Thomson Prometric Signs $1 Billion+ Contract Renewal with ETS
BALTIMORE and PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thomson Prometric, a part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), and ETS (Educational Testing Service), today announced a contract extension worth more than $1 billion over 12 years under which Thomson Prometric will continue to provide computer-based testing services to ETS.
The contract extension period, which runs to December 2017, provides for the delivery of computer-based assessments utilizing Thomson Prometric's extensive global network of testing centers and assessment and research expertise from ETS, the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization. This contract also extends Prometric's 11-year history as the primary electronic test delivery service provider to ETS.
"The most exciting aspect of our strategic relationship is the enhanced level of service it will bring to our customers," said Kurt Landgraf, President and CEO of ETS. "By combining our complementary capabilities and leveraging our intellectual capital, we hope to expand our already comprehensive testing services worldwide."
ETS and Thomson Prometric have been involved in a long-term collaboration, bringing together Thomson e-testing capabilities with ETS research expertise to build one of the most sophisticated assessment delivery solutions in the testing marketplace. These solutions include ETS's new Internet-based testing platform, which are Web-based applications delivered through a network of Prometric testing centers, representing an expanded footprint designed to increase test-taker access in markets across the globe.
"Our long history of partnership and knowledge-sharing with ETS has resulted in an unparalleled ability to provide one of the most market-responsive and cost-effective range of testing products and services available today," said Michael Brannick, president of Thomson Prometric. "High-stakes testing is one of the most pivotal issues in the academic world today and our partnership, by extending the reach and accessibility of sophisticated assessment tools, helps ensure that the skill level of testing candidates throughout the world is assessed as efficiently and accurately as possible."
Over the next several years, Thomson Prometric plans to increase the number of its international testing locations, incorporating a blend of fixed and on-demand sites to generate greater capacity and a more flexible, open architecture.
"Through this expansion we will be able to assist ETS in their goal of materially expanding access to the tests ETS offers to their marketplace," said Brannick.
The new testing platform is designed to serve a greater breadth of customers in specific target markets such as government and professional industries, which have historically been served by the administration of paper tests.
Thomson Prometric will utilize state-of-the-art Web services to manage a global network of test center staff, including a training/certification desktop wizard designed to advance the skills and knowledge of its employees, improving the quality of customer service to testing candidates.
"We are committed to accomplishing two major goals through this effort," Landgraf said. "First, we are ushering in a new era of improved measurement and redesigned tests that will help people accomplish their educational goals. Second, we want to broaden access to testing locations and new technologies."
Landgraf added that ETS and Thomson Prometric have already begun to execute upon this strategy. "Over the past 12 months, we have joined forces to provide a set of tools utilizing Web services, including all registrations for our Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) candidates worldwide. "
The advancements in test development, test delivery technology and test location expansion will combine to support a world-class approach to testing. In leveraging core competencies of the two organizations, ETS and Thomson Prometric will be prepared to support the launch of the next generation of TOEFL, currently scheduled for September 2005. The new TOEFL will represent the most sophisticated assessment of English language skills available in the marketplace today.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com), with 2003 revenues from continuing operations of $7.44 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 38,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Thomson Prometric (http://www.prometric.com) is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets. Thomson Prometric delivers standardized tests for 300 clients, in 26 languages, over the Web or through a global network of testing centers in 134 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Thomson Prometric employs 3,000 employees worldwide.
About ETS
ETS, with fiscal 2004 consolidated revenues of $825 million, is the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization. Its mission is to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research, and related services for people worldwide. ETS products and services measure knowledge and skills, promote learning and performance, and support education and professional development. Founded in 1947, ETS today develops, administers or scores nearly 24 million tests annually in more than 180 countries.
This news release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflect Thomson Prometric's and ETS's current expectations. These forward-looking statements, such as the parties' expectations regarding the effects of the contract renewal on their relationship, including expected enhancements in service to customers, expansion of testing services worldwide and the introduction of new technologies, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in The Thomson Corporation's materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States from time to time, including its annual information form, which is contained in its annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2003. Thomson disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Thomson Corporation
-0- 10/05/2004
/CONTACT: Adam Gaber, Sr. Director, Public Relations of Thomson Learning,
+1-203-539-8663, or Adam.Gaber@thomson.com; or Tom Ewing, Director of External
Communications of Educational Testing Service, +1-609-683-2803, or
tewing@ets.org; or Gabrielle Zucker, Vice President of Euro RSCG Magnet,
+1-212-367-6861, or gabrielle.zucker@eurorscg.com/
/Web site: http://thomsonlearning.com
http://www.prometric.com
http://www.thomson.com /
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CO: Thomson Corporation; Thomson Prometric; Thomson Learning; Educational
Testing Service
ST: Maryland, New Jersey
IN: EDU FIN
SU: CON
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2813 10/05/2004 08:31 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com