6/30/2003 , Washington, DC - Blackboard Inc., a leading enterprise software company for e-Education, and Distinction Systems, a leading UK software developer of education information systems announced a partnership to deliver an integrated solution that provides a unified online campus environment for clients. This new offering will enhance the companies’ ongoing efforts to tie together key front-end applications from Blackboard – including course environments and communities – with the critical back-office services from Distinction Systems QLS student information system. As part of this new partnership, Blackboard has also been named by Distinction Systems its preferred LMS provider for all colleges and universities in the Higher Education and Further Education sectors.

The new integrated solution from Blackboard and Distinction Systems is significant in that it provides the seamless integration via IMS standards compliant protocols, of student information between both systems when running on Microsoft technologies. The integration will lead to the two-way interoperability of student information and student assessment records between both systems. Currently, Blackboard and Distinction Systems have a combined 400 college and university clients in the UK and Ireland which can benefit from the announced integration partnership.

“We are very pleased with our new partnership and collaboration on the integration of our two software systems,” said Stavros Cademenos, Vice President of International Strategic Development at Blackboard. “This integration is already being implemented at DeMonfort University and will now give our other common clients the added benefit of a tested, standards based exchange of student information which also complies with the recommendations of the UK’s Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) on student data interoperability.

John Drew, Sales Manager of Distinction System commented on the integration “We are always keen to develop partnerships not only with our customer base but also with other industry leaders to maximize the potential of our software solutions. We are delighted with this integration and the benefits it will realize for our customer base which is why we have selected Blackboard as our preferred Learning Management System partner.”

Also commenting on this strategic partnership Jim Levi, Microsoft UK Sales Education Group Manager, says “Microsoft has been working with Blackboard and Distinction for a number of years as strategic partners in Higher and Further Education. We are delighted by the announcement of the integration between Distinction QLS and Blackboard Learning System which will enable our mutual clients to easily implement a complete Managed Learning System with best of breed applications delivered through Microsoft .NET technologies.”

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. was founded with a vision to transform the Internet into a powerful environment for the education experience. Blackboard is a leading provider of e-Education solutions serving the global needs of primary and secondary schools, higher education, corporations and government agencies. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices and staff across North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Please visit www.blackboard.com for more information.

About Distinction Systems
Distinction Systems is a complete software solution provider, integrating best of breed CRM, Financial, Human Resource and Student Administration software solutions, which are supported by high quality client services, maximising and strengthening customer relationships and ensuring the accuracy of management decisions. Distinction Systems, formerly known as Microcompass Systems Ltd, is headquartered in Swansea, Wales and is now exclusively engaged in the education environment.

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