SkillSoft, a leading provider of e-learning and performance support solutions, recently announced that its SkillSoft developed Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA) is gaining traction as an easy-to-use standards-based integration method for the learning industry.
OLSA, which is based on Web services technology and provides SkillSoft learning services to learning management systems (LMSs), is enabling NetDimensions, a global provider of learning and performance management systems, to benefit from easier integration and richer e-learning experiences.
Several other major learning technology vendors are working on OLSA integration projects; and SkillSoft expects to announce additional successful implementations in the near future.
SkillSoft was the first major content provider in the corporate e-learning market to commit significant resources to delivering a service-oriented architecture that leverages existing learning system standards, XML and emerging Web services standards.
SkillSoft's Open Learning Services are OLSA 1.0-supported Web services that seamlessly integrate multiple types of content resources and learning application services faster and more efficiently. In addition, Open Learning Services provides a means for organisations to deploy SkillSoft assets and support SkillSoft learning services through third-party systems, such as LMSs.
"SkillSoft prides itself on bringing innovative, standards-based solutions to customers, and our creation of OLSA reinforces this focus. OLSA enables organisations to deliver timely, high-value learning resources to their users through their choice of learning management systems, while reducing integration and administration efforts," said Mark Townsend, SkillSoft's executive vice-president of technology. "We are pleased to see that partners such as NetDimensions and their customers are already realising the advantages of OLSA adoption."
Recently, NetDimensions introduced its Enterprise Knowledge Platform (EKP) 4.6, which incorporates OLSA. EKP includes out-of-the-box support for OLSA and automatically checks for new and updated SkillSoft courses and assets the client is entitled to, and then immediately updates their course catalogue in EKP. As a result, users are able to eliminate the manual work involved in keeping EKP course catalogues up-to-date.
"NetDimensions continuously evaluates technologies that will enable us to further enhance learning experiences," said Jay Shaw, managing director and CEO of NetDimensions. "By adding SkillSoft's OLSA to ELP 4.6, we are able to create extraordinary learning environments for organisations worldwide."
With the release of NetDimensions EKP 4.6, customers can easily gain access to a range of SkillSoft content, including courseware, SkillSimulations, TestPreps, job aids, SkillBriefs and more. Entitled learners will also be able to access mentoring directly from within those courses supporting this service. Mentoring lets learners chat live with SkillSoft subject matter experts, and these experts can assist students seeking to achieve technical certifications or answer specific subject matter related questions.
In addition to the content management services integrated by NetDimensions, OLSA also offers other popular services that can allow users to take advantage of SkillSoft's value-added learning services and products, such as Search-and-Learn, download management, hosted catalogue management, learning program structures and KnowledgeCenters.
"SkillSoft was one of the first vendors to develop a complete Web services-based architecture to solve the complex problems of provisioned e-learning content integration," said Josh Bersin, CEO of Bersin & Associates, a leading research and advisory services firm in enterprise learning and talent management.
"The ability to completely integrate a wide variety of hosted content and online services into a learning management system is a challenge for most major corporations. NetDimension's adoption of OLSA demonstrates the recognised value of sophisticated learning integration and its importance to corporate training organisations."
Laragh Skills are distributors of SkillSoft products and services, as well as NetDimensions Enterprise Knowledge Platform.
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