Mentor™ for Tiny Computers

Complete Learning, and Support System arrives free with PCs to help users understand their new computers, sign up for online service, and use desktop applications—on their own!

South Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, 14 December 2000 -- In August of this year, VSI Communications Group was commissioned by Tiny Computers, a major British computer manufacturer, to develop a custom training solution for Tiny's large market of first-time computer users.

Research and focus groups had revealed that many customers found operating a PC an overwhelming experience: an end-user problem all computer suppliers share. As a result, many potential customers put off getting a computer, or if they do, they can require a significant amount of costly help desk support just to get up and running.

Today, Mentor™ for Tiny Computers is shipped as part of Tiny's standard desktop configuration. The moment the computer is turned on, the "Tiny Trainer" appears to help customers quickly grasp the Windows desktop, see how to sign up for Tiny's online services, and watch short, multimedia overview explaining email and the Web.

VSI's comprehensive learning and support system consists of three parts: the tour, overviews, and comprehensive multimedia demonstrations on how to use Windows, Outlook, and Internet Explorer.

Introductory Tour by "Tiny Trainer"

The first time a Tiny computer is turned on, the viewer sees and hears an entertaining 8-minute animation. The "Tiny Trainer" character gives an introductory tour of the desktop features and explains some basic concepts such as windows, folders, file, applications, and icons. He also assures viewers that whenever they are using an application that contains a Mentor icon, they can click it to get instant, multimedia demonstrations of how to perform a task.

Overviews on email, the Web, and Windows

At the end of the introductory tour, viewers can go on to see high-level overviews:

• What is email?
• How do I sign up for Tiny Online, and work on the Web? and
• How do I use the Windows Me operating system?

Comprehensive "click-and-play" demonstrations

VSI customized several of its off-the-shelf learning systems for Tiny customers in the United Kingdom. Together, Mentor™ for Windows Me, Mentor™ for Internet Explorer, and Mentor™ for Outlook Express, deliver over 350 "just-in-time" demonstrations to help people learn on their own, without training, manuals, or calls to Tiny's help desk! Tiny estimates it takes less than 10% reduction in help desk costs to pay for the entire custom Mentor for Tiny package.

Users can access Mentor's 60-to-90 second instructions at any time. And unlike most computer-based training or online courses that expect users to learn and remember a large amount of knowledge, Mentor gives users the immediate answer they need to complete a task.

Response so far has been so positive that Tiny is adverting its multimedia support as a competitive factor: Tiny computers arrives with built-in help. To see what Tiny Computers has to say to their own customers about their new, animated company spokesman, go to https://www.tiny.com

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