WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc.
(Nasdaq: BBBB) today announced that its contactless campus card
reader has won the coveted SESAMES Award, an international honor
given to the most innovative products in digital security and smart
technologies.
The SESAMES Awards represent an "unchallenged seal of
approval in innovation and are regarded as global standards for
card manufacturers and related industries." The award-winning
reader supports contactless and magnetic strip reading
capabilities, and is a key part of a complete contactless
environment that supports a range of applications including
building access, copy and laundry.
Earlier this year, Blackboard introduced the first Near Field
Communication (NFC) contactless solution incorporating Sony FeliCa™
technology to U.S. colleges and universities. Already, nearly 50
institutions have adopted the platform to provide a safer and more
convenient campus experience.
"We're honored to be recognized at the world's leading event for
smart technologies and to be counted among such an elite group of
innovative global technology leaders," said David Marr, President of Blackboard Transact.
"This award is a reflection of the investment we've made in driving
innovation across our platform we've been pleased to see our
contactless solution be so well received by our clients."
Blackboard's contactless technology allows consumers to wave
their card over a compatible reader at the point of acceptance,
providing a high security smart card credential with near zero
vulnerability points for identity theft and fraud. The reader
supports full video playback, expanding the opportunity for
institutions to send messages to consumers, along with a full-color
interactive touch screen panel.
The announcement was made at CARTES & IDentification, the
world's leading event for digital security and smart technologies
held in Paris, France.
Blackboard's MF4100 Contactless Multifunction Reader was selected
by an international panel of experts from nearly 400 entries as a
winner in the Banking/Retail/Loyalty category.
The SESAMES competition is open to innovative projects in 10
different categories and awards are given to global leaders
including manufacturers, users, integrators and developers. Award
categories include hardware; software; identification-ID card; IT
security; transportation; banking/retail/loyalty; trusted
Internet/authentication; mobility; e-transactions, and
manufacturing and tests.
For more information about Blackboard Transact™
contactless solutions, please visit
http://www.blackboard.com/contactless.
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) is a global leader in enterprise
technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of
millions of students and learners around the world every day.
Blackboard's solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12,
professional, corporate, and government organizations to extend
teaching and learning online, facilitate campus commerce and
security, and communicate more effectively with their communities.
Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Asia
and Australia.
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 November 5, 2010 with the SEC. In
addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press
release represent the Company's views as of December 16, 2010. 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
December 16, 2010.
SOURCE Blackboard Inc.