SkillSoft's Books24x7 Launches ITIL(R) Collection

Digital Content Collection Offers Complete Access to ITIL Version 3

NORWOOD, Mass., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Books24x7(R), a subsidiary of SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) and the developer of online book collections for IT, business, engineering, financial and government professionals, today announced the availability of ITIL Powered by Books24x7, a new online collection that provides subscribers with complete access to the current IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), ITIL Version 3. The most widely accepted approach to IT Service Management (ITSM) in the world, ITIL is a best practice framework that enables businesses to deliver high-quality IT services and more effectively manage IT operations.

Large enterprises are becoming increasingly dependent on IT services in order to achieve their corporate objectives and meet their rapidly changing business needs. First conceived nearly 20 years ago, ITIL provides a cohesive set of best practices and management procedures for managing IT operations and addressing the organizational structure and skill requirements faced by today's IT organizations. Published in May 2007, ITIL Version 3 is a service lifecycle-based methodology incorporating the best of ITIL Versions 1 and 2 as well as tested best practices for ITSM. Geared towards helping organizations migrate from Business and IT alignment to Business and IT integration, ITIL Version 3 is comprised of five core volumes covering Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, and Continual Service Improvement, as well as a bonus volume entitled The Official Introduction to the ITIL Service Lifecycle, when it becomes available.

Books24x7 offers online access to the complete ITIL Version 3 collection through a partnership with The Stationery Office (TSO) and the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC). As with other collections, the text of the ITIL collection is fully searchable through Books24x7's unique multi-tier search engine, allowing users to pinpoint precisely the information they need, at the highest point of need. In addition, users can add titles from the collection to their personal bookshelves for quick, easy access while also having the ability to create bookmarks and notes for future reference. These rich, powerful capabilities facilitate on-the-job access to critical information, helping to increase retention and drive performance at all levels of the organization.

"We're thrilled to partner with Books24x7 to make ITIL Version 3 available as part of the company's extensive online library," said Mark Bush, Sales Director at TSO. "The ITIL collection will prove an excellent resource for Books24x7 subscribers' intent on implementing and maintaining the ITIL guidance within their own organizations. Moreover, we value the partnership with Books24x7 because it creates a new distribution channel for the ITIL content, enhancing our global reach."

The Books24x7 ITIL collection complements Books24x7's flagship product - ITPro - which serves the needs of programmers, network administrators, database developers and other technical professionals. All newly published ITIL books will automatically be added to the ITIL collection as they are published.

"The broader IT community has been eagerly awaiting the release of ITIL Version 3," said John Ambrose, Senior Vice President Strategy, Corporate Development & Emerging Business at SkillSoft. "Through our partnership with TSO, we're well-positioned to address the market need for the latest ITIL best practices. Our ITIL collection provides IT professionals with on-demand access to the information needed to implement ITIL best practices and ensure that IT services are effectively supporting the organization's broader business objectives."

Books24x7 regularly adds new titles and materials to each collection and provides email notification and RSS feeds to apprise subscribers of recent additions to the collections. To learn more about Books24x7's latest collections, including ITIL, please visit http://www.Books24x7.com .

About Books24x7(R)

Books24x7(R), a subsidiary of SkillSoft PLC, offers subscription clients online access to more than 15,000 IT and business books, book summaries, reports, and best practices. Books24x7's patent-pending technology platform enables users to pinpoint business-critical information quickly by performing multi-tier, online searches of the company's collections: ITPro(TM), BusinessPro(TM), EngineeringPro(TM), FinancePro(TM), HospitalityPro (TM), ExecBlueprints(TM), ExecSummaries(TM), ExecSuite(TM), GovEssentials(TM), OfficeEssentials(TM), Well-BeingEssentials (TM) and AnalystPerspectives(TM).

Books24x7(R) bridges the gap between what employees know and what they need to know in hundreds of leading organizations, including Bank of America, CSC, EDS and Lockheed Martin. The company has relationships with more than 290 leading publishers, including AMACOM, Apress, ASTD, Harvard Business School Press, McGraw-Hill, Microsoft Press and John Wiley & Sons. For more information, visit http://www.Books24x7.com .

About SkillSoft

SkillSoft PLC (Nasdaq: SKIL) is a leading provider of 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) virtual classroom, and SkillView(R) competency management software.

About TSO

TSO has 200 years' experience in official print and provides document and publishing services to the public and private sectors. TSO is Britain's largest publisher by output, publishing 15,000 printed and electronic products each year.

TSO's is the official publisher for the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC) Best Management Practice portfolio for project, programme, risk and service management. http://www.best-management-practice.com

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.

ITIL(R) is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.

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

SOURCE SkillSoft PLC

Released June 26, 2007