Case Study: TPC Training Systems
TPC uses the Firmwater LMS to deliver its industrial skills and safety training to over 20,000 users from over 100 clients.
Firmwater LMS is the perfect solution for TPC Training Systems. With over 650 hours of online training content and over one hundred active clients, we need a robust LMS to manage each client's unique training requirements. The Firmwater LMS makes managing our clients effortless and provides us with the space to concentrate on what we do best — the development and delivery of our training.
—Andrew Kauser, EVP Product Development of TPC Training Systems
About TPC Training Systems
TPC Training Systems is the leader in industrial skills and safety training. TPC was founded in 1969 and, since then, has built itself a proven track record of helping thousands of customers and millions of skilled workers build industrial skills and safety knowledge. Their training solutions are used by enterprises large and small including 3M, Boeing, and BP.
TPC uses Firmwater LMS to deliver all of its web-based training
TPC Training Systems has used Firmwater LMS since 2005 to deliver all of its web-based training (prior to 2005 TPC delivered content only on CD-ROM and hard-disk). The Firmwater LMS and its accompanying services were specifically designed to address the challenges of training vendors, enabling TPC to focus on its core business: publishing and marketing technical skills training.
Over 20,000 users from over 100 clients, no IT department necessary
Within three years, TPC has brought over 20,000 users and 100 clients onto the Firmwater LMS, continuing to add more users and clients each month. The system makes it easy for TPC to monitor and manage all its training courses — for its entire client base — from a single interface. Adding new clients to the system is quick and simple.
Firmwater has been regarded as a consistent and strong resource, providing IT and industry expertise for the delivery of TPC's training. With Firmwater as a partner, TPC has no need for an IT department of their own. Firmwater takes care of all requirements regarding the LMS, providing TPC with the freedom and time to focus on its product development and sales and marketing. All updates and maintenance are taken care of and Firmwater manages the LMS infrastructure required for TPC to support its customers' usage.
The system provides flexible branding for TPC and its clients. Firmwater LMS is presented as a 'white-label' solution, enabling TPC to brand the system as their own online training solution. TPC can choose to keep the 'TPC Online' branding for any of its clients or customize to match client branding requirements.
Benefits of using industry standard for content deployment
Firmwater LMS was built from the ground up to support SCORM, the prevailing industry standard. Using SCORM has made it easy for TPC to load and deliver its courses. It has also provided TPC with the opportunity to easily deliver content from partner organizations. This has enabled TPC to further expand its course library, which has increased its marketability to clients.
Taking advantage of using the latest version of the SCORM standard (SCORM 2004), TPC is able to repurpose its content to the unique requirements of its customers. The Firmwater LMS enables TPC to customize its courses by adding client-specific material or removing modules that are not relevant. Passing scores, prerequisites and other requirements can be adjusted as required for each client without modifying the underlying resources.
Summary
In three years, TPC has been able to deliver training to over 20,000 users from over 100 clients using the Firmwater LMS. Accomodating the unique requirements of its clients has become easier and providing support has become more effective. Overall, TPC is able to satisfy customer requests quicker and has found an easier and more efficient way of deploying its training.