RM confirmed as supplier of n

RNS Number : 9890N

RM PLC

22 June 2010

 

RM confirmed as supplier of network services to the South West Grid for Learning

RM confirms that it has reached financial close for an eight-year contract with the South West Grid for Learning Trust (SWGfL) to provide network and Internet services to schools and other education establishments in the South West of England. RM previously announced that it had been appointed preferred bidder for the contract on 29 March 2010.

RM will provide a comprehensive managed service, including core connectivity, infrastructure, essential e-safety & security, and day-to-day management and security. In addition, customers will be offered optional services, including a range of email systems, content filtering technologies, web hosting environments, and media streaming platforms, as well as mobile connectivity and video conferencing.

Paul Hancock, Contract Manager for SWGfL, said:

"Internet and connectivity are essential to 21^st Century Schools. At SWGfL, we pride ourselves on providing the very highest levels of service and value. We also recognise that the education establishments we serve demand flexibility and the ability to choose from a range of options to suit differing budgetary and functionality needs.

"Choosing the right partner to help provide a robust and flexible service is a critical decision for us. We looked at a range of potential providers through an in-depth procurement exercise; RM, along with its partners, offered an excellent combination of innovation, robust delivery, choice and cost-effectiveness."

For further information, please contact:

Iain McIntosh/Phil Hemmings, RM plc Paul Hancock, SWGfL	08450 700300 07899 905968
Chris Blundell/Franziska Boehnke, Brunswick	020 7404 5959

Notes:

1.   The RM Group is a leading provider of educational solutions that help teachers to teach and learners to learn. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve education. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L, ISIN GB0002870417. Further details are available at ww.rm.com/investors and through the Group's investor blog at rminvestors.wordpress.com

2.   The South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) is a not-for-profit charitable trust company, funded by 15 local authorities in the South West of England. It is one of ten regional broadband consortia (RBC), established by the Department for Education and Skills (now the Department for Education) in 2000 to provide broadband and Internet services to schools in England. SWGfL provides services for over 2,400 schools, other education establishments and libraries, and over 700,000 learners.

3.   RM has been sole supplier of broadband services to SWGfL since its foundation in 2000. The Group was initially appointed for a five-year contract in November 2000, and re-appointed for a further five years in August 2005. Additionally, RM was awarded the five-year SWGfL Merlin contract to provide learning platform and integration services to SWGfL in 2008. This new appointment was made following an extensive competitive procurement exercise.

 

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