SkillSoft Offers its Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA) to Talent Management Vendors

Enables Integration of Learning Content with Performance Management, Career Development and Other Talent Applications

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL), a leading SaaS provider of e-learning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses, today announced it will make its proven Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA) framework available to talent management vendors. Unveiled at the HR Technology Conference in Chicago on October 15 - 17, 2008 (Booth #751), this move provides talent management vendors with a proven tool to integrate their offerings with SkillSoft's web services-based e-learning systems.

In today's highly competitive business environment, hiring, developing and retaining talent is critical to organizational success. While many businesses invest in talent management and e-learning, they often approach each investment separately. Making the OLSA platform available to providers of talent management suites gives customers the ability to consider their investments together to realize the efficiencies created from the integration of learning content and learning delivery software with those applications. Introduced roughly three years ago, OLSA is a comprehensive service-oriented architecture that leverages existing learning system standards, XML and emerging Web services standards. Through this powerful integration, users from within talent management applications will be able to do the following:

    --  Automatically authenticate users and determine learning
        entitlements

    --  Deliver contextually relevant learning content including
        formal courses, reference materials, white papers, audio
        casts, and leadership videos;

    --  Launch learning assets without leaving the talent management
        environment

    --  Align courses to competencies and skills; and

    --  Report on learning activity with individuals and groups.

"Our integration with the talent management applications marks a logical next step for both SkillSoft and our OLSA platform," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business for SkillSoft. "We're very pleased with the momentum behind OLSA among the Learning Management System vendors and are looking to extend the benefits of this framework to the Talent Management space."

With OLSA, SkillSoft can now deliver to customers advanced learning solutions, such as new KnowledgeCenters, videos and Live Learning (virtual classroom training) in flexible and innovative ways using a range of learning management systems, Human Capital Management platforms and other enterprise applications.

"OLSA is a powerful integration architecture that brings talent management and learning closer together," said Greg Thompson, Senior Director of Product Management at SuccessFactors, the global leader in on-demand performance and talent management solutions. "Customers are looking for seamless integration of their talent management initiatives, including expertise and knowledge acquisition, and OLSA presents a standardized opportunity to streamline this effort and provide additional process differentiation."

Fore more information about OLSA, please visit http://www.skillsoft.com/products/LMS/lms_integration.asp

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 20,000 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.

Source: SkillSoft PLC

Released October 15, 2008