# SumTotal Systems

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{{Short description|American technology company}}
{{redirect|SumTotal|the mathematical operation|Summation}}
{{primary sources|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = SumTotal Systems, Inc.
| trade_name = {{ubl|SumTotal|Sumtotal Systems LLC}}
| logo = SumTotal.svg
| foundation = {{ubl|1985 {{smaller|(as Asymetrix)}}||1997 {{smaller|(as Docent Software)}}|2003 {{smaller|(as SumTotal Systems)}}}}
| key_people = [Ronald Hovsepian](/source/Ronald_Hovsepian) (CEO)<br />Jeffrey Laborde (CFO)
| location_city = [Gainesville, Florida](/source/Gainesville%2C_Florida)
| location_country = U.S.
| owner = {{ubl|[Vista Equity Partners](/source/Vista_Equity_Partners) {{smaller|(2009–14)}}|[Skillsoft](/source/Skillsoft) {{smaller|(2014-22)}}|[Cornerstone OnDemand](/source/Cornerstone_OnDemand) {{smaller|(2022–present)}}}}
| industry = [Software](/source/Software)
| predecessors = {{ublist
 | Asymetrix
 | Docent Software
}}
| homepage = {{URL|www.sumtotalsystems.com}}
}}

'''SumTotal Systems, Inc.''' is a software company based in [Gainesville, Florida](/source/Gainesville%2C_Florida), that provides [human resource management](/source/human_resource_management) software and services to private and public sector organizations.<ref name=ss-hoovers>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoovers.com/company/Sumtotal_Systems_Inc/cyyyxi-1.html |title=SumTotal Systems, Inc. &#124; Company profile from Hoover's |publisher=Hoovers.com |access-date=2010-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707140200/http://www.hoovers.com/company/SumTotal_Systems_Inc/cyyyxi-1.html |archive-date=2010-07-07 }}</ref> The company uses multiple cloud-based channels, including [software as a service](/source/software_as_a_service) (SaaS), hosted subscription, and premises-based licensure.

In September 2014, it was acquired by [SkillSoft](/source/SkillSoft), a provider of online learning to corporate training organizations.<ref name=forbes-acquire/> In June 2022, SkillSoft announced its intention to sell the company for approximately $200 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2022/06/13/cornerstone-acquires-sumtotal-marking-the-end-of-an-era/|title=Cornerstone acquires SumTotal, marking 'the end of an era'|work=Chief Learning Officer - CLO Media|access-date=2022-12-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 25, 2022, [Cornerstone OnDemand](/source/Cornerstone_OnDemand), Inc. announced that it had completed the acquisition of SumTotal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sumtotalsystems.com/news/press-releases/cornerstone-completes-acquisition-of-sumtotal/|title=Clearlake Capital-Backed Cornerstone Completes Acquisition of SumTotal|work=Sumtotal Systems|access-date=2022-12-22|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://trainingindustry.com/press-release/workforce-development/cornerstone-completes-acquisition-of-sumtotal/|title=Cornerstone Completes Acquisition of SumTotal|work=Training Industry|access-date=2022-12-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==

==={{Anchor|Asymetrix}}1984-1997: Asymetrix ===
'''Asymetrix Learning Systems''', based in [Bellevue, Washington](/source/Bellevue%2C_Washington), was founded in 1984 by [Paul Allen](/source/Paul_Allen) and funded through his [Vulcan Ventures](/source/Vulcan_Inc.).<ref name="click">{{Cite web |title= Prospectus for initial public offering |work= Registration Number 333-49037 |author= Asymetrix Learning Systems |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= June 12, 1998 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1052327/0000929624-98-001119.txt |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> Asymetrix then spent around ten years developing software for online education.<ref name="click" /> Among the first products from this development period were [ToolBook](/source/ToolBook),<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of ToolBook versions which have previously shipped |publisher=SumTotal |work=ToolBook knowledge base |url=http://tb.sumtotalsystems.com/kbfiles/kb/History.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517201023/https://tb.sumtotalsystems.com/KBFiles/kb/History.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2017 }}</ref> ''Asymetrix Librarian,'' and the ''e-Learning Network'' {{En dash}} an early [software as a service](/source/software_as_a_service) product. Additionally, an early three-dimensional rendering system Asymetrix 3D F/X was released in 1994 and later renamed Web3d.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}  Asymetrix also produced a variety of [screen saver](/source/screen_saver)s for a short period<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glicken |first1=Harold |title=CD-Rom - "Jurassic Park: The Screen Saver" |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940515&slug=1910653 |access-date=23 March 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers |date=1994-05-15}}</ref> and developed ''Compel'' (a graphical [presentation](/source/presentation_program) and prototyping program).<ref name="kiosk">[http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/adelaide96/papers/04.html "Design and Implementation Considerations for an Interactive Multimedia Kiosk: Where to Start"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228054827/http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/adelaide96/papers/04.html |date=2014-02-28 }}, Cranston, Clayton, and Ferrands, [Central Queensland University](/source/Central_Queensland_University), 1996</ref>

The company was recapitalized in 1995 with more funding from Allen.<ref name="click" /> In October 1996, [SoftBank](/source/SoftBank) invested about $3.8 million in Asymetrix. In September 1997, Asymetrix acquired Aimtech for about $3.1 million in stock. In October 1996, the company spun off its client/server tools into a newly created wholly owned subsidiary, ASX Corporation, which was renamed ConQuer Data, Inc. It was later renamed Infomodelers, which was then sold to Allen.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} In September 1997 Asymetrix acquired Oakes Interactive Incorporated, Acorn Associates Incorporated and TopShelf Multimedia for approximately $2.1 million. In the first half of 1998, it acquired [New York](/source/New_York_(state))-based Meliora Systems and [Illinois](/source/Illinois)-based Strategic Systems Associates.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} In 1998 Asymetrix went public. The June [initial public offering](/source/initial_public_offering) (IPO) raised approximately $31 million. After the IPO, Allen controlled about 45% of the shares.<ref name="click" />  Asymetrix was listed on the [Nasdaq](/source/Nasdaq) exchange with the [ticker symbol](/source/ticker_symbol) ASYM, with a lukewarm market reception.<ref name="wsj_ipo">"Asymetrix generates little enthusiasm after IPO at $11", ''[Wall Street Journal](/source/Wall_Street_Journal)'', ([http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Business-general/Microsoft-and-Compaq-align-strategie-in-the-corporate-computing-market.html article mirror])</ref> In September 1999 Asymetrix issued $10 million in preferred stock to Vulcan and Marshall Capital.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Securities Purchase Agreement |work= Form 8-K |author= Asymetrix Learning Systems |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= September 30, 1999 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1052327/000101287099003627/0001012870-99-003627.txt |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref>

In October 1999 Asymetrix's name was changed to click2learn.com, when [James A. Billmaier](/source/James_Billmaier) was its chief executive.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Asymetrix renamed click2learn.com |work= [Puget Sound Business Journal](/source/Puget_Sound_Business_Journal)|date= October 11, 1999 |url= http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1999/10/11/daily3.html |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> Between 1995 and 1999, like many companies in the [dot-com bubble](/source/dot-com_bubble), Click2learn reported growing revenues but continued operational losses.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Kevin M. Oakes took over as chief executive in January 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1999 |work= Form 10-K |author= Click2learn |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= March 1, 2000 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1052327/000091205700015057/0000912057-00-015057.txt |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> In early 2000, the company spun off its graphics and rendering software as InfoModelers, which was acquired by [Visio Corporation](/source/Visio_Corporation).<ref>{{Cite web|title=InfoModelers acquired by Visio! |author=Duncan Dwelle |publisher=Applied Information Science |date=January 29, 2000 |url=http://www.aisintl.com/case/products/infomodeler/infomdl.html |access-date=November 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104065225/http://www.aisintl.com/case/products/infomodeler/infomdl.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 }}</ref> Other noteworthy acquisitions included the May 2001 purchase of IntelliPrep Technologies, Incorporated and Meliora who made ''Ingenium''. {{citation needed|date=March 2017}} As products were consolidated into their ''Aspen Enterprise Productivity Suite'', losses continued through 2002, resulting in operational cost control measures including reductions in workforce.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2002 |work= Form 10-K |author= Click2learn |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= March 1, 2002 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1052327/000104746903010882/a2105337z10-k.htm |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> In 2003 click2learn (formerly Asymetrix) and Docent Software announced their intention to merge.<ref name="indiatimes"/>

=== 1997{{En dash}}2002: Docent Software ===
'''Docent Software''' was founded in 1997 and based in [Mountain View, California](/source/Mountain_View%2C_California).<ref name="docent-ipo">{{Cite web |title= Registration of initial public offering |work= Amendment Number 3 to Form S-1/A |author= Docent |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= September 29, 2000 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043134/000101287000005038/0001012870-00-005038-0001.txt |access-date= November 1, 2013 }}</ref> David Mandelkern and Pardner Wynn founded the company, with Wynn as chief executive and Mandelkern as [chief technology officer](/source/chief_technology_officer)<ref name="docent-ipo" />  The company developed business-oriented training software. Pardner and Cynthia Wynn (then married) had developed Stanford Testing Systems in 1994, doing business as TestPrep,<ref name=testprep>{{Cite web |title= Company Background and How to Reach Us |work= Original web site |publisher= Stanford Testing Systems |url= http://www.testprep.com/stscontact.html |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19970522232048/http://www.testprep.com/stscontact.html |archive-date= May 22, 1997 |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> which was incorporated into Docent software holdings.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Docent was funded by [venture capital](/source/venture_capital) in six rounds from investors such as [Norwest Venture Partners](/source/Norwest_Venture_Partners), [Advanced Technology Ventures](/source/Advanced_Technology_Ventures), and [Invesco](/source/Invesco). It had operating losses for 1997, 1998, and 1999.<ref name="docent-ipo" /> David R. Ellett replaced Wynn as chief executive in July 1998 on the cusp of the [dot-com bubble](/source/dot-com_bubble). In 2000 Docent filed for an initial public offering (IPO) and went public on NASDAQ on September 29, raising approximately $85 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Docent Inc (DCNT) IPO |publisher= Nasdaq |url= http://www.nasdaq.com/markets/ipos/company/docent-inc-75195-2473 |access-date= November 2, 2013 }}</ref> Docent acquired gForce Systems in October 2001 for $5.3 million, which included about $4.7 million in debts and liabilities. R. Andrew Eckert joined as president in December 2001 and ultimately replaced Ellett as CEO in April 2002.<ref name=docent-report>{{Cite web |title= Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2002 |work= Form 10-K |author= Docent |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= March 24, 2003 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043134/000101287003001362/d10k.htm |access-date= November 2, 2013}}</ref> After growing to over 200 employees at the time of the IPO, by 2002 the company had reduced its staff by 20% to cut costs.<ref name=docent-slice>{{Cite news |title= Docent slices staff |work= [Silicon Valley Business Journal](/source/Silicon_Valley_Business_Journal) |date= May 17, 2002 |url= http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2002/05/13/daily70.html}}</ref>

=== 2003{{En dash}}2004:  SumTotal Systems ===
In 2003, when click2learn (formerly Asymetrix) and Docent announced their intention to merge, click2learn's shareholders received slightly more than half of the stock in the merged company - former shareholders in click2learn owned about 52% and Docent about 48% of the shares. At the time of the merger, click2learn employed over 300 people, 100 of which were in [Hyderabad](/source/Hyderabad), India, and Docent employed an additional 170.<ref name="indiatimes">{{Cite news |title= Click2Learn, Docent ink merger pact |date= October 29, 2003 |work= [India Times](/source/India_Times) InfoTech |url= http://archives.infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/256185.cms |access-date= November 2, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811184650/http://archives.infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/256185.cms |archive-date= 2011-08-11 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The combined company became ''Hockey Merger Corporation'' in February 2004 while a new name was planned.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Registration of securities, business combinations |work= Amendment Number 3 to Form S-4 |author= Hockey Merger Corporation |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= February 11, 2004 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1269132/000119312504018990/ds4a.htm |access-date= November 1, 2013 }}</ref> On March 18, 2004, the new name SumTotal Systems was announced for the combined company,<ref name="merge">{{Cite web |title= Acquisition or Disposition of Assets |work= Form 8-K: Current report |author= SumTotal Systems |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date= March 18, 2004 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1269132/000119312504044967/d8k12g3.htm |access-date= November 1, 2013 }}</ref> with headquarters in [Gainesville, Florida](/source/Gainesville%2C_Florida). The merger was completed in 2004.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} Shares in the new company were listed on the [Nasdaq](/source/Nasdaq) exchange with the symbol "SUMT" (previous symbols were CLKS and DCNT).<ref name="merge" />

=== 2005{{En dash}}2017: Acquisitions ===
In October 2005, SumTotal acquired Pathlore, a mid-market learning management systems company with a focus in state and local government and healthcare.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Online |first=Laurie KawakamiThe Wall Street Journal |date=2005-08-03 |title=SumTotal to Acquire Pathlore for $48 Million |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB112292706221701790 |access-date=2025-07-28 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> A year later, in November 2006, the company acquired the privately owned software company MindSolve Technologies, founded in 1994, for about $12 million. Mindsolve focused on performance management software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CLARK |first=ANTHONY |title=Area company sells for $12M |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/11/18/area-company-sells-for-12m/31503029007/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Gainesville Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In May 2009 [Vista Equity Partners](/source/Vista_Equity_Partners), the largest software-only private equity fund, agreed to acquire SumTotal for $160 million<ref name="nyt-vista">{{Cite news |title= SumTotal Chooses Rival Bid From Vista |work= Dealbook |publisher= [The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |date= May 27, 2009 |url= https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/sumtotal-chooses-rival-bid-from-vista |access-date= November 1, 2013 }}</ref> and closed the transaction in July 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Deregistration of Securities |work= Form S-3 |author= SumTotal |publisher= US Securities and Exchange Commission |date = July 24, 2009 |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1269132/000119312509154757/dposam.htm |access-date= November 1, 2013 }}</ref>

On January 5, 2011, GeoLearning was acquired by SumTotal.<ref name="geolearning">{{Citation|title=GeoLearning |publisher=Sumtotal Systems |url=http://www.sumtotalsystems.com/geolearning/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722172203/http://www.sumtotalsystems.com/geolearning/ |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> In July of that year, two companies were acquired, CyberShift, a [Parsippany, New Jersey](/source/Parsippany%2C_New_Jersey), software company focused on [SaaS](/source/SaaS) [multitenancy](/source/multitenancy) workforce management and expense software, and Accero, an enterprise payroll and benefits software provider.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2011 |title=SumTotal Systems acquires Accero and CyberShift |url=https://www.techmonitor.ai/technology/sumtotal-systems-acquires-accero-and-cybershift-110711}}</ref>

In August 2014, [Skillsoft](/source/Skillsoft) Limited, a computer-learning software and content provider, announced that its subsidiary, Skillsoft Corporation, had entered into an agreement to acquire SumTotal Systems, LLC from affiliates of US-based private equity firm Vista Equity Partners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-21 |title=Skillsoft to Acquire SumTotal |url=https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2014/08/21/skillsoft-to-acquire-sumtotal__trashed/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Chief Learning Officer |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2014, SumTotal was acquired by SkillSoft.<ref name=forbes-acquire>{{cite magazine |title= Skillsoft Acquires SumTotal|magazine=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date= October 1, 2014 |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2014/10/01/skillsoft-acquisition-of-sumtotal-corporate-training-market-disruption/|access-date= October 1, 2014 }}</ref>

==Technology and services==
Services include learning management, workforce management, talent management, HR, planning, [analytics](/source/analytics), payroll and benefits.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite magazine|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=9407759|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907221705/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=9407759|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 7, 2009|title=SumTotal Systems, Inc.|magazine=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=2011-08-03}}</ref>  The company delivers its [software as a service](/source/software_as_a_service) (SaaS) using [cloud computing](/source/cloud_computing), and in some cases premises-based licensure.  The company has regional offices in the United States, Canada and outside of North America including Europe and [APAC](/source/Asia-Pacific).{{citation needed|date=March 2017}}

==See also==
*[List of talent management system companies](/source/List_of_talent_management_system_companies)
*[Green Park Business Park](/source/Green_Park_Business_Park)
*[History of virtual learning environments](/source/History_of_virtual_learning_environments)
*[List of learning management systems](/source/List_of_learning_management_systems)
*[Software industry in Telangana](/source/Software_industry_in_Telangana)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

Category:Software companies established in 2004
Category:Software companies based in Florida
Category:Software companies of the United States
Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [SumTotal Systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SumTotal_Systems) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SumTotal_Systems?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.