Plateau Systems

About Plateau Systems

Plateau Systems, established in 1996, was a significant player in the Talent Management Systems sector, operating from its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The company was founded by Paul Sparta, who served as chairman and CEO, and Brad Cooper, who was the senior vice president of product strategy. Paul Sparta, a US Navy veteran with a substantial background in technology consulting and software, guided the company until its acquisition.

Plateau Systems provided Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products designed to help organizations manage, develop, and analyze their talent. The firm was an early developer of Learning Management Systems (LMS), which are utilized by human resources departments for managing and delivering employee training. Its client base included major global corporations and U.S. government agencies like General Electric, Bank of America, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The company's revenue model was based on delivering a suite of talent management services, including learning management, performance management, compensation management, and career and succession planning. A key product, the iContent feature, offered a cloud-based service for content management and delivery, reducing the logistical burden for clients.

A notable milestone for the company was the introduction of an integrated J2EE-based talent management platform in early 2000, which connected employee learning with performance metrics to align with corporate goals. In 2007, Plateau Systems expanded its offerings by acquiring Nuvosoft, a provider of web-based compensation management software, integrating this functionality into its platform. The company's growth and strategic position led to its acquisition by SuccessFactors on April 26, 2011, for a reported $290 million. SuccessFactors was subsequently acquired by SAP, integrating Plateau's technology into the SAP SuccessFactors Learning platform.