NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACI Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACIW), a leading international provider of software for electronic payment systems, today announced the launch of ACI University (ACIU), an online education program developed in partnership with Bellevue University that offers ACI employees the opportunity to gain product and technical education as well as global learning and higher education programs.
"ACI continues to invest in our greatest asset - our employees," said Sherry Poloncic, vice president of ACIU at ACI. "As we evolve to meet our customers' needs, ACIU will equip our employees to meet new industry challenges. Our employees have long been known for setting the standards and the benchmark for excellence in payment solutions. We are proud of that reputation, and with ACI University we will continue to raise the benchmark of excellence for the industry."
"Additionally, we've partnered with Bellevue University to link us to an institution that focuses on educating students in the newest tools, languages and standards being explored and used in technology industries today," Poloncic said.
"ACIU is pleased to announce this educational partnership between ACI and Bellevue University," said Dave McCann, senior vice president and CIO at ACI. "Bellevue University is an industry leader in corporate education, and they are considered a pioneer in online learning. This is a wonderful opportunity for ACI and its employees."
ACIU's online location connects ACI employees worldwide to the company's educational resources. The program offers educational opportunities that enable employees to obtain the skills necessary for new roles emerging at ACI, which will meet the evolving needs of the company's global clients as well as create opportunities for the company. ACIU also offers assistance in educating employees across product and business lines so resources can be shared.
"ACI is a respected corporate name locally, nationally and internationally, and Bellevue University is excited to be working with them and collaborating with them," said Jason Keese, assistant director of public relations at Bellevue University.
The launch offers certificate programs for finance, communication, business, leadership and programming. Each course an employee takes through the university partnership is worth Bellevue University college credit that employees can choose to put toward a degree at Bellevue University or transferred to another university and put toward an advanced degree. In addition to the certificate programs, ACIU and Bellevue University offer a degree program in solutions architecture designed specifically for ACI employees.
"ACIU is our long-term education model to retain our employees, maintain competitiveness in the market and grow ACI," McCann said. "This model addresses current and future global education needs."
According to rankings released by U.S. News and World Report, Bellevue University's online business degree programs are among the 20 largest enrolled online programs in the United States. Additionally, Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), and the Bellevue University College of Business, from which some of ACIU's certificates are derived, is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Bellevue University is an expert in online learning. In 2007, the university was selected by the United States Distance Learning Association for the 21st Century Best Practices Award for Distance Learning, and its leading-edge Cyber-Active(r) learning programs are recognized as "best in class" for their ability to engage adult students through interaction with peers and faculty. The university supports busy corporate students by providing access to their educational records, library services and other university services through their corporate Web sites.
"We see ACIU as a great opportunity for Bellevue University," Keese said. "It will bring a lot of potential students to the university."
ACIU will be governed by a board of directors that will continue to monitor the direction of the program and align the education to proactively prepare employees to meet the changing needs of the company.
"ACIU is an exciting initiative that provides added support to our organization as we continue to keep our eye on the client and support them every second of every day," McCann said.
About ACI Worldwide, Inc.
ACI Worldwide is a leading provider of electronic payments software and services to major banks, retailers and processors around the world. The company's solutions enable online payment processing, online banking, fraud prevention and detection, and back office services such as settlement, account management, card management and dispute processing. ACI solutions provide market-leading levels of reliability, manageability and scale to over 800 customers in 88 countries. Visit ACI Worldwide at www.aciworldwide.com.
About Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a recognized national leader in providing post-secondary education opportunities for working adults. Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit organization that serves students at 10 learning sites in three states, as well as worldwide through its online learning platform, Cyber-Active(r) learning. Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please visit http://www.bellevue.edu.
Any statements in this press release regarding projected results are preliminary and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, this press release may contain other forward-looking statements including statements regarding ACI Worldwide, Inc. (the "Company"), its subsidiaries or third parties' expectations, predictions, views, opportunities, plans, strategies, beliefs, and statements of similar effect. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially.
For a detailed discussion of these risk factors, parties that are relying on the forward-looking statements should review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-K filed on January 30, 2008, the Company's Form 10-Q filed on February 19, 2008, both as amended by the Form 10-K/A and Form 10-Q/A, respectively, filed on March 4, 2008, the Company's 10-Q filed on May 9.2008, and the Company's 10-Q filed on August 11, 2008.