FAIRFIELD, NJ, January 13th, 2010 – Critical Links, a pioneer in delivering Information & Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure solutions for School 2.0 - the next-generation of schools, announced today that it is working with Intel as part of the Intel® Learning Series Alliance, providing software and hardware support for its Intel-powered education appliance.

The collaboration entails the use of Critical Links education appliance software in combination with the Intel-powered classmate PC world-wide. The Critical Links education appliances are the first fully integrated IP based platforms for schools that combine comprehensive learning, networking and administration capabilities on a single platform. The Critical Links education appliance has been deployed worldwide, most recently at over 1200 schools in the world’s largest school modernization program. It has been recognized with numerous industry awards.

"Our ethnographic research in classrooms around the world highlights the need to minimize the technical burden so teachers can focus on delivering a rewarding learning experience for students," said Lila Ibrahim, general manager of the Emerging Markets Platform Group at Intel.  "These research results led us to work with technology developers like Critical Links to deliver the Intel-powered education appliance, a server framework that makes it easier for teachers to manage PCs in schools, facilitate student collaboration and share content in and out of classrooms."

"We are honored to work with Intel on the Intel-powered education appliance . This validates the market leadership that our School 2.0 portfolio has established in a relatively short time”, commented Joao Carreira, CEO, Critical Links. "Our collaboration with a global leader like Intel and membership in the Intel® Learning Series alliance will enable us to collectively shape the future of ICT and learning infrastructure at schools around the world”.

Critical Links has a long working relationship with Intel. In addition to being a member of the Intel Learning Series Alliance, it is also an Intel Software Partner and a member of the Intel® ESAA program. Critical Links has also been recognized as a ‘success story’ by Intel.

The Critical Links School 2.0 portfolio comprises of the Critical Links education appliance series™ which support from 60 to 1000 students and beyond in a classroom or school setting. Each appliance comes with the core software stack while the hardware varies depending on the number of students it supports. Currently, there are four variants of the Critical Links education appliance – for 60,100, 500 and 1000 students.

The Critical Links education appliance offers a host of learning, networking & administration capabilities for the next generation of schools. This includes comprehensive voice & data communications, collaboration (wikis, blogs, content creation and sharing), data security and content filtering and student and ICT administration capabilities (Intel-powered classmate PCs management, theft deterrence, backup/restore etc). They also feature full-fledged learning management, client management, asset management and a student information system.

More information on the Critical Links education portfolio and Critical Links’ education initiatives can be found at the new School 2.0 portal: http://education.critical-links.com.

Critical Links will be demonstrating the education appliance series at the BETT2010 the word’s largest educational conference and will also participate in the Intel Learning Series ecosystem demonstration at Intel’s booth.

About Critical Links

Critical Links is a pioneer delivering innovative Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and Learning infrastructure solutions for School 2.0 – the next generation of Schools.

Critical Links’ School 2.0 portfolio provides the 1:1 learning, Networking and Administration necessary to support a highly interactive and content rich & collaborative educational experience; apart from a host of networking and communication capabilities, it also offers comprehensive learning management, client management, asset management and a student information system.

The School 2.0 portfolio is comprised of the Critical Links education appliance (eA) series that can be deployed in both a classroom and on a school wide basis. The Critical Links education appliance (eA) comes in versions to support anywhere from 60 to 1000 students and beyond.

Critical Links’ education appliances have been deployed globally including in the world’s largest school modernization program. More information about the edgeBOX portfolio and Critical Links’ educational offering can be found at http://education.critical-links.com. Follow our School 2.0 initiatives on Twitter now: http://twitter.com/School20

For more information, contact: