MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2006--The Custom
Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) has deployed a
SumTotal(TM) Systems (Nasdaq:SUMT) enterprise learning management
suite with an e-commerce application to give electronics professionals
an online means to obtain their industry's gold standard: electronic
systems design certification. "This solution gives our 3,000 member
companies an online, easy-to-find path to professional certifications
that proves people are experts in all aspects of designing and
installing residential electronic systems," says Rich Green,
certification council chairman for CEDIA University. "Access to the
solution is clearly one of the reasons our membership is growing."
Since implementing the SumTotal enterprise software platform --
which delivers education and measures workers' proficiencies -- CEDIA
says it has seen a 200 percent rise in the number of professionals
looking for certification as an electronic systems technician.
According to SumTotal, which is the largest provider of learning
and business performance technologies and services, CEDIA's integrated
solution will make it possible for electronics professionals to go
online and take charge of their careers in a way they never could
before.
CEDIA Senior Director of Professional Development Margaret Sheehan
says the learning management platform offers the technology that is
enabling members to tap into rigorous courses in design, project
management and customer service as well as electronic systems design
certification.
Rich Green adds that the home electronics industry is growing at a
phenomenal pace; homeowners are looking to put in place everything
from elaborate security systems to smart controls to distributed
networks. "When installed correctly, these systems can add tens of
thousands of dollars or more to the value of a home," comments Green.
"And CEDIA members are the only group uniquely qualified to do this
sort of work."
Notes Green, "Electronics design and installation is not the sort
of work a homeowner would want to trust to an IT value-added reseller
or cable technician; it's simply gotten too complex."
"Before installing the learning management platform, our members
found it difficult to know exactly what was available in the way of
education through CEDIA University," adds Ken Erdman, chairman of
CEDIA University's education council. "The solution is now in place
for our membership to map out the exact steps toward gaining
accreditation as a designer, project manager or any number of other
specialties."
"We believe the SumTotal LMS is the lever for lifting the level of
professionalism, competency and know-how of CEDIA's thousands of
members," says SumTotal CEO Don Fowler. "Numerous associations have
chosen our solution because its ease-of-use, certifications and
integrated products are an ideal choice for developing members'
performance and increasing participation."
About CEDIA
CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that
specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the
home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than
3,000 member companies worldwide. CEDIA members are established and
insured businesses with bonafide qualifications and experience in
this specialized field. CEDIA members include Residential Electronics
Systems Professionals who have emerged as the "fourth contractor" in
the building and remodeling industries alongside electrical, plumbing
and HVAC professionals. For more information on CEDIA, visit the
association's Web site at
http://www.cedia.com.
About SumTotal Systems, Inc.
SumTotal Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUMT) is the largest provider of
learning and business performance technologies and services. SumTotal
deploys mission-critical solutions that align learning with
organizational and business goals to generate significant bottom-line
results. With more than 17 million users worldwide, SumTotal has
helped accelerate performance and profits for more than 1,500 of the
world's best-known companies and government agencies including
Accenture, Aetna, Cendant, DaimlerChrysler, Delta Air Lines,
Harley-Davidson, Microsoft, Novartis, PNC Bank, U.S. Army, U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Bancorp, United Airlines,
Vodafone, Wachovia and Wyeth. SumTotal has offices throughout the
United States, in London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong
and Hyderabad, India. For more information about SumTotal's products
and services, visit www.sumtotalsystems.com.
Safe Harbor Statement/ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These
statements represent SumTotal Systems' expectations or beliefs
concerning future events. These statements are not historical facts or
guarantees of future performance or events and are based on current
expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, goals and objectives,
and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results to be materially different from the
results expressed or implied by these statements. Readers of this
press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual
results to differ include, but are not limited to (i) unknown errors
or bugs in Pathlore LMS 6.5; (ii) the inability to fix in a timely
fashion unanticipated bugs, errors or defects that materially impact
the functionality or usability of Pathlore LMS 6.5, (iii) the
acceptance of SumTotal Enterprise Suite 7.2 and future product
offerings; (iv) the ability to successfully implement SumTotal
Systems' solutions; (v) the ability to successfully address
technological developments and standards; (vi) the ability to
successfully manage growth, significant current and expected
additional competition, and the need to continue to expand product
distribution and services offerings; and (vii) other events and other
important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in
SumTotal Systems' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the annual report for fiscal year 2005 on Form 10-K filed
March 28, 2006, and Form 8-Ks.
CONTACT: SumTotal Systems
Bill Perry, 614-975-7538
bperry[at]sumtotalsystems.com