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Desire2Learn Expands Offering to MiCTA/ATAlliance Members

SYNOPSIS: MiCTA/ATAlliance Members to benefit from contract amendment offering cost savings and new Desire2Learn Learning Object Repository product

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON and Mt. Pleasant, MI, March 9, 2005 – Desire2Learn Inc., a world-leading provider of mission-critical enterprise learning systems, and MiCTA Service Corporation, the exclusive program administrator for the national non-profit technology associations, MiCTA and the ATAlliance, today announced a revision to the current Desire2Learn and MiCTA/ATAlliance program.

In the agreement, Desire2Learn will create increased value for MiCTA/ATAlliance members by offering special license discounts through a flexible and clear pricing structure for the Desire2Learn Learning Platform, a complete suite of easy-to-use teaching and learning tools for course development, delivery, assessment, communication, learning management and much more.

In addition, the agreement has been expanded to include the introduction of a new product offering: the Desire2Learn Learning Object Repository (LOR), an easy-to-use fully integrated standards-based learning object repository enabling the storing, sharing and tracking of learning objects, which seamlessly integrates with the Desire2Learn Learning Platform.

In 2003, both MiCTA and the ATAlliance organizations unanimously endorsed Desire2Learn as their top choice for eLearning Management Solutions (eLMS).  After reviewing numerous responses to the comprehensive RFP, the eLearning Evaluation Committee of both associations found Desire2Learn to be the best value over all competitors for their members' traditional and non-traditional educational needs.  The endorsed vendor classification enables many MiCTA/ATAlliance member colleges, universities and other state entities to purchase products and services from resulting contracts at their own discretion and in accordance with state law and local policy without going to bid.

"Given MiCTA and the ATAlliance's tremendous and continuing support of our company and products, we are committed to providing substantial cost savings to MiCTA/ATAlliance members on the licensing of Desire2Learn products and services," said John Baker, Desire2Learn President and CEO.  "In our best estimate, we believe we have saved MiCTA/ATAlliance members, in 2004 alone, hundreds of thousands of dollars over competitive product offerings and have provided a higher quality product which translates to the best possible teaching and learning technology for faculty, staff and students.  We look forward to continuing to build a thriving relationship with MiCTA/ATAlliance and its members," added Baker.

"We are very pleased to have the 'endorsed' vendor of our eLMS Program pursuing the Program so vigorously and continuing to increase the benefits to our schools and colleges," said Mark Musick, President of ATAlliance and of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

"Desire2Learn has embraced our mission to help MiCTA and ATAlliance members reduce complexity and improve productivity," stated John M. Rathje, MiCTA Service Corporation President/CEO."  Their response to member needs is important and the improved agreement is yet another example of their objective to provide quality solutions and make our members' procurement process simple and efficient," added Rathje.

About Desire2Learn Inc.

Desire2Learn, Inc. is a world-leading provider of mission-critical enterprise learning systems that empower education organizations to build teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision and objectives.  Desire2Learn clients include colleges, universities, schools, as well as associations and other leading organizations.  There are more than 2 million users of the Desire2Learn enterprise eLearning technology worldwide.  Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is headquartered in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.  For more information, please visit: www.Desire2Learn.com.

About MiCTA, the ATAlliance and MiCTA Service Corporation

MiCTA is a non-profit association which provides valuable services in the way of product assessment, integration strategies, testing and cost avoidance for its membership.  MiCTA boasts a membership of over 19,000 organizations from Higher Education, Healthcare, Libraries, K-12, Governmental bodies and other non-profit groups.  MiCTA focuses on telecommunications and technology related products and services.

The American TelEdCommunications Alliance (ATAlliance) is an organization launched in 2001 by MiCTA; the Midwestern Higher Education Commission (MHEC); the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE); the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB); and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).  The four regional education compacts were established as instrumentalities of the state government in which they serve to provide educational opportunities and service for the collective good of the member states.  Each compacts' involvement allows states and institutions to take advantage of the volume generated by a larger group to make purchases, where appropriate, without undergoing the added cost and burden of individual, repetitive bids.

MiCTA Service Corporation (MSC) was founded in 1996 to serve as the exclusive agent for MiCTA.  In 2001, MSC also signed an agreement to serve as the exclusive program administrator for the ATAlliance.  MSC also provides related consulting and advisory services to businesses, industry and government.

For more information on MiCTA and the ATAlliance, please visit: www.mictatech.org and www.atalliance.org.

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