Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to Roll Out Global, Multi-Channel WCM Solution with Percussion Software’s Rhythmyx

WOBURN, MA – November 15, 2006 – Percussion Software, a leading developer of Web Content Management (WCM) software for multi-channel, customer-centric applications, today announced that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, has selected Percussion's Rhythmyx system for a global, multi-channel WCM solution. Rhythmyx will manage content for ERAU's main www.erau.edu site, other public-facing Web sites including boutique sites for research projects and seminars, and an Oracle-based intranet portal. Rhythmyx will simplify delivery and reuse of ERAU's content in multiple channels, including the Web, PDFs, printed documents and Web 2.0 applications such as RSS feeds and podcasts.

Eric Fisher, ERAU's Director, Web Content/Middleware Services, said, "We chose Rhythmyx because we wanted an enterprise-level content management system, purpose-built for WCM. Rhythmyx is ideal for our multi-channel environment, and features XML for easy content reuse. Its advanced Web Services development layer will simplify interoperability with our Oracle portal and other enterprise applications and Web technologies. Rhythmyx provides user-friendly input methods – such as using Word to contribute content – which will make it far easier to train non-technical business users throughout the university. We were also impressed by Percussion's Getting Started rapid implementation process. Percussion doesn't just provide software in a box, or hand you a platform – it forms a real partnership. Our IT developers will work with Percussion, learning how to use the CMS by creating an actual university site – it's a hugely beneficial approach."

ERAU offers more than 30 degree programs and educates more than 32,000 students annually at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through its Worldwide Campus at more than 130 centers in the United States and Europe, and through online learning. The following are key reasons ERAU selected Rhythmyx:

• Large, Multi-Channel Presence – ERAU will use Rhythmyx to support 20 to 25 public-facing Web sites; 10,000 pages of content; a recently implemented Oracle intranet portal; and multiple channels generated from the same content, for example the university's course catalog, which is available on the Web, in PDF and in print.
• Multi-Site Management – ERAU will take advantage of Rhythmyx's simple site cloning capabilities for multi-site management by creating new sites for two of its colleges, then cloning the underlying templates to roll out sites quickly for other colleges. Consistency in the types of content on the college sites will make it easy to populate the cloned templates with a new college's information.
• Web 2.0 Applications Such as RSS Feeds and Podcasts – With Rhythmyx, ERAU will be able to implement new forms of communication requested by university admissions directors and preferred by prospective students. For example, Rhythmyx users may contribute Student Events information using a Web form interface, and that content can then be pushed to ERAU's Web sites, syndicated to an RSS feed and pushed to the intranet portal.
• Easy Content Reuse – Rhythmyx will replace a previous page-based CMS with XML-based content management, which enables content to be created once and reused easily in various forms via the Web and other channels. Key to this capability is the Rhythmyx De-Coupled Delivery Architecture, which separates content production from content delivery, enabling ERAU to store content in one place and apply specific design and layout information when content is delivered.
• Easy Interoperability – The Rhythmyx Web Services Software Developer Kit will save ERAU developers significant time and labor and simplify interoperation with other enterprise applications and Web technologies. This includes content delivery to ERAU's Oracle intranet portal and to other databases supporting dynamic applications developed with ColdFusion. Rhythmyx will also readily accept inputs via XML data streams from sources such as the university's student information system.

Barry Reynolds, CEO of Percussion Software, said, "Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University joins the growing list of universities – including Bowling Green State University, University of London, HEC Montreal, Nottingham Trent University, Cardiff University and the University of Rhode Island – that have selected our Rhythmyx WCM solution. Rhythmyx, which is designed for multi-site, multi-channel environments, easy interoperability with other enterprise applications and simple addition of new technologies, is ideally suited for ERAU's requirements. It will enable their infrastructure to grow and change independently of the WCM solution. We're very pleased to welcome ERAU to the Rhythmyx community."

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates more than 32,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 130 centers in the United States and Europe, and through online learning. For more information, go to www.erau.edu.