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Hurix October 9, 2019 No Comments

How to Choose the Best LMS for a Small Business

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More and more organizations, including small businesses, are looking for suitable LMS solutions to support the training needs of their employees. An LMS provides the perfect learning platform to manage, deliver and track training and development for employees. With the best LMS for small business, you can develop personalized training, deploy it on a large scale, and diagnose areas for potential improvement. As a start-up or a small business, you may have limited budget to invest in an LMS. However, if you invest time to explore and choose an LMS that suits your unique small business needs, you will find it easy to align your investment with your business outcomes. With cloud-hosted LMS platforms and short-term and even free subscription trials, you can find a Learning Management System that suits their needs perfectly.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why do small businesses need an LMS?” 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_1570626604492{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]Here are a few reasons for small businesses to invest in an LMS: Reduces Training Expenses– You don’t have to worry about spending on instructor fees, maintaining a training room or printing training booklets; having a learning management system takes care of all these expenses. Here are quick tips to measure training ROI. Track Employee Progress- With an LMS, you will be able to track and monitor the development of your employees in terms of their training progress. You can check how many of them have completed the course and how many are stuck mid-way. Centralized Storage Location– You can manage and keep all your training modules and other related files at one place. Employees will also find it easier to access courses from one location. Update Courses Quickly– In case of any sudden updates in the course content, specifications, or even policies and regulations, you can update them at once. Thus, keeping your employees updated at all times. Deliver Compliance Training– Compliance training is mandatory for every organization, irrespective of their size. An LMS will help you deliver compliance training effortlessly. Reduces Turnover– When your employees see that you’re willing to invest in them, they tend to stay with the company for a longer time. By investing in an LMS you can help your employees learn and grow, thereby contributing to the company’s growth. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here are some factors to consider while choosing an LMS for a small business.” 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_1570626684225{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] Type of Content: It is important that you examine the content that you wish to provide through the LMS. Will it focus on compliance with certifications, regulations, or licenses? Do you wish to standardize your problem-solving approach? Or is it long-form macro-learning that you are looking at? Think of your training as a road trip – you can’t decide the route till you know your destination. Features: Many traditional LMS have been designed for large businesses and include features and elements that may not be suitable for small businesses. It is therefore important to identify the features that you need and then choose an LMS that employees find easy to plug in and get started. Budget: It goes without saying that budget is an important consideration for small businesses. While choosing an LMS, understand if they offer price per user or a package subscription, which is a good option in case your business takes off. Some LMS also offer a free basic model to get started, with the ability to add pay-to-play features as needed. Also understand how many employees a particular LMS can handle, is it enough for your current needs and can you scale it for the future. Considerations for budget should not be limited to where your company is today but where it will be in the near future. Content Development: The next question to answer is how to develop your content. Creating in-house content can be tricky and expensive. In case you don’t have an in-house eLearning content developer, you may once again reconsider your budget to hire an expert or alternatively, choose an LMS that includes tools to create and update content. Here are the benefits of investing in custom eLearning courses for your enterprise. Customer Support: One of the crucial functions of an LMS is that it provides employees access to content exactly at the time when they need it the most. What would you do if your whole LMS just crashes all of a sudden? That is why you need to look for a company that provides constant customer support. Customer support can make or break your business and so you must take this into consideration before choosing an LMS. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” css=”.vc_custom_1570626795418{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]Now you know what attributes you need to look for while selecting an LMS for a small-size business. It’s not much of a difficult task. You can just look for a company that offers customized LMS solutions. These companies can provide cost effective solutions that are suited for your business type and size. You can customize the look & feel of the LMS as per your company branding with a custom theme, and design of your preference, and provide accessible, engaging and intuitive content to your employees. Related: LMS Vendors: How to Select the Right Vendor for your Goals How to Choose an LMS for Mid-Sized Companies How to Choose the best LMS for Large Enterprises Benefits of a Mobile-First LMS Platform in Employee Training Best LMS Features and LMS Tools for Mid-Sized Enterprises [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Hurix October 7, 2019 No Comments

How to Choose an LMS for Mid-Sized Companies

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For companies scaling their workforce, improving their customer service or expanding internationally, nothing facilitates change more effectively than an LMS. An LMS provides the perfect learning platform to manage, deliver and track computer-based training and learning for employees, students or customers. With an LMS you can develop personalized training, deploy it on a large scale, and diagnose areas for potential improvement.  However, the LMS market is saturated and you will be spoiled for choice. But keep in mind that no one size fits all. Although an LMS offers attractive training ROI, it does involve some level of initial investment. While choosing the best LMS it will depend upon your unique business needs, similar sized organizations do share some priorities. A mid-sized company should choose an LMS considering that it is scaling both in terms of business functions and additional workforce.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”First, let us see why businesses require a Learning Management System.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text] Easy Access to Training Materials: Employees can easily access the training materials from one centralized location. They no longer have to go through separate training decks, or worse, skimming through printed papers to find that one topic. Simplifies the Onboarding Process: Getting a new employee on board usually involves a lot of paperwork. After which, the employee is expected to go through an induction training to learn more about the company values, goals, rules and regulations. Using an LMS to deliver the induction training will help the employee to go through the courses at a convenient and comfortable pace.  Reduces Overall Training Costs: By using an LMS, organizations can reduce their overall training expenditure. An LMS saves training costs by avoiding the need for an instructor, training facilities like classroom and other utilities, and also by reducing the use of printouts. Improves Knowledge Retention: An LMS, being a handy resource, can be accessed at any time. Employees can go through the training materials whenever they feel like they are in the best mind-frame to learn something new. This helps them retain the information in a much better way than forced knowledge in a time-bound classroom-based training. Analyze Training Effectiveness: Learning management systems are also quite useful in determining the effectiveness of the training. With analytic tools, these systems can provide a detailed insight about the progress of the employees. Managers can track if the employees are gaining value from the training. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here are 5 things to consider while choosing the best LMS for a mid-sized company.” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”1.The Skill Set of Your In-House Team:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Many organizations make the mistake of choosing an LMS without considering the skillset of their employees and end up with a system or platform that is either too complex or lacks the advanced features they need. Evaluate your in-house team and choose the best LMS for your mid-sized organization which offers the right balance between a user-friendly platform and robust features.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”2. Online Training Budget:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text] As with choosing an LMS for small companies, it is important to identify your online training budget. Apart from content development and maintenance, also factor in other hidden fees which you may inadvertently overlook. Cloud-based LMS systems generally include three different types of pricing plan based on users, functionality, and payment frequency. Instead of opting for all tools, identify and pay only for the features that you will actually use.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”3. The Size of Your Workforce:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Since LMS solutions typically have different pricing for users, make sure to take this into consideration while choosing the best LMS for your mid-sized organization. Some platforms also limit the number of users so the servers don’t overload and slow down the training process. Look for responsiveness and multilingual support in case your workforce is located in different regions and geographies.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”4. Future-Ready LMS:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text] Technology is constantly evolving and you may wish to look for learning management solutions that are in a continuous improvement cycle. Learn which features the LMS providers plan to release in the next quarter, year and two years.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”5. Future Plans for Your Business:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Choosing any LMS for your current needs is a simple mistake that people often make. As your team grows, your needs and business functions too will grow. Make sure that the LMS you choose for your mid-sized company can factor in future growth and evolving market trends so that you can avoid unnecessary expenses later on.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Conclusion:” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Regardless of the size of your business, the challenges you face when it comes to delivering effective, comprehensive, and ongoing training for your employees and your business can be daunting. There are many LMS solutions for all business sizes, many of which have been thoroughly vetted by companies. It is a good idea to study your competition. Alternatively, you may also take advantage of free trials and demos to ensure the LMS tools live up to your expectations, and schedule follow-ups with vendors to guarantee you’re using the best LMS for your business. Here’s how to select the right vendor for your goals. By following a methodical approach, you can avoid the loopholes and take full advantage of the services you’re paying for. While choosing a vendor, ask them about their experience, skill sets, qualifications, and background during the selection process. Search online to see if there are any reviews for the LMS and the company, or any ratings that will give you a better idea of how they dealt with customers in the past. Ultimately those who have worked in your niche or industry will be ideal as they will have in-depth knowledge and expertise to help you effectively deliver content specific to your audience. Related: How to Choose the best LMS for Large Enterprises Benefits of a Mobile-First LMS Platform in Employee Training Best LMS Features and LMS Tools for Mid-Sized Enterprises LMS for Business – Does One Size Fit All? 10 Benefits of Moodle based Learning Management System (LMS) [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Hurix October 4, 2019 No Comments

How to Choose the best LMS for Large Enterprises

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As organizations grow, so does the scale of the training they provide to their employees. Companies hone in-house skills with an aim to stay competitive, meet business goals and build their brand. To achieve this, it is important they strike the right balance between individual and organizational goals. Providing ongoing performance support becomes a challenge if companies are following traditional training approaches. Fortunately, a learning management system (LMS) helps organizations of all sizes – small businesses, mid-sized companies and large enterprises to achieve this goal. However, different business sizes have different needs. The requirements of a small or mid-sized organization would be different from that of a large enterprise. Therefore, while selecting an LMS, you need to analyze its features and its capability to perform tasks efficiently for your enterprise.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Benefits of an LMS” 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_1570197183832{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] Improves ROI: Implementing an LMS eliminates instructor fees, travel expenses, and cost of printed materials. Besides, it also amplifies the benefits of traditional training. For reduced expenses and higher returns, companies must take advantage of this valuable technology. Here’s more on online training platform vs traditional training. Monitor Learning Initiatives: An LMS includes several tools for assessment which can help both employees and instructors to identify the pain points and problems through detailed metrics and data visualizations. Trainers can use this information to quickly identify and plug gaps in education and training. Learners can also leverage these tools for personal assessment and revisit concepts till they master them completely. Improves Access to Courses:  These days no one has the time to attend lengthy training sessions in classroom settings. A cloud-hosted LMS provides ease of access to employees across geographies. Learners can login to the courses anytime and anywhere and on the device of their choice to brush up their skills or become compliant with new regulations. Personalized Learning Experience: Learning is not restricted to a classroom with an instructor explaining the concepts to all employees together, irrespective of their learning abilities and capacities to assimilate, retain, and recall. An LMS allows learners to learn at their own pace and in their own space. Learning is more personalized, and a learner can master a particular concept and then move on to the next stage of the lesson. Boosts Employee Motivation: Traditional classroom learning can be monotonous and boring. With an LMS, you can design courses using rich media formats and simulation to make learning more engaging, immersive, contextual and entertaining.Enterprises generally aim to improve staff skills, increase productivity, and at the same time, rationalize training costs. A majority of organizations use LMS for internal training and skill certification, while a small percentage of companies use their LMS for compliance and onboarding, training or selling courses to others. [/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Here are some factors to consider while choosing the best LMS for large enterprises:” 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_1570196676144{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] Your Measurable Learning Objectives: In a saturated LMS market, you can easily choose an LMS that aligns with your business goals. For example, if the focus of your training is customer satisfaction then make sure that the LMS offers online training certification courses or micro-learning performance support tools for your customer service staff. You may also want it to include customizable reports for monitoring individual progress and related metrics, changes in customer satisfaction ratings etc. By identifying your core learning and development objectives, you will be able to choose an LMS that meets your training needs and more importantly, the needs of your employees. Here are microlearning design techniques for a great learning experience. Consider the Skills of Your L&D Team: Once you know the specific talents of your L&D team, you will be able to choose an LMS that offers the functionality and creative control they need. If you choose an LMS for your large business that is simple to use but doesn’t allow your employees to utilize their skills and expertise, you will end up losing an invaluable human perspective. Assess Your Current Learning Strategy: Evaluate your current learning and development strategy and also your learning content. This will help you identify what needs to be improved upon, what is working effectively and what can be retired. Doing this will help you choose an LMS that can utilize your successful materials and fine-tune those that are relevant but do not completely meet your training objectives. Also, make sure to evaluate learner performance and knowledge acquisition during your assessment. Take Feedback From your L&D Team: Take your Learning & Development team into confidence and ask them what features they would like to see in the new LMS and if they want any tools or materials they feel are necessary to make their job easier. At the end of the day, it is your L&D team that will help your learners to take advantage of the new LMS, so make sure they are on board and that their opinions, ideas and inputs are valued. Assess All Technical Considerations: Understand how the new learning management system will be integrated with your current technologies or software. Assess all the complexities and limitations and how learners will access information. In case they will be using their mobile devices, ensure that the LMS you choose for your large enterprise supports mobile platforms also. [/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_1570193581584{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]Regardless of the size of your business, the challenges you face when it comes to delivering effective, comprehensive, and ongoing training for your employees and your business can be daunting. There are many LMS solutions for all business sizes, many of which have been thoroughly vetted by companies. It is a good idea to study your competition. Alternatively, you may also take advantage of free trials and demos to ensure LMS tools live up to your expectations, and schedule follow-ups with vendors to guarantee you’re using the right LMS for your business. Related: Best LMS Features and LMS Tools for Mid-Sized Enterprises LMS for Business – Does One Size Fit All? 10

Hurix September 23, 2019 No Comments

How to Convert Flash to HTML5 at Scale

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nearly everyone is familiar with Adobe Flash, for those who are not, it is a software with which apps, mobile games, desktop applications, and animations are produced. You can view Flash files like mobile and desktop apps by using the Adobe Flash Player or other third-party players.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What is HTML5 and why is it used?” 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_1569241495513{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]Released in 2014, HTML5 is the 5th and the latest version of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). It’s a programming language that is used to create responsive content for web pages, as well as to modify their appearance.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Why should you convert Flash to HTML5?” 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_1569239634364{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]Everyone needs to convert Flash content to HTML5 due to the following reasons: – Flash will die: Back in 2017, Adobe announced that they’d be phasing out Flash by December 2020. This means that web browsers like Google Chrome will disable the Flash plug-in by that time. So, all the Flash-based videos, games, and websites on earth would have to be converted to another format for being accessible to netizens. Not responsive: Flash has never been supported by iPads, iPhones, and other iOS devices. HTML5, on the other hand, supports a more responsive design, so you can use files based on this multimedia platform on any device. Drains battery life: Using Flash files on mobile phones takes a heavy toll on the battery life. Flash is more CPU-intensive than HTML5, whereas HTML5 is faster as it uses less CPU time for rendering web pages. Security threats: Hackers find it easier to attack Flash websites and games. HTML5, however, is not as vulnerable in terms of security issues as Flash is. So, you can understand exactly why Flash is being discontinued. That being said, if you have apps, ads, animations, or online courses in Flash, it’s time you moved from Flash to HTML5. And there’s no time like the present![/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How to convert Flash video 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_1569239742847{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]Bulk convert Flash videos to HTML5 To move your video content like courses to HTML5, you’ll need an authoring tool. Authoring tools for conversion: Some of the best eLearning Authoring tools and when to use them are listed below: – Adobe Captivate: When your Flash content has several simulations, and you need to make the content more responsive. Articulate Storyline: When you want your converted interactivities to resemble those in Flash. iSpring Suite: When you want to convert PowerPoint storyboards to courses incorporating videos and assessments. Lectora Online: When you need to convert text-heavy Flash course content to HTML5. Here’s more on how to select the right eLearning authoring tools and why should you invest in them?[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Flash to HTML5 Conversion Process” 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_1569241519192{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]Follow this step-by-step process for bulk converting Flash videos to HTML5 at scale: – Identify which Flash videos you want to convert to HTML5. Organize the videos into categories based on their relevant content and whether their source files are available or not. Collect the source files of these videos. For example, you might have video course content in .flv or .swf formats, which means that your courses use graphics, interactivities, and other Flash components. Extract all the relevant media elements and content from these videos and store them in proper folders. Select an authoring tool for the conversion. Decide the interactivities and the Graphical User Interface (GUI)that’ll be used in the converted videos. Quickly develop the interactivities by choosing the right templates. Prioritize the Flash videos that need to be converted to HTML5. The prioritizing factors can include importance, launch dates, and urgency. Choose the right conversion strategy for your videos. For example, let’s say you want to move your course content from Flash to HTML5. But if you don’t have access to the source files, or your course has less or no interactive elements, you can record the course to MP4 format. To make your courses accessible on multiple platforms and devices, you need to rebuild your courses for increasing their interactivity. If your course was developed in an older version of an eLearning authoring tool, you can republish it in the same authoring tool’s latest version. But when most of your course content isn’t relevant anymore, or you want to decrease the course duration to micro learning, it’s better to redesign the course from scratch. According to your conversion strategy, develop and publish the converted HTML5 videos (courses). Run a quality check to ensure your converted videos are doing well on multiple browsers and devices. Most eLearning authoring tools come with a Preview option that shows you how your course will look on different devices. Test whether your converted content is functioning properly on mobile phones and across multiple other devices. If not, you might need to update the part of the content which isn’t running successfully on some or all media. You might even have to replace the entire course if the issue continues. It is imperative to remember that for a smooth conversion from Flash, you need to open the existing source files and export them to the latest version of a program supporting HTML5 exports. But if there can’t be any updates via the already existing tools, you have to create new technical updates for adjusting graphics and other tasks.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Convert a handful of Flash videos to HTML5 videos:” 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_1569239991814{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]There are several HTML5 video converters like Prof. Media, HandBrake, and FFMPEG for moving a small number of videos from Flash to HTML5. For example, if you use HandBrake, follow these steps:- Download and install HandBrake. On the user-friendly interface, select Add Files. This will add source video files from your PC, like those in .flv or .f4v formats. Select MP4, OGV,

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