Olean, New York, April 16, 2004 -- Now operators and maintenance technicians of Dresser-Rand equipment - compressors, gas and steam turbines, and other rotating equipment - can receive the most advanced training on these units without ever leaving their desks.
Dresser-Rand Company (D-R) has introduced a variety of web-based training (WBT) courses for 2004.
With advanced electronic course authoring tools, robust Learning Management System (LMS) software and the capabilities of the Internet, operators of Dresser-Rand equipment will benefit from courses designed to provide intermediate-to-advanced level instruction and "Best Practices" operation and maintenance methods, according to Lee Golder, manager of product training worldwide at D-R.
These highly interactive WBT courses are developed by D-R factory training personnel and reviewed by additional subject matter experts before being released. In addition, the courses may be customized for specific D-R machinery.
By identifying the machine's serial number and researching related service manuals, D-R can tailor machine-specific courses so they reflect the operation and maintenance practices specifically recommended for that unit.
In the last three decades, D-R has trained thousands of equipment operators and maintenance personnel. Each year, the company conducts instructor-based training for nearly 1,200 individuals in courses held at D-R training facilities and at client locations.
"Ongoing training at this in-depth level of competency is essential for clients to reduce equipment maintenance costs and ensure reliability," said Golder. Golder has directed the company's training programs for D-R clients for more than 16 years.
"As an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) we provide our clients with specific equipment-based content, as opposed to generic information. Essentially, our WBT parallels our well-established training programs. We have an excellent track record and reputation for developing instructor-lead training for machine-specific, client site courses, and now we are reformatting this content into comprehensive web-based training courses."
While D-R clearly has unmatched knowledge of its nameplate equipment, the key to delivering WBT is the company's ability to work with a number of LMS software systems, according to Mark Jones, technical training manager at the Dresser-Rand, Painted Post facility. "There are well-established LMS software platforms being used within the industries we serve, such as Oracle, TEDS, RISC and ExxTend Learning just to name a few," said Jones.
"Many of our clients are already working with one or more of these systems and want us to be able to deliver the courses utilizing their existing platforms. Consequently, we're working with commercial LMS providers to deliver operation and maintenance programs to the industry."
Web-based training is far more than simply digesting data and instructions from a computer screen. "We've advanced far beyond the generic computer-based training of the past," Golder said. "We have the expertise and processes in place to ensure the integrity and validity of this technology, and we have partnered with those that have expertise developing web-based training into an operable product using ToolBook II authoring tools.
"Our WBT development partner, a specialist with a Ph.D. in experimental psychology, assists with integrating the important instructional elements into the course construction. Having an interactive learning environment is so critical to effective learning when administering WBT to students. Great care is taken to ensure the student receives immediate feedback to verify understanding and reinforce the learning process," Golder added.
WBT solutions for client-specific requirements
In addition to the selection of WBT courses to be offered by D-R, specific clients are already using D-R-developed, customized WBT programs for their particular machinery.
The initial efforts have been well received according to Jones. "Clients that have previewed our WBT courses have been very pleased and expressed the benefits of the interactivities to enhance interest and learning. Our courses incorporate state-of-the-art technology combined with accurate and specific subject matter, rather than generic information often seen by other WBT generalist providers."
D-R WBT courses are compliant with SCORM standards, which establish guidelines and standards for developing, packaging and delivering high-quality, electronic educational and training materials.
Although D-R will continue to offer instructor-lead training at its factory training centers, regional locations across the United States and at client sites throughout the world, Golder predicts that WBT will also be well received by D-R's international clients Presently courses are offered in the English language; however, Golder advises there are plans to offer them in other languages.
"Classroom instruction is a well established and proven method of teaching the complexities of our equipment," said Golder. "We also remain very focused on the benefits of hands-on training for our centrifugal and reciprocating process gas compressors, integral gas engines and steam turbines. WBT then becomes a very effective way to retrain and re-certify operators and mechanics to meet the specified craft skill regulations. We recognize that web-based training is another element of the blended learning process," said Golder "to ensure your employees are well equipped to properly operate and maintain this critical equipment."
D-R clients may preview a demonstration of a WBT course by visiting the following web site at the URL address listed below, and following the path provided:
URL: www.iruniversity.irco.com
Username: Dresser (case sensitive)
Password: Rand (case sensitive).
Or, they may contact the D-R Training Center by telephone at (607) 937-2303, or by email at [email protected], for additional information.
Dresser-Rand is a provider of energy conversion technology, with field-proven centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, steam turbines, expanders, gas turbine packages, and control systems. The company is positioned to deliver a complete package of solutions, from initial concept to equipment retirement for the oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries.
Additional information about the company can be found on its web site at: www.dresser-rand.com.
Dresser-Rand is part of worldwide Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR). Further information on IR can be found on the company's web site at: www.irco.com.
