Laserform Takes the FastClass to MCSE Certification
Blended learning solution delivers real IT knowledge, whilst reducing classroom training days from 33 to 18 supported with ongoing e-Learning"We understand the value of the MCSE certification and want to provide all of our technical support staff the opportunity to undertake the training. At the same time we need to maintain a high level of support service for our customers and for the Laserform business, which means that I can't afford to lose key members of staff for weeks at a time whilst they go on a training course. The Premier IT MCSE FastClass delivers real hands-on experience during its lab sessions, which team members can apply as soon as they are back in the work environment. The modular nature of the course means that team members can choose their own pace of learning and are able to go back to the MSCE Club online learning resource for a refresher or to double check any queries whenever they need to."
(Ian McKelvie, technical support manager, Laserform International)
Overview
Laserform delivers innovative software to the legal profession and has a technical support team consisting of 8 key members of staff who look after the technology needs of their clients as well as providing an internal support function. This is a very busy team that needs a high degree of technical understanding but does not have the bandwidth for individuals to spend weeks at a time out of action whilst on a training courses. Six members of this core team have enrolled on the Premier IT MCSE FastClass in order to study for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer status in Windows 2000. A new initiative from Premier IT, the FastClass takes a blended
learning approach, incorporating Instructor Led Training (ILT) and e-Learning content, to reduce the time spent away from the workplace from 33 to 18 days of ILT. The FastClass programme has enabled Laserform delegates to gain the expertise required to face real life IT challenges as well as learn the most appropriate information required to pass the exams with reduced time and cost implications for their company.
Background
Laserform International Limited was founded in 1989 to produce a range of electronic legal forms specifically developed for the UK's legal profession. Until this point, law practices had relied heavily on pre-printed paper forms and typewriters. The introduction of Laserforms meant that legal practices were not only able to fully utilise their existing computer facilities in this area, but also had access to a faster and more efficient method of forms completion. All Laserform products have been developed with the help of a team of highly competent in-house lawyers who have worked closely with customers and the various legal bodies to ensure that rules are adhered to and expectations are fully met. Laserform's product range has expanded to encompass almost the entire range
of legal specific software. The company has developed three core divisions all aimed at improving automation and increasing efficiency in the working practices of members of the legal industry:
· Publishing - manages all aspects of the Company's flagship offering, including a bank of electronic template forms that can be easily customised for any legal requirements · Case Control - to track and project manage status on individual legal cases · Practice Management Systems - Time Recording, Legal Accounts and Matter Management Laserform products are installed in over 3,000 legal practices, ranging from small family legal practices, through to large law firms, as well as the legal departments of multinational corporations. 343 of LaserForm's customers are in the top 500 and 76 out of the top 100 law practices. In addition to these software solutions the company also provides a technical support help desk and onsite consultancy to facilitate easy integration with its customers' existing systems.
Skills development
Laserform considers MCSE training valuable for two key reasons. Firstly to build the skills based within the organisation and secondly to facilitate the personal development of its staff.
Laserform Takes the FastClass to MCSE Certification
A large proportion of Laserform's business is focused around the implementation of its software solutions onsite at customers' offices. A high quality of service is essential to a successful implementation; this requires key Laserform staff to demonstrate the knowledge and experience to deal with IT implementation queries onsite. The smooth and successful resolution of these queries is essential to ensure the software, that it is up and running quickly and that customers are completely satisfied.
According to McKelvie, "Personnel development is also very important, people need to grow and develop within their roles in order to keep them interested. This creates loyalty within the organisation, as well as honing the skills of our technical support team as a whole,
which of course enables us to provide better service to both our internal and external customers."
Laserform cites four core reasons why it selected the Premier IT's MCSE FastClass to fulfil its training need:
- To enable delegates to gain the expertise required to face real life IT challengesas well as learn the most appropriate information required to pass the exams
- To minimise the training time spent away from the workplace
- Previous positive feedback on the expertise and experience of the Premier IT lecturers
- The
provision of a flexible payment schedule, which meant the cost for
thetraining could be spread out across the year, as opposed to one up
front lumpsum payment
The solution
The Premier IT MSCE FastClass provides IT managers and systems administrators the knowledge and skills necessary to support Microsoft Windows 2000 based networks. It has been designed to provide practical experience for real life situations as well as focused theory to attain Microsoft Certification.
Laserform Takes the FastClass to MCSE Certification
Key features include:
- 33 days of Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer curriculum training condensedinto 18 days, supported with e-Learning
- Class sizes of 6-8 people for increased interaction and a high level of support
- FastClass Club portal provides additional support, including training content, web recordings, training videos, mock exams, whitepapers and FAQs
- FastClass provides business benefits including excellent ROI
"The Premier IT MCSE FastClass has really helped me to understand Windows 2000 much more rapidly than a traditional course and its practical hands-on nature meant that I could easily apply the knowledge learnt within the IT environment at my workplace. The blended learning approach - providing practicals along with explanatory screen shots and the one-to-one support from the course tutor really made the difference. "
Creator of Premier IT's MCSE FastClass, Nick Shepherd, adds, "The MCSE FastClass programme has been specifically developed to enable students to gain practical IT expertise within the workplace and to focus on the information required to attain Microsoft Certification. As part of the training programme we have included additional practical elements within a lab environment so that our students can gain experience of real world networking issues and how to resolve them. Students also received additional support in the form of access to tutors via email, study packs and exam readiness sessions, as well as access to additional support through our MCSE FastClass Club portal." The MCSE FastClass Club initiative offers students 24/7 access to a learning portal, which holds learning content and recordings, training video presentations, as well as providing access to Microsoft white papers, FAQs and bulletin boards. The Club provides students with an additional support network, access to tutors, training content and a community of like-minded people. The MCSE FastClass differs from the infamous "bootcamp" training programmes as it specifically focuses on
delivering solutions to the everyday challenges faced by today's IT managers within the shortest timeframe possible. Whilst the alternative "bootcamp" approach offers a solution that maximises examination pass rates, graduates often experience difficulties when faced with IT challenges within the workplace.
The benefits
Five of the six delegates that Laserform enrolled on the MCSE FastClass have already completed their first course and then taken the exam with a 100% success rate. "The success so far has been great," said McKelvie, "The technical knowledge of the team is stronger, with this new knowledge already being applied on a daily basis. This section of the training has been completed, with minimum disruption to the department and the online resources within the MSCE FastClass Club are proving a valuable reference point for technical queries."
