F5 Networks Delivers Product Training Through the Web
F5's Web-Based Training Provides a Cost-Effective, Real World, and Practical Alternative for Partners and Customers to Undergo Product Training
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 23, 1999-- F5 Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq:FFIV - news), a leading provider of Internet Traffic and Content Management (ITM) products, today announced that it will be offering a simulation-based distance learning application through the web.
F5 Networks partnered with Education Online, Inc. to create this dynamic training series. This innovative web-based program is designed to supplement the Company's existing classroom training and is available to any F5 channel partner, reseller, and customer for basic product training. The program is scheduled to roll out over the next six months to support F5's suite of Internet Traffic and Content Management products, including the BIG/ip© Controller, 3DNS© Controller, global/SITE(TM) Controller, and see/IT(TM) Network Management Application.
F5's web-based training solution is effectively designed to provide students with hands-on training through real-world simulations using the F5 product line. The interactive program offers ``anytime', ``anywhere' training and a cost-effective, flexible alternative to the traditional classroom approach. This training method enables F5 to effectively scale the training of channel partners, resellers, and customers, whereby all online training participants may obtain basic certification on the full suite of F5's Internet Traffic Management products. In addition to the web-based program, students still have the choice of attending F5's training seminars with a live instructor in a classroom environment.
A web-based training format offers a much needed resource for today's busy technical professionals, such as network administrators, who may need training but find it difficult to stay away from the office for any duration of time. Distance learning via the web, according to IDC Research, will be the fastest growing segment of technology-based training. IDC predicts the market for online training to reach $1.7 billion by the year 2000.
F5's web-based training includes engaging activities such as hands-on simulations that mirror in-class practice through a convenient browser interface. Four basic modules encompass the comprehensive and compelling learning environment including:
LearnIt -- A concise, detailed, step-by-step process for installing,
configuring and administering F5 Networks' products.
TryIt -- Freedom to jump in and configure an F5 product,
intuitively -- with expert on-line help that's there if
you ever need it.
DiscussIt -- Learn through collaboration with others, taking place via
online threaded discussions.
ReadIt -- On-line access to product and training manuals. The
manuals may be downloaded and printed for convenience.
While some students may prefer a traditional classroom environment for training, F5's web-based training offers other advantages, such as (1) a customizable, self-paced training agenda to match the student's level of expertise, (2) a significant savings through lower course costs, (3) the elimination of airfare, hotel, and related travel expenses, (4) the convenience of returning to training as needed for further understanding and quick solutions to network problems, and (5) up-to-the minute training of product temporary fixes and version updates.
``We really see the value of being able to send our employees to either classroom training or a web-based class where they can be trained on our premises,' said Wayne Seward, Web Administrator at Alaska Airlines. ``We anticipate that F5's new web-based training will provide us with an effective training alternative, while enabling our technicians to be trained at their own pace and in our offices.'
``We find that many people avoid taking time off to undergo training and also hesitate being away from their data center should any problems arise,' said Steve Goldman, senior vice-president of sales, marketing, and services at F5 Networks. ``F5 prides itself on being a market-driven and innovative company and we are compelled to work with our partners and customers in addressing their needs -- not only from a product standpoint, but services too. F5's web-based training gives customers a flexible yet highly effective alternative for product training that really accommodates a student's schedule, skill level, and budget.'
About F5 Networks
F5 Networks is a leading provider of integrated Internet traffic management solutions designed to improve the availability and performance of mission-critical Internet-based servers and applications. These products monitor and manage local and geographically dispersed servers and devices, intelligently directing traffic to the server best able to handle a user's request. F5 Networks' solutions are designed to help prevent system failure, provide timely responses to user requests and data flow, and cost-effectively manage an organization's Internet infrastructure. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, D.C., Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, and Stockholm. F5 Networks is located on the web at www.f5.com.
F5 Networks (Nasdaq:FFIV - news) Internet Traffic Management products support a wide range of operating systems and hardware platforms including those from: Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq:SUNW - news), Hewlett Packard (NYSE:HWP - news), Compaq (NYSE:CPQ - news), Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT - news), Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL - news), IBM (NYSE:IBM - news) and Intel (Nasdaq:INTC - news). F5 products work with leading IP-based applications, including legacy host, mainframe, Java, CORBA-based, and client/server applications from vendors such as SAP (NYSE:SAP - news), BAAN (Nasdaq:BAANF - news), Novell (Nasdaq:NOVL - news), Oracle (Nasdaq:ORCL - news), and PeopleSoft (Nasdaq:PSFT - news).
This press release may contain forward looking statements relating to future events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by terminology such as ``may,' ``will,' ``should,' ``expects,' ``plans,' ``anticipates,' ``believes,' ``estimates,' ``predicts', ``potential' or ``continue' or the negative of such terms or comparable terms. These statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements based upon a number of factors including those identified in the Company's filings with the SEC. |
