Vitalect Announces New Techniq Learning Content Management System 3.1 with Acclaimed Learner Interface and Easy-to-Use Content Authoring Tools

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 22, 2002

ASSET Intertech Speeds Content Creation and Legacy Content

Conversion with Vitalect Authoring Tools

Vitalect, a premier provider of learning content management solutions, today announced the release of its Techniq(SM) Learning Content Management System (LCMS) 3.1, with new features that speed and simplify the development and delivery of online training and customer support content. This newest release of Vitalect's Techniq 3.1 authoring and delivery system won acclaim for its outstanding learner interface at the recent Online Learning 2002 Conference's Legacy Content Conversion Shoot-Out, earning a first place ranking in the "Robustness of Learner Interface" category.

Debra Ricks, manager, corporate training at ASSET Intertech, remarked, "The Vitalect Techniq Tutor 3.1 learner interface is very rich and engaging for our users. To fully utilize the platform, we wanted to add more training content faster, which meant finding a way to rapidly convert the content we already have in Microsoft PowerPoint and in HTML files to our online training program. Vitalect's new Techniq Author 3.1 means we get the training content we need much more quickly, and we save significantly on development expenses."

Vitalect has added key new features in its JAVA-based Techniq Author 3.1 solution to speed and reduce the cost of content development. Microsoft PowerPoint presentations can now be converted into Macromedia Flash-based learning objects for web-optimized, rich media course development and user-friendly bandwidth delivery, using a Techniq Author Add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft PowerPoint 97, PowerPoint 2000 and PowerPoint XP). With one click of a "Vitalect" add-in button within an author's PowerPoint application, authors can convert their existing multimedia and graphic rich PowerPoint presentations seamlessly into streaming media Macromedia Flash movies for a richer, multimedia course presentation in Vitalect's Techniq Tutor 3.1 delivery environment.

With PowerPoint's native audio recording capabilities, users can add audio files to any presentation. The MP3 file conversion and audio-synchronized animation deliver optimal web sound. The extraction capabilities ensure that all PowerPoint animation effects, backgrounds, templates, fonts, transitions and audio files are converted to XML/XSL, and are imported into Techniq Author with complete integrity as a Macromedia Flash movie, preserving all the features of PowerPoint with browser independence. Once the PowerPoint presentation is imported, each slide can be maintained individually and meta-tagged for search, reuse, and indexing; re-sequenced or organized in a hierarchical course structure; and enhanced with additional instructor notes, audio, audio scripts, exams or quizzes.

Techniq Author 3.1 also includes a new desktop (for Microsoft Windows) application module called Techniq Portfolio(SM), which enables easy "drag and drop" import and assembly of HTML content developed in standard desktop authoring applications, such as Macromedia Dreamweaver and Frame. Techniq Portfolio can be used to organize the content in a hierarchy, and to create a package with all referenced objects that can be imported into Techniq Author in bulk. The assembly tool also allows authors to preview the content and associate supplemental instructional content (instructor notes, audio scripts and audio) with specific pages. Audio file support is enhanced to include .wav files in addition to Real (.rm) files. These .wav files are automatically converted to streaming Flash (.swf) files.

"Vitalect and Macromedia share a commitment to providing open solutions that empower developers to use their tools of choice," said Scott Morris, director of e-learning marketing, Macromedia. "With Vitalect's Techniq LCMS 3.1, Macromedia developers can create rich, streaming content with Macromedia Flash MX, or use the powerful development environment of Dreamweaver MX, and ensure that content can be served and monitored flawlessly using the Vitalect management system."

Techniq Tutor 3.1 is distinguished for its learner-centric user interface and navigational tools that remain visible at all times during a course with no confusing pop-up windows to distract the learner. This dynamic content delivery environment is built to support both core content and supplemental instructional materials, with left hand navigation options that are consistent with Microsoft Windows Explorer(R) tree views for maximum user choice in navigating the content. The "sidebar" on the right hand allows the user to view instructor notes, take user notes, and to view FAQs and audio scripts. The table of contents and sidebar can all be open in one course view, or closed for maximum view of core content. The menu bar gives learners flexibility and choice in interacting with learning content. Learners can access FAQ's, their history, course progress, bookmarks, chat sessions, bulletin boards, online help, and can print all content in HTML or to a PDF. A powerful search function automatically indexes new content for learner searches for words or phrases within the course pages, notes, audioscripts or FAQ's. Learners can launch multiple sessions (in a separate browser window) for each course to view multiple courses at the same time.