Rapid Create launched at HRD 2007

Rapid Create ticked most people's boxes for what's expected in a rapid authoring tool in terms of functionality, and exceeded expectations in terms of ease of use, and accessibility support.

Feedback from demonstrations of Epic's pre-release version of Rapid Create at HRD 2007, the CIPD's annual learning and development conference, was universally positive - a testament to the market research and focus groups that steered its design.

Design and consultation phase

Visitors who took the opportunity to experience the demo highlighted simplicity and easy previewing as the most appealing 'hands-on' benefits of using Rapid Create.

Rapid Create's interface is an add-on to MS Word where the author has the ability to define the visual appearance, course structure, tools and features through an easy to use Wizard style process. Setting up a new course takes minutes, and once set up can be reconfigured at any time.

Underneath the bonnet that is MS Word, Rapid Create builds on Epic's core technologies which we use to develop more complex bespoke e-learning projects.

Rapid Create's accessibility features, which have been developed based on close collaboration, research and working with the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) were perceived as groundbreaking. The tool's approach of having the flexibility to define the level of accessibility required, coupled with the ability to publish a screen reader optimised version were seen as benefits that allow full DDA compliancy without compromising a full interactive and media-rich course.

Rapid Create will be officially launched and available to Epic clients by end of May 2007. For more information please email marketing@epic.co.uk.