SmartForce Extends E-Learning ProfileSmartForce Extends E-Learning Profile

In the largest deal ever in the E-learning market, online training-content supplier SmartForce plc last week said it will acquire Centra Software Inc. in an all-stock transaction worth $284 million. The acquisition lets SmartForce, a major vendor of IT training content and services, increase its share of the E-learning infrastructure market via CentraOne, Centra's popular suite of online collaboration and live E-learning applications.

"For clients, this isn't just a promise of future rewards," says E-learning consultant and analyst Clark Aldrich, adding that the companies are "the two best brands in the industry."