Blackboard: Widening the Lens

Blackboard has long been a major player in the global learning management system (LMS) market, delivering software, technology, and hardware into educational institutions as well as companies and organizations in healthcare, government, and the military. Recently it has made major acquisitions in the LMS space, and has also expanded its remit along the value chain of services needed by educational institutions in order to run their businesses effectively. This report examines how Blackboard has developed from software provider to content aggregator and value-added services provider, and looks at the new relationships it is forming with content providers in order to extend its business reach. The report includes:

- Company highlights including M&A activity, strategic vision, and product overview;
- Opportunities and challenges ahead for Blackboard;
- Factors that make Blackboard unique, and a case study of the company’s partnership with McGraw-Hill;
- Essential actions for content providers and publishers that are evaluating Blackboard’s market impact.