Trends, Tips and Insights on Digital Learning and Certification
-
Articles and News Updates /
Expert Instructor Insights
May 3, 2016
How SaaS Training Vendors Meet the Needs of Today’s Learner
Written by Peter Bellia
The rise of SaaS and the resulting business changes have deep implications for training.
With the continuing proliferation of the web – more than three billion people now use the Internet – more companies are adopting cloud computing solutions for business applications across the spectrum to enhance business agility and reduce infrastructure and support costs.
Recent years have seen an explosion in the SaaS delivery model, but software developments have also led to shifts
in many other business areas, which have significant implications for education.
Over the past decade, end users and line managers have become more engaged in the development, customization, and
individualization of the software they use to meet changing business objectives.
They no longer need to wait for intervention from their IT colleagues.
Consequently, organizations are turning to the business, rather than IT departments, for the selection, administration, and optimization
of SaaS solutions that meet todays’ needs and can be rapidly modified or scaled as the business demands.
With the growth of SaaS solutions, we've also seen a significant rise in digital learning as a delivery model over traditional classroom-based and instructor-led courses.
Improvements in cloud-based talent and learning management platforms have empowered employees to develop their own learning paths.
Successful cloud deployments can bring multiple improvements to various types of organizations.
But as with all new technology implementations, expert training is fundamental to achieving the desired business benefits.
Many companies have minimized or ignored training when moving to the cloud, and are suffering the consequences. 30% of SaaS
customers complain of difficulties building knowledge of the application.
There is a clear demand for training services, but vendors wishing to be a part of tomorrow’s application market need to understand the learning needs and behaviors of line-of-business leaders and end users – not just IT staff. The key is developing a comprehensive
range of digital learning offerings.
For many training vendors, this requires huge transformations – of their business models, of sales and marketing techniques,
and of the types of courses offered to meet these developing needs.
Understanding the behavior and needs of the modern learner
Advances in web technology have significantly impacted our lives and working environments.
Through mobile applications and SaaS, people are working on the move, at home, on commutes, and many are operating in an ‘always-on’ working culture.
A recent study* described the modern learner as:
- Overwhelmed and short on time – during a typical work week, employees can only dedicate 1% of their time to training and development; just 24 minutes
- Impatient for knowledge – learners do not have time to wait for scheduled courses; they are looking to solve an immediate business problem
- Distracted with constant interruptions, and overloaded with
information – 80% of formal training is forgotten within a week
Oracle University recognizes the behaviors and time constraints of modern learners, and the rapid, companywide SaaS adoption requirements of the organizations they work for. We have adapted to meet those needs with the following:
- Instantly accessible, web-based learning solutions that let you learn when, where, and for how long you choose; you can easily share knowledge and updates with colleagues
- A range of flexible digital training offerings that can be rapidly deployed and easily integrated with learning platforms, letting you manage your own development paths for a truly personalized learning experience
- High-quality videos in short segments of 20 minutes – updated with each new software release – which
learners can use to get trained on any topic - Training grouped by business or IT-related job role that is particularly relevant to the user
- Worldwide partnerships with SaaS training companies and solution implementers to make all training available directly from the application, whether Oracle or customer-specific content. This includes business process flows and corporate policies so software users can learn on the job with just one click
Oracle University provides solutions that meet the needs of the modern learner, while helping business customers get the
best from their SaaS investments.
With more than three quarters of US-based small businesses expecting to have fully adopted cloud technology by 2020**, Oracle University is poised to play a crucial role in the future success of these, and other forward-thinking companies around the world.
*Study from Bersin by Deloitte
**according to a report by Emergent
Research and Intuit