Blackboard Selling Open LMS Business

Blackboard today announced it will sell its Open LMS business to workplace digital learning and talent management company Learning Technologies Group (LTG). The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2020.

According to a news announcement, the move "enables Blackboard to further simplify its business and accelerate momentum in helping clients move to its software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment of Learn and Ultra," while allowing the Moodle-based Open LMS to "increase its focus on the innovations and services that are core to its client base."

"This further simplification of our business will enable the company to continue accelerating investment and innovation in our unique ed tech platform that will enable a more personalized experience, fueled by data, to advance learning for our clients," commented Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus, in a statement. "We look forward to the continued growth of Blackboard and Open LMS as separate market-leading businesses serving their respective clients."

Blackboard will "continue to provide existing Open LMS clients access to Blackboard products that fully integrate within Open LMS, including Ally, SafeAssign, Collaborate, and Predict," the company said.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • school building split in half, with one side collapsing into a dark hole

    Office of Educational Technology, National Center for Education Statistics Fall Victim to ED Cuts

    The U.S. Department of Education has announced cuts of nearly half of its staff, numbering more than 1,300 workers, according to AP reporting. While official details on the cuts are not available, early commentary on LinkedIn has revealed drastic cuts in the areas of educational technology and data.

  • Stylized illustration showing cybersecurity elements like shields, padlocks, and secure cloud icons on a neutral, minimalist digital background

    Microsoft Announces Host of Security Advancements

    Microsoft has announced major cybersecurity advancements across its product portfolio and practices. The work is part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI), a multiyear cybersecurity transformation the company calls the largest engineering project in company history.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.