Microsoft Extends Agreement with Certiport

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 18, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. and Certiport Inc. today announced a multiyear agreement extending Certiports global administration of the Microsoft Office Specialist program, a Microsoft-endorsed program for certifying users proficiency with individual Microsoft Office software programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Since the programs inception in 1997, Certiport has delivered more than 2 million Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams to students, teachers and workers.

“Microsoft is committed to providing customers and partners with the skills and knowledge to optimize their adoption and use of Microsoft technology,”
said Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft Learning at Microsoft.
“Certiports rigorous test development processes and global network of testing partners greatly facilitate our ability to deliver on this commitment for products in the Microsoft Office System.”

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Microsoft to continue the work of developing more effective students, teachers and workers by certifying their Microsoft Office skills,”
said David Saedi, president and CEO of Certiport.
“This alliance mutually benefits businesses, training partners, courseware providers and ultimately those who validate their knowledge of the worlds most popular system of office productivity programs.”

Microsoft Office Specialist certification has become a global standard for measuring knowledge of Microsoft Office software products. Under Certiports direction, the Microsoft Office Specialist program has extended to 18 languages in more than 122 countries. Thousands of secondary and post-secondary academic institutions deliver curricula leading to Microsoft Office Specialist certification.

About Certiport

Certiport provides industry-leading training, assessment and certification solutions that enable individuals to develop the skills necessary to achieve more, distinguish themselves, and advance in todays academic and business environments. These solutions include the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program and the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC), delivered through a channel of more than 9,000 Certiport Centers worldwide. For more information about Certiport, visit http://www.certiport.com .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft and PowerPoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. Certiport and IC3 are registered trademarks of Certiport Inc. in the United States and other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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