Blackboard Transact has expanded its campus security offerings through a partnership with S2 Security to offer schools and universities more physical security capabilities.

S2 Security, a manufacturer of IP-based physical security and video management systems, will integrate selected NetBox products into the Blackboard Transact platform to enable intuitive browser and mobile-delivered user interfaces that can be operated wherever there is a network connection. For example, authorized administrators can instantly activate a campus lockdown either on location or remotely, via a mobile phone or tablet.

The new capabilities complement the Blackboard Transact platform’s cloud-based ServicePoint architecture, Web services, and DR series of door readers. The capabilities also leverage Near Field Communication-compatible credentials, including FeliCa and MIFARE, through enabled cards or mobile devices.

The partnership will also enable schools to help protect their current infrastructure investment through the compatibility and potential re-use of Mercury Security hardware.

The announcement was made at Blackboard Spring Training 2013, the annual user conference in Phoenix.