of other
colleges and universities who rely on the Blackboard Transaction
System(TM) as their campus commerce solution.
Community colleges today are under increasing pressure to demonstrate
operational efficiency while providing higher levels of service to
their constituents. Blackboard provides institutions the technology
to effectively meet those challenges while managing transactions and
facility access on campus, off campus and online. Automating
transaction processing enables colleges to reduce errors, eliminate
operational redundancies and control labor costs.
"Blackboard understands that we need to ensure the students, who are
our customers, receive the best technology available. Through the
Blackboard Transaction System, students can use their ID cards as a
form of payment, quickly, efficiently and safely," said Carol Cullum,
Vice President of Student Development at Cape Fear Community College.
"While we did consider using other card systems, only the Blackboard
solution offers a wide variety of features, compatibility with our
planning system and the ability to change access for certain
constituent groups. We've heard numerous success stories from
current clients around the country who have increased their revenue
stream and savings by hundreds of thousands of dollars. We're
enthusiastic about implementing similar initiatives on our campus."
Many colleges and universities rely on the complete Blackboard
Commerce Suite(TM), three separate but integrated applications
including the Blackboard Transaction System, for a wide range of
campus service needs including, providing students and faculty with
secure access to buildings or residence halls, cashless payment on
and off-campus, access to laundry services, parking and copy
services. In addition, parents and students can deposit and manage
their campus card accounts from anywhere in the world with the
Blackboard Community System(TM). Off Campus transactions are enabled
through BbOne(SM).
"The significance of community colleges in U.S. Higher Education
continues to increase with the growth of 'non-traditional' students
and the changing demands of traditional students," said Russ Carlson,
President of the Blackboard Commerce Group. "It's a pleasure to work
with these institutions and help them increase their service levels
in what is a very competitive marketplace."
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise
software applications and related services to the education industry.
Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations
everywhere by connecting people and technology. With two product
suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite (TM) and the Blackboard
Commerce Suite (TM), Blackboard is used by millions of people at
academic institutions around the globe, including colleges,
universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as
textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve
education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered
in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Australia
and Asia.
Blackboard
Educate. Innovate. Everywhere.(TM)
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans
and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words
"believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar
expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual
results may differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors,
including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our
Form 10-Q filed on May 4, 2007 with the SEC. In addition, the
forward-looking statements included in this press release represent
the Company's views as of June 6, 2007. The Company anticipates that
subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to
change. However, while the Company may elect to update these
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company
specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking
statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's
views as of any date subsequent to June 6, 2007.
Senior Manager Public Relations at Blackboard:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
202-463-4860 ext. 2404
Email Contact
Media Contact:
Amy Storey
Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
202-828-8819
Email Contact
SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.