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Dublin, Ireland - March 10th, 2009 - WBT Systems, a leading provider of enterprise e-Learning solutions, has announced the successful implementation of its TopClass Learning Management System within ICON plc, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.

ICON operates in a heavily regulated industry with changing regulatory requirements not only by country but also by region. ICON is required to provide and demonstrate that its global workforce of approximately 7,000 are fully trained for the specific job roles they perform. In order to be able to provide on-demand training to the global workforce effectively and efficiently, ICON introduced iLearn, an e-Learning initiative that offers around the clock, self-service training with the ability to manage and track certifications and comply with regulations. ICON selected WBT’s TopClass Learning Management System to power the iLearn initiative.

“Before we rolled out iLearn our training department was heavily reliant on manual processes to ensure our workforce was trained,” said Anne Wesler, VP Training and Development at ICON. “The administration burden was significant and managing paperwork, which included filing, storing, tracking and printing of documents and certificates was extremely time consuming and costly. Since moving to iLearn we’ve been able to automate many processes and because TopClass supports 21 CFR Part 11 it means that employees, managers and instructors can validate course completions using electronic signatures and in turn eliminate paper documentation such as training certificates,” said Anne. “We’ve estimated that the volume of paper generated for training documentation today is only 3% of what it was before we rolled out iLearn.”

Today ICON employees can log into iLearn which gives them full visibility of their learning plans from any location at any given time. Managers can assign additional training to employees in order to align them with their development needs and the robust reporting functionality means that ICON can effectively demonstrate training compliance.

Paul Dooley, CEO of WBT Systems commented, “The successful global deployment of TopClass for ICON’s workforce of almost 7,000 is a perfect example of how e-Learning can be an effective substitute for classroom training. It greatly reduces the need to travel, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and in ICON’s case, it all but eliminates reliance on paper, another important environmental saving!”

RAbout ICON plc
ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON currently operates from 71 locations in 38 countries and has approximately 7,000 employees. For more information, see www.iconplc.com.

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