RedPrairie Corporation announced last week the integration of eLearning capabilities into the RedPrairie Supply Chain Execution suite. This integration extends the blended learning functionality developed for fast-paced retail store operations to supply chain and manufacturing, providing a common view and tool set for labor optimization across the enterprise.

Through this integration, organizations can "attain and maintain" optimal levels of employee performance, as well as reinforce safety and accuracy procedures. This is possible through the implementation of RedPrairie's Preferred Methodssm, which are sustained over time by regular intervals of employee reinforcement.

Explains Tom Kozenski, RedPrairie vice president product strategy, "Typically companies provide training on preferred methods when they implement workforce or performance management systems. But employees, supervisors, equipment and processes all change over time, which can cause degradation in employee performance. By providing automated monitoring of employee training programs and learning milestones, supervisors are alerted when training and observations are due. RedPrairie's Learning Management ensures the underlying sources of performance improvement are maintained, providing a key driver for enterprise labor optimization."

RedPrairie's Learning Management solution blends computer-based eLearning courses with classroom training and on-the-job observations and coaching for a holistic approach more suitable for today's multi-tasking workforce. The supporting technology simplifies course creation and administration, and provides self-paced learning at work or from home. Completion of each eLearning milestone is recorded and can be compared to subsequent performance changes to evaluate the effectiveness of course content, instructors, course delivery options and other factors impacting the return on training investment.