SkillSoft Releases 'Greening of IT' Consensus Report as Part of Its AnalystPerspectives(R) Collection

IT Decision Makers to Benefit from Leading Analyst Research on Green Technology

NORWOOD, Mass., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Books24x7(R), a subsidiary of SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) and the developer of on-demand business, technical and engineering content for enterprise-wide professionals, today announced it has released a detailed report advising organizations on the "Greening of IT" and how they can benefit from the report's findings.

Leading analyst firms across the country agree that IT needs to take responsibility for its impact on the environment. Skyrocketing power consumption and cooling requirements in data centers are taxing businesses around the world and global carbon dioxide emissions are rising faster than ever. Although server virtualization and consolidation techniques boost server utilization and capacity, they also aggravate cooling problems. This drives up the cost of ensuring reliable computing systems. Moreover, the more than 800 million PCs that will be discarded during the next five years will add significantly to the mounting e-waste challenge. Many of these products contain toxic materials such as lead and arsenic that can pollute groundwater if not disposed of properly. "The Greening of IT" is the latest installment of SkillSoft's AnalystPerspectives series, giving users insight into timely research and opinions from leading technology analyst firms.

"Environmentally-responsible computing has shifted from an act of social responsibility to a competitive and financial imperative," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President -- Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business of SkillSoft PLC. "SkillSoft proudly advocates e-learning as a green alternative for companies' corporate training curricula. By empowering employees to contribute to the environment by wasting less paper and not requiring travel to off-site learning sessions, decision makers are communicating to their workforce that they support all opportunities to make a difference."

"AnalystPerspectives provides a comprehensive view of what's really happening amidst all of the hype on 'green' initiatives in the industry," said Jim Hendrickson, Vice President, Corporate Development of Sterling Commerce. "This report is the best analysis I've seen for IT executives on the issues, activities, and impacts of being environmentally responsible and the real value that can result."

Analysts now report there is a significant profit motive for going green. The latest SkillSoft report raises awareness of the environmental effects of IT and how careful selection of PCs and proper utilization of power can significantly address global cooling and power consumption challenges. Featuring input from 22 leading analyst firms, this informative report focuses on minimizing the effects of harmful energy emissions from IT operations.

This report is one of a series of over 120 reports produced this year for Books24x7's AnalystPerspectives collection. With over 700 research firms tracking the technology industry, selecting and digesting the right reports and applying the information to business needs is an increasingly challenging and lengthy process. AnalystPerspectives provides organizations with an efficient, cost-effective way to gain insight into technology trends by assimilating the research and opinions of multiple analyst firms to provide a comprehensive, multi-perspective consensus on specific technology topics. In addition to the 120+ reports created by the AnalystPerspectives team each year, the collection contains the full-text of thousands of premium research reports licensed from over 30 analyst firms including Datamonitor, Info-Tech Research, PWR Consulting, and Butler Group. AnalystPerspectives is web-based and is available via an annual subscription that provides cost-effective access to the IT and telecommunications analyst information that people need to make the important decisions that affect their business.

For a copy of "The Greening of IT" or to learn more about SkillSoft's Analyst Perspective series, visit http://www.skillsoft.com/online/Greening_of_IT/

About Books24x7(R)

Books24x7, a SkillSoft company, is a leading SaaS provider of on-demand business, technical and engineering content containing thousands of digitized "best-in-class" books, book summaries, research reports and best practices. The Books24x7 On Demand Platform enables users to search, browse, read and collaborate with other users of these vast professional libraries. Books24x7 also offers a PDA-accessible site to allow mobile users to access the company's broad range of content from their internet-enable PDA devices. Books24x7's product offerings support workers across the enterprise in acquiring knowledge when and where needed. Customers that have adopted Books24x7 solutions include global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses spanning over 50 industries.

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. The Books24x7(R) division offers online access to more than 15,000 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.

    Contacts:
    Donna Keenan                                   Rebecca Parkhurst
    SkillSoft                                      PAN Communications,Inc.
    603.821.3211                                   978.474.1900
    Donna_Keenan@SkillSoft.com                     SkillSoft@pancomm.com

SOURCE SkillSoft PLC

Released November 6, 2007