it’s learning acquires Netmedia Education
5th May 2009
The international learning platform provider it’s learning has acquired the educational technology company Netmedia Education from Espresso Group. With this acquisition, two market pioneers join forces to provide a wide range of products and services to the educational sector worldwide.
The enlarged it’s learning company becomes an important provider of learning platforms in the UK with revenues in excess of £12 million, a staff of 110 and 1.8 million active users in Europe. The company is based in Bergen, Norway, and has offices in Birmingham, London, Paris, Milan, St Petersburg, and Boston.
Springboard to global leadership
The it’s learning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a secure, web-based platform that empowers learners and favours differentiated teaching, collaboration and informal learning. The company is dedicated to supporting Next Generation Learning by providing powerful educational tools and helping schools maximise their pedagogical benefits and adapt to the digital age.
Netmedia’s position as a leading learning platform since 1995 will bolster the company’s focus in the UK. Trusted by over 5,400 schools, Netmedia currently provides online learning platforms and curriculum training for teachers and pupils of all ages. Netmedia’s ‘MyIdentity’ Shibboleth-based identity management systems and ‘Lynchpin’ interoperability software are ground-breaking products that have seen rapid take-up across local authorities in the UK. it’s learning intends to replicate this success in educational markets internationally. Netmedia’s clients will, as a result of the acquisition, have the opportunity to benefit from a next generation learning platform from it’s learning that meet their requirements and expectations.
Arne Bergby, CEO of it’s learning, is confident the acquisition of Netmedia will be welcomed by the educational market: “it’s learning will offer new and existing customers an innovative VLE together with a range of high-end educational technology products”, he says. “We share a common mission with Netmedia to support teaching and learning. And by joining forces, we will build on each other’s strengths with a large focused investment in future developments and a pool of professional resources supporting customer needs.”
Continued relationship with Espresso
it’s learning will continue the strategic relationship with Espresso, specifically in the areas of content integration and training services.
Richard McGrath, Espresso Group’s Managing Director, remarked: "We believe this is an excellent new home for Netmedia, as it allows for a relentless focus on advancing learning technology in schools across the globe. Netmedia’s customers, and the UK market as a whole, will benefit greatly from this combined development expertise and a new portfolio of excellent products and support services that will help them in meeting government initiatives. We look forward to continuing to work closely as a strategic partner in advancing the use of learning platforms in schools internationally.”
Notes
The financial details of the acquisition will remain confidential.
About it’s learning
it’s learning is an international learning platform provider with close to one million users in primary and secondary schools, as well as Further and Higher Education. In addition to the UK, the company is represented in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and USA. With more than 40% of its resources involved in design and development, it’s learning invests in the future. The company's goal is to offer the best learning platform worldwide and to be the most innovative organisation within the educational market.
Contact: Arne Bergby, CEO, +47 971 57 095, arne.bergby@itslearning.com
About Espresso Education
Espresso Education is the UK market leader in the provision of video-based digital curriculum services to primary and secondary schools, featuring Espresso Primary, Clipbank and Channel 4 Learning. Its international division licences and distributes content into more than 40 countries worldwide. Espresso is the winner of BETT Awards 2009 and 2008, BAFTA Award and Royal Television Society Award, and has been featured for the last three years on the Tech Track 100, ranked as one of Britain’s fastest-growing private technology companies.
Contact: Jane Benson, Marketing Director, 020 8237 1218, jbenson@espresso.co.uk
About Netmedia Education
Serving over 5,400 schools, Netmedia Education is a leading provider of learning platform, web portal and integration services to RBCs, Local Authorities and schools. A Becta accredited Learning Platform Services Framework Supplier, Netmedia includes training & curriculum services to support customers in embedding learning platforms to achieve educational targets. Netmedia is also the UK’s leading provider of identity management (Shibboleth/SSO) and interoperability (SIF) services and consultancy.
