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Recognising training as an investment

A US-developed training platform, supplied locally by Learning Resources, claims to allow companies to measure training`s impact on the bottom line.

A new training platform, SumTotal Enterprise Suite 7.0, developed by SumTotal Systems, a US provider of learning and business performance technologies and services, aims to give chief executives accelerated performance and profits.

"Training is by and large still seen by CEs as a cost, rather than an investment," says Don Hernandez, VP responsible for sales for Africa for SumTotal Systems. "With this product, however, the impact of training interventions on the bottom line can be measured."

Hernandez was in SA in mid-March for the launch of the platform, available through local partner, human capital solution provider Learning Resources.

"By proving that a relevant training technology can increase revenues, decrease expenses and reduce a sales cycle time, CEs have no choice but to view it as an investment that will drive shareholder value," says Hernandez.

SumTotal Systems and Learning Resources claim the product simplifies the administration of learning activities and interoperates with other technology applications and infrastructures.

It allows an organisation to map the learning support system to the matrix as well as the hierarchical structure of an organisation. The single, integrated platform combines learning management, learning content management, in-depth analytics and other standards-based learning applications.

SumTotal Enterprise Suite 7.0 also enables users to automatically generate National Qualifications Framework compliance reports.

"On a practical level, SumTotal can help train your sales force more quickly; improve the effectiveness of channel partners; help you launch a new product before your competitors; increase customer satisfaction and therefore profits; educate and align a workforce distributed across the country; and help you comply with new regulations," explains Learning Resources business unit head: Learning Solutions Shirley Hulley.

Increasingly common business `pain points`, such as call centre effectiveness, accelerated sales cycles, ubiquitous software upgrades and regulatory compliance are entrenching the perception of training as an investment across industry sectors, adds Hernandez.

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