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Click2learn and Docent Placed in Leader Quadrant in 2004 E-Learning Suites Magic Quadrant Report

Report Evaluates the Two Companies' Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision

Click2learn (Nasdaq:CLKS) and Docent (Nasdaq:DCNT), leaders in the business performance and learning technology industry, today announced that they have been placed in the Leader Quadrant of the 2004 e-Learning Suites Magic Quadrant report(*). This recognition is a clear reinforcement, both companies say, of the strength of their upcoming merger of equals. The report was published by Gartner, Inc (NYSE:ITB), a premier research and advisory firm.

To build the e-Learning Suites Quadrant, Gartner evaluated providers on ability to execute and completeness of vision, placing them in one of four quadrants, including Niche Players, Challengers, Visionaries and Leaders. Evaluation criteria for each vendor included viability, installed base, geographic distribution capabilities, customer support and satisfaction and management team as some of the major criteria. Based on this evaluation, both Docent and Click2learn were listed in the Leader quadrant.

The report characterizes companies in the Leader quadrant as having the highest combined measures of Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. "They're doing well and are prepared for the future. They have strong channel partners, a presence in multiple geographies, consistent financial performance, broad platform support, good customer support, the most-comprehensive and -scalable products, and the ability to deliver a comprehensive e-learning suite. Strong vision is a reflection of having a solid product strategy combined with the management vision to make e-learning a focused initiative," the report said.

"Since we announced our merger a number of months ago, we have received enthusiastic response to the news from customers, analysts and learning experts," said Kevin Oakes, Click2learn chairman and CEO. "TWe are delighted that Gartner has listed Docent and Click2learn in the leader quadrant in its report. We see this as yet another sign that merging the resources and technologies of two recognized industry leaders into an even stronger combined entity will yield significant benefits for our customers and for the marketplace as a whole."

In its overview of market demand, the report highlights the significant value to customers of a comprehensive suite of learning applications, something that Docent and Click2learn expect to place at the core of their combined product offering post-merger.

"Enterprises are recognizing the value of e-learning suites and starting to make suite functionality part of their evaluation criteria," the report said. "Although we still see significant client demands for learning management systems (LMSs), enterprises are realizing that simply having one won't meet all of their e-learning infrastructure needs. As a result, more and more enterprises are starting to make their requests for proposals for an e-learning suite instead of a stand-alone LMS."

"Both Docent and Click2learn have long believed in the power of a comprehensive suite of applications built on a single, integrated platform, "said R. Andrew Eckert, president and CEO of Docent, which also was listed in the Leader Quadrant in 2003. "As a combined company, we will be able to offer the industry's most complete learning and business performance technology suite, blending best in class capabilities from both companies' platforms, including learning management, learning content management, analytics, virtual classroom, information management, collaboration and performance management. Our customers will benefit from one, end-to-end solution, a seamless streamlined user experience, a lower total cost of ownership and the shortest route from implementation to bottom-line results."

The report also calls out the importance of professional services as an essential element for organizations to optimize the effectiveness of their e-learning technologies. "Professional services are becoming a selection criterion because clients want to deploy quickly and often need help with e-learning strategies, planning and implementation," the report stated.

"We were glad to see services included in the report, as both Click2learn and Docent have a dedicated focus on developing best-in-class implementation services, processes and support. We plan to renew that focus as we merge, to continue the strong track record of successful implementations, outstanding customer satisfaction and customer results both our companies have achieved," said Eckert.

About Click2learn

Click2learn (Nasdaq:CLKS) is the recognized leader in enterprise productivity solutions for Global 2000 organizations and government agencies seeking to improve business performance and workforce productivity. Using Click2learn's Aspen Enterprise Productivity Suite(TM) and ToolBook authoring solution, many of the world's best-known corporations improve sales force readiness, achieve and demonstrate regulatory compliance, improve speed and quality of customer service, and educate customers and partners, while at the same time realizing significant cost savings. Click2learn's clients include such industry leaders as Accenture, American Airlines, AstraZeneca, Century 21, Fujitsu, Microsoft, Pfizer and Symantec. Based in Bellevue, Wash., with offices throughout the U.S., Click2learn (800.448.6543) also is represented in Europe, Australia, Japan and India.

About Docent, Inc.

Docent, Inc. (Nasdaq:DCNT) is a leading provider of integrated software solutions proven to directly drive business performance through learning. Docent solutions for sales performance, product launch, channel effectiveness, customer education, compliance, ERP/CRM implementations, and other business priorities are enabled by the industry's most comprehensive suite of business performance management applications, industry-specific content, and world-class services. Solutions are tailored to address the unique requirements of vertical markets, including government, life sciences, energy, high tech, telecommunications, financial services, retail and manufacturing.

Docent outperforms the industry in customer satisfaction benchmarks, delivering compelling and measurable ROI to blue chip customers such as Cingular Wireless, Harley-Davidson, Wachovia Corporation, Lucent Technologies, Kelly Services, Eaton Corporation, D&B, Halliburton, Rockwell Collins, and Bechtel Group, Inc. Docent partners with the world's most prominent systems integrators and business process outsourcing providers, including Accenture, Exult, IBM Human Capital Solutions, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Deloitte Consulting. Docent is distinguished as a leader by Gartner in the 2003 e-Learning Suites and LMS Magic Quadrants, and by the META Group in the 2003 METAspectrum report on learning management system vendors. Docent is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with other offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

* Magic Quadrant for E-Learning Suites, 2004, J. Lundy, W. Arevolo, March 15, 2004, Gartner, Inc.

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