Clevertouch Plus, the market leading interactive touchscreen from Sahara, which launched a ‘first of its kind’ educational App store called Cleverstore at the end of 2014, has added a range of new educational apps to the store.
Available on all Clevertouch Plus touchscreens, the Cleverstore now boasts over 50 apps from leading app developers including Dolphin (browser), StoryToys, MindMeister, Daydream Education and Allcancode Inc to name but a few, which support the national curriculum and have been specifically formatted for use with large interactive screens.
Apps on the Cleverstore have been rigorously tested to ensure they are appropriate for the classroom and they have been stripped of ads and in-app purchases, enabling teachers to download subject or key stage apps for free that will inject fun and interactivity into lessons. More apps are scheduled to drop into the store in the coming weeks including GCSE Revision Buddies and a significant number from Nuiteq, details of which will be released later in the year.
Shaun Marklew, Sales and Marketing Director at Clevertouch, commented: “Using touch devices and apps is second nature to children and teenagers. We are thrilled to be able to offer Clevertouch users leading apps from respected developers such as StoryToys, Daydream Education and MindMeister.
“Cleverstore has been designed to give teachers instant access to a library of interactive tools they can trust to help bring lessons to life and improve the learning experience for their pupils.
“As a company, we’re committed to working in partnership with developers and educators to create a suite of apps for interactive screens as well as teaching resources, which can be used with the Clevertouch range making it an even more effective and intuitive solution for our end-users.”
Cleverstore apps are suitable for both primary and secondary age groups and engaging pupils across a wide range of subjects and activities. The full suite of apps in the Cleverstore can be found at www.clevertouch.co.uk/cleverstore
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Sahara Presentation Systems plc has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small- and medium-sized businesses.
To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers. More detail on the methodology can be found in the report online at www.1000companies.com.
The success of Clevertouch in the education sector, Sahara’s own-brand of large format interactive touchscreens, is one of the major contributors to the company’s rapid growth. Sahara was the first company to launch an affordable large-format interactive touchscreen into the education sector and it is now the market leader* of presentation touch technology into schools.
Sahara’s distribution business has also enjoyed significant growth over the past few years with a year on year increase of 30%. The company currently offers over 1000 presentation products sold through 1800 resellers in the UK and 80 internationally. As a direct result of this rapid growth, Sahara will be moving its premises to a new 260,000 ft² facility this summer which will enable it to boost its current capacity by 50% immediately with further expansion planned for the near future.
Kevin Batley, Managing Director said: “We are pleased and honoured to be recognised by the London Stock Exchange within this report. It’s testament to the commitment, ingenuity and hard work of staff across the entire company. With an upcoming move to our new state-of-the-art facility we will be able to accommodate our growing output, technical resources and work force, as well as expanding our product lines to meet the increased demand. I think our willingness to continually evolve and refine our processes is one of the many reasons we’ve been so successful – it’s an exciting time for Sahara.”
Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive, London Stock Exchange Group said: “This report is a significant part of London Stock Exchange’s broader campaign to support UK high growth companies in their journeys from Start-up to Stardom and to create an entrepreneurship revolution. I’m delighted that a strong alliance between UK Government, financial market participants, investors, entrepreneurs and companies has been created to support these inspiring businesses.”
A full searchable database of all of the companies along with a downloadable pdf of the publication can be found online at www.1000companies.com
*Futuresource Consulting – UK education market
[post_title] => Sahara makes Inspire Britain list [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => sahara-makes-inspire-britain-list [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2015-04-09 11:22:59 [post_modified_gmt] => 0000-00-00 00:00:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => [menu_order] => 5217 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9362 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2015-02-13 00:00:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-02-12 23:00:00 [post_content] =>Click here to download Classroom Technology: A Buyers’ Guide
Has your school introduced tablet computers into the classroom yet? According to research by the charity Tablets for Schools, 70% of UK schools are encouraging pupils to use tablets in class – either through BYOD or supplying them as standard school equipment. The shift to touchscreen is now happening with large interactive screens, which are fast replacing interactive whiteboards and projectors as the preferred front-of-class display.
Primary school pupils have been brought up with touch technology from birth. Many people will remember it making an appearance back in 2004 with the release of Nintendo DS but it was not until the launch of the first generation iPhone in 2007 that touchscreen devices really took hold. It’s difficult to think of any other technology that has been adopted as quickly and as widely as touch technology. Cisco report that of the 526 million new mobile devices sold last year, 77% were smart devices, the vast majority of which are controlled by touch. As a comparison it took telephones 45 years to enter the mainstream market, mobile phones took seven years but smartphones took just four years.
There are many academic studies that have looked into how touchscreen devices impact on a child’s ability to learn. Dr Rosie Flewitt from the Institute of Education in London studies young children’s communication, language and literacy development in the multi-media age. In an interview with the New Scientist she said: “There is an unquestionable body of research showing new technologies can engage children.”
She goes onto explain how her research has demonstrated that touchscreen technology improves collaboration between children, encourages quieter kids to speak up and helps children progress who previously were struggling to learn using books.
If your school is considering introducing touchscreens into the classroom, either personal devices or front-of-class interactive touchscreens, download ‘Classroom Technology: A Buyers’ Guide’ now for answers to many of your burning questions.
[post_title] => Things you need to know about Classroom Tech [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => things-you-need-to-know-about-classroom-tech [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2015-02-12 16:39:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 0000-00-00 00:00:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => [menu_order] => 5352 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9435 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2015-01-06 17:59:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-01-06 16:59:00 [post_content] =>Adrift in a sea of targets, expectant customers, demanding Managing Directors, whimsical couriers and sweaty, desperate manufacturers, the daily grind can be a harrowing experience for even the most cheerful salesman. Welcome to the fraught world of the ICT sales company.
Welcome to IDNS Ltd, and a brief peek inside the engine room. To increase the pressure, technology is moving buying patterns and trends towards a silent, clinical process that seems to be eliminating the human aspect and replacing it with a joyless and transactional approach. Whilst this might be useful in the consumer arena, it is a genuinely unhealthy shift that could leave schools wide open to lazy procurement methods and the dreaded over-spend.
Of course, a busy bursar, head of IT or Business Manager does not have the time to spend all day on the phone trying to get a fiver off the price of a laptop. Equally, however, as much time can be spent browsing any of a thousand websites which becomes completely self-defeating. Many schools know this and do have a good supply chain in place, or use local authority frameworks to provide best value on their behalf. However, many schools have turned to the relative comfort of the web – understandable of course, and a well thought out website is appealing; IDNS have just invested an eye-watering sum of money into a new one and it is a very necessary piece of any company’s jigsaw.
But, there is still the traditional option. One which IDNS in particular cherishes above all others.
That supplier I mentioned, sat at his desk with vast clumps of hair scattered around the floor and a litre of caffeine in his system by 10am? He’s not just some hawkish trinket pedlar searching for a fresh victim to bleed dry; nor is he a smug-faced, grinning chancer destined for his five minutes of fame being outed by Anne Robinson on Watchdog. Really.
Using my own company IDNS as an example, most ICT companies are well trained, knowledgeable and largely friendly types who have a genuine service to offer and can actually introduce products that may well improve your school. A good supplier will do some research, find out what type of school you are and even tailor their approach to make sure they aren’t wasting anyone’s time – their offers are likely to be a good fit for your school’s ethos and roadmap. The internet is still some way from doing that, though Google are almost certainly working on it.
There is one crucial element here that you may have guessed – it relies on a willingness to talk to suppliers, and even ones you ordinarily may avoid. For many, this has the same appeal as re-cabling your entire school on your own whilst being hit in the face with a rake, but it really can work. Even the most advanced websites won’t price match unless you are willing to pick up the phone – so why not just have the conversation to start with and save the time? IDNS has always thrived on this approach and it shows no signs of abating – if anything the increasingly crowded internet space is bringing people back to the landline….
Suppliers have manufacturers on bended knees at their front doors most days, eager to move their boxes of tin. As a leading provider of brands such as Casio, Clevertouch, CTouch, Toshiba, Lenovo and Samsung, IDNS have usually done the bulk of the negotiations even before you start the buying process. I’m trying to avoid the word haggle but in truth that is still an entirely valid way to get what you need and there is even a chance you might enjoy it. It sounds almost medieval in 2015 but the reliance on the internet always being cheapest is slightly dangerous, plus you may be missing out on those vital, value added extras that a human being can supply if it means winning that deal.
It feels like I’m describing the death of a way of life, it’s not quite so dramatic, but that human contact is eroding and those who choose to ignore it altogether are definitely missing out.
Let’s talk. You never know…
[post_title] => Pity the poor supplier [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => pity_the_poor_supplier [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2015-01-06 17:59:00 [post_modified_gmt] => 0000-00-00 00:00:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => [menu_order] => 5435 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 10189 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2014-01-03 15:01:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2014-01-03 14:01:00 [post_content] =>Featuring integrated wireless connectivity that allows a group of up to 64 users to take turns in giving presentations from their Windows/Mac computer, smartphone or tablet – as well as full high-definition and four-point touch and anti-glare glass as standard.


The 84” Clevertouch is perfect for the education market, where a larger screen, with a highly competitive price is a must. The addition of the integrated wireless connectivity makes for easy collaboration between teachers and students alike.
The 84' Clevertouch also comes with Lynx, WordWall and Displaynote as standard.
For more information call 020 8319 7777
Visit Clevertouch at the Bett show on stand C410
[post_title] => 84 inch Clevertouch now available [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 84_clevertouch_now_available [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2014-01-03 15:01:00 [post_modified_gmt] => 0000-00-00 00:00:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => [menu_order] => 6177 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 5 [current_post] => -1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9054 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2015-06-07 00:00:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2015-06-06 22:00:00 [post_content] =>Clevertouch Plus, the market leading interactive touchscreen from Sahara, which launched a ‘first of its kind’ educational App store called Cleverstore at the end of 2014, has added a range of new educational apps to the store.
Available on all Clevertouch Plus touchscreens, the Cleverstore now boasts over 50 apps from leading app developers including Dolphin (browser), StoryToys, MindMeister, Daydream Education and Allcancode Inc to name but a few, which support the national curriculum and have been specifically formatted for use with large interactive screens.
Apps on the Cleverstore have been rigorously tested to ensure they are appropriate for the classroom and they have been stripped of ads and in-app purchases, enabling teachers to download subject or key stage apps for free that will inject fun and interactivity into lessons. More apps are scheduled to drop into the store in the coming weeks including GCSE Revision Buddies and a significant number from Nuiteq, details of which will be released later in the year.
Shaun Marklew, Sales and Marketing Director at Clevertouch, commented: “Using touch devices and apps is second nature to children and teenagers. We are thrilled to be able to offer Clevertouch users leading apps from respected developers such as StoryToys, Daydream Education and MindMeister.
“Cleverstore has been designed to give teachers instant access to a library of interactive tools they can trust to help bring lessons to life and improve the learning experience for their pupils.
“As a company, we’re committed to working in partnership with developers and educators to create a suite of apps for interactive screens as well as teaching resources, which can be used with the Clevertouch range making it an even more effective and intuitive solution for our end-users.”
Cleverstore apps are suitable for both primary and secondary age groups and engaging pupils across a wide range of subjects and activities. The full suite of apps in the Cleverstore can be found at www.clevertouch.co.uk/cleverstore
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