To secure a more sizable than 5 percent market share, vendors will need to play in all three segments and deliver an integrated, complete e-learning solution. This strategy requires forging strong partnerships, or acquiring complementary content, technology, and know-how. Current examples of companies that come close to offering comprehensive solutions include DigitalThink, KnowledgePlanet, Mentergy, Ninth House, Network, Pensare, and Smartforce. One way to explore the many vendors and products is to use Learning Portals, web sites that provide consolidated access to learning and training from multiple sources. A learning portal organizes all kinds of information and course offerings from various locations on a single web site, making it easy and convenient for learners to locate and use.
Portals can be specific and internal to a company, or open to the public via the Internet.
Many portals aim at the content business, offering a wide selection of offerings from multiple vendors and a simple way to shop for all training needs on a single page. Next month, visit this page for a set of questions to use as a starting point to gather information about learning providers and their offerings. A new book with an overview of on-demand learning and examples of successful autonomous learning in action.