News from Acorn Computers - Release Date: 26th September 1994 Schools To Reap Rewards Of Acorn Advantage ------------------------------------------ - Cross-curriculum equipment available through loyalty scheme - Acorn Computers, the leading supplier of computers to UK schools, has launched a groundbreaking promotion to enable schools and parents to boost the range of cross-curriculum facilities available to schoolchildren. This unique scheme, called Acorn Advantage, will allocate points to purchasers of Acorn computers which schools can redeem for a range of educational resources. The range of goods will include computer and art and craft equipment, scientific and musical instruments, fax machines, televisions, CD players, sports items and books. Not only will computers bought by the school accrue points, but computers bought by parents for use in the home will also count towards the school's point total. Teachers will be issued with credit card style membership cards which will log the points accrued, which can then be redeemed for the goods. For instance, 15,600 points would supply the music department with a new violin while 5,400 points would provide a free tennis racquet. Mike O'Riordan, Sales and Marketing Director at Acorn Computers, comments: "Acorn has launched the Acorn Advantage scheme to enable parents and schools to pool their resources to claim a range of free equipment. Acorn is committed to ensuring that children in British schools have access to the highest quality equipment available. By buying an Acorn computer for the home, parents can not only help their child at home but also assist their child's school to benefit in all areas of its activities." Schools registered on the scheme will receive an Acorn Advantage folder containing a portfolio of products available, an explanation of how the scheme works both for schools and individual teachers and a membership card. A number of home packs will also be included for schools to issue to parents, explaining how they can contribute points towards the school's total. Teachers registered on the scheme will be eligible to receive discounts on national events, training and conferences, regular free reports on educational and IT issues, magazine subscriptions and educational directories. Peter Talbot, General Manager, UK Education, at Acorn Computers, comments: "Acorn Advantage is the first scheme of its kind in this country and demonstrates Acorn's long term commitment to UK education. The formidable combination of Acorn together with parents and schools throughout the country will help revitalise school resources. "Acorn has always set itself apart from other players in the education sector through its willingness to listen to the needs of pupils and teachers. Acorn Advantage is the next major step in supporting education." Founded in 1978, with 1993 revenues of #54.3m, Acorn Computers is the premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987. Acorn works closely with a strong community of industry partners, users and software developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and international markets. The Acorn Computer Group is a holding company for Acorn Computers Limited, Acorn Australia, Acorn New Zealand, Acorn GmbH and Online Media. Acorn Computer Group owns 43% of ARM Ltd. Online Media, a division of the Acorn Computer Group, was launched in 1994 with the mission to design world class, interactive multimedia products. For further press information, please contact: Peter Talbot or Sally Mortimore Acorn Computers Text 100 Tel: 0223 254254 Tel: 081 242 4172 _______________________________________________________________________________ aglo...@acorn.co.uk, moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce. Submissions to announce-requ...@acorn.co.uk, other related mail to announ...@acorn.co.uk.