Hands-on Lab in Cloud Still Unique, Say Microsoft Learning

July 21, 2011 - PRLog -- [London, UK] 1,500 learning partners of Microsoft last week attended the company’s annual conference in LA (USA) to showcase different training technologies and discuss their advantages in the 21st century work place. Among businesses presenting their new learning solutions was the blended learning provider from the UK – REDTRAY.

During the keynote presentation, the company showcased its virtual classroom technology CloudRooms. The originality of the technology lies in its ability to use hands-on labs in the cloud (practical exercises in a virtual space) – an aspect that Microsoft’s digital learning solutions are still missing, admitted Microsoft Learning General Manager, Lutz Ziob.

He said, ‘Nobody is perfect, nor are we. But there is a company that caught our attention with its creativity in using virtual learning technology – REDTRAY. They are a real example of a business using a cloud-based solution with hands-on labs.’

Jon Shepstone Managing Director at REDTRAY, explains, ‘It’s proven that people learn new skills best by applying them in practical situations. CloudRooms lets students put into practice what they have just learned. They are placed in their own risk free, live lab environment where they have access to the same technology that they have been training on, and they can hone their skills and ultimately be better at their job, or pass the certification that they need. It’s a shame not many organisations apply the hands-on labs as part of their learning solutions.’

Since the launch of CloudRooms last year, the technology has brought a 300% increase in certified staff for an IT company who have adopted the learning solution and resulted in over a 40% reduction in training cost.*

Shepstone concludes, ‘A virtual classroom solution provides organisations with a more flexible approach to training. We believe that the future of learning is in the cloud. These days, organisations are under pressure to deliver more results with less resource, often across international time zones and 24/7 shifts. So one-day courses aren’t really aligned with how businesses operate today. Learners want training on demand and to request some trainer time when and where it suits them. Virtual classrooms provide what learners want and let organisations deliver quality training as part of a normal working day.’

* Company case study available on request

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About REDTRAY

REDTRAY designs, delivers and deploys learning solutions for enterprise organisations. We deliver bespoke training and certification-led courses in the classroom, online or through e-learning to such clients as NHS, Royal Mail Group, ITV and Heathrow Express. Our solutions are managed by ALTO, our LMS, and our managed training services. REDTRAY is the winner of Gold E-Learning and IT Training Awards and has been recognised in the Deloitte Fast 50 and the HR Excellence Awards.

Website: http://www.redtray.co.uk

CloudRooms specialises in live online learning. Using the internet, we connect learners with expert instructors via our virtual classroom. By delivering training online, we enable our clients to reduce their training spend by removing the associated travel and accommodation costs. CloudRooms recently featured in the keynote address at the forthcoming Microsoft World Partner Conference in Los Angeles on 14 July 2011: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/wpc/

CloudRooms: http://www.redtray.co.uk/cloudrooms/
For a complimentary demonstration or further details, contact marketing@redtray.co.uk or call 0808 178 9246.

Link to Microsoft Learning Conference Video: http://digitalwpc.com/Videos/AllVideos/Permalink/ecd90521-3670-4533-aa3e-08697bbc4c80/#fbid=kd9_UaIY9e8

Contact:
For press enquiries contact Kate Graham on: 07909 698960 or email kate.graham@redtray.co.uk

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REDTRAY designs, delivers and deploys learning solutions for enterprise organisations.We deliver bespoke training and certification-led courses in the classroom, online or through e-learning.