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Blackboard Expands Support for NFC StandardsWASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Blackboard Transact(TM) campus card suite now supports MIFARE®, a leading industry standard Near-Field Communication (NFC) compatible protocol that enables highly secure contactless "smart card" transactions, the company announced today. Partner institutions can now choose either MIFARE or FeliCa, the two leading contactless technologies in the world, when issuing NFC-compatible student identification cards or mobile phones. This latest software update also includes an intuitive configuration application that creates a single MIFARE card that can be utilized with Blackboard's award-winning suite of contactless readers, as well as with 3rd party applications that also utilize the MIFARE NFC standard for authentication. "Blackboard Transact maintains a clear leadership position in the campus card market as the first platform to adopt NFC standards for secure transactions back in 2010," said David Marr, President of Blackboard Transact. "We are committed to staying at the forefront of our industry by expanding our support for open global standards and providing our clients with greater contactless options when configuring their campus financial and security systems, as well as their card's interoperability with local transportation systems." The company also announced today that the Blackboard Transact platform now features full integration with Assa Abloy®'s Persona(TM) access control software, which enables seamless administration and management of Assa Abloy Group brand door locks from Corbin-Russwin® and SARGENT®, global leaders in door access technology. With the expanded integrations, security personnel are able to configure and manage critical campus functions, such as security monitoring and alarm notification, on a single console. For more information about Blackboard Transact, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Transact/Overview.aspx or follow @BbTransact on Twitter. About Blackboard Inc. Blackboard Inc. 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. MIFARE is a registered trademark of NXP Semiconductors. ASSA ABLOY is a registered trademark of ASSA ABLOY, Inc. Corbin Russwin is a registered trademark of Corbin Russwin, Inc., an ASSA ABLOY Group company. SARGENT is a registered trademark of Sargent Manufacturing Company, an ASSA ABLOY Group company. Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various important factors. 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 statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. CONTACTMatthew Maurer, Blackboard, Inc.(202) 463-4860 ext. 2860 or [email protected] SOURCE Blackboard Inc. http://rt.prnewswire.com/rt.gif NewsItemId=PH55935&Transmission_Id=201302071300PR_NEWS_USPR_____PH55935&DateId=20130207 |
