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Based on both our own experiences, and those of our customers, we have put together the following guide to help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing the right online DSE software for your organisation.
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View the system in action
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It is vital to demand either an on-site presentation or a web demonstration of the software. Factors to consider and questions to ask when viewing the system include:
- Can the product be customised? How easy is this to do and how much will it cost? What about ongoing customisation?
- How long is the training course and risk assessment process? Does this satisfy legal requirements and is there a bookmark facility should users get interrupted?
- Does the course cover the latest technology such as blackberries and other mobile devices?
- Is there any self verification and user resolution of risk? How does this process work?
- How much human resource is required to manage the system?
- Are there different levels of system administration?
- How is the system populated with user data and how is this kept up to date on an ongoing basis?
- Is the reporting tool SCORM compatible?
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| Evaluation
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Any reputable vendor should be able to organise an full online evaluation of the system for you. This gives you a chance to assess the system from both the end user and administrative perspective. An online system for DSE is a high profile purchase in that it has the potential to reach every computer user/workstation operator within the organisation. Canvassing employee feedback and testing the system from an IT point of view prior to making any sort of financial commitment, is vital in order to purchase the right system for your organisation. If possible, select volunteers for the pilot programme from different departments, with different job roles and levels of seniority, ensuring a good cross section of feedback. |
| Integration
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An online DSE system can operate in isolation, but this can duplicate the administration of user data and prevent the central storage of all e-learning related training records. Ensure your chosen system is SCORM compatible so that it can be fully integrated with your organisation's primary Learning Management System. Benefits of integration include:
- All training records in one database
- Employees have just one system to log into
- Individual departments do not have the burden of keeping multiple systems up to date to reflect employee movement
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| Cost
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Get a full breakdown of costs so that there are no hidden surprises and explore all licensing options that are available to you. Make sure that prices given cover the following:
- Licensing for use of the DSE training course, risk assessment and
reporting tool
- Product set up and system administrator training if required
- Technical support, hosting and product upgrades
Customisation
Payment options vary. Discuss your usage requirements and circumstances with the supplier and together you will discover the best licensing arrangement for your organisation. The best solution for each customer depends on how they anticipate using the product.
The three options available are as follows:
- Annual Subscription - license the system for a fixed number of users. Benefits include low acquisition cost, more limited commitment and flexibility when it comes to adding new courses and risk assessments
- Perpetual License - If you are satisfied that the software you are buying is the only online safety training solution you’ll require in the next 3 to 5 years, and anticipate the system will continue to meet your needs during this period, then making the commitment to the larger up front costs of a Perpetual Licence will pay dividends over time.
- Flexible Training Credits - designed to eliminate wastage. Purchase only what you need and redeem credits against any of the courses and risk assessments in our entire product library. This payment model allows you to allocate training on a needs basis.
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| The future |
Legislative changes and advances in technology drive the evolution of DSE software. Consider a provider who has the know how and resource to ensure that content is kept up to date to reflect any changes in the law and utilises the latest IT advances, Web 2.0 for example, to offer powerful yet flexible functionality.
Risk assessment questions may become redundant over time and organisational changes will need to be reflected within the training content. Ensure your chosen system is flexible enough to bend to meet these changes as they occur, without having to spend more money on development and customisation.
An online DSE programme does not have to run in isolation from other H&S training and risk assessment initiatives. Take time to review the provider's full course portfolio and consider how the risk assessment process could be utilised in other areas of organisational safety as you may want to add to the DSE package in the future.
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What now?
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Click here to contact us for more information or to arrange a demonstration of ErgoWize
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