Press Releases

Hyperwave - well positioned in integrated knowledge management

Leading analyst Gartner stresses the importance of combined e-learning and integrated document management found in Smart Enterprise Suites

July 10, 2002

According to Gartner's current estimates, by 2004 the core functions of integrated document management will play a key role in 90 per cent of all e-learning products. In the future, document management software providers will have to integrate functions to allow better learning content management, as well as offering workflow, content management and team working. Gartner says, this will create what are known as "Smart Enterprise Suites". Hyperwave, suppliers of collaborative knowledge solutions, is set to play a leading-edge role in the development and implementation of integrated knowledge management software, having offered such a solution since 1997.

"The Gartner study confirms what the Hyperwave software solutions have been offering for quite some time. Unlike many of our competitors, we already have the technology which allows the integration of document and content management, team working and e-learning," says Christoph Michel, Hyperwave CEO.

Gartner states that e-learning can no longer be regarded solely as a business solution, but forms part of a comprehensive product range which it calls a "Smart Enterprise Suite". This, among other things, combines functions such as content management, team working, information retrieval, workflow and portal solutions. Advantages of this modular solution are cost-effective integration and support of business processes of global enterprises. Information and data are only utilised sensibly when they are not only managed, but also integrated into in-house training and interactive co-operative solutions. Only then can the intellectual capital of all employees be fully and effectively utilised.

Gartner predicts positive growth for the e-learning market as a result of its growing and widespread acceptance by enterprises. One reason for this is the improved technology of the e-learning products, which is constantly offering expanded and improved functionality. Effective elearning in the enterprise requires a combination of tools stemming from integrated document management, as well as technology supporting interactive co-operation.

The basic functions of an integrated document management system include the organisation, structuring and ordering of relevant information by means of version control, search functions, workflow and metadata management. Furthermore, web content management and technology, which strengthens the interactive aspect, such as portals, project management, discussion forums and chat, are also key. The virtual classroom - in which tutors and students can work together online by e-mail, in discussion forums or in chat rooms - is indispensable, particularly for globally active enterprises.

When evaluating prospective suppliers, Gartner recommends that enterprises should check whether e-learning functions can be integrated into the software solution. As a result of many years' experience of using e-learning in the tertiary education sector, Hyperwave has the requisite technology and know-how for this segment, in contrast to many other prospective suppliers of document management systems.

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