Top 10 Performance Support and Simulation Tools for SAP

1
Top 10 Performance Support and Simulation Tools
for SAP

• Stephen Bradley
• Division President, Learning Performance,
  SystemLink
• Session 2706
• May, 16 2006

2
Learning Points

• Understand the major differences between
  Performance Support and Simulation Training tools
  
• Learn how to select the best tool for your
  organization's needs
• Have access to the only independent study of
  training tools for SAP of its kind

3
What We Will Cover

• Speaker introduction and how the research was
  done
• Why Performance Support and Simulation Tools are
  important
• Major characteristics of the tools
• Overview of Top 10
• Side by Side Comparisons
• How to get more information
• Q A

4
Speaker Introduction and How the Research Was Done
5
About SystemLink and Research

• ASUG / SAP Installation Member
• SAP Services Partner
• SAP 3rd Party Partner
• Independent consulting firm for SAP and other
  leading Learning Technology Solutions,
  specializing in
• Research, Advisory and Implementation services in
  Learning Performance Industry, covering
  Technology, Tools and Best Practices
• Worlds leading authority on SAP Learning
  Solution
• Specialist in SAP Performance Management
• SAP End-User Training
• Steve Bradley, Division President, Learning
  Performance

6
About the Research

• TOP 10 tools selected were based on a
  combination
• Simulation Tools that were also EPSS tools
• Number of SAP customers
• Customer feedback
• Vendor track record for integration with SAP
• Vendors feedback on other competitors
• Research was conducted through interviews of
  technology with vendors
• Interviews with SAP customers and independent
  consultants who have used the tools
• Practical experience
• Industry Research
• Validated by our research staff
• Not intended to be a recommendation of which
  tools to use
• Information subject to change as a result of
  recent updates
• Some information is the opinion of the speaker
  which may not represent the opinions of the
  vendors or other users

7
Why Performance Support and Simulation Tools Are
Important
8
Why Performance Support Simulation Tools Are
Important

• Self-service
• On-demand learning
• Safe environment
• Measurable
• Low cost rapid development
• Easy-to-manage dynamic content

9
Major Characteristics of the Tools

• EPSS vs. Simulation

10
Types of EPSS / Simulations

• Soft Skills
• Hard Skills / Technical
• Software Simulations (Application training)

11
Difference Between Performance Support EPSS and
Training Simulation
Usually not learning management tools in and of
themselves

• EPSS Tool
• Purpose To support users in mastering a business
  application . . .. . . BY EXPLAINING and or
  DOING
• Simulation tools consist of four functional
  components
• Record (captures screens and keystrokes)
• Edit (develops customized documents)
• Simulate
• Present (user access in a variety of modes)
• Context sensitive
• Distinct web site
• Assess
• Electronic Performance Support Systems are an
  integral part of an employee support structure

• Simulation Tool
• Purpose To support users in mastering a business
  application . . .. . . BY DOING
• Simulation tools consist of four functional
  components
• Record (captures screens and keystrokes)
• Author (develops customized lessons)
• Present (user interaction in a variety of modes)
• Watch
• Interact / Practice
• Live Interaction
• Assess
• Simulations can be an integral part of an
  Electronic Performance Support System

12
Difference Between Performance Support EPSS and
Training Simulation
13
Typical Presentation (Playback) Modes

• Training Modes
• Demo (Simulation)
• Interactive with guidance (Simulation)
• Interactive without guidance including testing
  (Simulation)
• Performance Support Mode
• Interactive and aware with live application
  (EPSS)
• Printed output that can be used as job aid (PS)

14
Overview of Top 10 EPPS / Simulation Tools
15
Assima Simulation Suite from Assima, Ltd.
16
Overview of Assima
Company Assima, Ltd.
Product name / version Assima Simulation Suite 5.1
Company Size 120
Year product first released 2002
Number of customers 50
SAP customer using product Nike
Pricing 30K to 375K
Pricing based on Developer licenses
Address 1821 Walden Office Square, Suite 400 Schaumburg, IL 60713
Phone [phone]
Email Info_at_assima.net
Web site www.assima.net
17
Assima Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application NO
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
18
Summary - Assima

• Strengths
• Strong technology presents opportunity for new
  functionality
• Built with ERP solutions in mind
• Superior language translation capability and
  content version control
• Attractive and easy-to-use interface and editor
• Challenges
• Small company new to US trying to enter mature
  market
• Lack interactive mode (planned for 2006)
• Reasonably expensive pricing model
• Coolest Feature
• Object-level cloning of application
• Language translation module

19
Epiplex from Epiance
20
Overview of Epiplex
Company Epiance
Product name / version Epiplex Simulation Learning System 4.0
Company Size 49
Year product first released 2001
Number of customers Not Provided
SAP customer using product SBC Communications
Pricing Not Provided
Pricing based on Named user, concurrent user, site
Address 698 Tasman Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone [phone]
Email Info_at_epiance.com
Web site www.epiance.com
21
Epiplex Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application YES
Context sensitive static help screen with application NO
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
22
Summary - Epiplex

• Strengths
• Superior technology with interactive application
  mode
• Built-in user tracking for performance
  measurement
• Cross-application support
• Challenges
• Small company with limited marketing budget
• Expensive pricing model
• Limited US-based support
• Coolest Feature
• Mode of capturing controls allow identification
  of application context to make Epiplex
  application-aware with almost any application.
  Can be used with spreadsheet to automatically
  populate training data into SAP.

23
Firefly from Knowledge Planet
24
Overview of Firefly
Company Knowledge Planet
Product name / version Firefly 4.0
Company Size 110
Year product first released 2002
Number of customers 150
SAP customer using product AOL
Pricing 10K to 140K
Pricing based on Developer licenses
Address 5095 Ritter Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone [phone]
Email Info.knowledgeplanet.com
Web site www.knowledgeplanet.com
25
Firefly Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application NO
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
26
Summary - Firefly

• Strengths
• Easy to use visual developer module speeds
  development
• Strong capture technology
• Competitively priced
• Challenges
• No Interactive mode at field level with
  application
• Manual screen capture is labor intensive
• Owned by LMS vendor may present problems with
  other Learning Management Systems
• No content management or version control
• Coolest Feature
• Automatically create PowerPoint presentations
  from recording

27
Info Pak Simulator from RWD
28
Overview of Info Pak Simulator
Company RWD Technologies
Product name / version Info Pak Simulator 5.3
Company Size 750
Year product first released 2000
Number of customers 300
SAP customer using product Northrop Grumman
Pricing Not Provided (Est. 3K per developer)
Pricing based on Developer or Learner
Address 5521 Research Park Dr. Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone 888.RWD.TECH
Email Info.rwd.com
Web site www.rwd.com
29
Info Pak Simulator Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management YES
30
Summary Info Pak Simulator

• Strengths
• Financial strength backed by SAP alliance
• Built for SAP and mature
• Can produce both simulation and static content
  from single recording, including other outputs as
  well
• Good content management system
• Challenges
• No Interactive mode at field level for simulation
• Older capture technology
• Over dependent on SAP for source of product
  revenue which limits use for other applications.
  More of a training company than product company
• Coolest Feature
• Both Static EPSS and Simulation from same
  recording

31
OnDemand Personal Navigator from Global Knowledge
32
Overview of OnDemand
Company OnDemand Software Inc.
Product name / version OnDemand Personal Navigator 8.6
Company Size 800 (includes parent Global Knowledge)
Year product first released 1995
Number of customers 850
SAP customer using product Rohm and Haas
Pricing Not Provided (Est. 25K to 500k)
Pricing based on Concurrent users, Enterprise
Address 475 Allendale Rd. King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone [phone]
Email Sales_at_globalknowledge.com
Web site www.ondemandgk.com
33
OnDemand Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application YES
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management YES
34
Summary - OnDemand

• Strengths
• Financial strength
• Mature development platform built for SAP and ERP
  interfaces, very full-featured meant to serve
  enterprise
• Includes a strong content management system
• Provide performance measurement statistics
• Challenges
• Expensive Requires web server for database
• Manual screen capture is labor intensive
• Older capture technology and more extensive
  editing required which increases administration
• Coolest Feature
• Live interactive mode is SAP aware of where
  user is in application
• Glossary and Keyword search for content objects

35
Resite Recorder from Insite Objects
36
Overview of Resite
Company Insite Objects, Inc.
Product name / version Resite Enterprise (Resite Recorder) 6.3
Company Size 25
Year product first released 1995
Number of customers 250
SAP customer using product Halliburton
Pricing 2.5K to 100K
Pricing based on Developers and Concurrent users
Address 10777 Westheimer, Suite 925 Huston, TX 77042
Phone [phone]
Email Sales_at_insiteobjects.com
Web site www.insiteobjects.com
37
Resite Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management YES
38
Summary - Resite

• Strengths
• Built for SAP and very mature
• Same recording produces both Static EPSS and
  Simulation
• Captured content is automatically published to
  Web database which can be accessed through Web
  page or in SAP linked to recoded transaction.
  Built-in version control of content development
• Challenges
• Small company
• Overly focused on SAP
• No interactive mode at field level
• Requires plug-in for SAP for published content
• Coolest Feature
• Automatic publishing and version control

39
SAP Tutor from SAP
40
Overview of SAP Tutor
Company SAP America, Inc.
Product name / version SAP Tutor 1.5
Company Size 29,000
Year product first released 2000
Number of customers Not provided
SAP customer using product Bristol-Myers Squibb
Pricing Included with ERP Suite
Pricing based on Included with ERP Suite
Address 3999 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA 19073
Phone [phone]
Email Webmaster_at_sap.com
Web site www.sap.com/usa
41
SAP Tutor Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (Test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application NO
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
42
Summary SAP Tutor

• Strengths
• Financial Strength of SAP
• Free with SAP Enterprise and later
• Output can be stored in SAP Learning Solution
• Challenges
• Further development uncertain
• Older capture technology makes editing difficult
• Requires plug-in
• No content management or version control
• Coolest Feature
• Included with SAP

43
SoftSim from OutStart
44
Overview of SoftSim
Company OutStart, Inc.
Product name / version SoftSim 2005
Company Size 160
Year product first released 2002
Number of customers 140
SAP customer using product BASF
Pricing 9K to 47K
Pricing based on Developer licenses
Address 745 Atlantic Ave., 4th Fl. Boston, MA 02111
Phone [phone]
Email Info_at_outstart.com
Web site www.outstart.com
45
SoftSim Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (Test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
46
Summary - SoftSim

• Strengths
• Simple to use
• Inexpensive for functionality
• Includes text to speech function
• Challenges
• No Interactive mode at field level with
  application
• Old capture technology (uses basically same as
  RWD)
• No content management or version control
• Coolest Feature
• Built-in MP3 recorder and output can be done in
  PDF format

47
STT Trainer from STT Technology
48
Overview of STT
Company STT Software Training Technology
Product name / version STT Trainer 4.1
Company Size 31
Year product first released 1998
Number of customers Not Provided
SAP customer using product Shell International
Pricing Not Provided
Pricing based on Number of developer and users
Address 6302 Manatee Ave, Suite F Bradenton, FL 34209
Phone 866.STT.USA1
Email Info_at_stt-global.com
Web site www.stt-global.com
49
STT Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (Test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management YES
50
Summary - STT

• Strengths
• Reasonably priced solution for functionality
  delivered
• Includes central repository for captured content
• Strong workflow process for content management
• Challenges
• No interactive mode at field level with
  application
• Older manual capture technology
• Limited editing capabilities. Labor intensive
• Widely used in Europe, but not US
• Coolest Feature
• Can update and publish multiple Sims at once

51
x.hlp from Enlight
52
Overview of x.hlp
Company Enlight
Product name / version Enlight Adaptive Learning Suite (Formerly x.hlp)
Company Size 85
Year product first released 1997
Number of customers 350
SAP customer using product Colgate-Palmolive
Pricing 15 and up
Pricing based on Number of developer licenses
Address 1601 Trapelo Rd., Suite 286 Waltham, MA 02451
Phone 877.xhl.palp
Email Info_at_enlight.net
Web site www.enlight.net
53
x.hlp Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance (Test) YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application YES
Context sensitive static help screen with application YES
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
54
Summary x.hlp

• Strengths
• Inexpensive for amount of functionality
• Very easy-to-use capture and editing tools
• Can accommodate any type of simulation training
• Challenges
• Were Small company recently purchased by UK
  parent. Going after broader market than SAP.
• Still uses older image technology with limited
  editing capability
• No content management or version control
• Coolest Feature
• Allows you to import any type of image and
  annotate it, including video, which allows you to
  create simulations for any type of Simulation
  training

55
Vendors Most Often Sited As Chief Competitor By
Others In Study
56
Captivate from Macromedia
57
Overview of Captivate
Company Macromedia (Adobe)
Product name / version Captivate
Company Size 1,500
Year product first released 2002
Number of customers Not Provided
SAP customer using product Intel
Pricing 499 per user
Pricing based on Per License
Address 601 Townsend St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone [phone]
Email Direct_at_macromedia.com
Web site www.macromedia.com
58
Captivate Presentation Modes
Demo YES
Interactive simulation with guidance YES
Interactive simulation without guidance YES
Interactive simulation and aware with live application NO
Interactive static help screen with live application NO
Printable task instruction from recording YES
Integrated content distribution and management NO
59
Summary - Captivate

• Strengths
• Very affordable (least expensive of group)
• Financial strength of Adobe/Macromedia
• Supports the use of multiple design templates to
  speed development
• Can leverage existing content from popular file
  formats
• Challenges
• No interactive mode, content management system or
  version control
• Output mainly in Flash which may require browser
  plug-in
• Editor requires effort to master
• Coolest Feature
• Design templates speed development
• Integrate with Breeze (Virtual Classroom)

60
Side-by-Side Comparisons
61
Side-by-side Comparisons
62
Highlights

• Most technically advanced
• Assima
• Captivate
• Epiplex
• Firefly
• Best integration with SAP
• Epiplex
• Info Pak
• OnDemand
• Resite
• SAP Tutor
• Best Enterprise Solution
• Epiplex
• Info Pak
• OnDemand
• Resite
• STT

• Most focused on SAP
• Assima
• Info Pak
• OnDemand
• Resite
• SAP Tutor
• STT
• Most features / functions
• Assima
• Captivate
• Epiplex
• OnDemand
• Resite
• x.hlp
• Products to watch
• Assima
• Epiplex
• Captivate
• Resite

63
How To Get More Information
64
Helpful Independent Sources of Info

• SystemLink
• Steve.Bradley_at_SystemLink.to
• 866-832-5669
• www.systemlink.to
• Bersin Associates
• www.bersin.com
• Brandon Hall
• www.brandon-hall.com
• EPSS Central
• www.epsscentral.com

Q A
65
2706
Session Code