Tata Interactive Systems launches its SimBLs™ (Simulation-based Learning Objects) portal

Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), the global e-learning producer, has launched www.simbls.com, a portal providing an online library of all TIS’s simulation based learning objects (SimBLs™).

TIS’s award winning SimBLs™ are ‘byte-sized’ chunks of learning which focus on ‘fidelity to concepts’, provide immersive decision-centric learning experiences and improve decision making skills in a risk free environment.

TIS has developed a library of more than 160 SimBLs™ across topics ranging from business administration to critical thinking and project management to business ethics.

Said Manoj Kutty, President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at TIS: “SimBLs™ have been used effectively at several leading universities including the University of Phoenix, DeVry University and the University of Michigan as well as major companies including UPS.

“SimBLs™ are available off-the-shelf as licenses to universities, companies and public sector organisations”, he added. ”So far, we have sold more than 25,000 SimBLs™ licenses to companies and universities around the world”.

Sanjaya Sharma, chief executive of TIS, said: “Using SimBLs™ at the University of Phoenix has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in facilitating learning. As part of our continued attempts to improve the SimBLs™ experience, we have now created the SimBLs™ portal as a channel that can not only ease the selection process for licensing SimBLs™ but also allow for their seamless deployment and use”.

The SimBLs™ portal provides:
 ‘experience’, at first hand, of the use of immersive learning techniques which are the centerpiece of a simulation-based learning solution.
 opportunities to explore the wide range of simulations that TIS has developed. Users can search a variety of parameters ranging from subject specializations to industry and concept related keywords. In addition, they can download the entire catalogue of simulations for future reference.
 a mechanism to create classes for learner/student groups and give them access to these simulations through the portal.

Rupesh Goel, who heads the SimBLs™ development team, commented: “SimBLs™ provide learners with an engaging and highly motivating way to interact with e-learning materials, greatly enhancing their learning experience and increasing the application and retention of knowledge. The SimBLs™ portal is another link to deliver these products to the end user and administrators in an effective way.

“Our clients have told us that identifying ‘sims’ that are exactly appropriate to their learning needs can be an involved process, so we have designed the portal to cater for that need. Its simple, online search capability allows a potential user to get an insight into the simulation scenario and its learning objectives as well as its instructional structure”.

The quality of the SimBLs™ created by TIS is reflected in the fact that SimBLs™ from TIS have won the APEX Award for Excellence in 2004 - for the SimBLs™ on business ethics - and an APEX Award in 2005 - for SimBLs™ on motivating and compensating employees.
###

Notes for Editors:

About Tata Interactive Systems
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning. A part of the $14 billion Tata Group—one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India—TIS has 15 years of experience in training consulting, designing, and developing innovative and cutting-edge workforce performance enhancement solutions. Its service bouquet includes Consulting; Simulations and Simulation-based Learning Objects (SimBLs™); Story-based Learning Objects (StoBLs™); Game-based Learning Objects (GamBLs™); IT Application Training; Regulatory and Compliance Training; Adaptive Assessments; Sales and Customer Service Training; New Hire Training; Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS); and Business Processes and Skills Training.

TIS employs a global team of 850 multi-disciplinary specialists—a unique mix of Project Managers, Software Engineers, Instructional Designers, Content Developers, Visual Designers, and Animators. It has a strong presence in the US, with operations spread across seven cities—Atlanta, Boston, Carlsbad, Chicago, Dallas, New Jersey, and San Jose—serviced by its development teams stationed locally. In keeping with the co-shoring model, the teams are managed by on-site Project Managers who co-ordinate with the clients and drive the project operations.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes, and technological excellence, TIS has developed 950+ e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients—including more than 50 Fortune 500 companies—across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as Allstate, American Airlines, Abbey National, American Honda Finance Corporation, British Airways, Citigroup, Cigna, ExxonMobil, Florida Virtual School, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, McKinsey & Co., McGraw-Hill, UNICEF, Unilever, University of Maryland, and University of Phoenix.

Apart from holding ISO 9001 and BS7799 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organization in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI CMM and P-CMM frameworks. Classified as a Visionary in the Gartner Group’s coveted ‘magic quadrant,’ TIS’s quest for innovation and excellence is reflected in 22 prestigious industry awards, including Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2004; APEX 2004 Award of Excellence; Best Product at the British Educational Training and Technology (BETT) Show 2004; Training Magazine’s APX Award 2003; and Best E-learning Provider, Best B2B Web Site, and Best Educational Total Comprehensive Solution at the SIIA Codie Awards 2002.

For more information go to http://www.tatainteractive.com

TIS Addresses/Contacts in the US:

New England
Dave Beauchamp
dtbeauchamp@tatainteractive.com,
617-625-0024

Bryan Kantor
bryank@tatainteractive.com
413-568-0244

NY/NJ & Mid-Atlantic
Tij Nerurkar
kshitij@tatainteractive.com
917-804-1766

Gil Weiser
gil@tatainteractive.com
215-431-9822

Henry Williams
henryw@tatainteractive.com
201-225-9627

Michael Liddy
michaell@tatainteractive.com
908-654-0046

South East (Atlanta)
Kashyap Vadapalli
kashyapv@tatainteractive.com
848-250-9723

Canada
Chetan Mahajan
chetan@tatainteractive.com
720-256-5666

Mid-West
Gaj Kasbekar
gajanank@tatainteractive.com
773-793-4604

Texas
Chris Macrorie
chris.macrorie@tatainteractive.com
972-403-1451

Southern California and South West
Tom Paulin
tomp@tatainteractive.com
760-476-9191

Northern California and North West
Veena Adiga
veena@tatainteractive.com
408-452-5752

###

Press contacts

Kashyap Vadapalli, Tata Interactive Systems, Atlanta GA.
Phone: 848-250-9723; email: kashyapv@tatainteractive.com

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR.
Phone: +44 1-727-860405; email: bob.little@dial.pipex.com