There's a chance to view a new multimedia system for schools - developed by an Irish company and now about to be installed in 2,000 schools throughout Greece - at next week's Education Show in Dublin. The EdCast system, already pioneered in 45 Irish schools, allows schools to receive multimedia material via a standard television signal. Developed by Bocom International, an Irish-owned sofware company, and involving no online telephone costs, the system is soon to be delivered to Greek schools, following a successful bid by Bocom for the contract.

Based in Dublin and employing 20 people, Bocum competed with multimedia data broadcasting companies from several countries to win that Greek contract. EdCast was selected because of the speed of the system's delivery, its low cost, its reliability and its ease of access. It will transmit web content and files, including examination papers, to schools throughout Greece.

The system involves standard TV aerial, a Windows 95/98 PC, a low-cost decoder and the EdCast Broadcast Browser software. Versions are available for single PCs as well as computer networks with up to 100 terminals. The Education Show Ireland 1999, in association with The Irish Times, runs from Thursday to Saturday, March 25th to 27th, at the RDS.