OutStart, provider of the only proven, content-centric software product family for learning, has announced that Englewood, Colo.-based Information Handling Services Inc., the leading worldwide provider of technical codes, standards, and product specifications, has signed an agreement to resell OutStart’s SoftSim and Trainersoft products, the industry’s premier software simulation and e-learning authoring tools.
As part of the reseller agreement, which has already generated revenue with a SoftSim sale to Freightliner, the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a division of Daimler Chrysler, all of IHS’ nearly 100 sales representatives are trained to sell SoftSim. “This partnership will extend OutStart’s reach by allowing us to generate revenue through IHS’ powerful direct sales force and existing world-class client base,” said OutStart CEO Massood Zarrabian.
SoftSim 3.0 is the most robust, easy to use software simulation tool available. It enables the development of browser-based simulations, training, documentation and tutorials. These outputs increase software users’ speed to proficiency by showing them exactly what steps to take when using a software application or following a related process. This occurs in a simulated environment of the software application, allowing users to try new functions or test their competency on the application, without risking errors in the live environment. SoftSim is completely integrated with OutStart’s flagship learning platform, Evolution.
Trainersoft provides companies with the fastest and easiest authoring tools available, and fully meets workgroup and departmental e-learning needs. Last October, OutStart and Trainersoft merged to provide the only product family that meets the diverse needs of developers, workgroups and the enterprise.
IHS will sell SoftSim and Trainersoft under the new names of IHS Builder and IHS Developer, respectively.
Hank Buczynski, senior manager of business operations for IHS’ Information Education Services division, lauded the SoftSim and Trainersoft products. “The addition of the co-branded products, IHS Builder (SoftSim) and the IHS Developer (Trainersoft), to Information Handling Services IHS offerings has an immediate impact on one of our major goals,” he said. “These products will contribute to IHS’ goal to provide world-class customer service and education, while improving the individual and organizational performance of our customers.”
In addition to reselling SoftSim and Trainersoft, IHS will use the products to deploy its own e-learning initiative focused on making customers more proficient on IHS’ solutions. “We can quickly develop and easily deploy quality e-learning for our engineering content databases and custom technical solutions that will educate our customers in the use of these services,” added Buczynski. “We can also offer the products as part of the IHS Education Suite that will allow our customers to develop e-learning for their own internal systems.”
As a leader in providing information content software and services for engineering industries as well as the oil and gas industry, IHS focuses on being a critical process partner in industries such as aviation and aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and telecommunications.
IHS’ comprehensive services eliminate the need for organizations to acquire and maintain information from multiple sources by offering a single, cost-effective source accessible via the Internet. IHS’ products and services, coupled with integrated content management and custom information solutions, facilitate increased productivity and improved quality during the design and construction process.
About OutStart
OutStart provides a proven, content-centric product family for corporations seeking to increase individual and organizational performance to create a sustainable competitive advantage. Our content-centric approach enables an organization to transform its unique business knowledge into practical learning assets, deliver those learning assets to the right person, the right way, at the right time, and capitalize on those assets throughout the extended enterprise to drive sustainable competitive advantage.
Approximately 5,000 customers, including 35 percent of the Fortune 500, use OutStart’s learning software to realize improvements in sales force and services productivity, call center efficiencies, customer and partner education and technology adoption. Founded in 1999, OutStart is headquartered in Boston and has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dublin, Lake Mary, Fla., London, Los Angeles, New York City, Raleigh, N.C., San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.outstart.com.
About Information Handling Services Inc.
With over $400 million in annual sales, Denver-based IHS is the worldwide leader in developing and implementing engineering, technical and regulatory information solutions for customers in over 90 countries. IHS produces comprehensive collections of technical standards, safety publications, design guidelines, vendor and logistics information, energy exploration, production knowledge and information, and software tools. IHS solutions include Internet/CD-ROM subscriptions, customized solutions such as information portals and systems integration; and individual standards and publications via the company’s retail arm, Global Engineering Documents. The company employs more than 2,700 people worldwide and serves the vital information needs of customers across the world’s technical, business and professional sectors. IHS is ranked seventh in the Denver Business Journal’s (DBJ) list of Top 100 Largest Colorado Private Companies. If you require additional information on IHS and its products and services, visit www.ihs.com.
