Home > News > June 2004 > 03-Jun-04

New knowledge management tool from Trainer1

Independent supplier and developer of bespoke learning, Trainer1, has developed a new server-based enterprise wide knowledge management tool designed to by-pass many of the problems involved in using a learning management system (LMS) to manage e-learning materials.

Neil Lasher, Trainer1's managing director, explained: "If you put e-learning materials on a server you need an LMS to manage and report on the usage of these materials. Yet, in order to do that, you have to create courseware in a format with which the LMS can cope - that is, it has to be SCORM compatible.

"In reality, organisations have a great deal of material - both specific learning materials as well as 'information' - that is in a variety of formats. Learning materials that are available online are often found in pdf, Word document, HTML, e-book and other formats," he continued.

Trainer1's new knowledge management tool is a 'front end tool' designed to enable users to access any piece of existing learning or information within their organisation.

Users 'sign in' to the system - either as pre-registered users or as 'guests' - and meet a screen containing a number of 'categories'. They progress to view, for every piece of learning or information in that category, its title, an overview, a description of it, its size and a link to the actual material.

"They will also be told which related materials previous users have also viewed - to help them with their continuing professional development (CPD)," said Lasher. "The system also contains reports on each user and, as each material is accessed, the system adds that to the individual user's profile - which provides accurate, on-going and regularly up-dated proof of their CPD record."

Each page contained on the system contains two search tools. One - a 'quick search' tool - enables users to search the system's database while the other, advanced, search tool allows users to find what they need by searching the database via parameters including category and phrase.

Trainer1's new knowledge management tool does not import or store any information or learning materials. It merely lists what is available and tracks which of this its users read.

The product, currently in 'beta' stage, is scheduled for launch in September this year.

According to Lasher: "This product is relevant for anyone dealing with compliance issues; for law firms needing access to a wealth of case histories; those wanting to store and retrieve articles and press clippings, and professional institutes that need to track their members' CPD activities. IT provides a viable alternative for those who want to manage and provide access to information and learning materials that exist in a variety of formats and who don't want to - or can't - access these through an LMS."

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