News facts:
- British Columbia school districts, educators, students and parents benefit from having access to integrated data, real-time information and learning resources
- ConnectEdBC replaces British Columbia's existing common student information system
- The 12-year, up to $9.4-million per annum agreement will support students from kindergarten through graduation
SUNNYVALE, Calif. and VICTORIA, British Columbia, Nov. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fujitsu today announced that its Canadian subsidiary, Fujitsu Consulting (Canada) Inc., has signed an agreement with the British Columbia Ministry of Education to implement, manage and host ConnectEdBC, a new student information service that will replace the existing student information system (BCeSIS) used by most school districts.
Fujitsu has partnered with Follett Corporation to implement the next generation SIS that will play a pivotal role in the transformation of learning empowered by technology. ConnectEdBC will help teachers to plan a more personalized learning experience with students and their parents.
The agreement with the B.C. Ministry of Education includes Fujitsu setting up, customizing, and managing Follett's Aspen SIS application and the delivery environment, and hosting the common enterprise level student information system across British Columbia. Furthermore, Fujitsu will train teams at all participating school districts on how to implement and maintain the system.
"Fujitsu is proud to collaborate with the British Columbia Ministry of Education and Follett to provide the IT solutions and services that will help make their school districts, teachers and students more successful," said David Shearer, president, Fujitsu Canada. "We have a long history with the Province of British Columbia in delivering IT based solutions and services that support the province's transformation initiatives."
"Aspen, our reliable, user-friendly and trusted software system has been in use by schools in the United States for several years, serving more than one million students," said Tom Schenck, president and chief operating officer with Follett School Solutions. "We are excited to partner with Fujitsu and deliver a platform to schools in British Columbia that can be customized for their unique needs and to effectively gather student data, provide valuable insights for educators through robust reporting, and create a longitudinal view of student achievement over the course of their school years."
The secure, Web-based system is accessible through all browsers, including mobile devices, and offers parents and students the ability to monitor progress, communicate with teachers and school staff and, if needed, submit assignments online. Teachers can collaborate across and between school districts, share learning tools and materials, and communicate with parents and students on an ongoing basis. The implementation of ConnectEdBC is expected to begin in the spring of 2014.
About Follett Corporation
Since 1873, Follett has served as the trusted partner in education for students and educators at all levels of learning. Today Follett delivers physical and digital learning materials, retail services, school content and management systems to more than 70,000 early childhood, primary and secondary schools, and on more than 1,000 college campuses. Headquartered in River Grove, Illinois, Follett is a $2.7 billion privately held company.
For more information, please see follett.com.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.4 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.