FlexTraining Version 6.0 Now Shipping

Tampa , FL - February 20, 2009

National Training Systems has released the newest version of the FlexTraining Total E-Learning Solution, version 6.0. This strategic version of the very popular E-Learning system features a number of exciting changes which will immediately benefit its rapidly-expanding customer base. These enhancements will also offer widespread appeal to prospective customers considering the benefits of an online training initiative. A brand-new Student Module, which serves as the learner interface for all online courses, has been completely re-written in Microsoft's ASP.NET architecture, which offers enhanced appearance, scalability, and reliability.

Earlier releases added an integrated PowerPoint-to-Flash web-based tool, multi-language menus, CD export, test question duplication and numerous reporting and analysis enhancements. The updated student-side module offers a class due date calendar and warning system, course archiving, user editable fonts and colors plus added, customizable demographic fields.

The innovative FlexTraining learning management software powers training to more than one million students worldwide and can be customized to meet the online training needs of virtually any type of industry. Secure access, top-down authorization, and a built-in address book function boost internal and external communication capabilities. A robust series of point-and-click setup screens allow administrators to select features that are tailored to meet the needs of online learners, without programming.

The dynamic, real-time translation and multi-language feature has accelerated the expansion of FlexTraining in both domestic and international markets. The language flexibility allows users to introduce limitless foreign languages, including local variations and dialects, and is designed to support workplace diversity while maintaining simplicity and flexibility on the part of the system manager.

Enhancements for FlexTraining Version 6.0:

New Student Module based on scalable ASP. NET architecture: A complete, new FlexTraining Student Module is now shipping, written from the ground up in Microsoft's ASP. NET and Visual Basic. New screens, images, layout, and enhanced navigation are included.

The new architecture utilizes compiled code, which means the system runs faster and can support even more online learners. The new appearance is more modern-looking, and the software itself is also easier to modify, should customization ever become necessary.

Style-based Fonts and Colors: Screen text colors, sizes and fonts are now set in one "style sheet" for the entire student module. User may change colors/fonts to match corporate standards system-wide with a single edit.

Expanded, Fixed Content Area: FlexTraining is now built to predictable, set dimensions which match a monitor resolution of 1024 X 768. Every learner will now see course material, and all menus and screens, at the same dimensions. Course authoring can now be done with confidence and knowledge of exactly how the material will lay out on the learner's screen.

Enhanced Branding: FlexTraining allows you to drop in your own page banner, logo or other images for the student login page, and a section for a welcome message or special instructions.

Improved WYSIWYG Editor: Text authoring and editing inside FlexTraining Learning Screens now utilizes the WYSIWYG 3rd party TinyMCE HTML editor. Allows greater control over fonts, colors and formatting within text areas.

Enhanced Fill-In Test Questions: For online tests, a fill-in-the-blank question may now have up to five acceptable answers. Provides more flexibility in question creation.

Student Transcript: This new feature provides a real-time list of all student progress and accomplishments, available to the student and to authorized system managers. Managers and learners can now see all class completions and grades at a single glance.

File System Reorganization: User content directories are restructured to make uploading and accessing images and media items (Flash Movies, Narrations, etc.) easier for course developers.

Enhanced Maintenance Logging: For improved security, and for auditing purposes, manager activity logging now also tracks the deletion of folders and files.

Generic Profile Fields: The student profile record for each student may now contain three additional user-defined fields for enhanced report data selection. Users may give custom names to these fields as needed.

Login Data Sending Utility: This utility sends bulk login information (login credentials) to authorized managers.

Past Due Emails to Students: Added a Past Due filter to Email Class facility that is available to authorized managers and instructors. This feature helps warn students about imminent class completion due dates.

Management User Import: This is similar to the existing student import, but imports Management Center users to the system from a spreadsheet or ODBC source.

Registration List Report: A new full Registration List report shows a list of all students in the system, regardless of whether they are enrolled in any courses.

Native Certificate Rendering: Class completion certificates and borders are now rendered in HTML directly and are printable without any browser setting changes.

Other Enhancements for Previous FlexTraining Version (5.3):

Integrated PowerPoint to Flash: The integrated Microsoft PowerPoint-to-Flash converter provides instant transformation of your PowerPoint presentations into the versatile Flash movie format. This built-in, no fuss feature is built into the FlexTraining Media Library and also handles PowerPoint animations and audio narrations. For installations on the customer's server, the converter feature requires a third-party product, the FlashSpring Server tool from CPS labs.

Enhanced FlexAuthoring Editing Tools: The enhanced edit function of the integrated FlexAuthoring tool allows expanded text editing capabilities, including comprehensive font manipulation and sizing, text alignment and select highlighting.

Cascading Style Sheets ( CSS ) Editor: The CSS editing tool enables administrators and course designers to customize the look and feel of their online training environment. Provides ability to brand screen appearance with corporate colors and fonts.

Student Demographic Tracking: Additional student data fields (race, gender, age, educational level) improve organizational demographic tracking and reporting. This constructive feature includes an on/off option to capture the desired level of preferred, statistical analysis.

Class End Date: Monitor enrollment and course completion with the preprogrammed, "hard stop" due dates for student access and enrollment.

Enhanced Custom Reporting: Multiple, integrated data filters provide sorting options that allow true, detailed analysis. Design blueprint and repetitive reports to target on-going business intelligence, and create ad hoc reports to augment enterprise functions.

Automatic Course Completion Data Archiving: Automatically archives student data for courses completed over one year from current date. This new data warehousing feature removes aging completed courses from student home pages yet allows learners easy viewing of the entire file with just one click.

Address Book Links: Keep select managers and personnel apprised of student and program progress through the FlexTraining linked address book function.

Bulk Manager Assignment Tool: Protect proprietary student information with the bulk manager assignment tool. Assign students to cosseted manager databases and ensure sensitive training information is available to designated individuals only.

Advanced Testing Options: Tailor your course evaluations to include multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions , or a combination of both, on a question-by-question basis.

Flexible Promotion and Discount Codes: Offer percentage-based promo coupons and discount codes on a percentage basis rather than a flat amount.

Course Hierarchy: Ensure your training programs and lesson content are secure through the course hierarchy feature. Establish access to or blockage from course lists for management center users based upon defined authorization levels.

Multi-Language CD Export: Classes can be exported and burned onto CD in your choice of languages for portability for use offsite and offline.

Class Calendar Warning System: Alert students to class enrollment, due dates and expiration dates via the color-coded warning system.

Dynamic Date Formatting: Students can create default date formatting to reflect local configuration norms (examples: January 8, 2008 , 01/08/2008 , 08/01/2008 ).

Class Completion Certificate: Students have the ability to print a certificate of completion after the class is completed successfully.

Test Answer Display: Students have the option to view correct test answers and an explanation once the test is passed.

Student Module Branding Backgrounds: Designated background image with selected links moving to the top of the screen overlaying the image.

Consolidated File Chooser Windows: Pop-up windows throughout the Management Center allow user to select or upload files using the same ASP pages and parameters for improved consistency and maintainability.

Completion Data Entry for Classroom Classes: Provides "after-the-fact" ability to enter a completion date when a manager is validating a class as being completed.

Test Question Duplicator: Utility to copy a set of questions from an existing test to a new test, either in the same course or in a different course.

Email Matrix Tied to Managers Database: Allows administrator to choose a manager to receive email notifications.

External Web Page Content Template: Screen author can now use an outside web page or web resource as the body of an authored Learning Screen, complete with status bar, book-marking and navigation.

Enhanced CD Export Navigation: Allows courses exported to CD to provide navigation from a Learning Screen to the next lesson.

Additional Video Formats: In addition to AVI , WMV and Flash, new supported formats include .mov (Quicktime), .rm and ram (Real Player).

Look-ahead Report Generation: For reports that tend to produce lengthy content, the system looks ahead and counts the records that will appear on the report.

Hierarchy Filtering by Course: Uses user-defined organization hierarchy data to restrict reporting content to authorized courses.

Enhanced Skill Group Reporting: Updated skill group reporting to improve screen layout and add more filters.

System-wide Performance Enhancements: Structural and coding enhancements designed to handle large volume data with faster display and processing were implemented. Includes predefined data fields, tabbed management screens, imbedded IFRAME elements to conserve screen space and reduced database hits.

FlexTraining is a complete Learning Management System that works with any web browser over the Internet or a corporate Intranet. It lets customers author, build, deliver and manage custom online training and testing over a local or distributed network. For more information on this online training tool , visit www.flextraining.com or call 1-888-957-7771.