One of the major benefits of increased internet bandwidth had been the rise of eLearning as part of career development resulting in significant savings in training costs and the elimination of travel thus benefiting the environment. IDC Technologies has just released a cost-effective software package for engineers and technicians that permits live interaction, collaboration, video, talking and eLearning via the web with experienced instructors presenting as they would do in a normal face-to-face session. The “iQuokka” software is now available.
Courses include safety instrumentation, process plant layout, power electronics, data communications, wireless, instrumentation, automation and process control.
The software allows participants from different locations to participate in the same real-time sessions. They use the integrated tools such as a shared whiteboard, live voice (VoIP) and video connection, instant text messaging and more. This integrated technology is a significant development. It makes the remote meeting experience more dynamic and brings together a whole host of clever features to provide visual and audio stimulation in a “virtual room.”
Potential users include industry, original equipment manufacturers, professional organisations, automation software suppliers, and others. One real world application reduces the need for on-site training visits by substituting remote training where appropriate.
“Provided you have a reasonable internet connection, you can now be located just about anywhere and interact with colleagues from anywhere else," said IDC Technologies’ Engineering Manager, Steve Mackay. “We developed iQuokka because we perceived the need for a package that catered for technical and engineering companies,” he said.
Mr Mackay said that early users had been impressed by the quality of the features. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” he noted. “New users typically join their first session with some curiosity - tempered by limited exposure. Invariably their confidence -and excitement- grows enormously in the first few minutes as they realise the potential for integration in day-to-day leaning and collaboration. Before long users are speaking in live discussions, texting colleagues, even annotating diagrams on slides.”
Other integrated modules to be released shortly include a remote laboratory facility, application sharing, and on-site simulation. “These are some of the features that our early testers have requested,“ said Mr Mackay. “We are working now on integration with the existing core of the iQuokka product.”
About IDC Technologies
IDC Technologies offers technical training courses to process and instrumentation engineers, mechanical and electrical technicians, and engineers. It conducts both on-the-ground courses and remote learning using the expertise of about 150 instructors from around the world.
The company has offices in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, South Africa, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. In addition to its training and software, IDC also operates a publishing arm, writing and selling some 200 engineering and technical books worldwide.
