SkillSoft Announces Learning Portlets that Can Be Embedded in Enterprise Portals

Innovative, Pre-built Learning Components Put Customized, On-Demand Learning at Each User's Fingertips

NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

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.

Source: SkillSoft

Released April 2, 2008