144 - LSP/ASP Learning Models Grows in Business Plans and Offerings; John Hancock Case Study: "Why We are Outsourcing Almost All Training!"; New Needs Analysis Tool for Performance Delivery Released

1. LSP/ASP Learning Models Grows in Business Plans and Offerings: In the
internet world ASP stands for Application Service Provider, a specialized
form of an ISP, that allows a company to have an application hosted via a
"rental" fee. In the learning and training world, we are tracking a rapid
growth of a specialized type of ASP, the LSP = Learning Services Provider.
These groups are offering, via diverse business models, learning management
and training delivery software, on a hosted/rental basis. These include:

* Full Service LSP: They will customize, implement and host, via a private
network, a complete software solution. Some of these groups are offering a
choice of systems and are also providing learning design services.
* Content Specific LSP: They will license their content to an organization
and will provide a level of learning management services to the buyer.
* Tool Specific LSP: They will license and host their specific system to an
organization.
* Portal LSP: They will host a portal site (public or private) and "bundle"
the learning system in the background.

The rise of LSP/ASP providers in the learning space is changing the
conversation in many organizations from an outright purchase of a learning
system to a focus on selecting a service provider. The advantages often a
lowered dependence on internal IT resources, avoiding a capital expenditure
and avoiding having to make a long term bet in a changing marketplace. We
are interested in hearing from organizations that are implementing learning
technology with a LSP/ASP. Send a note to lsp@masie.com

2. John Hancock Case Study: "Why We are Outsourcing Almost All Training!"
Larry Israelite, General Director, Training and Development, John Hancock
Mutual Life Insurance, will be leading a Case Study at TechLearn '99,
revealing their approach and reasons for outsourcing almost all training.

Larry will share their plans and motivations as well as lead a discussion
for managers and learning officers on the critical issue of training
outsourcing.
There are only 200 spaces left at TechLearn '99 - http://www.techlearn.com
to
register.

3. DPEC Files IPO: Investment in Training Industry Continues DPEC, a well
established computer-based-training company, today announced that they
are filing an IPO with the SEC. The date of release of the IPO has not
been announced. Their url is http://www.dpec.com This continues the move
towards IPO releases in the learning and training industry. Watch for
several
more in the next 8 weeks.

4. New Needs Analysis Tool for Performance Delivery Released: ADVISOR P.I.
is a decision support tool. It conducts a root cause analysis of a
performance deficiency (gap) and recommends the most cost-effective
solutions (interventions) that would produce the desired level of
productivity. Interventions considered by ADVISOR P.I. include training, job
aids, job/process/organization re-design, new/improved incentive system,
polices/procedures, tools, hiring practices, communication plan and others.
You can get more info and a demo at http://www.bnhexpertsoft.com/

5. Book Lists Wanted: We would like to grow a list of books that TechLearn
Trends readers would suggest to others in this field. We will post these on
our website and also have a selection of them at the ASTD Bookstore at
TechLearn '99. Could you take a moment and send me a quick list of books
that you think others should read if they are approaching the future of
learning.
Just send them to books@masie.com