Siemens Atea Learning Services Selects Horizon Live Distance Learning to Deliver Worldwide Live Internet Based Training

Business Wire, Feb 23, 1999

Over 1,500 Siemens Engineers to Exchange Mission Critical Data

in a Live Safe, Virtual Classroom

Engineers Can Assemble Presentations and Deliver Within Minutes

Horizon Live Distance Learning Inc., a leader in interactive group learning, today announced an agreement with Siemens Atea, a subsidiary of the Siemens Group, a leader in products, systems and services for public and private telecommunication networks, to use Horizon to collaborate on systems development issues and communicate with their engineers throughout Europe.

"After performing an in-depth analysis of key players in the Web-based training market, Siemens Atea has selected Horizon Live Distance Learning," said Rudy Claes, Training Manager, Siemens Atea. "Horizon has provided us with the most comprehensive, cost-effective solution to allow our technical teams to exchange information globally. The system is easy-to-use, burrows through our firewalls with ease, and allows our engineers to exchange information in a live, secure environment that they are familiar with - their own desktops. Horizon will help Siemens Atea maintain its leading position in a very competitive telecommunications market," Claes added.

Bob Clyatt, Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Live Distance Learning said, "We are pleased to announce an international partnership with Siemens. Siemens is using Horizon in a powerful way to help their technical teams increase coordination and information sharing among development teams without lost productivity and the expense of pulling people away from their projects to travel across Europe."

How Horizon Live Distance Learning Works

Horizon's intuitive design blends the best of classroom and computer-based training in an easy-to-use classroom atmosphere - live over the Internet. Running entirely within a standard Web browser over a standard Internet connection, the Horizon system allows organizations to train clients and staff, as well as to hold meetings on-demand around the globe in a cost effective and timely manner. An instructor or host leading a classroom discussion can speak naturally to participants by using live audio or video, while displaying content materials on each participant's computer screen.

Participants receive and review materials such as slides, which can be in any Web-ready format, and quiz material in real time. Users can talk to each other and to the instructor by simply typing in questions and responses. A specialized private message option allows for sidebar conversation among participants. Sessions can be recorded for later use by individuals who missed the live event, or who just want to review classroom notes. Horizon incorporates Real Network's streaming audio and video as well as a proprietary Firewall Friendly(TM) messaging system which enables organizations to deliver classes through most corporate firewalls using their existing Intranet.

Live class demonstrations are offered at the Horizon Web site at www.horizonlive.com every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or by request. To pilot Horizon products and services, interested organizations should call Horizon Live Distance Learning at 212-533-1775 or visit the company's Web site to learn more about the product.

About Horizon

Horizon Live Distance Learning, based in New York, NY, is a leader in providing interactive group learning and collaboration solutions on the Internet. Horizon connects geographically dispersed individuals via the Internet allowing real-time virtual group meetings in a classroom atmosphere. The system, which eliminates costly business expenses, allows organizations to feature live instructor-led training anytime worldwide. Horizon's design blends the best of classroom and computer-based training in an easy-to-use classroom atmosphere -- live over the Internet. Horizon Live Distance Learning Inc., previously a subsidiary of i/o 360 Digital Design, Inc., was spun off as a separate corporation in March 1998. Current clients and triallists include Catholic High School of Belgium, FAME (Energy Information Services), Physicians World, PIP Printing, Prentice-Hall, Lower Hudson River Information Center, NewsBank, Reuters, Siemens Atea, Smithsonian (National Zoo), Wright Line Office Furniture Manufacturing, among others.

About Siemens Atea

Siemens Atea (a 100% Siemens Company), located in the north part of Belgium and employing 1500 co-workers of which more then 800 are highly educated (university or baccaulaureet degree) produces, develops and sells complete solutions for public and private switching networks for the Siemens AG group which employs 416,000 employees.