WebCT Solidifies Its Position As The World's Dominant Provider Of Course Management Systems.

Business Editors, Hi-Tech Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2001

Significant Increase In New Customers And

Successful New Product Rollout Drive Growth

Driven by a significant increase in new customers and a successful new product rollout, WebCT continues to aggressively solidify its position as the world's dominant provider of course management systems. The company made the announcement at The Digital Education Marketplace 2001, hosted by Eduventures.com and Converge magazine, which opened here this morning.

Since the end of last year, WebCT has added 594 new customers, increasing WebCT's installed base to 2,172 institutions worldwide. This gives WebCT over 55% more institutional customers than the company's closest competitor.

WebCT's new institutional customers include Auburn University, National University of Singapore, Technion Institute of Israel, Tennessee Board of Regents (a consortium of 19 colleges and universities), University of Geneva, University of Miami, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and University of Rochester. A complete list of the 2,172 institutions in 75 countries that have licensed WebCT's course management system can be found at http://www.webct.com/customers.

The company's dramatic growth has been fueled by the successful rollout of WebCT 3.5, the best of breed course management system available today. The Campus Edition of WebCT 3.5 offers advanced scaling capabilities and enables seamless, real-time integration with student information systems and campus portals.

"WebCT has been very active in working with administrative system vendors to form alliances to implement tight integration between the campus administrative support system and the distance learning management system," said Alan Swarts, Director Academic Computing Services of Johnson County Community College, a recognized leader in the application of technology to education. "The release of the SCT Connection for WebCT is the first of these products. Not only does it integrate SCT Banner with WebCT 3.5 Campus Edition but also integrates with our portal, Campus Pipeline."

Since its release on March 19, 2001, 47 institutions have committed to purchase the Campus Edition of WebCT 3.5. This includes Alamo Community College District, Belmont University, Blackhawk Technical College, California State University - Chico, Concordia University System (a consortium of 12 institutions), Georgia State University, Pepperdine University, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Northland College, Purdue University, Sheridan College, University of British Columbia, University of Minnesota, University of Notre Dame, and University of Texas at Dallas.

"Campus Edition contract values have ranged from $15,000 to over $700,000," said Peter Segall, WebCT Executive Vice President of Sales and Strategic Partnerships. "We are gratified that our customers recognize the value of the expanded capability of our new Campus Edition. The rapid uptake of Campus Edition also demonstrates that WebCT has become a mission-critical application on an increasing number of campuses."

In addition to advanced scaling capabilities and seamless, real-time integration, WebCT 3.5 continues to be more flexible than any other course management system available today.

"Both students and faculty have found WebCT to be a very valuable tool in the teaching and learning process," said Nancy Bowers, Instructional Support Specialist at Portland State University. "The faculty particularly appreciate their ability to pick and choose the tools that best mesh with their own personal teaching styles. They are not constrained by an inflexible infrastructure; rather they are able to customize almost all aspects of their course."

Carol Vallone, the President and CEO of WebCT, said, "We are delighted that a growing number of campuses and consortia have made WebCT a de facto standard in higher education. Having successfully raised $70 million last fall, WebCT also has the strongest balance sheet in the e-learning industry. Our Q1 revenues have almost tripled on a year over year basis. This means WebCT has the financial resources as well as the loyal customer base to continue providing best-of-breed solutions and helping educators transform education."

WebCT has the largest, most advanced, most diverse base of course management system users in the world. The company is the preferred partner of educators at 2,172 institutions in 75 countries who are transforming the educational experience of their students. More information about WebCT can be found at www.webct.com/company.