E-learning firms partner to take Australian market

Australian e-learning software provider Impart has taken over the local operations of US rival Docent in an exclusive partnership deal.

The management partnership includes “exclusive distribution rights” for Docent's range of enterprise e-learning software, Impart said in a statement.

Impart had focused mainly on developing e-learning content but the partnership would allow it to expand into systems and services, it said.

Alex Smith, CEO at Sydney-based Impart, claimed Docent was the acknowledged global leader in the learning applications market.

Further, research had revealed a gap in the market for “complete training solutions”, he said.

“One of the major problems in the e-learning sector was a focus on content without having robust management systems in place,” Smith said.

Smith said the learning and human performance systems market had begun to mature and consolidate.

“Organisations are recognising the benefits of dealing with a company with capabilities across each of three key areas of e-learning --content, software and integration services,” he said.

Impart would now push the Docent Enterprise Suite to organisations wanting an enterprise-wide approach to skills and compliance management.

Docent recently merged with competitor Click2learn.

“The Docent/Click2learn merger ... means ... the new product line will be supported by a strong international network [and] increased R&D,” Smith said. “The industry has needed to consolidate for some time now. This merger will give e-learning a stable foundation for continued growth.”

Impart's clients include federal government agencies, banks, insurance companies and manufacturers. Recent wins with Malaysia's Petronas Petroleum and national bank support Impart's geographic expansion into Singapore and Hong Kong, the company said.