Windsor Software
Project descriptions from our portfolio of successful client projects
in the
Government Sector
Feasibility Study and Data Conversion Plan Project

US Department of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org)

Market needs were defined through a feasibility study that guided development of strategic planning for maximizing the number of training providers in a national database of training resources, America's Learning eXchange (ALX). As a major provider of workforce development training, 1,200 community colleges were surveyed regarding their interests in ALX and regarding the information systems used to manage their course catalog data. The study findings and recommendations led to confirmation of ALX's perceived value and a plan for capturing and converting training provider data into a standard format compatible with the national database. [www.alx.org]


Data Conversion Software Development Project
US Department of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org)
The Department of Labor wanted a software application that would allow colleges to extract their course offering catalog data and convert it into a structure and format that could be easily uploaded to the America's Learning eXchange (ALX) database. A feasibility study had revealed great variety in the formats of institutional data, from major ERP systems to spreadsheet and desktop publishing formats. A relatively low common denominator solution was developed using Visual Basic, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. The solution allowed training providers to easily transfer all the pertinent information to the national database. This software tool, ALX CourseLink, was distributed on a CD-ROM and given to collaborating colleges and other training providers.


Promotional CD-ROM Development Project
US Department of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org)

With the release of the America's Learning eXchange web site, the Department of Labor wanted a promotional CD-ROM designed and produced to explain the mission and goals of America's Learning eXchange (ALX). Windsor Software created the CD-ROM, collaborated on the content development, and added the ALX CourseLink software. Development and production of the CD-ROM were managed for an on-time launch of the promotional campaign.


Market Channel Development Project

US Department of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org)
America's Learning Exchange was looking for a way to reach out to the nation's 1,200 community colleges to facilitate transfer of course catalog data to the ALX database and keep it current with minimal effort. While most colleges wanted their course information accessible on this national website, most did not have the time or resources to get the job done. Based on market research, recommendations were prepared to work with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software vendors to persuade them to build a course offering extraction and conversion capability into their software. Successful presentations and negotiations led to vendor agreement to develop and fund this capability. All aspects of project implementation were managed effectively, including
relationships among multiple representatives of the Department of Labor, ERP vendor, and six college beta sites across the country. Development of written promotional materials was coordinated and presentations were conducted at professional and vendor user conferences.



Virtual Learning Portal Project

US Department of Labor
(America's Learning eXchange, www.alx.org)
Working closely with a steering committee of CEOs from six statewide virtual universities, a website and a database of online courses and programs were designed and implemented. Data transfer protocols were developed with individual universities and with the database manager for the U.S. Department of Labor's America's Learning eXchange (ALX). The project ended with transfer of the website and database to the American Council for Virtual Education (formerly the Lexington Group of Virtual Universities). www.acve.org.


Educational Program Evaluation Project

Augsburg College www.augsburg.edu
Twin Cities Public Television www.tpt.org
Conducted program evaluation with Hezel & Associates (www.hezel.com) for a Technology Innovation Challenge Grant program conducted by Twin Cities Public Television and the Richard R. Green Institute of Augsburg College. The Learning Park program used technology (television and website) to help teachers and parents work together more effectively in teaching children. The two primary program delivery vehicles were television programs www.tpt.org/learningpark/tv.html and community classroom gatherings of parents, teachers, school administrators, and other community professionals serving children and families. With the project directors, designed an evaluation plan that met Department of Education requirements, provided formative consultation throughout the project, and completed the final evaluation report to the Department of Education. [www.ed.gov/technology/challenge/]


Business Development & Performance Improvement
International Assessment
www.assessment.com
International Assessment's Motivational Appraisal of Personal Performance (MAPP) is a powerful instrument for organizational performance improvement and for individual career development. Employees doing work they are motivated to pursue are productive and likely to be retained and promoted, thus reducing the high costs of turnover. Consultation provided newly identified prospective clients and refined the business case. Specific marketing and sales strategies were developed. Face-to-face meetings were orchestrated and sales proposals crafted.