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	<title>Meridian - Latest News</title>
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	<description>Latest news and press releases from Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC.</description>
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	<item id="278">
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Employers Mold New Meridian LMS to Fit Their Business Needs]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=278]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC released a new version of its flagship learning management system, Meridian Global LMS 2011.2.2, with features that let employers mold the product to the way their training department and employees conduct business. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=278]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - December 22, 2011</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC released a new version of its flagship learning management system, Meridian Global LMS 2011.2.2, with features that let employers mold the product to the way their training department and employees conduct business. The new features include a mobile capability that tailors the pages of the <a  href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/learning_management_system/">LMS</a> for a user's smartphone browser as well as on-the-fly reporting that taps into and delivers whatever data an employer needs for analyzing learning.<br><br>"Employers who buy enterprise learning management systems very often have to reengineer their business processes to match LMS functionality," said Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research for Meridian. "Our philosophy at Meridian has always been to support the integrity of an organization's processes through our product suite."<br><br><b>New Content Access Capabilities</b><br>Meridian's new platform-agnostic mobile profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for a smartphone. The new mobile features allow an LMS administrator to choose when to deliver content in the Meridian LMS, its mobile profile or both. The new Meridian LMS also offers an enhanced function for predicting what terms a user might want when searching for training records, courses, or transcripts.<br><br><b>Reporting Functions Map to a Customer's Processes</b><br>Meridian's new Ad Hoc Report Builder changes the way the training industry has had to handle reporting. Through this interface, says Nilakantan, LMS administrators no longer have to depend on the vendor to develop custom reports for their specific needs; Meridian has put that power into the hands of the administrators. For example, if an organization has matched almost all its reporting needs with existing reports but still requires some additional ones not found in the LMS, then Meridian opens up that capability through the Ad Hoc Report Builder interface. <br><br>"We tested the new reporting features, and they did let us shape the Meridian LMS to our business requirements," said Scott Keit, training systems manager for Motorola Solutions. "We were able to collect training data that we wanted to report on and generate those reports in a format of our choosing."<br><br><b>Title 21 CFR Part 11</b> <br>Along with new mobile and reporting features, Meridian is also offering versioning of content, digital signatures, audit trails, and password configurability that comply with <a  href="http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=11">Title 21 CFR Part 11</a> . This now makes the Meridian LMS an option for medical device manufacturers, drug makers, and biotech companies, among others, that require an LMS to put in place controls for the delivery, audit and verification of training.<br><br>"Meridian tends to attract educated LMS buyers who've been frustrated by having to structure their operations to conform to the workflow of a standard LMS," said Bryan Chapman, chief learning strategist for the Chapman Alliance. "Meridian is well positioned and often appears on the short list when organizations have sophisticated needs that go beyond a basic set of learning requirements."<br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately eight million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals. <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="277">
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Money Management International Clients Tap Meridian LMS for Online Financial Education ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=277]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[After implementing the Meridian Global learning management system last spring, <a  href="http://www.moneymanagement.org/">Money Management International</a> (MMI), America's largest nonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency, has added an array of online education courses to its line-up of instructor-led classes for managing personal finance.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=277]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - December 7, 2011 </b>-  After implementing the Meridian Global learning management system last spring, <a  href="http://www.moneymanagement.org/">Money Management International</a> (MMI), America's largest nonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency, has added an array of online education courses to its line-up of instructor-led classes for managing personal finance.<br><br>Since April, the Meridian <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/learning_management_system/">LMS</a>, which distributes and tracks education via the internet, has delivered MMI clients a list of online courses covering topics such as budgeting, financial goal-setting and managing credit. <br><br>"The Meridian LMS extends the reach of our traditional classes by giving our clients access to financial education that they can take on their time," said Amy Lins, director of instructional design for Money Management International. "We also created a family interaction guide via the Meridian LMS to teach sound financial skills. Within the budgeting module of the family interaction guide, parents - who are clients of MMI - can work with their children to build a family budget. Young children can learn about counting money, and high-schoolers can learn about banking basics and credit reports."  <br><br>Through its network of offices around the country, MMI has long offered community-based workshops in which its educators serve clients via classroom instruction. But putting Meridian's LMS in place has given MMI a way to not only deliver education to clients online but also measure how effectively people are grasping the concepts that underpin the organization's debt-counseling programs.   <br><br>"Every one of our clients who are on a debt-management plan can take our online financial education, and the LMS offers us a way to track their progress," added Lins. "We follow up with them after these classes to make sure they continue getting support to change their lifestyle." <br><br>According to Lins, a lot of organizations offer financial literacy education in an online format, but MMI has put a great deal of effort into making its online courses interactive and interesting. "Our online courses aren't just bullet points on a page, far from it," said Lins. "One of the first clients to take our new online education said she was 'motivated to make changes and learned a lot of tips on how to reduce expenses and change habits.'"<br><br>"The Meridian LMS is particularly suited for educating an external audience of learners," said John Leh, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Meridian. "Meridian's learning portal mirrors the unique processes and interface considerations of nonprofits. For example, our LMS easily supports external learners by tracking continuing education, managing competencies and delivering personal development courses."  <br><br>MMI's clients access the Meridian portal via a password-protected web site, which delivers courses and tracks the number and kinds of online financial courses clients are taking.<br><br>In addition to the education MMI is delivering its customers, the Texas-based nonprofit is also beginning a project to integrate its online employee education with a human resources information system. MMI hopes to transfer its current stock of computer-based training modules for employee education (held in Sharepoint) to the Meridian LMS by year's end. Once transferred, MMI will be able to integrate employee education via the LMS with each worker's employee record.<br><br><b>About Money Management International</b><br>Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit full-service credit-counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958. MMI's counselors are both HUD certified to deliver housing counseling services, including delinquency mortgage counseling, and approved by the EOUST to deliver bankruptcy counseling and education. Counseling is available by appointment in branch offices and 24/7 by telephone and Internet. Services are available in English or Spanish. To learn more, call 800-762-2271 or visit <a  href="http://www.moneymanagement.org/">www.MoneyManagement.org</a> .<br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately eight million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals. ]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="276">
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Sunrise Senior Living Chooses Meridian LMS for Delivering, Tracking Education]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=276]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian is implementing its learning management system (LMS) for McLean, Va.-based Sunrise Senior Living to simplify the way the senior living services provider distributes and reports on regulatory and workplace learning. Meridian's LMS is software for delivering and tracking education via the internet.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=276]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - October 11, 2011</b> - Meridian is implementing its learning management system (LMS) for McLean, Va.-based Sunrise Senior Living to simplify the way the senior living services provider distributes and reports on regulatory and workplace learning. Meridian's LMS is software for delivering and tracking education via the internet.<br><br>Sunrise Senior Living offers a full range of elder care services including assisted living, specialized memory care, independent living and skilled nursing to residents of communities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The McLean, Va.-based company's newly acquired LMS, which offers training in French and English, will be a global portal for all employee education including classroom courses, on-the-job training and e-learning.<br><br>The Meridian Global LMS, the software maker's flagship product, will deliver training to Sunrise Senior Living's 35,000 employees according to each team member's job, location and skill level. The system will also analyze the effectiveness of each training session, creating an electronic record for employees.<br> <br>"We've been working for some time on transforming our learning process. We have worked hard to streamline and simplify our learner's experience, including the creation of a central portal for all training including regulatory and continuing education," said Beth Radio, vice president of Organizational Development at Sunrise Senior Living. "We want to make it easy for our team members to access and take the courses they need, and the Meridian LMS seemed to best fit our needs."<br><br>For example, when Meridian's LMS is in place later this fall, any new Sunrise Senior Living employee will be able to access the LMS to see a dashboard of classroom and online orientation courses. The LMS will chart a "learning path" for workers and help managers stay involved with each employee's progress. The employee's manager can also use the LMS to assign a mentor for on-the-job coaching. Managers can access the learning management system to view easy-to-read reports and dashboards detailing, for instance, the progress of required regulatory training and when it is complete.<br><br>"The Meridian LMS is extremely easy to use," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of Meridian Operations. "Meridian's learning portal can track continuing education, manage competencies and deliver personal development courses for employees and customers alike."<br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately 8 million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals. ]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="275">
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's Learning Management System Wins 2011 Best of Elearning! Award]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=275]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The third time's the charm for Meridian. After two years as a runner-up in Elearning! magazine's "Best Enterprise-based LMS" category, this year the Meridian Global LMS has won.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=275]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Herndon, Va. - The third time's the charm for Meridian. After two years as a runner-up in Elearning! magazine's "Best Enterprise-based LMS" category, this year the Meridian Global LMS has won.<br><br>The staff of Elearning! magazine received more than 1,750 nominations for this year's readers' choice awards. Readers selected 55 products to receive Awards of Excellence ranging from Best Learning Management System to Best Virtual Classroom. From among the companies earning Awards of Excellence, readers then named 20 firms as category winners including Meridian. <br><br>"To be named a category winner is a true testament to the vendor's product and service excellence," said Catherine Upton, Elearning! Media Group's publisher.<br><br>Readers who cast a ballot for Meridian said the company offers "best-in-class support with up-to-date features and functionality."<br><br>The 2011 edition of Meridian Global LMS delivers, analyzes and manages training via the internet for learners who are customers, employees or business partners. Among the ways employers use the Meridian Global LMS is:  teaching management strategies to franchisees, instructing customers how to use products and delivering certification training to members of trade associations. <br><br>Meridian has also developed a <a  href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/mobile_lms/">mobile profile for its LMS</a>, so businesspeople can launch and track training courses from smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and BlackBerry. Meridian's profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for an array of smartphones and tablet computers. <br><br>"Watching us compete for this award for three years reminds me that our team won't quit. Whether we're developing our product or helping a customer, we keep going until we cross the goal line," said <a  href="http://www.meridianksi.com/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, executive vice president of Meridian Operations. "I thank our customers and the readers of Elearning! magazine for naming Meridian Best Enterprise LMS." <br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately 8 million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals<br><br><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="274">
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Nominated for Best Enterprise LMS ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=274]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[For the third consecutive year, readers of Elearning! Magazine nominated the Meridian Global LMS (Learning Management System) for a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award in the category "Best Enterprise-based LMS." Meridian was one of only three companies worldwide to receive a nomination in this year's Enterprise LMS group.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=274]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[For the third consecutive year, readers of Elearning! Magazine nominated the Meridian Global LMS (Learning Management System) for a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award in the category "Best Enterprise-based LMS." Meridian was one of only three companies worldwide to receive a nomination in this year's Enterprise LMS group.<br><br>In a news release recently distributed by Elearning! Magazine, Editorial Director Jerry Roche noted, "These awards are committed to recognizing innovation and user satisfaction across a diverse group of solution providers."<br><br>The staff of Elearning! Magazine received more than 1,750 nominations for this year's readers' choice awards. Readers selected 55 products to receive Awards of Excellence. From Best Learning Management System to Best Virtual Classroom, these products rank as "Best in Class" according to executives and e-learning users.<br><br>The 2011 edition of Meridian Global LMS delivers, analyzes and manages training via the internet for learners who are customers, employees or business partners. Meridian has also developed a <a  href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/mobile_lms/">mobile profile for its LMS</a>, so businesspeople can launch and track training courses from smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and BlackBerry. Meridian's platform-agnostic profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for a smartphone. <br><br>"The versatility of Meridian's software always earns high marks from our customers," said <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, executive vice president of Meridian Operations. "Our product's adaptability is what really gets customers excited. Employers use our LMS to teach management strategies to franchisees, instruct customers how to use products, and deliver certification training to members of trade associations.  <br><br>"The satisfaction people express for our LMS and customer support team inspires them to nominate Meridian year after year for Best Enterprise LMS," remarked Haythorn. <br><br>About Meridian<br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately 8 million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="273">
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Integrating an LMS with other data systems at TeleTech]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=273]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[To successfully integrate talent management and data systems, companies should first define what attributes they will maintain in a given system.
<a href="http://talentmgt.com/articles/view/integrating-data-and-systems/" target="_blank">Read the full article here.</a>
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=273]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[To successfully integrate talent management and data systems, companies should first define what attributes they will maintain in a given system.<br><br><a href="http://talentmgt.com/articles/view/integrating-data-and-systems/" target="_blank">Read the full article here.</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="272">
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[New York-Based Union Creates Training Lottery with Help from LMS]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=272]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) uses a learning management system (LMS) to run a lottery. Winning the lottery won't land you a $1 million. But if you're a member of the union, the lottery will help you get a seat in one of the more than 1,000 course sections the union's Local 32BJ Thomas Shortman Training, Scholarship and Safety Fund runs each year for 85,000 eligible members. <a href="http://www.astd.org/LC/0811_perry">Read the full article here</a>.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=272]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) uses a learning management system (LMS) to run a lottery. Winning the lottery won't land you a $1 million. But if you're a member of the union, the lottery will help you get a seat in one of the more than 1,000 course sections the union's Local 32BJ Thomas Shortman Training, Scholarship and Safety Fund runs each year for 85,000 eligible members. <a href="http://www.astd.org/LC/0811_perry">Read the full article here</a>.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="271">
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Launches Advisory Council for Learning Management System ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=271]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian has launched a customer advisory council to help the LMS software maker stay ahead of the specific training and development challenges facing a wide array of industries.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=271]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Herndon, Va. - July 26, 2011 - Meridian has launched a customer advisory council to help the LMS software maker stay ahead of the specific training and development challenges facing a wide array of industries. Meridian is already soliciting feedback from its newly created council to develop products and round out its existing lineup of technologies. Meridian's flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, delivers, manages and reports on training via the internet. <br><br>Members of the inaugural advisory council include executives from The Auto Club Group, AutoZone, CSX Corporation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Land O'Lakes, Motorola Solutions, PMI, Sodexo, the State of Oregon, and VCA Antech.<br><br>"The overarching goal in creating our advisory council is to stay ahead of the curve in terms of research and development and, ultimately, build a greater product experience for all of our customers," said Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research for Meridian. "For years, we've relied on an ad hoc list of customers for feedback and advice. But our advisory council formalizes our process and will ensure we collect viewpoints from diverse industries."<br><br>Meridian selected its advisory council members because of their experience with training and learning management systems as well as business.<br><br>Council members will serve a one- or two-year term and meet regularly throughout the year to advise Meridian on trends, research and product development. <br><br>More information is at <a href="http://bit.ly/nEXLR1"> http://bit.ly/nEXLR1</a>. <br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately 8 million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals. <br><br># # #<br>Media contact:<br>Bill Perry<br>bperry[at]meridianksi[dot]com <br>Mobile: 614 975 7538<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="270">
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[TEC Researchers Find Meridian LMS 'Dominant in E-Learning, E-Commerce' ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=270]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Researchers at Montreal-based Technology Evaluation Centers have analyzed <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/learning_management_system/">Meridian Global LMS 2011</a> - a software platform for reporting on, analyzing and delivering training via the internet - and found the software "dominant" in eight of thirteen categories including e-learning, e-commerce and reporting. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=270]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>TEC Researchers Find Meridian LMS 'Dominant in E-Learning, E-Commerce' </b><br>Meridian Learning Management System Now a TEC Certified Product<br><br>Herndon, Va. - July 25, 2011 - Researchers at Montreal-based Technology Evaluation Centers have analyzed <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/learning_management_system/">Meridian<br>Global LMS 2011</a> - a software platform for reporting on, analyzing and delivering training via the internet - and found the software "dominant" in eight of thirteen categories including e-learning, e-commerce and reporting.<br><br>Among the tools TEC uses to show how Meridian compares to other learning management system (LMS) on the market is The TEC Focus Indicator™, which ranks <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_Knowledge_Solutions">LMS</a> features against an industry average and positions the results in one of three zones: Dominant, Competitive and Minimal Support. TEC says products with features falling within the dominant zone "are likely to be competitive<br>differentiators."<br><br>TEC's research team wrote that "Meridian Global LMS 2011 has eight modules located in the Dominant Zone: Classroom Training Management, E-learning Management, Course Content/Learning Object Management, Performance Support, Blended Learning, Competency and Performance Management, E-commerce Support, and Reporting."<br><br>For the five remaining criteria - which are Custom Content Authoring/Publishing Tools, Virtual Classrooms, Communication and Collaboration, Assessment and Evaluation, and Analytics - Meridian's LMS fell within the Competitive Zone. Any functionality placed within TEC's Competitive Zone indicates those product criteria are on par with other LMS on the market.<br><br>Along with the technical review of Meridian Global LMS 2011, TEC's research team also gave kudos in its report to the company's approach to customer service. <br><br>"When it comes to customer service, Meridian's got it covered. Each client project is assigned both a project manager and a customer care representative, who remain with the client throughout the life of the implementation--and beyond," says TEC Research Analyst Sherry Fox.  "Unlike many other companies, Meridian has a very low turnover rate, which allows for a much more intimate vendor-client relationship. I'm certain this is one of the reasons for its many customer service-related awards."<br><br>"Of course we're pleased to see how well our product compares to what's available in the market," adds Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian, "but getting praise for how we work with our customers from the point of implementation and beyond means we're really doing something right. That's a tribute to the work done every day by our project managers and customer care center." <br><br>After its review, TEC gave Meridian's LMS a TEC Certified Product seal. The certification shows that TEC's analysts reviewed the features and functions of the Meridian LMS and compared these against known benchmarks for LMS worldwide. <br><br>A free copy of the TEC report on Meridian is available for download at <a href="http://bit.ly/ps9RzH">http://bit.ly/ps9RzH</a>.<br><br><b>About Technology Evaluation Centers</b><br>Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) is the leading advocate for the enterprise software purchaser. By providing objective technology research, detailed information about vendors and solutions, web-based software evaluation and selection services, and expert advice, TEC helps private- and public-sector organizations choose the best enterprise software solutions for their unique business needs-quickly, impartially, and cost-effectively. <a href="http://www.technologyevaluation.com">www.technologyevaluation.com</a><br><br><b>About Meridian</b><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS). In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development and hosting services. We serve approximately 8 million users at more than 300 public- and private-sector employers. Our software is used by companies that range in size from 1,000,000 employees to less than 100 workers. Our clients include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty. Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry. Our Herndon, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/">http://www.meridianksi.com</a>, or follow Meridian on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/meridianks">http://twitter.com/meridianks</a>.<br><br># # #<br><br>Media contact:<br>Bill Perry<br>bperry[at]meridianksi[dot]com<br>Mobile: 614 975 7538]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="267">
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Managing Learning in More Than One Way ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=267]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Oregon State government flies with its own wings, instituting a streamlined and adaptable learning management system from Meridian. <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/content/case_studies/TDJune_2011_Oregon_Case_Study.pdf" target="_blank">Read the full article here.</a>]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=267]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Oregon State government flies with its own wings, instituting a streamlined and adaptable learning management system from Meridian. <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/content/case_studies/TDJune_2011_Oregon_Case_Study.pdf">Read the full article here.</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="266">
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[At DigitalNow, Meridian Offers Trade Groups On-the-run Learning ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=266]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Learning just became a lot handier for America's nearly 100,000 professional, trade and non-profit groups. With a new learning management system (LMS) mobile profile made by Meridian Knowledge Solutions, trade groups can now help their members sign up for, launch and track training courses with smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and BlackBerry. Meridian's mobile profile links learners to Meridian's LMS software, which delivers and tracks education via the Internet.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=266]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - April 4, 2011</b> - Learning just became a lot handier for America's nearly 100,000 professional, trade and non-profit groups. With a new learning management system (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) mobile profile made by Meridian Knowledge Solutions, trade groups can now help their members sign up for, launch and track training courses with smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and BlackBerry. Meridian's mobile profile links learners to Meridian's LMS software, which delivers and tracks education via the Internet.<br><br>"Our new mobile profile ensures that access to our LMS is just as optimized for a mobile workforce as it has been for conventional desktop and laptop users," said Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research at Meridian. <br><br>Meridian's new mobile profile detects which browser a learner is accessing the LMS from, and delivers a view that is tailored to the type of device at his or her fingertips. Meridian will show off its new mobile profile from April 7 - 8, 2011, at the DigitalNow conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. <a href="http://www.digitalnowconference.com/" target="_blank">DigitalNow</a>, produced by Fusion Productions and Disney Institute, is an annual gathering of some of the most influential professional and trade associations in America.  <br><br>Donald Dea, co-founder of Fusion Productions, added, "We conducted extensive due diligence in qualifying Meridian's platform, organization and product road map to bring forward an enterprise platform that is geared to solving the learning portal needs of associations."<br><br>Meridian's learning portal for associations mirrors the "unique processes, integration, and interface considerations of associations and non-profit organizations," said Dea. The Meridian portal supports members by tracking continuing education, managing competencies and delivering professional development courses. Meridian's new mobile profile gives trade groups a way to access Meridian's LMS platform via smartphones, not just desktop and laptop applications. <br><br>Meridian has implemented its flagship product, the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, for an array of professional and trade groups including PMI and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union.<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="265">
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Learn How the LMS is About to Change Forever]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=265]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Reports of the death of the LMS are, as Mark Twain might say, an exaggeration. Not only is the global LMS market growing, according to research  from Bersin & Associates, but future buyers will seek more diversified features from their LMS. From content as a service to intelligent tutors, the training landscape is drastically shifting. And it will change the LMS forever. A first step toward changing learning management systems is a new Run-time Web Service (RTWS) API that allows for direct calls between training simulations and training software.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=265]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - March 11, 2011</b> - Reports of the death of the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms">LMS</a> are, as Mark Twain might say, an exaggeration. Not only is the global LMS market growing, according to research  from Bersin & Associates, but future buyers will seek more diversified features from their LMS. From content as a service to intelligent tutors, the training landscape is drastically shifting. And it will change the LMS forever. A first step toward changing <a href="/">learning management systems</a> is a new Run-time Web Service (RTWS) API that allows for direct calls between training simulations and training software.<br><br>To learn how the new RTWS API can change the way you train, join Avron Barr, software veteran, author and director of strategic communications for the International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI), and Christopher Sawwa, director of e-learning at Meridian Knowledge Solutions, for a free, one-hour webinar on March 18, 2011, at 1 p.m. EDT. <a href="https://meridianksi.webex.com/mw0306lc/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=meridianksi&service=6&main_url=https://meridianksi.webex.com/ec0605lc/eventcenter/event/eventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26confViewID%3D739102041%26siteurl%3Dmeridianksi%26%26%26" target="_blank">Register here for this discussion</a>.<br><br>Essentially, RTWS replaces JavaScript API with a SOAP-over-HTTP system. This means training pros can launch e-learning courses, as well as simulations, from mobile apps, desktop apps and virtual worlds. <br><br>Join Barr and Sawwa for this information-packed Meridian webinar and you will learn... <ul><li>About the innovations that are reshaping the way the LMS will soon work,</li><br><li>How RTWS shifts the architecture for online training by eliminating the browser window, and</li><br><li>How an LMS taps RTWS to launch and report on mobile simulations.</li></ul>"LETSI sees systems interoperability as a key to the rapid evolution of e-learning products, teaching methods and business models," said Barr. "Meridian has helped us pioneer an open e-learning infrastructure where web-based products and services can exchange data with and between myriad learning technologies."<br><br>"Any LMS that makes use of RTWS is going to improve security and enable training professionals to work with an array of training content across multiple platforms," added Sawwa. "RTWS is a technology enabler the training industry has not had until now."<br><br>Barr has been a software industry consultant, researcher and entrepreneur for 25 years. He published the four-volume "Handbook of Artificial Intelligence." And Stanford University retained Barr to direct a six-year study of the global software industry, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Sawwa's experience includes senior-level consulting roles with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as numerous years as a software architect developing learning management systems. He is a member of LETSI and IEEE.<br><br>A software developer's guide for RTWS and code samples are available free at <a href="http://www.letsi.org/rtws" target="_blank">www.letsi.org/rtws</a>.<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="264">
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[At London's Learning Technologies 2011 Conference, Meridian Knowledge Solutions Offers an LMS to Tap Training of All Kinds]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=264]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[At this week's Learning Technologies 2011 conference (January 26 - 27) in London, Meridian will be on hand to explain how learners can use Meridian's learning management system (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training online - to access and share a wide array of learning (including courses, assessments, surveys, simulations, blogs and videos) from desktop computers as well as smartphones.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=264]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Herndon, Va. - January 25, 2011</b> - At this week's Learning Technologies 2011 conference (January 26 - 27) in London, Meridian will be on hand to explain how learners can use Meridian's learning management system (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training online - to access and share a wide array of learning (including courses, assessments, surveys, simulations, blogs and videos) from desktop computers as well as smartphones.<br><br>Late last year, Meridian and the International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI) unveiled a new Run-time Web Service (RTWS) API that allows for direct calls between training simulations and training software, such as the Meridian Global LMS, and uses the industry standard computer protocol known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOAP" target="_blank">SOAP</a>.  Essentially, RTWS replaces JavaScript API with a SOAP-over-HTTP system.  This means training professionals can launch e-learning courses, as well as simulations, from mobile apps, desktop apps and virtual worlds.  It also means Meridian's LMS can track and report on the results of such training.<br><br>Meridian has also developed a mobile profile for its Meridian Global LMS, so businesspeople can launch and track training courses from smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and Blackberry.  Meridian's new platform-agnostic profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for a smartphone. <br><br>"Our efforts over the last year have made the combination of classroom instruction, mobile learning and e-learning easy to implement and practical to use," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of Meridian Operations. "We're eager to show Learning Technologies conference goers how to use our LMS to reach businesspeople via each learner's preferred method of instruction."<br><br>Attendees and the media can find Meridian at Stand 114 at Olympia 2 from Jan. 26 - 27, 2011.<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="263">
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[With Meridian's New Mobile Profile, Learners Launch Training on Smartphones ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=263]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has developed a mobile profile for its Meridian Global Learning Management System (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training online - so businesspeople can launch and track training courses from smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and Blackberry.  Meridian's new platform-agnostic profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for a smartphone.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=263]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><b>Chantilly, Va. - January 18, 2011</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has developed a mobile profile for its Meridian Global Learning Management System (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training online - so businesspeople can launch and track training courses from smartphones, including Droid, iPhone and Blackberry.  Meridian's new platform-agnostic profile serves up e-learning, transcripts and other features of the Meridian Global LMS optimized for a smartphone. </p><div style="float:right; text-align: center; padding: 0px 10px 10px 20px;"><img src="/images/products/meridian_global_full.png" width="300" /><br /><span style="font-size:8pt;">View of Meridian LMS from desktop browser</span></div><p>"We wanted to ensure that access to our LMS was just as optimized for a mobile workforce as it has been for conventional desktop and laptop users," said Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research at Meridian.  </p><p>According to Training magazine's "2010 Training Industry Report," 7.2 percent of learners now use social networking or mobile training methods, an uptick of 1.5 percent versus 2009.  The report also notes that 13.6 percent of trainers intend to purchase mobile learning products and services in 2011, a number slightly behind the 14.3 percent of those who plan to buy talent management tools.</p><p>"We're staying in front of the mobile trend but in sync with what users need, so we can make every R&D dollar count," added Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of Meridian Operations.  </p><div style="float:right; text-align: center; padding: 5px 10px 10px 20px;"><img src="/images/products/meridian_global_mobile.png" width="150" /><br /><span style="font-size:8pt;">View of Meridian LMS from smartphone</span></div><p>"You can access any LMS from a smartphone browser such as iPhone's Safari. But the pages you see tend to be cluttered with several options, which are more optimized for a desktop viewing area," said Nilakantan. "Our new mobile profile detects which browser the learner is accessing the LMS from, and delivers a view that's tailored to the type of device at his or her fingertips."</p><p>Here's an example of how it works.  A manager launches an e-learning course from her office via a PC, but leaves halfway through the training to get to the airport.  Once she arrives at the airport and clears security, she taps into Meridian's mobile LMS from her smartphone to pick up and complete the same course she worked on in her office.  The new mobile profile is also suited for managers on the road who want to review or approve training that their workforce is taking.</p><p>"For organizations that are standardized on a single mobile platform, Meridian's long-term vision is to offer platform-specific apps," remarked Nilakantan.  </p><p>Meridian's new mobile profile is available now, and the company will sell it as part of its LMS beginning with version 2011.2 on February 25, 2011.  Meridian's mobile profile strategy complements the company's offline player Meridian Anywhere, which employers can use to take SCORM-conformant  training courses without an Internet connection.  </p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="262">
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[With New Run-time Web Service, Meridian Learning Management System Says Hello Training Sims, Goodbye JavaScript and Browser]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=262]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[ E-learning software developers and training managers can now say goodbye to their browsers and JavaScript fixated content thanks to a partnership between the International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI) and Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC.  LETSI, Meridian and a host of other LETSI members have unveiled a new Run-time Web Service (RTWS) API that allows for direct calls between training simulations and training software, such as the Meridian Global LMS, and uses the industry standard computer protocol known as SOAP.  Essentially, RTWS replaces JavaScript API with a SOAP-over-HTTP system.  This means training professionals can launch e-learning courses, as well as simulations, from mobile apps, desktop apps and virtual worlds.  It also means Meridian's LMS can track and report on the results of such training.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=262]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - November 29, 2010</b> - E-learning software developers and training managers can now say goodbye to their browsers and JavaScript fixated content thanks to a partnership between the International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI) and <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a>, LLC.  LETSI, Meridian and a host of other LETSI members have unveiled a new Run-time Web Service (RTWS) API that allows for direct calls between training simulations and training software, such as the Meridian Global LMS, and uses the industry standard computer protocol known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOAP" target="_blank">SOAP</a>.  Essentially, RTWS replaces JavaScript API with a SOAP-over-HTTP system.  This means training professionals can launch e-learning courses, as well as simulations, from mobile apps, desktop apps and virtual worlds.  It also means Meridian's LMS can track and report on the results of such training.<br><br>Meridian will demonstrate how RTWS works with its LMS at The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Fla., from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 in booth #637.  The software demonstration will show attendees how the Meridian Global LMS taps RTWS to launch, track and easily report on both an Android-based mobile simulation and native desktop app.<br><br>"LETSI sees systems interoperability as a key to the rapid evolution of e-learning products, teaching methods and business models," says Avron Barr, director of strategic communications for LETSI.  "Through its sponsorship of LETSI and involvement in our working groups, Meridian has shown its commitment to pioneering an open e-learning infrastructure, where new web-based products and services can securely exchange data with installed systems and each other."<br><br>RTWS redraws the communication architecture for online training by eliminating the browser window and creating a direct connection with the Meridian LMS server and any type of course.  Content using RTWS will benefit from secure communication by support for SSL as well as payload-level encryption. <br><br>RTWS enables a training department that has created, say, a driver-training simulation course to register learners for a course, launch the course and track results with the Meridian Global LMS.<br><br>"Traditionally, learning management systems couldn't handle simulations in this way," said Chris Sawwa, director of e-learning for Meridian Knowledge Solutions.  "But any LMS that makes use of the RTWS is going to improve security and enable training professionals to work with a wider array of training content across multiple platforms.  It's a technology enabler the training industry has not had until now."<br><br>A software developer's guide for RTWS and code samples are available free at <a href="www.letsi.org/rtws" target="_blank">www.letsi.org/rtws</a>. <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="261">
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Names Vinay Nilakantan Director of Product Development and Research]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=261]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[ Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has named Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research.  Nilakantan and his team will manage the development of Meridian's flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, as well as the company's learning-management mobile and analytics tools.  Nilakantan will also define the product path and oversee quality assurance for the LMS software maker.  Nilakantan's prior role was as the company's director of commercial and government accounts, a team that implements Meridian's learning management system.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=261]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - November 23, 2010 - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has named Vinay Nilakantan, director of product development and research.  Nilakantan and his team will manage the development of Meridian's flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, as well as the company's learning-management mobile and analytics tools.  Nilakantan will also define the product path and oversee quality assurance for the LMS software maker.  Nilakantan's prior role was as the company's director of commercial and government accounts, a team that implements Meridian's learning management system.  <br><br>"Vinay has a strategic vision of what our clients want from the next generation of learning-management technology," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of Meridian Knowledge Solutions.  "Vinay has the right leadership for creating synergies between the product development teams, sales force and implementation group."<br><br>Nilakantan also sees his product development team playing a larger role in assisting Meridian's sales force, assessing the marketplace and incorporating new functionality into the product in anticipation of business trends that are currently being deployed across some of the country's largest employers. <br><br>"Meridian has won numerous awards for LMS excellence, customer service and ease of use," said Nilakantan.  "My role is to continue our ability to deliver a solid LMS product and also enhance the product development lifecycle with processes and structure that will ultimately benefit all our customers." <br><br>Added Nilakantan, "As corporate America's landscape changes, we aim to have Meridian rightly positioned to effectively handle workforce learning and development through effective technology."<br><br>Meridian's product development and research team possesses expertise with software development, e-learning content, collaboration technologies and e-learning standards, such as SCORM.  Nilakantan's senior managers on the team include:  Fabrice Bonnaire, technical director for product development, an expert in programming, designing and testing enterprise software; Chris Sawwa, Meridian's e-learning director and liaison to LETSI; and, Anand Rajagopalan, technical director, who is a subject matter expert in analyzing, designing and developing software applications.<br><br>Since joining Meridian in 2004, Nilakantan has implemented enterprise editions of Meridian's learning management system for some of America's largest employers.  Before Meridian, he held senior-level project management roles with both software makers and services firms.  Nilakantan graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Madras in India and holds a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="260">
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[For Third Consecutive Year, Meridian Named a Top Training & Simulation Company]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=260]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have for the third consecutive year named Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software firm's LMS.
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=260]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - November 18, 2010</b> - KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have for the third consecutive year named <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC</a> a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software firm's impact on military training during 2010.  Meridian's learning management system (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) - which analyzes and delivers training via the internet - has underpinned its contributions to the military.  <br><br>The Meridian LMS is used for knowledge-exchange and learning across all branches of the U.S. military, U.S. Department of Defense and several National Guard units.  In 2010, Meridian expanded its contract with the air component of the U.S. Marine Corps.  The software maker provides training via its LMS to Marines who maintain and fly a variety of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.  Along with Meridian's work for the U.S. Marine Corps, the software company's service to the U.S. Army also earned recognition from Military Training Technology magazine and KMI Media Group.  Through the third quarter of 2010, the U.S. Army has trained thousands of employees to use a professional development program powered by Meridian's LMS.<br><br>Meridian's flagship software product, the Meridian Global LMS, links learning and knowledge management with Web 2.0 functions - such as online collaboration spaces - to train warfighters billeted around the globe.  <br><br>"Our success with the military stems from the fact that soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen can configure our LMS to mirror the way they carry out their mission.  Complementing the architecture of our LMS is our service and commitment, which often exceeds the expectations of military and civilian DoD employees," remarked <a href="/about/leadership/#Roy">Roy Haythorn</a>, executive vice president of operations for Meridian. <br><br>A panel of judges selected this year's Top Training and Simulation Companies based on criteria such as total military sales, product innovation and the success of each nominee's training programs.  Along with Meridian, the 2010 list features more than 100 companies including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Raytheon Company and Thales. <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="259">
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Developing Morale Officers]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=259]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Army wanted to keep its 35,000-person morale, welfare and recreation workforce marching in step. Its plan was underpinned by the Meridian Global LMS.  Read how a learning management system powered professional development.
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=259]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[November 1, 2010 - The U.S. Army wanted to keep its 35,000-person morale, welfare and recreation workforce marching in step. Its plan was underpinned by the Meridian Global LMS.  Read how a learning management system powered professional development.<br><br><a href="http://clomedia.com/articles/view/3891" target="_blank">http://clomedia.com/articles/view/3891</a><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="257">
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[LMS Goes to the Dogs]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=257]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Nicknamed TRAX, the new system is powered by the Meridian Global LMS, which enables the use of video clips of veterinarians discussing medical best practices, simulations, online collaboration, and safety inspection checklists.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=257]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Nicknamed TRAX, the new system is powered by the Meridian Global LMS, which enables the use of video clips of veterinarians discussing medical best practices, simulations, online collaboration, and safety inspection checklists.  <br><br><a href="http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/lakewood/training_20100910/#/10/OnePage" target="_blank">Read the full article</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="258">
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. Receives Leadership Award]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=258]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. received a prestigious Learning In Practice Award today from Chief Learning Officer magazine. Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. was awarded the bronze Excellence in LMS Award for its accomplishments in the excellence in LMS category.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<center><b>Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. Recognized for Its Achievements</b></center><br><br><b>Dana Point, Calif., Sept. 28</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. received a prestigious Learning In Practice Award today from <i>Chief Learning Officer</i> magazine. Meridian Knowledge Solutions Inc. was awarded the bronze Excellence in LMS Award for its accomplishments in the excellence in LMS category. <br><br>"The Learning In Practice Awards were established to recognize transformational and visionary leaders in enterprise education," said Norm Kamikow, president and editor in chief of <i>Chief Learning Officer</i> magazine. "A record number of top learning executives and solution providers were nominated by their peers this year. The winners are the industry leaders who truly champion innovation and transform it into learning and value for their organizations.<br><br>" The Learning In Practice Awards were announced today at a special awards ceremony during the Fall 2010 <i>Chief Learning Officer</i> magazine Symposium held at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna-Niguel in Dana Point, Calif. All of the award winners will be featured in a special supplement in the December issue of <i>Chief Learning Officer</i> magazine. For more information about the Learning In Practice Awards, please visit CLOmedia.com/awards.<br><br><b>About MediaTec Publishing Inc. </b> <br>MediaTec Publishing Inc. is a leading integrated media company serving the human capital, management and workforce development industries. MediaTec publishes <i>Certification Magazine</i>, <i>Chief Learning Officer</i> magazine, <i>Talent Management</i> magazine and <i>Diversity Executive</i> magazine and operates the online industry resource HumanCapitalMedia.com. MediaTec leverages its award-winning editorial content with innovative integrated media products, including targeted e-newsletters, webinars, interactive websites, special print and online supplements, resource guides, industry research, and conferences that bring together international audiences to network and discuss leading-edge strategy and best practices in the industry. MediaTec partners with recognized industry experts and provides thought-provoking feature articles, news, opinions and insights through its award-winning publications, events and e-media. Each MediaTec product gives readers the business intelligence and knowledge they need to succeed in new and changing markets.<br><br>For more information, contact: Kara Shively Events & Marketing Associate MediaTec Publishing Inc. 312-676-9900 <a href="mailto:kshively@mediatecpub.com">kshively@mediatecpub.com</a><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="256">
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[During First Half of 2010, Meridian Continues Trend of Increased Revenue and Earnings for Learning Management Systems]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=256]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[For the first half of 2010, Meridian Knowledge Solutions saw an increase in revenue growth of 33 percent compared to the same period in 2009.  Meridian also achieved a nearly 30 percent growth in the number of software licenses sold during the first two quarters of 2010 versus the same period a year ago.  ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<div style="text-align:center; font-size:larger; font-weight: bold"><i>Blue-Chip Clients Choose Meridian LMS</i></div><br><b>Chantilly, Va. - September 22, 2010</b> - For the first half of 2010, Meridian Knowledge Solutions saw an increase in revenue growth of 33 percent compared to the same period in 2009.  Meridian also achieved a nearly 30 percent growth in the number of software licenses sold during the first two quarters of 2010 versus the same period a year ago.  <br><br>Meridian's flagship product is the Meridian Global LMS, a learning management system for distributing knowledge and sharpening business skills via the Internet.  In July, Meridian announced the 2010 edition of Meridian Global LMS.<br><br>"We've continued the momentum we gained from the last half of 2009 by capitalizing on a lot of the awareness in the market for the quality of our LMS," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  "That's translated into a number of new, high-profile customers for us as well as an entrée to industries such as healthcare." <br><br>"Our hope was that Meridian would have a record-setting performance in 2010, and the first half of this year indicates we're on track for making that happen," said Jonna Ward, president and founder of Visionary Integration Professionals.  "Increasing Meridian's R&D investment by more than 25 percent has helped us make an already great product even better; Meridian Global LMS is something employers very much want underpinning their learning and development initiatives." <br><br><b>New Customers</b><br>Among Meridian's new customers for the first half of 2010 are:<ul><li>one of the U.S. Midwest's largest health benefit providers, which administers plans for tens of thousands of Americans,</li><br><li>a top-10 provider of wireless services and products for millions of Americans,</li><br><li>one of the world's largest makers of mobile devices and broadband communication infrastructure, and</li><br><li>a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing management skills for more than 500,000 business people.</li></ul><br><br>Along with its new commercial contracts, Meridian has renewed and expanded contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense including the air component of one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.  During the first half of 2010, Meridian estimates that it added more than two million users of its LMS. <br><br><b>Business Highlights</b><br>During the first and second quarters of 2010, Meridian again maintained what it believes to be one of the industry's highest customer renewal rates, reinforcing the software maker's reputation for customer loyalty.<br><br>In addition to increased revenue and a growing list of customers, Meridian has forged a number of partnerships both in the United States and abroad to support its vertical sales strategy, content library and global sales efforts, respectively.  These partnerships include:<ul><li>Fusion Productions signing a strategic agreement with Meridian to bring Meridian's LMS to America's nearly 100,000 professional, trade and non-profit groups,</li><br><li>KESDEE and Meridian working together to bring financial e-learning courses to Meridian's 18,000-course Virtual Library, and </li><br><li>Sponge UK and Meridian inking a deal to bring the Meridian Global LMS to e-learning customers across the United Kingdom.</li><br></ul>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="255">
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Training Pros Share Their E-Learning Content - Tips and Tricks in Webinar From Meridian Knowledge Solutions]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=255]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Learning management systems (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training via the Internet - are more powerful than ever.  And so is the wide array of content that training professionals can design for and deliver on these LMS.  As the variety and complexity of e-learning content grows, it's important to ensure that a training department's content and LMS work together to deliver know-how and skills to learners.
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=255]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - August 11, 2010</b> - Learning management systems (LMS) - software for delivering and tracking training via the Internet - are more powerful than ever.  And so is the wide array of content that training professionals can design for and deliver on these LMS.  As the variety and complexity of e-learning content grows, it's important to ensure that a training department's content and LMS work together to deliver know-how and skills to learners.<br><br>On August 25, 2010, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, join a free webinar with top training industry professionals who will share their best-kept tips and tricks for how to make e-learning content run on a LMS.  <br><br>The "Tips, Tricks and Trends in E-Learning Content" webinar will also cover:<ul><li>	what LMS users should know to make off-the-shelf e-learning content work flawlessly</li><br><li>	where the pitfalls are when trying to purchase, launch or update e-learning content</li><br><li>	what's new with e-learning content, including design and delivery.</li></ul><br>Who should attend?  If you're responsible for buying or managing your organization's training content, don't miss this free, 45-minute online discussion.  <br><br>Attendees will also have some of their questions answered by our panelists via chat in a 15-minute Q&A session, which will follow the online panel.  <br><br>Meridian's panelists are:<ul><li>	Gary Hartman, Partner Alliances Manager, SkillSoft.  Hartman works with his company's partners to ensure that SkillSoft's learning assets can be successfully launched and tracked from a variety of platforms. </li><br><li>	Kevin Thorn, Training & Development Specialist, AutoZone. Thorn ensures that "AutoZoners" across 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Mexico are fully trained to market and sell auto parts and accessories.  </li><br><li>	Susan Smith Nash. Nash blogs for the "E-learning Queen" as well as elearners.com. Her most recent books include "Moodle 1.9 Teaching Techniques" and the "E-Learner Survival Guide."</li><br><li>	Brooke Schepker, Knowledge Center Systems Administrator, Commonwealth of Virginia.  As the person responsible for running Virginia's LMS, Schepker has seen an exponential growth in both the numbers of users of the state's LMS as well as the amount of content residing on it.   </li></ul><br>Moderator<ul><li>	Mike Mills, Content Guru, Meridian Knowledge Solutions</li></ul><br>Register today at: <a href="https://meridianksi.webex.com/meridianksi/onstage/g.php?d=687404336&t=a" target="_blank">https://meridianksi.webex.com/meridianksi/onstage/g.php?d=687404336&t=a</a><br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="253">
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[VCA Animal Hospitals Says Meridian LMS Has Helped Promote Value of Training ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=253]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[After purchasing and launching Meridian Knowledge Solutions' flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, in January, VCA Animal Hospitals is getting more requests for training from employees.  From veterinary technicians to support-office staff, Los Angeles-based VCA Animal Hospitals says its employees increasingly want to learn new skills or brush up on the ones they've already learned.  VCA operates more than 500 animal hospitals across 40 states, and its newly purchased LMS, nicknamed TRAX, delivers and tracks training over the Internet for up to 13,000 workers, including 2,000 veterinarians.  ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - August 3, 2010</b> - After purchasing and launching Meridian Knowledge Solutions' flagship product, the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, in January, VCA Animal Hospitals is getting more requests for training from employees.  From veterinary technicians to support-office staff, Los Angeles-based VCA Animal Hospitals says its employees increasingly want to learn new skills or brush up on the ones they've already learned.  VCA operates more than 500 animal hospitals across 40 states, and its newly purchased <a href="/">LMS</a>, nicknamed TRAX, delivers and tracks training over the Internet for up to 13,000 workers, including 2,000 veterinarians.  <br><br>"The LMS has allowed us to get more training, in a structured way, to employees," said Christy Ritchie, vice president of Training for VCA Animal Hospitals. "We can use a variety of training delivery systems now, too, which means the content we develop is more engaging; we're no longer relying on static images to instruct our workers on how best to advise customers or work with owners' pets."<br><br>The learning management system (LMS) that powers TRAX enables the use of video clips, simulations and even online collaboration to lend a hands-on feel to training at the company. <br><br>Ritchie says the LMS has allowed VCA to "create curricula to guide learning in its hospitals for the first time."  By customizing the LMS, VCA can introduce safety inspection checklists, which give the company a better way to assist its hospitals in maintaining a safe work environment.  VCA has also tapped TRAX to introduce videos of veterinarians discussing medical best practices.  All of these initiatives, says VCA, allow the company to continue "providing the highest quality medical care for pets."<br><br>TRAX plays a dual role for Ritchie and her training team.  First, she says, it has become the focal point for all training, whether delivering an online course or registering veterinarians for classroom instruction on topics ranging from anesthesiology to radiology.  Second, it shoulders the burden of producing countless checklists and reports that tabulate who has taken training and how well they have scored as well as archiving the more than 200 online and classroom sessions the company offers workers.  As VCA Animal Hospitals has grown, staying on top of the training activities (completed and planned) of workers fell largely to each hospital, says Ritchie.<br><br>Implementing TRAX has created a wheelhouse of sorts where VCA Animal Hospitals' training department could steer training to where it's needed and document what people are learning, including continuing education units (CEUs) for the hospitals' veterinarians.  <br><br>"Because TRAX is now managing VCA Animal Hospitals' training, the training department has the ability to spend that time designing better, more engaging courses," said <a href="/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.<br><br>VCA Animal Hospitals also anticipates its workers will turn to TRAX as a resource for learning more about their respective jobs and the veterinary industry in general.<br><br>"As the practice of veterinary medicine changes and finds new and better ways to treat animals, we'll be able to use TRAX to quickly distribute to each of our hospitals the training that reflects the latest thinking," added Ritchie.<br><br>Prior to implementing TRAX, VCA Animal Hospitals relied on software combining PowerPoint presentations and audio narration to deliver training to its hospital workforce.  While that process worked for several years, the company's growth called for more training; a situation that strained resources.  With the launch of TRAX, VCA Animal Hospitals has more bandwidth for developing and delivering training and, consequently, the ability to offer courses to not only its hospital staff but also its support-office employees.<br><br>As support-office workers along with the hospital workforce have become aware of the quality and quantity of online training now available, demand for education has grown, says Ritchie.  According to VCA Animal Hospitals, employees are asking for customer service training, IT systems training and courses to complement company initiatives, such as marketing campaigns.<br><br>Employees at the company's support office access TRAX via a password-protected website.  Hospital employees, including customer service representatives and hospital managers, rely on a shared computer in each hospital to tap into TRAX.  <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="254">
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[80,000 - Strong Service Workers Union Taps Meridian LMS ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.2elearning.com/www/news/deals/single-news-article/article/training-8000-people.html]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[With the purchase of Meridian Knowledge Solutions' flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, life for those administering training for the Service Employees International Union will get much better. 
]]></description>
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	<item id="252">
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Designs Latest Edition of its LMS Software with Training Managers in Mind]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=252]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions' updated learning management system (LMS) software, Meridian Global LMS 2010.1, boasts a new set of tools that training managers can tap to not only deliver a wider array of education but also publicize the availability of new courses.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - July 14, 2010</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions' updated learning management system (LMS) software, Meridian Global LMS 2010.1, boasts a new set of tools that training managers can tap to not only deliver a wider array of education but also publicize the availability of new courses.<br><br>The new tools include:  "deep linking," "homepage feeds," and "compartmentalizing" email that is focused on specific training events.  <br><br><b>Deep Linking</b><br>Deep linking, as Meridian dubs it, gives learners working within the LMS a way to send one another links to any type of training content they deem interesting.  Learners can create a URL tied to a piece of content (e.g., video, podcast or a page from a manual, etc.) in the LMS and then email the link to other learners who can immediately open it via their mobile devices.  For example, a group of firefighters from different fire stations might be using the LMS to review fire safety courses.  One of the firefighters could come across a training video embedded in a particular course that she feels underscores a key point.  She would "deep link" to that course.  And the LMS automatically sends the link to the group and tags it for future use.<br><br><b>Homepage Feeds</b><br>Homepage feeds give training managers a blank canvas on their LMS homepage where they can create whatever they want - as long as it is in an HTML format - to promote their training programs, success stories or offer additional instruction.  For instance, if a company's CEO speaks on camera at a shareholder meeting about the importance of retooling employees' skills, then the training department could capture that footage and create a homepage feed that reminds employees who log into the LMS about the CEO's call to action.  <br><br><b>Compartmentalizing Email</b><br>The tool for compartmentalizing email, which Meridian calls "My Messages," enables training managers to collect and funnel emails to a central repository.  Training managers can collect and send emails related to things happening in, say, the LMS's collaboration rooms (i.e., online forums within the Meridian LMS) to a single location within the learning management system.  LMS users without email access - or behind a computer firewall - can open a browser, log into the LMS and review any activity or action items inside the LMS by simply opening My Messages.<br><br>"The 2010.1 release puts more administrative power into the hands of training managers, so they can be creative about how they want to mold the LMS to their needs," said Mike Brennan, product director for Meridian.  "The administration of these features will be invisible to the learners using the LMS, but what learners will see is a dynamic experience and content of all shapes and sizes coming to them in lots of new ways."<br><br>Meridian Global LMS 2010.1 also includes:<ul><li>Enhanced e-commerce functions for managing the sale of online and classroom training.  Among the new functions are streamlined tools to:  assign discounts; check out courses; and, collect credit card payments.  </li><br><li>A system for bringing new users, and updated user profiles, into the LMS when a company has no "data feed" from its human resources information system (HRIS).</li><br><li>Design palettes for creating customized training certificates, which a manager can attach to specific content or transcripts.</li><br><li>Customized search profiles, embedded within the LMS search function, that training managers can create to help learners find courses, catalogs or transcripts faster.  </li><br></ul><br>"In our 2009 release, we focused on giving our clients a way to configure our LMS to support reseller organizations, distributors and customers.  The focus was clearly external," added Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian. "In developing our 2010.1 release, we looked inside out.  And, with valuable input from many of our customers, we packed this new release with tools that make the work of the training manager both easier and more creative."  <br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="251">
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds Picks Meridian LMS for Training]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=251]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Managing the logistics to train more than 80,000 members of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union has always called for equal parts persistence and creativity.  With the purchase of Meridian Knowledge Solutions' flagship product, the Meridian Global LMS, life for those administering training for the union will get much better. The New York-based Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds is the umbrella organization responsible for administering five funds (i.e., the Building Service 32BJ Health Fund, Pension Fund, Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan, Thomas Shortman Training Fund and Legal Services Fund) for Local 32BJ of the SEIU.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=251]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - July 12, 2010 - </b>Managing the logistics to train more than 80,000 members of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union has always called for equal parts persistence and creativity.  With the purchase of Meridian Knowledge Solutions' flagship product, the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, life for those administering training for the union will get much better. The New York-based Building Service <a href="http://www.32bjfunds.org/" target="_blank">32BJ Benefit Funds</a> is the umbrella organization responsible for administering five funds (i.e., the Building Service 32BJ Health Fund, Pension Fund, Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan, Thomas Shortman Training Fund and Legal Services Fund) for Local 32BJ of the SEIU.<br><br>"The Meridian LMS we're putting in place later this year is a boon for us," said Linda G. Nelson, director for the Thomas Shortman Training Fund, which provides training to eligible members of Local 32BJ.  "We have over 30 locations from Connecticut to Miami, and our current processes and technology make the central administration of training a challenge." <br><br>According to Nelson, the new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_Knowledge_Solutions" target="_blank">LMS</a>, which will launch in January 2011, will replace a confederation of databases and VPN connections that training coordinators use to track training, archive students' certifications and grades and register union members and staff for classes.  Modernizing our administration will be the primary way we use the LMS, says Nelson.  The union's members range from doormen to window cleaners, so they're less likely, if at all, to have access to the LMS for online training at work.  <br><br>"For us, the LMS will dramatically improve our ability to check members' eligibility for training and register people for classes," added Nelson.  "We're operating six days a week, fourteen hours a day and our training staff is working at different times across many, many locations." <br><br>Nelson says Local 32BJ's training administrators face a variety of obstacles including connectivity, system reliability in generating reports, handling registrations and keeping records up to date and accessible for thousands of union members.  Once Local 32BJ converts the current system to the new LMS this winter, Nelson and her colleagues will be able to tap into the system to access up to a decade's worth of education records for any union member, including diplomas, certificates and licenses. <br><br>Bonnie Weisner, Staff Training & Development director for the Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds, said, "In addition to managing training for our union members, we will also use the LMS to register our funds staff for training and track the results of their coursework." <br><br>According to Weisner, once the LMS is implemented, the 32BJ Benefit Funds staff will be able to see what they've taken in the way of training.  Weisner's hope is that in the future managers will assign staff members training via the LMS. <br><br>For the union's members, the LMS will enable them to register online for any one of more than 100 classroom courses and seminars.  Nelson and Weisner also see the LMS as a means to supplement classroom work with online links to supporting materials.  For instance, a union member who takes a course like "electricity basics" could be directed via the LMS to the electrical codes for further study.  <br><br>"Local 32BJ knows that delivering a great training experience takes a solid foundation," said <a href="/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  "Investing in an LMS to streamline Local 32BJ's behind-the-scenes training operations will benefit union members by making it simple for them to sign up for classes and keep tabs on their progress, certifications and diplomas."<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="250">
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Speaks with The Masie Center's Elliott Masie About LMS Trends and Technology]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=250]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[In This Podcast From The Masie Center, Meridian Knowledge Solutions Executive Vice President of Operations Roy Haythorn Riffs on LMS Software and Learning & Development Trends with Elliott Masie.  Haythorn Offers Meridian's Take on the LMS and Talent Management Marketplace as well as Product Development and Customer Needs.
]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[In This Podcast From The Masie Center, Meridian Knowledge Solutions Executive Vice President of Operations Roy Haythorn Riffs on LMS Software and Learning & Development Trends with Elliott Masie.  Haythorn Offers Meridian's Take on the LMS and Talent Management Marketplace as well as Product Development and Customer Needs.<br><br><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"><tr><td valign="top"><img  src="/images/webinar_icon.png" height="40" align="left"></td><td valign="middle"><a href="/content/20100527_podcast.mp3">Launch Podcast</a></td></tr></table><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="249">
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Bloggers, LMS Case Studies and Social Media Headline Meridian's 5th Annual Users Conference]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=249]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - May 25, 2010 - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC - a maker of learning management system (LMS) software - made collaboration a theme of its recently completed users conference, titled "Learn & Know" 2010, because customers have been increasingly investigating social media tools to train employees and business partners.  ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<i><b>Meridian Re-Launches Its Online Community</b></i><br><br><b>Chantilly, Va. - May 25, 2010</b> - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a>, LLC - a maker of learning management system (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) software - made collaboration a theme of its recently completed users conference, titled "Learn & Know" 2010, becuase customers have been increasingly investigating social media tools to train employees and business partners.<br><br>"This year, our conference agenda was peppered with examples and exploration of social media for training and development," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  "Our presenters offered wisdom and sage advice about the use of social media for learning, and our staff publicized the re-launch of Meridian's online community for customers."<br><br>"Ironically, our online community is one of the longest-running in the LMS industry and collaboration has been a part of our product since Meridian was founded in 1997," said Mike Brennan, product director for Meridian.  "With a heritage like that, we owed it to our customers to make the Meridian online community the place for fostering collaboration.  While our community has always been there, we haven't made it the focal point of our customer networking until now."<br><br>Learn & Know 2010 became the perfect venue for Meridian's team to re-launch the Meridian online community and provide a space for clients to share LMS and e-learning best practices, discuss learning and development challenges and access Meridian-provided content.<br><br>Among the sessions at the two-day conference that received the highest marks from the post-conference survey were the following:  the Meridian community re-launch; the "Meet the Buzz-Breakers" panel; and, the Meridian Global LMS product seminar.  <br><br>The "Buzz-Breakers" session featured bloggers and e-learning experts <a href="http://www.learningleadersforum.com/">Mark Bower</a>, <a href="http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/">Karl Kapp</a> and <a href="http://elearnqueen.blogspot.com/">Susan Smith Nash</a> in a fast-paced, give-and-take format designed to help attendees understand whether or not the latest e-learning trends are fact or fad.  According to this year's panelists, virtual worlds are clearly here to stay, but Twitter, as a company, and CLO, as a business title, will fade away.  <br>	<br>Along with this year's presentations and networking at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, Meridian hosted an awards session.  The company's executives recognized customers who had achieved particular success within the last year with the Meridian Global LMS.  This year's award winners, and the categories for which they won, were:<br><ul><li>Abbott Nutrition (Most Innovative Use of an LMS)</li> <br><li>Land O' Lakes, Inc. (Best Launch of an LMS)</li><br><li>Mazda North America (Best Graphical Interface for an LMS), and</li><br><li>TeleTech (Best Marketing of an LMS)</li></ul><br>The conference also featured Meridian's Mike Mills who explained how Meridian's <a href="/courseware/library/">Virtual Library</a>, a collection of approximately 18,000 off-the-shelf e-learning courses, offers customers a way to evaluate e-learning content and compare similar content from various vendors prior to buying.  Mills invited attendees to visit Meridian's Content Evaluation Showcase to learn more about courses covering:  business skills; computer skills; high-end information technology training; Six Sigma; regulatory compliance, including on-the-job safety; and, retail.  <br><br>In between the sessions, attendees had opportunities for networking.  "I'm eager to participate and learn from others in the Meridian community," remarked one Meridian customer.  <br><br>The two-day conference included Meridian's product team unveiling its roadmap for releases, showcasing features for quickly adapting the LMS and its content to meet a learner's needs and announcing members of the new Meridian product advisory council. <br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="248">
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[KESDEE Helps Meridian Grow Virtual Library to close to 18,000 courses]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=248]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[KESDEE Inc. helps increase the size of Meridian's library]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - May 13, 2010 - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC signed an agreement with financial e-learning company KESDEE, Inc. that increases the size of Meridian's e-learning library to approximately 18,000 courses.  With the KESDEE deal, Meridian's "Virtual Library" adds e-learning courses on topics such as accounting, banking, finance, insurance and risk management. <br><br>Meridian, which makes learning management systems (LMS) for delivering and analyzing training via the Internet, began building its Virtual Library in 2008 by signing a string of agreements with a select group of providers of training content and online assessments.  <br><br>San Diego-based KESDEE's online catalog contains approximately 1,000 courses, which include interactive simulations that mirror what learners will actually encounter on the job.  KESDEE's approach to developing e-learning courses was instrumental in winning multi-year professional development projects with the U.S. Federal Reserve System. <br><br>"Any employer looking to educate its employees about financial concepts and government regulations would find KESDEE's e-learning content a perfect fit," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  "Banks as well as large accounting and consulting firms will appreciate the mix of practical examples and scenarios within each of KESDEE's e-learning courses."   <br><br>Before signing its agreement with KESDEE, Meridian tested the San Diego-based company's content on Meridian's LMS to ensure that the e-learning courses operated smoothly.   <br><br>"The KESDEE-Meridian partnership brings employers seamless integration of best-of-breed content and technology; we're giving buyers the best of both worlds, without multiple contracts," said S.L. (Sam) Srinivasulu, Ph.D., co-founder and chairman of KESDEE, Inc.  <br><br>"With KESDEE's content now a part of our Virtual Library, we can offer one of the widest and deepest assortments of e-learning content and assessments anywhere," added Haythorn.  <br><br>Each course Meridian offers through its Virtual Library will run on either the company's flagship product (i.e., the Meridian Global LMS) or the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of Meridian's LMS.  The courses conform to the latest e-learning standards, including SCORM 2004.  And the library contains courses in more than 15 languages.  Businesses, non-profits and government agencies can visit the Meridian web site or call a Meridian content expert, buy the courses they need and begin delivering training via their Meridian LMS in a few hours.  <br><br>"We're making sure our clients can find courses for their employees or customers, and buy these courses as they need them," said Haythorn.  "KESDEE is helping us achieve our goal of providing customers with one-stop shopping, whether that means giving clients the widest selection of courses or simply a single, targeted course."<br><br>To help customers get started, a Meridian content expert will assess a client's training needs and help them select the courses to meet their requirements.  Customers can learn more by visiting http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/ .<br> <br>KESDEE's e-Learning course are accredited by prestigious organizations such as The Institute of Certified Bankers™ (ICB), The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists® (ACAMS®), Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA Institute) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). KESDEE's web-based exam preps are available for Risk Management and Financial Analysis.<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="247">
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Fusion Productions and Meridian Knowledge Solutions Forge Partnership to Train Professional and Trade Associations]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=247]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Fusion Productions signed a strategic agreement with Meridian Knowledge Solutions to bring the Virginia-based software maker's award-winning  learning-management system (LMS) to America's nearly 100,000 professional, trade and non-profit groups.  Both companies see fertile ground in providing Fusion's professional development and e-learning services with Meridian's learning management system (LMS) to the nation's associations.  ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Webster, N.Y. and Chantilly, Va. - April 5, 2010</b> - <a href="http://www.fusionproductions.com/" target="_blank">Fusion Productions</a> signed a strategic agreement with <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a> to bring the Virginia-based software maker's <a href="/about/awards/">award-winning</a><sup style="font-size:7pt">1</sup>  learning-management system (LMS) to America's nearly 100,000 professional, trade and non-profit groups.  Both companies see fertile ground in providing Fusion's professional development and e-learning services with Meridian's learning management system (LMS) to the nation's associations.  <br><br>Fusion's experience working with trade and professional associations ranges from producing industry-wide meetings and events to developing professional online learning and educational portals.  Fusion pioneered online education research for associations when in 1999, through the ASAE Foundation, the firm published "Online Learning Strategies: Association Models for Success."<br><br>Before striking an agreement with Fusion, Meridian had already achieved success selling its flagship product, the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, to an array of trade groups including ones serving teachers, healthcare workers, the automotive industry and professional associations.<br><br>"Our two firms know the professional development needs of associations and non-profits," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  "Among other things, associations look to learning and development as a way to deliver value to members in supporting the need for certification, continuing education and licensure."<br><br>Donald Dea, co-founder of Fusion Productions, added, "We conducted extensive due diligence in qualifying Meridian's platform, organization, and product road map to bring forward an enterprise platform that is geared to solving the learning portal needs of associations." <br><br>Meridian's learning portal for associations mirrors the "unique processes, integration, and interface considerations of associations and non-profit organizations," said Dea.  The Meridian portal supports members by tracking continuing education, managing competencies and delivering professional development courses.  The portal will help an association brand itself and ensure its members comply with continuing education, certifications and regulatory considerations.  The portal will also enable users to obtain the education and knowledge they need to support their professional and business needs at the moment they need it.<br>One of the first places Fusion and Meridian will promote the new alliance is at Fusion's DigitalNow conference, which takes place from April 7 - 10, 2010.  Trade groups of all kinds know DigitalNow as an annual gathering for the industry's top executives.  <br><br><font style="color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 7pt;"><sup>1</sup> 2009 Best of Elearning! Award of Excellence; "Visionaries" quadrant of the 2009 Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems, Gartner, Inc.; "Best Value LMS," Brandon-hall.com; Gold "Excellence in Customer Service Award" from Chief Learning Officer magazine.</font><br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="246">
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[For Second Half of 2009, Meridian Shows Strong Earnings, Focus on External Training via Learning Management System]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=246]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[For the second half of 2009, Meridian Knowledge Solutions achieved consecutive quarters of increased revenue and earnings.  The software maker's third- and fourth-quarter results helped Meridian and its parent company Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) end 2009 with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.80 percent. ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - March 22, 2010</b> - For the second half of 2009, Meridian Knowledge Solutions achieved consecutive quarters of increased revenue and earnings.  The software maker's third- and fourth-quarter results helped Meridian and its parent company Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) end 2009 with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.80 percent. <br><br>Meridian's flagship product is the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, a learning management system for distributing knowledge and sharpening business skills via the Internet.  <br><br>"The latter half of 2009 was one in which we increasingly won contracts with organizations looking to train their customers and business partners, instead of the traditional focus on training employees alone," said Roy Haythorn, executive vice president of operations for Meridian.  <br><br>This bodes well for Meridian for two reasons. First, Meridian Global LMS is ideally suited to customer training because of its straightforward interface and ecommerce tools, which make it simple for employers to charge for training.  Second, when Meridian sells an LMS for customer training, it generally equates to a larger population of learners and, consequently, more licenses than if it were training employees alone.<br><br>"Meridian has exceeded all of the 2009 targets we set, by a wide margin; we feel it's poised to deliver another record-setting performance in 2010," remarked Jonna Ward, president and founder of Visionary Integration Professionals. "I have increased Meridian's investment in R&D by more than 25 percent to insure its continued technology leadership." <br><br><b>New Customers</b><br>Among Meridian's new customers for the second half of 2009 are a:<ul><li>non-profit educational institution that has trained more than 150,000 healthcare professionals,</li><br><li>world-famous research and development organization, which funds projects ranging from biology to neuroscience,</li><br><li>pharmaceutical maker,</li><br><li>global developer and implementer of skills management and training systems,</li><br><li>consultancy providing products and services ranging from program management to engineering for the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies,</li><br><li>350,000-member association focused on financial certification training,</li><br><li>benefits organization supporting development and educational needs of more than 80,000 workers, and</li><br><li>federal agency focused on ensuring the safety of U.S. government personnel.</li></ul><br><br>Along with winning a wide array of new contracts, Meridian has renewed and expanded several long-standing contracts with a number of U.S. Department of Defense agencies.  During the second half of 2009, Meridian estimates that it added more than two million users of its LMS. <br><br><b>Business Highlights</b><br>During the third and fourth quarters, Meridian's tallied a 100 percent renewal rate among all its customers, reinforcing the software maker's reputation for customer loyalty.<br><br>Meridian expanded its <a href="/rss/news/viewer/?id=238">Virtual Library</a> of custom online courseware to 17,000 titles, which now arguably holds the LMS industry's largest selection of training courses.  During the fourth quarter, Meridian continued to refine its Meridian Global LMS by enhancing functions for managing and selling online and classroom training to external audiences such as franchisees, members of trade associations, suppliers and distributors as well as labor unions. <br><br>In addition to increased revenue and a growing list of customers, Meridian enjoyed recognition worldwide from elearning executives, media and pundits for its products and services.  Among the kudos Meridian received were the following:  <ul><li>For the second consecutive year, readers of Elearning! Magazine gave Meridian Knowledge Solutions' Meridian Global LMS (Learning Management System) a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award in the category "Best Enterprise LMS,"   </li><br><li>listed in "visionaries" quadrant of Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems, </li><br><li>ranked by IT Training magazine as a "Top-5 LMS provider," and </li><br><li>named a "Top Training and Simulation Company" by Military Training Technology magazine. </li></ul><br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="245">
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Learning the Impossible at Meridian's 2010 Customer Conference ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=245]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[James "Butch" Lumpkin is an expert at turning nothing into something.  Born without arms, Butch has managed to not only play golf at close to par but also work as a tennis instructor.  His athletic accomplishments and approach to life were recently showcased on The Golf Channel.  And on April 20, 2010, he will keynote the Meridian Customer Conference in Chantilly, Va., at the Westfields Marriott.  ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, VA - February 26, 2010</b> - James "Butch" Lumpkin is an expert at turning nothing into something. Born without arms, Butch has managed to not only play golf at close to par but also work as a tennis instructor. His athletic accomplishments and approach to life were recently showcased on The Golf Channel. And on April 20, 2010, he will keynote the Meridian Customer Conference in Chantilly, Va., at the Westfields Marriott. <br><br>Butch aims to show attendees nothing is impossible when it comes to learning.  Lumpkin's inspiring message is backed up by his indefatigable spirit, creativity, hard work and never-take-no attitude.  Butch's presentation will help attendees see their employer's training challenges in a completely new way.  Attendees will learn that what seems impossible is, in fact, possible.  <br><br>To see Butch in action, watch him on The Golf Channel at <a href="http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/meet-butch-lumpkin-9477/?ref=26000" target="_blank">http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/meet-butch-lumpkin-9477/?ref=26000</a>. <br><br>Meridian is the provider of the <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.  Along with Butch Lumpkin's keynote, the two-day Meridian conference brings attendees these sessions:<br> <br><b>April 20 - Former Fighter Pilot Makes Leadership Training Soar at TeleTech</b><br>Former Navy fighter pilot Rich Herbst knows how to be a leader as well as what it takes to train one.  Rich is the vice president of Learning and Leadership Development at TeleTech, a global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO). Rich leads the development and delivery of all training programs for 55,000 TeleTech employees around the globe.  <br><br><b>April 20 - Virginia Leads the Way in Training, and You Can Too</b><br>In a report by The Pew Center on the States titled "Government Performance Project: Grading the States," Virginia was the only state in the U.S. in 2008 to receive an "A" for its training and development.  Virginia's success with training was chronicled in the pages of Chief Learning Officer magazine, <a href="http://www.clomedia.com/case-study/2009/April/2594/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.clomedia.com/case-study/2009/April/2594/index.php</a> <br><br>The Commonwealth of Virginia's Brooke Schepker will show attendees how she and her colleagues have put together an award-winning system for learning and collaboration.<br><br><b>April 21 - Meet the Buzz-Breakers:  Elearning Industry Bloggers sift fact from fad when it comes to learning technology.</b><br>Is Twitter or, even, the iPad a viable learning technology?  What's real, what's buzz?  A panel of elearning bloggers, including Mark Bower, Karl Kapp and Susan Smith Nash will appear together on stage to share insights about what defines learning technology, and what it's really capable of.  <br><br><b>April 21 - Increasing the Training Organizations Business Impact</b><br>Learning-industry expert and blogger Mark Bower offers a session with something for any training pro.  Mark has two decades of experience helping clients of all sizes face the thorniest workforce and learning issues.  Mark's easy-to-comprehend concepts will help attendees achieve their employer's business aims.<br><br>To register for the Meridian conference, visit <a href="/registration">http://www.meridianksi.com/registration/</a>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="244">
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions Earns Second Award of Excellence for Best Enterprise LMS]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=244]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[For the second consecutive year, readers of Elearning! Magazine gave Meridian Knowledge Solutions' Meridian Global LMS (Learning Management System) a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award in the category "Best Enterprise LMS."  Meridian was one of only five companies worldwide to earn an award in this year's Enterprise LMS group.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>February 3, 2010</b> - For the second consecutive year, readers of Elearning! Magazine gave <a href="/">Meridian</a> Knowledge Solutions' <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a> (Learning Management System) a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award in the category "Best Enterprise LMS."  Meridian was one of only five companies worldwide to earn an award in this year's Enterprise LMS group.<br><br>"E-learning executives and professionals worldwide selected the Meridian Global LMS as a Best of Elearning! finalist for 2009," said Catherine Upton, group publisher of Elearning! Magazine. "There is no greater honor than to be recognized by the executives and business managers who use your products and services."<br><br>The staff of Elearning! Magazine received more than 1,755 nominations for the 2009 readers' choice awards.  Readers selected 55 products to receive Awards of Excellence.  From Best Learning Management System to Best Virtual Classroom, these products rank as "Best in Class" according to executives and e-learning users.<br><br>In 2009, Meridian released the newest edition of Meridian Global LMS, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet for learners both inside and outside a company's walls.  <br><br>"Most employers look at a learning management system as a way to train an internal audience of employees," said Bryan Chapman, chief learning strategist for <a href="http://www.chapmanalliance.com/" target="_blank">Chapman Alliance</a>, a learning-technologies consultancy.  "But with a combination of consumer-friendly features and functions, employers can market - and charge for - external training, including teaching management strategies to franchisees; instructing customers how to get more from products; or, providing members of trade associations with certification training."  <br><br>"We've made Meridian's LMS equally valuable for training employees, an employer's customers and even an organization's business partners," says <a href="/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Meridian Operations.  "Our product's versatility along with the ease with which people can upgrade from one version to another have helped us earn not only the confidence of our customers but also a second straight 'Best of Elearning!' award."<br><br>Meridian and its learning management system (LMS) also garnered the following kudos in 2009:<ul><li>Listed in "visionaries" quadrant of Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems; and,</li><br><li>Named a "Top Training and Simulation Company" by Military Training Technology magazine</li><br></ul>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="243">
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Software Architect and E-Learning Standards Expert Christopher Sawwa Joins Meridian Knowledge Solutions]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=243]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Christopher Sawwa, a 20-year veteran of the software industry, has joined Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC  to lead e-learning content and delivery, a newly created position at the company.  Mr. Sawwa's experience includes senior-level consulting roles with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as numerous years as a software architect developing learning management systems (LMS), which deliver, analyze and track learning via the Internet. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=243]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - January 7, 2010</b> - Christopher Sawwa, a 20-year veteran of the software industry, has joined <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC</a>  to lead e-learning content and delivery, a newly created position at the company.  Mr. Sawwa's experience includes senior-level consulting roles with the U.S. Department of Defense as well as numerous years as a software architect developing learning management systems (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>), which deliver, analyze and track learning via the Internet. <br><br>Mr. Sawwa's primary role at Meridian will be guiding the future development of the company's flagship software - Meridian Global LMS - as it relates to maintaining the company's leadership position vis-à-vis top e-learning standards, such as <a href="http://www.academiccolab.org/" target="_blank">SCORM</a> (Sharable Content Object Reference Model).<br><br>"Meridian is recognized by pundits and customers alike as a leader in the adoption of industry standards; adding Chris to the Meridian team ensures we'll stay in that position for years to come," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Meridian Operations. <br><br>With Sawwa's hiring, Meridian will have a software architect and standards guru able to discern and clarify many of the ambiguities found with e-learning standards such as SCORM.  Sawwa's work will largely go on behind-the-scenes.  The result for those using Meridian's LMS will be a system that, arguably, processes and accepts a wider array of content than any other LMS on the market today. <br><br>"As e-learning industry standards constantly evolve, my goal will be ensuring that Meridian's LMS makes content easily accessible by any user from anywhere in the world," said Sawwa. "To enable learners to tap in to content of any kind, we have to not only scrutinize the leading e-learning standards but also lead the market in continuing to architect an LMS that delivers content in a way that takes little if any effort on the part of the system administrators."<br><br>"Chris, like few other people in the industry, has a clear vision for where he wants to take LMS technology," added Haythorn. "He's equal parts strategist and tactician, and he's capable of leading product managers, software architects, developers, analysts and tech writers."<br><br>Mr. Sawwa has also contributed to the development of e-learning standards through his association with the <a href="http://www.adlnet.gov/Pages/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Advanced Distributed Learning Co-Lab</a> (ADL), which, among other things, tests, evaluates and demonstrates the use of learning technologies.<br><br>"Chris has helped us advocate for the use of learning technologies and build the next generation of learning-delivery architecture," said Paul Jesukiewicz, director of the ADL Initiative. "His participation and ideas have repeatedly helped us in evaluating the industry's latest LMS technology."  <br><br>Mr. Sawwa's professional memberships include LETSI, IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society.  He holds a master's degree in computer science from Warsaw Polytechnics, Warsaw, Poland.<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="242">
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Experts to Riff on the Future of E-Learning Content; Meridian Knowledge Solutions' Webinar Filters Fact From Fad for 2010]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=242]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[With New Year's Day just weeks away, predictions of what's in and what's out will soon be here. Get a jump on the training industry's prognosticators and decide for yourself what matters most by attending Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC's "Future of eLearning Content" webinar.  The webinar begins December 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=242]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - December 15, 2009 - With New Year's Day just weeks away, predictions of what's in and what's out will soon be here. Get a jump on the training industry's prognosticators and decide for yourself what matters most by attending Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC's "Future of eLearning Content" webinar.  The webinar begins December 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.<br><br>Who should attend?  If you're responsible for buying or managing your organization's training content, don't miss this free, 45-minute online discussion.  <br><br>What will you learn?  Meridian's panel of content vendors and elearning bloggers will offer their take on the way learning management technology, mobile applications and social media will shape the elearning content you'll buy next year.  <br><br>The "Future of eLearning Content" webinar will cover:<ul><li>New, streamlined ways to buy content</li><li>Innovations in delivering and managing content</li><li>Fresh approaches to instructing learners</li><li>Requirements for transferring knowledge </li></ul><br>Attendees will not only hear what's fact and fad with regard to elearning content but also have questions answered by our panelists who are:<br><br>John Ambrose, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Corporate Development and Emerging Business, SkillSoft<br><br>Janet Clarey, Sr. Researcher, Brandon Hall Research blogger, and author of research reports ranging from Web-based collaboration and learning in the workplace to blended learning and e-learning 2.0.  <br><br>Karl Kapp, Ed. D., Professor of Instructional Technology at Bloomsburg University, chief blogger for the elearning blog "Kapp Notes," and co-author of the newly released book "Learning in 3D."<br><br>James Moss, Learning & Development Lead, Vivid Learning Systems<br><br>Moderator - James Friesen, Content Guru, Meridian Knowledge Solutions<br><br>To attend, go to: <a href="https://eval.webex.com/eval/onstage/g.php?d=928360548&t=a" target="_blank">https://eval.webex.com/eval/onstage/g.php?d=928360548&t=a</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="241">
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[LMS Software Helps Meridian Make List of Top Training & Simulation Companies]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=241]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have for the second consecutive year named Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software firm's impact on military training during 2009. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=241]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - November 5, 2009 - KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have for the second consecutive year named Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software firm's impact on military training during 2009. Meridian's learning management system (LMS) - which analyzes and delivers training via the internet - has underpinned its contributions to the military.  <br><br>The Meridian LMS is used for knowledge-exchange and learning across all branches of the U.S. military, Department of Defense and several state National Guard units. Since the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) began using Meridian's software, the number of users of the AETC LMS has grown from a handful to more than 900,000 civilian and military personnel.<br><br>Meridian's flagship software product, the Meridian Global LMS, combines learning and knowledge management with Web 2.0 functions - such as online collaboration spaces - to enable cooperation between warfighters billeted around the world.  <br><br>In reviewing Meridian for this year's list of Top Training and Simulation Companies, KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine considered the Chantilly, Va.-based firm's contracts with the Air Force News Agency, U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command; U.S. Marine Corps, including Marine Corps Aviation; U.S. Special Operations Command; and, Joint Special Operations Command.<br><br>"One of the advantages of Meridian's LMS is that it provides the flexibility to create a central repository for training data and deploy customized systems at an unlimited number of bases around the world," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of operations for Meridian. "Our Department of Defense business has grown substantially in recent years for two reasons. First, our system has consistently delivered for partners such as L-3 Communications as well as other DoD contractors, and, second, our services and commitment have, in many cases, exceeded the expectations of uniformed and civilian DoD employees."<br><br>A panel of judges selected this year's Top Training and Simulation Companies based on criteria such as total military sales, product innovations and the success of each nominee's training programs. Along with Meridian, the 2009 list features more than 80 companies including CACI International Inc., Northrop Grumman Technical Services, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins. <br><br>About Meridian<br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management, and competency modeling in one learning management system (LMS).  In addition to Meridian Global LMS, we provide professional services, courseware development, and hosting services.  <br><br>We serve 6.5 million users at more than 270 public- and private-sector employers.  And our software is used by companies that range in size from 900,000 employees to less than 100 workers.  Our clients include AutoZone, Panera Bread, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, Whirlpool and more than 80 federal, state and local governments. <br><br>We are the number one ranked learning-technology company for customer loyalty.  Our award-winning software aims to deliver learning, distribute knowledge, and sharpen business skills, which will make you a leader in your industry.  Our Chantilly, Va.-based company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Visionary Integration Professionals.  To follow Meridian on Twitter, visit http://twitter.com/meridianks<br><br># # #<br>Media contact:<br>Bill Perry<br>bperry@meridianksi.com<br>Cell: 614 975 7538<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="239">
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian in Visionaries Quadrant of 2009 Corporate Learning Systems Magic Quadrant]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=239]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the visionaries quadrant of the 2009 Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems (LMS) report .  The Corporate Learning Systems Magic Quadrant provides a synopsis of and advice about software firms that deliver, analyze and manage training via the web.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=239]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - October 1, 2009</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the "visionaries" quadrant of the 2009 Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems <br>(LMS) report .  The Corporate Learning Systems Magic Quadrant provides a synopsis of and advice about software firms that deliver, analyze and manage training via the web.  <br><br>"Because we invest considerable resources in R&D vis-à-vis our competitors we have been able to develop an LMS that stands ahead of the pack in terms of social learning, collaboration and mobile delivery of learning," said <a href="/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Meridian Operations. "Our vision has been to create an LMS with the capabilities that our clients need today as well as in the future."<br><br>For its latest Magic Quadrant report, Gartner evaluated Meridian's flagship LMS - <a href="/products/meridian_global/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which gives managers an easy-to-use software platform for putting in place training programs for employees, business partners and customers; carrying out employee performance reviews; and, building online business communities.  <br><br>Gartner's Magic Quadrant positions vendors between vertical and horizontal axes with the horizontal axis representing completeness of vision and the vertical axis indicating ability to execute.  In 2009, on the completeness-of-vision axis, Gartner particularly evaluated software systems based on the comprehensiveness of a vendor's offering.  Vendors with software systems that presented more effective components and capabilities generally improved in the areas of analytics, learner ease-of-use and support for structured social and informal learning. <br><br><b>About the Magic Quadrant </b><br>Magic Quadrant Disclaimer: The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2009 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="238">
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Achieves Strong 2Q Results; Caps Quarter with Blue-chip Contracts]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=238]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian announced today strong results for the second quarter of 2009, with this being the second consecutive quarter of exceptional revenue and earnings.  These results will undoubtedly help Meridian and its parent company, Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), end 2009 with an exceptional three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR).  Between 2008 and 2005, Meridian and VIP posted a CAGR of 72.8 percent.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=238]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - August 24, 2009</b> - Meridian announced today strong results for the second quarter of 2009, with this being the second consecutive quarter of exceptional revenue and earnings.  These results will undoubtedly help Meridian and its parent company, Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), end 2009 with an exceptional three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR).  Between 2008 and 2005, Meridian and VIP posted a CAGR of 72.8 percent.<br> <br>"During the quarter, we saw an accelerated number of inquiries from very large organizations," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of operations for Meridian.  "In the second quarter, the new deals we closed were predominantly made up of companies who have 30,000 or more users."<br> <br>"We've made steady progress toward the goals we collectively set for ourselves at the end of 2008," added Vince J. Juaristi, executive vice president for Enterprise Solutions and Human Capital Management at VIP.  "Those goals include forging additional strategic partnerships and expanding our customer footprint across an array of industries and regions." <br> <br><b>New Customers</b><br>Among Meridian's new customers for the quarter are:<ul><li>a Japan-based automaker</li><li>an international transportation company</li><li>a global manufacturer for the food and beverage industry</li><li>a state government, enterprise-wide</li><li>a nationwide provider of technical training for the automotive and marine industries</li><li>a 110,000-member labor union representing service industry workers</li></ul><br><br><b>Business Highlights</b><br>For the second quarter, Meridian's renewal rates for its subscription licenses as well as its software-as-a-service offering, <a href="/services/SaaS/">MG SaaS</a>, were 100 percent.  <br> <br>During 2009, Meridian's leadership team committed itself to building on the functionality of the Meridian Global LMS.  With enhanced functions for managing and selling online and classroom training, Meridian Global LMS 2009 makes it easy for businesses, such as retailers, banks and trade associations, to train a wide array of customers, suppliers and distributors. <br> <br>"Our customers can easily configure our latest <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">learning management system</a> to support multiple networks, reseller organizations, distributors and their own customers," added Haythorn.  "That ease of configurability is a reason organizations are turning to our LMS to deliver learning to employees as well as external audiences such as customers."<br> <br>Among the other reasons new customers cited for choosing Meridian Global LMS were the product's multi-lingual support and a unique product architecture that enables easy integration between the Meridian LMS and HRIS, financial systems and other learning technologies.  New customers also noted Meridian's support for the latest e-learning industry standards - such as SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and those developed by AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) - as a motivation for buying.<br> <br>Meridian's executives also credit the success of the past several quarters to the manner in which the company's sales team and delivery group work together.  Meridian's delivery team ensures that customers get off to the right start with the company's software.  That effort was first publicly recognized late last year when Meridian received the Gold "<a href="/rss/news/viewer/?id=224">Excellence in Customer Service Award</a>" from <i>Chief Learning Officer magazine</i>.<br> <br>"We never talk about a sale beginning and ending with our customers," said Geoff Perry, Meridian's director of Software Implementation Services.  "Everyone across the company stays involved with our clients in one way or another.  So customers know they have more than a few people proactively offering advice, troubleshooting issues or providing support."  <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="236">
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Sees Strong Q1 Results]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=236]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Sees Strong Quarter 1 Results]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=236]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, VA - May 18, 2009</b>.  Meridian announced today stronger than expected Q1 results, and a Meridian sales pipeline that has nearly doubled over the past six months.  These results have helped Meridian and its parent company, Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP), hit revenue of $148.7 million for 2008, an increase of 31.5% over 2007 results of $113.1 million.<br><br>"The level of interest in Meridian is remarkably high right now," said Vince J. Juaristi, Executive Vice President for Enterprise Solutions and Human Capital Management at VIP.  "We have placed such great emphasis over the years on customer satisfaction, customer service, and product quality that we are gratified to see these priorities resonating so strongly in a difficult economy."<br><br>In Q1, Meridian significantly expanded its client base in Aerospace, Health Care, Manufacturing, and hospitality markets. It's traditionally strong presence in the federal DoD, state and local, and association/non-profit markets also experienced substantial growth.   <br><br>"Everyone around here has been quite excited by the strength of our numbers and the prospects for our future," said Roy Haythorn, Vice President of Meridian Operations.  "We are seeing strong prospects for Q2 and beyond in nearly every sector where Meridian has a foothold.  We are also breaking into new industries, sectors, and territories as more clients turn to Meridian for greater customer satisfaction, a financially stable LMS partner, and product architecture that simplifies configuration and integration with complimentary tools."<br><br>Meridian and its parent company, VIP, posted a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 72.8% between 2008 and 2005. ]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="235">
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[States Consolidate on Learning Management]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=235]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[KM World magazine reports that state governments are consolidating learning management with software such as Meridian Global LMS.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=235]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>May 1, 2009</b> - KM World magazine reports that state governments are consolidating learning management with software such as Meridian Global LMS.<br><br>Read the entire article: <a href="http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/Editorial/Feature/States-consolidate-on-learning-management--53571.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/Editorial/Feature/States-consolidate-on-learning-management--53571.aspx</a><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="233">
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Customers Get 2,200 New Choices with MindLeaders and Meridian; Virginia's State Corporation Commission Chooses Content for its LMS  ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=233]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has signed an agreement with Dublin, Ohio-based MindLeaders, Inc. that adds 2,200 titles to Meridian's online library, which now includes more than 15,000 e-learning courses.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=233]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - May 1, 2009</b> - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a>, LLC has signed an agreement with Dublin, Ohio-based MindLeaders, Inc. that adds 2,200 titles to Meridian's online library, which now includes more than 15,000 e-learning courses.  <br><br>"The quantity and quality of content that we've gained through our deal with MindLeaders allows us to add an entire 'wing' to our Virtual Library," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Meridian Operations.  "Meridian has two objectives with its Virtual Library.  First, provide customers with one-stop shopping for content, and, second, guarantee our customers that our library's third-party courseware will run flawlessly."<br><br>Meridian inked its deal with MindLeaders, in part, because of the Ohio-based company's 28-year history with training technology.  MindLeaders' e-learning tools cover a wide array of topics from business skills to compliance training.  <br><br>Meridian, which makes learning management systems (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) for analyzing and delivering training via the Internet, began building its Virtual Library in May 2008 by signing agreements with providers of training content and online assessments.  The deal with MindLeaders is the latest in a string of announcements by Meridian.   <br><br>"MindLeaders is committed to partnering with leaders in the learning and development space," stated Philip Payne, director of Marketing for MindLeaders.  "The ability to get our best-in-class e-learning to the markets Meridian serves is a win for us and for this partnership."<br><br>On the heels of signing the MindLeaders contract, the Chantilly, Va.-based company introduced the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Corporation Commission (SCC) to Meridian's "<a href="/courseware/library/">Virtual Library</a>."  Soon after, the SCC purchased training courses from MindLeaders to run on Meridian's LMS.<br><br>"The quality of MindLeaders' content convinced the Virginia State Corporation Commission to choose our Virtual Library," added Haythorn.  "Customers can buy the courses they need from the library and begin delivering training via their Meridian LMS in a matter of a few hours."  <br><br>Each course Meridian offers through its Virtual Library will run on either the company's flagship LMS - Meridian Global - or the <a href="/services/saas/">software-as-a-service</a> (SaaS) version of Meridian's LMS.  The courses conform to the latest e-learning standards, including SCORM 2004.  And the library contains courses in more than 15 languages.<br><br>Meridian's customers can visit <a href="/courseware/library/">http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/</a> and work with a content expert to pick and choose their training.  Or customers can purchase content via their Meridian LMS.  <br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="234">
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Federal Computer Week Asks Meridian About Second Life ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=234]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian comments on the pros and cons of carrying out training with virtual world software, such as Second Life.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=234]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>April 30, 2009</b> - Meridian comments on the pros and cons of carrying out training with virtual world software, such as Second Life.<br><br>Read the entire article: <a href="http://fcw.com/Articles/2009/05/04/FEAT-SIDEBAR-virtual-training-dangers.aspx" target="_blank">http://fcw.com/Articles/2009/05/04/FEAT-SIDEBAR-virtual-training-dangers.aspx</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="232">
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's Latest Learning Management System Turns Training Inside Out]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=232]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC released the latest version of its learning management system (LMS) software that includes features targeted specifically at consumers.  With enhanced functions for managing and selling online and classroom training, Meridian Global LMS 2009 makes it easy for businesses, such as retailers, banks and trade associations, to train a wide array of customers, suppliers and distributors.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=232]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - April 7, 2009</b> - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC</a> released the latest version of its <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">learning management system</a> (LMS) software that includes features targeted specifically at consumers.  With enhanced functions for managing and selling online and classroom training, Meridian Global LMS 2009 makes it easy for businesses, such as retailers, banks and trade associations, to train a wide array of customers, suppliers and distributors.  <br><br>"Most employers look at a learning management system as a way to train an internal audience of employees," said Bryan Chapman, chief learning strategist for <a href="http://www.chapmanalliance.com/" target="_blank">Chapman Alliance</a>, a learning-technologies consultancy.  "But with a combination of consumer-friendly features and functions, employers can market - and charge for - external training, including teaching management strategies to franchisees; instructing customers how to get more from products; or, providing members of trade associations with certification training." <br><br>Meridian believes its latest software release offers customers just that mix.  <br><br>For example, <a href="/impact/" target="_blank">Meridian Global LMS 2009</a> includes:<br><ul><li>an easy-to-use interface for finding, evaluating and taking learning</li><br><li>an enhanced e-commerce function to buy (and collect payment for) instructional products or online training</li><br><li>protocols (e.g., LDAP) and tools for simplifying the process by which users of all kinds sign on to the LMS to take training</li><br><li>a creative approach to "custom roles."  Custom roles offer an employer an easy way to build a complex menu of functions and content for different users to tap into.  For instance, if a manufacturer wants distributors of, say, its hydraulic products to create and sell online training  and resellers of its electromechanical products to simply handle online registration for classroom courses, then the custom roles function in the LMS nimbly handles the job</li><br><li>a one-step approach for importing courses from a server to the LMS, as long as the courses meet one of two e-learning industry standards such as SCORM or AICC.</li></ul>"If a company, association or any type of employer wants to turn training into a profit center, the new Meridian Global LMS warrants a look," said Mike Brennan, product director for Meridian.  "The e-commerce and management tools in our newest LMS open a myriad of possibilities for businesses that want to educate groups beyond employees."<br><br>Trade groups and industry publications alike gave the 2008 edition of Meridian's LMS top marks for being easy to use.  Meridian has built on its straightforward, yet powerful, product and tailored the features of Meridian Global LMS to appeal to a consumer audience.<br><br>Customers have begun ordering the latest edition of Meridian's LMS, including a trade association that intends to use Meridian's new software to sell training to its 150,000 members.<br><br>"A buyer can configure our latest learning management system to support multiple networks, reseller organizations, distributors and customers," added Roy Haythorn, vice president of Meridian Operations. "When you compare the number of people you can reach with an externally facing LMS to one used solely for employee education, the numbers and financial benefits grow exponentially."  ]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="269">
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Virginia Leads the Way in Training]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=269]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[By putting knowledge transfer front and center, the Commonwealth of Virginia is leading the nation's states in training and development. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=269]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Read the full article in CLO Magazine.<br><br><a href="http://clomedia.com/articles/view/virginia_leads_the_way_in_training/print:1" target="_blank">http://clomedia.com/articles/view/virginia_leads_the_way_in_training/print:1</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="230">
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Specialty Equipment Market Association Picks Meridian's LMS Software For 7,600 Member Companies ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=230]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[SEMA members make and use all kinds of specialty parts and accessories to improve the look and performance of new and vintage vehicles.  SEMA sees the Meridian Global LMS as being the nexus for marketing, education, training and promotion. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=230]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va.</b> - February 13, 2009 - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a>, LLC is implementing a <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">learning management system</a> (LMS) for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).  SEMA will use the LMS to supply an online training curriculum for honing the product knowledge and professional skills of its 7,600 member companies, which total approximately 150,000 employees.  SEMA's members are the producers and marketers of specialty equipment products and services for the automotive aftermarket.<br><br>SEMA members make and use all kinds of specialty parts and accessories to improve the look and performance of new and vintage vehicles.  SEMA sees the <a href="/rss/news/viewer/?id=227">Meridian Global LMS</a> as being the nexus for marketing, education, training and promotion.  <br><br>"Our use of an LMS is not about delivering a standard corporate training program," says Susan Walker, education program manager for SEMA Education Institute (SEI).  "Our learning management system will give SEMA members online, instant access to not just product information, technical bulletins and certification training but also a toolkit that will help members really sharpen the way they sell their products and services."<br><br>"An LMS should help employees take charge of their professional and on-the-job education and give managers a quick and easy way to assess their workers' skills and know-how," said <a href="/about/leadership/">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Operations for Meridian.<br>  <br>SEI plans to launch its LMS to members in two phases.  The first phase - which will be a soft launch - kicks off with a number of e-learning courses, including "Focus on the Customer: Introduction to Selling."  This first course, which members can access at <a href="http://www.sema.org">http://www.sema.org</a>, will instruct newly hired employees on how to zero in on a customer's need and complete a sale.  SEI says the majority of the online classes will be free to members.  <br><br>Bob Price, executive director of SEI, notes the Meridian LMS will support SEMA in four areas:  <br><ul><li>First, SEI offers product and marketing training.  Manufacturers of specialty automotive equipment find it difficult to effectively provide product training to all of the retailers selling their products. The LMS will provide SEMA-member retailers of all sizes online, on-demand product training and marketing assistance from hundreds of manufacturers. </li><br><li>Second, Price and Walker say the LMS will augment professional development.  </li><br><li>Third, SEI sees the Meridian LMS as helping to deliver and track the courses necessary for gaining professional certifications. </li><br><li>Fourth, SEI sees outreach programs as critical to attracting young people in high schools and technical colleges to the specialty equipment industry.  </li></ul><br>As part of its second-launch phase, SEMA plans to expand its e-learning courses to include manufacturer-specific courses on specialty automotive aftermarket products such as lift kits and differentials as well as general courses introducing topics like:  engine carburetors and cooling systems; performance upgrades, such as superchargers; brakes; wheels; and, tires. <br><br>"The chairman of the board of SEMA challenged us to build a world-class learning culture," says Walker.  "As part of that challenge, we looked at 64 learning management systems.  We picked Meridian because its team was highly qualified and its product met a rigorous set of technology demands. Other systems just didn't meet our needs to the extent we wanted."<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="229">
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[LMS Provider Meridian Racks Up Industry Kudos in 2008; Client Roster Grows 20 Percent ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=229]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC marked 2008 with industry accolades; a new version of its learning management system (LMS); a 20 percent year-over-year increase in clients; and, a 300 percent year-over-year uptick in implementations of Meridian Global LMS, the company's flagship software for training.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<h3><i>Meridian Continues Focus on R&D for 2009</i></h3><br><b>Chantilly, Va. - January 26, 2009</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC marked 2008 with industry accolades; a new version of its learning management system (LMS); a 20 percent year-over-year increase in clients; and, a 300 percent year-over-year uptick in implementations of Meridian Global LMS, the company's flagship software for training.<br><br><b>Industry Accolades</b><br>In May, The eLearning Guild's <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=212">global survey</a> of LMS software showed Meridian earning the top cumulative score among 11 LMS providers.  The independent survey polled 1,252 e-Learning professionals worldwide.  Meridian scored first, second or third in 19 of 20 categories in the Guild's report - "Guild 360º Report on Learning Management Systems."   Survey respondents listed Meridian's LMS as the industry's "easiest to use."<br><br>Meridian also garnered the following kudos in 2008:<br><li>Received a Gold "<a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=224">Excellence in Customer Service Award</a>" from Chief Learning Officer magazine;</li><br><li>Listed in "visionaries" quadrant of Gartner's 2008 Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems;</li><br><li>Earned a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award for its flagship software product - Meridian Global LMS; and</li><br><li>Named a "Top Training and Simulation Company" by Military Training Technology magazine. </li><br><br><b>Successful User Conference</b><br>Last fall, Meridian hosted its fourth annual user conference outside Washington, D.C.  The two-day event featured the latest technology for learning; exclusive customer case studies, and the unveiling of Meridian's 15,000-course <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/">virtual training library</a>.  <br><br>"Ninety-two percent of our attendees rated this year's conference a four or better, on a scale of one to five, with five being outstanding," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Operations for Meridian. "Informative and entertaining were two words we heard, again and again."  <br><br><b>New Version of Flagship Software</b><br>In 2008, Meridian released a new version of <a href="/products/learning_management_system/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.  Meridian Global LMS 2008.2 gives managers easy-to-use functions for carrying out employee performance reviews, staying on top of compliance training and building online communities. The Web 2.0 features of Meridian's LMS include "team rooms," which consist of online forums that both instructors and course-takers can use to develop themselves professionally.  <br><br><b>New Clients Look to Meridian LMS</b><br>In 2008, Meridian saw its roster of commercial and government clients grow year-over-year by a healthy 20 percent.  Meridian's new software license deals range in size from medium-sized businesses (with a few thousand employees) to numerous organizations with more than 50,000 users, each.  These clients include J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Sodexo, Inc., The Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of Iowa's College of Public Health, The Saint Louis University School of Public Health, multiple commands of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, and a federal government agency associated with the United States intelligence community.  <br><br><b>LMS Implementations Grow</b><br>Meridian has seen a 300 percent year-over-year increase in implementations of its Global LMS software in 2008 for two reasons.  First, Meridian's services team has earned a reputation for providing superior customer support, including smoothly executed software implementations.  In an industry ripe with stories of botched or drawn-out software implementations, Meridian has largely avoided the pitfalls through its meticulous approach.  Second, because of Meridian's 100-percent .NET architecture and a closely held technological advantage, LMS upgrades at Meridian are arguably the industry's easiest.<br><br>"I've seen several LMS implementations where customization and upgrade service costs were actually much higher than initial LMS licensing fees. Meridian has really differentiated itself by externalizing system parameters," said Bryan Chapman, chief learning strategist for <a href="http://www.chapmanalliance.com/">Chapman Alliance</a>, a learning-technologies consultancy. "By walling off the customized code, Meridian is directly solving a problem that causes great frustration among LMS users. The move could literally save Meridian users tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars in the long run."<br><br><b>R&D Among Key Initiatives for 2009</b><br>"A few years ago, we chose to completely redesign the Meridian architecture from the ground up, making it a 100-percent .NET architecture," said Haythorn.  "It put us a few steps behind the competition in the short term, but, after we were through with the redesign, it gave our customers an LMS that was not only incredibly easy to upgrade but also voted the industry's most useful to learners. "<br><br>The focus on research and product development reaped rewards for Meridian and its customers in 2008.  And the company will continue to commit people and dollars to explore and develop the latest tools for building top-notch learning programs in 2009.]]></full_text>
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	<item id="227">
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Global LMS Earns 2008 Best of Elearning! Excellence Award]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=227]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC earned a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award for its flagship software product - Meridian Global LMS - in the "Best Enterprise LMS" category.  Meridian was among a small handful of finalists named by Elearning! Magazine in this year's Enterprise LMS category.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - January 13, 2009</b> - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions</a>, LLC earned a Best of Elearning! Excellence Award for its flagship software product - Meridian Global LMS - in the "Best Enterprise LMS" category.  Meridian was among a small handful of finalists named by Elearning! Magazine in this year's Enterprise LMS category.<br><br>"The Best of Elearning! Awards program is the only readers' choice awards in the market," reports Catherine Upton, group publisher of Elearning! Magazine. "Recognition of this type is increasingly important as more companies deploy e-learning initiatives to impact business and improve efficiencies."<br><br>More than 845 nominations were made by executives for the Best of Elearning!, of which, 43 solutions from 23 companies were honored. From Best Learning Management System to Web Conferencing Solution, these products rank as "Best in Class" according to executives and e-learning users.<br><br>In 2008, Meridian released a new version of <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.  Meridian Global LMS gives managers easy-to-use functions for carrying out employee performance reviews, staying on top of compliance training and building online communities. The Web 2.0 features of Meridian's LMS include "team rooms," which consist of online forums that instructors and course-takers can use to develop themselves professionally.  <br><br>Meridian and its learning management system (LMS) also garnered the following kudos in 2008: <br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;"><li style="margin-left:15px;margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:2px;">Listed in "visionaries" quadrant of Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems;</li><li style="margin-left:15px;margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:2px;">Rated Number One in "ease of use for learners," "ease of use for administrators," and "usefulness" in The eLearning Guild's "Guild 360º Report on Learning Management Systems;"</li><li style="margin-left:15px;margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:2px;">Named a "Top Training and Simulation Company" by Military Training Technology magazine; and <li style="margin-left:15px;margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:2px;">Earned a Gold "Excellence in Customer Service Award" from Chief Learning Officer magazine.</li></ul><br><br>"We've made a decades-long commitment to R&D at Meridian," says Roy Haythorn, Meridian's vice president of Operations.  "The support of our customers and a laser-like focus on R&D has helped us earn a Best of Elearning! Award and create an LMS that is incredibly easy to upgrade and use."]]></full_text>
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	<item id="228">
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian wins new contract, strikes agreement with SkillSoft for virtual content library]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=228]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian wins new contract, strikes agreement with SkillSoft to continue building virtual library of content.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=228]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Meridian wins new contract, strikes agreement with SkillSoft to continue building virtual library of content.<br><br><a href="http://www.2elearning.com/news/deals/single-news-article/article/-c386966546.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=442&cHash=ed5d1bf92d">Read the Full Article from Elearning!</a>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="226">
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[LMSs that kick ass]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=226]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Brandon Hall Research Analyst Janet Cleary interviews Meridian Vice President of Operations Roy Haythorn to learn how Meridian has incorporated social media tools into its Meridian Global Learning Management System (LMS).]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=226]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>December 19, 2008</b> - Brandon Hall Research Analyst Janet Cleary interviews Meridian Vice President of Operations Roy Haythorn to learn how Meridian has incorporated social media tools into its Meridian Global Learning Management System (LMS).<br><br><a href="http://brandon-hall.com/janetclarey/?p=1079" target="_blank">Read the full article</a>.]]></full_text>
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	<item id="225">
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Picks Meridian LMS for Compliance Training]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=225]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC is implementing the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of its learning management system (LMS) for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to manage an array of compliance training.  The university's 7,200 users will have access to the Meridian LMS, also known as the Training & Resource Center (TRC), via a password-protected web site accessible through laptop and desktop computers as well as PDAs. ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - December 15, 2008</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC is implementing the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of its learning management system (LMS) for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to manage an array of compliance training.  The university's 7,200 users will have access to the Meridian LMS, also known as the Training & Resource Center (TRC), via a password-protected web site accessible through laptop and desktop computers as well as PDAs. <br><br>"Our users not only possess a wide range of computer skills but also have varying amounts of time for training.  So we wanted a training system that was user friendly," adds Megan Williford, the Training & Resource Center (TRC) system administrator for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.  "Some workers simply want to get into the system, take their training and get out.  Others want to explore learning opportunities.  In either case, we wanted them to be able to access training with a few clicks."<br><br>Williford notes that the university's overarching goal was to centralize all training across its six schools and several different institutions for research.  Prior to purchasing the Meridian LMS, the university's schools had different systems for compliance training and leadership development.  With the Meridian LMS in place, the university has one training platform for all registration, delivery and record-keeping.  <br><br>The Web 2.0 features of Meridian's LMS include "team rooms," which consist of online forums that instructors and course-takers can use to review basics before the start of a leadership development class.  <br><br>"Our team rooms give instructors and employees a way to begin teaching and learning before a class meets in-person," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Operations for Meridian.  "A team room combines elements of an online discussion area and a blog."<br><br>According to Williford, the university's compliance training consists of courses on HIPAA, environmental health and safety, blood-borne pathogens and standards related to the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).  Williford says it's not unusual for 2,000 people to attempt to access the compliance training at a time.  <br><br>"With the amount of compliance training we do, it's fundamental for our auditing process to have sound record-keeping," added Williford.  "Automating this process with a learning management system has taken the burden of tracking off us, and given us time to improve the quality and quantity of our courses."<br><br>With a SaaS offering in place, Williford has removed a burden from her IT office, too.  That's because Meridian hosts the university's new LMS off-site, ensures the system is operating correctly and protects the LMS data.  This frees the university's IT department to focus on other projects.<br><br>"Our SaaS offering aims to give employers immediate access to the easiest-to-use LMS on the market today - Meridian Global," remarked Haythorn.  "Our LMS gives busy healthcare workers the training they need the moment they log onto the system."<br><br>Earlier this year, the Heartland Centers at Saint Louis University School of Public Health as well as the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health chose Meridian's LMS.  <br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="224">
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Wins Gold for Excellence in Customer Service]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=224]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian received the Gold "Excellence in Customer Service Award" from Chief Learning Officer magazine at the publication's recently held Fall Symposium in Coronado, Calif.  The prestigious award was the top honor in one of 15 categories presented by the magazine to "recognize transformational and visionary leaders in enterprise education." ]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - October 17, 2008</b> - <a href="/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC</a> received the Gold "Excellence in Customer Service Award" from Chief Learning Officer magazine at the publication's recently held Fall Symposium in Coronado, Calif.  The prestigious award was the top honor in one of 15 categories presented by the magazine to "recognize transformational and visionary leaders in enterprise education."<br><br>Meridian makes learning management systems (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>), which are software platforms for controlling, analyzing and delivering training via the Internet.  Meridian earned its Gold customer service award for going "above and beyond what [was] strictly required in order to help [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] get the most out of [the agency's] distance learning infrastructure." <br><br>In support of President George W. Bush's Secure Border Initiative, Meridian provided a technically sophisticated means for tracking how well government personnel performed in "scenario-based courses" that mimicked sensitive law enforcement issues.  Meridian felt this approach was the best answer for Custom and Border Protection's (CBP) needs, not as a reaction to a CBP directive.<br> <br>Meridian also designed a comprehensive learning curriculum that runs 24 hours a day for CBP. <br><br>"This award recognizes the commitment our employees make each day to our clients," remarked Malcolm Patel, co-founder and partner of Meridian.  "Our goal is to see our work from our customers' vantage point.  When we do that, we make extraordinary strides on behalf of our clients." <br><br>According to Chief Learning Officer magazine, the editors received a record number of nominations this year for the work of learning executives and solution providers.  The winners were "the industry leaders who truly champion innovation and transform it into learning and value for their organizations," remarked Norm Kamikow, president and editor in chief of Chief Learning Officer magazine.<br><br>"The CLO awards are a highly prized honor for our industry," said <a href="/about/management/#roy">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  "Winning the only Gold Excellence in Customer Service Award is incredibly special to Meridian because our aim has always been to put our customers first, and let everything else follow."  <br>	<br>Meridian, along with the other CLO award winners, will be featured in a special report supplement in the December issue of Chief Learning Officer magazine.<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="223">
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's Fourth Annual Users Conference a Success]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=223]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Executives Launch Virtual Library at Meeting 
]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[Chantilly, Va. - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC - a maker of learning management system (LMS) software - received high praise from attendees for the networking and agenda at its recently completed users conference, titled "Learn & Know" 2008.  This year marked the fourth anniversary for the Meridian customer event.<br><br>"We promised attendees a 'learning' event this year, a gathering for sharing practical wisdom about training and the technologies that support training," said Paul Somerville, co-founder and managing partner of Meridian.  "According to attendees, we succeeded in meeting those expectations.<br><br>"Whether it's meeting our customers' goals for a users conference or achieving the goals they've laid out for their learning management system, we're laser-beam focused on their satisfaction," added Somerville.<br><br>"Ninety-two percent of our attendees rated this year's conference a four or better, on a scale of one to five, with five representing the best mark," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  "Informative and entertaining were two words we heard, again and again."<br><br>The conference featured Meridian's James Friesen who kicked off the two-day event with a presentation that officially launched the company's Virtual Library, a collection of 15,000 off-the-shelf courses covering:  business skills; computer skills; high-end information technology training; Six Sigma; regulatory compliance, including on-the-job safety; and, retail.  Friesen showed how the new library - arguably the LMS industry's largest - gives Meridian's customers a simple way to rapidly deploy content.  <br><br>Among the sessions customers said they found the most valuable were case studies presented by AutoZone and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, respectively.  Conference attendees also saw a highly rated keynote speech covering eLearning 2.0 delivered by The eLearning Guild Emerging Technology Analyst Brent Schlenker.<br><br>In between the formal sessions, attendees had opportunities for informal networking and collaboration.  "The conference was great for generating ideas," said one Meridian customer whose comment was representative of many attendees' remarks.  <br><br>Day two of the conference included an exclusive look at Meridian's latest learning technologies with commentary and demonstrations by the software maker's product team.  A product brainstorming session gave conference goers a chance to offer valuable input for future versions of Meridian's award-winning LMS.<br><br>Along with this year's presentations and networking at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, Meridian hosted an awards dinner for attendees.   Award winners included:  AutoZone (Best Launch), Land O' Lakes, Inc. (Best ROI), and Michigan LearnPort for Michigan Virtual University (Most Innovative Use).  ]]></full_text>
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	<item id="222">
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's Virtual Library Grows to 15,000 Titles Through Agreement with SkillSoft ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=222]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has entered into a non-exclusive relationship with e-learning provider SkillSoft (NASDAQ: SKIL) that boosts the size of Meridian's online library to more than 15,000 e-learning courses.  Employers can tap Meridian's "Virtual Library" to train employees on topics ranging from acquisition and contracting to work-life balance.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=222]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - October 9, 2008</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC has entered into a non-exclusive relationship with e-learning provider <a href="http://www.skillsoft.com" taget="_blank">SkillSoft</a> (NASDAQ: SKIL) that boosts the size of Meridian's online library to more than 15,000 e-learning courses.  Employers can tap Meridian's "Virtual Library" to train employees on topics ranging from acquisition and contracting to work-life balance.  <br><br>Meridian, which makes learning management systems (LMS) for analyzing and delivering training via the Internet, began building its Virtual Library last May by signing a string of agreements with a select group of providers of training content and online assessments.  The relationship with SkillSoft is the latest announcement by Meridian.   <br><br>"With today's news, our Virtual Library is arguably the LMS industry's most comprehensive," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  "Whether your organization is a private-sector employer or government agency, we now have the widest selection of easy-to-access training content to meet your needs." <br><br>According to Haythorn, each course Meridian offers through its Virtual Library will run on either the company's flagship LMS - Meridian Global - or the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of Meridian's LMS.  The courses conform to the latest e-learning standards, including SCORM 2004.  And the library contains courses in more than 15 languages.<br><br>With the SkillSoft Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA), a software platform that supports a range of Web services, Meridian will have a simple way to deliver SkillSoft's learning assets.  Meridian's customers will be able to visit the company's Virtual Library and work with a content expert to pick and choose their training.  Or customers can purchase content via their Meridian LMS. <br><br>The Virtual Library also complements Meridian's SaaS product for managing learning and knowledge.  According to Meridian, software customers purchase SaaS products to quickly put in place the infrastructure for delivering training.  Meridian's SaaS product can be up and running within days of purchase.  And Haythorn says Meridian's wide-ranging library of training courses is a way to give customers training content the moment their LMS is turned on.  <br><br>"People can visit our web site or call a Meridian content expert, buy the courses they need and begin delivering training via their Meridian LMS in a matter of a few hours," added Haythorn.  <br><br>"One of the most significant challenges faced by LMS users is finding the right content and making sure it is fully interoperable with the platform," remarked Bryan Chapman, learning industry analyst and chief learning strategist for Chapman Alliance.  "The agreement between two leading providers like Meridian and SkillSoft is great news for those who want to take full advantage of the value proposition of a learning platform, which no matter how sophisticated - is still just a conduit for what learners really want: courses. Meridian is giving its LMS customers the widest possible selection of training, while removing the barriers."<br><br>"We're making sure our clients can find courses for any segment of their workforce or customer base, and buy these courses as they need them," said Haythorn.  "Our aim is to provide our customers with one-stop shopping, whether that means giving them the widest selection of courses or simply a single, targeted course."<br><br>To help customers get started, a Meridian content expert will assess a client's training needs and help them select the courses to best meet their requirements.  <br><br>Customers can learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/">http://www.meridianksi.com/courseware/library/</a>.<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="221">
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Military Training Technology Magazine Names Meridian To List of Top Training and Simulation Companies]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=221]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have named Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software company's contributions to the military training industry during the past year. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=221]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - October 6, 2008</b> - KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine have named Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC a "Top Training and Simulation Company" because of the software company's contributions to the military training industry during the past year.  For example, Meridian's learning management system (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) - which analyzes and delivers training via the Internet - is helping the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) provide integrated e-learning and knowledge management for technology training, flying, education and recruiting. <br><br>The Meridian LMS is arguably one of the military's most popular and easy-to-use platforms for learning.  Since AETC began using Meridian's software, the number of users has grown from a handful to more than 900,000 civilian and military personnel.<br><br>Meridian's flagship software product, the Meridian Global LMS, combines learning and knowledge management with Web 2.0 functions - such as online collaboration spaces - to enable cooperation between warfighters billeted across the world.  The Meridian Global LMS also offers straightforward and intuitive interfaces for reporting on and delivery of training.  <br><br>In considering Meridian for this year's list of Top Training and Simulation Companies, KMI Media Group and Military Training Technology magazine reviewed the company's work for not only the U.S. Air Force but also the U.S. Marine Corps and Vermont National Guard.<br><br>"Since founding Meridian 11 years ago, we've designed our software to meet the training needs of both private and public sector employers; while there are synergies between these sectors, there are also vast differences," said <a href="/about/management/#paul">Paul Somerville</a>, co-founder and managing partner of Meridian.  "Several of our executives have military backgrounds, so there's a robust cross-pollination of civilian and military viewpoints shared when designing our product.  We believe this military-civilian exchange of views translates into a product that's incredibly practical to use for both private-sector employers and warfighters."<br><br>An independent panel of judges selected this year's Top Training and Simulation Companies based on criteria such as total military sales, product innovations and the success of each nominee's training programs.  The 2008 list includes Meridian among a group of more than 80 companies, including General Dynamics, IBM, Rockwell Collins and SI International. <br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="220">
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[How Meridian Develops, Maintains, and Supports Quality Management and Development Processes]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=220]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[An overview of the testing methodologies and processes used at Meridian, why we chose Oracle Test Manager for Web Applications (a component of Oracle Application Testing Suite) to help us manage and support our processes and quality initiatives, and how we use Oracle Test Manager for Web Applications on a daily basis. 
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=220]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[The task of defining test plans, acceptance criteria, and testing deliverables and processes for any software development effort can face many different and evolving challenges, from identifying applicable processes to maintaining those decisions over time. <br><br>Choosing a tool to help support these practices and strategies can not only help alleviate the burden placed on those involved, but it can add efficiency, organization, and a backbone for success.<br><br>Before explaining how we started and implemented the quality initiative at my company, let me provide a little background information. Meridian Knowledge Solutions is a leading provider of learning management system (LMS) and learning content management system software. We also provide professional services, courseware, development, and hosting services. We serve 4.5 million users at more than 200 public- and private-sector employers.<br><br>Our flagship product, Meridian Global LMS, integrates learning content management, workforce analytics, knowledge management, and competency modeling in one LMS. Meridian Global LMS provides users with access to courseware, documents, data, instructors, and other learners on demand. Any material designed to aid job performance is easily and readily available and completely integrated into a single Web site. <br><br>In this article, you will get an overview of the testing methodologies and processes used at Meridian, why we chose Oracle Test Manager for Web Applications (a component of Oracle Application Testing Suite) to help us manage and support our processes and quality initiatives, and how we use Oracle Test Manager for Web Applications on a daily basis. <br><br>To read the rest of this article, please visit <a href="http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/downs-test.html">http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/articles/downs-test.html</a> ]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="219">
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Midwest Public Health Workers Prepare for Bioterrorism, Other Threats with Meridian LMS]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=219]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC is implementing the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of its learning management system (LMS) for "Prepare Iowa," which is a partnership of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=219]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - September 15, 2008</b> - <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com">Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC</a> is implementing the software-as-a-service (<a href="/services/SaaS/">SaaS</a>) version of its learning management system (<a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">LMS</a>) for "Prepare Iowa," which is a partnership of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health. The Prepare Iowa LMS, delivers online training, supplies certificates of completion, archives completed courses, assesses skills and publishes a calendar of training for public health professionals.<br><br>"The Prepare Iowa LMS is open to anyone who wants training related to a wide variety of public health topics, including emergency preparedness," said Tim Beachy, LMS coordinator for Prepare Iowa.  "With the Prepare Iowa LMS, the public health workforce can register for face-to-face training, as well as online training and education.  They can access the system to see where classroom training, conferences and events are taking place.  The Prepare Iowa LMS is about making critical training available to public health workers, on their terms."  <br><br>To access the Prepare Iowa LMS, public health professionals log in online and establish an account.  From there, they can find training on subjects ranging from bioterrorism to program evaluation.  With the Prepare Iowa LMS administrative tools, Beachy and his colleagues can work with public health agencies to map out training plans for their employees and monitor progress.  Beachy noted that people who've developed a course on a particular topic can use the LMS to post that content once it's gone through an approval process. <br><br>"The Prepare Iowa LMS also includes a powerful online tool for public health professionals to use in assessing their skills with regard to a variety of public health roles and responsibilities, such as bioterrorism," added Beachy.  "The results of the self-assessments help the Prepare Iowa LMS recommend training and provide learners a way to pinpoint what training to focus on.  Because of the dynamic nature of public health work we look to make the most of every minute of training we provide.  The Prepare Iowa LMS helps us do that."<br><br>With Meridian's SaaS offering, Beachy doesn't have to burden his department's IT office for support.  Meridian hosts the LMS off-site, which means the Virginia-based software firm can ensure the system is operating correctly and the LMS data are protected.  <br><br>"Our SaaS offering is designed to give employers immediate access to the <a href="/rss/news/viewer/?id=212">easiest-to-use LMS</a> on the market today - Meridian Global," said <a href="/about/management/#roy">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  "We aim to provide an easy-to-implement LMS, so the public health workforce can take training the moment they log onto the Prepare Iowa LMS."<br><br>In July, the Heartland Centers at Saint Louis University School of Public Health also chose Meridian's LMS.  The Heartland Centers tapped Meridian's LMS to provide preparedness training, among other types of education, for first responders and health workers in Missouri.<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="218">
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[AutoZone Selects Meridian Software for Training   ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=218]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC, a provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management software, has licensed its learning management system (LMS) software to Memphis, Tenn.-headquartered AutoZone, Inc. to help the company improve the delivery and administration of professional training programs.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=218]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - August 14, 2008</b>- AutoZone is the leading retailer - and a leading distributor - of auto parts and accessories in the United States.  AutoZone has more than 70,000 employees, and 4,000 stores in 48 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  The company also has 130 stores in Mexico.   <br><br>Once AutoZone puts Meridian's LMS into service, the auto parts retailer believes it can tap the software to improve the way:  <br><li>employees, known as "AutoZoners," deliver advice to customers; </li><li>managers evaluate the results of training; and, </li><li>trainers develop and report on learning.</li><br>  <br>"We believe the LMS will give AutoZoners a single place to turn for reliable and accurate training, which will help them quickly deliver the best advice to our customers," said Anita Mills, manager of Training & Development at AutoZone.  "Trustworthy advice is what our customers have grown to expect from AutoZone, and we feel Meridian's LMS will give AutoZoners an easier way to tap into our accumulated know-how."<br><br>One way that AutoZone aims to streamline training is by providing new hires with access to the LMS.  For example, when the LMS is installed, AutoZone will give new employees one, online location to access a prescribed "learning path" that teaches each newly hired AutoZoner basics such as customer service, sales techniques and managing inventory.  After completing the training program, new hires would be considered "AutoZone Certified."   <br><br>The Meridian LMS will help AutoZoners keep tabs on their job-related certifications and licenses.  The LMS will also allow AutoZoners to develop personalized training profiles in either English or Spanish.<br><br>"The training profiles that employees can create with our LMS are not unlike the kind of social networking profiles that people build to catalog their accomplishments, certifications and awards," said Roy Haythorn, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Meridian.  "Our LMS profiles help employees take charge of their professional and on-the-job education and give managers a quick and easy way to assess their workers' skills and know-how."<br><br>"We still intend to offer a mix of online and classroom training, but the LMS will help us eliminate certain types of printed training that can be better done over the web," said Mills.  "Building a better learning experience for AutoZoners will ensure customers continue to get the advice they trust.  And we feel our new LMS will help us create that experience."<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="217">
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Where Have All the LMS Vendors Gone?]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.clomedia.com/features/2008/July/2292/index.php]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Almost eight years ago, analysts predicted that consolidation in the LMS industry would shrink the number of vendors from more than 100 to a small fraction of that number. The analysts were right. Today, most learning and development professionals would correctly guess that there are less than a dozen major LMS vendors. But even those vendors seem to be disappearing. And consolidation is not the cause. ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=217]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[http://www.clomedia.com/features/2008/July/2292/index.php]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="216">
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[To Make Learning Collaborative, Heartland Centers at Saint Louis University School of Public Health Selects Meridian LMS Software]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=216]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian is implementing the software-as-a-service (SaaS) version of its learning management system (LMS) for the Heartland Centers at Saint Louis University School of Public Health.  The Heartland Centers chose the Meridian's corporate learning system to provide preparedness training, among other types of education, for first responders and health workers in Missouri and nationwide.
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=216]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - July 17, 2008</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC, a provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management software, is implementing the software-as-a-service (<a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/services/SaaS/">SaaS</a>) version of its learning management system (LMS) for the Heartland Centers at <a href="http://publichealth.slu.edu/" target="_blank">Saint Louis University School of Public Health</a>.  The Heartland Centers chose the <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian LMS</a>, also known as a <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=214" target="_blank">corporate learning system</a>, to provide preparedness training, among other types of education, for first responders and health workers in Missouri and nationwide.<br><br>The Meridian LMS replaces the university's existing training system, which lacked functions for managing training curricula and hosting online collaboration.  <br><br>"We have four different leadership networks that bring people from around the country together to learn.  They were using Yahoo! Groups to collaborate, but now we can give them a way to share calendars, discuss documents and training topics," said Christy McFarland, LMS Coordinator for the Heartland Centers, Saint Louis University School of Public Health.  "We don't have the luxury of IT support, so having Meridian host our LMS off-site made perfect sense.  Without Meridian's SaaS offering, we might have encountered firewall issues when delivering preparedness training to an array of health care workers nationwide.  Clearly, those kinds of issues would've prevented us from delivering the training when and where first responders need it."<br><br>Health care workers and other interested parties can access the university's training programs via the <a href="http://www.heartlandcenters.slu.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Heartland Centers</a> web site, which is an arm of Saint Louis University School of Public Health.<br><br>"We serve emergency workers in many rural communities, and these professionals and volunteers don't always have access to face-to-face training," added McFarland.  "So we wanted to provide them training and online collaboration capabilities inexpensively via an LMS.  With the Meridian LMS, new employees at local county public health agencies will be able to simply log on, register and get public heath training in minutes." <br><br>"Our SaaS offering is designed to give employers immediate access to what e-learning professionals recently ranked the <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=212" target="_blank">easiest-to-use LMS</a> on the market today - Meridian Global," said <a href="/about/management/#Roy">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  "For organizations like Saint Louis University School of Public Health, our approach has been to provide an easy-to-implement LMS so they can carry out the important work of preparing health care workers to practice medicine."<br>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="215">
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[At Michigan LearnPort, Teachers Tap Social Networking]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.clomedia.com/case-study/2008/July/2267/index.php?pt=a&aid=2267&start=3597&page=2]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[21st Century Teaching and Learning at Michigan LearnPort]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=215]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[Background<br><br>In 1998, the State of Michigan established Michigan Virtual University® (MVU®) as a not-for-profit corporation created to serve as a champion for online learning.  MVU, working in partnership with Michigan schools, provides cost-effective services and technology that strengthen teaching and learning. The organization funds its operations with grants, contracts and course fees.  And, since its founding, MVU has been a leading change agent in Michigan for the use of online tools and resources for developing, delivering and sharing knowledge. <br>Challenge<br>Beginning in 2002 with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), there has been a steady stream of state and federal laws aimed at improving education.  These laws push teachers to take professional development (PD).  But many educators feel strapped for time and resources when it comes to learning. <br><br>In 2003, MVU created a web-based PD delivery system called the Michigan LearnPort®.  Through Michigan LearnPort, school personnel were provided PD to help meet personal and district learning requirements.<br><br>Over the years, MVU, and its partner the Michigan Department of Education, examined the typical way school districts parcel out PD for teachers (i.e., face-to-face training and workshops).  MVU saw room for improvement.  In fact, a February 25, 2008, Time magazine article titled "How They Do It Abroad" notes that "Most U.S. teachers ... have no time to work with colleagues during the school day.  They plan by themselves and get ... little opportunity to share knowledge ...."  <br><br>"So often, as a school superintendent, I would bring in an expert to address my staff for the purpose of PD," said David Myers, executive director for Michigan LearnPort.  "Lots of people would get excited by the presentations.  But when teachers returned to their classes, and the expert was gone, they had nowhere to go to build on what they learned."<br><br>"Michigan traditionally spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year to support local PD activities," said Jamey Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of MVU.   "Our goal is to harness the Internet to consolidate high-quality PD resources and create efficiencies never before realized in the K-12 community."<br><br>With this in mind, Myers and his colleagues set four goals for re-launching Michigan LearnPort.<br>  <br>&middot;First, Myers wanted Michigan LearnPort to become the premier web site for delivering PD courses to Michigan educators.  <br>&middot;Next, he wanted to trim the cost of PD for school districts by delivering training online. Myers envisioned teachers getting education at school or home, libraries, anywhere there is an Internet connection--even during the summer months when most schools are closed.  <br>&middot;Third, Myers and his team wanted teachers to have a way to sustain what they learned.  <br>&middot;And fourth, he saw Michigan LearnPort as a repository for Michigan school districts to aggregate training records.  <br><br>"We weren't trying to aggregate records simply for the sake of showing compliance with state mandates," added Myers.  "We also wanted this capability so teachers and administrators could have one place to track their professional learning activities from graduate study, seminars, and, of course, Michigan LearnPort online courses."  <br>Solution MVU already had experience with learning management systems (LMS), software for tracking and distributing training.  MVU's executives knew an LMS was a way for teachers in far-flung districts to easily register for and take online training.  But, along with managing the basics of learning, Michigan LearnPort wanted to blend the best of social networking software and knowledge exchange in one easy-to-use, accessible spot.  So Michigan LearnPort sought a next-generation LMS that would underpin an online community where educators could exchange ideas to help one another.<br><br>"We needed to deliver training to tens of thousands of users, but we also wanted to foster collaboration," said Myers.  "We had to have a system that was intuitive.  Not all users are experts with e-learning or online collaboration."<br><br>After months spent evaluating many vendors, MVU picked Chantilly, Va.-based Meridian and its LMS for the project.  "I was pleased with the process MVU used to select its next learning management system and more pleased with the product," said Bruce Umpstead, director of education technology and data coordination for the Michigan Department of Education. "Meridian's LMS is best-in-breed; it is a professional tool that can manage Michigan's online PD needs."  <br><br>With the newly chosen LMS in place, Michigan LearnPort would be able to keep a record of each teacher's development plan.  It would link PD to school goals and offer access to training.  With Michigan LearnPort, teachers could create transcripts that showed they were complying with NCLB.  And Michigan LearnPort could now offer forums for teachers to join after completing PD.<br><br>"The collaborative features of our LMS, which we call 'community rooms,' were ideal for helping us reinforce the PD that teachers undertake," Myers added.  "Our Michigan LearnPort community rooms are built around discussion threads, a resident email tool and calendaring functionality."<br><br>Results<br>According to Michigan LearnPort, since launching the new LMS in July 2007, users of the PD portal have built more than 134 community rooms.  With the relaunch complete, more than 100 online courses are available free to all Michigan teachers via the Internet.  And Michigan LearnPort makes it possible for people to create and use a community room as part of an online course.  A bit more than six months after launch, Michigan LearnPort serves almost 30,000 users.<br><br>"It's amazing to see the proliferation of community rooms that educators have built in the six months since we relaunched Michigan LearnPort; we've gone from 0 to 134," said Elizabeth Elliott, project manager at Michigan LearnPort.  "Anyone who visits it can use our LMS to create a community room; the size of the rooms range from two people to an entire school district." <br><br>Educators at opposite ends of the state can now use Michigan LearnPort to connect through community rooms.  For soon-to-be credentialed teachers, who are often new college graduates, Michigan LearnPort's community rooms are proving a favorite.  <br><br>"Online social networks are second nature for young people," said Elliott.  "But the discussions taking place here are not superfluous.  They're discussing best practices and solving real pain points that organizations have."<br><br>When teachers visit Michigan LearnPort, they will see the range of community rooms as well as a feature for creating them.  The social networking features of the LMS, coupled with its traditional training features, have the potential to improve the way teachers seek PD and the ways they collaborate.  Before Michigan LearnPort, said Myers, teachers who wanted to collaborate would have to coordinate schedules, find email addresses for colleagues and set up conference calls at the mercy of everyone's calendars.  Now, educators can connect and learn when they have the time.<br><br>"If you calculate what it costs to chase people for training, compensate instructors and pay for courses and classroom space," said Myers, "then there's no question we've saved Michigan educators time and money, while improving their skills." <br><br>For example, one suburban Michigan school district tapped Michigan LearnPort for an online course to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.  The district pegged its savings at $11 per employee.  If the 150,000 school employees across the state were to take this one, hour-long online OSHA course in place of face-to-face OSHA training, the potential savings would be $1.6 million, or equal to the approximate cost of operating Michigan LearnPort for one year.<br><br>Along with teachers, members of professional educators' associations are tapping Michigan LearnPort for online courses.  <br><br>"Our association consists, in part, of school administrators, business managers and secretaries," said Dan Pappas, executive director of the Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM).  "Our members are taking online classes at Michigan LearnPort, but they're also exchanging information and discussing professional requirements."  <br><br>Going forward, Myers and his team hope to make online learning and collaboration a widely accepted alternative to the traditional models of PD, which Michigan educators rely on.  Early success with Michigan LearnPort is helping Myers' team make a case.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="214">
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Listed in Visionaries Quadrant in 2008]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=214]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Listed in Visionaries Quadrant in 2008 Corporate Learning Systems Magic Quadrant
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=214]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - July 3, 2008</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has been positioned by Gartner, Inc. in the "visionaries" quadrant of the 2008 Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems (LMS) report<sup style="font-size:7pt">1</sup> .  The Corporate Learning Systems Magic Quadrant provides a synopsis of and advice about software firms that deliver, analyze and manage training via the web. <br><br>"Our goal has been to develop an LMS that is not only incredibly easy to use and upgrade but also gives training professionals Web 2.0 technology - such as online collaboration software - that extends the reach of learning," said <a href="/about/management/#paul">Paul Somerville</a>, Meridian's co-founder and managing partner.  "Our vision has always been to take a learning-comes-first approach, which focuses R&D on learning technology - our core offering.  Along with offering what's arguably the market's newest model LMS, we're integrating our product with the best compensation and recruiting software."<br><br>For its latest Magic Quadrant report, Gartner evaluated Meridian's flagship LMS - <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which gives managers an easy-to-use software platform for putting in place training programs, carrying out employee performance reviews and building online business communities.  <br><br>Gartner's Magic Quadrant positions vendors between vertical and horizontal axes with the horizontal axis representing completeness of vision and the vertical axis indicating ability to execute.  In 2008, on the completeness-of-vision axis, Gartner particularly evaluated software systems based on the comprehensiveness of a vendor's offering.  Vendors with software systems that presented more effective components and capabilities generally improved in the areas of analytics, content creation and resources management, including traditional classroom and professional services (such as for planning, implementation and content). <br><br><b>About the Magic Quadrant</b><br>The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2008 by <a href="http://www.gartner.com/" target="_blank">Gartner, Inc.</a> and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. <br><br><hr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #c0c0c0;"><br><sup style="font-size:7pt">1</sup>"Magic Quadrant for Corporate Learning Systems," by Carol Rozwell and James Lundy, June 30, 2008]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="212">
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Global Survey of eLearning Professionals Finds Meridian's LMS Software on Top]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=212]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[In a recently released global survey of learning management systems (LMS), Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC earned the top cumulative score among 11 LMS providers.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=212]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - June 16, 2008</b> - In a recently released global survey of learning management systems (LMS) - software for delivering and analyzing training via the Internet - <a href="/about/overview/">Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC</a> earned the top cumulative score among 11 LMS providers.  <br><br>The independent survey, conducted by The <a href="http://www.elearningguild.com/">eLearning Guild</a>, polled 1,252 e-Learning professionals from around the world about their views on LMS.  In May 2008, the Guild published its findings in a 220-page report titled <i>"Guild 360º Report on Learning Management Systems."</i> <br><br>In addition to rating LMS software, the Guild's research found that LMS use varies by industry.  Pharmaceutical makers, for instance, tend to be the heaviest users of LMS software, with 87.5 percent stating they use a system.  The smallest concentration of LMS users are local government, with 33.3 percent running an LMS.<br><br>On an 11-point scale - with one representing the best rating and 11 the poorest - Meridian scored first, second or third in 19 of 20 categories covered in The eLearning Guild's report.  <br><br><a href="http://www.meridianksi.com/press_room/testimonials/">Survey respondents</a> gave Meridian first-place ratings for:<ul><li>"ease of use for learners," </li><br><li>"ease of use for [LMS] administrators,"  </li><br><li>"integrating with LCMS (learning content management systems),"</li><br><li>"support for different models of learning," </li><br><li>"support for complex business process models," </li><br><li>"helping people perform their jobs better," </li><br><li>"support for talent management," and </li><br><li>"support for immersive learning simulations."</li><br></ul><br>"Employers buy LMS for different reasons.  But the report clearly shows that if owning a system that's easy for people to use is a top priority, then we believe <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms">Meridian's LMS</a> ought to be considered because it excels at this," said <a href="/about/management/#beth">Elizabeth Harris</a>, partner and co-founder of Meridian.  "Similarly, if any of the other 19 categories by which The eLearning Guild measured an LMS is important to an employer, then buyers owe it to themselves to evaluate Meridian."  <br><br>According to the Guild's research team, large employers with tens of thousands of employees are often the harshest critics of LMS because so many users touch the software.  Meridian, along with several of its largest competitors, caters to many of these large public- and private-sector employers.  In spite of this, Meridian garnered above-average ratings - and in many cases top ratings - in categories such as usability and living up to promises.<br><br>"We view the Guild's research much like the people's choice award for e-Learning," remarked <a href="/about/management/#beth">Harris</a>.  "For 10 years, we've poured our energy into designing a cutting-edge LMS that keeps up with what employers truly need in the way of learning- and knowledge-management.  I suppose the Guild's research proves the race is not always to the swift."<br><br>"The Guild's 360° Report on Learning Management Systems is the most comprehensive vendor-neutral report ever published," stated Steve Wexler, director of research and emerging technologies for the Santa-Rosa California-based eLearning Guild. "Because of the large number of fully vetted responses, the findings in this report are a statistically accurate reflection of the tens of thousands of e-Learning professionals - designers, developers, and decision makers - that comprise the Guild."]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="211">
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Talent Management Magazine Features Meridian Customer Zaxby's]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.talentmgt.com/departments/application/2008/June/648/index.php]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Zaxby's builds foundation for talent management program with Meridian learning- and knowledge-management software.

]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=211]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>June 1, 2008</b> - Zaxby's builds foundation for talent management program with Meridian learning- and knowledge-management software.<br><br><a href="http://www.talentmgt.com/departments/application/2008/June/648/index.php">Read the Full Article</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="210">
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's New Learning Management System (LMS) Makes Life Easier for Bosses]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=210]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has released a new version of its flagship learning management system (LMS) - Meridian Global LMS, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.  ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=210]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. - May 29, 2008</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has released a new version of its flagship learning management system (LMS) - <a href="/products/meridian_global_lms">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.  Meridian Global LMS 2008.2 gives managers easy-to-use functions for carrying out employee performance reviews, staying on top of compliance training and building online communities.  <br><br>"Version 2008.2 offers a quick and easy way for managers to tackle performance evaluations," said <a href="/about/management/#dave">Dave DeVaux</a>, Meridian's co-founder and chief technology executive.  "As performance evaluation products become more and more complicated, they run the risk of becoming too hard to use.  At the end of the day, we don't want the technology to become an obstacle to the very thing it's supposed to make happen:  A conversation between manager and employee."<br><br>The performance evaluation features of Meridian's newest LMS are not unlike consumer software products, which are designed to be easy to use.  Managers begin the review process by opening a simple evaluation template.  From the template, they can quickly set or edit work goals for each employee.  And once the template is saved, bosses can invite employees to huddle online over the write-up.  <br><br>As for compliance training, Meridian's Version 2008.2 spares managers the pain of having to remember due dates, or nag employees about completing requirements.  The new release provides enhanced capabilities to easily organize and manage regulatory training around job titles, such as forklift driver or utility company linesman.  The system compiles required training for each job title or role, and launches an email notification campaign to employees on behalf of supervisors.  Workers receive a short list of the training they need to take as well as when it's due.  At the beginning of the year, managers can calibrate Version 2008.2 to remind workers about recurring training and licensing tests, too.  When employees wrap up their online or classroom training, managers are notified.  If someone is tardy with training, the system does the nagging.  In fact, Meridian's newest LMS is as powerful as it is intuitive.    <br><br>"The talent management market is bloated with systems that have become so weighed down with arcane features that users are discouraged," added DeVaux.  "With the customer's interests in mind, we've aimed to make Meridian Global Version 2008.2 both smart and simple."<br><br>DeVaux says his company makes it simple to purchase Meridian Global, too.  Customers can: 1) buy the software via a license, 2) ask Meridian to host the LMS or 3) rent the learning management system through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreement.    <br><br>As was the case with Meridian Global 2008.1, Meridian's engineers have given customers a way to build a wall around all of the customized code in version 2008.2.  This "software code wall" arguably spells the industry's easiest LMS upgrades for customers who host or license the product.  Simply put, the software's base code does not have to be tinkered with when moving to a new version.  Customers can easily carry forward whatever edits they've made to a previous version without affecting the newer version's base code.  This means a Meridian customer who upgrades from one version of Meridian Global to a newer version can make the move in days, instead of the weeks or months LMS vendors generally take to complete an upgrade.  <br><br>"I've seen several LMS implementations where customization and upgrade service costs were actually much higher than initial LMS licensing fees. Meridian has really differentiated itself by externalizing system parameters," said Bryan Chapman, chief learning strategist for <a href="http://www.chapmanalliance.com/">Chapman Alliance</a>, a learning-technologies consultancy. "By walling off the customized code, Meridian is directly solving a problem that causes great frustration among LMS users. The move could literally save Meridian users tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars in the long run."<br><br>Additional features of Meridian Global 2008.2 include a quick and easy way to tap into "collaboration spaces."  Meridian's collaboration spaces are online communities for employees to use to carry out or augment training.  For example, if a group attends a classroom training session, the Meridian LMS can follow up the class by giving attendees an opportunity to form an online group to discuss or reinforce the material covered in a class.  Beyond its collaboration spaces, Meridian has improved the tools, menus and user interface for version 2008.2.  <br><br>"There's no reason business software should be any more complicated to use than consumer software," added DeVaux.  "The latest enhancements we've made mirror this thinking."]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="209">
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Co-Founder Paul Somerville and Customer Zaxby's Speak to Restaurants & Institutions magazine]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.rimag.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6560649&article_prefix=CA&article_id=6560649]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian's Paul Somerville and Meridian Customer Richard Fletcher of Zaxby's discuss the pros and cons of e-learning for the restaurant industry.
]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=209]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[May 15, 2008 - Meridian's Paul Somerville and Meridian Customer Richard Fletcher of Zaxby's discuss the pros and cons of e-learning for the restaurant industry.<br><br><a href="http://www.rimag.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6560649&article_prefix=CA&article_id=6560649">Read the article</a>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="208">
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's SaaS Strategy Includes Building Large Online Training Library]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=208]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has signed the first of several planned agreements that will help the company build a large, online library of training content to complement its software-as-a-service (SaaS) product for managing learning and knowledge. The SaaS version of Meridian’s product is based on the company’s flagship learning management system (LMS) – Meridian Global LMS, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=208]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>Chantilly, Va. – May 8, 2008</b> – Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC has signed the first of several planned agreements that will help the company build a large, online library of training content to complement its software-as-a-service (SaaS) product for managing learning and knowledge.  The SaaS version of Meridian’s product is based on the company’s flagship learning management system (LMS) – <a href="/products/meridian_global/">Meridian Global LMS</a>, which delivers, analyzes and manages training via the Internet. <br><br>“People buy SaaS products to quickly put in place the infrastructure for delivering training, so it only makes sense that – whenever possible – the training ought to be simple and efficient to obtain, too,” said <a href="/about/management/">Roy Haythorn</a>, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Meridian.  “Our SaaS product can be up and running in days, so we aim to give our customers a wide-ranging library of training courses that they can deliver the moment their systems go live.  Our online, training library is all about making it incredibly easy to start training.”<br><br>The first “wing” of Meridian’s virtual library will contain courses focused on on-the-job safety.  The safety training content comes as the result of a reseller agreement signed between Meridian and Pasco, Wash.-based <a href="http://www.learnatvivid.com">Vivid Learning Systems</a>, which produces web-based compliance training programs for meeting government regulations.  Vivid will provide Meridian with more than 300 online courses for training to meet requirements mandated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Additional courses will focus on environmental management, employment law, food safety, heavy machinery, hazardous waste operations, mine safety and electrical work. <br><br>“We envision building additional wings on our online library, so it encompasses just about anything our SaaS customers might need in the way of courses for their training programs,” added Haythorn. <br><br>“Our research shows that companies of all sizes are gravitating to the SaaS model," said Josh Bersin, president of Bersin & Associates, a research firm focused on enterprise learning and talent management.  “The creation of a large-scale virtual library of training content for SaaS clients to tap into seems a natural outgrowth of Meridian’s desire to make training simple for its customers.”<br><br><br><b>About Vivid </b><br><br>Vivid Learning Systems is a leading provider of online training performance solutions. Established in 1995, Vivid is considered a pioneer in the application and delivery of leading edge computer-based technologies to corporate and government training programs across the country.From OSHA to Food Safety, Vivid offers one of the most comprehensive and diverse compliance libraries on the market.  Its dedicated team of instructional designers pride themselves on the production of course content built to meet today’s stringent federal, state and company requirements. The quality of its course design is highlighted by the integrated retention tools that are built into every course, including interactive exercises, random test banks and multi-modal delivery templates.  Each and every course is designed to meet SCORM standards and deliverability at all bandwidths.To meet each customer’s individual needs and ensure their success, Vivid offers a wide range of solutions from custom training to web development services to program implementation and utilization consulting.Leveraging the significant experience our company has earned in online content delivery, training development and database technologies, and the trust our customers have placed in our ability to produce quality products and services, Vivid has emerged as the “go-to” partner for Training Managers, Chief Information Officers, Compliance Officers and HR Directors.]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="207">
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Elliott Masie Speaks to Meridian Co-Founder Somerville About Learning]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=207]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Paul Somerville offers Meridian's take on not only the changes shaping the learning industry but also trends affecting both learners and training organizations.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=207]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<a href="/about/management">Paul Somerville</a> offers Meridian's take on not only the changes shaping the learning industry but also trends affecting both learners and training organizations.<br><br><a href="http://learningsystems08.com/meridian">http://learningsystems08.com/meridian</a><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="205">
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Selects OutStart to Expand ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=205]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[OutStart, the leading provider of eKnowledge software solutions for learning and knowledge sharing, and Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC , announced today that Meridian will offer OutStart’s industry-leading LCMS solutions -- OutStart Evolution LCMS and OutStart Studio, as part of the Meridian KSI leadership LMS suite. This enables Meridian to offer its customers and prospects a best-of-breed solution for both LMS and learning content creation, management, and delivery all from a single, trusted vendor.   ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=205]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>BOSTON, MA  and CHANTILLY, VA., November 7, 2007</b> - OutStart, the leading provider of eKnowledge software solutions for learning and knowledge sharing, and Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC , announced today that Meridian will offer OutStart’s industry-leading LCMS solutions -- OutStart Evolution LCMS and OutStart Studio, as part of the Meridian KSI leadership LMS suite. This enables Meridian to offer its customers and prospects a best-of-breed solution for both LMS and learning content creation, management, and delivery all from a single, trusted vendor. <br><br>“Our primary objective at Meridian is to provide our customers with the absolute best-in- class learning solutions,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian Founder.  “By expanding our offering to include OutStart Evolution LCMS and OutStart Studio in our leadership LMS suite, we are able to deliver on that promise with the finest LCMS technology in the market.”<br><br>“Meridian is a company that shares the same dedication to delivering great solutions and outstanding customer support that we do at OutStart,” said Massood Zarrabian, OutStart president and CEO. “We are happy to extend our relationship, which already includes successful joint customers, to offer OutStart LCMS technologies as part of their leadership suite”<br><br>OutStart and Meridian have a strong business synergy that is evident in their commitment to customer support and technical innovation. Both companies were recognized in Bersin and Associates’ recent study, <I>LMS Customer Satisfaction 2007</I>.  The independently funded study analyzed feedback from LMS customers in 20 different areas.  The study recognized Meridian as a customer loyalty leader for its high customer ratings across the board.  Outstart was also recognized for its content development tools and integration, ease of use, and customer service. <br><br>“It is important for alliances to serve market needs,” said Josh Bersin, president of Bersin & Associates, a research and advisory firm specializing in enterprise learning and talent management.  “For most organizations today, content management has become just as important as learning management.  Meridian customers will see tremendous advantages with an integrated solution for content development and management.”<br><br>Both Meridian and Outstart are early adopters and ardent supporters of the SCORM standards and the ADL SCORM initiative. The support for these standards ensures reusability and interoperability among diverse learning systems and protects organizational investments in learning content.<br><br><br><B>About OutStart</B><br><br>OutStart software powers formal and on-demand learning, knowledge sharing and community/expert collaboration solutions that enable knowledge workers – employees, partners, and customers – to perform their roles far more efficiently and effectively.  AgustaWestland, Autodesk, British Telecom, CVS Caremark, the US Navy, Verizon Wireless and others rely on OutStart to increase individual and organizational performance, improve knowledge transfer and lower operating costs.  Located in Boston, Mass., OutStart has offices throughout the U.S. and Europe and can be found on the web at <A href="http://www.outstart.com">www.outstart.com</A><br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="204">
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Releases Next Generation LMS - Meridian Global 2008.1.]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=204]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Global 2008.1, often referred to as the Web 2.0 LMS, combines Web 2.0 technologies with bullet proof LMS functionality for all organizations seeking a fully globalized enterprise solution.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=204]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>1Chantilly, VA</STRONG> – November 9, 2007 – Meridian Global builds on Meridian’s 10 years of experience in the LMS and Human Capital Management (HCM) industry, supporting some of the largest LMS implementations in the world. Meridian Global provides the award winning LMS features of the previous Meridian product offerings while extending these learning management features to leverage WEB 2.0 technologies to drive performance, knowledge worker collaboration, and employee satisfaction.</P><br><P>The embedded Workforce Analytics provide executive dashboards for compliance, skills gaps, learning productivity, and LMS ROI as well as comprehensive workforce reporting.&nbsp; Executive dashboards include the C level dashboards, LMS administrator dashboard as well dashboards for all first line supervisors. </P><br><P>Underlying this functionality is industry leading technology. Meridian Global consists of 100% .NET managed code (C#), with over 1,300 API methods exposed via SOAP WEB services (as well as .NET Remoting and COM).&nbsp; “This approach provides ease of integration at any point in the application, not just the typical user profile and content integrations.&nbsp; No other LMS supports full integration with corporate portals or embedding LMS functionality within other applications,” said Dave DeVaux, Meridian’s Chief Technology Officer. &nbsp;</P><br><P>“Organizations experienced with LMS implementations will immediately appreciate the impact Meridian’s technology has on the total cost of ownership while allowing complete customization.&nbsp; Meridian Global has been specifically designed with ease of customization and upgrades in mind,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian’s Founder.&nbsp; The product employs a Meridian developed application architecture, the <B>Dynamic Instantiation Service Map Architecture</B>, which allows all calls to any base product object to be remapped to an alternate custom object via a simple change in configuration (service map). </P><br><P>This architecture keeps all customized code completely separate from the base product code. &nbsp;Upgrades are made to the base product code, leaving all customizations completely intact and operational. If desired, the client may also choose to migrate upgraded functionality that was previously modified, simply by changing the service map.</P><br><P>Early adopters of Meridian Global 2008, desirous of the multi-lingual features, dashboard and analytics capabilities, and ease of configuration, include General Services Administration, AutoZone, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="203">
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation selects Meridian]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.gundluth.org/]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation selects Meridian LMS as training and marketing backbone of Respecting Choices, its global communication and professional development portal supporting advance care planners worldwide.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=203]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>Chantilly, VA</STRONG> – April 26, 2007.&nbsp; Meridian Knowledge Solutions LLC, announced today that their Learning Management System has been selected by Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, Inc. to be the technological backbone to support advance care planners on a worldwide basis.</P><br><P>Realizing that all aspects of end-of-life care need to be thoroughly and systematically addressed, Respecting Choices<SUP>®</SUP> has developed a systems approach that includes: 1) community engagement, 2) professional education, and 3) organization/community standards of practice. </P><br><P>Elizabeth Harris, a Meridian founder, said, “We are excited with the opportunity to support Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation in this worthy initiative.”&nbsp; The hosted Meridian Knowledge Centre LMS will:&nbsp; </P><br><P>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Deliver quality online professional development to the desktop.</P><br><P>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Manage the certifications of advance care planning instructors worldwide.</P><br><P>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Foster communication and collaboration between certified instructors worldwide.</P><br><P>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Provide a marketing and e-commerce engine to sell content to health systems and individual healthcare professionals.</P><br><P>&nbsp;Meridian was selected over seven other LMS vendors, after a very rigorous and competitive solicitation process.&nbsp; Roy Haythorn, Meridian’s Vice President of Sales Operations, said, “Partnering with Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation enhances Meridian’s already strong presence in the healthcare industry and externally facing e-commerce initiatives.&nbsp; Increasingly healthcare organizations are selling and certifying their specialties to other healthcare organizations and professionals.&nbsp; Meridian is the perfect partner to support and enhance this growing trend.”</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P><B>About Gundersen Lutheran Health System and Medical Foundation</B></P><br><P>Comprised of more than 500 medical, dental, and associate staff, Gundersen Lutheran Health System is a physician-led, not for profit healthcare system that includes a comprehensive healthcare network, one of the nation’s largest multi-specialty group medical practices, regional community clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, home care, behavioral health services, vision centers, pharmacies, and air and ground ambulances. </P><br><P>Located throughout wetern Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota, Gundersen Lutheran cares for patients in 19 counties.&nbsp; They have been named among the Top 100 hospitals in the nation 10 times in the last 10 years.&nbsp; They have a staff of over 5,000, a teaching hospital with 325 beds, and a Trauma and Emergency Center. They are also home to the designated Western Clinical Campus for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School and School of Nursing.</P><br><P>Internationally recognized in advance care planning and bereavement, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation is Respecting Choices parent organization.&nbsp; It is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to enhance and support quality health care with an emphasis on medical education, health/wellness education, clinically-based research, and community health outreach.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="201">
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Recognized as the #1 Customer Loyalty Leader in Bersin & Associates LMS Customer Satisfaction Study]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=201]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, a provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management solutions, today announced that it was recognized as the customer loyalty leader in Bersin & Associates recently published study <i>LMS Customer Satisfaction 2007: An Industry Analysis of the Customer Experience with Learning Management Systems.</i>]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=201]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<B>Chantilly</B><B>, VA-</B><B> April 10, 2007</B>: Meridian Knowledge Solutions, a provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management solutions, today announced that it was recognized as the customer loyalty leader in Bersin &amp; Associates recently published study <I>LMS Customer Satisfaction 2007: An Industry Analysis of the Customer Experience with Learning Management Systems</I>.&nbsp; <br><P></P><br><P>In the study, customer loyalty was measured by the number of customers indicating a likelihood to switch vendors.&nbsp; Meridian was the only vendor which had no customers who indicated a likelihood to switch vendors.&nbsp; The overall average rate for this category was 24%.&nbsp; A total of 13 LMS vendors were included in the study.</P><br><P>Within its market segment, Meridian was also rated as a leader in content integration and a co-leader in long-term platform support.&nbsp; Meridian was an out performer, with ratings that exceeded the category average, for overall satisfaction, ease of use for administrators, ease of upgrading, scalability, e-learning content, and content development tools.&nbsp; &nbsp;</P><br><P>“While Meridian’s recognition in these areas is impressive, we are most proud of our recognition for customer loyalty,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian’s founder.&nbsp; </P><br><P>“The fact that Meridian had no customers considering a switch is quite a testament to the company’s ability to meet its customers’ total needs,” said Josh Bersin, president and founder.&nbsp; &nbsp;“As many business books state, customer loyalty is the number one &nbsp;measure of a highly successful company, &nbsp;With customer loyalty, customers vote with their dollars, which is the ultimate recognition for any vendor.”&nbsp; </P><br><P>“This highly favorable recognition in the Bersin &amp; Associates study will add significant momentum to Meridian’s expansion into commercial markets,” added Roy Haythorn, vice president of sales operations. “We are focused on building a presence in the retail, healthcare, and financial markets that will mirror our leadership with federal, state, and local government clients across the country.”&nbsp; </P><br><P>Meridian has also initiated international sales efforts corresponding with release of its Meridian 2007 LMS, a globally enabled, multi-lingual offering.<BR><BR><BR><STRONG>For more information about the Bersin &amp; Associates study, go to </STRONG><A href="http://store.bersinassociates.com/lms-custsat.html"><STRONG>http://store.bersinassociates.com/lms-custsat.html</STRONG></A><STRONG>.&nbsp;&nbsp; </STRONG></P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="199">
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Introduces Global 2007 LMS at ITEC2007 in Cologne, Germany ]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[www.itec2007.com]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Introduces Global 2007 LMS at ITEC2007 in Cologne, Germany ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=199]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[For more details on ITEC 2007, please visit <A href="http://www.itec.co.uk/">http://www.itec.co.uk</A>. <B></B>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="200">
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian’s LMS Supports ADLS as it Reaches Two Remarkable Milestones:  760,000 registered users and two million course completion certificates]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=200]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC announced today that the Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS), the learning management system (LMS) for the United States Air Force, has reached two remarkable milestones. Since the site launched in 2003, the ADLS has officially delivered one million online course completion certificates. In addition, the site recently exceeded 760,000 active users.  In the last six months alone, almost 300,000 new users have registered to the ADLS and over 2,000,000 courses have been completed.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><B>Chantilly</B><B>, VA-</B><B> April 3, 2007</B>: Meridian Knowledge Solutions, LLC announced today that the Advanced Distributed Learning Service (ADLS), the learning management system (LMS) for the United States Air Force, has reached two remarkable milestones. Since the site launched in 2003, the ADLS has officially delivered one million online course completion certificates. In addition, the site recently exceeded 760,000 active users.&nbsp; In the last six months alone, almost 300,000 new users have registered to the ADLS and over 2,000,000 courses have been completed.</P><br><P>Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which administers the ADLS, is headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.&nbsp; AETC provides basic military training, initial and advanced technical training, flying training, and professional military and degree-granting professional education. AETC is the first command to touch the life of almost every Air Force member.&nbsp; The Advanced Distributed Learning Branch (AETC/A3ZA), under the direction of the AETC Director of Intelligence &amp; Air, Space, and Information Operations AETC/A/2/3, is responsible for the LMS implementation, and has been working diligently with Meridian for the past three years to provide quality online training to the United States Air Force.&nbsp; </P><br><P>“It is an amazing achievement for AETC and the Air Force to lead our military services into the next generation of learning and education.&nbsp; With over one million course completions and over 760,000 users, the ADLS has become an important part of our nation’s ability to sustain military readiness and national security.&nbsp; The A3ZA team and AETC leadership are demonstrating a real commitment to improve the quality and reach of training regardless of the student’s geographical location.&nbsp; The end result is a capability that provides tremendous value to service members on a daily basis.” said Malcolm Patel, a founding Partner of Meridian.&nbsp; </P><br><P>Using the ADLS, AETC offers derivative portal sites for a multitude of Air Force organizations and Combatant Commands, all via the Meridian Knowledge Centre™ LMS platform.&nbsp; The use of derivative sites allows Air Force organizations to share references, resources, and training across the enterprise, while providing a uniquely branded portal tailored to each organization and function.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P><STRONG>About Air Education and Training Command (AETC)</STRONG>&nbsp;&nbsp; <BR><BR>AETC is the executive agent for all Air Force sponsored international training and education. The command implements and approves Air Force sponsored security assistance training, monitors the progress of training and the welfare of USAF-sponsored international students, and provides guidance for implementation of the DOD Informational Program. Each year AETC members train or facilitate training for more than 4,400 students from more than 130 countries attending flying, technical, medical and professional education and training. AETC was formed in 1942 as the Army Air Corps Flying Training Command with headquarters in Washington, DC. Less than a year later, the headquarters moved to Fort Worth, Texas. During World War II the command provided technical and flying training at more than 600 installations, factories and institutions of higher learning. The headquarters moved to Barksdale AFB, LA., in 1946, to Scott AFB, IL., in 1949 and finally to Randolph AFB, TX, in 1957. To represent the command’s growing mission in education, training and recruiting, it was re-designated the Air Education and Training Command in 1993. Over the years, more than 25 million students have graduated from AETC training and education programs.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="194">
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI and National Technical Information Service Form Joint Venture]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=194]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) have entered into a joint venture agreement to offer Government Agencies end-to-end learning and knowledge management solutions. The agreement allows Government Agencies to streamline their compliance with OPM’s e-Training requirements while implementing a world-class Learning Management System (LMS). ]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=194]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>Chantilly, VA - Jun 29, 2006</STRONG>: Meridian KSI and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) have entered into a joint venture agreement to offer Government Agencies end-to-end learning and knowledge management solutions. The agreement allows Government Agencies to streamline their compliance with OPM’s e-Training requirements while implementing a world-class Learning Management System (LMS). </P><br><P>As an approved OPM e-Training Provider, the NTIS provides program management, help desk, hosting, and other services. Under the agreement, Government Agencies will have streamlined access to Meridian’s complete suite of products, including the learning mangement, knowledge management, performance management, and offline LMS products. Meridian will also support NTIS’ customers with product training, software maintenance, content development, and other services. "We have long been the leading provider of learning management systems to the Federal market and I’m very excited at how our customers will be able to leverage this agreement." said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. "Not only will they be able to streamline their compliance with OPM’s e-Training requirements, but they will also have access to all of the NTIS offerings."</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P><STRONG>About NTIS <BR><BR></STRONG>The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is an agency of the Technology Administration at the Department of Commerce that offers a wide range of professional services to Government Agencies. NTIS works with Government Agencies to provide complete e-Training solutions tailored to accomplish the e-Training objectives of the Agency. In 2004, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) selected NTIS as an approved e-Learning Service Provider for the Government. In addition, NTIS serves our nation as the largest central resource and repository for Government-funded scientific, technical, engineering, and business related information. For more information on NTIS, please contact Patricia S. Gresham at 703-605-6123 (pgresham@ntis.gov) or Betty L. Lagundo at 703-605-6185 (<A href="mailto:blagundo@ntis.gov">blagundo@ntis.gov</A>), or go to <A href="http://www.ntis.gov">http://www.ntis.gov</A>.&nbsp; </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="192">
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Reports First Quarter ’06 Results]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=192]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI, Inc., a leading provider of learning technology products, including the Meridian Knowledge Centre and Meridian LMS (Learning Management System), today announced first quarter results ending March 31, 2006. The quarter was spearheaded by an 80% increase in total sales over the 2005 Q 1.  Software license sales for Meridian’s LMS were the primary contributor to this improvement, with a yr/yr increase of 288%.  Profitability improved by more than 100% driven by improved margins associated with the increasing demand for Meridian’s software products.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA</STRONG>- May 18, 2006: Meridian KSI, Inc., a leading provider of learning technology products, including the Meridian Knowledge Centre and Meridian LMS (Learning Management System), today announced first quarter results ending March 31, 2006. The quarter was spearheaded by an 80% increase in total sales over the 2005 Q 1.&nbsp; Software license sales for Meridian’s LMS were the primary contributor to this improvement, with a yr/yr increase of 288%.&nbsp; Profitability improved by more than 100% driven by improved margins associated with the increasing demand for Meridian’s software products. </P><br><P>“We take great pride in our accomplishments thus far in 2006”, said Paul Somerville, Meridian’s President and CEO, “the very strong demand for our enterprise Learning Management System has us on track to deliver our 8<SUP>th</SUP> consecutive year of profitability and double digit revenue growth.&nbsp; The continuing financial health of our company has permitted sustained investment in new product development and the scalability of our professional services team.” </P><br><P>Some additional first quarter milestones include:</P><br><LI>Six New Business enterprise LMS license sales <br><LI>$1.5 M contract with the General Services Administration</L> <br><LI>Sales Pipeline growth to more than $40 M <br><P></P><br><P>&nbsp;“Our second quarter is likely to be our strongest ever” added Roy Haythorn, VP Sales Operations.&nbsp; “In addition to our healthy pipeline, in early April we closed an enterprise sale, for one of our largest state governments, valued at close to $1 M in the first year of a 3 year contract.&nbsp;We expect more than 10 new business license deals to close this quarter!”</P><br><P><B><B><B><B><B><B>&nbsp;</P></LI></B></B></B></B></B></B>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="190">
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Posts Record Year]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=46]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI ended 2005 with double-digit growth and profitability for the eighth straight year, driven largely by a 74% increase in license revenue for the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=190]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY , VA – February 6, 2006</STRONG> :&nbsp; Meridian KSI ended 2005 with double-digit growth and profitability for the eighth straight year, driven largely by a 74% increase in license revenue for the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite.</P><br><P>As part of this robust growth, Meridian added numerous client partners across the commercial, Federal, state, and local markets. A sampling of new organizations partnering with Meridian in 2005 included America 's Health Insurance Plans, Commerce Bank, Job Corps, TalentKeepers, Barnes &amp; Noble, multiple Department of Defense customers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, New York City , and the states of Idaho , Montana , North Dakota , and Ohio.</P><br><P>Meridian also received several accolades and awards throughout 2005. Some examples of this recognition:</P><br><UL><br><LI>Meridian was rated as a "Market Outperformer" across every measure of customer satisfaction in Bersin &amp; Associates' <EM>2005 LMS Customer Satisfaction Study: An Industry Analysis of the Customer Experience with Learning Management Systems </EM>. <br><LI>Meridian was named a "Cool Vendor" by Gartner, Inc. <br><LI>Meridian was named "visionary" in two Gartner Magic Quadrant reports. <br><LI>Meridian earned SCORM 2004 certification for both the Meridian Player and LMS. <br><LI>The Knowledge Centre was named a "Best Value LMS" by Brandon-hall.com <br><LI>Meridian won the Federal Government Distance Learning Association's Pioneer Award. <br><LI>Meridian was listed in the Military Training Technology Top 100. </LI></UL><br><P>"Meridian has maintained a record of consistent, managed growth and profitability in this highly competitive market space," said Paul Somerville , Meridian KSI President and CEO. "Our eight consecutive years of double digit profitability are remarkable in our industry, and our extraordinary level of customer satisfaction and loyalty over that time period is no coincidence." </P><br><P>Meridian continues to build on its past successes, with 15 LMS placements projected for the first quarter of 2006. "This is shaping up to be our finest year ever," Somerville added. </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="189">
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian, AETC, C2 Share FGDLA's Pioneer Award for Air Force Training Record]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=45]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of any size, has been awarded the Federal Government Distance Learning Association's Pioneer Award along with the Air Education Training Command (AETC) and C2 Technologies.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=189]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– January 10, 2006 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of any size, has been awarded the Federal Government Distance Learning Association's Pioneer Award along with the Air Education Training Command (AETC) and C2 Technologies.</P><br><P>Meridian partnered with AETC and C2 to successfully deploy the Air Force Training Record (AFTR), the next generation of competency modeling and training for the Air Force. AFTR is a component of AETC's implementation of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite, called the Advanced Distributed Learning System.</P><br><P>The Advanced Distributed Learning System (ALDS) is expected to reach 700,000 learners by the end of 2006. It provides the Air Force with a comprehensive .NET-enhanced tool to launch and track training.</P><br><P>"The deployment of AFTR within the ADLS puts AETC at the forefront of e-Learning by utilizing unparalleled expertise in learning management with an enterprise learning strategy," explained Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO.</P><br><P>The AFTR project integrated, automated, and streamlined virtually all of the transactions required for documentation and retrieval of training records for thousands of Air Force personnel.</P><br><P>The Federal Government Distance Learning Association (FGDLA) gives the Pioneer Award to Government agencies and associated contractors for outstanding achievement in the design and development of technology-based products used in association with distance learning.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Federal Government Distance Learning Association </STRONG></P><br><P>The Federal Government Distance Learning Association (FGDLA) is a nonprofit association formed to promote the development and application of distance learning and to actively foster collaboration and understanding among those involved in educational and training within the Federal Government. Focused on supporting Federal Government agencies involved in distance learning, the Federal Government Distance Learning Association is embarking on innovative ways to incorporate instructional technologies for the new millennium. Our membership is derived primarily from people employed by the various agencies within the Federal Government or on contract with the Federal Government to support its distance learning programs. <BR></P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="188">
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Named to 2005 Military Training Technology Top 100 List]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=44]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has been named to Military Training Technology magazine's 2005 Top 100, a listing of companies that have made a significant impact in military training this year. Meridian , the trusted LMS partner for all four branches of the military, was singled out for its work in support of the Air Force's Air Education Training Command.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=188]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– January 9, 2006 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI has been named to <EM>Military Training Technology </EM>magazine's 2005 Top 100, a listing of companies that have made a significant impact in military training this year. Meridian , the trusted LMS partner for all four branches of the military, was singled out for its work in support of the Air Force's Air Education Training Command.</P><br><P>The list, announced in the November 2005 lauded Meridian for "successfully implement[ing] the next generation of modeling and training," noting AETC's use of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for advanced competency management tasks and credits that for putting AETC "at the forefront of e-learning."</P><br><P>In an interview with <EM>Military Training Technology </EM>, Paul Somerville, Meridian 's President and CEO, spoke of the company's support of the military. "We have been involved with the Training Transformation initiative through a number of our implementations, our work with the ADL Co-Lab, and work with the Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability," he explained.</P><br><P>"We believe our experience of over 50 Knowledge Centre implementations in the federal government and front-line experience with SCORM since its inception are discriminators that help our clients meet and exceed their requirements," Somerville said. "These are very exciting times, and we are very happy to be right in the thick of it."</P><br><P>Companies listed on the Top 100 are judged on the criteria of total military sales, end-user feedback, innovations, and the need for the solution. Meridian was one of only three LMS providers to make the cut.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P><STRONG>About The MT2 Top 100 </STRONG></P><br><P>Kerrigan Media International and Military Training Technology are proud to announce the 2005 MT2 Top 100. The Top 100 is a listing of companies that have made a significant impact in the military training industry this fiscal year—whether in live, virtual or constructive simulation, training or education. Military Training Technology invited almost 300 candidates to provide information for the awards and invited any company interested to apply. Based on submissions and additional information, our editorial board and a panel of independent experts then selected 100 winners. Companies were selected based on various criteria, which, in part, included total military sales, end-user feedback, innovations and need for the solution. </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="187">
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Qualis Health Deploys Knowledge Centre in Support of Centers for Medicare Services]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=43]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has been selected as the LMS partner for Qualis Health, the organization responsible for administering training nationwide for the Centers of Medicare Services (CMS).]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=187]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><B>CHANTILLY </B><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– November 22, 2005 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI has been selected as the LMS partner for Qualis Health, the organization responsible for administering training nationwide for the Centers of Medicare Services (CMS).</P><br><P>Meridian will deploy the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite for Qualis in support of the CMS Quality Improvement Organization, a group consisting of agencies in all 50 states, as well as private contractors who administer Medicare across the country. The potential audience for the Knowledge Centre will top 50,000 users upon full deployment.</P><br><P>Meridian already has a presence at CMS, through the agency's existing Knowledge Centre implementation. Through their use of the Knowledge Centre, CMS has already increased audience awareness of - and access to - course offerings, increased the cost effectiveness of their training, and improved customer service as well as overall satisfaction.</P><br><P>Qualis will use the Knowledge Centre to dispense timely information to a large, geographically dispersed audience, to communicate with first responders, and to bring together training and certification data from a number of different legacy learning management systems.</P><br><P>Following the initial deployment, Qualis plans to expand the Knowledge Centre's use to other organizations within CMS. Qualis has purchased an enterprise license, one of several flexible licensing options that make the Knowledge Centre accessible to organizations of any size.</P><BR><br><P><B>About Qualis Health </B></P><br><P>Qualis Health is a private, nonprofit organization based in Seattle , where the company has operated since its founding in 1974. Qualis' collaborative relationships with providers, practitioners, managed care plans, employers, and community groups define the way they do business. Under a contract to the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Qualis Health serves as the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Alaska , Idaho and Washington . Qualis Health offers a suite of programs and services designed to help manage healthcare cost and quality for a diverse clientele of consumers, employers, providers, managed care organizations, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, and government agencies.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="186">
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Four Meridian Client Partners Win Awards for Knowledge Centre Implementation and Use]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=42]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Several Meridian KSI client partners have won awards for their implementation and use of the Knowledge Centre enterprise LMS suite. The Commonwealth of Virginia , the U.S. Air Force's Air Education Training Command (AETC), AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were recognized for the innovative strategy and superior execution of their implementations of Meridians visionary product.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– October 17, 2005 </STRONG>: Several Meridian KSI client partners have won awards for their implementation and use of the Knowledge Centre enterprise LMS suite. The Commonwealth of Virginia , the U.S. Air Force's Air Education Training Command (AETC), AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were recognized for the innovative strategy and superior execution of their implementations of Meridian 's visionary product.</P><br><P>AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals was recognized as the <STRONG>Best Business Solution Use </STRONG>for their combined use of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ and the Meridian Player. The Meridian Player is a personal LMS application deployed to support the field sales team, whose limited connectivity made training a challenge.</P><br><P>The Commonwealth of Virginia won an award for <STRONG>Best Launch. </STRONG>Virginia consolidated requirements across multiple state agencies to select the Knowledge Centre as its enterprise LMS. This effort was led by the Virginia Information Technology Agency, with the Department of Human Resources Management as the functional project lead. Virginia 's LMS selection and implementation team consisted of stakeholders from eight different agencies with input from several additional organizations.</P><br><P>The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC) received the <STRONG>Best User Interface Branding award. </STRONG>AETC's Knowledge Centre implementation served as an intensely visual representation of their mission. This branding and user interface was carried throughout the LMS with an intended target audience of over 700,000 users.</P><br><P>Finally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) won for <STRONG>Best Overall Use </STRONG>of the Knowledge Centre. The FBI currently has separate implementations, one supporting the internal enterprise of 29,000 FBI agents and staff with the second supporting the FBI Academy . The combined implementation is used to manage all facets of learning within their extended enterprise.</P><br><P>The recipients were honored at Meridian 's Annual Users' Conference in Chantilly , VA in August. “Selecting award recipients was very difficult with so many customers that are deserving in each of these areas,” said Paul Somerville , Meridian President and CEO. “We already have a number of customers who have announced their intention to garner awards at next years Users' Conference.”</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="183">
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[AHIP Deploys Knowledge Centre Nationwide as E-Commerce Learning Management Platform]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=39]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of every size, has been selected to deploy the Knowledge Centre nationwide for America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national trade organization representing 1,300 member companies serving 200 million Americans.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=183]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG><EM>Enterprise LMS Suite Will Deliver Training and Compliance Support for 1,300 Health Insurance Companies in All 50 States </EM></STRONG><STRONG>&nbsp; </STRONG></P><br><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA – October 6, 2005 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of every size, has been selected to deploy the Knowledge Centre nationwide for America 's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the national trade organization representing 1,300 member companies serving 200 million Americans. </P><br><P>Meridian will enable AHIP to deliver continuing education and certification credentialing services for insurance providers in each of the 50 states. “This is an intricate task since each state requires different levels of compliance,” explained Paul Somerville, Meridian President and CEO. “Each insurance company has different business rules and branding/reporting needs, so we've had to help AHIP tweak the training they offer to best meet the requirements of each discrete organization.” </P><br><P>Each of AHIP's member companies will be able to access a uniquely branded version of the site, with discrete tracking, filtering, and revenue generation reporting powered by Meridian 's innovative <STRONG>Domain Manager </STRONG>module. </P><br><P>E-commerce functionality was a crucial element of AHIP's requirements, and Meridian 's shopping cart solution will enable discrete pricing, promotional discount codes, companywide billing accounts, and credit card processing for individual users. Competency modeling tools generate additional revenue for AHIP. </P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre was selected for AHIP's Insurance Education Program due to its proven stability and robust array of learning management tools. The organization will utilize functionality including registration and enrollment, finance, e-commerce, workshops, automated reporting, and four types of testing. </P><br><P>AHIP will take advantage of Meridian 's industry-leading blended learning expertise. The Meridian solution gives them a powerful platform to deliver and manage self-study courses, online training, skills assessments and online testing, workshops, and live training that includes over thirty individual offerings representing ten courses of study. Some of the classroom courses will have online support provided exclusively through the Knowledge Centre. </P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ <BR></STRONG>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About AHIP <BR></STRONG>America 's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is the national association representing nearly 1,300 member companies providing health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. Its member companies offer medical expense insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, dental insurance, supplemental insurance, stop-loss insurance and reinsurance to consumers, employers, and public purchasers. For over 40 years, AHIP's Insurance Education Program has provided current, comprehensive, and economically priced self-paced courses for professionals seeking to advance their understanding of the health insurance industry. Since 1958, over 520,000 people have taken its self-study courses.</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="181">
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Donates $16,950 to Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.redcross.org]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI and its employees have donated $16,950 to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In one week, Meridian employees had given $8,475. Meridian matched this donation dollar-for-dollar, contributing an additional $8,475.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=181]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– September 28, 2005 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI and its employees have donated $16,950 to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In one week, Meridian employees had given $8,475. Meridian matched this donation dollar-for-dollar, contributing an additional $8,475. </P><br><P>Meridian had previously sponsored a number of donation campaigns supporting the Red Cross and other charitable organizations during natural disasters and following the 9/11 attacks. The response to Hurricane Katrina marks Meridian 's most significant contribution to date. </P><br><P>“All of our lives have been touched in some way by this devastation,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian President and CEO. “Commitment to our community during times of need is a large part of our corporate culture, and I am proud to see the high level of participation from the individual employees at Meridian .” </P><br><P>In addition to the cash donations made to the American Red Cross, the company encouraged participation in food and supply drives organized by non-profit and faith-based organizations to which Meridian employees belong.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the American Red Cross <BR></STRONG>The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts <BR></STRONG>The American Red Cross estimates that Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will exceed $2 billion, meeting the urgent needs of nearly one million families in three key areas: food and shelter ($744 million), emergency financial assistance to disaster survivors ($1.4 billion), and physical/mental health services ($78 million). As of Sept. 27, approximately $1.1 billion has been spent already or has been committed to hurricane relief efforts in the wake of Katrina. More than 163,000 Red Cross workers from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have responded to Katrina. </P><br><P><STRONG>How to Help <BR></STRONG>Contact your local Red Cross chapter to become a volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To donate, call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish); make at secure, online donation at <A href="http://www.redcross.org/">www.redcross.org </A>; or visit an Official Red Cross (Cash) Donation Site (retailer locations or online), or contact your local Red Cross chapter. </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="182">
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Named 'Visionary' E-Learning Suite Provider in Magic Quadrant Report]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=38]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Gartner, Inc has positioned Meridian KSI in the Visionary quadrant of its 2005 Magic Quadrant report on e-learning suite providers.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – August 18, 2005: </STRONG>Gartner, Inc has positioned Meridian KSI in the Visionary quadrant of its Magic Quadrant report, the enterprise learning industry leader announced today. Meridian KSI was included in the Visionary quadrant in the research firm's 2005 report on e-learning suite providers. Gartner's Visionary designation recognizes companies for their clear vision of the market direction and their focus on preparation while encouraging the optimization of delivery.. </P><br><P>''Gartner's continued recognition of Meridian as a visionary reflects our rapid growth in the commercial sector,'' said Paul Somerville, Meridian President and CEO. “Over a hundred companies are in the LMS industry, so to be one of only six firms to be recognized as visionary is a testament to our rapid growth and successful expansion into commercial markets.”</P><br><P>Meridian 's inclusion in the quadrant recognizes the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for its best-of-breed LMS functionality, and for the comprehensive suite of learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling/management tools that surround the Knowledge Centre's LMS core.</P><br><P>''We have always believed that successful learning management begins with the recognition that knowledge exists in many forms throughout an organization,” Somerville added. Our LMS suite provides the means to identify, capture, and codify these resources into discrete learning objects and easily apply them to various blended learning interventions.''</P><br><P>Criteria for selection include customer satisfaction and support, management, vendor viability, and installed base. The report emphasized the growing importance of LCMS functionality, interoperability of components, and integration of other applications as key factors in the selection process for organizations seeking e-learning suites. The report urged organizations to consider a system's capabilities in the areas of modularity, integration, and personalization.</P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre's proven, robust, and versatile integration capabilities; industry-leading support for SCORM; and the award-winning Meridian Player mobile LMS application further echo the report's classification of Meridian KSI as a Visionary firm.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG></P><br><P>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies. </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="149">
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Leverages State & Local Experience to Rapidly Deploy Knowledge Centre for NYC First Responders]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=5]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has added New York City to its growing list of state and local government client partners after the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene selected Meridian as its LMS partner.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHANTILLY </strong><strong>, VA – August 17, 2005 </strong>: Meridian KSI has added New York City to its growing list of state and local government client partners after the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene selected Meridian as its LMS partner. </p> <p>The NYC DOHMH selected the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ because of its ability to meet the department's specialized needs through robust functionality, including scheduling, competency management, collaboration, performance support, and knowledge base search. </p> <p>Thanks to extensive experience in the unique requirements of state and local government at dozens of agencies from coast to coast, Meridian will be able to deploy and scale up the DOHMH's Knowledge Centre rapidly. </p> <p>“Meridian KSI is the preeminent provider of learning management systems to state and local training organizations, helping them renew focus and increase preparedness for bio-terrorism and emergency management contingencies,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian CEO and President. “The New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is a leader in incorporating innovative solutions to training issues. We're proud they've selected Meridian KSI after an exhaustive search of all available LMS solutions.” </p> <p>DOHMH's deployment of the Knowledge Centre is part of a nationwide initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control to train first responders on how to respond to a chemical or biological attack, and to enable state, local, and Federal agencies to share knowledge and content. </p> <p>Meridian has been instrumental in the training efforts of organizations responsible for America 's homeland security, including Customs & Border Protection and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. </p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="184">
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Is the LMS Partner of Choice for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=40]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has selected Meridian KSI as its LMS partner after a detailed selection process. The organization will deploy the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to internal users and external customers.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=184]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHANTILLY </strong><strong>, VA </strong><strong> – June 10, 2005 </strong>: The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has selected Meridian KSI as its LMS partner after a detailed selection process. The organization will deploy the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to internal users and external customers. </p> <p>Ohio 's Knowledge Centre implementation will support over 4,000 internal users and up to 40,000 external customers. It provides Web-based access to learning, enhanced registration capabilities for customers, maintenance of records for continuing education programs for professional certification, and enables virtual classroom survey interactivity and assessment capabilities.</p> <p>Ohio will join Virginia , Texas , California , Idaho , and several other state and local clients on Meridian 's roster. “Our extensive experience in the Federal, state and local sectors makes Meridian the most trusted partner of government at all levels.”</p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="145">
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Named 'Market Outperformer' by Bersin & Associates]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=1]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[E-learning industry analysts Bersin & Associates have recognized Meridian KSI as a top LMS provider, denoting the company as a "market outperformer" in every measure of customer satisfaction.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>Vendor selection based on how innovative, impactful, and intriguing they are </STRONG></P><br><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA </STRONG><STRONG>– June 15, 2005 </STRONG>: Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of any size, has been included in the list of “Cool Vendors” in the March 25, 2005 report “ <EM>Cool Vendors in Knowledge Support, 2005” </EM>by James Lundy of Gartner, Inc.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI was listed in the Gartner report, which spotlighted companies that offer "clever new solutions to persistent problems." The report cited the difficulty of training traveling knowledge workers as a pressing challenge, and described mobile learning a "must have" capability that will likely become mandatory for enterprise e-learning systems by year-end 2007.</P><br><P>The Meridian Player is a desktop application that acts as a mobile learning management system, providing offline access to SCORM-conformant courseware for users with limited or no Internet connectivity. It allows learners to import and launch courses, tracking progress which is later reported to and synchronized with any SCORM-conformant LMS.</P><br><P>"We believe there is a tremendous demand for this product," said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. "The Meridian Player strongly differentiates Meridian from other vendors in the LMS market. Any organization with a mobile or distributed workforce will find great value in permitting their workforce to enjoy the benefits of ‘anytime, anywhere' e-Learning. The Meridian Player can be used as a kiosk supporting multiple learners or by an individual employee on a laptop, making it a valued learning and productivity tool for field sales and service organizations, retail establishments, construction firms, deployed Armed Forces, and many others who could not access e-Learning before."</P><br><P>Meridian is the first LMS provider to release a SCORM-conformant content player, a head start that reinforces Meridian 's market position in support of the SCORM standard. Meridian has embraced SCORM since its initial release, and released the first SCORM-certified learning management system as well as the first SCORM-certified content player. The Meridian Player was certified as conformant with SCORM 2004 in March by the ADL Academic Co-Lab in Madison , WI .</P><br><P><STRONG>About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process </STRONG></P><br><P>Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose.</P><br><P>Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or solutions that are: Innovative, enable users to do things they couldn't do before; Impactful, have, or will have, business impact (not just technology for the sake of technology); Intriguing, have caught Gartner's interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian Player </STRONG></P><br><P>The Meridian Player is a mobile learning management system that brings e-learning's benefits offline, making learning material available for those with limited Internet access. It plays, assesses, and tracks SCORM content offline with the same functionality as when taken through the Knowledge Centre, tracking user progress, and updating online transcripts. </P><br><P>The Meridian Player is a mobile learning management system that brings e-learning's benefits offline, making learning material available for those with limited Internet access. It plays, assesses, and tracks SCORM content offline with the same functionality as when taken through the Knowledge Centre, tracking user progress, and updating online transcripts. </P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="146">
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Player 3.0 First Mobile Content Player Certified for SCORM 2004 Conformance]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=2]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., the LMS partner for any size organization, announced today that version 3.0 of the Meridian Player has become the first mobile content player to be certified by the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab, for compliance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=146]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<b>CHANTILLY, VA, May 1, 2005</b> - Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., the LMS partner for any size organization, announced today that version 3.0 of the Meridian Player has become the first mobile content player to be certified by the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab, for compliance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard. <br><br>The Meridian Player is the world's first SCORM 2004-certified content player - a desktop application that acts as a mobile learning management system, providing offline access to SCORM courseware for users with limited or no Internet connectivity. It allows learners to import and launch courses, tracking progress which is later reported to and synchronized with any central SCORM-conformant LMS. The United States Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, and the United States Customs & Border Patrol are currently deploying the Player to more than 200,000 personnel. <br><br>Meridian has been a leader in SCORM support for years, said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. Our LMS was one of the first enterprise systems to achieve SCORM certification, and now we are the first to achieve SCORM 2004 certification for a mobile or offline content player. <br><br>The Academic ADL Co-Lab in Madison, WI issued the SCORM 2004 certification for the Meridian Player. <br><br>We are fully committed to SCORM and the resulting content interoperability, having implemented it within our LMS, our mobile learning player, and in over 2,000 seat hours of custom courseware, Somerville added. <br><br><b>About the Meridian Player</b> <br>The Meridian Player is a SCORM 2004-certified mobile learning management system that brings e-learning's benefits offline, making learning material available for those with limited Internet access. It plays, assesses, and tracks SCORM content offline with the same functionality as when taken through a SCORM conformant LMS, tracking user progress, and updating online transcripts. The Meridian Player provides the automated ability to synchronize the student data with any SCORM conformant LMS. The product has also been certified for SCORM 1.2, at the highest level (LMS-RTE3).]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="147">
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Named 'Market Outperformer' by Bersin & Associates]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=3]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[E-learning industry analysts Bersin & Associates have recognized Meridian KSI as a top LMS provider, denoting the company as a "market outperformer" in every measure of customer satisfaction.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=147]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA - April 22, 2005</STRONG>: E-learning industry analysts Bersin &amp; Associates have recognized Meridian KSI as a top LMS provider, denoting the company as a "market outperformer" in every measure of customer satisfaction. In fact, Meridian achieved higher overall ratings than any company classified as an enterprise provider. The report, 2005 LMS Customer Satisfaction Study: An Industry Analysis of the Customer Experience with Learning Management Systems, also praised Meridian for "delighting customers" by virtue of the company's high overall satisfaction ratings. <br><P></P><br><P>In a press release promoting the report, Bersin &amp; Associates noted that "overall satisfaction is highly correlated with a vendor's implementation and support services." Meridian's comprehensive set of implementation best practices, dedicated project teams, and client-focused working processes ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction throughout the entire life cycle of each project. </P><br><P>"Meridian KSI had very high customer ratings in overall customer satisfaction. In fact, its ratings were among the highest in the study," said Josh Bersin, president and founder of Bersin &amp; Associates. "These results prove the company is keenly focused on support, services, and features which meet customer requirements." </P><br><P>In the LMS study, Meridian was also designated as a "market outperformer," with customer satisfaction levels above the industry average in all six measured categories:</P><br><UL><br><LI>Overall Solution Value (LMS solution meets business needs and improves productivity) <br><LI>Business Partnership (Customer has input to product direction, vendor understands business and training needs) <br><LI>Total Installation (LMS was installed on schedule, installed on budget, and ease of installation) <br><LI>Total Customer Service (Overall customer service for all interactions, quality of technical support) <br><LI>Ease of Ownership (Ease of customization, ease of upgrade) <br><LI>Ease of Use (Ease of use for learners, ease of use for administrators) </LI></UL><br><P>Out of the sixteen participating LMS vendors, only four others were rated as above average in every category. "We strive to support our large and demanding clients by combining best-of-breed LMS/LCMS technologies with outstanding customer service", said Paul Somerville, Meridian President and CEO. "Meridian's future successes depend on the same factors that have driven our achievements to date - the determination to be the best LMS provider in the market, not just the biggest. Our people work diligently to maintain our outstanding reputation by delivering the quality products and services that our client partners have come to expect from Meridian."</P><br><P>The customer satisfaction study also identified Meridian KSI as a company that "delights customers." The study defines as such companies whose average overall customer satisfaction rating is a 9 or 10 on a ten-point scale.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Bersin &amp; Associates</STRONG><BR>Bersin &amp; Associates is comprised of senior marketing, product, and sales executives with extensive experience in e-learning, enterprise software, and enterprise services. They also draw upon resources from an extensive partner network of seasoned e-learning and software professionals. Bersin &amp; Associates' mission is to help clients make faster, more effective decisions which reduce cost, reduce risk, and increase the business impact of their training investments.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the <EM>2005 LMS Customer Satisfaction Study </EM></STRONG><BR>The <EM>2005 LMS Customer Satisfaction Study: An Industry Analysis of the Customer Experience with Learning Management Systems</EM> is a broad-based industry study based on survey results from 660 system administrators and training managers and executives. This study, which will be repeated annually, evaluates a wide range of categories - product performance, technical support, customer service, business partnership, and implementation - all from the customers' perspective. The 2005 study covers offerings from 16 LMS vendors and analyzed 28 different measures of customer satisfaction.</P><br><P>The study was completed funded by Bersin &amp; Associates. Information in the study is based solely on Bersin &amp; Associates' analysis of results; no information included in the study was provided by vendors. </P><br><P>All responders to the 2005 survey have one or more LMSs implemented in their organizations; the average length of LMS "ownership" is 2.5 years. Respondents represent organizations of all sizes, vertical segments, and number of learners. Seventy-percent of respondents are from corporate organizations; 16% are from government organizations, and 11% were from non-profit organizations. The 2004 study was conducted in the winter of 2004 and early 2005. </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="185">
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Governing Names Virginia Best Managed State in the Union, Cites Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre as Key Factor]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=41]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Government Performance Project's Grading the States 2005 report named Virginia the top-performing state in the union in the area of government management, citing the Commonwealth's enterprise-wide Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ implementation as a key reason for the superlative performance.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=185]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY </STRONG><STRONG>, VA – March 21, 2005 </STRONG>: The Government Performance Project's <EM>Grading the States 2005 </EM>report named Virginia the top-performing state in the union in the area of government management, citing the Commonwealth's enterprise-wide Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ implementation as a key reason for the superlative performance.</P><br><P>The <EM>Grading the States 2005 </EM>report, which appeared in the February 2005 issue of <EM>Governing </EM>magazine, rated Virginia 's government management as an A-. Virginia earned straight A-'s in every category, Money, People, Infrastructure, and Information.</P><br><P>The report's introduction stated, “Strong workforce planning, as well as solid succession planning that is fueled by the innovative Learning Management System, highlight the People (A-) category.”</P><br><P>“This report's recognition validates the Knowledge Centre's integral role in the ongoing performance of government,” said Paul Somerville, CEO and President of Meridian KSI. “Our extensive experience with the unique requirements of state and local organizations gives Meridian unmatched insight into how to forge them into better-trained, better-informed workforces.”</P><br><P>The report praised Virginia 's workforce plan as “an example for all states” for including “future workforce needs and action plans for accomplishing those needs … Employees have access to career tools online and senior management programs.” </P><br><P>&nbsp;</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="148">
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2005 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Brandon-hall.com Features Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre in Low-Cost Learning Management Systems Report.]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=4]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[E-learning industry analyst brandon-hall.com has included the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre in its new report spotlighting low-cost learning management solutions.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=148]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA - January 6, 2005</STRONG>: E-learning industry analyst brandon-hall.com has included the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ in its new report spotlighting low-cost learning management solutions. Meridian KSI, the LMS partner for organizations of any size, is deeply proud that the Knowledge Centre was one of only seventeen products featured in the report. <br><P>The report, <EM>Low-Cost Learning Management Systems: 17 Products for Limited Budgets</EM>, was based on the company's current LMS KnowledgeBase research. From that list of 50 systems, they selected those that "consistently rate lower than average in price across small, medium, large, and very large implementations." Meridian's flexible licensing options and scalable solution have long made the Knowledge Centre a cost-effective solution for organizations of any size.<BR><BR>"Meridian has consciously priced our products and services to offer best value for organizations of any size," said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. "We continue to serve customers ranging from those with only several hundred users to organizations with several hundred thousand learners." </P><br><P>The report additionally noted that the Knowledge Centre "provides several ways to get the most learning value from the system, which brandon-hall.com described as a "well-integrated solution for content development, delivery, learning management, and competency management."</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI</STRONG> <BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 <EM>Inc.</EM> 500 and the #17 position on the <EM>Washington Technology</EM> Fast 50. Meridian KSI's flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com" target=_new>www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by <EM>U.S. News &amp; World Report</EM> and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About brandon-hall.com</STRONG><BR>Located in Sunnyvale, Calif., the independent research firm brandon-hall.com provides insight and advice through their publications and consulting on best practices and learning technologies for companies both large and small. The company also sponsors the Excellence in Learning Awards, the first recognition program dedicated entirely to the e-learning industry. For more information, contact <A href="mailto:kim@brandon-hall.com">kim@brandon-hall.com</A>. For more information about this particular report, visit the website at <A href="http://www.brandon-hall.com" target=_new>www.brandon-hall.com</A>. <BR></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="150">
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[CGI-AMS Selects Meridian KSI to Deliver Full Spectrum of Human Capital Management Functionality to Existing and Future Clients]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=6]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has forged a technology and marketing partnership with CGI-AMS, a world-class leader in information technology and business process outsourcing. The two companies will collaborate to deliver the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise learning management system as an integrated component of the AMS Advantage® enterprise resource planning suite.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=150]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – December 3, 2004: </STRONG>Meridian KSI has forged a technology and marketing partnership with CGI-AMS, a world-class leader in information technology and business process outsourcing. The two companies will collaborate to deliver the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise learning management system as an integrated component of the AMS Advantage® enterprise resource planning suite. <br><P>Through this fusion of innovative technologies, organizations can maximize their human capital management abilities at a significant cost savings over standalone components, while reaping the infrastructure benefits of a fully integrated software platform.<BR><BR>''Meridian is honored to be selected by CGI-AMS to complement and expand its AMS Advantage® suite,'' said Paul Somerville, Meridian’s President and CEO. <BR>''We look forward to supporting CGI-AMS' efforts to provide their customers with the comprehensive and innovative technology they require in order to maximize the intellectual capital within their organizations.''</P><br><P>Key to the CGI-AMS selection of Meridian KSI as its LMS partner was Meridian's robust technology and extensive experience supporting state and Federal organizations. Meridian KSI has implementations at over half the agencies in the Federal government and all four branches of the military, as well as enterprise-wide deployments in three states.</P><br><P>''Both CGI-AMS and Meridian are dedicated to providing software solutions optimized for the specific needs of government organizations,'' added Somerville. ''This partnership allows CGI-AMS to better serve its Advantage® clients, while providing Meridian with tremendous opportunities for growth.''</P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre’s learning management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality will be seamlessly integrated with AMS Advantage®, complementing and enhancing its financial management, HRM, procurement, and budgeting capabilities.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 Inc. 500 and the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com/" target=_blank>www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About CGI-AMS</STRONG><BR>CGI and AMS have combined their expertise to form an even stronger company: a world-class leader in information technology and business process outsourcing. CGI-AMS is now better positioned to help its clients maximize the value of IT through the delivery of a full range of complementary services and industry-specific, tailor-made solutions. Under the CGI-AMS banner in the United States, clients gain the advantage of a knowledgeable, dedicated partner working to develop and implement IT oriented solutions to address their business and technology challenges. Clients also have access to a greater breadth and depth of solutions and services in the government, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, utilities and services, manufacturing retail and distribution sectors. By joining forces with AMS, CGI has doubled its critical mass in both the United States and Europe. With 25,000 professionals and $3 billion in revenue, CGI is one of the largest independent IT and BPO companies in the world. For more information, visit <A href="http://www.cgi.com/" target=_blank>http://www.cgi.com</A>.</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="151">
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Joint Special Operations University Selects Meridian KSI as its LMS Partner]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=7]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) has selected Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. as its LMS partner. The company will implement JSOU's behind-the-firewall implementation of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ LMS suite.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=151]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA </STRONG>– September 20, 2004: The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) has selected Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. as its LMS partner, the enterprise learning industry leader announced. The company will implement JSOU's behind-the-firewall implementation of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ LMS suite.</P><br><P>JSOU's Knowledge Centre, the Joint Special Operations Virtual University, will provide Army, Navy, and Air Force servicemen with access to courseware, team rooms, knowledge repositories, and expertise to support CONUS and OCONUS special operations personnel.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI's selection by JSOU reinforces the company's status as the LMS partner of choice for military and Federal organizations. Meridian has deployed Knowledge Centres for over half the agencies in the Federal government, including all four branches of the military.</P><br><P>“Satisfaction with Meridian’s products and people has driven the deployment of our Knowledge Centre across the entire Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and civilian agencies. We now support more than 50 LMS implementations within these organizations,” added Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI</STRONG> <BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 Inc. 500 and the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Joint Special Operations University</STRONG><BR>Established in 2000, Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) was established by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) commander in chief, as a focal point for meeting the unique educational needs of special operations forces and enhancing the understanding of the utility of special operations to national security decision makers. JSOU trains special operations forces representing the Navy, Army, and Air Force.<BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="153">
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[State of Idaho Chooses Meridian KSI as LMS Partner for Two Statewide Deployments]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=9]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The State of Idaho has selected the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite for two statewide deployments. Meridian KSI won five-year contracts on two separate bids – one for an ASP implementation, and one behind-the-firewall, client server based solution.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=153]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY style="FONT-FAMILY: " background=""><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – July 27, 2004: </STRONG>The State of Idaho has selected the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS suite for two statewide deployments, Meridian KSI announced today. The LMS partner for organizations of any size won five-year contracts on two separate bids – one for an ASP implementation, and one behind-the-firewall, client server based solution. <br><P>Initially, the Knowledge Centre will be deployed to three state agencies: the Department of Commerce and Labor (IDCL), with 800 users at 24 field offices; and the Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), with 3,000 users scattered in 45 field offices. </P><br><P>The State of Idaho was searching for an LMS with robust LCMS functionality, and emphasized the need for tight integration, interoperability, scalability, and security. During the evaluation process, Meridian was judged as providing both the most effective solution and the best value.</P><br><P>Following the first-year roll-out, the Knowledge Centre will deliver blended learning opportunities, including ILT and e-learning, to all 20,000 Idaho employees. Each of the state’s 80 independent agencies can choose whichever implementation best fits their individual requirements based on business needs, network capabilities, and available bandwidth.</P><br><P>''Our enterprise LMS suite is an optimal solution for organizations with diverse and distributed needs such as state governments," said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. "One key factor in Idaho’s selection of Meridian is the Knowledge Centre’s flexibility to support the diverse needs of the state's many different agencies. This powerful functionality offers larger enterprises flexibility and cost savings, making Meridian KSI the ideal LMS partner.'' <BR><BR>Through the use of the Knowledge Centre, the State of Idaho will support business objectives including centralizing training opportunities; tracking and managing education delivered through varied channels; empowering learners to self-register and obtain the necessary approvals; improve the registration process’ ease, reliability, and security; giving learners easy access to training resources; improved reporting capabilities; and developing individualized training plans.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 <EM>Inc.</EM> 500 and the #17 position on the <EM>Washington Technology</EM> Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com/">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by <EM>U.S. News &amp; World Report</EM> and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.<BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="152">
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Compares Favorably to Training’s Courseware Vendor Selection Advice]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=8]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[In the July issue of Training magazine, industry analyst Brandon Hall offered several key points for organizations to consider when selecting a custom courseware developer. With over 2,200 hours of custom courseware developed, Meridian KSI has the expertise to stack up against each of Training’s criteria.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=152]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><strong> CHANTILLY, VA</strong> – July 20, 2004: In the July issue of <em>Training</em> magazine, industry analyst Brandon Hall offered several key points for organizations to consider when selecting a custom courseware developer. With over 2,200 hours of custom courseware developed, Meridian KSI has the expertise to stack up against each of <em>Training’s</em> criteria.</p> <ul> <li><strong> A clearly articulated, efficient instructional development process.</strong> Optimized from the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) model, Meridian’s fastidiously-documented courseware development process is a structured and efficient methodology, with a team-oriented production approach that provides cost savings, transparency, accuracy, and multiple layers of quality control during each step of the process.</li> <li><strong> Experienced staff. </strong>Meridian courseware teams are comprised of effective instructional systems designers, veteran quality control specialists, and efficient and accurate Web designers, all with an average of five years' experience in the field.</li> <li><strong> Successful past projects and happy previous clients. </strong>Meridian delivers polished, effective, engaging courseware on time. All of Meridian’s courseware clients are reference accounts.</li> <li><strong> Experience with similar projects. </strong>Meridian has developed courseware for public sectors such as the military, the acquisition community, and the intelligence community; as well as commercial sector organizations in the banking, pharmaceutical, and childcare industries, as well as non-profits. No matter what your organization’s training goals are, chances are Meridian’s courseware teams have helped others reach those goals.</li> <li><strong> Project management and communication skills. </strong>Meridian assigns a single point of contact and a single dedicated project manager who works with each client throughout the entire project life cycle.</li> <li><strong> Rapid prototyping. </strong>Key to the Meridian courseware development process is the creation of a prototype lesson, which demonstrates the functionality of the course and allows clients to validate the design and style guides.</li> <li><strong> Understand the costs. </strong>Meridian’s Tool Kit of over 100 courseware templates and utilities streamlines the production process and results in the best possible value for the client.</li> <li><strong> No page-turners. </strong>Meridian’s courseware suite includes over 20 interactive templates. Meridian has also created software simulations and other customized and customizable techniques, like review questions, thought questions, small group exercises, and interactive workspace scenarios.</li> <li><strong> Experience with standards-based Web development tools. </strong>Meridian KSI has been a leading supporter of the SCORM specification since its introduction in 2000. Meridian’s courseware resumé includes over 1,500 hours of SCORM-conformant courseware and hundreds of hours of AICC compliant courseware. All of Meridian’s courseware templates are compliant with Section 508, ensuring accessibility for your entire organization.</li> </ul> <p>''Our company continues to enjoy immense success complementing our best-of-breed learning infrastructure products with high quality, affordable content development services,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. “It is rewarding to see Brandon Hall emphasize the very factors that make Meridian the courseware development partner of choice.''</p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="154">
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[American Bankers Association Launches Knowledge Centre to Member Organizations]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=10]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The American Bankers Association has deployed its Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to thousands of learners in its member organizations after a successful pilot.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=154]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – June 23, 2004: </STRONG>The American Bankers Association has deployed its Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to its member organizations after a successful one-month pilot, the LMS partner for any size organization announced today. <br><P>''The financial services market is among Meridian's fastest growing business segments,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. ''The ABA's selection of Meridian as its LMS partner strongly validates how effectively our software platforms and related services support the needs of this demanding market segment. Meridian's partnership with the ABA has provided the opportunity to build industry specific functionality into our software, which can now benefit other clients with similar needs.''</P><br><P>ABA replaced its previous LMS with the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ in order to take advantage of greater flexibility and exclusive functionality to pursue its short- and long-term e-learning objectives. Integrated into the ABA's system is a full-featured e-commerce module for bill processing and credit card payments.</P><br><P>''The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre will enable us to provide ABA’s standard setting, industry specific education and training to our clients along with a wide range of other types of content,” said J. Douglas Adamson, Executive Director of the Professional Development Group of the American Bankers Association, “The Knowledge Centre also incorporates features that will be highly useful to our clients in building individual and organizational competencies and will allow them to add their own content in a very cost-effective way.''</P><br><P>Meridian KSI built several innovative new features into the ABA's Knowledge Centre in order to enable the delivery of courseware in different ways for its three distinct user bases, totaling 15,000 at launch: ''walk-in'' customers who purchase individual access to courses on a just-in-time basis; contract customers and member banks, who purchase by the bundle; and content resellers and aggregators. </P><br><P>Key to this effort is the Domain Manager, a Web-based console which allows ABA to present multiple user interfaces, as well as to identify access to content and function by domain, greatly increasing the granularity of the Knowledge Centre's already impressive reporting capabilities.<BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 Inc. 500 and the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the American Bankers Association</STRONG><BR>Based in Washington, DC, the American Bankers Association (ABA) represents banks of all sizes on issues of national importance for financial institutions and their customers. The ABA, founded in 1875, brings together all categories of banking institutions, including community, regional and money center banks and holding companies, as well as savings associations, trust companies and savings banks. The association's mission is to serve its member banks and enhance their role as pre-eminent providers of financial services. ABA accomplishes this mission through federal legislative and regulatory activities, legal action, communication and consumer education, research and products and services that promote, educate, train, inform and support members. For more information, visit <A href="http://www.aba.com">http://www.aba.com</A>.</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="155">
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Player Certified for SCORM 1.2 Conformance]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=11]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Meridian Player has been certified for its conformance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=155]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY style="FONT-FAMILY: " background=""><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, May 17, 2004 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., the LMS partner for any size organization, announced today that the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab, has certified the Meridian Player for its conformance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.<BR><BR>Winner of the 2003 Brandon-hall.com Excellence in E-Learning Award, the Meridian Player is a revolutionary desktop application that allows organizations to deliver SCORM-conformant content to anyone, anywhere, without connectivity to a learning management system. <br><P>''By providing the industry's first SCORM certified mobile learning application, Meridian has once again proven its commitment to innovation and responsiveness to our client partners' needs", said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Meridian Player will provide organizations with mobile workforces the opportunity to enhance productivity and training efficiency. Deployed military personnel, field sales, and service providers represent just a sampling of the type of organization that can benefit most from this exciting new technology.''</P><br><P>The Academic ADL Co-Lab in Madison, WI issued the certification for ADL conformance with SCORM version 1.2 at the highest possible level, LMS-RTE 3 (Learning Management System Run-Time Environment 3), encompassing all required and optional data model elements. The Meridian Player was tested against the SCORM Version 1.2 Conformance Test Suite Version 1.2.3.</P><br><P>Meridian is a long-time proponent of the SCORM specification. The award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ enterprise LMS has included support for SCORM since its introduction in January 2000. </P><br><P>''We are fully committed to SCORM and the resulting content interoperability, having implemented it within our LMS, our mobile learning player, and in over 1,000 seat hours of custom courseware,'' said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 Inc. 500 and the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com/">http://www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About SCORM</STRONG><BR>SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) standards were established by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), the public/private e-learning arm of the Department of Defense. As the single largest purchaser of online courseware and training, the Department exerts enormous influence over the courseware development and delivery marketplace. Over recent years, SCORM has been accepted as an industry standard, through collaborative efforts with other certification organizations overseeing courseware development and LMS guidelines. For further information, visit the ADL website at <A href="http://www.adlnet.org">http://www.adlnet.org</A>.<BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="156">
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Powerful New Enhancements Pack Version 4.1 of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=12]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has released version 4.1 of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ LMS suite. The newest release features major enhancements for learners, administrators, and managers alike, with new features supporting certification, blended learning, reporting, system integration, and more.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=156]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA </STRONG>– April 1, 2004: Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. has released version 4.1 of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ LMS suite, the enterprise learning industry leader announced today. The newest release features major enhancements for learners, administrators, and managers alike, with new features supporting certification, blended learning, reporting, system integration, and more. <br><P>Named a best-of-breed LMS by US News &amp; World Report in conjunction with Brandon-hall.com, the Knowledge Centre is a unique and powerful LMS suite that integrates learning content management and competency modeling functionality with the only true knowledge management tools available in any enterprise-class system – a distinction proven by the Knowledge Centre's 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System.</P><br><P>"Meridian is committed to product leadership in the dynamic enterprise learning management space", said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. "With this release, we have incorporated into our core product many enhancements requested by our customers. By consistently building customizations into the base product we simplify migration paths to new versions while offering additional functionality to all our client partners."</P><br><P>Specific enhancements to the 4.1 release of the Knowledge Centre include:</P><br><UL><br><LI>Web Services Integration Broker (APIs) using SOAP/xml to expose APIs for integration with legacy systems; <br><LI>Enhanced user interface with three distinct options – learners can select the one most conducive to their learning preferences; <br><LI>Enhanced certification support including administrator-defined certification profiles, association with online and classroom-based training, and new reporting capabilities; <br><LI>Enhanced personal training plan providing learners with consolidated access to active training and certification progress history reports; <br><LI>Enhanced reporting capabilities with new reports for learners, managers, and administrators plus a Microsoft® Excel® export utility; <br><LI>Integrated blended learning capabilities streamline and automate the creation of collaboration spaces and calendars to support classroom courses; <br><LI>Enhanced Research Assistant search capabilities that allow search by content type or peer rating; <br><LI>New administrator tools for global email and batch registration; and <br><LI>Optional Microsoft® Outlook® integration for course events. </LI></UL><br><P>"The Web Services Integration Broker will be especially valued by our clients," Somerville added. "It will save time and money for all customers who require integration with other technologies, enterprise applications, and legacy systems". </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 <EM>Inc.</EM> 500 and the #17 position on the <EM>Washington Technology</EM> Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM-certified and Section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="157">
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Gartner, Inc. Lists Meridian KSI in 'Visionary' Magic Quadrant in Two Magic Quadrant Reports]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=13]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Gartner, Inc has positioned Meridian KSI in the Visionary quadrant of two new Magic Quadrant reports. Meridian KSI was included in the Visionary quadrant in the research firm's 2004 reports on learning management system (LMS) and e-learning suite providers.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – March 24, 2004: </STRONG>Gartner, Inc has positioned Meridian KSI in the Visionary quadrant of two new Magic Quadrant reports, the enterprise learning industry leader announced today. Meridian KSI was included in the Visionary quadrant in the research firm's 2004 reports on learning management system (LMS) and e-learning suite providers. Gartner's Visionary designation recognizes companies for their clear vision of the market direction and their focus on preparation.</P><br><P>"Meridian KSI's addition to Gartner's Magic Quadrant reflects our sustained profitable growth and success," said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. "Gartner's evaluation recognizes that the same innovative products and client focus that have made Meridian KSI the LMS partner of choice across the Federal government are equally critical factors for achieving success in the commercial sector."</P><br><P>Meridian's inclusion in the quadrants is recognizes the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ both for its best-of-breed LMS functionality, and for the comprehensive suite of learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling/management tools that surround the Knowledge Centre's LMS core.</P><br><P>"Gartner's classification of Meridian as visionary is very gratifying," Somerville added. ''We have always believed that successful learning management begins with the recognition that knowledge exists in many forms throughout an organization. Our LMS suite provides the means to identify, capture, and codify these resources into discrete learning objects and easily apply them to various blended learning interventions.''</P><br><P>Criteria for selection include customer satisfaction and support, management, vendor viability, and installed base. The report urged organizations interested in an LMS to "pay close attention to a provider's e-learning suite capabilities, as well as their support for open architectures and mobile learning." </P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre's proven, robust, and versatile integration capabilities; industry-leading support for SCORM; and the award-winning Meridian Player offline learning capability further echo the report's classification of Meridian KSI as a Visionary firm. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 <EM>Inc.</EM> 500 and the #17 position on the <EM>Washington Technology</EM> Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by <EM>U.S. News &amp; World Report</EM> and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Gartner, Inc.</STRONG><BR>Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner’s businesses consist of Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut and has over 3,800 associates, including approximately 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Fiscal 2002 revenue totaled $888 million. For more information, visit <A href="http://www.gartner.com">http://www.gartner.com</A>.</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="158">
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[American Bankers Association Chooses Meridian KSI as New LMS Partner]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=14]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has been selected as the new LMS partner for the American Bankers Association (ABA).]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=158]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – March 11, 2004: </STRONG>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. has been selected as the new LMS partner for the American Bankers Association (ABA), the enterprise learning industry leader announced today. Meridian will deploy its award-winning Knowledge Centre LMS suite and convert 117 seat-hours of courseware for SCORM conformance in support of ABA's member banks, content resellers, and independent learners.</P><br><P>''The financial services market is among Meridian's fastest growing business segments,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. ''The ABA's selection of Meridian as its LMS partner strongly validates how effectively our software platforms and related services support the needs of this demanding market segment. Meridian's partnership with the ABA has provided the opportunity to build industry specific functionality into our software, which can now benefit other clients with similar needs.''</P><br><P>ABA replaced its previous LMS with the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ in order to take advantage of greater flexibility and exclusive functionality to pursue its short- and long-term e-learning objectives. Integrated into the ABA's system is a full-featured e-commerce module for bill processing and credit card payments.</P><br><P>“The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre will enable us to provide ABA’s standard setting, industry specific education and training to our clients along with a wide range of other types of content,” said J. Douglas Adamson, Executive Director of the Professional Development Group of the American Bankers Association, “The Knowledge Centre also incorporates features that will be highly useful to our clients in building individual and organizational competencies and will allow them to add their own content in a very cost-effective way.”</P><br><P>Meridian KSI built several innovative new features into the ABA's Knowledge Centre in order to enable the delivery of courseware in different ways for its three distinct user bases: ''walk-in'' customers who purchase individual access to courses on a just-in-time basis; contract customers and member banks, who purchase by the bundle; and content resellers and aggregators. </P><br><P>Key to this effort is the Domain Manager, a Web-based console which allows ABA to present multiple user interfaces, as well as to identify access to content and function by domain, greatly increasing the granularity of the Knowledge Centre's already impressive reporting capabilities.<BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) is the LMS partner for organizations of any size. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Meridian is a privately held and profitable leading provider of enterprise learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,300 percent since 1998, earning the company the #134 slot on the 2003 Inc. 500 and the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50. Meridian KSI’s flagship product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic LMS suite that integrates learning content management, knowledge management, and competency modeling functionality. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the American Bankers Association, U.S. Department of Energy, L-3 Communications, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report and Brandon-hall.com as a Top Ten Learning Management System and winner of the 2003 APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the American Bankers Association</STRONG><BR>Based in Washington, DC, the American Bankers Association (ABA) represents banks of all sizes on issues of national importance for financial institutions and their customers. The ABA, founded in 1875, brings together all categories of banking institutions, including community, regional and money center banks and holding companies, as well as savings associations, trust companies and savings banks. The association's mission is to serve its member banks and enhance their role as pre-eminent providers of financial services. ABA accomplishes this mission through federal legislative and regulatory activities, legal action, communication and consumer education, research and products and services that promote, educate, train, inform and support members. For more information, visit <A href="http://www.aba.com">www.aba.com</A>.</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="159">
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[CVM Recognized by Federal Computer Week for E-Learning Success]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1013/web-elearn-10-17-03.asp]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine was recognized recently by Federal Computer Week magazine for the success of its e-learning program, anchored by its implementation of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™.]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<p>The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine was recognized recently by <i>Federal Computer Week</i> magazine for the success of its e-learning program, anchored by its implementation of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™.</p><p><a href=http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1013/web-elearn-10-17-03.asp target=blank>Click this link to read the article.</a></p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="160">
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Places #134 on Inc. 500, Also Recognized as a ''Highly Profitable'' Company]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=16]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has achieved the #134 position on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing privately held companies and was one of only 18 companies in the top 150 to be designated as ''Highly Profitable.'']]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHANTILLY, VA – September 30, 2003:</strong> Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the company has achieved the #134 position on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing privately held companies.</p> <p> Meridian KSI grew revenues almost 1,200% from1998 to 2002. The company is also one of only eighteen of the top 150 on the list to earn the ''Highly Profitable'' annotation. Inc. bestows this accolade upon companies averaging over 16% profit during the five-year period.</p> <p>''We are very proud to be the 134th fastest growing privately held company in America,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. ''This recognition for our business ability is a nice compliment to the various awards we have received for our products and services.'' Meridian KSI has remained self-funding since its inception in 1997. The company has been able to self-fund this rapid growth while also realizing significant profits, averaging more than 20% per year.</p> <p> To be eligible for this year's Inc. 500, companies had to be independent and privately held through their fiscal year 2002, have had at least $200,000 in sales in the base year of 1998, and their 2002 sales had to exceed 2001 sales. Inc. verifies all information by using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants, and by conducting interviews with company officials. </p> <p>''The entrepreneurs you'll find on the Inc. 500 have the type of attitude we need to get this economy moving again,'' said Inc. editor-in-chief John Koten. ''For them, a tough market is not an excuse for poor performance, but an opportunity to innovate and rise above the competition.'' </p>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="161">
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[FDA Expands Knowledge Centre Implementation to Leverage Success]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=17]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its use of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Office of the Commissioner (OC).]]></description>
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		<full_text><![CDATA[<p><strong>CHANTILLY, VA – September 28, 2003</strong>: Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Meridian KSI client since 2001, has expanded its use of the award-winning Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Office of the Commissioner (OC).<br> <br> The FDA awarded Meridian KSI an expansion contract to deploy the Knowledge Centre for two additional FDA centers to further capitalize on the successful implementations at its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN). <br> <br> The initial implementations focused on the Center for Veterinary Medicine. The Meridian solution included competency models and an infrastructure to leverage these models to further each centers efforts towards being a high performance organization. With this expansion, four FDA centers are using the Meridian product. </p> <p>In each case, the FDA is using the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, a competency-based learning management system to develop individual and organizational excellence within these the first two centers. The system provides skills assessments to identify skills gaps for the professional and scientific staff. Upon diagnosing the performance needs, the system prescribes an appropriate learning intervention. Learning interventions at the FDA include commercially available online courseware, developmental assignments, and non-traditional learning opportunities.</p> <p>The two new Knowledge Centers will make agency-wide learning resources available to over 1,000 scientists, drug reviewers, and administrative personnel at CDER and OC, enabling many FDA personnel to meet the continuing education requirements necessary to maintain their accreditation. Through its Knowledge Centre usage, the FDA will also reap benefits of expedited record keeping and reporting of employee training.</p> <p>''The implementation of the Knowledge Centre in two additional FDA Centers will help to further one of the FDA’s 2003 Strategic Action Plan goals to provide 'more effective regulation through a … world class professional workforce,''' explained Elizabeth Volk, Meridian KSI Executive Vice President. ''The Meridian KSI team is proud of our continued role in such an exciting initiative.''<br>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="162">
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Wins Brandon-hall.com Excellence in E-Learning Award for Revolutionary Meridian Player Mobile LMS]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=18]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced today that it has won the Brandon-hall.com Excellence in E-Learning Bronze award in the Innovative Technology category for the Meridian Player, a revolutionary new desktop application that makes the benefits of web-based training available to those without consistent Internet access.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=162]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – September 23, 2003: </STRONG>Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that it has won the Brandon-hall.com Excellence in E-Learning Bronze award in the Innovative Technology category. This acclaim was bestowed upon the Meridian Player, a revolutionary new desktop application that makes the benefits of web-based training available to those without consistent Internet access. <br><P>This marks the fourth time that Meridian KSI's accomplishments and excellence have been recognized by Brandon-hall.com. This recognition includes the research firm naming the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to its current list of recommended high-value learning management systems.</P><br><P>The Meridian Player is a mobile learning management system that allows SCORM 1.2 conformant content to played, assessed, and tracked with all the same functionality as if it was taken online, including credit/not for credit options, enforcement of prerequisites, and search features for just-in-time learning. <BR><BR>"We developed the player to support our clients with large field sales forces and deployed organizations like the military," said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. "We also built in the ability to support multiple users through a single desktop in order to support learning kiosks in the retail space. This award echoes the market feedback we have received on this revolutionary product."</P><br><P>The Meridian Player also allows the learner to synchronize their student data with the LMS to maintain a single learning record. A powerful search tool also allows the learner to find and access individual learning objects and assets on demand as a performance support tool.</P><br><P>"The winning entries have done a terrific job this year. The innovation and desire to excel that is demonstrated in these programs gives us all something to celebrate," said Brandon Hall, Ph.D., of Brandon-hall.com and chairman of the Excellence in E-Learning Awards program. "These ground-breaking efforts and best practices benefit the industry as a whole."<BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at www.meridianksi.com.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Brandon-hall.com</STRONG><BR>The Excellence in E-Learning Awards program is chaired by one of the leading authorities on e-learning, Brandon Hall, Ph.D. Dr. Hall is the CEO of Brandon-hall.com and author of the groundbreaking Web-Based Training Cookbook. Since 1992, Brandon-hall.com has been providing independent expert advice in the form of published reports and consultations on the tools and best practices of e-learning. Dr. Hall participates regularly as a featured speaker at the Online Learning Conference &amp; Expo. He earned his doctorate in educational psychology and has served on the faculty of San Francisco State University's Multimedia Studies Program. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Inc, and many other publications. For more information, visit <A href="http://brandon-hall.com">brandon-hall.com</A>. </P><br><P><STRONG>About the Excellence in E-Learning Awards</STRONG><BR>The Excellence in E-Learning Awards are presented by Brandon-hall.com, one of the e-learning industry's leading research and consulting firms. Now in its seventh year (formerly the Brandon Hall of Fame Awards), the awards program showcases exceptional work in the e-learning industry by providing feedback and benchmarking to entrants in an overall effort to help advance the e-learning industry. This year, entries were submitted in three categories: Best Practices, Custom Content, and Innovative Technology. Entries were evaluated by judges with expertise in instructional design, online learning and the implementation of e-learning.</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="163">
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Releases Knowledge Centre Version 4.0]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=19]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has released the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Version 4.0. This unique enterprise learning infrastructure combines learning management and learning content management functionality with powerful tools for knowledge management, performance support, and competency modeling. With this release, enhanced new reporting capabilities and versatile new configuration options have been added to the Knowledge Centre.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=163]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – September 30, 2003:</STRONG> Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, has released the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Version 4.0. This unique enterprise learning infrastructure combines learning management and learning content management functionality with powerful tools for knowledge management, performance support, and competency modeling. With this release, enhanced new reporting capabilities and versatile new configuration options have been added to the Knowledge Centre.</P><br><P>With the 4.0 release, the award-winning Knowledge Centre provides enterprises more powerful and versatile tools to forge better trained, better informed workforces. Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report, Brandon-hall.com, and Online Learning for its excellence and value, the Knowledge Centre allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. Organizations in both the public and private sectors have used the Knowledge Centre to achieve training goals such as reducing costs, flattening learning curves, sharing best practices, and performing many more mission critical tasks.</P><br><P>Key new features of version 4.0 of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ include the enhanced reporting through a powerful Reports Console, providing administrators with centralized access to all standard Knowledge Centre reports; Training Needs Analysis Reports, enabling managers to quickly identify training needs and support Cost-Benefit-Analysis (CBA) for training; Competency Proficiency Reports, allowing managers to view both high and low proficiencies for specified competencies to support succession planning and utilization; and enhanced Curriculum Reports, granting visibility into individual students' course loads. This release also includes enhanced integration with Microsoft Office® for exporting report data.</P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre also now supports multiple interface options enabling users to choose from campus map or more traditional interfaces and adds fully configurable optional fields for tracking organization-specific data on the user or course level. </P><br><P>“This major release provides configuration options for both administrators and the learner," said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI, "furthering our ability to quickly implement the product, tailored to the organizations' unique needs.” <BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="164">
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Places #17 on Washington Technology Fast 50 List]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=20]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced today that the company has been awarded the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50 list of fastest-growing small businesses in the Government IT market.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=164]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – September 30, 2003:</STRONG> Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the company has been awarded the #17 position on the Washington Technology Fast 50 list of fastest-growing small businesses in the Government IT market. <br><P>Meridian KSI, the only company in the e-learning sector to make the list, earned its rank with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 96%. Over the same period, the company's total revenues grew over 1200%.<BR><BR>“We are very proud to be the 17th fastest growing company in this market, especially considering the thousands of companies eligible for this award,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. ''This recognition is a nice complement to the various awards we have received for our products and their implementation.”</P><br><P>To qualify for the list, a company must be considered a small business, and must have had at least $100,000 in Government revenue in 1998. <BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown total revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <a href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com.</a></P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Washington Technology</STRONG><BR>Washington Technology is the only national newspaper for government IT systems integrators and resellers. It delivers essential business news to 40,100 business executives whose companies provide high-level technical services to the government. Published bi-monthly since 1986, each issue features the latest contracting wins, government initiatives and projects, case studies and analyses and fresh technology news. Washingtontechnology.com is the leading online resource for systems integrators and IT companies doing business with government. The Web site features current and archived issues of Washington Technology, information on the latest contracting wins, acquisitions and government policies, events, and links to related resources. For more information, visit <A href="http://www.washingtontechnology.com">www.washingtontechnology.com</A>. </P><br><P><BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="166">
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI-Developed Defense Acquisition University Tutorial Tops 69,000 Graduates]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=22]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced today that the Defense Acquisition University Continuous Learning Center has issued 69,490 certificates of completion for its Meridian-developed Government Purchase Card Tutorial online courseware.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=166]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – August 12, 2003:</STRONG> Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the Defense Acquisition University Continuous Learning Center (DAU CLC) has issued 69,490 certificates of completion for its Meridian-developed Government Purchase Card Tutorial online courseware. This milestone was reached just over nine months after the module's launch. The CLC also recently registered its 100,000th site user. </P><br><P>The 4 seat-hour, SCORM and Section 508 conformant module was launched in August 2002 in response to concerns of Purchase Card misuse. The GPC tutorial has made an impact on the Department of Defense personnel who have taken it: more than three quarters of users reported that they found the tutorial valuable and would recommend it. ''The purchase card tutorial is the flagship of the DAU’s more than 50 modules currently offered on the CLC,'' said Director of DAU Continuous Learning Bob Faulk.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI has a long partnership with DAU, launching the Continuous Learning Center with 30 modules in June 2001. Since then, over 104,000 registered users have relied on it to stay current in their career fields, learn about new policies and initiatives, expand experience and technical expertise, and comply with Department of Defense policies on continuous learning. To date, Meridian has developed over 20 modules for DAU, totaling approximately 45 seat-hours.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI <BR></STRONG>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Defense Acquisition University</STRONG><BR>The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) provides mandatory, assignment-specific, and continuing education courses for military and civilian acquisition personnel within the Department of Defense. Its mission is to provide the acquisition community with the right learning products and services to make smart business decisions. Authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1746 and chartered by DoD Directive 5000.57, the DAU was established on August 1, 1992. The DAU coordinates acquisition education and training programs to meet the training requirements of more than 140,000 DoD acquisition personnel. As the DoD corporate university for acquisition education, the DAU sponsors curriculum and instructor training to provide a full range of basic, intermediate, advanced, and assignment-specific courses to support the career goals and professional development of the Acquisition Workforce. In addition to providing curriculum-based training, both in the classroom and via the Internet, the DAU fosters professional development through publications, symposia, research, and consulting in areas related to the acquisition functions.<BR><BR></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="165">
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Achieves Microsoft Certified Partner Status]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=21]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced that it has been named a Microsoft Certified Partner. This accolade, awarded by Microsoft, demonstrates a commitment to emerging technologies and providing excellence in customer service.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=165]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA </STRONG>– August 8, 2003: Meridian KSI, an enterprise learning industry leader, announced that it has been named a Microsoft Certified Partner. This accolade, awarded by Microsoft, demonstrates a commitment to emerging technologies and providing excellence in customer service. <BR><BR>The certification recognizes the efforts of Meridian's technical staff in completing Microsoft Certified Professional training. By virtue of this recognition, Meridian KSI will gain access to top-notch customer support from Microsoft as well as cutting-edge Microsoft products, allowing our customers to enjoy the benefits of that leading technology.<BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>. <br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="168">
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI to Develop 90 Credit Hours of Courseware for Army JAG Soldiers]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=24]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced today that the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps has selected Meridian KSI to develop 90 credit hours of distance learning courseware, representing approximately 270 seat-hours of material. This contract follows the successful development and deployment of over 700 seat-hours of courseware for the JAG Corps since 1999.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=168]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, June 17, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., the total enterprise learning solution provider, announced today that the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps has selected Meridian KSI to develop 90 credit hours of distance learning courseware, representing approximately 270 seat-hours of material. This contract, awarded through prime contractor Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), follows the successful development and deployment of over 700 seat-hours of courseware for the JAG Corps since 1999. <br><P>The JAG Corps and Meridian KSI partnership is steeped in success. "We have been a team with Meridian KSI since 1999 and the primary reasons we have been successful thus far are the tireless efforts and unbelievable technical competence of Meridian KSI's personnel," said Major George A. Figurski, the JAG School's Director of Training Development. "The new requirements and changing technologies associated with distance learning make such programs challenging to execute, but the JAG School continues to shine because of Meridian KSI."</P><br><P>By using their Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, JAG University, to disseminate distance learning, the Judge Advocate General’s Corps has become the Armed Forces’ leader in implementation of successful e-learning initiatives, and has been recognized within the military community for its efforts. </P><br><P>JAG University supports a worldwide audience of military judge advocates, civilian attorneys, and paralegals utilizing distance learning courseware for both resident credit and just-in-time mission support. </P><br><P>Through the continued support of Meridian KSI, the JAG Corps has been able to deliver SCORM and Section 508 conformant courseware under the Army’s Distance Learning 2001 (DLXXI) contract, realizing significant technical enhancements to their course offerings and building on established successes which have more than tripled their rate of course completions in two years.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Army's Judge Advocate General School</STRONG><BR>Located on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General's School (JAG School) conducts a graduate-level legal education program, culminating in the award of a master of laws degree, for all Army judge advocates, judge advocates from the other armed services, and Army civilian attorneys; offers resident and nonresident courses of study for judge advocates and attorneys employed by the Federal Government; develops and provides legal training for Army paralegals and senior Army commanders; prescribes legal curricula for other Army schools and activities; supports the military legal community by providing access to digital and written legal materials and other assistance; and develops doctrine for legal support of the Army. For more information, visit the JAG School website at <A href="http://www.jagcnet.army.mil">http://www.jagcnet.army.mil</A>.<BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="170">
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Certified for SCORM 1.2 Compliance]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=26]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has been certified as SCORM 1.2 conformant by the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=170]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, April 21, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab, has certified the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for its compliance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.</P><br><P>The Academic ADL Co-Lab in Madison, WI issued the certification for ADL conformance with SCORM version 1.2 at the highest possible level, LMS-RTE 3 (Learning Management System Run-Time Environment 3), encompassing all required and optional data model elements. The Knowledge Centre was tested against the SCORM Version 1.2 Conformance Test Suite Version 1.2.3.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI has integrated SCORM support into the award-winning Knowledge Centre since the standard's introduction in January 2000. With this certification, this industry-leading support has been taken to the next level.</P><br><P>''We are fully committed to SCORM and the resulting content interoperability, having implemented it within our LMS, our mobile learning player, and in over 1,000 seat hours of custom courseware,'' said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre&amp;#153;, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">http://www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About SCORM</STRONG><BR>SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) standards were established by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), the public/private e-learning arm of the Department of Defense. As the single largest purchaser of online courseware and training, the Department exerts enormous influence over the courseware development and delivery marketplace. Over recent years, SCORM has been accepted as an industry standard, through collaborative efforts with other certification organizations overseeing courseware development and LMS guidelines. For further information, visit the ADL website at <A href="http://www.adlnet.org">http://www.adlnet.org</A>.</P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="171">
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Releases First of Three Online Courses on Using GSA Schedules]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=27]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI announced today that the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Acquisition's Using GSA Schedules – Customers course has gone live.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=171]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, April 21, 2003</STRONG> – Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Acquisition's Using GSA Schedules – Customers course has gone live. This 16 seat-hour online course is the first of three to be created by Meridian KSI, through a Blanket Purchase Agreement, in order to train Schedule users in the acquisition community on how to utilize GSA Schedule contracts.</P><br><P>The course will be offered via the U-MAS Virtual Campus website, which serves as the online training hub for acquisition professionals in the Federal government, as well as members of the GSA's Federal Supply Service (FSS), and industry partners.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI is currently developing the second and third courses for GSA, which will detail the process for the use of GSA Schedules by FSS personnel and businesses. These two online courses are scheduled to go live during Summer 2003 and Fall 2003, respectively.</P><br><P>"The FSS program supports the annual acquisition of over $25 billion in goods and services. Launching these courses to train personnel on their use will deliver almost immediate return on investment," said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. "The target audience spans the globe and includes well over 100,000 professionals."<BR><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the General Services Administration Office of Acquisition</STRONG><BR>The General Services Administration (GSA) operates a worldwide purchase and distribution system that other Federal agencies use to buy billions of dollars’ worth of products and services for day-to-day operations. Its resource experts secure space, furniture, equipment, computers, and telecommunications systems from federal and commercial sources at best value. GSA also sells surplus federal property, such as real estate and vehicles, to the public. GSA develops and implements policies that promote the best management practices Governmentwide. GSA is also a technology leader - it is the managing partner for five of the 24 White House e-Government initiatives. Roughly 14,000 GSA associates support over one million federal workers located in 8,300 government-owned and leased buildings nationwide. For more information on the General Services Administration, visit <A href="http://www.gsa.gov">http://www.gsa.gov.</A></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="167">
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Certified for SCORM 1.2 Compliance]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=23]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has been certified as SCORM 1.2 conformant by the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=167]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, April 21, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, announced today that the independent Wisconsin Testing Organization, in conjunction with the Academic ADL Co-Lab, has certified the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for its compliance with the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) standard.</P><br><P>The Academic ADL Co-Lab in Madison, WI issued the certification for ADL conformance with SCORM version 1.2 at the highest possible level, LMS-RTE 3 (Learning Management System Run-Time Environment 3), encompassing all required and optional data model elements. The Knowledge Centre was tested against the SCORM Version 1.2 Conformance Test Suite Version 1.2.3.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI has integrated SCORM support into the award-winning Knowledge Centre since the standard's introduction in January 2000. With this certification, this industry-leading support has been taken to the next level.</P><br><P>''We are fully committed to SCORM and the resulting content interoperability, having implemented it within our LMS, our mobile learning player, and in over 1,000 seat hours of custom courseware,'' said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About SCORM</STRONG><BR>SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) standards were established by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), the public/private e-learning arm of the Department of Defense. As the single largest purchaser of online courseware and training, the Department exerts enormous influence over the courseware development and delivery marketplace. Over recent years, SCORM has been accepted as an industry standard, through collaborative efforts with other certification organizations overseeing courseware development and LMS guidelines. For further information, visit the ADL website at <A href="http://www.adlnet.org">http://www.adlnet.org</A>.</P><br><P></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="172">
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Wins APX Award for Best Knowledge Management System]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=28]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has been named a winner of Training magazine's first annual Achieving Performance Excellence (APX) Awards, recognizing Meridian KSI's excellence as a solution supplier.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=172]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA</STRONG>, March 20, 2003 – Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, has been named a winner of Training magazine’s first annual Achieving Performance Excellence (APX) Awards, recognizing Meridian KSI’s excellence as a solution supplier.</P><br><P>50,000 training professionals were asked to make their selection for the best suppliers in the field as measured by four criteria:</P><br><UL><br><LI>Value <br><LI>Ease of use <br><LI>Meet/exceed buyer’s expectations <br><LI>Exceptional customer service </LI></UL><br><P>Meridian KSI received the top award in the Knowledge Management System category, leading the pack of 20 companies nominated. </P><br><P>“At Meridian we have always viewed Knowledge Management as the backbone of enterprise learning - encompassing learning management, content management, performance support, and collaboration,” said Paul Somerville, Meridian KSI President and CEO, adding, “We believe that recognition from our customers is the highest praise, just as winning the APX award for the Knowledge Management area is the strongest kind of validation for an enterprise infrastructure company. In this award we have accomplished both.”</P><br><P>“To be selected by such a high-profile audience of training professionals is a significant endorsement,” said Training publisher Stacey Marmalejo. “We are pleased that we have created the APX program to further support the industry.”</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Training</STRONG><BR>Training magazine is a 37-year-old professional development magazine that advocates training and workforce development as a business tool. The magazine delves into management issues such as leadership and succession planning, HR issues such as recruitment and retention, and training issues such as learning theory, on-the-job skills assessments and aligning core workforce competencies to enhance the bottom line impact of training and development programs. Written for training, human resources and business management professionals in all industries, Training combines a primarily paid circulation with a small percentage of qualified, controlled recipients to deliver the strongest circulation in the market. For more information, visit the Training magazine website at <A href="http://www.trainingmag.com">http://www.trainingmag.com</A>.</P><br><P></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="175">
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Takes Online Learning Where It's Never Gone Before]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=31]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has released the Meridian Player and Mobile Learning Console, an integrated solution that makes online learning a reality for employees with limited or restricted access to the Internet or their intranet.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=175]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>Meridian Player and Mobile Learning Console Enable E-Learning Without the Web </STRONG><br><P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, February 12, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, announced that it will release the Meridian Player and Mobile Learning Console, an integrated solution that makes online learning a reality for employees with limited or restricted access to the Internet or their intranet, at the Training 2003 show in Atlanta later this month.</P><br><P>The Meridian Player and Mobile Learning Console make the benefits of e-learning available to sailors on submarines, sales personnel in the field, retail workers, and other learners who don't have the connectivity that Web-based training has previously demanded. </P><br><P>The Meridian Player is a mobile learning management system that allows SCORM 1.2 conformant content to played, assessed, and tracked with all the same functionality as if it was taken online, including credit/not for credit options, enforcement of prerequisites, and search features for just-in-time learning.</P><br><P>To access learning materials, users can conduct a search and download available courseware through the Mobile Learning Console, a feature of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™. Courses can also be imported via CD-ROM or LAN connection.</P><br><P>Mobile learners can then take the courses right on their desktops, with no Internet connection necessary. The Meridian Player tracks user progress throughout the course. When a user connects to the Internet again, the Mobile Learning Console allows synchronization of course progress. Course progress can also be synchronized from the Knowledge Centre to the Player. Data can also be exported to a floppy disk and imported to the Knowledge Centre by an administrator. This functionality allows student transcripts in the Knowledge Centre to be updated to reflect offline course progress, supporting the Knowledge Centre's enterprise reporting capabilities.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI's paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.<BR></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="176">
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Names Industry Veteran Roy W. Haythorn to Lead the Rapidly Growing Company's Sales Efforts]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=32]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. has appointed Roy W. Haythorn to lead all aspects of sales operations for the company, solidifying its position as a major player in the high-growth learning technology marketplace.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=176]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<P><STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA – February 21, 2003 </STRONG>- Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. has appointed Roy W. Haythorn to lead all aspects of sales operations for the company, solidifying its position as a major player in the high-growth learning technology marketplace.</P><br><P>Meridian KSI President and CEO Paul Somerville said, ''It is our intention to build on the company's outstanding reputation for technology leadership and premier customer service, by dramatically expanding our global sales efforts. In attracting Roy to the Meridian team, we are certain to benefit from his vast experience and leadership in the successful execution of our high growth business plan.''</P><br><P>Haythorn's extensive experience in the learning technology space began when he assumed General Manager responsibility for Meliora Systems in early 1996. Meliora was responsible for the development of Ingenium, one of the leading competency-based learning management systems of its time. His stewardship of Meliora led to the company's eventual acquisition by Asymetrix, now Click2learn, where he has devoted the last four and a half years serving in various senior management assignments, most recently as Vice President of North America Sales. </P><br><P>Previously, Roy spent over 25 years at Xerox Corporation, serving in senior management, sales operations and marketing positions including Vice President of Marketing and Regional General Manager of Field Operations for the US. Following his Xerox tenure he was introduced to the world of software development, when he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO of a publicly traded linguistic products software company.</P><br><P>''Meridian is a company that has always impressed me greatly'', Haythorn said, ''they have always been a gritty competitor, with superior technology and highly satisfied customers. I have come to learn that Meridian measures it's success strictly on the feedback of their customers. In my view technology is important, but a reputation for the ultimate in customer service is what will determine who eventually wins in this exciting marketplace.''</P><br><P><BR><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI's paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ </STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.<BR></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="173">
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Weston Solutions, Inc. Selects Knowledge Centre for Enterprise-Wide Learning Initiative]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=29]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has partnered with Weston Solutions, Inc. to create Weston Solutions University, the foundation of a companywide learning and knowledge management initiative.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=173]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><P><STRONG>Chantilly, VA, February 3, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian KSI has partnered with Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON) to create Weston Solutions University, the foundation of a companywide learning and knowledge management initiative. The SCORM and Section 508 compliant site will provide the resources and tools to enable WESTON’s employees to develop their strengths and prioritize training to best serve their clients.</P><br><P>WESTON’s customized solution includes the Knowledge Centre enterprise learning infrastructure, Meridian’s Competency Management Suite, and an online Action Plan for personal development.</P><br><P>The Knowledge Centre will be WESTON’s key instrument in transforming the company culture to encourage and enable learning that aligns and supports both business objectives and individual employee development.</P><br><P>“As individuals, we will see new opportunities for learning, increased self-awareness, and job satisfaction,” explained William L. Robertson, WESTON’s chairman and chief executive. “As a company, we will benefit from increased employee retention, greater client loyalty, and improved productivity, resulting in increased shareholder value.”</P><br><P>Meridian’s powerful Competency Management module, Individual Development Plan (IDP), the Meridian Player Mobile Learning Console, and the company’s strong financial health were the key factors that led WESTON to choose Meridian. The IDP in particular is a cornerstone of WESTON’s team development strategy, empowering users to take ownership of their own professional growth.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held, leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. The company has realized five consecutive years of profitability in excess of 20% of revenue. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Institute for Supply Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™</STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Weston Solutions, Inc.</STRONG><BR>Weston Solutions, Inc. is a leading environment and redevelopment firm, delivering comprehensive solutions to complex problems for industry and government worldwide. The company's services encompass environmental remediation, redevelopment, and management and compliance. WESTON’s emphasis on restoring resource efficiency to our clients' operations - including land, air, water, facilities, and staff - ensures that clients derive maximum value from their resources. Additional information regarding Weston Solutions is available at <A href="http://www.westonsolutions.com">http://www.westonsolutions.com</A>.</P><br><P><BR></P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="174">
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian's Best of Breed LMS Gets Even Better with 3.1 Release]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=30]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has released the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Version 3.1. This unique enterprise learning infrastructure combines learning management and learning content management functionality with powerful tools for knowledge management, performance support, and competency modeling.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=174]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>CHANTILLY, VA, February 3, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc., an enterprise learning industry leader, has released the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ Version 3.1. This unique enterprise learning infrastructure combines learning management and learning content management functionality with powerful tools for knowledge management, performance support, and competency modeling. With this release, powerful course management capabilities have been added to enhance existing training management utilities that support online, blended, and traditional learning and offer on-demand access to learning objects. <br><P>With the 3.1 release, the award-winning Knowledge Centre provides enterprises more powerful and versatile tools to forge better trained, better informed workforces. Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report, brandon-hall.com, and Online Learning for its excellence and value, the Knowledge Centre allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. Organizations in both the public and private sectors have used the Knowledge Centre to achieve training goals such as reducing costs, flattening learning curves, sharing best practices, and performing many more mission critical tasks.</P><br><P>Key new features of version 3.1 of the Knowledge Centre include batch enrollment, enhancing user management (enrollment, waitlisting, cancellation) in classroom sections; access approval, permitting course administrators to require approval prior to course and curriculum access; and curriculum management, enabling the assembly of classroom and online courses into a single aggregated unit that can be taken in linear or non-linear fashion.</P><br><P>“This release reflects Meridian's five years of experience implementing learning management solutions for large organizations,” explained Meridian KSI President and CEO Paul Somerville, “specifically the value and need of a single, integrated system to manage and apply all of an organization's learning assets. The result is a single repository of learning objects, access to experts, and the tools to present multiple learning opportunities and modalities.”</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI <BR></STRONG>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held and profitable leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI's paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.<BR><BR><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ <BR></STRONG>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.<BR></P>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="177">
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Achieves Five Consecutive Years of Significant Profitability]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=33]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) announced today that it has closed fiscal year 2002 with over 20% profit on revenues, marking the fifth consecutive year of similar profitability. Meridian KSI accomplished this while self-funding over 24% growth in 2002, with over 1,200% growth since 1998.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=177]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><STRONG>Chantilly, VA, February 5, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI) announced today that it has closed fiscal year 2002 with over 20% profit on revenues, marking the fifth consecutive year of similar profitability. Meridian KSI accomplished this while self-funding over 24% growth in 2002, with over 1,200% growth since 1998. <br><P>Meridian KSI continues to lead the Learning Management System (LMS) industry in financial performance and stability. Competing publicly traded LMS companies reported an average negative growth of 1% and average loss on revenue of 62% for the last four quarters reported. The employee-owned company has achieved this continued profit and growth without outside investment or long-term debt.</P><br><P>''Since inception our vision has been to be the best LMS company, not the biggest,'' says Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI, adding, ''Our continued success is the result of our approach of partnering with our clients, proven products, and talented people who deliver.'' As testimony to this commitment to excellence, return customers represented 51% of the company’s 2002 sales. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held, leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™</STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="180">
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Feb 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian KSI Deploys Knowledge Centre for NCMA]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=36]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has delivered a customized version of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). The SCORM and Section 508 compliant site will provide a single, unified resource for training based on competencies for the association's 20,000 members.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=180]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<br><BODY><STRONG>Chantilly, VA, February 1, 2003 </STRONG>– Meridian KSI has delivered a customized version of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ for the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). The SCORM and Section 508 compliant site will provide a single, unified resource for training based on competencies for the association's 20,000 members. <br><P>Typical of a Meridian implementation, the site was delivered a mere two months after contract award. NCMA's customized solution includes the Knowledge Centre enterprise learning infrastructure, Meridian's Competency Management Suite, administrator training, and integration with association management software. </P><br><P>The full integration between the Knowledge Centre's learning management system (LMS) and competency management components was the key factor that led NCMA to choose Meridian. “I knew this software was powerful,” said acting executive vice president Neal Couture, “but it does even more than we thought it did.”</P><br><P>NCMA will use the Knowledge Centre as a “one-stop shop,” replacing classroom training and aggregating third-party educational materials. Contract managers within and serving the Federal government will use the site to access learning opportunities prescribed to them based on their competencies and their job responsibilities. Users can also network with others sharing similar interests through the Knowledge Centre's PeerNet and Teaming Center features. </P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held, leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. Meridian KSI's paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Institute for Supply Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™</STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the National Contract Management Association</STRONG><BR>The National Contract Management Association is an individual-membership, professional society formed in 1959 to foster the professional growth and educational advancement of its membership, which includes over 20,000 procurement and contract management professionals in both the public and private sectors. Additional information regarding the NCMA and its programs is available at <A href="http://www.ncmahq.org">http://www.ncmahq.org</A>.</P><br><P center??>###</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
	</item>
	<item id="178">
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Brandon-hall.com Recognizes Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ as High Value LMS]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=34]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[E-learning research and consulting firm brandon-hall.com has named the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to its list of recommended learning management systems for organizations seeking ''high value and below average pricing.'']]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=178]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<STRONG>Chantilly, VA, January 13, 2003 </STRONG>– E-learning research and consulting firm brandon-hall.com has named the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to its list of recommended learning management systems for organizations seeking ''high value and below average pricing''. Based on the comprehensive research brandon-hall.com conducted for its Learning Management Systems 2002 report of over 70 LMS products, the report highlights systems that provide an exceptional level of functionality at a consistently lower than average price across small, medium, and large implementations. <br><P>''Our focus on customer satisfaction and innovation rather than marketing and a large sales force have allowed us to maintain very competitive pricing while delivering exceptional functionality,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. This approach is evident in Meridian’s high customer satisfaction ratings and recent recognition at the LMS Shootout at Online Learning 2002, in which the Knowledge Centre took first place for reporting and classroom management.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held, leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. The company has realizing five consecutive years of profitability in excess of 20% of revenue. Meridian KSI’s paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Institute for Supply Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™</STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News &amp; World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About brandon-hall.com</STRONG><BR>Located in Sunnyvale, California, brandon-hall.com is a research and advisory firm that specializes in providing a continuous stream of knowledge, as well as advisory strategies in all areas of e-learning technology. The company also works with the VNU Online Learning Conference and Online Learning Magazine to recognize advances in the e-learning industry with the Excellence in E-Learning Awards, the first recognition program dedicated entirely to the e-learning industry. For additional information regarding these, or other brandon-hall.com reports, visit their website at <A href="http://www.brandon-hall.com">www.brandon-hall.com</A>, or contact Traci Larson at (888) 28-BRANDON or <A href="mailto:customerservice@brandon-hall.com">customerservice@brandon-hall.com</A>. </P><br><P center??>###</P>]]></full_text>
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	<item id="179">
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2003 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<title><![CDATA[Meridian Implements Knowledge Centre for USDA Graduate School]]></title>
		
		    <link><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/news/news_viewer.asp?id=35]]></link>
		
		<description><![CDATA[Meridian KSI has delivered a customized version of the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to the USDA Graduate School. The project was a joint effort in support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The SCORM and Section 508 compliant site will provide student registration over the Internet for a variety of training media sessions including classroom instruction, satellite broadcasts, and online learning. The site also includes classroom resource management, scheduling conflict resolution, and fulfillment center operations for almost 20,000 CMS customers.]]></description>
		<guid><![CDATA[http://www.meridianksi.com/rss/news/viewer/?id=179]]></guid>
		<full_text><![CDATA[<BODY><STRONG>Chantilly, VA, January 13, 2003 </STRONG>- E-learning research and consulting firm brandon-hall.com has named the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ to its list of recommended learning management systems for organizations seeking ''high value and below average pricing''. Based on the comprehensive research brandon-hall.com conducted for its Learning Management Systems 2002 report of over 70 LMS products, the report highlights systems that provide an exceptional level of functionality at a consistently lower than average price across small, medium, and large implementations. <br><P>''Our focus on customer satisfaction and innovation rather than marketing and a large sales force have allowed us to maintain very competitive pricing while delivering exceptional functionality,'' said Paul Somerville, President and CEO of Meridian KSI. This approach is evident in Meridian's high customer satisfaction ratings and recent recognition at the LMS Shootout at Online Learning 2002, in which the Knowledge Centre took first place for reporting and classroom management.</P><br><P><STRONG>About Meridian KSI </STRONG><BR>Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. (Meridian KSI), headquartered in Chantilly, Va., is a privately held, leading provider of e-learning and knowledge management products and services that has grown revenue over 1,200 percent over the past five years. The company has realizing five consecutive years of profitability in excess of 20% of revenue. Meridian KSI's paramount product, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™, is a dynamic online learning and knowledge management system that integrates courseware delivery, performance reporting and documentation, collaboration tools, knowledge capture and sharing, and specialized applications. Clients include Bank One, the U.S. Air Force, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, the Institute for Supply Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Abbott Laboratories, and the Food and Drug Administration. For further information, visit the Meridian KSI website at <A href="http://www.meridianksi.com">www.meridianksi.com</A>.</P><br><P><STRONG>About the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™</STRONG><BR>Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Top Ten Learning Management System, the Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ offers a robust infrastructure and an intuitive interface for integrating online and classroom course offerings, learning opportunities, content management, student tracking and documentation, collaboration, knowledge capture and mapping, competency modeling, and performance management. This award-winning and standards-based (SCORM and section 508 conformant) product allows organizations to rapidly develop enterprise-wide learning and knowledge management solutions and permits integration of COTS courseware libraries as well as custom content. The Meridian KSI Knowledge Centre™ has enabled organizations to realize training cost savings, employee performance improvement, and greater organizational efficiencies.</P><br><P><STRONG>About brandon-hall.com</STRONG><BR>Located in Sunnyvale, California, brandon-hall.com is a research and advisory firm that specializes in providing a continuous stream of knowledge, as well as advisory strategies in all areas of e-learning technology. The company also works with the VNU Online Learning Conference and Online Learning Magazine to recognize advances in the e-learning industry with the Excellence in E-Learning Awards, the first recognition program dedicated entirely to the e-learning industry. For additional information regarding these, or other brandon-hall.com reports, visit their website at <A href="http://www.brandon-hall.com">www.brandon-hall.com</A>, or contact Traci Larson at (888) 28-BRANDON or <A href="mailto:customerservice@brandon-hall.com">customerservice@brandon-hall.com</A>. </P><br><P center??>###</P></BODY>]]></full_text>
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