Detroit Public Schools Uses Absolute Software to Help Dismantle Organized Criminal Ring

Published on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 07:43 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

Absolute Computrace has helped Detroit Public Schools recover nearly 400 laptops since 2009

VANCOUVER, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Absolute^® Software Corporation ("Absolute" or the "Company") (TSX: ABT), the leading provider of firmware-embedded endpoint security and management solutions, has identified one of their largest education customers, Detroit Public Schools (DPS), as a national leader in using secure asset tracking software to help recover stolen educational technology equipment.

DPS was instrumental in successfully uncovering, dismantling, and prosecuting an organized crime ring with the help of Absolute Software's Computrace^® technology. As a result, police informed DPS that eight of the ten suspects charged with multiple crimes from several DPS schools have pleaded guilty, with two awaiting prosecution. The total value of stolen technology was over $150,000.

"We rely heavily on Absolute Computrace and its accurate tracking technology - which helped us recover nearly 400 laptops in the past two and a half years," stated Wilbert V. Marsh, DPS Inspector General. "By knowing where these devices are, we are able to effectively enforce software policies, and protect any sensitive data if the device is lost or stolen. The persistent technology of Absolute Computrace allows it to rebuild itself and continue to operate even if a thief attempted to remove it from the computer. This reassures law enforcement that the tool will always be active. With our extremely high success rate, we will continue using this tracking tool."

"The mobility of laptops within a school district definitely raises security and management issues for IT administrators," says Ward Clapham, Vice President of Investigative and Recovery Services at Absolute. "Absolute Computrace equips IT and law enforcement with the right tracking tools to gain full visibility into their IT environment, including the whereabouts and status of their computers."

How Computrace Technology Works

Computrace and LoJack^® for Laptops are powered by the Absolute Software patented Computrace persistence technology. When embedded in the firmware of computers from leading computer manufacturers*, Computrace can survive operating system re-installations, as well as hard-drive reformats, replacements and re-imaging, helping to ensure that the service is there when you need it most. Whether a PC or Mac, the software is virtually undetectable and phones home to the Absolute Monitoring Center with location and asset information. If a computer is reported stolen, the Absolute Theft Recovery Team works on behalf of the customer to gather evidence from the computer to identify the thief's location, and then works with local police to get the computer back. Customers can also remotely delete data to help keep it out of the hands of unauthorized users - a reliable contingency in case data protection solutions fail. Computrace or LoJack for Laptops can be easily activated by customers when they install a license ranging from 1-3 years.

*For a list of computers with firmware-embedded Computrace technology, visit www.absolute.com/firmware.

About Absolute Software

Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the world leader in firmware-embedded endpoint security and management for computers and ultra-portable devices. The Company's Computrace, Absolute Manage, Absolute Secure Drive, and LoJack for Laptops solutions provide organizations with actionable intelligence to prove compliance, generate fast ROI, reduce overhead, and deliver comprehensive visibility and control over all of their endpoints, anywhere, anytime. The Company's software agent is embedded in the firmware of computers, netbooks, and tablets by global leaders, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic, Samsung, and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute Software, visit www.absolute.com and http://blog.absolute.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the expected performance, functionality and availability of our services and products, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and general market conditions. In light of the many risks and uncertainties you should understand that we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will be realized.

©2011 Absolute Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack is a registered trademark of LoJack Corporation, used under license by Absolute Software Corporation. LoJack Corporation is not responsible for any content herein. U.S. patents # 5,715,174, # 5,764,892, # 5,802,280, # 5,896,497, # 6,087,937, # 6,244,758, # 6,269,392, # 6,300,863, # 6,507,914, # 7,818,557, # 7,818,803, # 7,945,709, and # 8,062,380. Canadian patents # 2,211,735, # 2,284,806, and # 2,205,370. U.K. patents # EP0793823, # GB2298302, and # GB2338101. German patent # 69512534. Australian patent # 699045. Japanese patent # JP4067035. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

SOURCE Absolute Software Corporation