Let’s Do Business(copy of presentation at

III Jornada "Solucions Interactives Multimèdia per a l'Ensenyament d'Idiomes: Sistemes e-learning)

English for Business software solutions

www.abacus-communications.com

Presentation Overview

1. Who are Abacus Communications?

2. What is “Let’s Do Business”?

3. Who is using “Let’s Do Business”?

4. How much does “Let’s Do Business” cost?

1.1 Who are Abacus Communications?

Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland Irish-owned company Design, develop and deliver world-class e-

learning solutions since 1996 Over 40 man-years of software product

development, software project management and multi-lingual content creation experience

1.2 What software does Abacus offer?

LDB is the leading English for Business off-the-shelf language course for adults incorporating printed materials, CD and on-line resources and tutor support.

Abacus also integrates its own proprietary products and third party language software products into Learning Management Systems (LMS) and cooperates with leading edge e-learning companies in areas of authoring tools and broadband delivery.

2.1 Let’s Do Business – key features

Pedagogically sound as it is based on years of academic research not technical gimmicks.

Specialised learning programme designed for adult learners not children.

Technically reliable as it is widely adopted in companies and academic organisations throughout Europe.

Conforms to software industry standards (AICC/SCORM) so compatible with leading industry Learning Management System (LMS) platforms. Can be integrated with third party content such as Webschool.

2.2 Let’s Do Business – Content Currently 350-400 hours of English for Business

language practice Courses include 3 Knowledge courses Grammar, Pronunciation &

Vocabulary @ 3 levels; Basic to advanced 4 Skills courses, Telephoning, Presentations, Meetings

and Negotiating for low intermediate to advanced levels of proficiency

Achievement tests in areas of grammar, pronunciation & vocabulary at three levels.

More content in the pipeline – 5 new courses in the “Best Practice” series

2.3 Let’s Do Business – product features

Authentic business situations Hours of audio & video content Vocabulary-building tasks Better accent practice Spoken grammar exercises Additional CD support 6,000 business terms and phrases User Management System

Customer Comments “ Very user friendly… the audio quality is excellent …. The lay out of the screen is excellent … there is a huge amount of language practice … phonology exercises are inventive … vocabulary; there are some gems of exercises”

3.1 Let’s Do Business – Blended Learning

Computer-based learning with total immersion abroad

Computer-based learning with local face-2-face tutor

Computer-based learning with remote tutor

Computer-based learning only

Abacus target group

Costs

Numbers

3.2 Let’s Do Business – Case Studies

Intensive Programmes (12-week)

Foon Sprachtraining Audi

From: Ahrens, Gillian I/AKA Sent: 07 October 2002 10:40  “The screen is useful, easy to navigate

and allowing easy access to the toolbar should there be computer problems. The glossary is good, … The feedback is easy to understand and silent which makes it pleasant and not patronising. … It was good to hear mixed English pronunciations and not just RP. I couldn't resist using the achievement test (good name for it by the way).

Extensive Programmes (2-3 years)

France Telecom

Sally Lenoir / France Telecom Responsable Formation en Anglais

I basically try to teach even the lower levels with simplified professional English …. I get even the lower intermediate levels to give simple, but very structured presentations, so that they can help out on stands at a trade show, for example.

  I have been showing the internet version you

sent me to ….. She was very interested and .... the variety of exercises and means to carry them out (dragging, typing, etc) was also appreciated.

  

3.3 Let’s Do Business – Benefits to school owners

Train more students for less cost Manage classroom capacity efficiently Rebranding rights No content development costs Full technical support available Utilise skills of experienced & qualified

teachers Increased sales margins

3.4 Let’s Do Business – Benefits to Companies

Better trained, more effective workforce Measure return on training investment Train more personnel for less cost “Just-in-time” training Consistent course quality Maximise investment in technology

infrastructure

4.1 Let’s Do Business – Business Models

Annual Subscription Model

Unlimited time ASP or customised Fixed cost Fixed names (no

substitutes permitted )

“Pay As You Use” Model

Fixed hours (min.) ASP or customised Variable Cost Unlimited subscribers

4.2 Let’s Do Business – Corporate Packages

Corporate Starter Kit

100 subscribers or 10,000 hours access

100 complementary books 100 attractive executive

briefcase CDs for off-line practice ASP or customised Tutor-training provided @ 2.50 per hour

Corporate Standard package

250 subscribers or 25,000 hours access

250 complementary books 250 attractive executive

briefcase CDs for off-line practice ASP or customised Tutor-training provided @ 2.40 per hour

4.3 Let’s Do Business – SME & Schools package

20 subscribers or 1,000 hours 20 complementary coursebooks 20 attractive executive briefcases CDs for off-line practice @ 5.00 per hour ASP delivery only (Abacus hosts and

manages the service)

Let’s Do Business – the competition

Competition comes from global players as well as at a national level. Competition suggests a maturing market ready to deploy e-language learning solutions. Customers have a appetite for novelty so there is a never-ending requirement for “new” content. Abacus’ On-Line products can be clearly distinguished from the competition according to a number of criteria;

variety of Spoken English offered (American, Australian, British, etc.) type of English offered (English for business) levels of proficiency (low intermediate to advanced) target group (adult learners only) conformance with international industry standards (pedagogical and technical) other added value (CD support, printed materials, tutoring either remote or face-2-face)

Thank you for your attentionHopefully, I have answered the questions

clearlyWho Abacus Communications are?What “Let’s Do Business” is?Who uses “Let’s Do Business”?How much “Let’s Do Business” costs?

So “Let’s Do Business”!

www.abacus-communications.com