Re Contract

6 Feb 2008 07:00

RM PLC06 February 2008 6 February 2008 South West Grid for Learning chooses RM-led consortium to deliver learning platform services RM has been appointed preferred bidder by the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) to deliver innovative network services which will provide the foundationfor a school's learning platform. The services will be delivered in partnershipwith Netmedia Education. Initial term for the contract is five years, with anoption to extend for a further three years; value over the first three years is£2.75m. SWGfL provides broadband Internet and Web-delivered education services to 2,400schools and over 1,000,000 educators and pupils for 15 Local Authorities in theSouth West of England. The solution will provide: • an integrated authentication platform, which allows secure access to Web-delivered services using a single set of security credentials; • a Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) compliant data interchange service, which allows separate applications to exchange school data; • educational collaboration tools and an online 'learning space'; • a virtual desktop which provides schools with an easy to navigate 'front end' to the complete range of services provided by SWGfL. The solution will be built using open standards, such as SIF and Shibboleth,which have been identified by Becta as the preferred approach for deliveringWeb-delivered services in UK schools. The adoption of these standards makes itstraightforward for 3rd party service providers to offer their Web-deliveredproducts to SWGfL. Commenting on the contract, Hilary Guckian, CEO of the SWGfL Trust, said: 'At a time when policy makers are increasingly looking to technology to providea link between home and school, we intend to provide the foundations for aschool's learning platform that allows secure access to Web-delivered educationservices for all of our users. Working together, RM and Netmedia have providedus with an innovative platform, which will be one of the first to embrace thekey open standards identified by Becta as essential.' Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said: 'The expectations schools and pupils have of Web technology are increasing allthe time, so it's important for SWGfL that the facilities they offer keep movingforward. I'm delighted that SWGfL has chosen to work in partnership with RM andNetmedia to deliver the next phase of their development. The solution that we'redeveloping together will clearly position SWGfL as a leading innovator ineducation network and learning platform provision.' For further information, please contact:Mike Greig/Phil Hemmings, RM plc 08450 700300Mark Antelme, Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Notes to Editors: 1. Founded in 1973, the RM Group is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, colleges and universities, local government and central government education departments and agencies. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve teaching and learning. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L 2. Netmedia Education is a leading provider of interoperability systems, Shibboleth sign-on systems, learning platforms, local authority portal solutions, e-democracy and CPD applications. Netmedia is part of the Espresso Group. 3. RM will provide a simplified sign-on service, a virtual desktop for schools based on Kaleidos Portal+, and is delivering hosting, integration, project management and a range of support services. Netmedia Education will provide SIF integration tools and expertise, MyFirstPlace as the virtual desktop for early years users, and a range of integration and support services. 4. SWGfL is one of ten regional broadband consortia (RBC) funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families to provide broadband and Internet services to schools. It currently serves schools, other educational establishments and libraries in 15 Local Authorities in the south west of England. 5. Becta is a UK government agency. It leads the national drive to improve learning through technology, by working with industry and the education service to ensure that the right technology is in place and that every learner in the UK is able to benefit from it. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange