Some HP 3000 customers have been hungry for more applications that use the 3000, and the need for training has opened a new opportunity for one and an update from another. Abovelearning Corp. (408.626.6951) which has evolved from products developed by HP 3000 middleware provider LeeTech Software, has released Learning Center, a learning management application that can be used with HP 3000 and other hardware, or delivered in an application service provider (ASP) model over the Web. The software uses the Allbase/SQL database when hosted on a 3000, with a browser-based interface that lets a company schedule, manage and track education in industry- and company-specific skills (such as insurance certifications or plant safety) as well as IT training. “We can do basic computer skills as well as team-building skills,” said Abovelearning’s Judy Bruzus.

The application manages courses offered by education content providers, who put their course catalogs on the Internet. Abovelearning’s server hosts training information from providers such as ComputerPREP and LearningAction, coupled with management functions so students and registrars view transcripts, track progress towards a certification, browse a course catalog, or sign up for classes.
The software can be hosted on a 3000, according to Abovelearning’s Phil Ohst. “3000 customers who want a pretty easy to operate integration of a system like ours would be a strong candidate for us, because it’s designed to run on that box,” he said. The company’s ASP model, which the company says has the advantage of automatic updates, lets a customer’s training information data reside on Abovelearning’s servers. Either model uses a Web browser interface for students, trainers and supervisors; the last group of people can track employees as they complete classes, ensuring they stay current and compliant. HP 3000-specialized training isn’t a part of any of the Abovelearning’s content partners’ packages yet, but Agilent Technologies will use Learning Center to manage its in-house classes

While Abovelearning brings an education management package to the platform, a long-standing solution that teaches 3000 skills from the platform itself is getting an update this fall. Innovative Software Solutions, Inc. (sales@I-S-S-INC.com) is offering a computer based training lesson “An Introduction to the HP 3000” which runs on the HP 3000. The lesson contains information about using HP terminals, PC-based terminal emulations, and logging onto the HP 3000. The lesson also describes the 3000’s relationship of accounts, groups, users, and files; how to create, alter the security of, and purge files; and information about common MPE commands. Instruction in the use of EDITOR and TDP is included, as is an overview of IMAGE database basics.