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	WebTrain

Weak Points

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WebTrain weak points are clearly to be found in three key areas:

a) Interface design and usability

b) Pricing model

c) Testing and try-outs

Interface Design
Interface design is more than adequate and on a par with many other more costly systems. On the other hand the interface is mostly unpolished and inefficient in many aspects. Some features are plainly out of place (e.g.: the Faster and Slower participant feedback buttons), while some others are hard to identify as many of them are text only grey buttons.

Grouping and organization of tools and features would greatly enhance the ease of use and ability for novice users to take full advantage of this advanced conferencing environment. Simplification and effective use of fundamental information design principles would further augment prestige, image and competitive edge for WebTrain.

The rigid separation of the different main facilities under a set of simple tabs is good from a visual standpoint and offers always a clear and unclutterwed screen. On the other hand this forced visual modality constrains the user always to one activity at a time only. You can text chat, but not while looing at the whiteboard. You can Web tour but not while looking at your list of MessageBoards.

Pricing Model
The pricing model is very effective and incentivating for medium to large companies as well to the traditional corporations. SOHO users, professionals and NGOs may find a little initimidating the need to pre-buy a minimum of $50 of service without having had a full drive with unattended. Probably I hold much unnecessary prejudice against per minute pricing schemes as they put me in an unrelaxed state of mind. I don't like to worry about time and number of users when I am conferencing, nor would I want my pay-card to run out in the middle of an outstanding session. So while I certainly can see the benefits of this approach and its true cost effectiveness, I would much praise the option of having some flat rate solutions available that would allow greater flexibility for the smaller customers.

Testing
Testing and tryout is rigorously under supervised monitoring by an account representative. So while you can effectively test, try, ask and verify as much as you like, this is not the same as trying on your own before buying.

Nonetheless official claims by the company about the usefulness and sales potential of hand-holding step-by-step each and every customer, this approach to restricted and highly controlled testing has forced me to go back three times to WebTrain to formally ask and verify each item. A one-day trial would have provided me with plenty of opportunity to effectively test and assess the system, without engaging qualified and costly customer support staff for a task that many, like me, do not believe can be done while "supervised".

Justifications of wanting not to give out freebies or wanting to limit the amount of people doing a free call through it may be perceived as a too restrictive marketing vision and anachronistic attitude in today's marketplace.

I myself have not been granted an opportunity to test unmonitored the tool nonetheless an official and written request. I personally find such strictness and attitude toward independent reviewers quite old-fashioned and not favourable to a company that wants to expand also into the SOHO market.

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Posted on September 11, 2003 at 04:40 PM

Updated on September 25, 2003 at 09:32 AM

Overview

Key Strengths

Weak Points