Knowledge through the network: New software lets carriers train for new technologies without interrupting the job

Carriers that need to quickly educate field service personnel on new technologies, bring customer service representatives up to speed on new services or give customers a crash-course in managing their own networks could benefit from a new interactive and scalable distance-learning system.

DataBeam Corp., a Lexington, Ky.-based software firm specializing in collaborative computing and conferencing tools, has released the Learning Server. The software-only server enables the delivery of live, interactive training over the Internet or corporate intranets but does not require special hardware or software installations at the trainee's end.

"In industries like telecommunications, where product life cycles are getting shorter and shorter, training is the aspect that suffers the most," said Debbie Black, manager of market development for DataBeam. "Systems like this allow the necessary training to take place without taking people away from the jobs they're needed to perform."

The server uses a familiar classroom metaphor to make it easier for students to interact during class.

Although students can attend class using only a common Java-enabled Web browser, any standards-based collaboration software works with the Learning Server. Because it is browser-based, the Learning Server eliminates platform and bandwidth barriers and can support hundreds of students.

The system is based on the T.120 standards for multipoint data communications, allowing it to interoperate with any T.120-based client application.