CTRA Centra Software (MM)

Centra Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRA), a leading provider of software and services for online learning and training, today announced that Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), one of Australia's largest integrated healthcare services companies, has been awarded a 2005 Paragon Award for their use of Centra's eLearning solution to deliver critical training across the enterprise. With Centra, API trained their employees on the rollout of a new ERP system, which unified the company and, in the process, led to cost savings and increased productivity. From its roots as a chemist co-operative, API has grown from a small pharmacy to become a national pharmacy distribution network, with chains of pharmacies, warehousing and distribution centers, hospitals and dental programs, and over 5,000 employees. As API grew, it needed to address infrastructure consistency issues, resulting in its decision to implement a new ERP system. Before deployment, training was required for all warehouse and customer service staff, sales representatives and finance teams, along with the procurement, merchandising, category management and credit management teams. When API learned about Centra, they were particularly excited about the flexibility and ease-of-use built in to the training solution, due to the relatively low level of computer skills in their workforce, as well as its ability to allow API employees access to comprehensive training with significantly less requirements for time and travel. "API maintains a very stable workforce, with the average age of employees over 45, and a huge percentage who will stay with API until retirement," explains Jenny O'Farrell, API's national learning and development manager. "These demographics made for a huge learning curve, but Centra's elearning solution allowed our employees to get past their fear of technology, and with the flexibility to train at their leisure, most have taken to it like ducks to water." API chose Centra based on these factors, along with a technical support system that went above and beyond that of similar vendors. When executing a rollout of this magnitude, API felt it was important to consider the impact on their employees, as much as their choice of technology. Centra's online solutions empower effective learning and change management with a single platform for training and just-in-time support. Encouraging success by providing a continuous learning environment, Centra facilitates ongoing hands-on training to both casual and power users. "We are pleased that API achieved such great success with this enormous project," said Marty Deise, Centra's senior vice president of professional services, "API's accomplishments are a testament to Centra's flexibility and ease-of-use, and the capability Centra solutions provide in delivering fewer obstacles, increased adoption rates and lower deployment costs." With the success and cost savings API realized through the use of Centra for their ERP rollout, they have begun to implement Centra's solution for other learning and training initiatives. Future uses of Centra include a leadership program for up-and-coming managers, a partnership program with a university in Melbourne, and compliance and legislation training for API's various franchises. Established in 1997, Centra's Paragon Awards were conceived to recognize the achievements of corporations, service organizations, and institutions of higher education who share Centra's vision for supporting more efficient and effective business processes through online business communication, collaboration and learning initiatives. Some of the criteria for Paragon Award selection includes a clearly defined program, specific and measurable outcomes, demonstrated innovation through a new approach, and enhancement of the morale, skills or capabilities of workers. Along with API, Raymond James Financial and Federated Department Stores were also recipients of Centra's 2005 Paragon Awards. About Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Australian Pharmaceutical Industries is a complex organization with many structures. Beginning as a chemist shop in Sydney, it now acts as a distributor and warehouser for pharmacies around Australia. It also has its own Banner Groups of pharmacies a chain of its own, employee- operated stores as well as franchise stores and 15 distribution centers around Australia. With over five thousand employees nationally, API is a major player in the Australian hospital, medical and pharmaceutical field. The core values of the business as articulated by its founder, DJ Willliams in 1911 are still relevant today and are built on a culture that recognizes the value people play in the organization and the importance of doing things properly. The company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1997. About Centra Online learning and training solutions from Centra create workforce efficiencies and enable organizations to share and exchange business-critical information with geographically distributed customers, partners, prospects and employees. Centra's solutions integrate real-time communication, collaboration and learning and departmental business processes with specialized applications that increase sales effectiveness, improve collaborative learning and accelerate enterprise application rollouts and customer acquisition initiatives. Currently available in 9 languages, Centra solutions can be deployed as on-site software or through its ASP service and are supported by an active ecosystem of value-added partners, including Siebel, PeopleSoft, SAP and Deloitte Consulting. Organizations across every major industry and market sector choose Centra, including Wyndham International, Weyerhaeuser, Underwriters Laboratories, BMW and Stanford University. Headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, Centra serves a worldwide customer base throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit www.centra.com. Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements about the beliefs and expectations of management regarding the Company's future performance, the Company's strategic initiatives, its ability to achieve and maintain a leadership position in real-time conferencing and collaboration, demand for the Company's software services and management's goals and objectives regarding future results of operations. These statements reflect management's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this statement, and involve risk and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the Company's ability to successfully execute its strategic plan, the effect of the Company's cost-cutting measures on its operations, acceptance by customers of the Company's Enterprise Advantage Subscription pricing model, significant changes in our senior management team, customer fulfillment of the entire term of multi-year subscription contracts, uncertainty of market reaction to the Company's sales and marketing efforts, product demand for and market acceptance of the Centra 7 collaboration platform, the Company's ability to sell and deliver its Enterprise Application Rollout and Sales Effectiveness solutions and other future products, the effect of economic conditions generally on the market for IT spending and for the Company's products, the results of future research and development activities, the impact of competitive products and pricing, technological difficulties and/or other factors outside the control of the Company. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to implement its growth and operating plans as anticipated, or achieve its revenue and earnings goals. For a description of additional risks, and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and its Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2005, which are available at http://www.centra.com/investorrelations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Centra is a registered trademark of Centra Software, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.