20 years of innovation

20th Anniversary tour

20 Years, 20 Highlights


1986
Company co-founder forms idea for an interactive whiteboard

Partners David Martin and Nancy Knowlton are on a long drive through upstate New York when Dave first describes the product idea he’s been working on to Nancy. SMART Technologies Inc. is founded the following year.

1991
SMART introduces the world's first interactive whiteboard

SMART builds the industry and continues to lead the market.

1992
SMART forms strategic alliance with U.S. computer giant Intel ® Corporation

The alliance results in joint product development, joint marketing efforts and Intel's equity ownership in SMART.

1997
SMART CEO establishes the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada

The foundation offers more than US$50 million in grants to qualifying public or private, accredited, not-for-profit education institutions every year.

1998
SMART receives ISO 9001 certification

SMART is one of few companies in the interactive whiteboard industry to achieve this recognized quality management standard.

2000
SMART launches Research Assistance Program

The program supports research on technology that supports group collaboration and information sharing.

2000
SMART opens offices in Bonn, Tokyo and Washington DC

SMART continues to expand operations worldwide and localize support for distributors.

2001
SMARTer Kids Foundation begins sponsoring Teacher of the Year Programs

The SMARTer Kids Foundation and its supporting sponsors are the only National Teacher of the Year sponsors to award technology products and training, worth US$17,000 for each nominee.

2002
Carnegie Mellon research says SMART Board interactive whiteboard is fastest, most accurate way to interact with projected information

Interacting at a Distance: Measuring the Performance of Laser Pointers and Other Devices says the SMART Board interactive whiteboard beats conventional mouse, laser pointers and semantic snarfing, where the image is copied to a handheld device and the user interacts with the device's touch screen using a stylus.

2002
SMART and SMARTer Kids Foundation begin support of Intel Teach to the Future Program

More than US$300,000 in classroom technology are donated to enhance learning environments.

2003
SMART Board interactive whiteboard wins Comenius Medal in Germany

The award presentation marks the first time a hardware product wins the Comenius Medal.

2003
SMART invents breakthrough touch technology

SMART introduces DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology, a breakthrough technology that enhances the functionality of SMART Board interactive whiteboards.

2004
SMART awarded Worlddidac Quality Charter

SMART is the only interactive whiteboard manufacturer certified under charter. Judging criteria include pedagogic value, innovation, ease of use, design, quality, safety, multifunctionality, adaptability, degree of interactivity, eco-friendliness, aesthetics and performance/cost ratio.

2004
SMART Sponsors 21st Century Schools of Distinction Awards

More than US$300,000 in SMART products to be won by 20 schools.

2004
SMART Board for Flat-Panel Displays plays integral role in Mars mission

The product has been incorporated with NASA's plasma displays to create a network of MERBoards, or a large, touch-enabled, plasma display system with custom MERBoard software.

2004
America's 25 largest school districts use SMART Board interactive whiteboards

SMART products are installed in schools in every U.S. state, in each of the 25 largest school districts and in the majority of the top 500 school districts.

2004
SMART Technologies Inc. facilitates cutting-edge research at Georgia Tech

World's largest SMART Board interactive whiteboard is facilitating research into virtual rear projection (VRP), a breakthrough in front-projection technology, at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

2005
Lifetime Achievement Canada Export Award

This prestigious national award acknowledges SMART for its significant contribution to Canada's economy and highlights excellence in global competitiveness.

2005
SMART launches database of K-12 lesson activities correlated to state standards

SMART is first interactive whiteboard company to enable educators to browse content by curriculum standards.

2006
SMART has 56.8 percent of UK interactive whiteboard market in 2005

Independent study shows closest competitor has only 27 percent of the market. The total market share of all other brands remains at 16 percent.

 

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