CBT Systems Delivers Interactive Training Courseware for Microsoft Windows 98; Two New Courses Feature In-Depth Training Content to Facilitate Upgrading to Windows 98

Business Wire, June 25, 1998

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1998--CBT Systems, a leading provider of interactive education software for information technology (IT) training, today announced that it has begun shipping two new interactive training courses for individual and corporate users of the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98 operating system. The two new courses, Microsoft Windows 98: Getting Started and Microsoft Windows 98: Up and Running, consist of four hours of high-quality, in-depth training and are designed for personal and business users who are already using Windows 95 and need to familiarize themselves quickly and efficiently with the salient features of this much-awaited operating system upgrade.

"We expect the Windows 98 performance, Internet integration and hardware enhancements to be a significant benefit to end users," said Nancy Lewis, general manager of worldwide training and certification at Microsoft. "CBT Systems' courseware enables users to quickly take advantage of the many benefits that this new operating system offers by providing Microsoft users with an excellent understanding of the key enhancements that Windows 98 offers."

"Here at UCLA we have an extremely distributed computing environment with a wide range of proficiency in technical skills," said Chris Patterson, a trainer and developer in the Office of Academic Computing at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a member of the team that defines and implements training for more than 50,000 faculty, students and staff. The UCLA campus has already deployed more than 300 of CBT Systems' courses, and is preparing both training and support for users who plan to migrate to Windows 98.

Patterson says that the new courseware will benefit both first-time users and those already familiar with Windows 95. "The new web integration and networking features in Windows 98 will be challenging for beginners," she said. "These new courses will certainly help novices better understand these features, and will enable our IT staff to assess any potential Windows 98 migration plans for their departments. It's also convenient that users can take the Windows 98 courses prior to installing the new OS."

In-Depth, Flexible Desktop Training

The new courses supplement the extensive library of existing CBT Systems end-user courseware that covers Microsoft's operating systems, including Windows 95 and Windows NT, much of which maps to Microsoft's certification programs. Since the courseware precisely simulates the Windows 98 environment, students can gain a thorough understanding of the operating system prior to installing Windows 98 itself. As with all CBT Systems' courses, the new Windows 98 courses can be deployed via the Internet or intranets using CBTCampus(tm), CBTWeb(tm), or CBTWeb Plus(tm), or via LAN or CD-ROM.

Microsoft Windows 98: Getting Started courseware is designed for Windows 95 users planning to migrate to Windows 98 as well as users new to the operating system. The courseware covers navigation of the Windows environment using the Windows Explorer; the uses of the Active Desktop; basic file and folder management skills; how applications are installed and launched, and how applets are used.

Microsoft Windows 98: Up and Running courseware is designed for users familiar with the basic operation of Windows 95 who need to understand some of the more advanced functionality that the new operating system offers. The courseware covers customization of the Windows 98 desktop and how to create and use shortcuts; how to add a plug-and-play device to the user's system and use multiple monitors; and how to use the advanced networking features. The course also teaches the principles of Mobile Windows 98, including Dial-Up Networking, My Briefcase and Microsoft Fax; and demonstrates how to browse the Internet using Internet Explorer 4.0.

"Windows 98 is an innovative upgrade to today's pre-eminent desktop operating system, and will figure in the near-term deployment strategies of many IS managers," said Lisa Jones, CBT Systems' director of Product Marketing. "What sets CBT Systems' Windows 98 courseware apart from other technology-based training approaches is that it is visually engaging and extremely interactive, resulting in increased understanding and improved retention of the key aspects of the new operating system."

Availability and Pricing

CBT Systems' Microsoft Windows 98: Getting Started and Microsoft Windows 98: Up and Running interactive training courses are available immediately. The company offers personal-use licenses for one to five users, and enterprise licenses for larger organizations. For information on CBT Systems products, call (800) 387-0932, fax (650) 614-5901, or send an email to salesinfo@cbtsys.com.

About CBT Systems

CBT Systems, a subsidiary of CBT Group PLC (NASDAQ: CBTSY), is a leading provider of interactive education software for information technology professionals in business, education and government markets worldwide. The company's comprehensive library, which covers a range of client/server, mainframe, and Internet and intranet technologies, are used by the world's leading corporations to train employees to develop and apply mission-critical technologies in the workplace. CBT Systems is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.cbtsys.com.