Rm Regulatory News (RM.)

13 Jan 2010 07:00



13 January 2010

RM makes space for learning at BETT 2010

RM will be demonstrating superior education solutions designed to help teachers to teach and learners to learn at BETT 2010, the world's largest educational technology event, which opens today at Olympia, London. Over the four days of the show, RM Group companies will be demonstrating new developments, introducing the latest versions of core products, and providing educational information, advice and guidance to visitors to the show.

A particular focus for BETT 2010 is RM's innovative Learning Spaces showcase, which demonstrates how RM's products and services combine to make motivating and effective learning spaces for 21st century schools.

Analyst and Investor briefings

RM will host briefings for investment analysts and institutional investors during the course of the show. These briefings will include product demonstrations, a visit to the show and presentations from the Group's senior management. A presentation will be available at www.rm.com/investors from 17:00 on Thursday 14 January. No update on trading will be given.

Commenting on BETT 2010, Terry Sweeney, Chief Executive of RM, said:

"With 30,000 visitors, many of them from overseas, BETT is the leading international educational technology exhibition. It's always a great opportunity to catch up with existing customers and to meet potential new ones. This year, in particular, we're looking forward to interest from the US, where policy makers are increasingly looking to use innovative technology to drive forward education. 

"We continue to invest in developing superior solutions and will be showing a wide range of new and improved products at BETT. New at BETT are: CC4 Anywhere, which provides anywhere, any device access to the UK's most widely used school network; Kaleidos Communicator, adding safe chat and instant messaging to our innovative learning platform; and a range of new hardware products. We will also be introducing the next generation of Easiteach, our widely-adopted whole class teaching software, which is available on a wide range of platforms, world-wide.

"We're not just demonstrating technology at BETT. Our Learning Spaces display, running throughout the show, will showcase our solutions in 'real-school' contexts. Together with teachers and pupils, we will show how effective learning spaces can make a difference to the way 21st century schools work.

"Alongside BETT again this year is the Learning and Technology World Forum, a major event for educational ICT policy makers from across the globe. Speaking at the Forum's launch, Prime Minister Gordon Brown reinforced the UK's position as a world leader in educational technology and launched an export drive for the UK educational technology industry. We welcome the Government's commitment to our industry and look forward to working with the new taskforce.

"It's an exciting time for RM, and our presence at BETT 2010 will reflect that."

For further information, please contact: 

Notes:

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

BETT is an annual exhibition showcasing educational technology, organised by BESA (the British Educational Suppliers Association) and EMAP. It is the year's major meeting point for the educational ICT community, attracting an audience including senior policy makers as well as teachers and school managers. With 30,000 attendees and approximately 600 exhibitors, from across the globe, it is the world's largest educational technology exhibition. 

BETT 2010 takes place at Olympia, London from 13 January to the 16 January. The event will be officially opened by Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Schools and Learners at the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

RM is a major exhibitor at BETT, with RM Group companies at the heart of the main exhibition, and the Group's own Learning Spaces showcase taking place at the adjacent Olympia 2 Conference Centre. RM is also represented in the Special Needs Fringe event, which runs alongside BETT.

RM Group companies exhibiting at BETT are:

RM - Stands C60/D60

Isis Concepts - Stand F50

Lightbox Education - Stand E60

Spacekraft - Stand SN66

TTS Group - Stand P1

Inclusive technology - Special Needs Fringe

Other RM Group companies will be displaying products and services in the Learning Spaces showcase in Olympia 2.

The Learning Spaces showcase provides visitors with the opportunity to see RM Group solutions in 'real-school' contexts, with teachers and learners present to demonstrate how RM can contribute to 21st century schools. It also provides an opportunity for reflection and for show attendees to engage in detailed discussions with the RM team. Over the four days of the show, we expect 6,000 visitors to pass through the showcase.

The Learning and Technology World Forum is an invitation-only Ministerial conference, hosted by the UK Government and formally opened by Gordon Brown on 11 January 2010. Attended this year by 70 Ministers from across the globe, it is establishing itself as a leading event for education policy makers, where they can discuss and develop the use of technology to enhance education. RM is a Learning and Technology World Forum industry partner, and the closing ceremony of the event will take place in RM's Learning Spaces showcase.

RM made the following comments on prospects in its preliminary results announcement on 24 November 2009:

Our investment in the BSF programme is now beginning to mature. FY-2010 will see further significant growth in BSF revenue, as we deliver 70% more schools than the 28 we delivered in FY-2009, and we anticipate that BSF will make a net contribution to profit in the year. Our international business has gained scale through the acquisition and successful integration of Computrac. Our education resource business is well-positioned for further market share gain.

The characteristics of the Group are very different from five years ago. We have moved from a largely domestically-focused IT business, to a broadly-based international education group. In the UK, each of our three divisions targets different strands of the overall education budget. Outside the UK, we are a relatively small and agile supplier, with highly relevant experience and world-class solutions. We believe the diverse nature of our business provides both opportunities for future growth and a high level of resilience.