Primedia Workplace Learning

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PRIMEDIA WORKPLACE LEARNING
International Workplace Learning Provider

Company Profile:
Primedia Workplace Learning (PWPL), a division of Primedia Inc., is the leading provider of Integrated Learning Solutions, industry-specific education, information, and training for more than 9 million professionals in the industrial, healthcare, banking, automotive, fire & emergency, government, and law & security markets. The high quality content of their training programs enables subscribers to fulfill state-mandated training and continuing education requirements and to earn graduate-level college credit. PWPL's unique offerings include the world's largest satellite-delivered distance learning services, CD-ROM, Web-based and video training programs, and an Internet-enabled learning management system. PWPL currently creates approximately 200 hours of original programming every month for about 20,000 business customers. Primedia's unmatched combination of content, custom solutions, technology and "any time/anywhere" delivery represents the state-of-the-art in the fast-growing business-to-business training market.

Business Challenge:
Recognizing the importance of the online learning market, PWPL had invested in its own custom-built Learning Management System. Over time, however, it became apparent that the custom system could not scale to handle Primedia's significant volume to deliver 26,000 online courses to over one million users. In order to maintain its leadership position, PWPL made the strategic decision to enter the Web-based training market utilizing DocentTM Learning Management System (LMS) software to launch all Web-based training offerings. The Docent LMS would allow PWPL customers to take advantage of features including self-registration, online training, testing and certification, and enable corporations and government agencies to better manage, track and measure their in-house training efforts. The first PWPL customer to use the new LMS system was a Fortune 500 engineering, construction and diversified technical services company. PWPL committed to launch 80 industrial services training titles to the 50,000 worldwide employees, all within a brief one-month timeframe. This was a significant client to PWPL, and the relationship would inevitably be shaped by the initial impact of the launch. PWPL's goal was to implement a successful launch of the LMS with no end-user or technical difficulties all within a non-negotiable deadline of one month.

Technology Solution: Docent upgrade and customization from esoftsolutions, inc.
The esoftsolutions, inc. team of Docent LMS expert developers and database specialists were called upon by PWPL to support the installation, set-up, configuration, customization, batch registration, role set-up, testing and performance tuning of the Docent LMS. Esoftsolutions' team members responded to the tight deadline with a "can do" attitude and enthusiastic commitment to meeting the deadline. Working in close coordination with PWPL's IT management and front-line developers, esoftsolutions successfully met the deadline, resulting in a customized, satisfying online learning experience for each of the Fortune 500 company's employees. In addition, an upgrade to the latest Docent version 5.0.1 was also successfully completed. This upgrade places PWPL at the forefront of Web-based training and Learning Management Systems in the world today. Esoftsolutions continues to participate in the phased rollout of PWPL's LMS by supporting the addition of PWPL training units, customization and data conversion of approximately five million records to the Docent LMS, and by creating interfaces to the PWPL certification legacy systems. From strategy to scoping, and future needs analysis, esoftsolutions works closely with PWPL's VP of Information Technology to ensure that PWPL retains its leadership position.