Govt Agency Becta chooses RM

RM PLC
12 December 2007


 Government agency Becta chooses RM to develop open file format for interactive
                                  whiteboards

RM has been appointed by UK government agency Becta to develop a common,
industry-wide open 'file format' standard for interactive whiteboard software.
The standard is intended to allow interoperability between different interactive
whiteboard software packages. This means that software developers and publishers
will be able to create interactive learning resources that can be used on a wide
range of different manufacturers' interactive whiteboards.

The intention is to create a genuinely open standard. RM will carry out the
development work in close liaison with Becta, BESA (British Education Suppliers
Association), whiteboard manufacturers and educational software publishers;
Becta has already published a call for wide stakeholder engagement on its Web
site. The work also includes the creation of a freely-available open-source
'viewer' application, which will allow files created to the standard to be
played on any whiteboard.

Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said:

'Open standards are very important - both for customers, who want confidence
that educational software will work on whatever hardware they choose; and for
the industry, which wants access to an open market. Becta's move to create a
common file format for interactive whiteboard software is a really positive step
forward for educational ICT in the UK.

'We're committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders - from the
commercial world and the education service - to make sure we develop a standard
that is genuinely useful to all.'


For further information, please contact:
Phil Hemmings, RM plc                              08450 700300
Mark Antelme, Brunswick                            020 7404 5959


Notes:

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.

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.



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