Naval Air Systems Command Uses Macromedia Breeze to Deliver Rich Media Training to 30,000 Personnel Worldwide

Business Wire, Dec 8, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- Innovative Computer-Based Training Technology Speeds Rich, Interactive Training to Users; Eliminates Requirement for Client-Side Software

Macromedia (Nasdaq:MACR) today announced that the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has delivered more than 12,000 completed training courses to Naval and support personnel with the Macromedia(R) Breeze(TM) Government Edition since May 2004. Using the intuitive Breeze authoring interface and common training content development applications, NAVAIR developed and deployed the first seven training programs, reaching personnel across the entire worldwide command, within seven months.

"NAVAIR is focused on ensuring high-quality and consistent training for every individual within the Command, no matter where they are stationed around the globe," said Mary Glotfelty, director, career development office, Naval Air Systems Command. "With a simplified authoring environment and web-based deployment, we can provide consistent, rich media content to personnel at any geographic location. The net result is better training delivered at a lower total cost."

In May 2004, NAVAIR launched a training solution standardized on the Macromedia Breeze Government Edition training solution. Breeze is an integrated communications platform that uses Microsoft PowerPoint software to easily author training content and integrate rich media aspects such as video, text, audio, and graphics to provide compelling, effective training experiences. Bundling the core Breeze Presentation platform with the Breeze Training module, the Macromedia Breeze Government Edition solution enables any agency to create, deploy, track, and score rich, enterprise-wide multimedia training.

Breeze converts the training content to Macromedia Flash(R) format. Macromedia Flash Player(TM) is installed across more than 98 percent of Internet-connected desktops, including Department of Defense (DoD) systems. The simplicity and richness of the training format, combined with the ease of accessing the solution, provides a training system that has nearly instant user adoption and has netted a 10 percent increase in the number of users every month for NAVAIR since the launch.

NAVAIR personnel can now access seven training programs through the NAVAIR Career Development web site. Access to the fully standardized training program is transparent to users, who require no additional software beyond a Flash-enabled web browser to open and complete the web-based training programs. Globally deployable, web-based training not only allows personnel around the world to easily access consistent training programs, it also enables each user to schedule the programs individually -- dramatically reducing the cost of scheduling and logistics associated with traditional training.

"Rich, interactive media provides true interaction between the trainer and the trainee, resulting in higher retention rates and faster time-to-knowledge," said Juliana Slye, director, Macromedia Global Government Industry. "Leveraging Macromedia Breeze Government Edition, NAVAIR can harness the value of rich media training, add global reach, and simultaneously reduce the resource costs associated with developing training programs."

Beyond the simplicity of access and the delivery of rich media training, Macromedia Breeze Government Edition allows NAVAIR to offer more courses than previously possible. Breeze reduces the amount of time required to develop training programs, and eliminates the need to maintain multiple training formats. By supporting a single standard, the training development team can spend more time creating NAVAIR training programs and less time maintaining existing courses. When course updates are necessary, they can be done quickly and efficiently. With seven fully operational courses currently available, the web-based training development team is currently working on 24 courses planned for deployment in 2005, while being approached with additional requirements continuously.

In addition to the training and authorship benefits, Breeze Government Edition also significantly improves the ability of command staff to track the fulfillment of training requirements. NAVAIR used Breeze XML web services and Macromedia ColdFusion(R) software to integrate Breeze Government Edition with the existing personnel management suite to gauge the success of training programs by relevant personnel characteristics such as location and competency code. A true integration of training and career development functions, this cohesive system provides commanding officers and civilian leaders with tangible training metrics that span the entire command in real time.

About Macromedia Government

Macromedia Government helps federal, state, and local government agencies drive technology and business process transformation. Through innovative solutions, industry partnerships, and special purchasing programs, Macromedia Government enables government agencies worldwide to increase their time-to-knowledge in the critical areas of training, e-government, and information-to-decision superiority.