De Beers Selects Click2learn’s Aspen & Learning Resources for E-learning Project
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 5, 2002–Click2learn
(Nasdaq:CLKS) has announced that leading diamond mining and marketing company, De Beers has selected Click2learn’s Aspen Enterprise e-Learning Suite in conjunction with its South African Aspen Partner, Learning Resources (Pty) Ltd, as part of a project to establish an infrastructure for online learning.
In line with the company’s new enterprise-wide e-business program, this project involves Click2learn working in partnership with learning integrator, Learning Resources, to deliver online learning to De Beers employees initially selected across its global offices
The project, which is scheduled to run for 12 to 18 months, will help De Beers suitably position e-learning within its longer term corporate learning strategy. During this pilot, Click2learn’s Aspen Suite will be used to deliver off-the-shelf e-learning content, including IT training content from Thomson NETg and management skills training from Skillsoft, as well as proprietary De Beers content developed using Aspen LXS Designer.
“E-learning was an obvious next step in our continuous drive to keep our employees’ skills up-to-date and fill any skills gaps quickly and effectively. We are hoping that e-learning can be delivered rapidly across multiple locations to massively increase workforce productivity,” said Willie Maritz, HR manager responsible for organizational development at De Beers. “The pilot program is about evaluating various e-learning possibilities. We selected Aspen from Click2learn because of the modular approach and strength of the technology, the company’s extensive experience in delivering enterprise-wide learning solutions and the ability to support the pilot in a pro-active manner at a local level.”
“Introducing the management of skills development and learning across a multinational organization requires a truly modular and scalable enterprise solution. Click2learn is a specialist in this area, with Aspen providing a robust platform for knowledge sharing and enhancing workforce productivity,” commented Stephen Bennett, VP EMEA at Click2learn.
Following a successful pilot, which will use many of the Aspen modules, De Beers plans to extend its use of e-learning across the group. De Beers also will work with Click2learn to adapt the company’s existing knowledge resources, including a wide range of learning materials such as Word and PowerPoint documents, as well as create new customized learning content. As part of its plan to capture, manage and disseminate knowledge throughout its extended enterprise, De Beers is keen to assign experts to specific learning content, who are on hand to help other employees with any queries. This entire process can be organized and managed using the Aspen Suite.
About Click2learn
Click2learn (Nasdaq:CLKS) is a provider of enterprise software for Global 2000 organizations seeking to capture, manage and disseminate knowledge throughout their extended enterprise. Using Click2learn’s Aspen Enterprise Learning Platform, organizations can deploy highly interactive, personalized learning initiatives to achieve strategic business objectives. Many of the world’s best-known corporations use Click2learn’s technology to improve workforce performance, educate customers, and publish large volumes of learning content. Click2learn’s clients include Accenture, Albertsons, American Airlines, AstraZeneca, Century 21, Fujitsu, Microsoft, Pfizer, Symantec, and Towers Perrin. Based in Bellevue, Wash., Click2learn (www.click2learn.com, 800/448-6543) operates offices in the United States, Europe, Australia and Japan.
About De Beers (www.debeersgroup.com)
The De Beers Group has been involved in all aspects of the diamond industry since its formation in 1888. In 1990 the Group was divided into two main companies, De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited and De Beers Centenary AG. De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited controls the De Beers Group’s South African based operations, activities and investments. De Beers Centenary AG administers those operations, activities and investments that fall outside of South Africa
Today, the De Beers Group is the largest diamond mining company in the world, producing over 40 per cent of the world’s gem diamonds by value from its own mines in South Africa and, in partnership with government, in Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania. De Beers’ gem mining operations span every category of diamond mining – open pit, underground, alluvial, coastal and under sea – while its exploration program extends across six continents. In 2000, De Beers acquired a 100% interest in the Snap Lake project in Canada’s Northwest Territories – the project will become the Group’s first Canadian diamond mine.
The De Beers Industrial Diamond (“Debid”) group of companies, some of which are wholly owned by De Beers and some of which are partially owned by De Beers, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of industrial diamonds. Industrial diamonds are used in various manufacturing processes and for various industrial purposes. The Debid companies are operated and managed independently. Information concerning Debid may be obtained from the Debid website (www.debid.co.uk).
About Learning Resources
Learning Resources is Africa’s leading company for the design and implementation of e-learning and performance management solutions. The company was formed in 1997 to focus on “Improving Performance of People in Business”. Today offices exist in all the main business regions and offer a unique service and specialist expertise that drives measurable business improvement, focusing on accelerating people’s development and performance. The company’s learning and performance improvement services span across strategy (Harvard Business School), middle management and supervisory, frontline and administration levels to ABET, technical and health & safety development. All products are aligned to the NQF and have learning outcomes.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including information contained in this document where statements are preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates” or similar expressions. For such statements, The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements include, market acceptance of Click2learn’s e-learning solutions and competing e-learning offerings, the ability to successfully implement Click2learn’s solutions and increase revenues, the ability to successfully address technological developments and standards and the risk factors set forth in filings the Company has made with the SEC.
Click2learn, Aspen and ToolBook are trademarks of Click2learn. All other company and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT:
Click2learn
Karen Peck
425/637-1643
karen.peck@click2learn.com
