© 2007 Brandon Hall Research
© 2007 Brandon Hall Research
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| (Platte Canyon Multimedia Software Corp.) |
|Version #: 3 |
|[pic] |
|Administrative interface for this system: Assigning a course to a student. |
|How to interpret the information in this profile: |
|Rather than simply asking vendors whether their system has specific features, we asked vendors to be much more specific about how features are |
|provided in their learning management systems. In many places in this profile, you will see the terms Automatic, Semi-automatic, Semi-custom, |
|Custom, NA, and third-party add-on listed next to a feature. Here are the definitions of what these terms mean: |
|Automatic: Built-in, out-of-the-box functionality that can be simply switched on and ready to be used. |
|Semi-automatic: The feature is mostly available in the system, but requires some programming and/or customization to activate. |
|Semi-custom: This feature is partially available in the system and can be adapted through some moderate custom program. |
|Custom: This feature is not available in the current feature but can somewhat easily be added through custom programming services at the time of |
|implementation. |
|NA; not a current feature: This feature is not available in the current release of the software. |
|Third-party add-on: This feature can be added upon implementation using third-party software. |
| — At-A-Glance |
|Primary use types |
|Corporate university/learning portal: Behind-the-firewall, large scale implementation (5,000+ learners) |
|[pic]10% |
| |
|Corporate university/learning portal: Hosted (by you or your hosting partner), large scale implementation |
|[pic]0% |
| |
|Commercial learning portal (this includes content providers who resell their content and provide the LMS as a third-party offering to clients) |
|[pic]20% |
| |
|Academic online infrastructure (primarily used by higher education, secondary education, or K-12 organizations) |
|[pic]5% |
| |
|Medium-sized implementations (2,000-5,000 learners) |
|[pic]45% |
| |
|Small implementations (under 2,000 learners) |
|[pic]20% |
| |
|Other: |
|[pic]0% |
| |
| |
| |
|Number of organizations using this LMS |
|The company did not provide this information. |
| |
|Total number of registered learners worldwide |
|(Not provided) |
| |
|ERP/CRM integration (number of customers integrated with major back-office systems) |
|PeopleSoft |
|0 |
| |
|SAP |
|0 |
| |
|Oracle |
|0 |
| |
|Siebel |
|0 |
| |
|Lawson |
|0 |
| |
|Other?: None. |
|0 |
| |
| |
| |
|Largest "behind-the-firewall" implementation to date (number of learners) |
|(Not provided) |
| |
|Largest "hosted" implementation to date |
|(Not provided) |
| |
|Classroom management |
|Administrative calendar for scheduling |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Learner calendar |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Wait listing |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Supervisory and/or instructor approval process (business rules) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Personnel management (managing the scheduling of instructors) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Facility management (room scheduling) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Equipment and resource scheduling (projectors, test equipment, etc.) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic resolution of scheduling conflicts |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic e-mail messaging and notification |
|Automatic |
| |
|Customizable notification messages |
|Automatic |
| |
|Course attendance reports |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
| |
| |
|Built-in content authoring |
|Pure LMS with minimal or no built-in content authoring capabilities; LMS vendor offers a separate, but integrated set of content authoring tools |
|(whether internally created or reselling a third party solution); in addition, end users can use other third party authoring tools to add |
|additional content. |
| |
|Built-in content management system |
|LMS has no built-in learning content management system (LCMS); can be used with a wide variety of third party LCMS solutions. |
| |
|Built-in assessment tools |
|Built-in utility for creating and deploying tests, exams, and quizzes |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Questions can be drawn from a pool of test questions |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Questions can be automatically randomized upon delivery |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Distractors (individual answers) can be automatically randomized upon delivery |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Number of attempts to test questions can be easily set |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic feedback can be provided during the assessment (if desired) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Timed test questions |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Timed tests |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Summary screen shows test scores and other performance indicators |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Test performance data is automatically linked to available LMS performance reports (without requiring additional testing to verify that the data |
|is being captured correctly) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Dynamic prescriptive pretesting that can adapt course content based on gap analysis |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
| |
| |
|Skill-gap analysis |
|NA; Not a current feature |
| |
|Analytics: System automatically assesses ROI for specific training initiatives |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Multiple learning portals for different departments from a single installation |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|AICC |
|NA; not compliant |
| |
|SCORM |
|Conformant - SCORM 2004 |
|Conformant - version 1.2 |
|Specific levels of conformance achieved: conforms to the SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 (1.3) runtime environments. It does not use SCORM |
|manifest files and, therefore, does not conform to SCORM manifest specifications. It also implements its own linear sequencing and does not |
|support the various SCORM 2004 sequencing permutations. |
| |
|Section 508 |
|Yes Compliance comes from being built on top of . |
| |
|Multi-byte support (to support complex fonts and characters sets for languages such as Chinese and Korean) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Learner interface available in multiple languages |
|English (US) |
|Spanish |
|German |
|French (European) |
| |
|Interoperability with third-party, off-the-shelf e-learning content |
|None. |
| |
|Hosted solution options |
|Most of the company's clients will locally install the LMS solution on their server. The company does, however, offer a hosted solution as part of|
|their package of services for customers who are looking for a hosted solution. |
| |
|Average implementation time |
|High range = 1 weeks |
|Low range = 0.1 weeks |
|Average time = 0.2 weeks |
| |
|Pricing estimate for an installed solution |
|Year 1: |
|500 users = $6,990 |
|10,000 users = $9,990 |
|25,000 users = $9,990 |
|100,000 users = $9,990 |
|Year 3 (cumulative): |
|500 users = $8,980 |
|10,000 users = $11,980 |
|25,000 users = $11,980 |
|100,000 users = $11,980 |
| |
|Pricing estimate for a hosted solution |
|Year 1: |
|500 users = $8,190 |
|10,000 users = $11,190 |
|25,000 users = $11,190 |
|100,000 users = $11,190 |
|Year 3 (cumulative): |
|500 users = $12,580 |
|10,000 users = $15,580 |
|25,000 users = $15,580 |
|100,000 users = $15,580 |
| |
|Top vertical markets (by % of existing customers using the system) |
|Banking/finance |
|10% |
| |
|Insurance |
|0% |
| |
|Government |
|20% |
| |
|Healthcare |
|20% |
| |
|Pharmaceuticals |
|0% |
| |
|Information technology/high-tech |
|0% |
| |
|Telecommunications |
|0% |
| |
|Industrial/manufacturing |
|0% |
| |
|Energy |
|20% |
| |
|Retail |
|0% |
| |
|Transportation |
|0% |
| |
|General business |
|0% |
| |
|Professional services |
|0% |
| |
|Higher education |
|5% |
| |
|K-12 education |
|0% |
| |
|Publishing (traditional or e-learning) |
|0% |
| |
|Associations |
|0% |
| |
|Other: hospitality, airlines, real estate |
|25% |
| |
| |
| |
|Current version released |
|May 2003 |
| |
|Critique by Brandon Hall Research |
|Review date: February 2007. |
| |
| is a pure LMS system. It is an intuitive, straightforward, and cost-effective solution for those who only need to track and report |
|student status and progress. No additional components, such as blended learning scenarios, on-the-job tracking, content development applications, |
|or assessment tools, are provided. However, major third-party programs that are SCORM-compliant (Authorware, Lectora, Flash, ToolBook, and |
|Questionmark) should easily integrate into this product. |
|We were impressed by the extensive reporting capabilities of . Navigation is straightforward and intuitive. The drill-down and filer |
|components are impressive. We also liked the ability to “right-click” reports and generate automatic Word, Excel, or .html files, as well as the |
|ability to automatically send the report as an e-mail attachment. Reporting features include certificate creation and archival features for |
|inactive students. Additionally, notice of expiration of training status can come in handy when scheduling additional learning venues. |
|Instructional designers will appreciate the fact that learning objectives can be associated within specific reports to ensure training takes |
|place. |
|One interesting feature of is the ability to easily develop multilingual learning portals. In addition to automatically generating |
|languages for global screens, cultural differences are considered when developing a language specific portal. For example, dates can be displayed |
|either in an English format (11 January, 2007) or in an American format (January 11, 2007). |
|We noted in our earlier review that this product does not offer back-office interoperability. However, with this release, has |
|developed a Student Import Utility that uploads .txt and comma-deleted files. Clients who can re-purpose their original data into these formats |
|should be able to efficiently batch process previous student data. Strong encryption is also provided to ensure integrity of data. For an |
|additional fee, also offers their source code for those who need to modify the current product or extend its capabilities. |
|This product is SCORM 1.2- and SCORM 2004-compliant. However, this product does not create a SCORM-compliant manifest. This does limit the |
|cataloging and repository aspects of the SCORM model. |
|On the downside |
|The branding abilities of are somewhat limited. Those companies who have personnel capable of working with CSS style sheets should be |
|able to alter the provided CSS style sheet to meet most of their needs. As noted earlier, does not create a SCORM-compliant manifest. |
|This is neither a positive nor a negative; it is simply something our readers should know about. |
|Best use recommendation |
|Those who need an undiluted LMS solution for a medium to large company should consider . Its intuitive features, extensive reporting |
|features, and cost are very attractive. Original OEMs may wish to bundle with this product with their own to extend marketing venues. Current |
|users include governmental, healthcare, and corporate entities, namely airlines. |
| |
|Product Information [pic] |
|Product overview |
| is an LMS built from the ground up in , SQL server, and Visual Basic .NET. It scales to large numbers of users and supports |
|mandatory and optional elements of the SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 runtime environment specification. |
| |
| provides reporting capabilities and security. It features supervisory levels, expiration dates, the ability to mark students as |
|inactive, exporting reports to Word and Excel, and much more. It offers a fully multilingual user interface that can change languages |
|student-by-student according to user preferences. |
| |
|It offers full source code as a separately-priced ($4,995) option to integrate it with other systems or make more extensive changes. |
|LMS suite components |
|There are no separate modules, but three separate "roles" are available: |
|- Student: Take training, view personal reports, etc. |
|- Administrator: Assign students to courses, organize them into classes, configure lessons and courses, make global settings, etc. Administrators |
|may have "all-level advanced" access, "all-level basic" access, or "supervisory-level" access. The first two allow the administrator to see all |
|students, but only the advanced level can add or edit courses and lessons. The latter allows them to only view information and assign |
|courses/classes to students they supervise directly or indirectly (e.g., students that report to one of their supervisees). |
|- Reporter: View summary and detailed reports by student, lesson, course, class, or organization. "All-level" access allows the reports to be on |
|all students in the database. "Supervisory level" allows the reports to only cover students they supervise directly or indirectly. Reports can be |
|filtered, sorted, and exported to Word, Excel, or HTML. |
|System is 100% browser-based |
|Yes |
|Components that are NOT browser-based: None. |
|Demo version of LMS available |
| |
|username: demo |
|password: a |
| |
|A free evaluation version may be downloaded at . |
|Primary usage type (by %) |
|10% |
|Corporate university/learning portal: Behind-the-firewall, large scale implementation (5,000+ learners) |
| |
|0% |
|Corporate university/learning portal: Hosted (by company or by a hosting partner), large scale implementation |
| |
|20% |
|Commercial learning portal (this includes content providers who resell their content and provide an LMS as a third-party offering to clients) |
| |
|5% |
|Academic online infrastructure (primarily used by higher education, secondary education, or K-12 organizations) |
| |
|45% |
|Medium-sized implementations (2,000-5,000 learners) |
| |
|20% |
|Small implementations (under 2,000 learners) |
| |
|0% |
|Other: |
| |
|Size of organizations using this product |
|20% |
|Large organizations (sales over $1 billion) |
| |
|20% |
|Mid-size organizations (sales over $100 million) |
| |
|60% |
|Small organizations (less than $100 million) |
| |
|Regional breakout of product implementations |
|70% |
|U.S./Canada |
| |
|15% |
|Europe |
| |
|15% |
|Asia and Pacific Rim |
| |
|0% |
|Central and South America |
| |
|0% |
|Other |
| |
|0% |
|Other: |
| |
|Breakout of implementations by vertical industry |
|10% |
|Banking/finance |
| |
|0% |
|Insurance |
| |
|20% |
|Government |
| |
|20% |
|Healthcare |
| |
|0% |
|Pharmaceuticals |
| |
|0% |
|Information technology/high-tech |
| |
|0% |
|Telecommunications |
| |
|0% |
|Industrial/manufacturing |
| |
|20% |
|Energy |
| |
|0% |
|Retail |
| |
|0% |
|Transportation |
| |
|0% |
|General business |
| |
|0% |
|Professional services |
| |
|5% |
|Higher education |
| |
|0% |
|K-12 education |
| |
|0% |
|Publishing (traditional or e-learning) |
| |
|0% |
|Associations |
| |
|25% |
|Other: hospitality, airlines, real estate |
| |
|Special focus on vertical industries (if any) |
|None. |
|Top clients |
|4D Interactive, Inc. |
|American Signature Inc. |
|Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education |
|British Airways |
|CityJet Airlines |
|Covance Inc. |
|bristol.gs Training Solutions |
|edhitec Health Systems |
|Infinite Media |
|Aastra USA Inc. |
|Circle K Stores |
|Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital |
|Command Center |
|Patient First |
|Performax3 Inc. |
|Saint Francis Hospital |
|Teachers Credit Union |
|U.S. Air Force |
|U.S. Veteran's Administration |
|Obor Digital |
|Top 3 competitors |
|CourseMill |
|WBT Manager |
|EKP Bronze |
|Top 3 competitive advantages |
|No dependencies on Java or third-party reporting products. |
|Built from the ground up using the advanced .NET framework and Microsoft SQL server. |
|Supports expiration dates, open enrollment, grouping students into classes, the ability to disable future lessons until the current lesson is |
|completed, and more. |
| |
|Company Information [pic] |
|Number of employees |
|(Not provided) employees total |
|Breakout by employee type: |
|in development |
|in sales/marketing |
|in services |
|in other: |
|Number of organizations using this LMS |
|The company did not provide this information. |
|Estimated number of total seats (all implementations, all registered learners) |
|Number of seats: (Not provided) |
|Largest "behind-the-firewall" implementation to date |
|Number of seats: (Not provided) |
|Largest "hosted" implementation to date |
|Number of seats: (Not provided) |
|Year the LMS (version 1.0) was originally released |
|2002 |
|Company status |
|Private |
|Annual amount spent on LMS product research and development |
|The company did not provide this information. |
|Statement about company's financial viability |
|The company does not release financial information, including number of employees, sales or R&D. However, they have been profitable since their |
|founding in 1996 and have no outside investors, loans or venture capital. |
| |
|Technology Platform [pic] |
|Server types supported |
|Windows 2000 |
|Windows XP |
|Windows 2003 server |
|Databases supported |
|Microsoft SQL |
|SQL Server 2000 or 2005 |
|Underlying technology and structure of the code |
|.NET. All source code (which is available as a separately-priced option) is Visual Basic .NET, with some JavaScript. |
|Openness of data for migration and connectivity |
|Can import and export directly from SQL server. |
|Scalability of the system |
|Highly scalable due to its architecture and the robustness of .NET. |
|Ability of the system to handle heavy loads |
|Designed to handle large loads and large numbers of students. Customers like Circle K have deployed nationwide. |
|What makes the system superior to others in terms of the technology platform (schema, data migration, creative use of XML, etc.) |
|Web services, , Visual Basic .NET, stored procedures (SQL server). No reliance on Java. |
| |
|Back Office Interoperability [pic] |
|Percentage of customer by level of interoperability with ERP, CRM, and other back-office systems |
|100% |
|Level 1 – Stand-alone: LMS exists in stand-alone state with virtually no interoperability with back-office systems. |
| |
|0% |
|Level 2 – Batch processing: LMS receives learner information for ERP, CRM, and other business systems at a specified time (e.g., 2:00 a.m. every |
|day) and/or the LMS sends batch performance data to an ERP, CRM, or other business system at a specified time. |
| |
|0% |
|Level 3 – Real-time database synchronization: The LMS receives learner demographic data from an ERP, CRM, or other business system in "real time,"|
|as the information is added to the back-office system and/or the LMS sends performance data to an ERP, CRM, or other business system in "real |
|time" as courses are completed. However, both the LMS and the back-office business systems keep and maintain their own databases. |
| |
|0% |
|Level 4 – Real-time, one database: The same as Level 3, except the LMS and business system actually share the exact same database. Data records |
|(learner demographics and performance data) are not duplicated, rather they exist in one, and only one, database). |
| |
|Overview of the consulting and customization process for mapping out and implementing connectivity with an ERP, CRM, or other business system |
| has an included utility for batch importing students based on a delimited file. The utility allows the importer to match up the |
|columns in the delimited file to the matching columns in . Customers may also batch import student data directly, using SQL server. |
|Experience creating interoperability with specific systems |
|Number of customers who are using interoperability (by back-office system): |
|0 |
|PeopleSoft |
| |
|0 |
|SAP |
| |
|0 |
|Oracle |
| |
|0 |
|Siebel |
| |
|0 |
|Lawson |
| |
|0 |
|Other: None. |
| |
|PeopleSoft experience |
|not applicable. |
|Database schema is fairly standard, making it easier to interact with other business systems. |
|SAP experience |
|not applicable. |
|Database schema is fairly standard, making it easier to interact with other business systems. |
|Oracle ERP experience |
|not applicable. |
|Database schema is fairly standard, making it easier to interact with other business systems. |
|Siebel experience |
|not applicable. |
|Database schema is fairly standard, making it easier to interact with other business systems. |
|Lawson experience |
|not applicable. |
|Database schema is fairly standard, making it easier to interact with other business systems. |
|Other ERP experience |
|List of systems: None. |
|Vendor experience with these other systems: not applicable. |
|Standard communication protocols used by this LMS solution |
|not applicable. |
|Special functionality to provide data migration from other systems |
|not applicable. |
|Interoperability with general business portal technologies |
|No. |
| |
|Interoperability with Other E-Learning Content and Technologies [pic] |
|Interoperability tests conducted with third-party content libraries |
|None. |
|Interoperability tests conducted with content authoring tools |
|Articulate |
|Authorware (Macromedia) |
|Camtasia (Techsmith) |
|Dreamweaver (Adobe) |
|Exam Engine (Platte Canyon) |
|Flash (Macromedia/Adobe) |
|Flashform (Rapid Intake) |
|Lectora Publisher |
|ReadyGo |
|Captivate (Macromedia/Adobe) |
|ToolBook (Sum Total) |
|Training Studio (Platte Canyon) |
|Interoperability tests conducted with learning content management systems (LCMS) and/or traditional content management systems |
|Interoperability tests conducted with knowledge management systems and/or digital asset management solutions |
|None. |
|Interoperability tests conducted with virtual classroom, live e-learning products |
|None. |
|Methods for creating interoperability with courseware that is NOT standards-compliant |
|Such content may be placed in a SCORM frameset or added to the LMS as a SCORM Asset. |
|System can launch and track CD-ROM-based courses |
|No. |
| |
|The Learner Environment [pic] |
|[pic] |
|Screen shot of a typical learner interface generated with this system |
|Features |
|Secure log-on with valid authentication |
|Automatic |
| |
|Advanced search functionality allowing learners to find specific courses and other learning materials based on keywords, title, delivery format, |
|and other tagged identifiers |
|Automatic |
| |
|Individualized learning plan showing a unique list of learning materials/events based on the learner's specific needs |
|Automatic |
| |
|Individualized learning plan showing a unique list of learning materials/events based on the learner's specific role, position, or |
|responsibilities inside the organization |
|Automatic |
| |
|Support for multiple catalogs |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Course catalogs can contain more than course materials (including items such as books, audio/video, etc.) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Users can search catalog before logging in to the system (pre-browsing) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Self-registration |
|Automatic |
| |
|Telephone registration and self-service (e.g., interactive voice response (IVR)) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The system has built-in capabilities allowing learners to download and take courses offline, then synchronize their performance data with the LMS |
|later |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Provides learners with note-taking capabilities |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Learner can search for content for performance support purposes |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Learners can see their own progress reports (scores, dates courses taken, etc.) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Other features: Self-registration is available only if one or more courses are marked as "open enrollment." Users may edit their own information. |
|Administrators may customize what information is required (telephone number, Social Security number, location, etc.), or simply requested but not |
|mandatory, and the format that information must comply with. |
|Learner interface highlights |
|Courses are either open enrollment, assigned to a specific student, assigned to a class of which the student is a member, or assigned to the |
|student's organization. The "My Courses" screen features several options for viewing the courses and lessons. These are a collapsible tree-view, a|
|menu, a navigation bar, or a table. The status of each lesson and course is shown via customizable graphics. |
|The student simply logs in and chooses "my courses," "my reports" or "my information." Status is shown via intuitive, customizable graphics. |
|The current version features easy localization and customization via the administrator section and allows side-by-side support of up to six |
|simultaneous languages. |
| |
|Classroom Management [pic] |
|Features |
|Administrative calendar for scheduling |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Learner calendar |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Wait listing |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Supervisory and/or instructor approval process (business rules) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Personnel management (managing the scheduling of instructors) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Facility management (room scheduling) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Equipment and resource scheduling (projectors, test equipment, etc.) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic resolution of scheduling conflicts |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic e-mail messaging and notification |
|Automatic |
| |
|Customizable notification messages |
|Automatic |
| |
|Course attendance reports |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
| |
|Other features: There are no classroom management features in . There are customizable notification messages associated with attempting|
|lessons, failing a course, making someone an administrator, etc. |
|Classroom management highlights |
| does not offer classroom management features. |
| |
|Performance Management [pic] |
|Features |
|The ability to keep performance records for on-the-job (OJT) training and other training events that occur outside the LMS environment |
|NA; Not a current feature |
| |
|The ability to assign and keep track of job-related tasks associated with courses |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Built-in incentive utility offering rewards, merchandise, or prizes for meeting training/learning objectives |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Career planning and development tools that allow the learner to see how their training fits into their own career development |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Tools to conduct and keep performance data during annual performance reviews |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Tools used to evaluate potential candidates for new hire employment (prior to their working for the organization) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Performance management capabilities (beyond launching and tracking e-learning and classroom management) |
| launches and tracks online content that supports the SCORM runtime environment. Through its SCORM 1.3 (2004) capabilities, it can also|
|track any “asset” on-line content that does not support SCORM. It does not track other types of content or performance data. |
| |
|Competency Management [pic] |
|Features |
|Provides comprehensive skill-gap analysis |
|NA; Not a current feature |
| |
|Includes built-in 360-degree evaluation utility |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Succession planning (learners can compare their own skill sets against other job positions in the organization and analyze deficiencies) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can locate candidates for particular positions or projects based on skill requirements |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can import third-party competency models |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Ability to link specific test questions with specific competencies |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can create a many-to-one relationship among test questions and competencies |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can modify/customize competency types, proficiency scale, etc. |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Competency management highlights and differentiating features |
| does not have any specific competency management features. |
| |
|Certification Management [pic] |
|Features |
|Keeps extensive archival records of past performance data |
|Automatic |
| |
|Re-certification notice (the system keeps track of expired certifications and automatically notifies learners to remind them to re-certify) |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Audit trail |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Automatically issues printed certificates upon course completion |
|Automatic |
| |
|Tracks certification deadlines and reports on missed deadlines |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Built-in tools for conducting online, proctored exams (a proctor must sign the learner in to take a specially designated certification exam. The |
|system maintains records of the proctor sign-in and completion data) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: Certificates are available via "my reports." |
|Specific regulatory standards targeted in the LMS |
| meets some or all of these, but no clients have notified the company of specific compliance requirements (or of any problems meeting |
|required standards). |
|Certification highlights |
|The fact that is built in without any type of Java applets means that it has outstanding accessibility and security out of the|
|box. The HTML files and style sheets are easily editable. Source code is available as a separately-priced option, in case the client wants to make|
|enhancements. |
| |
|Content Development and Management [pic] |
|Statement describing LMS positioning on authoring |
|Pure LMS with minimal or no built-in content authoring capabilities; LMS vendor offers a separate, but integrated set of content authoring tools |
|(whether internally created or reselling a third party solution); in addition, end users can use other third party authoring tools to add |
|additional content. |
|Statement describing LMS positioning on LCMSs |
|LMS has no built-in learning content management system (LCMS); can be used with a wide variety of third party LCMS solutions. |
|Vendor recommended authoring tools (third-party and/or their own authoring tools) |
|ToolBook, Exam Engine, Flash, Dreamweaver, Authorware, Lectora, ReadyGo, Articulate, Captivate, Training Studio, Camtasia, Flashform |
|Vendor recommended LCMSs (third-party and/or their own) |
|N/A |
|Built-in authoring features |
|Novice-friendly authoring environment (with minimal learning curve for non-technical users) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Templates and/or wizards for rapid content development |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Basic test question types (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Advanced question types (e.g., matching, hot spots, drag-and-drop, etc.) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Software simulation development tools |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Support for rich-media content (streaming audio, streaming video, animations) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can create complex, variable-based branching schemas (conditional branching) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Authoring tool(s) support desktop, stand-alone development of online learning content without accessing a central server |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Authoring tool(s) support collaborative, groupware authoring, sharing content from a central server location |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Authoring tools create standards-compliant learning content (SCORM and AICC) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Built-in content authoring highlights |
|N/A |
|Built-in LCMS features |
|Central "learning object" repository where learning content can be searched and organized for maximum reusability and repurposing |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Content delivery engine that automatically provides navigation controls for content in the learning object repository without having to author |
|each "Next" button or course menu manually |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The ability to swap out skins (look and feel) of online learning modules, without having to re-author the content |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Metadata tagging for individual, reusable learning objects (such as individual media objects or pages of content) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Workflow tools to manage the courseware development process (e.g., can make assignments for learning development tasks, monitor progress of online|
|learning development, keep track of ownership of individual learning objects) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Pretesting/adaptive learning capabilities (test questions can be linked to learning content, allowing the system to dynamically create a new |
|version of the course based on pretest performance) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|LCMS handles versioning of learning content and maintains archival versions of content (as needed) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Import utilities to automatically repurpose Microsoft Word content into learning objects |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Import utilities to automatically repurpose Microsoft PowerPoint content into learning objects |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Built-in document management system for setting up a basic knowledge management system |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|LCMS output types |
|None |
| |
|Testing and Assessment [pic] |
|Testing features |
|Built-in utility for creating and deploying tests, exams, and quizzes |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Questions can be drawn from a pool of test questions |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Questions can be automatically randomized upon delivery |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Distracters (individual answers) can be automatically randomized upon delivery |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Number of attempts to test questions can be easily set |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatic feedback can be provided during the assessment (if desired) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Timed test questions |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Timed tests |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Summary screen shows test scores and other performance indicators |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Test performance data is automatically linked to available LMS performance reports (without requiring additional testing to verify that the data |
|is being captured correctly) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Dynamic prescriptive pretesting that can adapt course content based on gap analysis |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: Platte Canyon has a separate product called Exam Engine that incorporates all except dynamic prescriptive pre-testing. Exam Engine|
|can be used along with , on its own, or with another SCORM-compliant LMS. |
|Evaluation features |
|Built-in utility for creating Kirkpatrick Level 1 evaluations ("happy sheets"): Did the learner like the course? (using a Likkert scale) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatically creates a summary report of Level 1 feedback |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Question types |
|Multiple-choice question (single correct answer) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Multiple-choice question (multiple correct answers) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|True/false |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Short answer (typed response) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|In-line, fill-in-the-blank questions (type answers in mid-sentence) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Freeform essay question (graded by an instructor or keyword analysis of multi-sentence response) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Matching question |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Sequence question (sequence the order of steps in a procedure) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Hot spot question (invisible touch area on top of a graphic) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Drag-and-drop question (drag objects with targets; e.g., could be used to assemble a jigsaw puzzle; more than just a drag-and-drop matching |
|question) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: Exam Engine (described above) offers multiple-choice (single or multiple correct answers), true/false, and fill-in-the-blank |
|questions. |
|Testing and assessment highlights |
|There are no built-in testing options. |
|Vendor recommendation for creating and deploying assessments |
|Third-party tool. There is no built-in assessment tool. |
|Interoperability with third-party assessment tools |
|Yes is compatible with any testing software that supports the SCORM runtime environment. The company has done extensive testing with |
|Exam Engine, ToolBook, Flash, and Training Studio. |
|Special tools for performing Kirkpatrick Level 3 and Level 4 evaluation |
|No |
|Additional testing and assessment information |
|None. |
| |
|Reporting [pic] |
|[pic] |
|Report generated by this system: Viewing a student detail deport. |
|Features |
|Automatically records launch date/time and duration for e-learning content not configured to pass performance data |
|Automatic |
| |
|Automatically collects test item analysis data (collecting every answer given on every question as opposed to a composite test score only) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Provides a report showing which test items were missed most often |
|Semi-custom |
| |
|Provides usage statistics; e.g., for a given time period, the system can automatically show the number of users who accessed the system and the |
|number of completed courses (and/or tasks and assignments) |
|Automatic |
| |
|System provides a built-in utility (as part of the license) that allows end users to create their own ad hoc reports |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|System allows end users to use standard tools to customize or create ad hoc reports (such as Crystal Reports or other reporting engine) |
|Semi-custom |
| |
|System allows end users to create "user-defined" fields at all levels (e.g., adding a new demographic to a learner profile or a new field to |
|categorize course offerings) |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Ability to export data in a wide variety of formats such as HTML, tab-delimited, or CSV (comma separated values) formats |
|Automatic |
| |
|Other features: Includes Word, Excel, and HTML. |
| |
| does not use any third-party reporting engine. There are up to three user-defined fields for specific student data (plus a wide range |
|of built-in data). Users are welcome to write custom reports directly against the SQL server database. |
|Number of report templates |
|33 |
|List of report templates that come with the system |
|* Assigned classes |
|* Assigned courses |
|* Assigned organizations |
|* Class details |
|* Class information |
|* Class membership |
|* Classes assigned to course |
|* Course compliance |
|* Course details |
|* Course information |
|* Course information expired, critical, or alert status |
|* Course/lesson information |
|* Course training history |
|* Courses assigned directly |
|* Courses assigned via class |
|* Courses assigned via organization |
|* Courses included in |
|* Courses requiring completion |
|* Interaction information |
|* Interactions incorrect |
|* Lesson details |
|* Lesson information |
|* Lesson information expired, critical, or alert status |
|* Lesson interaction information |
|* Lesson interactions incorrect |
|* Lesson training history |
|* Lessons in course |
|* Organization details |
|* Organizations assigned to course |
|* Student details |
|* Student information (lesson) |
|* Student information expired, critical, or alert status (lesson) |
|* Student information (course) |
|* Student information expired, critical, or alert status (course) |
|* Student training history |
|* Students assigned directly |
|* Students assigned via class |
|* Students assigned via organization |
|* Students in class |
|* Students in course |
|* Students in lesson |
|* Students in organization |
|* Summary information (lesson) |
|* Summary information (course) |
|* Summary information (Student) |
|* Summary information by student (class) |
|* Summary information by student (organization) |
|Third-party reporting engines that can be used with this system |
|Some customers have used Crystal Reports with , but Platte Canyon has not tested any third-party engines. |
|Ad hoc reporting capabilities |
|Use a reporting tool to connect directly to the SQL server database. |
|Process for creating custom reports |
|None. |
|Average number of custom reports the company usually creates for clients (beyond standard report templates) |
|0 |
|Reporting highlights and differentiating features |
| reporting is much cheaper and faster than the reporting of other systems. It is cheaper since the client does not have to license a |
|third-party tool. It's faster because it uses the .NET to create the reports and display them. also has detailed information, like |
|average test score and standard deviation. |
| |
|Analytics [pic] |
|Features |
|The system has built-in, automatic metrics for showing the cost and effects of learning from an organizational perspective |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The system keeps track of the actual costs of development of online learning courses |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The system keeps track of the actual costs of development of instructor-led and other forms of training |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The system keeps track of training delivery and deployment costs |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Course performance data can be linked with financial information to automatically assess the return on investment (ROI) for specific training |
|initiatives |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Analytic data can be shared through printed and online reports |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Analytic data can be shared through a dynamic "dashboard" approach, where users can see ROI and financial data updated in "real time" using a |
|persistent display (e.g., through a portal interface) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Number of analytic reports |
|0 |
|List of analytic reports |
|None. |
|Analytics highlights and differentiating features |
| does not have analytic capabilities. |
| |
|LMS Support for Multiple Departments and Extensibility of Business Rules [pic] |
|Features |
|The system can provide multiple learning portals, each supporting a different department or line of business from a single installation of the LMS|
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Each of the multiple learning portals can have its own look and feel (logos, backgrounds, and buttons) with a single instance of the LMS |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Each of the multiple learning portals can have its own set of features (e.g., one portal might have collaborative tools enabled, another might |
|have the feature switched off) with a single instance of the LMS |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Each of the multiple learning portals can have its own business rules (e.g., one portal may require supervisory approval to sign up for a course, |
|another may allow open enrollment without approval) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Each of the multiple learning portals can have its own native language (e.g., learners from a site in Japan access a portal entirely in Japanese, |
|while learners from Germany access their portal in German) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Each of the multiple learning portals can draw from the same master list (root directory for all learning portals) of courses, so that the course |
|catalog doesn't need to be recreated for each new learning portal |
|Automatic |
| |
|Each department or line of business can have its own set of customized reporting templates |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|End users can change a majority of the business rules by changing pre-defined parameters (e.g., engage self-registration or supervisory approval |
|by simply turning on the feature) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Supervisory approval for course registration |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can set up to require approval from multiple sources prior to course registration |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Can enable self-registration for specific courses or across the entire learning portal |
|Automatic |
| |
|Can define new user types (with special security rights and access) |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: can be configured to limit students to a particular organization and display the corresponding logo. Available roles |
|are: * Student * Reporter (supervisor only) * Reporter (all levels) * Administrator (supervisor only) * Administrator (all levels - advanced) * |
|Administrator (all levels – basic) |
|Technical abilities required to modify business rules |
|Customization requires Visual Basic .NET expertise. |
|Highlights and differentiating features |
| has very few business rules. |
| |
|Support for Standards and Specifications [pic] |
|AICC |
|NA; not compliant |
|SCORM |
|Conformant - SCORM 2004 |
|Conformant - version 1.2 |
|Specific levels of conformance achieved: conforms to the SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 (1.3) runtime environments. It does not use SCORM |
|manifest files and, therefore, does not conform to SCORM manifest specifications. It also implements its own linear sequencing and does not |
|support the various SCORM 2004 sequencing permutations. |
|Section 508 compliance |
|Yes Compliance comes from being built on top of . |
|Vendor participation in standards and specification groups |
|Platte Canyon takes the SCORM standard very seriously but does not participate in ADL events. |
| |
|Collaborative Learning Tools [pic] |
|Features |
|Learner-to-learner e-mail |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Learner-to-instructor e-mail |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Standard threaded discussion |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Moderated threaded discussion (moderator can choose which entries to post) |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Live, instant messaging (person-to-person) |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Live chat (synchronous group) |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Ability to cluster learners into workgroups for group study sessions |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Live voice-over IP |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Webcasting |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Global broadcast messaging |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Virtual whiteboard (free-form drawing) |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Virtual PowerPoint-like presentations |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Application sharing |
|Third-party add-on |
| |
|Learners can add comments to course materials and save them as individual study resources |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Collaborative learning highlights and differentiating features |
| has no built-in collaborative learning tools. As an application (with available source code), clients may add any one of a |
|large number of third-party controls and applications for additional functionality. |
| |
|Virtual Classroom Support [pic] |
|System has available, pre-integrated virtual classroom functionality |
|No |
|Preferred/recommended, third-party virtual classroom software |
|No. |
|Interoperability with virtual classroom software |
|No interoperability. |
|Virtual classroom highlights and differentiating features |
| has no built-in virtual classroom tools. As an application (with available source code), clients may add any one of a large |
|number of third-party controls and applications for additional functionality. |
| |
|Localization and Multilingual Support [pic] |
|Features |
|On-screen text is centrally located and isolated for easy language translation (not in multiple files or locations) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Multi-byte support (to support complex fonts and characters sets for languages such as Chinese and Korean) |
|Automatic |
| |
|Right-to-left script support (e.g., Hebrew) |
|Semi-automatic |
| |
|Management of multiple time zones |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Multiple currency support |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Language can dynamically change (based on learner profile) at log-in |
|Automatic |
| |
|Language preference can be set by the learner |
|Automatic |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|Learner interface is currently available in the following languages |
|English (US) |
|Spanish |
|German |
|French (European) |
|Administrative interface is currently available in the following languages |
|English (US) |
|Spanish |
|German |
|French (European) |
|Countries where this LMS has been implemented |
|Total number of countries: 6 |
|Countries listed by the vendor |
|Germany |
|England |
|Ireland |
|Australia |
|Canada |
|United States |
|Phillipines |
|South Africa |
|Vendor works with a translation partner |
|No. |
| |
|Hosted Solution Options [pic] |
|Vendor's position on providing their LMS as a hosted solution |
|Most of the company's clients will locally install the LMS solution on their server. The company does, however, offer a hosted solution as part of|
|their package of services for customers who are looking for a hosted solution. |
|Percentage of customers who use this vendor's hosted solution |
|20% |
|Percentage of customers who locally install their solution |
|80% |
|Provides hosting at vendor's own site |
|No |
|Provides hosting via a partner |
|Yes |
|If yes, name of hosting partner(s): A number of clients have remote-hosted at . The 20 percent listed above reflects |
|remote hosting at this or other third-party hosting companies. |
|Hosting support services provided |
| |
|Other services: N/A |
|Vendor's "up-time" declaration |
|N/A |
|Hosting services highlights |
|Platte Canyon does not provide hosting. They recommend that customers host with a reputable third-party hosting company, such as . |
| |
|Customization [pic] |
|Method for customizing the interface |
|The learner interface only allows minor changes such as color schema, logos, and turning on/off functionality. These changes can be made by a |
|relatively non-technical person. |
|Additional customization features |
|Administration interface can be customized |
|Administrator has options for editing labels, formatting requirements (regular expressions), what data is required (telephone number, Social |
|Security number, etc.), notification events and e-mail addresses, etc. |
|Customization highlights and differentiating features |
|A considerable portion of the interfaces are controlled by style sheets. Adding and editing information is a consistent "editable grid" interface |
|across the system. |
| |
|E-Commerce Capabilities [pic] |
|Features |
|Handle credit card transactions without manual effort |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Track and report departmental charge-backs |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatically provide customer billing reports |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|The system can provide commerce transactions for items other than courses, such as books, tapes, and other items |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Automatically maintain order status information for transactions |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other features: None. |
|LMS would be suitable for a commercial learning portal (to sell e-learning content) |
|No. |
|E-commerce highlights and differentiating features |
|There are no built-in e-commerce capabilities. As an application (with available source code), clients may add any one of a large number |
|of third-party controls and applications for additional functionality. |
| |
|Implementation Time and Process [pic] |
|Average implementation time |
|High range = 1 weeks |
|Low range = 0.1 weeks |
|Average time = 0.2 weeks |
|Implementation process |
| has a single installation and configuration utility that configures the Web server and the SQL Server database. It will go over the |
|Internet and set up the SQL Server database on a remote server hosted by a third party (user must know IP address, database name, user name and |
|password). The system administrator needs to use IIS to create a virtual directory. The installation does this on the "local host," to allow the |
|client to test locally before deployment. Platte Canyon has never gone on-site to help a customer install the product. Average time is about |
|one-half day to get up and running. |
|People required for implementation |
|One semi-technical person who knows how to run installations, and either has administrative rights on the Web server or who can ask a system |
|administrator to create the required virtual directory and provide the necessary SQL server information. |
| |
|System Requirements [pic] |
|Server requirements |
|OS: |
|Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional or Windows 2003 server |
| |
|Database: |
|Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005 |
|System requirements for learners |
|Internet Explorer 5.5 or later |
|Netscape 7.1 or later |
|FireFox 1.0 or later |
|No plug-ins or Java virtual machine required. JavaScript must be enabled. |
|System requirements for administrative users |
|Internet Explorer 5.5 or later |
|Netscape 7.1 or later |
|FireFox 1.0 or later |
|No plug-ins or Java virtual machine required. JavaScript must be enabled. |
| |
|Pricing [pic] |
|Pricing estimate for an installed solution (on the client's server) |
|Year 1: |
|500 users = $6,990 |
|10,000 users = $9,990 |
|25,000 users = $9,990 |
|100,000 users = $9,990 |
|Year 3 (cumulative): |
|500 users = $8,980 |
|10,000 users = $11,980 |
|25,000 users = $11,980 |
|100,000 users = $11,980 |
|Pricing estimate for a hosted solution (external to client servers) |
|Year 1: |
|500 users = $8,190 |
|10,000 users = $11,190 |
|25,000 users = $11,190 |
|100,000 users = $11,190 |
|Year 3 (cumulative): |
|500 users = $12,580 |
|10,000 users = $15,580 |
|25,000 users = $15,580 |
|100,000 users = $15,580 |
|Pricing model(s) |
|Up to 500 users: $5,995 |
|Unlimited users: $8,995 |
| |
|Price is for one Web site (domain), but up to two instances on that site. Technical support is $995 per year (phone and e-mail) or $695 per year |
|(e-mail only). Hosting is note provided by Platte Canyon but is estimated at $100 per month (user must purchase license in addition). |
|Prices for additional services |
|Technical support is $995 per year (phone and e-mail) or $695 per year (e-mail only). Additional services available at $90/hour, plus expenses. |
| |
|Customer Support and Services [pic] |
|Services offered |
|Live telephone support |
|E-mail support |
|Product conference (live event) |
|Highlights |
|Technical support is provided by the developers who wrote the product. Phone/e-mail ($995 per year) or e-mail-only ($695 per year) options are |
|offered. does not have a classroom training course but is covered in conference sessions at the e-Learning Authoring Conference, held |
|by the vendor every summer in Colorado. |
|User communications |
| listserv, as well as an annual user's conference. |
| |
|Miscellaneous [pic] |
|Features |
|Automated system to help learners who have forgotten their password |
|Automatic |
| |
|Batch registration |
|Semi-custom |
| |
|Allows setting of prerequisites |
|Automatic |
| |
|Can disable a course without removing it from the LMS catalog |
|Automatic |
| |
|Supports connectivity to PDAs |
|N/A; not a current feature |
| |
|Other capabilities: has no specific mobile capabilities. As such, the lack of pop-up windows on these devices inhibits the necessary |
|SCORM communication. |
|Delivery to mobile devices |
|None. |
| |
|Contact Information |
|Platte Canyon Multimedia Software Corp. |
|8870 Edgefield Dr. |
|Colorado Springs, CO |
|United States 80920 |
|Toll-free: (888) 866-5251 |
|Phone: (719) 548-1110 |
|Fax: (719) 548-1114 |
|E-mail: info@ |
|Web site: |
| |
© 2007 Brandon Hall Research
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