IBM Lotus Learning Management System
IBM released the IBM Lotus Learning Management System (at http://www.lotus.com/learning), which is a flexible, standards-based portfolio of e-learning components. It's designed to connect learning to your organization's core technology.

IBM also launched an e-learning content validation offering called "Ready for IBM Lotus Learning software," which was created to help simplify the implementation of course content for Lotus Learning Management System customers.

The Lotus Learning Management System solution is comprised of an Authoring Tool, Learning Management System, Content Delivery Server, and Offline Learning Client. Highlights include the following features:

• Continued support of industry standards: supports learning activity sequencing based on the IMS Simple Sequencing Specification and the SCORM 1.2 and AICC specifications for content interoperability.

• Authoring Tool: allows SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to create courses with minimal technical training, and course developers can use the Authoring Tool to create courses for both the Lotus LearningSpace--Virtual Classroom as well as for self-paced instruction.

• Collaboration between students and teacher: students and instructors can interact online via threaded discussions and chats based on Lotus' synchronous and asynchronous collaboration technology.

The Lotus Learning Management System is available through IBM's Lotus Passport Advantage distribution channel at $60 per user. The International English version of the Learning Management System is currently scheduled for availability in late February 2003, with other languages available 30 or 60 days later. It runs on IBM pSeries (IBM AIX), Microsoft Windows NT/2000, Linux Intel and Sun Solaris; and supports DB2 Universal Database, Oracle, and SQL databases.

Standards-based email solution beta
Finally, IBM announced the beta version of a standards-based email solution designed to allow your organization to extend its enterprise email to users who are currently without a dedicated workspace or email access. It's the first email solution built to run on IBM WebSphere and IBM DB2 technologies.

IBM believes this email solution would be useful for workers without desks, such as retail clerks, factory floor, and assembly line employees. It's scheduled to be available in Q2 2003, and pricing will be announced when it becomes available.

Colin Neale is a Domino consultant specializing in document management and search solutions and is also an IBM Certified Instructor for Lotus Domino. Colin has also developed the C-Search range of products and can be contacted at cneale@c-search-solutions.com.