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ePUB solutions | How ePUB Solutions Can Streamline Large Scale Digital Publishing Projects

Hurix September 18, 2019 No Comments

How ePUB Solutions Streamline Large Scale Digital Publishing Projects

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the rise of mobile devices, traditional publishing has made way for digital publishing. Staying true to trends, print media and traditional publishers alike have latched onto the digital medium, making way for e-Publishing solutions as a large-scale industry. But like traditional publishing itself, large scale digital publishing comes with its own set of challenges.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Challenges Faced by Large Scale Digital Publishing Projects” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1568810198463{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Online publishing/e-publishing has been facing disruption at an unprecedented rate. With the ever-changing landscape of the internet and how people consume content on it, publishers are struggling to keep up. Getting together a team – With digital publishing platforms, publishers no longer have the luxury of producing quality content every month. The turnaround time for content has reduced to a daily or hourly basis. With this gigantic task at hand, publishers are looking towards freelancers to get their job done. However, with a team spread across the globe, and not confined to a premise, managing the varied work done by them is now a problem that needs solving. Unending competition– Digital platforms have a low entry-barrier. Anyone with access to the internet can start making content. As a result, the content distribution must be streamlined to rise above the competition. Customized content for different platforms– Each and every internet platform needs a different treatment. Content must be tailor-made for each platform. For example, content made for Instagram must be a great visual, whereas the same content for Facebook must be an amalgamation of visual and great writing. The same content, when made for a micro-blogging platform like Twitter, will need to be condensed. Generating revenues – Towards the beginning of the digital era, click-based ad-revenues were the lead source of income for most online content creators. However, that is gradually dying. Today is the age of sponsored content or native advertising. Publishers must now tailor their content to their sponsor’s need, without antagonizing their reader base. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Streamlining Digital Publication Using e-Publishing Solutions” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1568810301083{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]e-Publishing can be described as the perfect marriage between traditional and new-age digital publishing. The idea is to take the publishing strategy of traditional books and magazines and put them on a digital medium. e-Books and e-Magazines are ideal examples of e-Published material. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How e-Publishing helps Digital Publications?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1568810418841{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]e-Publishing or print on demand can help resolve a lot of the problems faced by digital publishers. e-Published works are not created in a time-crunch. But rather, it’s a well-produced project, where time constraints, if any, are placed only after meticulous research.This allows publishers the luxury of being able to choose their writers and contributors more selectively. Also, the hassle of managing a globally spread out team is contained, as work is assigned after diligent planning, with enough time allotted to reign it all in. Unlike day to day digital platforms, e-Published work is released on devices and platforms with much fanfare. Although this doesn’t mean an end to competition, the same, however, is well balanced and spread out, without putting a constant strain on the publisher. e-Published work is usually ushered in by a string of cross-platform promotions. This invokes the reader’s interest, and if the content promised matches their taste, publishers can rest assured that when they do publish, there will be people waiting to pick up their work. e-Publishing also limits the number of tweaks needed to suit every platform. Although tweaking content to fit different devices and formats is necessary, it is, however, usually the layout that needs changing, and not the content itself. With e-Publishing, generating revenues is not a herculean task. The reader buys the work they want to read up front, and the publisher no longer needs to depend on Ad or subscription revenues to sustain their business. e-Publishing also has an edge over traditional publishing. The cost of publishing is very low in e-Publishing. Time taken to put content together is also comparatively less. The content can reach the reader without any delay in the delivery time. It fits well with today’s generation’s need for instant gratification. Here are the top advantages of using a Digital publishing platform [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How e-Publishing solutions help?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1568810664237{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]e-Publishing isn’t directed towards a single platform. e-Published works can be smartphones, laptops and desktop as well. Moreover, different formats are also at play. While Amazon is actively promoting e-Pub, which is one of the most widely used formats, Adobe’s PDF is what most computer and android phone owners use. Here are 10 Benefits of Converting PDF to ePUB Due to globalization, literary work is seldom confined to a single language. Translations are a rage. Publishers must also keep in mind that their work may need to be released in more than one language. Handling these many avenues might boggle even the most organized of publishing houses. This is where e-Publishing solutions come into the picture. Not only do they streamline the process of publishing – from the conception of idea, till the time it reaches the reader’s screens, it also takes care of distinct layouts, or the best options for publishing in each format, etc. Thus, e-Publishing solutions make this whole complex process a smooth-sailing affair.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Best Practices in e-Publishing” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1568810715628{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]e-Publishing is becoming a more challenging platform every day. The readers are spoilt for choices. With bigwigs like Amazon, now, not only hosting but also publishing eBooks, even scouting for writing talent, the competition is steep. Here are some best practices that digital publishers can follow to ensure maximum reach and revenue: Publish over multiple devices and formats – This is perhaps the most important rule. Do not limit yourself to a single platform. In the e-Publishing business, there is no one device or

Hurix August 26, 2019 No Comments

How to Leverage your LMS to Create a Blended Learning Environment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ever since online training made an appearance on the corporate training scene, several companies jumped the bandwagon and replaced their expensive instructor-led training with online training modules and simulations. Only to revert to traditional teaching methods after meeting with various degrees of failure. These expensive experiments brought home the fact that not all technology in the world, be it a computer course or a robust learning management system (LMS), can replace the effectiveness of the tried and tested face-to-face training in traditional classroom settings. Yet, online training has its own share of benefits which organisations can only ignore at their own peril. So, the question is how to make the best out of both worlds — the old and new training approaches? The answer lies in creating blended learning environment. Blended learning refers to the use of both online and traditional learning methods by corporates and educational institutions to impart knowledge and upgrade skills and capabilities of the end-learners. This is by far the ideal approach to learning as it encompasses the best of both. Instructor-led training (ILT) allows the learners to interact with the instructor, clarify their doubts and gain individual attention. Online learning, on the other hand, is self-paced learning that provides them the flexibility to learn where they want and when they want and revisit the concepts as many times as they want till, they are completely proficient. Needless to say, blended learning is more effective and various case studies conducted in this context have found that this form of learning improves learning outcomes more than online or instructor-led training on their own. In fact, more than 70% of LMS users are now taking this route to education and training. Here’s more on why you should Switch to Blended Learning for Better Learning Outcomes It doesn’t work in the employees’ favor if the online and offline learning environments are separated in silos. Such a scenario fails to create a cohesive blended learning environment and experience. To avoid this loophole, LMS vendors aim to provide a seamless learning experience with functionality that adds to class-room sessions and takes learning to the next level. There are several features in an LMS that support blended learning.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here, in this article we look at ways how you can leverage your LMS to create a blended learning environment.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1566819345880{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Management: With this system, instructors can schedule a time and place for in-person training within their LMS. Employees can register for these sessions or instructors can assign who has to attend. Leading up to the session, employees can see the agenda for the training session, what it will cover, what, if anything, they have to bring along and in case they have to do some homework to better follow the training module. The instructor, on the other hand, can see who all are attending the session. Here are Best LMS Features and LMS Tools for Mid-Sized Enterprises Unlike other eLearning modules that can be taken by the learners at their own convenience, an ILT session in a classroom ensures that all learners are at the same level. ILT management thus ensures that within an LMS while both the instructor and employees have the flexibility towards achieving certain learning outcomes, they remain on schedule and on the same page with both their online and offline learning schedules. Here are the Benefits of a Mobile-First LMS Platform in Employee Training 2. Virtual Classroom Functionality: This functionality in an LMS allows learners to log-in and remotely attend instructor-led lessons. A virtual classroom includes features such as audio/video streaming and embedded chats that allow learners to participate in the ILT session and ask questions. Then there are other tools such as whiteboards and media streaming that allow smooth communication between the teacher and the learners. These sessions can also be recorded and shared later with those who could not participate in the session. Virtual classrooms are of great use to businesses of all sizes as it can be difficult to tear people away from their desks into a classroom for training. Besides, it’s a great way to provide ILT to remote employees. 3. Collaboration Tools: Within an LMS or an offline ILT session, trainers can set up discussion boards where they can discuss course content, ask questions, provide answers, share related resources, and in sum, add more interest to the chapter under discussion. Learners can also rate the courses, thus, giving crucial feedback to the instructors which they can use to further improve the effectiveness of their courses. These collaboration tools mirror the social media tools and support interactivity through feeds and comment threads and facilitate discussions and ongoing learning long after the class is over.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1566825552890{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;background-color: #ecedef !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1566825660171{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;}”] How to Guide: How to Choose the Right LMS for Your Business [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1566825644666{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”][button size=”mediumlarge_rd_bt” use_icon=”yes” icon_position=”bt_icon_right” icon_color=”#ffffff” t_color=”#ffffff” b_color=”#f16051″ b_hover_color=”#1b9ed9″ url=”https://stag.hurix.com/how-to-guides/how-to-choose-right-lms-for-business/” target=”yes” position=”ta_right” icon=”wb-download”]Download Now![/button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]4. Customize Learning Paths: Instructors can use learning paths to customize a series of courses to help employees achieve competency in certain areas. These paths can be for the whole group or individual learners. They include assessment tools that allow learners pass an online assessment based on an ILT or offline course and based on that, progress from one level to another. Here’s more on How to Create Content for a Blended Learning Model The benefit of these learning paths is that they allow the learners to connect the dots and view disparate eLearning and classroom training modules as a cohesive whole. Besides, instructors can change the pace of these learning paths based on the complexity of the modules, or whether the target groups or individuals are going ahead or falling behind the goals. Here are the Benefits of Investing in Custom eLearning Courses for your Enterprise. 5. Analytic Tools: These tools in an LMS allow the

Hurix August 19, 2019 No Comments

5 Reasons Why You Should Convert Flash to HTML5

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Steps to Convert SWF to HTML5 Today, we live in a world where communication is increasingly becoming mobile. This paradigm shift has made Flash fall short when it comes to the mobile demands of modern businesses. Thus, forcing Adobe to announce its plan to kill Flash by the end of 2020. This news comes after nearly two decades of Flash dominance, where it was a standard for creating multimedia. Presently, the HTML5 vs SWF/ Flash debate has all but disappeared, with the former appearing as the clear winner. With the future of Flash sealed, many Flash developers, themselves, are initiating an official migration to HTML5. If you too intend to convert your SWF files into HTML5 and are looking for ways to do it, then look no further. This article will provide a step-by-step method to convert SWF into HTML5 and will also explain why HTML5 is such a compelling alternative to Flash (Hint: the answer lies in interoperability!) [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why Convert Flash/SWF to HTML5?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1629799469580{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Before we get into the steps to convert SWF into HTML5, let’s first look at why Adobe Flash has become obsolete, and why HTML5 is considered the overzealous technology around the block. When Adobe Flash was introduced more than 20 years ago, it empowered the developers with a multimedia platform that could manipulate vectors and offer faster graphics with ActionScript. However, that’s not all, as it also allowed developers to create interactive websites, animations, and Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). Essentially, Flash transformed the users’ experiences on the web, going over and above conventional standards. Despite all these benefits, it is a little rudimentary on the mobile front and thus requires an Adobe Flash Player plug-in to operate. It also frequently crashes, has security issues, drains the battery of mobile devices, fumbles with Stage3D, and is incompatible with iOS. Enter HTML5! This latest version of HTML operates with more audio and video capabilities and has reached a state of complete interoperability. HTML5 doesn’t require plug-ins or APIs to run and is SEO-friendly. It provides the same interactive user-experience to mobiles and desktop users. Since it has a lightweight framework, it requires less power to process and provides more storage options. In other words, this framework operates reliably in areas where Adobe Flash struggles, making it a lucrative option for developers.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Converting Flash Courses vs Creating New e-Learning Ones” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1629799733446{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Given that Flash will become obsolete very soon, many organizations are deliberating whether to migrate their e-Learning courses from SWF to HTML5 or create a completely new one. Many publishers are migrating their current courses due to obvious reasons such as lower development costs, higher ROI, and page ranking, as well as more interactivity. Let’s have a look at why migrating from SWF to HTML5 seems to be the popular choice: Salvage Investment in E-learning: For organizations that have invested in Flash-based e-Learning modules, it is imperative to convert those SWF files into HTML5 ones to salvage the time and investment in developing those courses. An effective SWF to HTML5 conversion means that learners can access almost the same training material easily and make the most of it. Save Maintenance Cost: By converting SWF into HTML5 using a single batch of code, businesses can save a ton on maintenance and other related costs, which can, in turn, be invested in other aspects of the business. Salvage Content: The team that created the e-Learning material invested a lot of time and energy in finalizing the curriculum. To save multiple iterations and time, it is advisable to convert these Flash files into HTML5 rather than reinventing the wheel and disrupting the experience for the digital learners. Create a Learning Culture: Converting SWF into HTML5can help promote a culture of learning within the organization since the learning material can be accessed on multiple devices anytime. This is particularly handy when the training is not mandatory, and learners are looking for self-help e-learning resources. Impacts Productivity and Profitability: Converting SWF to HTML5 can have a positive effect on a company’s bottom line from training. It not only allows learners to access the existing content on multiple devices, but it also improves the user experience by using innovative design strategies and increasing employee productivity. Related: Time to Migrate eLearning Courses from Flash to HTML5 Also, authoring tools can make it a cakewalk for developers to update content whenever required, saving companies huge expenses incurred while creating a new e-learning course. Related: Best Content Authoring Tools for Flash to HTML5 Conversion[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”5 Steps to Convert SWF Files to HTML5″ font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1629799842186{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] Step 1 The first step towards converting SWF files to HTML5 is to install an opensource or free conversion software available on the internet. Once the software has been installed, you then need to identify the files you wish to convert. Step 2 After you have the video converter installed on your computer, it’s time to launch the converter. You will be prompted to upload the files you want to convert. You then have to select the SWF file and click the upload button. Step 3 While this step is not available on the free/basic version of video converters, most premium video converters will allow you to edit the SWF files once they are uploaded. If you want to, you can edit your SWF file before finally converting it to HTML5. Step 4 Once the editing is completed, you can then select the output format you want to convert your SWF file into. File formats like MP4 and WebM are compatible with HTML5. Step 5 Select the desired format and press the convert button. Your file will be converted into an HTML5 in just a few minutes.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”To Conclude:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1566217598759{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The time is ripe for migrating SWF files to HTML5 and

Hurix August 16, 2019 No Comments

How to Enable Business Growth with Content Digitization

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Think back to the last time you took a training that you loved. They gave you these amazing handouts that you felt would change the way you work, increase your efficiency, give you leadership skills, and help with organizing your work life. Then, a month later, you wanted to share it with your team. But the papers were missing, the notes you took no longer made sense, and the consultant you hired for the training wasn’t reachable. If this has ever happened to you, then your company is in dire need of content digitization and content transformation.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why is Content Digitization Important?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1565959073745{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Binders, folders, and emails were great a decade ago. Now, due to advanced digitization, there exists a wealth of options when it comes to presenting and accessing your content better. Content transformation is changing the way business is carried out. So, don’t let outdated technology hold your company back. Adopting a content digitization process will help you streamline your processes and keep all data and information in an organized manner. 1. Measure Data Digitizing your processes can give you actionable data. You can track how employees are reacting to learning programs and thus evaluate their learning curves. You can use this data to spot employees who have not been able to grasp the module and help them reach their full potential. You can also spot your star employees and fast-track them to senior positions. 2. Anytime Access By making your content responsive, web-friendly, and mobile-friendly, you give employees across different locations the ability to access training programs. If you are a start-up and don’t have many branches, it still applies to you. As your company grows and new people join in, these digitized training modules will come in handy. 3. Revisit Content With digitized learning, your programs are always available to you. If you need to retrain, strategize, or get newer team members up to speed, your content is just a few clicks away. You can also increase the flexibility of training programs which are usually wrought with calendar scheduling issues. If your employees want to train alone, they can define their own learning journey. 4. Updated Content Once you have a Learning Management System, you will be able to access a lot of external educational content. Most new training programs are digital-first and you will always be apprised of the latest developments this way. Here’s more on how to select the right LMS vendor [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Role of Content Transformation and Content Digitization in Business Growth” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1565959090952{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Businesses often need more than just good reasons to start an overhaul of old methods. Content transformation also affects your bottom line. It saves your employees a lot of time so they can concentrate on delivering better output. It also brings the best out of your employees by allowing them access to learning material they might not have had before. It avoids confusion, and finally, it’s great for the environment. Content digitization processes, once completed, will save you a lot of money. Once your content is created, you don’t even need classroom training sessions. If your employees are distributed across locations, the training becomes tedious and expensive. When people can access lessons at their own pace, booking expensive consultants every time a new employee joins will not be necessary anymore. Content transformation through a systematic content digitization process is not just about learning, it also streamlines the day-today operations of your business. More on Digital training vs Instructor-led training Digitizing your processes lets you organize, update, reuse, change, and distribute your content faster. When learners don’t need to wait for everyone’s calendars to align, it helps them learn faster and at their own pace. Content transformation drives innovation. By keeping training modules easily accessible, you allow employees to learn something new, and upgrade their knowledge, thus driving innovation. Lateral movement has shown to be beneficial in companies – it reduces attrition, keeps your best employees interested by offering them new things to do. Standardize your company’s guidelines by using digital content systems. By having a centralized source of data, you ensure that the managers have all the updated records and information, reducing the probability of acting upon incorrect information or miscommunication. Today, every organization is obliged to take its corporate social responsibility seriously. Think about the amount of paper you waste through print outs on a daily basis. Adopting a content digitization process is a step towards reducing that waste[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Digitize Learning Content” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1565956760437{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Once you have made up your mind about content transformation, your first step would be to find the best digitization processes. You could start with a good Learning Management System (LMS). An LMS keeps all the information under one accessible system. It helps you track and make changes to training modules. After you identify a good LMS, you need to map out your curriculum. Figure out how you want to design these new learning strategies. For example, if there are certain steps that need to be followed for a particular process, you need to present them in a way which your employees will understand and remember. You can use innovative ways to present your concepts, such as infographics, videos, simulations etc. You will also need to figure out how you want to present your content. It’s not enough to scan pages and digitize your modules; you also need to make them technology-friendly. Using a mobile-based content delivery software you can deliver the content on laptops as well as smartphones, since mobile-based learning is the new trend in employee training. Here’s more on how you can use Mobile learning in training[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”To Sum It Up” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1565959923381{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Digitization process will help your business grow. So, spend some time thinking about

Hurix July 24, 2019 No Comments

7 Factors to Consider While Outsourcing Publishing Services

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With technology taking over various aspects of publishing, publishing services have radically transformed over the last decade. Nevertheless, some areas continue to remain a dilemma. One such practice that has often been widely discussed and debated is outsourcing. Why should companies in the publishing business outsource their projects wholly or partially to offshore firms that offer publishing services? And what is the best way to find the right offshore publishing services provider? In this post, we will discuss these aspects of publishing and outsourcing, so you can make a sound professional decision that will benefit your business financially and otherwise. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why Should You Outsource Publishing Services?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1630413944865{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As is the case with most other industries, outsourcing publishing services also has a number of advantages. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to outsource publishing services. Improved Productivity: Outsourcing significantly reduces the gap between conception and creation. When you outsource these services, you get access to a huge workforce on demand. Quick Turnaround: Outsourcing also gets smaller manuscripts to the market faster, as they can be processed in as few as 24 hours. Reduced Costs: Outsourcing to an offshore publishing services provider can drastically reduce the costs involved. Access to Expertise: If you’d like to get an expert involved in the publishing process, that’s another reason to outsource these services to an offshore service provider. Companies that are in the business of publishing have better professional experience in this field, and therefore, are well positioned to offer expert solutions and resources. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”7 Pointers to Choosing the Right Offshore Publishing Services Provider” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1563971498233{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]You now know why you need to outsource publishing services. That brings us to the next question – how. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How do you go about choosing the right offshore publishing services provider? Here are seven tips that can help.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631703846844{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”1. Look at The Array of Services They Offer” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631703893123{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Different vendors offer various sets of services. Some of them may offer comprehensive packages that cover every aspect from start to finish, while others may have a more restricted set of services on offer. Before you decide upon a specific partner, discuss the services that the outsourcing company offers. Take into account all the possible services you might require in the near future and find out if the publishing company offers them.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Compare the Costs with the Benefits” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631703910784{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Most publishing companies offer bundled services. These packages are best for clients and customers that require publishing assistance for longer periods. If that sounds like you, evaluate the packages and perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the end result is worth it. While it’s not advisable to opt for the cheapest service provider right off the bat, it’s vital that you don’t spend more than needed. Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”3. Go Over their Experience” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631703984001{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Does the publishing services company that you are considering have sufficient experience to carry out your project successfully? You will want to answer this question in the affirmative before selecting your partner. To evaluate the level of their experience, go over their past projects and discuss the kind of work they have done before. It’s also important that the professionals who will be working on your project have the required skills and experience.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Assess their Technical Expertise” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631703994488{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Experience is one thing. Being technically sound is another. And both these boxes need to be checked before you can sign the dotted line and join hands with an offshore service provider. Ensure that the experts who are assigned to work on your project have the necessary credentials. Also, make sure that you interview them in-person to gauge how well they are aware of the latest developments in the field of publishing. In an ever-evolving industry such as Publishing, it’s imperative that they keep up with the trends.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”5. Check References and Samples” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631704148907{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Having assessed their experience and technical expertise, it’s time to move on to gauging their client history. This is a vital aspect of understanding how your relationship with a potential service provider may pan out in the future. Ask the publishing services provider for a list of references or a roster of previous clients. Competent and professional partners will have no reservations in doing so. On the other hand, if they hesitate, consider that a red flag. Reach out to present and past clients to understand any challenges they may have experienced.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”6. Ask About the Delivery Times” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631704177524{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Deadlines are crucial in the world of publishing, and any proficient publishing company is sure to be well-aware of this. Talk to the core team in the service provider company you’re considering partnering with. Enquire about the delivery timelines they typically follow. While it’s obvious that you wouldn’t want to partner with a company that takes unusually long time to complete the job, it is important that you give them a reasonable amount of time to meet the project requirements. Quoting extremely tight deadlines could hamper the quality of the work.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”7. Evaluate Their Channels of Communication” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1631704188868{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Apart from experience and service packages, communication is a key aspect that can make or break a deal. Ideally, your outsourcing partner should have open channels of communication that can help

Hurix July 8, 2019 No Comments

Best Content Authoring Tools for Flash to HTML5 Conversion

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The advent of Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML5) is rapidly changing the world’s digital landscape. As HTML5 technology emerges to be the preferred choice for rendering videos online, the world has slowly started bidding goodbye to Adobe Flash. With HTML5 establishing its prowess, we now have a superior and more versatile technology to play videos online without sweating about downloading compatibility issues, or time wastage. This is a great boost for the upcoming online video era, predicted to be ruled by video content. Related: Time to Migrate eLearning Courses from Flash to HTML5 In times of such transformation, global companies are gearing up to change their online flash content to HTML5 to stay relevant, updated, and ahead of the competitors. Discontinuation of Flash after 2020 and the proliferation of mobile phones make Flash to HTML5 conversion the need of the hour. Although it’s pertinent for businesses to transcend from Flash to HTML5, how they go about doing this without having to shell out a small fortune is the real question. Flash can be converted to HTML by using either pure coding or content authoring tools.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here are some of the best content authoring tools in the industry:” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1562592983220{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] 1. Articulate Storyline Articulate Storyline is undoubtedly the best in class when it comes to Flash to HTML5 conversion. Its effortlessness and efficiency sets an industry benchmark. Equipped with features to cater to just about anyone in the publishing business, Articulate Storyline specifically excels in helping publishers convert content from platforms such as desktops, laptops, iPads, and even from a variety of hand-held or mobile devices. It also provides the user with a wide range of default templates and interactive capabilities that can be customised for better results. 2. Adobe Captivate Adobe is still in the game with its Adobe Captivate, originally created as a software program to help develop training simulations. Currently, it is emerging as one of the most dependable tools to carry out Flash to HTML5 conversion. Festooned with several innovative, interactive, and value-adding features such as support for Tin Can API, a widget for Twitter, and the capability of embedding YouTube videos, Adobe Captivate Flash makes for one of the best conversion tools in the world. 3. Lectora Inspire Conversion Suite Known as the fastest conversion tool currently existing, Lectora is capable of converting text-dominated courses to simple and effective HTML5 formats ready to be rendered quickly, even on the small screens of hand-held devices. Lectora also prides itself on unique features such as in-built click-on-tabs, index or table of content, and many others. The tool also allows users access to create content on a wide variety of platforms like computers, iPads, and other hand-held devices. 4. iSpring Conversion Tools A favourite among Flash animation to HTML5 companies, iSpring is a little more unique when compared to all other tools in the industry. Unlike other tools, iSpring is capable of converting PowerPoint presentations to HTML5 with elegance and ease. The tool supports conversion of all types of e-learning courses and modules. Users can create mobile-ready PowerPoint presentations without hiccups. 5. Elucidat Elucidat’s design and features speed up the e-Learning process and thus enable users to develop high-quality e-Learning courses based on HTML5, accessible from any device. Being user-friendly and easy to use, this tool is a boon for beginners. The look and feel of the tool allows learners to create their own interactions. 6. dominKnow | One dominKnow | One has become popular as a useful content authoring tool in the e-Learning segment. The dominKnow platform has released a number of authoring tools which have been subjected to improvisation. dominKnow | One blends power and superior responsiveness to facilitate simulations of software. Being cloud-based gives it the added advantage of allowing extensive collaboration, thereby reducing project turnaround time. The tool also allows usage of custom scripts, triggers, and variables for higher customisation. Recreation and rebuilding of the interactions which were Flash-based can be done easily. The tool also promises to include more advanced features in its future versions. 7. Easygenerator Easygenerator, as the name suggests, is perhaps the easiest to use authoring tool in the market. With its design and features focused on ease of usability, the tool facilitates the development of e-Learning courses in-house. Although the tool lacks a number of interactive features, offered by other authoring tools, it makes up for this shortcoming with its easy to use, responsive nature. 8. SmartBuilder SmartBuilder allows for the creation of e-Learning courses, which are complex in nature right from the start. Various content types such as quizzes, textual content, and multimedia elements can be integrated into it in the blink of an eye. However, the tool does not support editing of videos and recording screens. Related: Benefits of Investing in Custom eLearning Courses for your Enterprise 9. Gomo Gomo is a cloud-based content authoring tool that presents an intuitive interface and allows e-Learning developers to work and collaborate across geographies, literally from anywhere and everywhere. Gomo allows for more agility in Flash to HTML5 conversion by featuring quick start wizards and in-built templates for higher productivity. Gomo’s two hallmark features are its support in multiple languages and the inclusion of beginner guides that offer step-by-step direction for developing e-Learning courses to freshers and novices.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1562593053499{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Although the content authoring market is brimming with a number of content authoring tools, you have to make an informed decision based on your budget and requirements. If you are looking to convert your legacy Flash-based content to HTML5, you can avail HurixDigital‘s Flash to HTML5 conversion service which offers enhanced interactive features, audio, video, games, 3D animations, and customized to your needs. Hurix has converted 10,000+ content screens, 300+ simulations and activities, 200+ games and labs, 50+ WBTs and e-learning courses. Given the level of expertise, you can be assured of the best quality output

Hurix June 7, 2019 No Comments

Time to Migrate eLearning Courses from Flash to HTML5

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In 2017, Adobe made a formal announcement stating that from 2020 the company would no longer support Flash. It’s a multimedia software which was extensively used to produce animations, desktop applications, and mobile games and applications, during the PC era. These Flash files could be viewed on browsers using a Flash player, and on the PC using some third-party applications. Following the announcement by Adobe, major browsers including Google and Microsoft followed suit and announced that they would disable the plug-in in their browsers by early next year, thus, bringing down the curtains on Flash. So, what went wrong with Flash? Primarily, it was designed for the PC era and couldn’t withstand the advancements in new technology. Most designers therefore began to shift to alternate languages such as HTML, CSS and Javascript, which are more suited to the mobile environment. However, of these, it is HTML5 which has emerged as the language of choice to create responsive content which can be consumed on all platforms including PC, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. HTML, a markup language used by the World Wide Web, stands for Hypertext Markup Language. The 5 which follows HTML signifies that it is the fifth generation of the original HTML standard which was first created in 1990 by the World Wide Web Consortium to define an Open Web Platform. Given that Flash will become obsolete by next year, it becomes imperative for publishers to migrate their existing eLearning content from Flash to HTML5, which offers several benefits such as: Lower Development Costs: With HTML 5 you can use a single batch of code to convert your files from SWF to HTML5 files. This will help you to save on maintenance and other costs which you can put to use for other business costs. Higher Page Ranking: Your SEO efforts will come to naught if your webpage is not well-structured. With HTML5 you can design a website which is semantically accurate. HTML5 is easily readable by the search engines and offers benefits in terms of content mark-up and SEO. Offline Browsing: HTML5 supports local storage of web application code and content, through the offline application cache, thus providing an offline web experience for readers on the move and without an Internet connection. Create Device-Independent Content: We are living in the times of mobile when people access their content while on the move. With HTML 5, you can ensure that your eLearning content is mobile-ready and available to your readers anytime and anywhere, both online and offline. Besides, by converting your Flash content into HTML5, you can integrate and synchronize the learning process for different devices. Create Responsive Content: With HTML5, you can create responsive content where the content flows and adjusts to the size of the screen. The advantage is that you don’t have to scroll pages to access interactive learning content and also audio and video files do not take too much time to load. Besides, with responsive content, you can break up existing learning paths and also add interesting navigation paths for a more immersive and engaging experience. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What to do with content that is already published in Flash?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic” css=”.vc_custom_1559908159551{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As a digital publisher, you may have course content in the form of Flash files. So does that mean that your existing eLearning content would become obsolete and you have to redesign from the scratch? The answer is that your content will not go to waste and you don’t have to create new content from the scratch – you can convert your SWF files into HTML 5 files and make them usable for all platform types including PC, laptops, tablets and mobiles. And as 2020 is just a few months away, if you have not already converted your SWF files into HTML 5, it’s time you do it now! Related:7 Reasons Why You Should Revamp Your Old eLearning Courses[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here’s a quick guide to migrate your eLearning content from Flash to HTML 5.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic” css=”.vc_custom_1559908163858{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Take Stock of Your Existing Content: This is a good time as any to evaluate your existing SWF content and sieve the useful from the obsolete. You may have some content that requires upgradation in tune with evolving technologies. You may also wish to retire some course, program or app completely. Take stock of what you have and then decide whether you would be better off rebuilding from the scratch, or salvaging some portion and redesigning the rest. A lot will also depend on the number of Flash files you have. That said, keep in mind that you can convert your SWF files to HTML5 only if you have the source files to your Flash files. In case you don’t have, the conversion will not be possible. 2. Create a Cross-Reference List: Once you have evaluated your eLearning content and earmarked the part you wish to convert, create a cross-reference list that will help you track the conversion process. As mentioned above, you need the source files of your Flash content. Once you have them, check whether your existing development tools can do the conversion. Apart from your source files, a lot will also depend on the tool which you have used to create your Flash content. For instance, it could be Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, or Adobe Animate. 3. Conduct a Pilot Run: Instead of converting your entire Flash content into HTML5, first, create a pilot and see if it runs successfully on all platforms. In case it doesn’t, you may have to revamp or redesign it. A note of caution here. A smooth conversion is only possible if the existing source files can be opened and exported to a new version of a program that supports HTML5 exports. In case you are unable to update using your existing tools, you would need to create new packages and technical updates for graphical adjustments, etc. Once your pilot runs successfully, you can convert

Hurix May 31, 2019 No Comments

Best LMS Features and LMS Tools for Mid-Sized Enterprises

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last decade has witnessed dramatic advances in technology. The cloud, social media, eCommerce, and mobile devices have changed everything from the way we shop to the way we access knowledge and to the way we learn. The constantly evolving technological landscape has made it mandatory for organizations to redefine their strategies and processes. In an endeavor to include lifelong learning and continuous education in order to remain relevant in the market. Technology and learning today go hand-in-hand, prompting more and more organizations to find and invest in the best LMS tools to support their corporate training or academic learning goals. LMS today is an essential tool of eLearning that allows you to create, update and host your content on cloud-based platforms and reduce the risk of losing important data. While there are different types of LMS tools available in the market for mid-sized enterprises, they must incorporate the following features: Cloud-Based Centralized Repository for Hosting Content: A cloud-based LMS will ensure that all your content is stored at a centralized location and can be accessed by authorized users across all geographies, anytime and anywhere. Game-Based Learning Tools: Gamification refers to the use of game design elements and mechanics to increase engagement and maximize learning potential through incentivized behaviors. These learning games allow learners to first consume content and then translate the knowledge into actual job performance. While choosing an LMS, ensure that it has the tools necessary to add game-based learning features to your content. So that your learners have unlimited opportunities to replay and gain content mastery before putting their skills to use in the real-world environment. Related: How to Setup Effective Game-Based Learning for Enterprises Personalized LMS Portals: The value of an LMS is not just restricted to managing the educational and training needs of employees. With a personalized LMS, you can create custom courses for all the employees of an organization, irrespective of the department they are working in, for example, accounts, sales, admin, etc. Ensure that the LMS tools you choose can function as an extended enterprise, performing diverse operations such as tracking and information distribution, allowing you to calculate and monitor all metrics for success and return on investment. Related: 7 Reasons Why You Should Revamp Your Old eLearning Courses Social Networking: Social networks have spawned an entire generation that is hooked to the idea of using social media websites to consume and share information, from local news to current trends. The LMS is not immune to these behaviors. The LMS tool you choose should incorporate portals that can be tailored to the preferences of your end-users based on their social networking activities, to gauge their knowledge and preference and provide complementary content and training. Ease of Access Across All Devices: In the era of smartphones, all data and content should be available and easily readable on all devices including laptops, desktops and mobile devices. Choose an LMS tool that allows your learners to access content while on the move. Easy to Track Progress of The Learners: Choose an LMS tool that allows you to track the progress of users undertaking learning and training, measure their interaction with the content, administer tests and see if the content provided meets their needs or if there is a need to add more videos, text, audio, etc., to improve the learning outcomes. Reduce Cost of Education and Training: Cost is always an important factor in all business decisions. An LMS reduces costs in terms of mobility required to attend lectures and training held in physical classrooms. Besides, it can also bring down all costs related to the use of paper in learning and training since all resources can be digitalized. That said, the role of a teacher/instructor cannot be completely by-passed, so make sure the LMS has all the necessary tools and features to promote blended learning, that is, a mix of physical and virtual classrooms. Related: Advantages of Blended Learning over Traditional eLearning Methods Easy to Update: The course content is ever-evolving. Choose an LMS that allows you to easily add, delete or update online content. Create Micro-Learning Nuggets: As business functions get more complex and employees get more time-constrained, the best way to provide learning and training is through content encapsulated as micro-nuggets, consumable while on the move, anywhere and at the time when your employees most need access to that particular information. So, while choosing the best LMS tool, make sure that it incorporates features for micro-learning. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”That said, here are five LMS tools that are best suited for mid-sized companies.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1559298837047{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Hurix Digital LMS: It is a cloud-hosted, Moodle-based LMS, which comes with customizable features and support services, and has found favor with startups, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises. Its salient features include: Fully customizable white-label LMS with perpetual IPR, based on open-source robust Moodle-based architecture Mobile compatible with cloud or intranet deployment Easy integration with external systems & third-party tools Subscription License-based LMS instance with setup in no-time and out-of-the-box features Comprehensive maintenance, support, and upgrades of Moodle-based LMS Complete end-to-end LMS administration & day-to-day management of your LMS 2. Learnyst: This LMS allows you to teach online and sell courses from your own website. Here are some interesting features of the platform: White-labeled and fully customizable websites Best-in-class analytics for smooth operations and learner management Unlimited course and mock tests with unlimited learners Data encryption for your valuable content Direct payment to a bank account Round the clock support 3. The IPIXLMS software: This LMS tool provides collaborative functionalities which makes it possible for trainers in various locations to work together. The main features of the LMS tool are: Creates unlimited courses with PowerPoint, Video, SCORM ﬁles, PDFs, 3D videos and CSV ﬁles Built for the easy management of large training programs involving thousands of learners. Measures your trainee’s performance of online and instructor-led live training – all from one place. Manages your training program easily and conveniently with the mobile application. Deﬁnes the roles that

Hurix May 24, 2019 No Comments

How to Setup Effective Game-Based Learning for Enterprises

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If the learning process is dull, employees will not be able to gain the skills and knowledge to perform in real-life scenarios. Learning no longer means memorization or passing of information from the teacher to the taught. Learning, and more specifically in the enterprise context, is more about gaining first-hand experience, knowledge, and skills to solve real-life problems. And game-based learning helps to achieve just that. So how do we learn through games? Here, it is important to point out that game-based learning is different from games – while games are just for fun and relaxation, game-based learning refers to games that enhance instructional strategy with the aim to increase engagement, motivation, and participation in learning activities. Game-based learning enables learners to experiment, analyze and progress by trial and error, and along the way, learn what they should do and what they should avoid doing. And as the mind is trained, it deciphers how the new system works and learners are able to climb to the next level of the ladder. Game-based learning is the new buzzword in enterprise training. A report by US-based learning technology market research firm Metaari shows that game-based learning services and products are expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 37.1% and revenues more than quadruple to reach well over $17 Bn by 2023. Further, the corporate segment will see the maximum rise in demand, driven by the booming demand for pre-employment assessment and evaluation games. While game-based learning has already taken root in healthcare and defense, it is slowly and steadily spreading its tentacles to other industries as well. Related: Things You Must Consider Before Selecting an eLearning Company Related: LMS Vendors: How to Select the Right Vendor for your Goals[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Advantages of Game-Based Learning:” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1558703410336{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]1. Greater Motivation: Perhaps the greatest challenge for trainers worldwide is to keep the employees motivated. Game-based learning stimulates interest, fights boredom, creates context and urges learners on from one level to the next. Gamification takes away the stress of a typical classroom and promotes positive learning, leading to better retention. It also includes a reward system that provides employees with instant gratification, motivating them to move up to the next level. 2. Builds Non-Cognitive Skills: Game-based learning helps to develop non-cognitive skills such as patience, motivation, self-control, and perseverance, which are just as important as intelligence in fulfilling job responsibilities effectively. 3. Brings Out Collective Potential: It is rightly believed that humans perform better in networks than in silos. Besides harnessing the collective wisdom of many, games also reduce the risk of communal grouping by fostering development, interaction, collaboration and engagement between team members, thereby promoting collective intelligence and developing social skills. 4. Enables Learners to Judge their Individual Potential in a Wider Group: In game-based learning, employees can understand where they stand among their peers. Learners can also challenge one another on various subjects and understand their own potential viz a viz their team members. 5. Build Empathy: One of the many purposes of game-based learning is to encourage empathy and create an experience that helps employees gain a sense of mastery and retain autonomy at work while maintaining their well-being and healthy relationships with their team members. 6. Provide an Engaging Experience: Gamification makes learning more meaningful by breaking down concepts into bite-sized chunks or micro-nuggets. In a world of endless diversions and dwindling attention spans, enterprises can make learning more engaging by designing content in small and very specific nuggets or micro bites. Games help to cut training into small sessions, allowing learners to respond positively. Besides, they can be personalized to offer to learn to employees on areas where they are not performing well. 7. Add Transparency to the Organizational Culture: Gamification in enterprise training sets goals for the employees, and these goals can be tied to corporate goals. When employees see their performance in games they know it is objective and fair. So, game-based learning results in greater transparency, thus, changing the culture and the way performance is viewed and managed. 8. Reduce Chances of Failure in the Real World: Game-based learning resembles the real marketplace, which means enterprises can benefit from allowing their employees to learn by trial and error in virtual game-based settings rather than make mistakes in the real-world. Employees trained extensively through game-based learning avoid traps and pick up crucial tips and are less likely to fail in the real world. Convinced about the benefits of game-based learning for enterprises? Here are some factors to consider on how to set up effective game-based learning for your enterprise:[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How to setup effective game-based learning for your enterprise:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1579687473483{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] Define Your Objectives: Do a needs analysis to understand what you wish to achieve through game-based learning. The analysis can include both employee skill upgradation and organizational goals. Design Relevant Content: To illustrate with an example, you may wish to train your employees to perform a repair procedure with the help of a specific model of high-voltage equipment. A game-based learning module will help your employees train in a simulated environment. The best way to design content is to develop a story-based game to help your employees prepare for the real world. Identify Your Audience: Identity who would engage with your game-based learning. This will, in turn, help you identify the media elements you could use to support storytelling at each phase of the course. It is also a good idea to develop relevant characters for the game which your employees can identify with. Add to these characters exceptional visuals – emotions, actions, and perspectives – and you can provide them a more immersive learning experience. As users relate more with the characters, they will be motivated to participate with a purpose, and thus get a deeper understanding of the learning objectives of the game. Related:Benefits of Investing in Custom eLearning Courses for your Enterprise Identify the Platform to Deliver Game-Based

Hurix May 13, 2019 No Comments

How to Use Selenium to Automate Flash & AngularJS Based UI

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Overview” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1557748508592{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]At HurixDigital, we wanted to automate the Flash testing process for a client. Flash is outdated technology and requires a lot of manual effort to run each testing cycle. To do away with this laborious task, we decided to automate the Flash testing process. Migrating all the applications from Flash to HTML platform is time-consuming. We conducted automated testing for flash-based applications to free up some resources for other tasks. However, automating Flash testing proved more challenging than we anticipated, as the tool required for automation – Selenium does not automate Flash-based applications. Our team of experts found a solution to this problem and successfully automated the testing process of Flash-based UI.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Business Requirement” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1557749240566{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Automate the Flash-based UI testing process for Kitaboo using Selenium[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Challenges” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1557748633688{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Selenium has certain limitations. The main prerequisite for Selenium is that the website must be in HTML format. It does not detect Flash-based objects. But, the Kitaboo eBook creation platform was completely supported by Flash. This made it impossible to use this tool for Flash automation on Kitaboo. Moreover, Selenium does not support AngularJS, whereas the framework of Kitaboo Reader was made up of HTML and AngularJS. Selenium does not detect/access Flash-based objects Selenium does not support AngularJS [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Hurix Solution and Approach” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1557748683964{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]When the Hurix team initiated the Flash automation process for the flagship product Kitaboo, we faced certain challenges that hindered the automation process. In order to efficiently automate the testing process, we used Selenium — a well-known testing framework for web applications. The team wanted to use Selenium to execute the scripts for automated testing in a Flash environment. But, Selenium, unfortunately, does not support Flash, and the platform that was used for testing was entirely supported by Flash. To overcome this limitation, we used Sikuli and integrated it with Selenium. Advantages of Sikuli over other tools used for Flash automation are: Open source tool. One of the biggest advantages of Sikuli is that it can easily automate Flash objects. It makes it easy to automate windows application. When you’re testing an application under development and you don’t know the ID/name of the elements, then you can go with Sikuli. It will check the appearance of the image and if a match is found, it will interact with the image accordingly. Another major challenge that Selenium presented was that it did not support AngularJS. But we worked around the codes, rewrote the methods and classes and enabled Selenium to support AngularJS. We put in place a debug process to identify errors and eliminate them. We captured error screenshots and merged them with error log descriptions into one spreadsheet, keeping all the error files at one place for easy access. In order to further enhance the debugging process, the team of coders also started recording the script execution process to identify the exact reason for the errors. This process gave us a better understanding of user activities and enabled us to be prepared with immediate solutions for similar instances in the future. Used Sikuli (an open source automation tool) and integrated it with Selenium. Sikuli acted as a medium which helped Selenium to perform automated Flash testing. A dedicated team of experts modified the scripts and created new ones and automated the AngularJS-based reader with Selenium. Ensured that there’s an efficient debug process in place to detect and remove existing and potential errors. Enabled coders to access the error files at one place and helped improve the error reporting process. Recorded the script execution process to ascertain the exact reason for the errors, helping them to better understand the user activities and be prepared to address similar issues in future. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Key Benefits” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1557748780677{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text] Automated the AngularJS-based reader in-house. This was accomplished without the use of any external tools such as Cucumber, Protractor etc. As Sikuli, a free tool was used to support the automation process, we could complete the automation at a low cost. Minimized the manual efforts which were earlier required to execute the testing process. Adherence to testing standards significantly increased the quality of the product and ensured that bug-free products are delivered to the clients. We successfully automated Flash and AngularJS with the help of the in-house testing team, in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Automating the testing process helped reduce the manual efforts which were earlier required to test the applications. Also, as we used an open source tool for automation, we were able to complete the project at a low cost. With an effective debug process in place, the team was able to improve the quality of error reports and thereby deliver high-quality bug-free products. This entire process demonstrates HurixDigital’s ability to meet challenges and resolve them with their expertise and eventually deliver a product that meets client expectations. Also read: How to Convert your Content from Flash to HTML5?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”About the Author:” google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][rd_line type=”rd_line_bold” color=”#f26051″ width=”100″][vc_column_text]Aditya Ramji is a B.E. holder from RGTU. He has been working in the field of software testing for the past 7 years. He’s currently working for Hurix Systems as a Test Team Lead for client solutions. Aditya’s job role includes establishing a good understanding of the business of a client for effective service provision, providing clients with robust and well-designed applications, resolving client queries and issues along with creating test scripts with quality to act as a shield for regression bugs. When he’s not on the job, he loves to go hiking with friends, travelling to new places, and learning about the latest in technology. You can connect with Aditya Ramji on LinkedIn[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Author: Hurix

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