Clarient Inc. (CLRT)

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CELERITY SYSTEMS INC - Celerity Systems and AIT Announce Digital Content Partnership For Schools

Celerity Systems, Inc. and The Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT) announced that they will work together to bring AIT's extensive instructional video library to schools throughout the US and Canada who install Digital Education Systems from Celerity.

This innovative partnership combines the worlds leading collection of standards correlated instructional video programs with a cutting edge on-demand distribution system. The agreement makes possible the potential for significant educational gains for teachers using the system and its resources in their classrooms. The parties will immediately begin the process of encoding this content to the Motion Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) 2 standard and implementing pricing, marketing, distribution and installation programs. The first use of this content is expected to be in systems now being installed in Ohio.

"We are excited to have AIT's outstanding library of content available in digital form for schools throughout North America," said Kenneth Van Meter, President and CEO of Celerity. "AIT has one of the most comprehensive collections of media for education in the world, and covering a wide array of subjects. By making this material available in digital form, it may greatly expand its reach and certainly its frequency and effectiveness of use. A key to the value of Digital Education Systems is quality content, and AIT is a leader in that field."

"We have been looking at the digital market for educational content for some time", said Dr. Michael Sullivan, Executive Director of AIT. "Now that companies such as Celerity are actually installing robust digital education systems in schools, it is time for AIT and all educational content owners to get their materials into this new format which offers much greater flexibility and potentially more economical and effective resources to students and staff alike. We also hope, as part of our partnership, to encourage other content owners to digitally encode their content, and potentially assist such content owners in pricing, packaging, marketing and delivering those products. We think we are all about to take the next big step in making education more interesting, more effective, and more accountable for results, and we are very pleased to be doing so with Celerity. We are impressed with their products, especially their T 6000 Digital Set Top Box, and are excited at the impact we can have together."

AIT is a nonprofit U.S./Canadian education agency with headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana. AIT was established in 1962 to foster learning by developing, acquiring, and distributing quality electronic technology-based resources. Since then, AIT has pioneered both the design and application of a variety of new classroom technologies and programs. AIT has created a consortium model for project development that has been a key factor in AIT's growth and success. It brings together U.S. state and Canadian provincial agencies to fund and develop a wide range of education programming. This process allows AIT to create large innovative series that could not be funded by traditional means. AIT projects also receive support from federal and private institutions, corporate sponsors, and other partners. AIT has worked cooperatively with all these groups to develop more than thirty-five major curriculum series in twenty-five years. AIT currently offers more than 160 learning resource products, including DVD, CD-ROM, videotape, computer software, interactive videodiscs, print materials and Internet. Nearly 2,400 individual titles are available in these curriculum packages for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and adult learners. These resources support core instruction plus tech-prep and vocational education, career development, early childhood, guidance and mental health, and professional development for teachers and administrators. AIT programming represents 40 percent of the National Instructional Satellite Service schedule which is broadcast to U.S. K-12 classrooms. AIT's series are used on six continents, reaching nearly 34 million students in North American classrooms each year via broadcast. Leadership activities include sponsorship of national conferences and TECHNOS Press, the Agency's publishing entity. Publications include TECHNOS: Quarterly for Education and Technology, Taming the Beast: Choice & Control in the Electronic Jungle by Jason Ohler, and other original books written by AIT Distinguished Fellows.

Celerity Systems is a provider of advanced digital set top boxes and video servers for interactive television and high-speed Internet. Key markets include schools, hospitality, multihousing, hospitals and assisted living, telcos, energy companies, and corporate applications. Celerity can also provide end-to-end systems through strategic relationships with leading companies including Cisco, Battelle Laboratories, Marconi, nCube, Tele-Optics, TeachStream, and Minerva Systems. Celerity's nationwide distributor for the education market is Kidston Communications, located in Pioneer, Ohio. Through Kidston Communications, Celerity has obtained projects in schools in Ohio, which will be the first deployment of the AIT content.

TEL: [phone] Ken Van Meter, Celerity Systems, Inc.
FAX: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.celerity.com
TEL: [phone] Michael Connet,
AIT FAX: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ait.net TEL: [phone]
Edward Kidston, Kidston Communications FAX: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]