NEWS: LearningSpace Anytime Ships
LOTUS PRESS RELEASE
Lotus Accelerates Leadership Position in Distributed Learning with Shipment of LearningSpace Anytime 3.0
Industry's Most Complete Web-Based Platform Delivers Greatest Range of Education and Training Options on the Market Today
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 30, 1999 -- Lotus Development Corp. today announced the immediate availability of LearningSpace Anytime 3.0, the newest version of the company's award-winning distributed learning platform. LearningSpace Anytime 3.0 is the first Web-based product that gives users the flexibility to learn the way they want to learn, either through self-paced materials, live interaction with others in a virtual classroom, or collaboration with others independent of time and place. Lotus' unique, total solution approach also brings to market a broad range of course content, technical and educational services that allow organizations to quickly realize the productivity benefits and cost savings of distributed learning.
"Our efforts in the distributed learning market are a key element of Lotus and IBM's knowledge management initiatives. We believe the distributed learning market has the potential to be as big as the Notes business is for us today," said Brian Bell, senior vice president of Lotus' Knowledge Management Division. "The introduction of LearningSpace Anytime 3.0 marks a major milestone in Lotus' continuing efforts to build global solutions to address the quickly maturing needs of the distributed learning market."
Analysis conducted for Lotus by International Data Corporation estimates the worldwide market for software, services and content for online learning will exceed $15 billion by 2002. In addition, according to research from The Masie Center in Saratoga, NY (www.masie.com), 92% of large corporations will implement Web-based learning pilots in 1999. Finally, a survey conducted among directors of corporate training by Corporate University Xchange (www.corpu.com) found that up to 96% of corporate training will be online by 2003, with 41% of training delivered via company extranets. These corporate trainers indicated they will use online technologies to deliver courses in areas such as management, sales, financial analysis, project management and marketing.
American Express has selected Lotus LearningSpace as its distributed learning solution for providing cost-effective, broad-scale, collaborative corporate training. "We believe LearningSpace will provide our employees with the ability to undertake training when and how they choose, independent of time and geography," said Denise Sheridan, director of Learning & Development IS, Human Resources Development for American Express. "But, more important, LearningSpace in essence takes the best aspects of traditional education and leverages technology to deliver the most effective form of training."
LearningSpace Anytime - The Industry's
Most Complete Solution
LearningSpace Anytime 3.0 is a server software application that delivers
online courses that can be accessed either from a Web browser or the Lotus
Notes client. LearningSpace Anytime 3.0 is a uniquely flexible online learning
delivery tool and the only product that enables the integration of real-time
learning sessions with asynchronous collaboration in a single course. Learners
are able to work at their own pace on course material and to meet instructors
and classmates online for a "live" virtual class at a specific
time and date. In live sessions instructors and students use shared applications,
whiteboards and simultaneous Web "follow-me" capabilities to
deliver class content. This same content is also available for use in the
self-paced and collaborative environment. LearningSpace Anytime delivery
capabilities include:
Self-paced learning -- This learning mode allows students to control the
pace and volume of learning. In self-paced learning, a single learner interacts
with course content, but does not collaborate with peers or facilitators.
Multimedia and assessments are often delivered using self-paced learning.
Live collaboration (synchronous learning)
-- In this learning mode, students collaborate and interact at the same
time in a "virtual classroom". The virtual classroom provides
shared, simultaneous access to course content, instructors and course participants.
Live collaboration can be used to bring subject matter experts to a class,
to introduce new content, or discuss assignments.
Asynchronous collaboration (learning over time in a structured environment)
-- In this learning mode, collaborative learning occurs according to the
learner's schedule instead of a specific time. Through shared assignments
and structured threaded discussions, learners interact with a team or study
group members. An instructor or content expert monitors online discussions
to facilitate and support the learning process. Asynchronous collaboration
allows students to apply what they learn independently and share the results
with course participants.
Finally, instructors or content experts can utilize assessments to evaluate students in both self-paced and live formats with results being stored together for easy evaluation.
A Leader in Distributed Learning
Lotus was one of the first major software vendors to recognize the need
for distributed learning and has undertaken a series of initiatives that
have established it as a leader in providing global solutions. The combination
of a complete platform for knowledge delivery and enterprise learning management,
along with the services of leading content providers, technical service
organizations and educational service companies provides an all-in-one
solution.
The robustness of the LearningSpace software platform has led to its adoption by such leading companies as Siemens Corporation, AstraZeneca (formerly Astra Pharmaceuticals), American Express, and online business education pioneer, UNext.com (See related release, Lotus and UNext.com Announce Alliance to Deliver Global Online Business Education, June 23, 1999.)
The Lotus CoursePak Provider Network offers customers access to a wide range of online courseware developed for delivery using LearningSpace, allowing organizations to quickly derive benefit from their LearningSpace infrastructures. Courseware is developed by third parties, often LearningSpace Specialty Business Partners and distributed by Lotus through the Lotus Business Partner channel. (See related release, Lotus Extends Online Learning Leadership with New LearningSpace Courseware, May 24, 1999.)
Lotus is working with leading service providers to deliver hosted turnkey and customizable distributed learning solutions. This enables organizations to deploy and maintain highly customized, state-of-the-art distributed learning environments with minimal IT infrastructure and resources. (See related release, Lotus and Interliant Announce Plans to Deliver Hosted Distributed Learning Solutions, May 24, 1999.)
Lotus, in conjunction with IBM Learning Services, provides a full range of consulting services. These include back-end technical integration of existing HR and e-commerce systems, customization services, content development, needs assessments and project management. The LearningSpace Specialty Business Partner program, one of the industry's largest networks of distributed learning solution providers, with more than 225 members, further extends these services to customers worldwide.
Availability and Pricing
LearningSpace Anytime is available now through Lotus authorized resellers.
The LearningSpace Anytime solution is also available through IBM's Global
Education Industry and IBM's Learning Services, providing benefits to IBM
customers who require a complete training solution.
The estimated retail price (ERP) for LearningSpace Anytime 3.0 is $10,500 per server and $300 per enrolled user. Discounts apply to academic and volume purchases.
Lotus Development Corporation, founded in 1982, is a subsidiary of IBM Corporation. Lotus sets the standard for truly innovative software products and services that reflect the company's unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus is redefining the concept of conducting business through practical knowledge management, e-business and other ground-breaking ways of connecting the world's ideas, thinkers, buyers, sellers and communities via the Internet. Lotus markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide through direct and extensive Business Partner channels. The company also provides numerous professional consulting, support and education services through the Lotus Professional Services organization.
TMPL has a full range of services for LearningSpace. Just let us know your requirements, or call to speak to a consultant. Email us on information@tmpl-online.co.uk or call +44 1926 642140
