Blackboard’s newest vending reader, the FlexVend, enables payments from campus cards as well as credit cards. The reader, manufactured by USA Technologies, will also accept major association label (e.g. Visa, MasterCard) contactless payment cards.

Blackboard Releases New Contactless Vending Reader

FlexVend Device Supports Acceptance of Major Credit Cards in Addition to Campus Cards

Washington, DC, – March 26, 2007 – Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) announced today the release of a new vending reader for the Blackboard Commerce Suite™, a family of applications supporting one-card transactions on-campus, off-campus and online and allowing for identification and security access.

The new FlexVend reader, provided by USA Technologies (Nasdaq: USAT), allows for cashless payment at campus vending machines. Cardholders can pay for vended products with their campus card as well as all major credit cards, including the latest contactless cards that allow for ‘touch and go’ transactions. Wired and wireless options of the FlexVend reader are both available.

“Our new FlexVend vending reader utilizes the latest in contactless technology that allows for quick ‘touch-and-go’ card transactions,” said Russ Carlson, president of the Blackboard Commerce Group. “FlexVend provides Blackboard cardholders the ultimate in convenience by allowing them to purchase vended product with a variety of card types including credit cards.”

The easy-to-use vending machine interface allows a cardholder to purchase multiple items with a single swipe or tap of their card. Campuses can also support vending of higher-priced products such as computer or desk supplies.

Online reporting capabilities allow for user-configurable reports on account data of processed transactions.

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology. Millions of people use Blackboard everyday at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.