Braathens Completes Rapid Deployment Package in Four Weeks to Quickly Begin Managing Certifications

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saba (Nasdaq: SABA), the leading provider of Human Capital Development and Management (HCDM) solutions, today announced that Braathens, Norway's largest airline, has deployed Saba Learning, Enterprise Edition to provide learning to its 5,000 employees. During an extremely difficult period in aviation history complicated by new, stringent federal regulations and an uncertain economic climate, Braathens is using the Saba system to cost-effectively manage certifications and maintain regulatory compliance. By participating in the Saba Rapid Deployment Program, Braathens deployed Saba Learning in just four weeks.

While Braathens is experiencing many of the same challenges faced by airlines in the US, it has always known that managing employee development is critical for maintaining its competitive advantage. Braathens was looking for a Learning Management System (LMS) to replace its proprietary system and to improve the tracking of certifications required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The strong certification and competency functionality of Saba Learning, as well as previous Saba experience in Norway with successful customers, such as The Competence Network of Norwegian Business and Industry (NKN), contributed to Braathens' selection of Saba Learning.

"We selected Saba Learning for its depth of functionality, usability, and support for the Norwegian language which will enable us to provide personalized, just in time training to our employees," said Kjell Espen Skjaevestad, Training Manager at Braathens. "We were very pleased with the Saba Rapid Deployment package and are looking forward to implementing the skills and competencies functionality of Saba Learning during the next phase of deployment."

In the first phase, Braathens will use Saba Learning to manage certifications and notifications, demonstrating that its flight crew, technical staff, ground crew, and managers have received training on topics such as security, safety, ticketing, information technology, simulations, dangerous goods, maintenance, cleaning, and catering. It will also use Saba Learning to support a blended learning environment by transitioning some courses from instructor-led to computer-based training and e-learning offerings. By accessing Saba Learning and the right training via a web browser -- anytime, anywhere -- employees will be able to quickly and easily keep certifications valid, and Braathens will be able to avoid the costly fines associated with non-compliance.

"We are pleased to build on our successful customer base in Norway with the addition of Braathens," said Bobby Yazdani, Saba Founder and CEO. "More and more organizations in highly regulated industries are using Saba solutions to cost-effectively maintain compliance with federal regulations, while improving the productivity and performance of their people."

For more information about Braathens, please visit http://english.braathens.no .

About Saba

Saba is the leading provider of Human Capital Development and Management (HCDM) solutions. Saba offerings include an integrated Internet-based platform to manage learning, content, performance, and collaboration; and related professional services. Saba customers around the world rely on the Saba platform to increase productivity and reduce costs by rapidly delivering and managing critical knowledge and skills throughout their extended enterprise of customers, partners, and employees.

Of the companies on the Fortune 500, 3 of the top 5 are Saba customers, as well as all of the 'Big 3' automakers and 3 of the 'Big 5' consulting firms. In the Public Sector, Saba customers include eArmy University, several branches of the U.S. Government, and the governments of Norway, The Netherlands, and Scotland.

Among the Global 2000, Saba customers include DaimlerChrysler, 3Com, EDS, Procter & Gamble, Medtronic, Anheuser-Busch, Ford Motor Company, Continental Airlines, General Electric, Cisco Systems, EMC Corp., i2 Technologies, VERITAS Software, and Sun Microsystems.

Founded in 1997, Saba is a global company headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif. For more information, please visit www.saba.com or call 877-SABA-101 or 650-779-2791 in the Americas, +44 (0) 1344-388-330 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa or +61-2-9293-2538 in Asia/Pacific.

NOTE: Saba, the Saba logo, and the marks relating to other Saba products and services referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Saba Software, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT:          Courtney Ostermann of Saba Software, Inc.,
                  +1-650-581-2501, or
                  costermann@saba.com

URL:              http://www.saba.com
http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2001 PR Newswire.  All rights reserved.