SMART Vantage Available in January for Insight into Classroom ICT Use Application

Simply by logging in to the web-based interface, educational and IT administrators can access data on SMART Board interactive whiteboard and projector use in individual classrooms, throughout schools and across entire districts or regions. This comprehensive information provides valuable insight into technology use, enabling administrators to reduce operating and maintenance costs, decrease hardware downtime and make more informed decisions about professional development opportunities.

SMART Vantage software has two modules. The Manage and Report module, which manages SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART projectors, will be available globally in English in January 2012. The second module Report and Integrate – manages SMART products and third-party projectors and will be released globally in Q2, 2012. SMART Vantage is the first software product from SMART to enable technology administrators to inventory and proactively manage their SMART Board interactive whiteboards and projectors.

Projector lamp life can be monitored, greatly reducing the chance that a projector will fail and disrupt lesson delivery. Using the intuitive user interface, administrators can see how many times an individual SMART Board interactive whiteboard has been touched, which applications have been used and which subject areas and grade levels are making the most effective use of the interactive whiteboard. Information on usage can then assist in ICT planning, including determining training and professional development opportunities and enabling administrators to gain the highest return on investment from their SMART purchases.

As more and more schools around the world continue to adopt ICT solutions into classrooms, administrators require tools to manage those solutions efficiently, within their budgets and also to have a comprehensive understanding of their return on investment,” says Linda Thomas, VicePresident, Products, SMART Technologies. “With the release of SMART Vantage software, educators will get instant insight into how, when and in what subject areas SMART Board interactive whiteboards are being used, helping them to make informed decisions that will support teaching and learning at all levels.”

Features Inventory Use the Manage and Report module to identify and manage SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART projectors. Use the Manage, Report and Integrate module to identify SMART Board interactive whiteboards that are used in conjunction with third-party projectors, and then set up automatic monitoring for these third-party projectors. Profile configuration – Assign personnel to defined administrator or report roles Power management and scheduling – Create system power schedules to automatically start systems and activate sleep mode to reduce energy consumption while not in use Projector bulb warning – Proactively manage overall projector bulb health through an e-mail notification that indicates when the projector bulb has decreased to a designated level Customized reports – Issue reports on a daily, monthly or yearly basis with the customized options that provide insight into SMART Board interactive whiteboard usage Pricing and availability The Manage and Report module will be available globally in English beginning January 2012. The Manage, Report and Integrate module will be available globally in Q2, 2012. Prices vary by country.