Lightspeed Systems
 | |
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
| Products | Lightspeed Filter, Lightspeed Alert, Lightspeed Classroom Management, Lightspeed Analytics, Lightspeed Mobile Device Management |
| Website | www |
Lightspeed Systems is an educational software company based in Austin, Texas that builds and sells SaaS content-control software, mobile device management, alert software, and classroom management software to K–12 schools.
History[edit]
Founded in 1999 in Bakersfield, California, the company was ranked #1855 out of the Inc 5000 by Inc.com in 2012. However, Inc.com did not list the company as part of the Inc 5000 after 2012.[1] In 2019, Lightspeed Systems received an investment from Madison Dearborn Partners.[2] In January 2022, they acquired CatchOn, a real-time data analytics provider that helps with student engagement,[3] and in March 2022, Lightspeed received another investment from Genstar Capital.[4]
Products[edit]
Mobile Device Management[edit]
In 2013, Lightspeed introduced a Mobile Learning Essentials package, which included Lightspeed Mobile Device Management.[5] Mobile device management helps school IT staff to manage school devices more easily through the use of policies.
Filter[edit]
In 2017, Lightspeed announced the Relay Filter,[6] which was later renamed to simply Lightspeed Filter. Lightspeed Systems advertises their Filter product as blocking "inappropriate" content, and a tool for CIPA compliance. It originally was only supported on Chromebooks, but in 2018 support for macOS, iOS, and Microsoft Windows was announced.
Classroom Management[edit]
In April 2018, Lightspeed released Classroom Management, software which the company claims can monitor and control content loaded on devices used by students during class.[citation needed]
Analytics[edit]
In March 2019, Lightspeed Systems released the Lightspeed Analytics software, designed for reporting on apps, applications, and web sites used on school-owned devices.[7]
Alert[edit]
In 2021 Lightspeed announced Alert, a product the company says uses artificial intelligence as well as human review to identify threats of school violence or student self-harm.[citation needed]
Criticism[edit]
Lightspeed Systems has been criticized by students for the amount of content blocked by the system. There have also been privacy concerns brought up by many students.[citation needed]
In 2012, Darryl LaGacé, head of IT in San Diego Unified School District, left to go work for Lightspeed Systems after previously procuring a $375,000 contract with them earlier that year. This brought up many concerns and scrutiny.[8]
In 2012, Lightspeed Systems raised questionable behavior when directly mass emailing customers accounts to poach from partner accounts.[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Inc.com Lightspeed Systems Profile". Inc. 2012. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "Lightspeed Systems Completes Strategic Growth Investment from Madison Dearborn Partners" (Press release). May 2019.
- ^ "Lightspeed Systems® Expands Digital Learning Offering with Acquisition of CatchOn". www.businesswire.com. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
- ^ Frederick, Lesli (2022-03-02). "Lightspeed Systems Receives Strategic Growth Investment from Genstar Capital". Genstar Capital. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
- ^ "Combined software and services help schools implement mobile learning". Tech Learning. Retrieved 2018-05-16.
- ^ "Lightspeed Systems Announces Lightspeed Systems Relay for Chrome". Tech Learning. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
- ^ "New Analytics Tool From CDW, Lightspeed Systems Helps Schools Optimize Tech Use". www.cdwg.com. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
- ^ Carless, Will (2013-12-11). "'Revolving Door' Between SD Unified, Contractors Still Open Despite Warnings". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
- ^ "Lightspeed systems says Schools Broadband is telling lies..." www.edugeek.net. Retrieved 2023-03-20.