Centra introduces the first Web-based live virtual classroom for online corporate training delivery.LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1997-- New Symposium(tm) online training delivery application reshapes Web-based distance learning and gains broad-based industry support for its live instructor-led training capabilities and self-paced learning in one integrated browser-based delivery environment Centra Software Inc., today announced Symposium, a Java-based enterprise application for the delivery of live instructor-led training and self-paced learning via corporate intranets and the Internet. Symposium represents the industry's first Web-centric business application that aims to replace and extend the physical corporate classroom, eliminating costly travel by leveraging existing corporate communications Corporate communications is the process of facilitating information and knowledge exchanges with internal and key external groups and individuals that have a direct relationship with an enterprise. infrastructure, the openness of the Web, and the universal reach of the Internet. "Symposium represents breakthrough technology that builds on industry standards and component Web technologies to meet the training requirements of global corporations," said Leon Navickas, Centra's president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "It is the first and only enterprise-class Java application A Java program that is run stand alone. The Java Virtual Machine in the client or server is interpreting the instructions. Contrast with Java applet. See servlet. that addresses the problem of delivering time-sensitive, mission-critical information and training to a geographically dispersed workforce. Symposium shifts the $35 billion spent today on corporate classrooms -- including transportation and lodging to fly employees to corporate training centers -- to an effective online training delivery environment that enables corporate professionals to learn at their desks, mobilizing skills that keep businesses competitive." Growing Demand for Technology-Assisted Corporate Training Solutions Research shows that nearly 93% of all organizations today invest in ongoing internal and external training of employees, business partners, and customers. As the cost of training geographically dispersed audiences increases, companies are quickly turning to technology -- the Internet in particular -- to assist with the delivery of corporate training and education. "With rapidly changing products and services, large corporations have placed an increased emphasis on disseminating timely information and training to their remote workforce. As a result, companies are spending more on employee education than ever before," said Ellen Julian, research manager at International Data Corporation in Framingham, MA. "Live Web-based, instructor-led capabilities combined with real-time audio and self-paced learning creates an entirely new category of distance learning delivery that addresses the needs of these global corporations." Symposium Combines Effective Learning Delivery Methods in One Integrated Online Environment Written entirely in Java programming language, Symposium's defining feature is the ability to deliver a complete range of learning methods in one integrated browser-based environment. In addition to providing live instructor-led training and real-time group collaboration See collaborative software. , Symposium offers self-paced, computer-based training See CBT. (application) Computer-Based Training - (CBT) Training (of humans) done by interaction with a computer. The programs and data used in CBT are known as "courseware." (CBT (Computer-Based Training) Using the computer for training and instruction. CBT programs are called "courseware" and provide interactive training sessions for all disciplines. ) and asynchronous Refers to events that are not synchronized, or coordinated, in time. The following are considered asynchronous operations. The interval between transmitting A and B is not the same as between B and C. The ability to initiate a transmission at either end. threaded discussion A running commentary of messages between two or more people in a discussion group. See message thread and discussion group. groups. This unique combination of learning formats creates a comprehensive and continuous learning environment on the desktop. Symposium's online delivery environment simulates a live classroom experience with functions for synchronized syn·chro·nize v. syn·chro·nized, syn·chro·niz·ing, syn·chro·niz·es v.intr. 1. To occur at the same time; be simultaneous. 2. To operate in unison. v.tr. 1. viewing of multimedia content, integrated real-time audio streaming See streaming audio. , text chat and shared whiteboard. Body Language(tm) lets participants raise their hands, respond yes or no, and provide instant feedback to the group on the pace and comprehension of the material being presented. Symposium also provides features for online breakout sessions and role-play, auto-graded quizzing with statistical feedback on overall class performance, and the ability to conduct Web Safaris, allowing instructors to guide participants to relevant content on the World Wide Web during group discussions. "Training products on the market today are viewed as enhancements to traditional learning methodologies. Symposium, with its Web-based, instructor-led training capabilities, creates a new standard and goes beyond the static classroom by taking advantage of the Internet's openness and functionality," said Ida Zecco, distance learning manager at BBN (BBN Technologies, Cambridge, MA, www.bbn.com) A consulting firm that participated in the development of some of the most extensive networks in the world, including ARPANET, which evolved into the Internet. It was founded in 1948 as a consulting service in acoustics by Dr. Planet in Cambridge, MA. "Symposium is a real-time virtual classroom environment. In order for training to be truly effective and help create that competitive edge, it has to be available to anyone wherever they are. Symposium offers that advantage." Timely Delivery of Mission-Critical Training and Information Symposium is designed for large global organizations who invest heavily in corporate classroom training to stay competitive in an environment of rapidly changing organizational processes, products and services. It is an ideal delivery system for mission-critical applications such as sales and marketing, systems and information technology, human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. , quality programs, and customer services. "Companies today are challenged by the need to mobilize skills across their organization in the face of increasing costs," said Genni Combes Combes may refer to:
Optimized for Intranets and the Internet Symposium is a Java-based, platform-independent system that operates with any Java-capable Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. in a "thin client" server-based architecture. It can be rapidly and seamlessly deployed over any existing corporate intranet, and easily localized for international markets. Unlike other distance learning technologies, Symposium does not require expensive or proprietary communications infrastructure. "Centra's Symposium is one of the first enterprise-level Java applications that embraces the openness of the Internet and sets a high standard for Web-based distance learning solutions offered in a single, comprehensive product," said Bud Tribble Guy L. "Bud" Tribble, MD, PhD, is Vice President of Software Technology at Apple Inc. Tribble served as the manager of the original Macintosh software development team where he helped to design the Mac® OS and user interface. , Sun Microsystems' VP and chief architect of Java Systems. Protects Investments in Corporate Training Content and Tools Symposium's content-neutral design allows corporations to leverage their vast investments in existing training content libraries and authoring tools. Symposium supports industry-standard multimedia formats including HTML HTML in full HyperText Markup Language Markup language derived from SGML that is used to prepare hypertext documents. Relatively easy for nonprogrammers to master, HTML is the language used for documents on the World Wide Web. , video, and presentation slides; computer-based training (CBT) formats, and threaded discussion databases. For the first time, interactive multimedia content created with popular authoring products and traditionally delivered in self-paced formats, can be repurposed for Symposium's live group training environment. Centra's powerful and easy-to-use Symposium Course Builder(tm) facilitates the rapid migration and sequencing of new and existing training media into the Symposium online learning environment. Symposium Course Builder assists with the preparation and assembly of training content and course structure for the online course syllabus. Centra's unique Choreography(tm) feature enables course creators and instructional designers to customize the structure and control of the online session, including microphone passing and whiteboard control. Pricing and Availability Currently in Beta test A test of new or revised hardware or software that is performed by users at their facilities under normal operating conditions. Beta testing follows alpha testing. Vendors of packaged software often offer their customers the opportunity of beta testing new releases or versions, and the , Symposium is scheduled for a mid-year 1997 release. Introductory pricing is set at $35K (U.S.) per server for 50 concurrent users, and includes one Symposium Course Builder license, and unlimited free download of Symposium client applets. Additional Symposium Course Builder licenses are available at the introductory price of $2,995 (U.S.). About Centra Software Inc. Centra Software was founded in 1995 by Leon Navickas, former general manager of the Lotus Notes Messaging and groupware software from IBM Lotus that was introduced in 1989 for OS/2 and later expanded to Windows, Mac, Unix, NetWare, AS/400 and S/390. Notes provides e-mail, document sharing, workflow, group discussions and calendaring and scheduling. R&D division. The venture-backed company aims to lead the shift in corporate education to Web-based training delivery by providing software and services for comprehensive and effective online learning and training. Symposium is the company's first product. -0- Advisory: Symposium will be showcased on-stage at InfoWorld's DEMO `97 event, Indian Springs Indian Springs may refer to:
http://www.centra.com Symposium, Symposium Course Builder, Body Language, and Choreography are trademarks of Centra Software Inc. CONTACT: Centra Software Inc. Lisa LeBlanc, 617/861-7000, ext.1013 lleblanc@centra.com |
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