Comprehensive Software Suite Delivers Advanced e-Learning and Transaction Management Capabilities

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Colby- Sawyer College to provide the New Hampshire school with its Blackboard Transaction System(TM), the company's comprehensive transaction platform for utilizing student identification cards to access a variety of daily life applications.

The Blackboard Transaction System will help the college manage commerce transactions for purchases made on campus for product, food services and other business services enjoyed by the Colby-Sawyer community. This addition rounds out Colby-Sawyer College's implementation of Blackboard's suite of systems, including Blackboard's leading e-Learning platform, the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM). The system will be installed during September. Colby-Sawyer faculty and students will have full access to the Blackboard(R) system by the spring semester.

"Blackboard offered us a comprehensive software solution that will allow Colby-Sawyer to keep pace with technology as it continues to permeate the entire higher education experience," said Bill Bitzer, Director of Information Resources for Colby-Sawyer College. "We are confident that our faculty and students will embrace the convenience provided by the new transaction system, and the advanced levels of interconnectivity afforded by the Blackboard Academic Suite."

Through the Blackboard Transaction System, Colby-Sawyer will expand its student debit card beyond the dining hall to enable student commerce across campus, from the bookstore to the vending system, laundry facilities and photocopy equipment. It will also be integrated with the Colby-Sawyer SCT system for university financial applications and human resources management.

"The move to a campus-wide online learning and transaction platform is an important step in adopting advanced technology for the benefit of students and faculty," said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. "We are delighted that Colby-Sawyer has chosen to embrace an integrated Blackboard solution that supports courses, content, community, campus life and commerce."

About Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard is a leading provider of enterprise software and services to the education industry. The Company's product line consists of five software applications bundled in two suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM) and the Blackboard Commerce Suite(TM). Blackboard's clients include colleges, universities, 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 and staff in North America, Europe and Asia.

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 most recent 10-Q filed with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of September 2, 2004. 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 September 2, 2004.

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.

CONTACT:
Investor-Corporate:
Michael J. Stanton of Blackboard Inc.
+1-202-463-4860 ext. 2305
Media:
Darren Spinck of DBC Public Relations Experts
+1-866-774-4720
for Blackboard Inc.
Web site: http://www.blackboard.com
(BBBB)
 

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