Meridian's Virtual Library Grows to 15,000 Titles Through Agreement With SkillSoft

CHANTILLY, VA--(Marketwire - October 9, 2008) - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has entered into a non-exclusive relationship with e-learning provider SkillSoft (NASDAQ: SKIL) that boosts the size of Meridian's online library to more than 15,000 e-learning courses. Employers can tap Meridian's "Virtual Library" to train employees on topics ranging from acquisition and contracting to work-life balance.

Meridian, which makes learning management systems (LMS) for analyzing and delivering training via the Internet, began building its Virtual Library last May by signing a string of agreements with a select group of providers of training content and online assessments. The relationship with SkillSoft is the latest announcement by Meridian.

"With today's news, our Virtual Library is arguably the LMS industry's most comprehensive," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian. "Whether your organization is a private-sector employer or government agency, we now have the widest selection of easy-to-access training content to meet your needs."

According to Haythorn, each course Meridian offers through its Virtual Library will run on either the company's flagship LMS -- Meridian Global -- or the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of Meridian's LMS. The courses conform to the latest e-learning standards, including SCORM 2004. And the library contains courses in more than 15 languages.

With the SkillSoft Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA), a software platform that supports a range of Web services, Meridian will have a simple way to deliver SkillSoft's learning assets. Meridian's customers will be able to visit the company's Virtual Library and work with a content expert to pick and choose their training. Or customers can purchase content via their Meridian LMS.

The Virtual Library also complements Meridian's SaaS product for managing learning and knowledge. According to Meridian, software customers purchase SaaS products to quickly put in place the infrastructure for delivering training. Meridian's SaaS product can be up and running within days of purchase. And Haythorn says Meridian's wide-ranging library of training courses is a way to give customers training content the moment their LMS is turned on.

"People can visit our web site or call a Meridian content expert, buy the courses they need and begin delivering training via their Meridian LMS in a matter of a few hours," added Haythorn.

"One of the most significant challenges faced by LMS users is finding the right content and making sure it is fully interoperable with the platform," remarked Bryan Chapman, learning industry analyst and chief learning strategist for Chapman Alliance. "The agreement between two leading providers like Meridian and SkillSoft is great news for those who want to take full advantage of the value proposition of a learning platform, which no matter how sophisticated -- is still just a conduit for what learners really want: courses. Meridian is giving its LMS customers the widest possible selection of training, while removing the barriers."

"We're making sure our clients can find courses for any segment of their workforce or customer base, and buy these courses as they need them," said Haythorn. "Our aim is to provide our customers with one-stop shopping, whether that means giving them the widest selection of courses or simply a single, targeted course."

To help customers get started, a Meridian content expert will assess a client's training needs and help them select the courses to best meet their requirements.

Customers can learn more by visiting http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/.

About Meridian

Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management, and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development, and hosting services.

We serve 4.5 million users at more than 200 public- and private-sector employers. And our software is used by companies that range in size from 900,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, Whirlpool and more than 80 federal, state and local governments.

We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge, and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Chantilly, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals.

To learn more, visit http://www.meridianksi.com

Contact Information: Media contact: Bill Perry Cell: 614 975 7538