SMART Technologies Announces Availability of SMART Board Software 9.7 in Middle East


SMART Technologies announces availability of SMART Board software 9.7 in Middle East
World's most popular interactive whiteboard software offers more resources and new features

Dubai, June 24, 2007 - SMART Technologies Inc. has announced the availability of the SMART Board(TM) software 9.7 for Windows®, Mac OS and Linux® operating systems in the Middle East. The newest version of SMART Board software offers teachers more digital resources and a number of user-friendly new features. Enhancements to the world's most widely used interactive whiteboard software make it easier for educators to create and manage all their digital learning materials within one easy-to-use content platform.

SMART Board software adds features that refine users' whiteboarding experience and improves system administration. Version 9.7 supports more languages than any other interactive whiteboard software on the market including 4 languages in Mac OS, 9 languages in Linux and 36 languages in Windows. A vertical text flow feature is also available to support Asian language text.

"Educators around the world are adopting the SMART Board interactive whiteboard because of the flexibility it allows them when developing engaging and dynamic lessons," said Nancy Knowlton, SMART's CEO. "The added features of SMART Board software 9.7 offer teachers more resources and digital learning materials and greater language support."

Maher Husseini, Director, Intmark Distribution said, "The new features incorporated in the SMART Board software 9.7 will allow teachers to better manage the digital learning materials, while helping them teach lessons in a more effective and interesting manner. Further, SMART Technologies have added new learning objects that could prove very beneficial during interactive lessons."

Notebook(TM) software, the lesson creation and delivery application within SMART Board software, offers a variety of new features and resources. The Dual Page Display allows teachers to show two Notebook pages simultaneously and to draw, make notes, import files and add links to either page, while the new print options let teachers print a Notebook page in full screen mode without borders. Team Content provides access to Gallery content that can be shared on a network. New learning objects have been added to the Gallery, including astronomy images and physics simulations from NASA, as well as new videos that can be easily embedded into interactive lessons. Also, Adobe® Flash® content from Daydream Education® and Intel® skoool(TM) education technology allows teachers to enhance lessons with animated activities. Improved text recognition in the new software offers support for East Asian languages in the Windows Vista(TM) and Windows XP operating systems, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Version 9.7 gives system administrators more guidance on installing the software, and optimizing system monitoring and remote diagnostics.

SMART customers can download Version 9.7 at no cost at www.smarttech.com/support/software. SMART Board software 9.7 is included with all new orders of SMART Board interactive whiteboards, Sympodium(TM) interactive pen displays and AirLiner wireless slates. For additional information or specifications, visit www.smarttech.com.

About SMART

SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global education market segment leader in easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. The award-winning SMART Board(TM) interactive whiteboard is the most widely installed interactive whiteboard in the world. Many school jurisdictions have standardized on the product, which is used to provide interactive learning opportunities and enhance student achievement. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach over 15 million students in more than 500,000 classrooms spanning every U.S. state, every Canadian province, every Local Authority in the UK and more than 100 countries worldwide. SMART products include interactive response systems, pen displays and digital signage as well as wireless slates and software. Using SMART products, teachers can access and share the information they need to improve student learning outcomes and streamline lesson planning. SMART's education customers include New York City Board of Education (U.S.), Oxford University (UK), Kobe City Board of Education (Japan), Barnier Public School (Australia), University of Ottawa (Canada), United World College (Singapore), Stephen-Hawking-Schule Neckargemuend (Germany), Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (U.S.) and Harvard University (U.S.).

SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 1,000 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ontario, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel's equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART as a company as well as SMART products and programs visit www.smarttech.com and www.education.smarttech.com.

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