Blackboard Mobile Central Adds Transit Info Partner to Platform

Transit information available on the Blackboard Mobile Central application has been enhanced through a partnership with TransLoc, a company that specializes in providing real-time information for transportation systems.

The partnership comes via the Blackboard Partnerships Program, which enables the platform's commercial partners to develop and integrate mobile applications into the existing Mobile Central springboard using the Blackboard Mobile software development kit.

This more open approach is a change for Blackboard, which had previously offered the software development kit to Blackboard Mobile Central clients only.

"This unique, vibrant community of developers allows institutions to customize their Blackboard Mobile Central platform, and gives them great flexibility in how they improve and shape on-demand access to everything happening on campus," said Ted Hopper, vice president of business development at Blackboard.

TransLoc is no stranger to the world of higher education and the transit information needs of students and campus transit administrators, with the University of Chicago, Yale University, and the University of Alabama already among the transit systems for which it provides information services.

"TransLoc has been a trusted partner of the University of Alabama's Crimson Ride since its inception," said Ronnie Robertson, director of transportation services at University of Alabama. "We're excited that their new partnership with Blackboard Mobile, the provider of UA's mobile apps, will allow even more campus users to access real-time bus location information and announcements from within our mobile app."

TransLoc was founded in 2004 and provides riders and administrators in university, municipal, federal, corporate, and airport transit systems with information services.

About the Author

Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • abstract illustration of artificial intelligence

    CSU Shares AI Learnings in Systemwide Survey

    In a systemwide survey of more than 94,000 faculty, staff, and students, California State University recently documented widespread AI use across its 22 campuses.

  • AI logo near computer equipment

    White House Releases National Policy Framework for AI

    The White House has released a four-page AI policy framework aimed at setting a national approach to AI, with priorities including child safety, intellectual property protections, truth and accuracy guardrails, and worker training for an AI-driven economy.

  • Dana Brunson facilitates a roundtable discussion with research and higher education IT leaders

    Internet2: Closing the Access Gap for Research Cyberinfrastructure

    Internet2's Research Engagement Team brings CIOs and other campus technology leadership together with research computing and data facilitators, forming a community that enables research cyberinfrastructure at institutions of all types and sizes.

  • Silhouettes of business professionals stand against a blurred futuristic city skyline at night, with a glowing digital network data connection

    It's Time for Higher Ed to Get Serious About AI Strategy

    Without a coordinated strategy that involves multiple academic and administrative units across the entire campus, colleges risk wasting resources, duplicating efforts, and ultimately failing to deliver on the promise of deploying technology to improve learning and operations.