A New World for Corporate Trainers

I remember how it used to be when I was the client using the old Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) approach to corporate training. We wanted to deliver high quality, video-centric content, but to get that beautiful full motion video experience; we had to put up with a lot of inconvenience and compromise. I also remember using those old two line black and white keypads to answer the instructor’s questions – the ones with umbilical cords strung all over the classroom. We had to tape the cords down just so folks wouldn’t trip.

These days, I’ve been spending a lot of time lately working with clients as they bring up their new TEMPO systems. The thing that strikes me the most is that TEMPO opens up a whole new world of convenience and flexibility to the corporate trainer.

Authoring courseware with an arcane set of PowerPoint add-ons used to require special PC software. We even had to upgrade our PC hardware just to get the add-ons to work. We would have to check for add-on patches and upgrades anytime there was a new release of MS Office. So basically, we ended up having to have special workstations just to be a courseware author. Our viewing options were limited, too. IDL meant only viewing on a TV monitor or a specially-configured PC. As the company went global, we were hamstrung by our North American satellite footprint. Operations outside the footprint were left in the dark, but bringing up additional satellites meant a huge increase in monthly charges.

Remarkably, TEMPO has changed all that. My TEMPO clients use full color, touch sensitive wireless keypads for interactivity. There are no wires to string and nothing for them to trip over. Anyone with PowerPoint, a browser and the right permissions can be a TEMPO courseware author. Tracking down add-on releases, patches and upgrades are no longer necessary.

My clients can deliver TEMPO courseware to a variety of devices: wide screen high definition TV monitors, PCs, laptops, tablets or smartphones. These devices can be connected by Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Edge, 3G or 4G. They are no longer held hostage in satellite footprint prison. Their courses go wherever the Internet goes without paying those huge monthly satellite channel charges.

TEMPO has changed the IDL game for my clients. This platform offers flexibility and convenience all while delivering that beautiful HD full motion video experience.

I say, “Welcome to the New World!”

Rick Darby
Rick Darby is President of SEDATA, LLC , consultants specializing in video-centric Interactive Distance Learning and technology-based training.