MarkLogic Powers New Mobile Application for Kaplan

Preparing for standardized tests using mobile devices is easier than ever with Kaplan’s new Kaplan Mobile application. MarkLogic Corporation, the company revolutionizing the way organizations leverage Big Data, today announced that Kaplan has built a new iOS application using MarkLogic Server as the platform beneath a customized digital content reader developed by Bluefire Productions. Kaplan Mobile allows registered students to download a free electronic copy of their course books to their mobile devices. The application is available for download for free from the Apple iTunes Store [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kaplan-mobile/id432229643?mt=8] for all iOS devices.

"With Kaplan Mobile, we wanted to develop an application that delivered the content our customers need through the devices they use,” said Maureen McMahon, president and publisher, Kaplan Publishing. "MarkLogic and Bluefire proved themselves to be innovative and capable development partners and our collaboration with them has been a clear success.”

MarkLogic and Bluefire Productions were able to deliver the application within an aggressive twelve-week timeframe and still accommodate late-breaking business requirements.

After downloading the free Kaplan Mobile application, users simply log-in with their Kaplan account and will be shown relevant course materials available for download. Kaplan customers are able to sync their accounts with up to two mobile devices. Currently, the application allows students to access full course content for its GRE, GMAT, and MCAT courses, as well as digital copies of its PSAT, SAT, GRE, and GMAT retail test prep books.

"Application development and integration with MarkLogic Server couldn’t have been easier,” said Micah Bowers, founder, Bluefire Productions. "We were pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the transition went. This type of integration enabled us to deliver a fully developed application in a timely and cost effective manner, and is a great example of how we can quickly make content available though a customized e-reader app.”

MarkLogic Server is a database that allows organizations to address issues associated with Big Data, including the ability to leverage information such as business documents, PDFs, ePubs, emails and tweets. In this collaboration, Kaplan selected MarkLogic as the infrastructure to deliver ePub materials via mobile platform, paving the way for future digital and mobile initiatives and better student experience.

"Using MarkLogic as the platform for building applications is a natural extension of the product,” said Ron Avnur, senior vice president of engineering, MarkLogic. "As a database for unstructured information, MarkLogic enables publishers and organizations of all types to take advantage of new delivery models. By being able to dynamically create new products and offer the flexibility needed to keep up with constant updates to technology, organizations that adopt MarkLogic gain a real competitive edge.”

Kaplan Mobile is now available in the iTunes Store for free. The application can be downloaded here [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kaplan-mobile/id432229643?mt=8].

About Kaplan

Kaplan Publishing is one of the nation's leading publishers of academic and professional development resources. Kaplan Publishing offers proven test preparation and admissions strategies for students everywhere, as well as practical advice, thought-provoking insights, and inspiring stories for the general reader. Kaplan Publishing is a unit of Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO). www.kaplanpublishing.com

About Bluefire Productions

Bluefire Productions provides user experience design and development services to leading global technology companies, as well as e-book technology solutions to publishers and booksellers. Bluefire Reader, a free application for iPhone and iPad, brings e-books from public libraries, independent bookstores and national retailers into a single digital library on mobile devices. The company’s private label solutions offer booksellers customized, branded e-reader applications, as well as opportunities to include their catalogs in Bluefire Reader. Bluefire Productions is an independent software company based in Seattle. For more information, visit www.bluefirereader.com.

About MarkLogic Corporation

MarkLogic is revolutionizing the way organizations leverage Big Data. More than 250 customers in industries including financial services, healthcare, government, and media are driving revenue and growth through transformative Big Data Analytics enabled by MarkLogic products, services, and partners. MarkLogic is headquartered in Silicon Valley with field offices in Austin, Boston, Frankfurt, London, New York and Washington, DC. For more information, or to download a trial version, please visit www.marklogic.com.

Copyright © 2011 MarkLogic Corporation. All Rights Reserved. MARKLOGIC® is a registered trademark of MarkLogic Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.