2002 guide to e-learning vendors

University Business, April, 2002 by Angela Chnapko

CENTRINITY INC
38 Leek Crescent, Richmond Hill
Ontario Canada L4B 4N8
T 905/762-6000
F 905/762-6000
WWW.CENTRINITY.COM

[learning management/authoring tool]
[services]
[hosting]

Centrinity develops and licenses FirstClass, an integrated messaging software package that allows users to Web-enable and coordinate all communications systems under one mailbox, controlled with a single password. Messages received via e-mail, voicemail, or fax all go into one mailbox and can be checked over the phone or over the Internet. (The program permits speech to be transferred into text and vice versa). A feature called "Conferences" allows approved users to post messages on an online message board in categorized folders. Other features: group calendar and chat.

CLICK2LEARN INC
110-110th Avenue, NE, Suite 700
Bellevue, WA 98004
T 800/448-6543
F 425/637-1504
WWW.CLICK2LEARN.COM

[learning management/authoring tool]
[services]
[hosting]

Click2Learn develops CMS/LMS products. It has two basic lines. First, the Aspen Enterprise Learning Platform consisting of three modules: an LMS with skills-gap analysis and performance tracking; an open-architecture content-management platform that supports XML metadata tagging; and a portal. The Second platform, a CMS called Toolbook, comes in two versions: Instructor and Assistant, designed for users of different levels of programming skills. Assistant includes templates and is aimed at faculty with limited skills. Instructor includes tools for managing courses across campus and tracking students. The two can be used together. The company can also help in content production and creation of custom tools.

CNAV SYSTEMS INC
300 N. Washington Street, Box 390
Gettysburg, PA 17325
T 717/337-6936
F 717/337-8528
WWW.CNAVSYSTEMS.COM

[services]

CNAV sells what it calls a "smart hub"--software that connects all of a campus's databases, and permits them to talk to each other. The system grew out of a project by the IT department of Pennsylvania's Gettysburg College and uses proprietary code that is shared with customers. After a detailed implementation process, CNAV can Web-enable a full range of data: inventory tracking, time sheets, grades, course, evaluations, etc. CNAV Systems says it has data sockets to integrate with Peoplesoft, BSR Advance C/S, AIMS, Ress, and Wineamacs ERP systems and that it can develop custom data sockets as needed.

COGNITIVE ARTS
1840 Oak Ave., Suite 400, Evanston, IL 60201
T 847/425-8500
F 847/425-8510
WWW.COGNITIVEARTS.COM

[services]
[hosting]
[instructional design]

This instructional design company, which grew out of Northwestern University's Institute for the Learning Sciences, has taken to calling itself an e-learning strategist and general contractor. Cognitive Arts offers project management, consulting, learning design, technology planning and selection, user support, hosting, and ongoing maintenance for clients wishing to develop e-learning. The company has a course management/learning management system, which can handle enrollments and e-commerce. ASP service and tech support are available. Cognitive Arts offers training, including a certificate program in learning design and tech design, and will provide online facilitators or tutors for clients. Current customers include Harvard Business School Online, Columbia University, and INSEAD.