Case Study: VERTEX Delivers Blended Learning Solutions with OutStart Evolution LCMS

Challenge: VERTEX needed a solution that would allow them to create learning content objects that could be repurposed for a variety of uses and formats quickly and effectively while simultaneously also cutting production time and cost.

Solution: Implementing a SCORM-compliant LCMS solution from OutStart has enabled VERTEX to streamline and develop internal courses while simplifying employee projects from start to finish. Also, using the OutStart solution as an authoring tool, VERTEX can now build learning and performance support content for their clients.

As a consulting firm focused on applying technology to maximize effective learning, communication and change, VERTEX Solutions Inc. (VERTEX) provides its customers with a broad range of products and services, including learning and performance support development, curriculum design, competency analysis and development, change management, and related business process reengineering.

To provide its employees and clients with a wealth of easily consumable learning material, the company selected Evolution LCMS from OutStart, which streamlines the content development and review process, and significantly improves the reusability of the final learning content.

VERTEX sought an LCMS solution that would allow them to create learning content objects that could be repurposed for a variety of uses and formats quickly and effectively. The company has evaluated and used many LCMS applications and was impressed with OutStart's technology. "We needed the flexibility of the OutStart LCMS for developing web-based training and performance support," said VERTEX CTO Steve Kerschenbaum. "OutStart provides an excellent value."

Previously, content subject matter experts (SMEs) would spend considerable time reviewing manual storyboards and visual mock ups prior to actual development. "Before we had Evolution LCMS, some storyboarding was even done on paper, which is very inefficient," Kerschenbaum explained. The company decided to conduct an initial trial of Evolution LCMS to develop a handful of internal courses. "Evolution LCMS allows us to storyboard online. Experts can make comments directly, and we can take the content through final development all within the application." After realizing these benefits, VERTEX Instructional System Designers (ISDs) now use the Evolution LCMS as a collaborative authoring tool to build learning and performance support content for such clients as the IRS and U.S. Navy.

For example, the U.S. Navy's Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information Center is under a Department of Defense directive to develop annual security refresher training. Using Evolution LCMS, VERTEX was able to deliver web-based courseware for the program quickly and effectively. The product's built-in templates and configuration tools streamlined the development process. "Evolution LCMS offers tremendous flexibility. We have the freedom to use multiple authoring formats and third-party development tools, and can distribute the content in multiple output formats," said Kerschenbaum.

According to Kerschenbaum, "Evolution complies with new and emerging standards, so we are able to produce SCORM-conforming courseware quickly and reliably, helping us stay very competitive in the industry. Without Evolution LCMS, the responsibility would be on the developers to use other means to ensure that all of the proper metadata tags were entered, and that various manifest files were created in accordance with SCORM requirements. This is no small feat. It makes a great tool for our clients and for us."

VERTEX also uses Evolution LCMS to assist the IRS. Previously, the IRS found that many employees were building static websites as Electronic Performance Support System tools (EPSS). Its Strategic Human Resources team was tasked to provide a solution to better communicate information department-wide regarding e-learning initiatives. The goal was to build the foundation for a "community or practice" where users could interact with each other and share knowledge to help them make better informed decisions. "The IRS worked with VERTEX to begin standardizing its web development of these EPSS sites, as well as its courseware," said Kerschenbaum. Specific information would include standards, tools, templates, and best practices as well as provide for virtual collaboration.

A primary goal for the project was to get an initial product designed, developed, and deployed within a very compressed time schedule. To meet the goal, VERTEX used the existing IRS OutStart license and modified the templates, allowing the IRS to develop, manage and repurpose its content using OutStart's XML standards. "As an added benefit, this process helped 'database' otherwise static HTML content in use through the service. By far, Evolution LCMS provides us with the best way to produce quality content at a very low price point." said Kerschenbaum.

VERTEX plans to augment its e-learning capabilities with additional OutStart products. Using OutStart SoftSim, VERTEX will be able to offer more rapid and aggressively priced software application training. SoftSim will enable VERTEX to capture the way a software application works and provide annotation for additional user guidance. "The product' ability to help develop software simulations in an automated way makes it a real strong tool," Kerschenbaum said

VERTEX also plans to use OutStart Participate. "This is a very exciting addition for us. Participate makes experts in an organization more available to the people that need to get to them. Many companies have issues in their help center environment where questions are asked over and over again. With Participate, this is not necessary anymore."

Many of VERTEX's clients are federal agencies facing the impending retirement of a large percentage of their workforce. "With Participate, our customers can better leverage institutional knowledge, so it's not lost when those employees walk out the door. "In total, the OutStart product suite can be a one-stop shop for e-knowledge," said Kerschenbaum. "We've realized a roughly 20 percent savings in course development time using OutStart Evolution LCMS. Considering the power, flexibility and pricing of Outstart software, it just makes sense."