Aspen LMS and LCMS Platforms Pass New SCORM 1.2 Compliance Tests
Click2learn (Nasdaq:CLKS) today became the first vendor to prove its technology is fully
compliant with the Advanced Distributed Learning Sharable Content Object Reference
Model (SCORM(TM)) 1.2. standard.
The final version of the SCORM 1.2 conformance test suite was released on February
15, 2002. Within one business day, Click2learn’s quality assurance team verified
the Aspen Enterprise Learning
Platform(TM) met test requirements for both learning management (LMS) and learning
content management (LCMS) technologies.
"Working code trumps all theories," says Philip Dodds, ADL’s Chief
Technical Architect. "Click2learn should be commended for its leadership
role in the development of key learning technology specifications in SCORM that
enable advanced web-based learning experiences. Even more important, Click2learn
is rapidly embracing and implementing these capabilities and bringing them to
market. Hats off for transforming theory to practice."
With SCORM 1.2, learning technology providers move to an XML-based packaging
of content, providing truly robust portability and interoperability between
learning content and learning management systems. The update incorporates LCMS
standards previously developed and outlined by the IMS Global Learning Consortium,
Inc. With the consolidation of these two key industry standards, the learning
technology industry comes considerably closer to a single, unified technology
standard.
This consolidation will make it easier for clients to evaluate interoperability
between vendors, boost industry-wide development of personalized learning programs,
and accelerate growth of the enterprise platform market. Support for interoperability
is critical to Click2learn’s corporate clients. As enterprises embark on larger,
global learning deployments, technology interoperability allows them to reduce
the cost of creating, delivering and managing learning content. In addition,
standards support protects clients’ long-term investments in learning technology,
ensuring they aren’t locked into a single provider for learning content or technology.
"SCORM is as significant for learning infrastructure as HTML and XML are
for the growth of the Internet. When it comes to investment protection, support
for interoperability is the key," said Claude Ostyn, Click2learn’s learning
standards strategist. "With these improved standards, learning content
developers don’t have to create different content versions for different delivery
systems, and learning management systems don’t have to be tweaked to run content
from each different vendor. This reduces the time and costs associated with
improving global learning programs, for a direct, positive impact on our customers’
return on their investments."
With support for SCORM 1.2, customers will be able to use Aspen’s LCMS technology
to create, aggregate and package content that is automatically managed and delivered
by SCORM-compliant learning management systems. This compatibility provides
special advantages to publishers producing e-Learning content for widespread
markets, where deployment across multiple learning management systems is critical.
In addition, Click2learn’s Aspen Learning Management Server (LMS) will deliver
SCORM 1.2 content. The new standard will expand Aspen LMS’ ability to "plug
and play" content from an ever-wider variety of SCORM-conforming content
vendors. Also, content developers will be able to take advantage of a wider
variety of SCORM-conforming authoring tools to create content for the Aspen
LMS.
Click2learn actively participates in all of the national standards evaluation
committees and is part of an elite think tank driving the next generation of
learning standards. The Customized Learning Experience Online (CLEO) Lab —
a joint effort of the IEEE, U.S. Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL),
Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, NETg and Click2learn — is researching standards for
interoperable content that will enable more powerful, personal and interactive
learning experiences.
Described by industry analysts as the new model for enterprise learning technology,
Click2learn’s Aspen platform is designed to facilitate the capture, management
and dissemination of corporate knowledge to improve productivity and business
performance.
The platform has an open architecture and is made up of three modular but independent
components that are designed to work as an integrated system. The Aspen Learning
Management Server (LMS) is used for competency management, skills-gap analysis,
tracking of assessments and resource management for either e-Learning or instructor-led
training. The Aspen Content Development Server (CDS) is used to rapidly author
highly effective e-Learning content and manage large, team-based content development
projects. And the Aspen Learning Experience Server (LXS) delivers a personalized
learning experience to improve knowledge transfer and facilitate knowledge exchange
with a community of peers and experts.
About Click2learn
Click2learn (Nasdaq:CLKS) is a provider of enterprise software for Global 2000
organizations seeking to capture, manage and disseminate knowledge throughout
their extended enterprise. Using Click2learn’s Aspen Enterprise Learning Platform,
organizations can deploy highly interactive, personalized learning initiatives
to achieve strategic business objectives. Many of the world’s best-known corporations
use Click2learn’s technology and award-winning content development services
to improve workforce performance, educate customers, and publish large volumes
of learning content. Click2learn’s clients include Microsoft, Fidelity Investments,
Wells Fargo, Symantec, Prudential, American Airlines, ADC Telecommunications,
Ernst & Young and the New York Stock Exchange.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., Click2learn (www.click2learn.com,
800/448-6543) operates offices in the United States and Europe.
CONTACT: Click2learn
Sara Britton, 425/637-5872
or
Jeff Howlett, 425/637-1514
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including information contained in this document
where statements are preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes,"
"plans," "intends," "expects," "anticipates"
or similar expressions. For such statements, The Company claims the protection
of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from the
results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication
of future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from
those contained in the forward-looking statements include, market acceptance
of Click2learn’s e-learning solutions and competing e-learning offerings, the
ability to successfully implement Click2learn’s solutions and increase revenues,
the ability to successfully address technological developments and standards
and the risk factors set forth in filings the Company has made with the SEC.
Click2learn and Aspen are trademarks of Click2learn. All other company and product
names are the trademarks of their respective owners.
