University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, WI, August 1, 2000 - Berbee and University of Wisconsin Learning Innovations (UWLI) are engaging in an exciting new partnership to deliver comprehensive e-learning solutions to mid-market business clients located primarily in the eight Big Ten states.

E-learning solutions use the power of the Internet to deliver business-critical information to employees when and where they need it. By bridging the barriers of space and time, e-learning solutions enable people and organizations to keep pace with profound changes in the global economy fueled by technology.

The Berbee/UWLI partnership will target businesses seeking new technology-enabled tools to help employees keep pace with the changing skills, knowledge and product offerings that are central to success in the Internet economy. With the e-learning market expected to surpass $7.1 billion by 2002 (International Data Corporation,) partnerships are increasingly common to create a one-stop-shopping place for complete learning solutions.

For established business and corporate clients, the partnership enables the integration of many systems, tools and technologies into a single platform allowing the focus to remain on business goals and client service, and the opportunity to extend big company solutions to the overlooked mid-market client.

"Together we can provide any sized company with a state-of-the art solution without the headaches and limitless expense of doing it in-house," said Paul Shain, Chief Operating Officer at Berbee.

The e-learning solution from Berbee Learning Services and UWLI is designed to facilitate the creation of a state-of-the-art knowledge management community delivering mission-critical training and corporate information to anyone, anywhere. Central to the BLS/UWLI offering is technology from a global leader, Lotus/IBM. Lotus/IBM distributes LearningSpace?, a best of breed, ASP-ready Learning Management System.

UWLI will work with client human resources/training personnel to create highly interactive, network friendly online courses that include the migration of existing learning content to an online framework. Berbee will provide technology support, hosting, fast and reliable connectivity, continuous desk support, and the integration of LearningSpace.

In addition to providing a highly reliable and affordable enterprise-scale distributed learning solution; Berbee Learning Services, with high-value network consulting, and UWLI, with an award winning course development team, will provide the following suite of services wrapped around the hosted offering:

• Highly interactive, customized, network friendly online courses for the client
• Enabling client staff with the necessary online learning tools
• Continuous desktop support to client learners
• Tracking and reporting capabilities provided by Lotus/IBM LearningSpace
• A financed, competitively priced, complete e-learning solution

UW Learning Innovations transforms traditional classroom models into online courses available anytime, anywhere and also creates entirely new courseware to meet training needs of individuals, corporations, and organizations. By leveraging more than 100 years of UW distance education experience into interactive online designs, UW Learning Innovations helps learners of all kinds, in both educational and corporate settings, to reach their goals. For more information about UW Learning Innovations, please visit http://learn.wisconsin.edu.

Berbee is a growing innovator in the delivery of high-value network consulting, electronic commerce, and application solutions for business. The Madison, Wis.-based firm is in the midst of a major expansion in its geographic and market reach. With a diverse client roster that includes major catalog retailers, national retail brands, and Internet startups, Berbee offers comprehensive solutions that help companies manage, innovate and integrate technology into a model for success.

For more information contact:
Gary Mays
Berbee
Phone: 608-298-1172
Email: mays@berbee.com

Fax: 608-288-3007

Doug Bradley
UW Learning Innovations
Phone: 608-265-0548
Email: bradley@learn.uwsa.edu
Fax: 608-265-9396