The framework of ten suppliers is EU compliant, which means local authorities, schools and colleges are free to conduct a mini-competition among the approved suppliers, reducing the cost and time of a full procurement.


The suppliers are approved to provide managed service solutions drawing on proprietary and open source components to offer a learning platform for schools and colleges.


A learning platform gives teachers an opportunity to improve learning. It also gives children and young people an opportunity to learn in the ways that best suit them - by providing a personal online work space; by allowing access to learning materials anytime and anywhere; and it gives an opportunity for materials to be tailored to meet the needs of individuals. Parents can follow their children's progress more easily, and resources can be shared with the wider community. The framework will help schools and colleges meet the government's target of providing all learners with a personalised online learning space by 2008.


Dr Stephen Lucey, Becta's Executive Director for Strategic Technologies explains: "This framework has two advantages. Firstly, it makes the whole procurement process much easier and so much cheaper. Secondly, purchasers can be confident they are buying robust and sustainable technology and services that give value for money."


The ten suppliers were selected following a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process. Their performance will be closely monitored by Becta for the three-year duration of the framework.


The ten framework suppliers are:

• Azzurri Communications Ltd
• Etech Group
• Fronter
• Netmedia Education
• Pearson Education Limited
• Ramesys
• RM Education plc
• Serco Ltd
• UniServity
• Viglen Limited

"One of the real advantages of learning platforms is they can help schools communicate better with parents, enabling them to can play a bigger role in their children's education. Every learner has the right to benefit from the advantages that technology brings to education. This framework will make it easier for schools and colleges to get the most from what technology has to offer teaching and learning," said Dr Lucey.