Breens Network strengthens position in Student Information Systems

AMSTERDAM, JANUARY 21 2022 – Breens Network is the new owner of Progress Onderwijs. With this acquisition, Breens Network adds further strength to its position as a provider of safe and reliable working and learning environments. Progress specialises in Student Information Systems (SIS) for higher education.

• The Progress acquisition strengthens Breens Network’s digital learning and working solution.
• The combination of Progress and Educator, which Breens Network acquired at an earlier stage, reinforces the overall offering of a flexible Student Information System for third-level and secondary vocational education in a specifically student-oriented approach.
• With the addition of Progress, Breens Network establishes itself in a position of significance in relation to its mission of unburdening educational institutions by assisting them in their journey of digital transformation toward safe technology-supported working and learning environments. Together, the companies serve approximately two million students, teachers and professionals in the field of education.

For over 25 years, Breens Network has been supporting educational institutions in their process of digital transformation by developing solutions based on field-proven applications and new technologies which combine the dual strengths of our organisation - extensive IT expertise and profound knowledge of education resulting from years of experience in the market.

Breens Network is a Dutch EdTech organisation, born from the ambition to support educational institutions in the deployment of new digital technologies and related processes and methodologies. Whole generations of students, teachers, managers and administrators are living the transition to hybrid ways of working which encompass both the physical and the digital worlds against a dynamic background calling for, not only continuing professionalism, personalised cloud-based learning and socially relevant programs of education, but also demanding the advanced organisation and management of cybersecurity.

"Breens Network is a committed supporter of “lifelong development”. “The digitisation of education deserves a strong and reliable partner. More than ever, what we need in this day and age is guiding advice, development, implementation, management and trust,” says Breens Network CEO Geert-Jan van der Snoek. “Our acquisition of Progress Onderwijs uniquely allows us, in cooperation with Educator, the company we earlier added to our organisation, to keep building a flexible, personalised and future-proof system of education in which the student is centre-stage. It is a significant strengthening of our position and broadening of our scope in a mission which is all about providing a safe and reliable working and learning environment.”

Progress Onderwijs is an IT organisation with 30 years of experience in the field of higher-educational logistics, where it has successfully supported universities and vocational schools of varying sizes, delivering an extensive and comprehensive range of tools and services. In cooperation with the educational institutions involved, Progress uses these resources for the purpose of elevating the level of student information management and quality care in advanced education. A leading specialist in Student Information Systems (SIS), the company is also the developer of Progress Verkiezingen, a solution for election management. The institutions Progress supports include the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Fontys Hogescholen, NHL Stenden, Hanzehogeschool Groningen and the Technical University of Delft.

Joining Breens Network offers Progress Onderwijs new opportunities for growth, strengthened continuity in its relations with educational institutions and broadened scope in the digital working and learning environment. Jan Batteram, director of Progress Onderwijs, couldn’t be more excited: “As a company, our origins are closely linked to the University of Groningen. So, we have a natural connection to education and we want to use our technological skills to support the ongoing digitisation of educational processes. With our team of dedicated professionals, highly trained specialists and education process experts, we are constantly committed to supporting our customers to the best of our ability. Joining Breens Network means that we now have the chance to further build on the strength of our position in Student Information Systems, while excellently complementing Breens Network’s portfolio of higher-education products and services. This new combination of Breens Network and Progress Onderwijs allows our customers and employees to optimally meet market demands of safe and sustainable digitisation.” 

About Breens Network 

Breens Network is founded on the ambition to innovate using field-proven and new technologies. With SLBdiensten, IT-Workz, Educator, Slim.nl, MBOwebshop.nl, Slimindeklas.nl and Breens.nl the company offers a clearly identifiable and distinguishing brand portfolio. Breens Network is a Dutch ICT organisation, committed to its customers in the fields of education, healthcare and decentralised government, assisting them in the process of digital transformation and helping them to increase the effectiveness and quality of their output as well as the (cost) efficiency and flexibility of their organisations. We operate from the vision that technology and advice must unequivocally support our customers in achieving their organisational or personal objectives. In doing so, we combine our digital and technological expertise with thorough understanding of the markets our customers are active in. Our employees are your guarantee for effective and agreeable cooperation, collectively serving approximately two million students, teachers and professionals at virtually all branches of Dutch secondary, secondary vocational and higher education, concentrating on the three central themes of Digital Working (and Learning) Environment, Cloud & IT security and Business Intelligence & Data. Breens Network has a total workforce of 200 enthusiastic professionals and is headquartered in Amsterdam. For more information, visit:https://www.breensnetwork.nl/

About Progress Onderwijs

Progress Onderwijs is an IT organisation with 30 years of experience in the field of higher-educational logistics, supporting universities and vocational schools of varying sizes, including the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Fontys Hogescholen, NHL Stenden Hogeschool, Hanzehogeschool Groningen and the Technical University of Delft. Progress Onderwijs offers two distinct software services: Progress Student Information System and Progress Elections. We provide an extensive and comprehensive range of products and services used to elevate the level of, among other things, student information management and quality care in the field of higher education. We do this with a team of highly qualified professionals who are able to translate the demand for practical functionality into a set of standard software tools. As a supplier, we are closely connected to the education industry and the process of educational logistics. We assist our customers by offering them premium, reliable support of their education-administrative processes, continuously investing in the quality of our service and the further evolution of our organisation. At Progress Onderwijs, we are committed to positioning our company as a flexible, knowledgeable solution supplier. We understand what our customers want. For more information, visit: https://www.progressonderwijs.nl/