ALSM Alphasmart (MM)

AlphaSmart Extends Classroom Management Capabilities for Neo, AlphaSmart 3000 and Dana Computer Companions AlphaSmart Manager Enables Educators to Manage a Full Classroom of AlphaSmart Devices Simultaneously NEW ORLEANS, NECC and LOS GATOS, Calif., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AlphaSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALSM), a leading provider of technology solutions for education, today unveiled two new classroom management solutions that allow educators to manage up to 30 AlphaSmart devices at one time from a Windows or Macintosh computer. AlphaSmart Manager 2.0 is a second-generation application that enables AlphaSmart 3000 and Neo by AlphaSmart customers to streamline the configuration and exchange of files for an entire classroom of devices. (See today's press release, "AlphaSmart Introduces Neo by AlphaSmart, a Simple, Portable, Low Cost Computer Companion Designed for One-to-One Classroom Computing.") The company also introduced AlphaSmart Manager for Dana, a first-of-its-kind classroom management solution for AlphaSmart's Palm OS-based Dana and Dana Wireless. Until AlphaSmart Manager made its debut in 2001, teachers were burdened with the tedious and time-consuming task of installing and maintaining software and files on each student's computer companion individually. With AlphaSmart Manager 2.0 and AlphaSmart Manager for Dana, enhanced administration features make the teacher's tasks easier, including the installation of new software applications, sending and receiving AlphaWord word processor files, assigning passwords and modifying device settings. "For years AlphaSmart has been delivering effective classroom management solutions, and today's announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to provide both the hardware and software tools necessary to make the promise of one-on-one computing a reality," said Manish Kothari, president of AlphaSmart. "As schools strive to provide students with more access to technology, they must also consider the challenges of managing those products in the classroom. By making our solutions easy to use and administer, teachers and students can focus their time and attention on the learning process rather than worrying about how the technology works." For AlphaSmart 3000 customers who are already using the original AlphaSmart Manager software, this enhanced version offers several new features: -- Installation and Management of SmartApplets: Allows customers to view up to 30 devices at once to determine the files and applications present on each student's device. It then enables the installation of SmartApplets (compact software applications designed for Neo and the AlphaSmart 3000) on a single device, or an entire classroom of devices, in one operation. -- AlphaWord File Management and Printing: Allows customers to retrieve AlphaWord word processing files from all devices with one click and then organize, save, and print them with ease. -- Configuration Flexibility: With the teacher in control, configuring software and settings can be tailored to an individual student's device, a group or an entire classroom of devices. AlphaSmart's classroom management software, and its new Neo computer companion, will be on display at the National Education Computer Conference (NECC) in New Orleans, LA this week at Booth 2008. Pricing and Availability AlphaSmart Manager software will be included with Neo SmartOption Bundles beginning this summer, and with Dana SmartOption Bundles beginning this fall. AlphaSmart Manager updates for existing AlphaSmart 3000 and Dana customers will also be offered beginning this fall. For more information, visit http://www.alphasmart.com/ , or call toll-free 888-274-0680. About AlphaSmart AlphaSmart, Inc. is a provider of technology solutions for the education market. AlphaSmart's portable computer-companion products are used by students in 8,000 U.S. school districts to enhance writing, keyboarding and comprehension. Based in Los Gatos, California, AlphaSmart was founded in 1992 by former Apple Computer engineers. This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including (i) our statement regarding our continued commitment to provide both the hardware and software tools necessary to make the promise of one-on-one computing a reality, (ii) our statement that as schools strive to provide students with more access to technology, they must also consider the challenges of managing those products in the classroom, (iii) our statement that, by making our solutions easy to use and administer, teachers and students can focus their time and attention on the learning process rather than worrying about how the technology works and (iv) statements regarding the timing of the availability of our new products and related upgrades. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks are described in AlphaSmart's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. AlphaSmart does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: AlphaSmart, Inc. CONTACT: Carleen LeVasseur, AlphaSmart Public Relations, +1-408-264-6767, or Web site: http://www.alphasmart.com/

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