When looking at both hardware and software training, one notices from the start that while they are separate, they are both quite intertwined. Specialized hardware can be created for training purposes, but at a high cost to the company implementing the system. Training hardware also would have to be created for all locations to where training would take place. For example, if a company has campuses in both California and Florida, there would have to be twice as much hardware. To run on these training hardware systems, one would still have to create training software to run on them. It would be cheaper to create a software system to run on a custom hardware system as there would have to be less compatibility restraints. A cheaper method would be a just a software system. In particular, an e-software system. While compatibility would have to be checked on a few different options, such as browsers or operating systems. The overall cost would still be much lower than creating hardware also. Implementation would also be easier as off the shelf computers wouldn't need special installers. Once those are up and running, a website can be accessed and learning program started. With the current trend of open source gaining popularity, such as Linux and Google's Android, on closed source, such as Microsoft Windows platform and Apple's platform, e-learning is easier to implement than a pure hard drive installed software program. Several browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, are available across most operating systems, so software could be tested on the browser and the e-learning could occur on any platform running the free browser.
Currently, we're trending towards more online based training. This allows for around the clock training availability. Self-paced training also ties into this. Self-paced/on the job training is moving into a more common trend as e-training generally is self-paced. Gartner (http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=703807) says that as of 2008, one billion personal computers have been shipped worldwide and that this number should double by 2014. Current cellphones are becoming more and more sophisticated so even those would probably be able to be used for training in the near future. Some colleges are already requiring smart phones or mobile "pads" for incoming freshman.
Its weird how technology has changed over the years and how training is becoming obsolete to the hardware world. Most companies are going with online training because as you mentioned its cheaper and easier to maintain. There are some colleges already giving Ipads to student as they become a part of there university. Then you have the Iphone 4g that is capable of video conferencing with the front faced camera. Before long the world will be overpopulated with iphones, ipads, and itouches. Apple will be the ruler of the world(Don't destroy us master).
ReplyDeleteVery true, it is much more efficient to create software for universal hardware. I really don't see any reason (other than "special skills" jobs) that a job should require special hardware for training. Best buy, even for geeksquad training, uses standard e-learnings. Most of them include some sort of simulation. I could see employers getting in on mobile training, as most people in a professional setting have a smart phone in today's society anyway.
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