Innovative, Pre-built Learning Components Put Customized, On-Demand Learning at Each User's Fingertips
NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2008--SkillSoft PLC
(Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of on-demand e-learning and
performance support solutions for global enterprises, government,
education and small- to medium-sized businesses, today announced
SkillSoft Learning Portlets, a series of pre-built, standards-based
components that enable customers to easily embed SkillSoft learning
assets and functionality within their enterprise portals. Part of
SkillSoft's Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA), portlets are
extremely easy to set up and can be added to enterprise portal pages
with a drag-and-drop approach that eliminates the need for extensive
coding.
"SkillSoft Learning Portlets allow customers to deliver structured
learning programs as well as self-directed, informal learning
resources right into the familiar portal environment," said John
Ambrose, senior vice president of Strategy, Emerging Business
Corporate Development at SkillSoft. "By embedding learning resources
in the work flow, customers will enable on-the-job learning and
greater productivity."
Initially targeting IBM WebSphere(R), the Learning Portlets are
based on established industry standards that will eventually allow
them to be used in other portals such as Microsoft SharePoint(R) and
SAP NetWeaver(R) Portal, among others. Learning Portlets provide an
easy way to embed personalized, relevant learning into enterprise
portals; reduce deployment time, cost and effort; and increase
learning content usage and benefits. Delivered as a hosted service by
SkillSoft, Learning Portlets provide tracking and reporting for
distributed embedded learning, while reducing maintenance and
infrastructure costs.
Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) had the opportunity to
test the SkillSoft Learning Portlets and believe that they will
provide employees with increased access to valuable information, and
have the potential to increase the use of e-learning throughout their
organization. CSC feels the flexible look and feel of the SkillSoft
Learning Portlets, coupled with its scalability, offer a great way to
put learning at each employee's fingertips to be used as often as
needed.
With the introduction of OLSA nearly three years ago, SkillSoft
became the first major provider in the corporate e-learning market to
commit significant resources to delivering a comprehensive
service-oriented architecture that leverages existing learning system
standards, XML and emerging Web services standards. With OLSA,
SkillSoft can now deliver to customers advanced learning solutions,
such as the new portlets, in flexible and innovative ways using a
range of learning management systems, Web portals and additional
enterprise applications.
Learning Portlets will allow users to launch any learning asset
directly from the portal, and deliver key learning capabilities and
content, including:
-- Search-and-Learn(R), which provides the ability to search
across all subscribed SkillSoft courses, books, job aids,
videos, simulations and other assets
-- Personalized lists of online books, reports and other assets
from Books24x7(R)
-- Individual learning plans
The Learning Portlets are personalized dynamically for each
end-user. They can be placed on a portal page individually or in any
combination, and automatically inherit the look and feel of the
environment. SkillSoft Learning Portlets will be initially offered as
part of SkillPort, SkillSoft's Learning Management System, and will be
available late summer.
About SkillSoft
SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading SaaS provider of
on-demand e-learning and performance support solutions for global
enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized
businesses. SkillSoft enables business organizations to maximize
business performance through a combination of comprehensive e-learning
content, online information resources, flexible learning technologies
and support services.
Content offerings include business, IT, desktop, compliance and
consumer/SMB courseware collections, as well as complementary content
assets such as Leadership Development Channel video products,
KnowledgeCenter(TM) portals, virtual instructor-led training services
and online mentoring services. SkillSoft's Books24x7(R) product
offering includes access to more than 18,000 digitized IT and business
books, as well as book summaries and executive reports. Technology
offerings include the SkillPort(R) learning management system,
Search-and-Learn(R), SkillSoft(R) Dialogue(TM) and virtual classroom.
SkillSoft courseware content described herein is for information
purposes only and is subject to change without notice. SkillSoft has
no obligation or commitment to develop or deliver any future release,
upgrade, feature, enhancement or function described in this press
release except as specifically set forth in a written agreement.
SkillSoft, the SkillSoft logo, SkillPort, Search-and-Learn,
SkillChoice, Books24x7, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials,
GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives,
ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, Express Guide and Dialogue are
trademarks or registered trademarks of SkillSoft PLC in the United
States and certain other countries. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners, countries.
SkillSoft
Donna Keenan, 603-821-3211
Donna_Keenan@SkillSoft.com
or
Lois Paul & Partners
Doreen Maciak, 781-782-5832
Sr. Account Manager
dmaciak@lpp.com
