The vision calls for a 100% online, multi-purpose learning resource that offers self-paced automated courses, student record-keeping administration tools, 24/7 forum access, a searchable database of every ELAN knowledge asset, and syncing to the ELAN g!tools software administration tool that is vitally important to field installers.

“The company that introduced the custom installation industry to the promise of online training in 2004 is now introducing the same industry to the reality of an online learning portal that integrates academics with products and real-world field installation trouble-shooting resources,” ELAN Chief Marketing Officer Paul Starkey says. “Over the next 12 months, our dealers and reps are going to experience first-hand what a 21st Century online university can do for them in their day-to-day learning and work environment.”
 
The first release of the new ELAN U online learning portal strategy is making its debut today at CEDIA 2012 and it includes the immediately availability of an entirely new and revamped curriculum of courses that cover every basic aspect of the ELAN g! System. What’s more, this first release eliminates the traditional need for a first day ‘face-to-face’ training session, which means that every dealer can begin their online learning program quickly and at no travel cost to them. “Dealers registering for this release become registered users automatically as we roll out additional courses and capabilities over the next 12 months,” Starkey explained. “Furthermore, there is no charge for the online training or for portal registration. However, participants must be pre-approved by ELAN.”
 
At the same time, the first release includes the roll out of a sophisticated new search engine that allows learners to immediately access all product information, integration notes, related training and marketing images, as well as up-to-the-minute technical alerts. Also included is complete access to ELAN increasingly popular technical forum which has rapidly evolved to become a vital social media community for dealers and installers looking to share information and ideas.
 
“Our new ELAN U online portal is being designed to integrate learning, community, and real-world installation experiences together in one portal,” Starkey concluded. “We live in a world that is now inextricably anchored on the Internet. Dealers have always wanted instantaneous answers to their questions and now there is no reason why they cannot have those answers. Today we are implementing the first release of this new portal.”
 
Since its debut in 2004, thousands of ELAN U learners have completed more than 500,000 courses. In 2011 CE Pro magazine designated ELAN U as a Gold Award Winner in training as part of the magazine’s 2011 Quest for Quality Awards Program.