Delivers Best-in-Class Training and Tools to Help Business Partners Excel in Dynamic World of IP Communications Systems

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (May 24, 2006) -- Vertical Communications (VRCC.OB), a leading provider of next-generation, IP-based phone systems and applications that help businesses better serve their customers, today announced that it has founded Vertical University to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for the hundreds of Business Partners that sell, install and support Vertical’s products and solutions. Vertical University is designed to provide Business Partners with a full suite of best-in-class training programs and tools to help them grow their businesses and succeed in the dynamic world of IP communications systems.

Vertical University will feature foundational instruction on Vertical products and solutions – including the company’s award-winning TeleVantage, InstantOffice and Comdial product lines – as well as advanced information on industry topics such as VoIP and Call Center Queues. Vertical University courses are designed to help Business Partners make the transition from selling and supporting simple “dial-tone,” to installing complex IP-based communications systems, where phone systems are connected to networks and enterprise applications.

Vertical University is built on the e-learning environment from GeoLearning, a leading provider of Managed Learning Services and hosted learning platforms. Designed with customization and flexibility in mind, Vertical University allows Business Partners to select from Web-based self-paced courses, as well as Webinars and live instructor-led courses. Partners can login to review course offerings, register for online courses, take certification exams, view their transcript, access bulletin boards and calendars and connect to reference tools and materials.

“Vertical University is designed to provide next-generation training and certification services to our Business Partners, in a format that respects their time and business needs,” said Anne Brames, Vice President of SMB Customer Support at Vertical. “We are excited to have built this initiative with GeoLearning, and in doing so leveraged their deep knowledge of Web-based enterprise learning management. In taking advantage of the Web as a training tool, we are enhancing the value we provide to our Business Partners, by making it easier for them to become Vertical experts and excel as they help their customers deploy IP-based communications systems.”

While traditional training courses require time and travel commitments, Vertical University has been calibrated to better match the Business Partners’ time management and budgetary needs by focusing on Web-based instructor-led and on-demand courses for consumption at the Business Partners’ individual pace. Since Vertical University content is delivered primarily over the Internet – centralizing and automating the learning management process – the administration of the system is both effective and efficient. In addition, Vertical University is designed to allow Vertical and its Business Partners to better track training and certification attainment levels.

“Our training management environment is an ideal fit for Vertical’s initiative to provide Business Partners with the training that they need in a manner that meets their individual time management requirements,” said Frank Russell, president and CEO of GeoLearning. “With Vertical we have designed a blended experience that truly accommodates their Business Partners’ needs, while providing them with an enhanced overall learning experience.”

The first Vertical University courses being offered include:

TeleVantage 101, including related courses on TeleVantage SIP application, VoIP Tie Lines, Automatic Call Distribution, and the Call Classifier and Call Center add-ins.
InstantOffice 101, including related course on InstantOffice SIP application and the Fax Manager module.
DX-80 Technical Training.
Vertical will be adding more content and courses on a monthly basis. Business Partners can access Vertical University through their Business Partner profile page on Vertical’s partner extranet, which is accessible through the Vertical Web site at www.vertical.com. For information on becoming a Vertical Business Partner, please call: 800-914-9985.

About GeoLearning, Inc.
GeoLearning is the leading provider of Managed Learning Services and hosted learning technology. The company’s products and services are used by corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations to manage human capital development, accelerate critical business processes and drive organizational performance. GeoLearning’s Software as a Service model means there is no hardware or software for clients to install. As a result, the company’s Web-based GeoMaestro and GeoExpress learning management platforms can be deployed quickly, allowing clients to efficiently manage enterprise-wide learning, development and knowledge acquisition. Additional information is available at www.geolearning.com.