SANAKO

Infobox_Company
company_name = SANAKO
company_type = Private
foundation = Tandberg, Norway (1961), whose educational technology business acquired by Teleste, Finland (1984), SANAKO spinoff 2003
location_city = Turku
location_country = Finland
locations = Offices in China, Finland, France, UK, United Arab Emirates, USA (June 2008)
area_served = Worldwide through business partners
key_people = Jari Mielonen, CEO
industry = Software, Multimedia, Education
products = Multimedia Learning:
- Lab 300, Study 500
Language Learning:
- Lab 100, Lab 200, Lab 300, Study 1200
Classroom Management:
- Study 500
services = Training, Online Training, Helpdesk, Remote System Support, Maintenance, Installation
owner = Investors, management
homepage = [http://www.sanako.com/ www.sanako.com]

SANAKO is a technology company developing language teaching solutions, teaching and classroom management software, virtual learning and professional development solutions.

SANAKO's multimedia learning solutions are used by universities, schools, educational institutions and corporations in more than 100 countries. Based in Finland, the company has sales offices in China, France, UAE, UK and US. SANAKO supports its over 19,000 customer installations through a network of business partners in 70 countries.

History

* In 1961, Tandberg created its first language lab.
* in 1984, Tandberg Educational, the language education division of Tandberg A/S, was acquired by Teleste.
* In 1991, The first language lab that a teacher could manage using a graphical user interface on a PC.
* In 2000, Developed the first virtual language lab product.
* In 2001, Management buyout, the founded company was called Divace.
* In 2002, Local office established in China.
* In 2003, SANAKO brand.
* In 2004, The best New Education Solution Award granted by SIIA.
* In 2004, Regional office opened in the U.S.
* In 2005, Local offices established in France and United Arab Emirates.
* In 2006, The company joined Microsoft and Blackboard partners networks.
* In 2007, SANAKO Study product certified for Microsoft Windows Vista.

Products and Services

Multimedia learning solutions have been designed for use on PCs, providing tutors live interaction with students during cross-curricular teaching, and making multimedia, Internet resources and classroom management tools available. Products for multimedia learning include SANAKO Study 1200, SANAKO Study 500, SANAKO Lab 300.

Language learning solutions include traditional language labs, PC-based multimedia suites, and mobile and wireless systems. Current products for language learning are SANAKO Lab 100, SANAKO Lab 300, and SANAKO Study 1200.

Classroom management solutions allow tutors manage the technology resources used during live learning sessions. Products for classroom management include SANAKO Study 500, SANAKO Study 1200, and SANAKO Study Modules.

Professional services provided by SANAKO and its global partner network include training, system installation, helpdesk, maintenance, and remote system support. Social networking service for customers, the [http://members.sanako.com/ Virtual Educational Community] , allows direct interaction between users on different continents and time zones.

Technology

SANAKO products have been designed for the Windows software platform. The company is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

External analog and digital devices used during classes can be connected to a number of SANAKO products for integrated teaching environment. The company has integrated some of its products with [http://www.blackboard.com/products/Academic_Suite/index Blackboard Academic Suite] . SANAKO is co-operating with [http://www.siveco.ro/index.jsp? SIVECO] in order to introduce integrated content products to the technology platform. SANAKO has developed wireless technologies that allow access to the learning system for mobile handheld devices. Teachers can use the wireless Nokia N810 Internet Tablet to monitor classroom activities while away from the tutor's workstation.

References

* [http://www.siia.net/codies/2004/winners.asp Codie Award 2004]
* [http://www.teleste.com/ Teleste Oy History]
* [http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lss/elearningcentre/ Aston University Languages & Social Sciences E-Learning Centre]
* [http://www.clas.ufl.edu/llc/history.shtml University of Florida, A View of the Language Learning Center (since ca. 1949)]
* [http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=31856 Digital Media Europe: SANAKO, Siveco Co-operation]
* [http://www.itrportal.com/absolutenm/templates/article-education.aspx?articleid=4721&zoneid=70 IT Portal: SANAKO handheld learning solution on the Nokia N810]

External links

* [http://members.sanako.com/ Virtual Educational Community]
* [http://www.worlddidac.org/ Worlddidac, The Global Trade Association for the Education Industry]
* [http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=ISTE_100&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=42&ContentID=18496 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)]