Ascolta Training Selects Centra for Internet-Delivery of Live, Instructor-Led IT Training Curriculum.

Business/Technology Editors

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2000

Centra (Nasdaq:CTRA), a provider of software infrastructure for live eBusiness collaboration, today announced that Ascolta Training Company, a provider of advanced technical education for internetworking professionals, is using the Centra 99(TM) Web-based collaboration and eLearning solution for its IT training curriculum. Ascolta will significantly augment its extensive catalog of classroom and computer-based training offerings with a live, Internet learning capability powered by Centra.

According to Kevin Marz, Vice President of Sales for Ascolta, &uot;Ascolta LIVE, our Internet-based learning initiative features Centra 99 as an integral component of our offering. Our unique approach to eLearning combines the best of an instructor- led classroom experience with the convenience of attending from any location. An Ascolta LIVE student acquires the knowledge needed to design and support internetworks while eliminating costly travel and lost opportunity costs. Our courses are divided into 2 hour scheduled on-line time periods where the students interact verbally and on whiteboards with the instructor and each other. We have taken what used to be &uot;self-paced&uot; learning and made it an effective and dynamic way to learn.&uot;

The Internet explosion has led to a dramatic rise in the number of business professionals looking to increase their knowledge of advanced technologies through distance learning and online education. In addition to providing traditional classroom and computer-based programs focused on internetworking-related topics, Ascolta is also already delivering several courses - Designing Cisco Networks, Internetworking Fundamentals, Windows 2000 Upgrade, and Networking Essentials - in virtual classrooms powered by Centra 99.

This partnership serves the fast-growing Web-based training market, as U.S. Internet- and intranet-based learning revenues are expected to soar from $1.1 billion in 1999 to $9.3 billion in 2003, according to report by International Data Corp. of Framingham, Mass (1999). &uot;Ascolta and Centra make a powerful team,&uot; said Leon Navickas, CEO of Centra. &uot;Centra's solutions offer proven performance and scalability to bring Ascolta's IT training content to individuals and organizations around the world, allowing them to take advantage of the effectiveness and affordability of Web-delivered live, educational experiences.&uot;

Already in use at over 175 organizations worldwide, Centra offers both software products and Web-based services for live eBusiness collaboration. Centra's integrated voice-over-IP capabilities, shared workspace environment, and user-friendly interface enable live conversation and human interaction over the Internet. Unlike text chat, instant messaging, and screen sharing, Centra offers significant advantages in highly structured, collaborative, and content-rich, real-time interaction with the functionality, performance, and universal connectivity required to support important business processes, in globally dispersed organizations.

Using Centra, businesses get closer to their customers, partners, and employees for customer interaction, collaborative commerce, virtual teamwork and online learning. Large groups of people can assemble, interact, discuss, share content, and work together in real-time over intranets, extranets, and the Internet. Instead of simply automating information flow, Centra augments human interaction and provides capabilities aimed at generating revenue and improving productivity, while dramatically reducing travel, facilities, and telecommunications costs.

About Ascolta Training Company, LLC 

Ascolta is a leading provider of technical education and services focused on delivering quality IT education when, where and how their customers want to learn. Ascolta is one of only a handful of companies that are designated as a Cisco Training Partner. Since Cisco outsources most of its training, the certified training partners must meet rigorous standards in order to hold the official designation. As a matter of fact, Ascolta holds the highest designation that Cisco bestows - Cisco Learning Solutions Provider. In addition to Cisco training, Ascolta educates technical networking professionals in Microsoft, Internet/Intranet, Security and Project Management. Ascolta also offers live e-learning classes and custom courses for companies who need specialized curriculums. For more information about Ascolta, call [phone] or visit their website at www.ascolta.com.

About Centra

Centra (Nasdaq:CTRA) is a provider of software infrastructure solutions for live eBusiness collaboration. Products include Centra 99, an enterprise-class, Internet application for sales, marketing, services and training, and the innovative CentraNow(TM) Web collaboration service - a Web destination for live, voice-enabled business meetings featuring the Centra Business Collaboration Network (CentraBCN(TM)), a marketplace for collaborative events and services. Centra's customers include Fortune 1000 companies such as Armstrong, Kraft, Nationwide, Compaq, and Viacom. Centra has established key business partnerships with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Microsoft, Ariba, Oracle, and Deloitte Consulting. Headquartered in Boston's technology corridor, Centra has sales offices in North America, Europe, and Japan. Visit Centra on the Web at www.centra.com.