SmartForce Develops e-Learning Courseware, Environment for Cisco Career Certification.

Business Editors, Education Writers

Creation of Four Distinct Cisco Certification Tracks, Available in e-Learning Format Only Via SmartForce, is Latest Result of e-Learning

Leader's Long-Term Relationship with Internet Giant

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2000

SmartForce (NASDAQ: SMTF), the e-Learning company, announced today the availability of its e-Learning certification solutions for Cisco Systems. The Cisco certification e-Learning offerings include more than 100 SmartCourses from 10 different curricula. This will create four Cisco-defined certification tracks that map to programs taught by Cisco-authorized instructor-led training providers. The SmartForce Cisco e-Learning SmartCourses have been developed by SmartForce under a co-development relationship with Cisco that was originally established in 1996.

As the leading provider of infrastructure for the Internet and next-generation networks, Cisco has defined its Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) and Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) instructor-led training programs to develop qualified, certified networking experts to support the continued emergence of sophisticated networking technologies.

To further advance this objective, SmartForce and Cisco have co-developed - and SmartForce has released - a technology-based curriculum that has been designed and developed to map directly to the certification programs offered by Cisco-authorized, instructor-led training providers. These courses will represent the only authorized, Internet-enabled and available e-Learning solution for each of the four Cisco-defined tracks.

The availability of the SmartForce SmartCourses for the CCNA, CCNP, CCDA and CCDP certification tracks, together with SmartForce's fully-integrated, Internet-enabled e-Learning solution, provide individuals with a comprehensive and powerful Cisco career certification solution. SmartForce's e-Learning solution adds online hosting, online mentoring (also known as SmartMentoring), assessment tools, expert-led events, supplemental materials, and other learning events, to the individual's learning experience and creates a comprehensive learning environment for individuals who seek Cisco career certification.

"The availability of our four certification tracks via e-Learning will enable aspiring network engineers to learn about the Internet at the speed of the Internet. That's a powerful capability," said Greg Priest, President and CEO for SmartForce. "The explosive growth of the Internet and the excitement being generated around business-to-business market opportunities today continue to drive the need for highly skilled, certified networking professionals. SmartForce's comprehensive e-Learning solution for Cisco-defined certification career paths allow individuals to develop the skills necessary to meet the increased demand for networking professionals, or quickly supplement their existing expertise to address evolving networking technologies."

To date, SmartForce has released the following Cisco authorized SmartCourses:

--SmartForce CCNA SmartCourses

CCNA skills focus on installing, configuring and operating simple-routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN networks. There are 13 titles for ICND, Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices and six titles for ITM, Internetworking Technology Multimedia. These SmartCourses include all of the necessary content to align with the objectives for CCNA certification.

--SmartForce CCNP SmartCourses

CCNP skills focus on installing, configuring, operating and troubleshooting complex routed LAN, routed WAN, Switched LAN networks, and Dial Access Services. ACRC, Advanced Cisco Routing and Configuration SmartCourses are currently available. SmartForce is scheduled to replace the ACRC curricula with BSCN, Building Scalable Cisco Networks, in Q2 2000. BCRAN, Building Cisco Remote Access Networks, (10 titles) is currently available, with BCMSN, Building Cisco Multi-Layered Switched Networks, (nine titles) and CIT, Cisco Internetworking Troubleshooting, (eight titles) becoming available in Q2 2000.

--SmartForce CCDA SmartCourses

CCDA skills focus on designing simple routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN networks. The curriculum assumes the student has the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, and operate such networks. DCN, Designing Cisco Networks (6 titles), is currently available. Six CCDA ITM titles will be available in Q3 2000.

--SmartForce CCDP SmartCourses

CCDP skills focus on designing complex routed LAN, routed WAN, and switched LAN networks. The curriculum assumes the student has the knowledge and skills to necessary install, configure, and operate such networks. To obtain CCDP, the candidate must first pass CCDA. Required exams include (refer above): ACRC, BCMSN, BCRAN, CID-Cisco Internetwork Design (seven titles). CID is available now.

In addition, SmartForce currently plans to release nine new BCMSN, six new CIT, and 10 new BSCN titles over the next two quarters, and six new ITM titles in Q3 2000. These releases will complete the full curriculum of authorized Cisco Professional certification training.

Finally, in connection with Cisco's CCIE, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert, certification, SmartForce has developed and released ten SmartCourses for IMCR, Installation, Maintenance and Configuration of Cisco Routers.

About SmartForce, Inc.:

SmartForce, the e-Learning company, formally CBT Systems, provides integrated enterprise e-Learning solutions. SmartForce e-Learning is available as a fully hosted Internet environment through an Internet rental model. With more than 2,500 major corporate customers, SmartForce e-Learning solutions bring the power of the Internet to the critical training business process. The SmartForce e-Learning environment is also used by leading Internet, software and other companies to provide the infrastructure to support their e-Learning initiatives. SmartForce is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "SMTF." The company, which has more than 1,300 employees worldwide, has corporate headquarters at 900 Chesapeake Drive, Redwood City, Calif., 94063. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Web site: www.smartforce.com

SmartForce, SmartForce e-Learning and the SmartForce logo are trademarks of SmartForce. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.