Multimedia gets a killer app: Training
New server keeps costs down
By Steven Gould
As an IT executive, you often are faced with a pesky
question: How can I keep my IT staff up to date on the latest technology
while keeping costs down? A recent joint announcement by Microsoft and
Compaq might just make your life a little bit easier.
 IT managers and professionals demand the most current technical
information. The Windows Media Training Server, jointly developed by
Microsoft and Compaq, is one way to educate your staff on current and
upcoming technologies and solutions. The server provides audio and video
training materials to every desktop on your network.
It also offers a streaming media solution that you can
use for other projects. For the last few years, the use of streaming audio
and video content on Internet and intranet sites has been increasing at
unprecedented rates. Streaming media has evolved from a novelty to an
essential business tool. Businesses are using streaming media to present
news and entertainment content, advertising and commerce services, online
corporate training, distance learning, and corporate
communications.
In this installment of Enterprise Wise, we'll
take a look at Windows Media Training Server features that may be of value
to your organization.
Scalable training deployment platform Though
the Training Server comes with a variety of training materials
preinstalled, it isn't limited to serving up just these training courses.
It can be extended to include your own corporate training. The Windows
Media Training Server is built around Microsoft's Windows Media
Technologies. This provides a scalable, end-to-end platform for
developing, distributing, and playing back digital media, such as audio
and video. Windows Media Technologies can help keep costs down while
improving processes and sharing knowledge across a dispersed audience. It
offers tools for implementing interactive corporate communications, online
training, and distance-learning solutions -- features that can help
enterprises save money as compared to traditional training tools.
Introducing interactive media to IT staff is a goal for many
organizations. Windows Media Training Server provides one way to help make
that introduction. It is extensible, so that additional content— from
internal or external sources—can be added in.
The Windows Media Training Server is delivered
preinstalled on a network-ready, Compaq ProLiant 800 server running
Windows NT 4.0 Server.
Information about key technologies The server
comes preloaded with about 100 of Microsoft's training sessions, with
information about key technologies such as the Windows 2000 operating
system, Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, and Microsoft Office 2000 productivity
software. Also preloaded are 50 Microsoft Seminar Online programs. In
addition, it includes content from Compaq describing certification and
product training, as well as short informational video clips.
To ensure that its content is always current, the
Windows Media Training Server was designed with a simple administration
interface that allows your IT staff to easily add new or updated content
from Microsoft, Compaq, third-party providers, or internal
resources.
Designed to cut costs The Windows Media
Training Server, priced at under $4,000, appears to provide a viable
training alternative for the IT organization. It offers access to the
latest product and technology information from Microsoft and Compaq, as
well as an extensible architecture for delivering additional streaming
media, all preconfigured on the server platform.
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