Pivotal Implements Centra-powered Program, Extending the Reach and Convenience of Customer Training
LEXINGTON, Mass. (February 25, 2003) – Centra Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRA), a leading provider of application software and services for real-time enterprise collaboration (RTEC), today announced that Pivotal Corporation, the leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software for mid-sized enterprises, has successfully deployed a new customer training program based on live eLearning technology from Centra. By implementing this solution, Pivotal is able to deliver live, expert-led education and certification on products and services to external user communities – working across Internet firewalls and over low bandwidth connections – while tracking user participation in training events, recording and archiving live sessions and providing built in assessments.
Pivotal required a solution that would accelerate knowledge transfer and provide convenient access to customer training. The Pivotal eTrain program, powered by Centra, helps customers build and maintain the in-house system administration skills, customization expertise and user knowledge needed for continued performance. Participants can attend an eTrain event from any workstation with a connection to the Internet – either in the office, from home, or even on the road – anywhere in the world. The interface provides participants with full voice and application interactivity. Users connect to an online Pivotal eTrain lab environment to perform exercises, ask questions, collaborate, and enter rooms where smaller groups or individuals brainstorm and work together on a course exercise. Centra gives Pivotal instructors the capability to rapidly author courseware that can be delivered in a live session, and then record and post these sessions on the customer training site, giving customers 24 x 7 access to valuable information. Additionally, Centra technology allows subject matter experts to quickly create and publish editable, re-usable standards-compliant courses, surveys, FAQ’s, and other Web-based content. “We required a program that would fully demonstrate how effective, intuitive and engaging eLearning could be for our customers. We found that Centra was a great choice for our needs. Centra’s software and proven methodology gives us all the tools and training necessary to design, develop, and conduct a comprehensive online education program for all external audiences
– in an easy-to-use, cost-effective application,” said Joe Dworak, senior vice president, Professional Services and Support, Pivotal.
Scalable Software Solution for Enterprise Collaboration Centra’s secure and scalable enterprise application provides collaboration solutions for sales, marketing, human resources, information technology, and other departments across the enterprise that need to take advantage of more efficient and cost-effective business communication over the Web.
CentraOne(tm) brings together voice, video, data, and graphics in easy-to-use interfaces for Web conferencing, meetings, and virtual classrooms that can be deployed onsite or accessed through a secure ASP, leveraging Centra’s global network of servers. Centra integrates with existing infrastructure to help organizations align enterprise IT strategies with key business processes to enhance productivity, lower costs, and drive revenue. Centra’s solutions are available in 13 language editions and in 29 countries worldwide.
“Successful companies like Pivotal put a premium on the strategic value of individual and organizational knowledge,” said Leon Navickas, chairman and CEO of Centra. “An effective Web-based training program saves significant resources through better education of new and existing customers.”
About Pivotal Corporation
Pivotal Corporation is the only CRM company that is 100 percent purpose-built to serve the unique requirements of mid-sized enterprises. Pivotal delivers software and services that produce meaningful increases in revenues, margins and customer loyalty for companies and business units in the revenue range of $100 million to $3 billion. More than 1,500 companies around the world use Pivotal, including: CIBC, Centex Homes, HarperCollins Publishers, Hitachi Telecom Inc., Premera Blue Cross, Royal Bank of Canada, Southern Company, and Vivendi. Pivotal’s complete CRM software suite includes capabilities in marketing, sales, service, contact centers, partner management and interactive selling. For more information, visit www.pivotal.com.
About Centra
Leading with an undisputed track record of helping more than 3 million licensed users to increase revenue and improve overall business performance, Centra enables global corporations, government agencies, and universities to drive greater productivity and lower costs through the industry’s most extensible application software for real-time enterprise collaboration. Today more than 1,000 organizations across every industry and market sector choose Centra, including Cadbury Schweppes, Citigroup, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, McKesson, Nationwide Insurance, Sysco, and Stanford University. Centra’s products are bolstered by a vital ecosystem of strategic partners, including Deloitte Consulting, EDS, Microsoft, Siebel, Cisco, and Oracle. Headquartered in Boston, Centra services a worldwide customer base throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information visit ,
Sharon Dratch
Centra
Tel: 781-994-1151
sdratch@centra.com
Centra Software, Inc.
430 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
http://www.centra.com
phone 781-861-7000
fax 781-863-7288
