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208 Chapter 6

Box 6.4
An example: British Telecommunications (Solstra 2000)

British Telecommunications and Futuremedia iLearning developed Solstra 2000, which is
a new model of the jointly developed net-based learning and knowledge management
system. It is the result of signifi cant product development based on increasingly sophisti-
cated and growing customer demand. Solstra 2000 is designed for hosting, delivering, and
managing online learning and job support information. Additional enhancements to the
new version include refi ned administration, management, and reporting capabilities, and
several new fl exible options that increase the availability of learning to groups and indi-
viduals at their PCs. Solstra 2000 also claims to provide the necessary technology to allow
any organization to set up a virtual “ Corporate University. ”
Highlights include the development of Solstra 2000 to map onto an organization ’ s
structure. This reportedly makes it intuitive and straightforward for HR, training, and line
managers to set up a familiar framework to administrate learning across all departments
and levels of the organization, providing the natural platform for a corporate university.
Also, the ability of all staff to “ raise their hand ” electronically, alerting colleagues to their
expertise, interests, and areas they are looking to improve, with their own Solstra 2000
personal homepage. Searchable throughout the organization, this information provides
the foundation for a knowledge management system. Solstra 2000 has increased scalabil-
ity, allowing it to be used by an unlimited number of participants. Terms and text can be
customized and translated into different languages, making it suitable for use by the largest
global organizations.
New participants joining a group or department using Solstra 2000 are automatically
able to access the learning content previously assigned to fellow group members, bringing
them instantly up to speed. Participants also have access to additional learning resources
as fi les can accompany learning content, to provide more information and recommend
related material. HR and training managers can create tailored FAQs within Solstra 2000,
as well as a “ news service ” alerting participants directly when new relevant learning
content becomes available.

economy place a premium on organizational responsiveness and fl exibility. Partly as
a response to the demands of a highly competitive global economy, KMS technology
has emerged as a new generation of information management systems. In contrast
with previous information management systems, KMSs are designed for multiple users
with different and changing requirements.
Key enabling technologies include object orientation, broadband communications,
and adaptive systems. Object orientation provides for the creation of knowledge
objects that can be easily found, modifi ed, and reused. Broadband communication
allows users separated in time or space to work on large data objects effectively as a