University of Wisconsin-Extension and Lotus Institute Form Educational
Relationship to Enhance Distributed Learning

Technology-Based Approach Meets Changing Needs of Business and Academic
Communities

MADISON, Wisc., May 15, 1996 -- Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today
announced a pioneering public-private educational research relationship
between the University of Wisconsin-Extension and Lotus Institute, a
division of Lotus Development Corp., an IBM subsidiary. In response to
today's increasingly competitive business and education environment,
UW-Extension and Lotus Institute will research and develop a flexible
education delivery system leveraging Lotus Notes, the Internet and
multimedia technologies. The initiative is aimed to benefit the State of
Wisconsin academic and business communities by providing viable options to
remote workers, global and new hire training efforts, work/study programs
and just-in-time learning.

"Today's changing business environment requires reexamining traditional
educational delivery systems in order to prepare the current and future
workforce for the challenges ahead," Thompson said. "Wisconsin is pleased
to be a leader among U.S. Educational Systems in providing distributed
learning and economic development through technology."

Distributed learning uses technology to enable student teams to learn in an
interactive, collaborative setting across boundaries of time and place. It
provides the flexibility to suit individual schedules and learning styles,
encourages interaction with a more diverse community, and extends the
reach of education services to a broader audience.

Joint Collaboration The University of Wisconsin-Extension uses new
technology, new communications networks and new ways of teaching and
learning to bring the resources and knowledge of the UW System to the
citizens of Wisconsin, and the nation.

Lotus Institute was formed by Lotus Development Corp. as a research and
executive education endeavor. Its mission is to provide "best thinking and
practices" on emerging organizational, technological and business trends
to help customers achieve optimal performance. Through its work with
affiliated partners, industry thought leaders, business schools,
researchers, and customers, the Institute offers specific methods,
knowledge and applied research to help organizations achieve their
business goals.

"The University of Wisconsin has more than 100 years of experience offering
extension programs," said President Katharine Lyall, University of
Wisconsin System. "This flexible, technology-based approach, combined with
the enormous potential of the Internet, will make continuing education
accessible to a broader audience, including remotely located students,
corporate training efforts and work/study programs."

According to Peter Rothstein, director of Research and Development for
Lotus Institute, this relationship provides an opportunity for "rigorous
research" and collaboration with a recognized pioneer in distributed
learning.

"In scope and significance, this collaboration is the first of its kind,"
said Rothstein. "Not only does this represent a fertile testing ground for
our solutions, but it will truly become one of the premier environments
for distributed learning."

Pilot Projects Underway UW-Extension and Lotus Institute will conduct pilot
projects over the course of the next twelve months. Among them:

* Delivery of a small-business management certificate program using Lotus
Notes distributed learning technology

* Development of Hospitality and Tourism academic programs and
certification training by UW-Stout to be delivered remotely to hospitality
and tourism businesses in Door County

According to UW-Extension Chancellor Donald Hanna, UW-Extension and Lotus
Institute will test and evaluate all pilot projects. Research findings and
results of the pilot projects will be published to enhance the
understanding of distributed learning.

Lotus Notes provides an ideal communications infrastructure by combining
enterprise-ready, client/server messaging and the global access and
distribution of the World Wide Web, together with a platform for rapidly
developing and deploying strategic groupware applications. Notes enables
individuals and organizations to communicate with colleagues, collaborate
in teams, and coordinate business processes within and beyond their
organizational boundaries to help achieve improved business results.

Lotus Development Corporation, founded in 1982, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of IBM Corporation. Lotus offers high quality software products
and support services that reflect the company's unique understanding of
the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to
achieve success. Lotus' innovative approach is evident in a new class of
applications which allow users to access and communicate information in
ways never before possible, both within and beyond organizational
boundaries. Lotus now markets its products in more than 80 countries
worldwide and provides numerous professional consulting, support and
education services through the Lotus Services Group.

Additional information about the University of Wisconsin-Extension is
available on the Internet at http://www.uwex.edu/disted/home.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All Lotus news releases are available on the Internet, via
the Lotus Development Corp. Home Page at http://www.Lotus.com. The Lotus
Home Page is an easy way to find information about Lotus and its Business
Partners' products and services.

A copy of this release and other company information is also available via
fax by dialing 1-800-57-LOTUS within the U.S. and Canada or 201-946-2336
outside the U.S. and Canada. Questions concerning the service should be
directed to Lotus' corporate communications department at 617-693-5625.

Please Note: Questions about the content or currency of this press release
should be directed to your local IBM representative.
 
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