Software Evaluation - Stephanie Arehart
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Transcript of Software Evaluation - Stephanie Arehart
ScreencastingTools
SOFTWARE EVALUATION
INTRODUCTION
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BackgroundBackground
Category: Screencasting software
Situation: Our team is evaluating software to be used in knowledge capture sessions, for documenting processes in various formats including printable documentation and interactive online simulations. We must select from two potential solutions.
Comparing: Adobe Captivate 4 vs. Epiance Epiplex500
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RequirementsRequirements
Selected software must be able to:• Quickly capture session only one time but then
output to multiple formats as needed• Add and edit audio• Output to .doc and .swf formats• Add comments and tips within simulations• Capture any online process while blocking
extraneous applications (e.g., Outlook or IM)• Easily edit (remove, add and modify screenshots)
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FEATURES
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Captivate FeaturesCaptivate Features
Capture Capture • Captures virtually any system, ignoring pop-ups and other applications• Contains project templates with set preferences for
reduced capture time
EditingEditing • User-friendly layout and Editing screen• Audio adding and editing• Modification of screen images, text, etc.• Comments, highlights, rollovers, animations, etc.• Flash and video embedding• Text to speech and Zoom features
OutputsOutputs • Interactive formats - .swf, .exe., .avi • Demonstration, Training and Assessment modes
• Documents - .pdf, .doc. 6
Epiplex FeaturesEpiplex Features
Capture Capture • Captures virtually any system• Blocks pop-ups and specific applications from capture• Can pre-set preferences to reduce capture time• Masks private data fields
EditingEditing • Can mask or secure data fields• Can edit screen images, text, etc.• Can add “sticky notes” and callouts
OutputsOutputs • Pack Utility and Document Wizard assists in output• Interactive formats - .swf, DHTML
• Show, Guide and Test versions• Documents - .pdf, .doc., .ppt, .xml, .xls• Context Sensitive Help
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COMPARISON
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So, What’s the Difference?So, What’s the Difference?
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Epiplex Pros vs. ConsEpiplex Pros vs. Cons
ProsPros ConsConsVery easy to start using Not as many “bells and whistles”
Easy to edit captures Parent company not as large or established
Formats to several different outputs Online help not as extensive
Lower cost overall Installation somewhat time-consuming
Process modeling component
Already a standard in parts of company
Multi-language support
Differentiation between Capture and Developer licenses 10
Captivate Pros vs. ConsCaptivate Pros vs. Cons
ProsPros ConsConsAbility to create more interactive online modules (not necessarily system-based)
More features means it takes longer to learn how to use it
Robust edit capabilities Not as widely utilized in the company
Audio editing capabilities More expensive as a whole
Significant online support and user community
Have experienced some bugs with LMS integration
PhotoShop integration with layering
Text to speech feature11
Side by Side ComparisonSide by Side Comparison
EpiplexEpiplex CaptivateCaptivate AdvantageAdvantage
Company/Stability
• Epiance founded in 2001• Headquarters - India
(not as easy to contact or as stable as Adobe)
• Adobe founded in 1982• Headquarters -
California
Installation • Time-consuming and complicated
• Quick and simple
Ease of Use • Requires very little training and tutorials to start capturing• Menu user-friendly• Captures fully
• Robustness adds level of complexity to Editing interface• Capture sometimes
miss clicks
Outputs • Additional DHTML format
• Additional formats for EXE or AVI formats
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Side by Side ComparisonSide by Side Comparison
EpiplexEpiplex CaptivateCaptivate AdvantageAdvantage
Help/ User Community
• Limited • Extensive
Cost/ Licensing • Free unlimited end users• Different license levels• $199 per Capture
license• $2000 per 5
Developer licenses• Already a standard for
some parts of company
• Free unlimited end users• $399 per
Capture/Developer license
Other Factors • Process modeling• Integrates with LMS,
Web and Report/Track
• Integrates easily with extensive Adobe suite
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RECOMMENDATION
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ConclusionConclusion
Recommendation:• Both fully meet core requirements • Epiplex is better solution for our needs at this time• If requirements grow, might look at something more
robust like Captivate
Reasoning:• Already in use in many parts of the company (could
easily start utilizing it)• Provides a simple solution to record “quick and dirty”
knowledge capture sessions • Can output in many formats with minimal editing effort 15