As a long time premier supplier to the UK armed forces (& some overseas), OP&S has established itself as a provider of both quality bespoke e-learning solutions as well as many 'best of breed' authoring and design tools.
Of the many outstanding software tools on offer from OP&S (Quest, Designers Edge, QDL), Course Information Builder (CIB) stands out not least because it was designed from the ground up to meet a military requirement.
Originally created around JSP requirements, CIB currently meets most of the existing DSAT standards and is expected to meet all of these by Q3/4 2005.
Built as a modular system CIB currently comprises CIBTNA,CIBSCALAR,CIBDESIGNER and CIBSBUILDER with additional modules – CIBLPLANNER and CIBSBOARD expected by Q1 2006

The CIB Scalar
With an increasing requirement to provide standardisation in design and documentation across all branches of the military, CIB allows subject matter experts, designers, lesson planners and trainers to work from a common platform and most importantly, allow that data to be shared intelligently.
With provision for everything from initial sponsor requirements to automated distribution lists to evaluation – CIB is proving to be a powerful and flexible tool in the creation of new training materials.
Standardisation brings lots of benefits to both the individual user and the MOD as a whole. Users report like for like savings in time and effort of up to 70% over traditional design methods.
This translates to significant cost savings or productivity gains at the initial design stage; but here is where CIB really comes into its own - although CIB promotes a standard approach to data import the output reports can be customised to suit the individual service without compromising data integrity.
This means courses produced in CIB can be easily shared across branches of the military quickly and easily thereby eliminating costly re-working or worse, replication.
CIBTNA
Training Needs/Task Analysis using scalar approach to design. Top down – Bottom up configuration. One to one and One to many facilities. Incorporates self determined DIF analysis etc.
CIBSCALAR
Standard Training Objective, Enabling Objective and Key Learning Point design. Incorporates true red-lining and full search capabilities.
CIBDESIGNER
The heart of the system taking TO/EO/KLP’s and allowing the designer to add resources, media, instructors etc. Place accurate timings and costs against each option to produce standard reports.
CIBSBUILDER
Syllabus Builder allows designers to construct modular lessons grouped into discrete units ready for input to scheduling systems.
CIBLPLANNER
Coming soon, scheduling modules to work directly with your output from CIBSBUILDER
CIBSBOARD
Planned for early 2006, CIBSBOARD will provide visual story board facilities to enable the designer to produce enhanced training materials or directly output to e-learning format.
CIB is available from OP&S who can be contacted on 08700 754 907 (+44 116 238 6880) or at www.ops.ltd.uk
