A new lease on learning

To manage education enterprisewide, China-based Internet and telecom value-added service provider Tencent is deploying software from SumTotal Systems.

Tencent has purchased SumTotal's TotalLMS, which tracks learning via the Internet, and SumTotal's ToolBook, a solution for developing software simulations and e-learning content. Tencent, which hosts an instant messaging service with more than 270 million Chinese users, wants to transform its e-learning system, Q-Learning, into a comprehensive learning tool, which will be used by front-line managers, staff and training managers.

Specific goals include:

• Delivering company strategy, culture and procedures rapidly and accurately to every employee via training.
• Transforming individual employee experience and expertise into tangible information that can be used broadly across the company.
• Increasing the efficiency and lowering the costs of training.
• Providing training capabilities anytime anywhere.

Xi Dan, Tencent's director of human resources, says, "Tencent is founded on innovation, and this innovation stems from our people. Therefore, staff training is a key focus for the company. In addition to traditional training and learning methods, we have been looking forward to implementing a structured and comprehensive e-learning system. Following an extensive evaluation, we found TotalLMS to have all the necessary tools for us to deliver, track and analyze enterprise learning now and into the future. ToolBook will give us the ability to create training content that will run seamlessly on the TotalLMS platform."

Xi adds, "Our people receive specific training when they first enter the company, including a series of foundation courses that acquaint them with the company's core business, strategy and culture. We believe SumTotal can help us deliver these online courses and build in the assessments that will tell us how well our employees are learning what they need to know to provide superior customer service."

According to a press release from SumTotal Systems, Tencent will be able to create standards-based simulations, tutorials, assessments, courses and interactive content.