OutStart Trainer.

OutStart Trainer, CD-ROM, 2006, Outstart, $3000.

Thirty-three training and education professionals rated the authoring tools they have used regularly to create instructional content. This review summarizes the comments of the panelists who have used this product and presents their overall average rating. The 24 products the panel evaluated are included in the TMR Report on Leading Authoring Tools, edited by Katica Roy and Deanne Darymple.

Best Uses

OutStart Trainer (formerly called Trainersoft) can be used to develop a variety of instructional content for distribution as HTML, CD-ROM, and .EXE. Output can also be run on third-party LMSs. One reviewer said OutStart is best suited for creating web-based training materials, while another said,

  [OutStart Trainer is] easy to use, comes with ready-made templates
  with built-in navigation. It is good for rapid design and deployment
  and has lots of support and tutorials. The product is accessible to
  those without programming skills.

Given that functionality and a price just south of $3,000, the product competes with high-end training specialists such as Lectora and should be considered in that light.

In a list of OutStart products, Trainer appears at the bottom. The company is focused on enterprise solutions (learning management system, learning content management system), a situation similar to SumTotal, which owns the authoring tool ToolBook.

The organizational context takes nothing away from the product strengths but does suggest that the authoring tool is not the highest priority for internal resources. If nothing else, that fact could restrict marketing, meaning few people are aware of the software as an alternative.

Reviewers didn't mention OutStart's test creation and tracking capabilities, which are key features according to information on the company website.

Limits and Drawbacks

The reviewers thought that OutStart Trainer is not the best choice for creating "highly interactive programs" or simulations. Cost versus intended use was targeted by one reviewer: "The application is good, but at nearly $3,000, the buyer may need to decide if it's that much better than using a PowerPoint-to-Flash converter tool."

Another panelist pointed out possible weaknesses as well as strengths: "The tool lacks branching and no page or slide numbering or spellcheck. But it is very easy to use, has a short learning curve, and produces professional results."

Evaluation

OutStart Trainer has an overall rating between Good and Very good. Its ease of installation and initial use, interface, and ease of use were all regarded highly. Some of the product's ease of use is due to the extensive built-in support of training content creation. At the same time, the price compared to that of other tools was an issue for reviewers, although not a large one. All things considered, OutStart Trainer may be a sleeper product that more training developers should know about.

Review by Patti Shank 

Product Ratings

OutStart Trainer

Overall rating  ***