Training Moves Into the Internet Age.

Many Companies Turn a Page as Web Becomes Focus for Training System.

    As we head toward the end of this century, with all the surrounding buzz about Y2K, we're reminded that information technology had never been more perva-sive. Nor more complex. IT executives today face enormous, costly challenges as they decide which operating system, messaging/groupware system or enterprise resource planning system to implement. While the initial investment is certainly daunting, it generally pales in comparison to the long-term costs associated with training the workforce on how to use this complex information technology - and how to get the best ROI. In short, training has become a critical component of every IT executive's budget.

    The nature of training itself is evolving; a major change is taking place in the training market as the rapid adoption of the Internet and a dramatic increase in available bandwidth have enabled training vendors to transition to completely Internet-based deployment systems. Whereas a few years ago, classrooms were the primary medium for training deployment, now the focus is centered on the Internet. Today, IT executives can select from choices ranging from intranet deployment across their company's own network infrastructure to Internet deployment of training courseware from an offsite host maintained by the training vendor.

    "When we set out to find the best solution to meet and exceed the needs of our consultants, we concluded that internet-best training was the only approach that would give us the flexibility and return on investment we needed," commented a client of CBT Systems.

    Many companies are transitioning to CBTWeb Plus from CBT Systems. CBTWeb Plus is an Internet-based, CBT Systems-hosted training deployment solution that provides consultants with access to hundreds of CBT Systems interactive training courses - without the need for the company to install server-side software or courseware. Now consultants have access to any course they need - the only requirement is Internet access and a Web browser.

    Internet-based training systems like CBTWeb Plus are good news for students and IT executives alike. From a student's perspective, Internet-based training means training anytime, anywhere, enabling the student to better integrate training into his busy schedule. And because the training courseware is accessed through a Web browser it is more accessible and more user-friendly. Of particular interest is that CBT Systems offers courseware that maps to IT vendors' certification programs. To further boost a student's success, CBT Systems also offers online mentoring of students through its Scholars.com subsidiary. This enables a student to study on his own and work with an advisor, as and when he needs help.

    Internet-based training enables IT executives to meet the needs of large, diverse and widespread organizations and to more efficiently track students' progress. Additionally, it enables the company to leverage its existing investment in network infrastructure and capitalizes on the students' experience with (and excitement about) the Internet. Best of all, it's totally scalable and always up-to-date with the latest courseware.