David Martin- SMART Technologies Co-Founder and Chairman
Co-Founders (and married couple) of SMART Technologies David Martin and Nancy Knowlton demonstrate a SMART Board to media.
*picture from Forbes Magazine October 05, 2009
I chose to look at David Martin as he invented a learning tool that I use every day but do not know the history behind it. The invention worked by using resistive technology to manipulate a board hooked up to a projector. They have now moved on to using cameras and overlay screens on televisions, available in almost any size. More than 1.6 million SMART Board interactive whiteboards are used in classrooms in more than 175 countries around the world. The company has evolved to include many other products, including student response systems, and conferencing software. Mr. Martin has served in numerous positions within the company since its inception in 1987, including CEO, and has his name on numerous patents. He now sits as chairman of the board (his exit strategy, I assume). SMART Technologies began with marketing projectors and then David’s invention of the interactive whiteboard. They then moved on to improve the board’s design and branch out into other related presentation hardware and software. It has grown into a multimillion-dollar company with offices all around the world, yet the headquarters remain in Calgary, Alberta, where it was founded.
Martin, the inventor of the SMART Board has a degree from Concordia University in applied mathematics. He has received numerous prestigious awards and sits on a number of panels in relation to the educational technology field. In 1992, SMART Technologies joined forces with Intel Corporation, which allowed for joint ventures in a number of areas. As the company grew over the years additional staff, (approximately 1700) were added for product development and marketing. The marketing of new products has reached many of the schools I have worked at and we continue to buy their products for their ease of use, cost and durability (thus far). The company has grown from a few niche concepts to a broader range of presentation tools in a relatively short time. Unfortunately, there is currently little money for technology investment in American schools, the company’s largest market, resulting in less demand for their high tech products. Their shares have dropped significantly since their 2010 IPO, as a result.
I view SMART Technologies as a success story that was built locally and then expanded to global markets. I believe as more emphasis and money is placed on education around the world classroom technologies will be in high demand, especially in developed and developing countries. It does show that successful companies need to continually evolve and improve their products, especially in a field like technology.
References:
Corcoran, E. (2009).Getting to the Top of the Class. Forbes Magazine. October 05, 2009
Kiladze, T. (2012). After rough run, Smart Tech CEO steps down. Globe and Mail. April 26, 2012
Posted in: Week 04: Entrepreneur Bootcamp
vawells 10:01 am on May 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Dennis
Thanks for for this informative piece. Schools in NL have also invested heavily in Smart Technology products. Unfortunately when the tender ran its course and it was re-tendered Team Boards were awarded the contract. Team Boards are approximately half the cost of a Smart Board. However I now have one of each in my classroom and the Smart Board far out performs the Team Board.
Valerie
Dennis Pratt 8:17 pm on May 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Valerie;
Good to know as we continue to use SMART Boards in all our classrooms. I don’t love Notebook but everything seems to work just fine. I am glad we are not juggling different types of boards as that would be a struggle to learn a new system for every classroom I might be in. I was at a PD where one teacher was quite bothered that the Calgary school board had an exclusive licence with Smart Technologies while he wanted to run a Promethean board in his room. He was not allowed by the agreement. I hope we are not in an agreement like that, especially as better technology comes along.
Dennis
chrisaitken 10:26 am on May 31, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
SMART Technologies has been quite successful in securing large portions of educational technology budgets in Canada. They somehow marketed their interactive whiteboard to be an essential piece of equipment and even a symbol of the modern school.
shawn harris 10:30 am on June 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Good summary Dennis,
Having viewed the SMART site, it has further enlightened me about the essential use in the field of education and likewise businesses. It certainly has its place and plays a significant role in this growing technological era.
SMART is the world’s leading provider of interactive whiteboard. However it is quite unfortunate that it is not a low cost learning technology. I personally like SMART as it is quite interactive and user friendly and it also gives me the tools for effective collaboration. It has a universal appeal and is indeed a great choice for virtually any environment.
From viewing the site, David Martin and Nancy Knowles seem to have a passion for children and education and have pulled it together as a great team. Other team members also oversee the success of the product since its inception. Innovation and commitment to excellence have been at the core of the SMART board business.
The product has a great reputation and is spreading very fast in developing countries as well. I am impressed by their idea or their mission to help educators achieve better results with technology products that support student-centered learning. In addition they also help business become more productive with easy-to-use collaboration solutions that enable better results. They are committed in that aspect, hence the success of the product as they are moving in the right direction.
~ Shawn
Dennis Pratt 1:36 pm on June 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Shawn;
I have heard from many sources that there are cheaper and better interactive whiteboards available but they have not corned the market like SMART Technologies has. I have found in teaching and in construction that paying for quality pays off in the long run. If we invest wisely in quality products the time that they serve us well is increased. There is nothing more frustrating than having to deal with technological glitches when trying to deliver content. We have all been there, though.
I also like that SMART Technologies is a Canadian company and succeeds in the global market.
Dennis
Denise 3:54 am on June 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
HI Dennis,
Many of those cheaper alternatives are also offering more transportable options eg Mimio, eBeam. Just recently we purchased eBeam and someone who came along for the visit convinced their company to change from Smartboard to this technology.
I gues SMART created the disruptive innovation and other companies are developing more sustaining innovations based on this.
Denise
gillian 10:21 am on June 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It is unfortunate that sales have dropped with the recent economic downturn – especially in the US. When will the holders of the purse strings learn that is in times of economic troubles that investment in education is all the more important?
gillian
Dennis Pratt 6:27 pm on June 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Yes, through the reading I was doing on the company I found that SMART Tech’s stock has dropped about 90% in the last 2 years, since it went public, even with huge sales. With that and Facebook’s flop I would be quite hesitant to invest in any software company. Things change so fast in the tech market.
Dennis
Bridget 7:22 am on June 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for a great review.
Mrs. Knowlton is from a beautiful town of Quebec…..interestingly enough named Knowlton. In 2006 she showed support of her alma mater and donated $66 000 to technology enhancement in the region. She designated Four SMART Board interactive whiteboards to Knowlton Academy (365 students) , her old elementary school. They were the envy of the area:) We had 1 for 1000 students at the time and it was allocated to the special ed class…and the teacher didn’t want to use it. The rest of us weren’t allowed….love the bureaucracy.
The Quebec government recently earmarked over $200 Million (over 5 years) for SMART Boards in the last budget. I heard the many needed to be installed by June ……the rush is on.
Bridget