CONTACT: Sonia Panchal / Suzanne Snowdowne Fuse PR 020 8956 2303 / 020 8956 2627 sonia@fusepr.com / suzanne@fusepr.com Jeff Whitney OutStart 617-897-6800 jwhitney@outstart.com Unilever Selects OutStart SoftSim to Deliver Cost-Effective Training and User Proficiency for European SAP Implementation 50 Simulation-based Courses to be Created to Train 15,000 European Business Users on New SAP Implementation London,UK 10th May 2005 - OutStart, provider of software solutions for learning and knowledge sharing, today announces that Unilever will use OutStart’s software simulation application, SoftSim, to create over 50 interactive courses to train 15,000 European users on SAP. The SoftSim courses will form part of a blended learning programme to support and deliver immediate business efficiencies on the European-wide deployment of SAP across the organisation. The key to successful SAP implementation is to train users effectively from the start to ensure that they are proficient in the application and business efficiencies are delivered as quickly as possible. The simulation-based courses, ranging from beginner through to advanced, will replicate the SAP environment, providing a consequence free setting in which to learn. Users will be able to review their performance easily in the simulations and understand areas for improvement, whilst training managers will be able to monitor learners’ development using the tracking facility, which will enable them to identify further training needs. Dr. Nigel Batty, Unilever’s European Organisational Change Manager for IT says: “The introduction of simulation based training, alongside more traditional approaches, is seen as an important strategic step. It offers greater flexibility in the way that business application training is delivered to end users, and more user-friendly support documentation. We chose SoftSim after careful evaluation of the leading simulation products in the market, based on its cost-effectiveness, flexibility and compatibility with the Unilever Europe IT environment.” Peter Nicol, EMEA VP of OutStart says: “Delivering flexible and tailored training on SAP to 15,000 users is a colossal job. Unilever has put in place an excellent and well thought out blended learning programme suited to addressing users training needs today and in the future.” About OutStart OutStart software powers solutions that help make people more effective in a fraction of the time and cost. Unlike traditional training or knowledge management approaches that take too long, cost too much and fail to address the entire need, OutStart’s applications address the way people learn through a combination of formal training, knowledge sharing and expert collaboration that is available on-demand. Customers like Cisco Systems, ING, Sara Lee, the U.S. Navy and Westland Helicopters rely on OutStart to increase individual and organisational performance improve knowledge transfer, and lower operating costs. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., OutStart has offices throughout the US and Europe and can be found on the Web at www.outstart.com. About Unilever Unilever UK sits within the Unilever Group, one of the world's leading food and home and personal care companies. 150 million consumers each day use Unilever products, and it is the largest producers of such everyday items as skin cleansers, packet tea, ice cream and deodorants. Unilever is a fast moving consumer goods business. The company’s success relies upon supplying people with everyday goods for their everyday needs. Unilever goes to great lengths to ensure that it continues to deliver to people's needs but also maintains and builds on the trust between its business and customers.