Blackboard to Sell Open LMS Business

Blackboard has announced it will sell its Open LMS business to workplace digital learning and talent management company Learning Technologies Group (LTG). The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2020.

According to a news announcement, the move "enables Blackboard to further simplify its business and accelerate momentum in helping clients move to its software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment of Learn and Ultra," while allowing the Moodle-based Open LMS to "increase its focus on the innovations and services that are core to its client base."

"This further simplification of our business will enable the company to continue accelerating investment and innovation in our unique ed tech platform that will enable a more personalized experience, fueled by data, to advance learning for our clients," commented Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus, in a statement. "We look forward to the continued growth of Blackboard and Open LMS as separate market-leading businesses serving their respective clients."

Blackboard said it will "continue to provide existing Open LMS clients access to Blackboard products that fully integrate within Open LMS, including Ally, SafeAssign, Collaborate, and Predict."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • illustration of a futuristic building labeled "AI & Innovation," featuring circuit board patterns and an AI brain motif, surrounded by geometric trees and a simplified sky

    Cal Poly Pomona Launches AI and Innovation Center

    In an effort to advance AI innovation, foster community engagement, and prepare students for careers in STEM fields and business, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has teamed up with AI, cloud, and advisory services provider Avanade to launch a new Avanade AI & Innovation Center.

  • black graduation cap with a glowing blue AI brain circuit symbol on top

    Report: AI Is a Must for Modern Learners

    A new report from VitalSource identifies a growing demand among learners for AI tools, declaring that "AI isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must."

  • glowing shield hovers above a digital cloud platform with abstract data streams and cloud icons in the background

    Google to Acquire Cloud Security Firm Wiz

    Google has announced it will acquire cloud security startup Wiz. If completed, the acquisition — an all-cash deal valued at $32 billion — would mark the largest in Google's history.

  • digital dashboard featuring a shield icon, graphs, a world map, and network nodes

    IBM Introduces Agentic AI Governance and Security Platform

    IBM has launched a new software stack for enterprise IT teams tasked with managing the complex governance and security challenges posed by autonomous AI systems.