Custom Electronic Design And Installation Association Drives Up Membership With E-Learning, E-Commerce

April 3, 2006

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) has deployed a SumTotal(TM) Systems (Nasdaq:SUMT) enterprise learning management suite with an e-commerce application to give electronics professionals an online means to obtain their industry's gold standard: electronic systems design certification. "This solution gives our 3,000 member companies an online, easy-to-find path to professional certifications that proves people are experts in all aspects of designing and installing residential electronic systems," says Rich Green, certification council chairman for CEDIA University. "Access to the solution is clearly one of the reasons our membership is growing." Since implementing the SumTotal enterprise software platform -- which delivers education and measures workers' proficiencies -- CEDIA says it has seen a 200 percent rise in the number of professionals looking for certification as an electronic systems technician. According to SumTotal, which is the largest provider of learning and business performance technologies and services, CEDIA's integrated solution will make it possible for electronics professionals to go online and take charge of their careers in a way they never could before. CEDIA Senior Director of Professional Development Margaret Sheehan says the learning management platform offers the technology that is enabling members to tap into rigorous courses in design, project management and customer service as well as electronic systems design certification. Rich Green adds that the home electronics industry is growing at a phenomenal pace; homeowners are looking to put in place everything from elaborate security systems to smart controls to distributed networks. "When installed correctly, these systems can add tens of thousands of dollars or more to the value of a home," comments Green. "And CEDIA members are the only group uniquely qualified to do this sort of work." Notes Green, "Electronics design and installation is not the sort of work a homeowner would want to trust to an IT value-added reseller or cable technician; it's simply gotten too complex." "Before installing the learning management platform, our members found it difficult to know exactly what was available in the way of education through CEDIA University," adds Ken Erdman, chairman of CEDIA University's education council. "The solution is now in place for our membership to map out the exact steps toward gaining accreditation as a designer, project manager or any number of other specialties." "We believe the SumTotal LMS is the lever for lifting the level of professionalism, competency and know-how of CEDIA's thousands of members," says SumTotal CEO Don Fowler. "Numerous associations have chosen our solution because its ease-of-use, certifications and integrated products are an ideal choice for developing members' performance and increasing participation." About CEDIA CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,000 member companies worldwide. CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bonafide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. CEDIA members include Residential Electronics Systems Professionals who have emerged as the "fourth contractor" in the building and remodeling industries alongside electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association's Web site at http://www.cedia.com. About SumTotal Systems, Inc. SumTotal Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUMT) is the largest provider of learning and business performance technologies and services. SumTotal deploys mission-critical solutions that align learning with organizational and business goals to generate significant bottom-line results. With more than 17 million users worldwide, SumTotal has helped accelerate performance and profits for more than 1,500 of the world's best-known companies and government agencies including Accenture, Aetna, Cendant, DaimlerChrysler, Delta Air Lines, Harley-Davidson, Microsoft, Novartis, PNC Bank, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Bancorp, United Airlines, Vodafone, Wachovia and Wyeth. SumTotal has offices throughout the United States, in London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Hyderabad, India. For more information about SumTotal's products and services, visit www.sumtotalsystems.com.

Read More:
http://www.cedia.com
http://www.sumtotalsystems.com