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Absolute Helps Tech-Savvy North Carolina School District Navigate 'Perfect Storm' of K-12 Computing

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 May 2009, 07:15 CDT

VANCOUVER, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Absolute(R) Software Corporation ("Absolute" or the "Company") (TSX: ABT), the leading provider of firmware-based, patented, computer theft recovery, data protection and IT asset management solutions today announced that Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is using Computrace(R) to combat computer theft, reduce laptop management costs and simplify inventorying processes for more than 25,000 school computers.

According to Kevin Sherrill, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' Director of Information Technology, "The job of managing computers for staff and students in a large district really is the perfect storm. The need to be accountable for IT spending in schools has never been more important while at the same time, we're moving to highly-portable laptop computers that are incredibly resource-intensive to inventory and administer. Regulatory compliance is another factor for us. Absolute's Computrace technology uniquely addresses these issues and really makes my job easier. We can remotely inventory computers whenever we want, get a snapshot of the software installed and do our best to stretch the working lives of laptops to the maximum. A product like this is a must-have for districts that are using laptops to extend the learning day."

Formed in 1963 with the merger of the city and county school systems, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools serves about 51,000 students with the goal of providing a quality education for each child. It is the fifth-largest school system in North Carolina and one of the top 100 largest districts in the United States. The school system has 40 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and 11 high schools. Eight special schools bring the system-wide total to 74.

One of the district's unifying values is that all students and staff must have access to emerging technology. True to this mission, the district makes extensive use of laptop and desktop computers as well as RIM(R) BlackBerry(R) smartphones.

Calming the Perfect Storm: Laptop Management With Computrace

Absolute's Computrace solutions address a K-12 school IT administrator's top three headaches: knowing where computers are, making sure they're performing and protecting them from theft. With the advanced reporting provided by Absolute's products, district administrators can instantly inventory computers and their hardware and software configuration regardless of whether they are in the library or across the country with travelling students and staff. Administrators can also ensure that computers remain in top condition by detecting tampering, unauthorized software installations - even receive alerts for out-of-date antivirus software.

If a computer is stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team can locate it and lead police to thieves - reducing the criminal element that threatens student safety. And, when it comes time for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to call all 25,000 computers back at the end of the school year, IT administrators can send a message to tardy students via Computrace asking them to return the assigned computer.

How Absolute's Computrace Solutions Work

The Computrace Agent that powers Absolute Software's solutions is embedded in the firmware of computers from the world's leading computer manufacturers right at the factory or it can be installed by the customer.* It is activated when customers purchase a subscription ranging in length from one to four years.

Embedded in the firmware of computers for extreme tamper-resistance, Absolute's technology regularly communicates with the Absolute Monitoring Center servers to report each computer's location and attributes. School district IT administrators can access this detailed information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a secure web-based portal called the Absolute Customer Center.

If a computer is stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team can use location information sent by the computer and forensically mine it using a variety of procedures including key captures, registry scanning, file scanning, geolocation, and other investigative techniques to determine who has the computer and how it is being used. Absolute then works with local law enforcement to help recover the computer.

For more information on Absolute Software and its range of computer theft recovery, data protection and IT asset management solutions, please visit www.absolute.com or www.lojackforlaptops.com.

* For a complete list of firmware-supported computers visit www.absolute.com/firmware.

About Absolute Software

Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in computer theft recovery, data protection and IT asset management solutions. Absolute Software provides organizations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's Computrace(R) software is embedded in the firmware of computers by global leaders, including ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, General Dynamics Itronix, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit www.absolute.com and http://blog.absolute.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected performance of our services and products, and other statements of intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized. Previous successes, timeliness or performance levels of Absolute's products and services do not guarantee future successes, timeliness or performance levels.

(C)2009 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack is a registered trademark of LoJack Corporation, used under license by Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack Corporation is not responsible for any content herein. The trademarks RIM and BlackBerry are owned by Research In Motion Limited and are registered in the United States and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Computrace U.S. patents # 5,715,174, # 5,764,892, # 5,802,280, # 5,896,497, # 6,244,758, # 6,269,392, # 6,300,863, and # 6,507,914. Canadian patents # 2,284,806 and # 2,205,370. U.K. patents # EP793823 and # GB2338101. German patent # 695 125 34.6-08. Australian patent # 699045. Japanese patent # JP4067035.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

SOURCE Absolute Software Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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