Centra (NASDAQ:CTRA)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2019 to May 2024
Centra Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRA), a leading provider
of software and services for online learning and training, today
announced that Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), one of
Australia's largest integrated healthcare services companies, has been
awarded a 2005 Paragon Award for their use of Centra's eLearning
solution to deliver critical training across the enterprise. With
Centra, API trained their employees on the rollout of a new ERP
system, which unified the company and, in the process, led to cost
savings and increased productivity.
From its roots as a chemist co-operative, API has grown from a
small pharmacy to become a national pharmacy distribution network,
with chains of pharmacies, warehousing and distribution centers,
hospitals and dental programs, and over 5,000 employees. As API grew,
it needed to address infrastructure consistency issues, resulting in
its decision to implement a new ERP system. Before deployment,
training was required for all warehouse and customer service staff,
sales representatives and finance teams, along with the procurement,
merchandising, category management and credit management teams.
When API learned about Centra, they were particularly excited
about the flexibility and ease-of-use built in to the training
solution, due to the relatively low level of computer skills in their
workforce, as well as its ability to allow API employees access to
comprehensive training with significantly less requirements for time
and travel. "API maintains a very stable workforce, with the average
age of employees over 45, and a huge percentage who will stay with API
until retirement," explains Jenny O'Farrell, API's national learning
and development manager. "These demographics made for a huge learning
curve, but Centra's elearning solution allowed our employees to get
past their fear of technology, and with the flexibility to train at
their leisure, most have taken to it like ducks to water." API chose
Centra based on these factors, along with a technical support system
that went above and beyond that of similar vendors.
When executing a rollout of this magnitude, API felt it was
important to consider the impact on their employees, as much as their
choice of technology. Centra's online solutions empower effective
learning and change management with a single platform for training and
just-in-time support. Encouraging success by providing a continuous
learning environment, Centra facilitates ongoing hands-on training to
both casual and power users. "We are pleased that API achieved such
great success with this enormous project," said Marty Deise, Centra's
senior vice president of professional services, "API's accomplishments
are a testament to Centra's flexibility and ease-of-use, and the
capability Centra solutions provide in delivering fewer obstacles,
increased adoption rates and lower deployment costs."
With the success and cost savings API realized through the use of
Centra for their ERP rollout, they have begun to implement Centra's
solution for other learning and training initiatives. Future uses of
Centra include a leadership program for up-and-coming managers, a
partnership program with a university in Melbourne, and compliance and
legislation training for API's various franchises.
Established in 1997, Centra's Paragon Awards were conceived to
recognize the achievements of corporations, service organizations, and
institutions of higher education who share Centra's vision for
supporting more efficient and effective business processes through
online business communication, collaboration and learning initiatives.
Some of the criteria for Paragon Award selection includes a clearly
defined program, specific and measurable outcomes, demonstrated
innovation through a new approach, and enhancement of the morale,
skills or capabilities of workers. Along with API, Raymond James
Financial and Federated Department Stores were also recipients of
Centra's 2005 Paragon Awards.
About Australian Pharmaceutical Industries
Australian Pharmaceutical Industries is a complex organization
with many structures. Beginning as a chemist shop in Sydney, it now
acts as a distributor and warehouser for pharmacies around Australia.
It also has its own Banner Groups of pharmacies a chain of its own,
employee- operated stores as well as franchise stores and 15
distribution centers around Australia. With over five thousand
employees nationally, API is a major player in the Australian
hospital, medical and pharmaceutical field. The core values of the
business as articulated by its founder, DJ Willliams in 1911 are still
relevant today and are built on a culture that recognizes the value
people play in the organization and the importance of doing things
properly. The company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in
1997.
About Centra
Online learning and training solutions from Centra create
workforce efficiencies and enable organizations to share and exchange
business-critical information with geographically distributed
customers, partners, prospects and employees. Centra's solutions
integrate real-time communication, collaboration and learning and
departmental business processes with specialized applications that
increase sales effectiveness, improve collaborative learning and
accelerate enterprise application rollouts and customer acquisition
initiatives. Currently available in 9 languages, Centra solutions can
be deployed as on-site software or through its ASP service and are
supported by an active ecosystem of value-added partners, including
Siebel, PeopleSoft, SAP and Deloitte Consulting. Organizations across
every major industry and market sector choose Centra, including
Wyndham International, Weyerhaeuser, Underwriters Laboratories, BMW
and Stanford University. Headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts,
Centra serves a worldwide customer base throughout the Americas,
Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit
www.centra.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
With the exception of the historical information contained in this
release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements about the
beliefs and expectations of management regarding the Company's future
performance, the Company's strategic initiatives, its ability to
achieve and maintain a leadership position in real-time conferencing
and collaboration, demand for the Company's software services and
management's goals and objectives regarding future results of
operations. These statements reflect management's beliefs and
expectations as of the date of this statement, and involve risk and
uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to
differ materially. These risk factors include, but are not limited to,
risks associated with the Company's ability to successfully execute
its strategic plan, the effect of the Company's cost-cutting measures
on its operations, acceptance by customers of the Company's Enterprise
Advantage Subscription pricing model, significant changes in our
senior management team, customer fulfillment of the entire term of
multi-year subscription contracts, uncertainty of market reaction to
the Company's sales and marketing efforts, product demand for and
market acceptance of the Centra 7 collaboration platform, the
Company's ability to sell and deliver its Enterprise Application
Rollout and Sales Effectiveness solutions and other future products,
the effect of economic conditions generally on the market for IT
spending and for the Company's products, the results of future
research and development activities, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, technological difficulties and/or other factors
outside the control of the Company. There is no assurance that the
Company will be able to implement its growth and operating plans as
anticipated, or achieve its revenue and earnings goals. For a
description of additional risks, and uncertainties, please refer to
the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and its Form 10-Q for
the three months ended June 30, 2005, which are available at
http://www.centra.com/investorrelations. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained
herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes
no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
Centra is a registered trademark of Centra Software, Inc. All
other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their
respective owners.