AlphaSmart to Merge with Renaissance Learning
AlphaSmart today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to merge with Renaissance Learning, Inc., a leading provider of learning information systems and school improvement programs for pre-K–12 schools. AlphaSmart and Renaissance Learning expect that this merger will enable the combined companies to offer a unique suite of writing products, enhance some of Renaissance Learning's other software products and broaden the market channels for the AlphaSmart product lines. Renaissance Learning plans to operate AlphaSmart as a wholly-owned subsidiary and retain the AlphaSmart brand.
Under the agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, each AlphaSmart stockholder will receive $3.75 per share. The transaction is intended to be structured as a tax-free reorganization and is valued at approximately $57 million. AlphaSmart stockholders will have the option to be paid in cash, stock or some combination of the two, subject to pro-ration so that the total consideration paid will aggregate no more than 45% stock and no less than 55% cash. The merger, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2005, is subject to approval by AlphaSmart stockholders, government regulatory review, and other customary closing conditions described in the definitive agreement. Voting agreements supporting the merger have been executed by AlphaSmart stockholders who hold approximately 60% of the outstanding shares, including its three founders.
“The addition of AlphaSmart’s exceptional product line and talented professional staff will strengthen and diversify Renaissance Learning’s position as a leading provider of learning information systems to schools,” said John Hickey, president and chief executive officer of Renaissance Learning. “Together, we will be able to provide unique breakthrough solutions to help educators develop student writing skills along with strengthening other Renaissance solutions where limited computer access is a bottleneck to daily program use. In addition to the merger providing substantial growth potential for the combined companies, we expect to achieve annual savings of at least $1 million from the reduction of redundant public company and other costs.”
“By offering AlphaSmart portable computer-companion products with Renaissance Learning software, we will be able to help K–12 districts leverage the use of their existing classroom computers, thereby increasing the value derived from their technology investment,” said Ketan D. Kothari, chairman and chief executive officer of AlphaSmart. “Our solutions are highly complementary, and we expect that this merger will help grow the revenues of the combined companies and accelerate learning of writing and other subjects.”
AlphaSmart's Palm OS license with PalmSource extends through 2008.
About AlphaSmart, Inc.
AlphaSmart, Inc. is a provider of affordable, portable personal learning solutions for the K–12 classroom. Its portable computer-companion products are used by students to enhance writing, keyboarding and comprehension, and have been adopted by more than 8,000 school districts in the United States and other countries. Based in Los Gatos, California, the company was founded in 1992 by former Apple Computer engineers.
Renaissance Learning, Inc.
Renaissance Learning, Inc. is a leading provider of research-based learning information systems software, school improvement programs, teacher training, and consulting. Adopted by more than 67,000 schools, Renaissance Learning information technology products give students and teachers continuous constructive feedback that helps motivate students, dramatically accelerate learning, improve test scores, and help students master all standards, while reducing teacher paperwork. Renaissance Learning has six U.S. locations and subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom.
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RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
Either the technology should have been kept updated, or the price should have tanked, but neither one happened.
BTW: There is no Dana, only Zool.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
Neo by Alphasmart: Starts at $249 (alphasmart.com)
Dell Inspiron 1000 Notebook: Starts at $697 (dell.com)
The Neo is much cheaper than Dell's least expensive notebook.
(I'm not speaking to the viability of Neo. I just get a kick out of correcting Gekko's inaccuracies.)
Neo vs. Dana
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
That's a great point about the Neo being a dedicated word-processor.
The starting price for the Dana (with the Palm OS) is $379.
Both cost less and are more durable than Dell notebooks.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
You can buy a DELL PC for $399 - probably even cheaper with education and volume discounts. Given schools' tight budgets and fixed dollars for IT spending, if I was a school administrator, I would SURELY spend my fixed dollars on PCs (either new or upgrades or additions) versus this stupid POS overpriced AlphaSmart device - and I would FIRE anyone who told me they bought that crap. And guess what? I MUST BE RIGHT BECAUSE THESE PIGS AREN'T SELLING AND THE COMPANY JUST GOT ACQUIRED. The results speak for themselves, and I am SELDOM wrong in my analysis. This has been proven time and time again.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
;)
I thought my Alphasmart was decent for a durable text-entry device with a full-sized keyboard, but Gekko's correct in saying technology has moved on. There's a place for this type of device at that pricepoint, but they need to reexamine the components and their target. They presently have a redesigned eMac (http://tinyurl.com/6fb3l), some things better, some things worse.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
You guys don't know business well.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
>"Actually, the machine is doing well."
Please provide some specific sales numbers. We're waiting. Or are you just talking out of your ass again?
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
Even if that were true it doesn't make you any less of a horses ar5e...
JLM.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
... and the rest of you can moan. Everyone loves to knock a winner.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
The Alphasmart devices and Dell notebook are portable computing devices. These devices can be easily transported from desk to desk and room to room.
Dell desktop computers are stationary computing devices. They typically stay in one room.
Compare apples to oranges next time, Gekko.
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
>"These devices can be easily transported from desk to desk and room to room."
So is a Casio Calculator. What's YOUR point, nitwit?
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
My guess is you are some IT guy in the back room of a large company, you are surrounded by servers and you can block the company web-logs to hide all the porn you download.
QED
RE: Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
AlphaSmart: FAR too expensive fo what it offers
Dana made a bit of sense in 2002. Not now.
Wouldn't it be nice if Palm could sign up a REAL company to license PalmOS in 2005? This is getting ridiculous. Circle the wagons, Martha. Trouble's a-brewin'
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: AlphaSmart: FAR too expensive fo what it offers
Also, the IT support cost (read, the one teacher the read the manuals) is very low. Compaired to a PC, the cost of ownership of a Dana is very low. You need look beyond hardware costs here.
Becides, I'm a firm believer that those who matter in this business are more self-taught than goes that walk through the recycle diploma mills that too many schools are now.
RE: AlphaSmart: FAR too expensive fo what it offers
Also, the IT support cost (read, the one teacher the read the manuals) is very low. Compaired to a PC, the cost of ownership of a Dana is very low. You need look beyond hardware costs here.
Becides, I'm a firm believer that those who matter in this business are more self-taught than goes that walk through the recycle diploma mills that too many schools are now.
Bubba, if you use an OS like XP Professional, it's easy to avoid a lot of user-caused problems. The TCO of a properly configured desktop can be fairly low. It all comes down to how it's all set up by the admins.
Schools are not about creating the next Bill Gates. They're about providing students with real world skills that they can take with them when they graduate. Formal curriculae can be quite effective in teaching these skill sets. Things like how it's inappropriate to talk about "banging your wife" of a Palm news site.
Stay in school, Bubba.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: AlphaSmart: FAR too expensive fo what it offers
Also, the IT support cost (read, the one teacher the read the manuals) is very low. Compaired to a PC, the cost of ownership of a Dana is very low. You need look beyond hardware costs here.
Becides, I'm a firm believer that those who matter in this business are more self-taught than goes that walk through the recycle diploma mills that too many schools are now.
Bubba, if you use an OS like XP Professional, it's easy to avoid a lot of user-caused problems. The TCO of a properly configured desktop can be fairly low. It all comes down to how it's all set up by the admins.
Schools are not about creating the next Bill Gates. They're about providing students with real world skills that they can take with them when they graduate. Formal curriculae can be quite effective in teaching these skill sets. Things like how it's inappropriate to talk about "banging your wife" on a Palm news site.
Stay in school, Bubba.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
... and I'm just about to go home and bang the hell out of my wife over ten years younger than me. LOL!
RE: GregGaub, BubbaSteve you guys just don't get it.
No, I don't think YOU get it. These Playskool "My First 'Puter" Danas offer poor value for the money. Yes, they're fairly rugged, but when you compare what a child can accomplish using a REAL (Windows or Mac) computer vs. what they can do with this archaic AlphaSmart hardware, the Dana seems laughable.
A properly managed real computer would probably cost twice as much per year as the Dana - once hardware, software and support expenses are included - but that's still worth it. $350 PCs networked and configured with XP Professional are worthy of investment by a school system and can remain useful for several years down the road.
But if there's anything you need to take away from this post, it's that you just don't get it, and you should probably just let the market decide. AlphaSmart's business model was always a little weak and they're probably on pretty shaky financial ground these days. Time will prove which one of us (me) is right (me).
For the record, I actually like AlphaSmart, and hoped they would have succeeded. Their hardware was just too expensive to take seriously. I can see deploying these as an adjunct to regular computers in wealthy schools that already have a solid desktop-based infrastructure. But any school official approving the Dana as the primary computer learning tool is insane.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
BubbaSteve + his brawlin', hard drinkin', hard bangin' wife.
... and I'm just about to go home and bang the hell out of my wife over ten years younger than me. LOL!
I see you must like getting "Sloppy Seconds". Or in this case, "Sloppy Sevenths"? I truly hope you enjoy "bang[ing] the hell out of [your] wife". She's a real creampie. Next time, you should go home 30 minutes early and watch those other guys "[gang]bang[ing] the hell out of [your] wife". Cheers.
All this from someone who said:
http://www.palminfocenter.com/comment_view.asp?ID=7267
* My wife is 19 years younger than me -- she needed a real man and not the whimps her age that couldn't take her on.
* She can drink most of the whimps on this list under the table and beat the **** out of them.
* I haven't worked for someone else since I was 23 years of age.
* Two magazine covers, a half dozen TV spots and a bunch of newspaper articles about me so far and counting.
* Last time my wife and I were in Vegas we came back with a new car I won in a poker tournament.
* I have a lot more money than you think -- and I got that way telling Microsoft and other market leaders to shove off.
* While I have been called "The Baron" here. Those of you who play it too reasonable are still slogging in your cubicals.
* I don't work in a cubical.
* My commute is a twenty block run two work ... keeps me fit.
* ... and I'll keep on at it 'til I die trying.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
You assume the school has an administrator who is capable of setting up computers so that the students will have a difficult time trashing them. I am talking about such basics as configuring IE so that downloads are difficut to do, most inappropriate websites are blocked, system settings are inaccessible, and antivirus software is installed, updated and properly running. I have yet to see such an administrator in the school where I work. I am constantly having to readjust system settings, delete unauthorized software, reconnect peripherals, check for viruses, and so on and so on and so. I AM NOT THE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR. There is not one other teacher on staff who has the technical skills to do what I am doing. These skills may seem elementary to geeks like you, but they are well beyond the abilities of most teachers.
Unfortunately, for the program I run it is essential that I have computers connected to the internet and capable of running Internet Explorer. If there were a computer that could do this and was a simple to deploy as the Dana, I would convince my school to buy it immediately. Classroom teachers, even if they have the skills, do not have the time to reconfigure the monitor so that the display is right side up instead of upside down because Johnny figured out how to flip the screen while the teacher was helping Jane. With the Dana technical problems are minimized. They are durable, instant on, easy to operate and difficult to mess up. They are stored on a cart when not in use, so they are not a distraction when not in use.
With the infrared port, assignments and tests can be beamed to the students, so the classroom does not have to be wired. Do you guys have any clue how difficult it is to get the funds to to a classroom wired for computers? Even if wifi is used, many classrooms do not have the proper power supply. You can't have a classroom with extension cords running all over the place.
Gekko and VOR, you may know lots about PDAs but you know nothing about deploying computers in an educational setting. The Dana meets the needs of many educators in ways that standard PCs and Macs do not. And no, I am not an employee of AlphaSmart. I am just fed up with your ignorant statements on this matter. In the future, stick with commenting on PDAs.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Yeah - I guess I just don't get it. AND APPARENTLY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD DON'T GET IT EITHER BECAUSE NOBODY IS BUYING THAT PIECE OF ****T.
Also - please note for the record that unlike most of the people on this forum, I am not a "Nerd" or "Geek". I'm the farthest thing from it. Please don't project the labels other put on you onto me. Sorry, it does not apply. I have an interest in technology because I'm a user and an investor in technology. So don't get it twisted.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Svrontis, I’m embarrassed to admit that I want to know the true motive behind the inaccurate, inflammatory and insane comments posting from these cretins.
Ultimately, look to the administrators of this site who allow it to continue...
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Yes - it's all a big conspiracy from MSFT and DELL. MSFT pays me 3 cents a post and DELL currently pays me 1 cent a post. I'm in new negotiations with DELL though and I think after today, I can get it bumped up to at least 2 cents.
Please kids, stop watching "The Matrix". This is reality, you nitwits.
Also - forums such as this are meant for open discussion. STOP CRYING BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE HERE IS A PALM APOLOGIST.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Yes there are PCs available that cost little more than the Dana. But these PCs are not the proper tools for meeting the computing needs of many classrooms. Here is an analogy. You need to nail some boards together and need to buy a hammer. You can either buy a claw hammer to do the job or for about the same price you can get a 9 pound sledge hammer. Yes the sledge hammer is more hammer for the money, but who would want to use it to drive nails. For many classrooms, PCs and Macs are 9 pound sledge hammers. Before you buy a tool to do a job, make sure it is the appropriate tool for the job.
Lastly, don't be so thin skinned. To most of the population, if you are so emotionally invested in PDAs that you post on forums like PIC, then you are a geek. So what? So am I.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Five minutes into it and it will be very hard to tell who the fool is.
You are spot on svrontis.
It's like this either because someone wants it this way, or won't do what it takes to change it.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
When you see the red stickers at Palm Source this year, you will know what I'm talking about.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
Gekko, I know you were very disappointed that the T5 did not have Wi-Fi. I know that you don't think that the T5 worthy of p1 and that it is not the 'flagship' model that your heart desires. So p1 have produced a unit which does not come up to your very demanding standards? Fine. Just get over it. There is no need to subject us all to a daily diatribe about p1's ineptitude, p1's impending bankruptcy and the end of life of civilisation as we know it, just because the T5 is not what you wanted. OK?
BTW, it's a free country, so you are entitled to voice your views if you wish, even if sometimes you go a little off the deep end.
Ryan, you posted a link to this article I while ago-
http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/
Maybe we need a some kind of permanent link to this, to help us all keep our palm-obsessions in perspective.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
I am a technical executive of a company that sells software to elementary schools all over the country. From my vantage point, I have a great view of what happens in schools. I have no connection to Alphasmart.
Alphasmarts sell quite well, and teachers LOVE them. They are not and were never intended to be consumer devices, so any report on sales volume has to be interpreted in the proper context.
The fools on this board who ramble on about Dell, $399 PCs, XP simply have no idea about what goes on in schools (or in many enterprises, for that matter). XP is complex and brittle, it's very easy for teachers to get lost, and if anything goes wrong (happens all the time, especially when a network is involved) they are powerless to fix it. Alphasmarts are simple, very robust, intelligible and reliable.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys get it.
[SNIP]
The only place the AlphaSmart has in schools is in a Grade 2 - 4 setting. Any school serious about teaching computer skills to older children will set up a dedicated computer lab and spend the few hours it takes to configure a system to limit potential damage from students and the (according to you) hopelessly ignorant teachers.
This is not rocket science. To pretend that setting up + running a basic computer lab is so complicated that it justifies the existence of a "dumbed down" device like the Dana is absurd.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys really get it.
BubbaSteve, shouldn't you be banging your "wife [that] is 19 years younger than [you]"? Your bizarre posts serve only to amuse those of us now wondering how desperate your second cousin/wife must be.
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Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
The Dana is not designed to replace a computer lab nor to teach students how to use a computer. It is designed to incorporate some of the benefits of using a computer into a regular classroom without turning that classroom into a computer lab. That way teachers can focus on teaching subjects like English, Math and History without having to deal with all of the technical issues involved with using Macs and PCs. If you can't see the benefits of using such a device in any K-12 classroom, then you know very little about teaching.
Finally, if you think it only takes a few hours to set up a computer lab suitable for use in a typical school, then you obviously have never set one up. It is more complicated than you think.
You have written many good comments on PDAs. Stick with what you know.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
The recent hurricanes here in Florida were a perfect example of the superiority of the Dana (low-tech-low tech, blablabla). My Dana was cranking out FEMA and Emergency Operations Center info and doing damage reports, order supplies for people (in no-power areas) for hours and hours and hours...while a tech buddy of mine was down for the count looking for a plug-in to juice his NON-RUGGEDIZED toy XP tablet. Having used some of the toys---rrr-consumer devices many here have been using, with 4 hour battery lives (but they play cool music), I had a much more satisfying experience on my DANA. And so did the developmentally disabled clients it was employed in the service of. And if it got creamed in the disaster--no biggie; $300+ and I get a new one, pop the SD cards in, and am back in action.
RE: Gekko, VOR, you guys just don't get it.
What will happen to the Dana lines of Palm OS products?
Will they announce new product any time soon?
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Another Failed Licensee Gone Soon
Oh - "AlphaSmart's Palm OS license with PalmSource extends through 2008" you say? Who cares! If the pigs ain't selling, there ain't no license revenue stream. And sooner or later, the acquiring company figures out that you can't make money *trying* to sell pigs that nobody is buying. I told you this Dana was a stupid failure - how can you charge more for one of these POS than you can get a complete DELL PC for and expect to stay in business??? More dumb ex-Apple rejects that should be teaching computer science at some community college.