SkillSoft and EMC Collaborate to Deliver New Storage Technology Foundation Curriculum

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12 New Online Courses Enable Users to Receive EMC Proven Professional Storage Technologist Associate (EMCPA) Certification

NASHUA, N.H.--(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 that it is working with EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC), the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, to deliver a storage design and management curriculum designed to provide the requisite skills to become proficient in storage technology. EMC Global Services and SkillSoft have together created 12 Storage Technology Foundation (STF) e-learning courses, which will enable a broad new audience of users to access EMC's industry-leading storage information and management training.

The 12 STF e-learning courses are available immediately as part of SkillSoft's comprehensive IT Skills Course Collection, which consists of 1,700 online courses. SkillSoft's IT Skills Course Collection provides a rich array of content assets and flexible delivery technologies to support the full range of formal and on-demand learning needs of IT organizations today. With instant access to the right resources, learning is continually available close to the work, resulting in immediate impact to critical IT decisions and projects.

To address the shortage of skilled storage professionals in the $65 billion storage technology industry, the Storage Technology Foundation's e-learning curriculum delivers end-to-end knowledge of storage technology and optimum storage comprehension. It comprises the following 12 courses:

    --  Introduction to Storage Technology

    --  Storage System Architecture

    --  Physical Disks and RAID Arrays

    --  Intelligent Storage Systems

    --  Network Storage Systems

    --  Fiber Channel Storage Attached Networks

    --  IP Sans and Content Addressed Storage

    --  Information Availability

    --  Replication and Business Continuity

    --  Monitoring and Managing the Data Center

    --  Securing Storage

    --  Storage Virtualization Technologies

SkillSoft's online courses are delivered via the SkillPort platform, the learning management system for SkillSoft's e-learning solution. Upon successful completion of the 12 courses and proctored certification exam, participants will receive an EMC Proven Professional Storage Technologist Associate (EMCPA) certification. The STF training will aid individuals in choosing the right storage technology to meet availability, performance and security requirements.

"SkillSoft's customers recognize the growing importance of storage technology knowledge and we are pleased to offer these new courses as part of our IT Skills Course Collection," said John Ambrose, senior vice president of Strategy, Corporate Development and Emerging Business, SkillSoft. "By working with an industry leader like EMC, we were able to create a comprehensive storage education curriculum, and we recognize that these courses make a valuable addition to our already expansive courseware library."

"EMC is pleased to be working with SkillSoft to expand the scope and reach of our Storage Technology Foundations training," said Tom Clancy, Vice President of Education Services at EMC. "This collaboration will enable a broader global audience to join the nearly 12,000 students who have already completed EMC's "open" storage technology curriculum, to gain valuable information storage and management expertise, and become more productive and efficient in managing their storage environments."

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) are a driving force in the e-discovery development, and storage is among the most critical components of a company's structural technology system. STF was developed to fill the knowledge gap in understanding varied components of modern storage infrastructure. These unique e-learning courses focus on concept, principles and design considerations of storage technology rather than specific products, and are part of SkillSoft's specialized library of roughly 1,700 IT courses. SkillSoft, which offers 6,000-plus courses that cover a wide variety of business, compliance, safety and technology topics, focuses on delivering just-in-time learning for organizations worldwide.

SkillSoft offers a variety of content solutions designed to meet the wide range of challenges facing today's global enterprises. From customized initiatives designed to support specific business goals, to broad-based compliance programs. SkillSoft offers a comprehensive online courseware library featuring 6,000 courses ranging in topics from IT skills, business skills, desktop skills, environmental safety and health.

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.

Source: SkillSoft PLC

Released June 18, 2008