Authoring Software Characteristics

The following are characteristics common to the authoring software providers:

Applications Software Characteristics

The following are characteristics common to the applications software providers:

Training Management Software Characteristics

The following are characteristics common to the training management software providers:

Table 1 - Content Provider: CBT Systems Ltd.

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.cbtsys.com
Company statistics	Established in 1984; public; approximately 600 employees
Current content focus	Information technology (Internetworking, Oracle, Microsoft, Marimba, MIS, SAP, Lotus, PowerSoft, Java, Informix, Novell, Netscape, Cisco, IBM)
Web-based titles	· Internet and intranet skills · Designing interactive Web applications · Continuing Java and JavaSoft development · Understanding and applying Internet concepts · Internetworking overview · An overview of Java · Web authoring and publishing · Network management and operations overview · Java for C++ developers · Principles of e-commerce · Telecommunications essentials · Object-oriented principles and Java · Setting up a Web site · PC concepts in a networking environment · Introduction to the Java language · Microsoft ActiveX technologies · Essentials of Windows NT · Data communications: networks and standards · Anatomy of Java classes
Web-based products	· CBTWeb 4.0: A technology that enables courseware to be deployed from a Web server on an intranet (or Internet) · CBTCampus 1.0: A graphical user interface that is designed as a "campus" and has options for support, services, a library, and a message center (for students and administrators)
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	100%; all CBT Systems products are designed for Web deployment
Delivery options	CD-ROM; LAN w/CBTCampus; Intranet with CBTWeb or CBTCampus
Future plans	· BackOffice solutions · Mentoring on Novell and Cisco Curricula · Project management · Mainframe software (i.e., COBOL, DB2) · Telecom and more internetworking
Other services	· ADM Global lField Support to help drive CBT within corporations and aid in implementation planning · Implementation specialist to consult and install the most appropriate deployment products based on internal capabilities

Source: International Data Corporation and CBT Systems Ltd., 1998

Table 2 - Content Provider: DigitalThink Inc.

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.digitalthink.com
Company statistics	Established in 1996; private; 45 employees Funded by Hambrecht & Quist, Adobe Ventures, Texas Instruments Ventures, Walden Group, and Intel Corp.
Current content focus	Web-based courseware on topics for information technology professionals
Web-based titles	Courses are 10-15 hours long, self-paced, tutor supported: · Computer programming (Java, C, C++, Perl) · Internet literacy (Web design, graphics for the Web) · Graphics (Photoshop, Illustrator, PageMaker) · Other examples: Intro to Java series, networking with Java series, Hands-on Photoshop, PageMaker series, living with the Internet, NT Server 4.0 Certification series, Sun Java Certification series
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	In 1996: 100% In 1997: 100%
Delivery options	Internet, intranet
Future plans	· Expand course offerings with tutor support and hands-on practice · Focus on systems administrators, programmers, and developers · End-user training on Microsoft Office applications
Other services	Custom course development and management services for courses that can be comarketed with client companies

Source: International Data Corporation and DigitalThink Inc., 1998

Table 3 - Content Provider: Gartner Group Inc.

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.gglearning.com
Company statistics	Gartner Group established in 1979; public; over 2,700 employees Gartner Learning established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Gartner Group
Current content focus	Information technology and business
Web-based titles	Course catalog at http://gartner16.gartnerweb.com/public/static/training/products/course.html
XXXX	Client/server networking: · Novell NetWare · Windows NT · Lotus Notes · Groupwise Desktop: · Microsoft Office (95, 97) · Lotus (96, 97) · WordPerfect Languages and tools: · Java, Oracle, Powerbuilder, C, C++ · Object oriented, Visual BasicOperating systems: · DOS · Unix · Windows 3.1 · Windows 95 · Windows NT Database management: · Informix, Sybase, Oracle, SQL · Microsoft SQL Server Mainframe: · DB2SAP R/3 courses IT business skills Performance advantage sales training Internet/intranet
Web-based products	Internet Learning Center allows companies to license titles and receive their content using standard Internet browsers Enterprise Learning Center (elc.gartner.com) allows companies to deliver courses over corporate intranets Learning Organization Information System (LOIS) allows specific course information to be accessed through Skills Management platform
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	Not available
Delivery options	CD-ROM (multimedia), LAN Base TBT, Internet Learning Center (ILC), Enterprise Learning Center (ELC), videotapes, audiotapes (Talking Technology), LOIS Training Management System, LAN/Trak (product for registering, launching, tracking, reporting and managing training)
Future plans	Development of content around IT business skills ("Soft Skills") Content development will focus on the major corporate technology challenges (i.e., Internet/intranet, ERP, end-user productivity, Windows NT) Content development will also focus around specific IT-related job roles (i.e., apps development, networking manager) Skills Management Solutions will partner with companies to analyze and assess employee skill gaps, help develop training plans, deliver content
Other services	Professional Services Group for consulting engagements, implementation/installation, and custom development Instructor-led training Membership services group, which provides clients access to Gartner Group research, audio teleconferences on hot training/technology topics Best Practice Groups for training-related issues Advisory services, benchmarking, Best Practice Groups and IT consulting

Source: International Data Corporation and Gartner Group Learning, 1998

Table 4 - Content Provider: McGraw-Hill OnLine Learning

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.mhonlinelearning.com
Company statistics	Established in 1917 (McGraw-Hill); public; 16,000 employees; a Division of the McGraw-Hill Companies MHOL division: 19 employees
Current content focus	Information technology and business
Web-based titles	· Microsoft Certification: Windows NT, Windows 95, networking essentials, Internet · Information technology: Web page design, creating interactive Web pages, Web information server · Business: Decision making, stress management, time management · Programming: Java, C++, Visual Basic, intro to Internet
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	Not available
Delivery options	Internet, intranet
Future plans	Java certification, IBM certification, accounting, software applications
Other services	Educational publishing, information services, financial services, broadcasting, business publishing, professional publishing, communications, international publishing

Source: International Data Corporation and McGraw-Hill OnLine Learning, 1998

Table 5 - Content Provider: NETg

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.netg.com
Company statistics	Established in 1968; public; 350 employees; a subsidiary of Harcourt General Corp.
Current content focus	Information technology
Web-based titles	· Microsoft MCSE and MCSD certification · Oracle certification · Novell CNE certification · Internet, including Java, HTML, Netscape ONE · Lotus Notes · Microsoft Office 97 and other business end-user skills · SAP R/3 and much more IT-focused subjects, many translated into German, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Web-based products	· Learning Object Download: Learning Object approach to downloading courses (or portions of courses) through Web for offline playing on client; 250+ courses available in this format · InterNETg: Browser-playable, cross-platform approach; built for cross-platform support of Windows NT, Windows 95, Unix and Macintosh, InterNETg uses no plug-in technologies, relying totally on Java, JavaScript, and HTML; 100 courses currently in beta, with final release scheduled for January 1998 · Web SkillVantage Manager: Web-based training management software for the deployment and tracking of Web-based courses from NETg and third-party producers; began shipping in May 1997, with hundreds of customer installations as of November 1997
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	In 1995: 0% In 1996: 2% In 1997 (projected or to date): 20% (nearly 30% of U.S. revenue, lower abroad)
Technology-based delivery options	· CD-ROM and diskette · LAN (with or without RealAudio) · Learning Object Download: Intranet download · InterNETg: Intranet browser playable · Internet availability through Oracle's OLA service
Future plans	· HR Soft Skills content plus expanded IT skills and translated content · Course customization/editing tools · Learning Object Archive/Search Engine · Extranet access services
Other services	Web-based courseware installation, training program implementation support/consulting

Source: International Data Corporation and NETg, 1998

Table 6 - Content Provider: Oracle

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.oracle.com
Company statistics	Established in 1977; public; 31,000 employees/1,500+ in Oracle education
Current content focus	Information technology
Web-based titles	Includes operating systems, programming languages (C, C++, Java, HTML), Internet topics, Oracle products, Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes products -- for developers and end users
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	Education represents 6% of total Oracle sales ($333 million); percentages for Web-based training are not available
Delivery options	· Internet: - Online courses: Run using a browser (Microsoft/Netscape) on any platform - Offline courses: Download content (requires PC, 486+, 8MB RAM+, VGA+, Win 3.1+) · Oracle Learning Architecture (OLA) Online Service is a system for the delivery of interactive, multimedia training over the Internet
Future plans	Additional IT content offerings; OLA will be available as a product in 1998
Other services	Consulting through the Organizational Change Management group, customized training programs, instructor-led training (largest part), technical seminars

Source: International Data Corporation and Oracle, 1998

Table 7 - Content Provider: Street Technologies

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.streetinc.com
Company statistics	Established in 1995; private; 38 employees Funded by Charter House Capital and self-funded
Current content focus	Information technology and business
Web-based titles	100+ titles relating to Microsoft Office 95, 97, NT, Lotus, Adobe, Symantec (ACT), Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, and other popular software titles
Web-based products	· StreamMaker is a multimedia development platform providing browser access for the developer or end user over the Internet, intranets, and extranets; it compresses 20x the traditional CD into one disc · Learning University is a distribution and learning infrastructure that is TCP/IP based; it works best as an extranet or Internet solution on a centralized server
Percentage of revenue represented by Web-based product sales	In 1995: 0% In 1996: 25% In 1997: 100%
Delivery options	Internet, intranet, and extranet delivery (using StreamMaker and Learning University)
Future plans	Street is working on development partnerships covering the full spectrum of corporate learning needs (computer skills, soft skills, sensitivity, etc.), including K-12, proprietary apps., CPE, CPA; other features and functions typical of CD-ROM development, including drag-and-drop, contact sensitive, branching, and layering; assessment content in all content areas
Other services	· For resellers: Consulting, installation, and support; provides services to reseller partners and their customers vs. Direct to corporations; custom development projects with partners · For distribution partners: Providing a hosted and administered online learning solution with access to the StreamMaker development platform for generic, proprietary, and custom multimedia projects · For development partners: Providing access to a huge and growing distribution channel for generic, proprietary, and custom multimedia development projects · For the education market: A multimedia development and distribution platform for universal access

Source: International Data Corporation and Street Technologies, 1998

Table 8 - Authoring Software Provider: Allen Communications, A Times Mirror Company

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.allencomm.com
Company statistics	Established in 1981; public (due to Times Mirror ownership); 110 employees
Product sales/revenue	· Designer's Edge HTML/Java Link (ships March 1998): Add-on tool to Designer's Edge pre-authoring tool; company anticipates will represent 20% of revenues in 1998 (in add-on revenue to Designer's Edge sales) · Quest Net+: Strong revenue (significant increase over 1996) representing 40%; strong sales (company cannot release exact numbers; significant increase over 1996) · Manager's Edge 2.0: Company anticipates will represent 20% of revenue in 1998
Product pricing	· Designer's Edge HTML/Java Link: Price TBA, priced as an add-on module to Designer's Edge; will be priced on a per-user basis · Quest Net+ : $2,495 (commercial); $995 (educational) · Manager's Edge 2.0: Price TBA; priced on a per-server or per-student basis
Technical product installation	No plug-ins required; courses require a Quest player on the student station; product tracks performance over the Net (runs through the browser)
Product integration with other training-related software tools/products	· Designer's Edge works with all of the major authoring tools; this HTML/Java link does not require an external authoring tool; the end product is ready to be delivered over the Net without additional modifications · Quest Net+ supports all major audio, video, and graphics packages; courses created are AICC compliant (any management system that complies with AICC standards can be used to track performance) · Manager's Edge supports AICC standards, can track any course meeting AICC specifications; it can track performance in any training environment -- classroom, lecture, technology-based -- providing a complete infrastructure for administering and tracking
Other services	Allen Communications offers a complete training solution, with training, consulting, full custom development services, integration as needed, and product customization for enterprise design, development, and delivery needs

Source: International Data Corporation and Allen Communications, 1998

Table 9 - Authoring Software Provider: Asymetrix Learning Systems Inc.

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.asymetrix.com
Company statistics	Established in 1985; private; 250 employees
Product sales/revenue	Not available
Product pricing	· ToolBook II Instructor: $2,495 · ToolBook II Assistant: $1,095 · IconAuthor: $4,995 · ToolBook II Librarian: $3,000 per server; per user on a sliding scale beginning at $50
Technical requirements for product installation	· ToolBook II Instructor: 486/66, 45MB, 16MB RAM · ToolBook II Assistant: 486/66, 35MB, 16MB RAM · IconAuthor (Unix): 486/66, 35MB, 16MB RAM · ToolBook II Librarian: NT 4.0 or Sun Solaris, Web server, Pentium 166MHz, 15MB, 64MB RAM
Product integration with other training-related software tools	Librarian is a learning platform that manages both online and offline training, together with collaboration; it supports courses created in Instructor, Assistant, IconAuthor NetEdition, and HTML. Through its Open Library Exchange interface, it can also manage Web-based training applications and products written in other authoring tools
Other services	Consulting, development, training, and technical support

Source: International Data Corporation and Asymetrix Learning Systems Inc., 1998

Table 10 - Authoring Software Provider: Macromedia

XXXX	Details
Web site	www.macromedia.com
Company statistics	Established in 1985; public; 500 employees
Product sales/revenue	$80 million revenue for Web-based products representing 66% of total sales ($120 million)
Product pricing	$250-3,000 for authoring $5,000-250,000 for Web management
Technical requirements for product installation	· Windows NT or Windows for management · Mac or Windows 95/NT for authoring
Product integration with other training-related software tools and products	AICC compatible; management works with content from ToolBook, IconAuthor, and Quest
Other services	Training, installation, integration, and needs assessment

Source: International Data Corporation and Macromedia, 1998

Table 11 - Applications Software Provider: Centra Software

XXXX	Details	XXXX	XXXX
Web site	www.centra.com	XXXX	XXXX
Company statistics	Established in 1995; private; 60 employees Funded by North Bridge Venture Partners, Burr Egan Deleage & Co., Commonwealth Capital, and Scripps Ventures and idealab!	XXXX	XXXX
Product pricing	$70 per seat	XXXX	XXXX
Technical requirements for product installation	Requirement	Server	Participant
	Hardware/software:	· Pentium 200, Windows NT · 64MB RAM, 350MB free disk space plus space for all course content	· Pentium 90, Windows 95 or NT 4 · 16MB RAM · 800 x 600 x 256 color display, speaker microphone
XXXX	Web software:	· Netscape Enterprise · Netscape FastTrack · Microsoft Internet Server	· Netscape Navigator · Microsoft Internet Explorer

Product integration with other training-related software tools and products	All native Web and AICC compliant tools
Other services	Education, consulting, integration, and installation

Source: International Data Corporation and Centra, 1998