OpenSesame™ is pleased to debut its open marketplace for e-Learning at the DevLearn|10 conference in San Francisco today.
Portland Oregon-based OpenSesame is an open marketplace connecting purchasers of e-Learning content (e.g., corporate learning officers) with an extensive library of courses provided by a wide range of content creators. Courses purchased through the OpenSesame marketplace automatically work on any Learning Management System (LMS).
Whether companies choose to commission custom courses or purchase off-the-shelf content, shopping for e-Learning courses is costly and time-consuming. The OpenSesame marketplace will dramatically simplify this process by enabling companies to find, research, and purchase off-the-shelf courses in a single place.
OpenSesame allows anyone to buy or sell e-Learning courses without the headache of complicated pricing and implementation,” said OpenSesame co-founder and general manager Josh Blank. “This community allows content developers and business professionals to connect in a secure environment, with no strings attached.”
The founders of OpenSesame developed the concept after many years in the LMS industry listening to customers discuss the hassles involved in obtaining quality content for their training programs.
Over the past decade, we have developed significant insight into the e-Learning industry. We understand from firsthand experience the major pain-points experienced by content developers and purchasers,” said Don Spear, co-founder and CEO of OpenSesame. “Whether you're a developer looking to publish courses or a training director in need of content for your LMS, OpenSesame makes buying and selling e Learning as easy as downloading a song from iTunes.”
How Does Open Sesame Work?
The OpenSesame marketplace connects content developers with potential buyers of e Learning courses. Developers can sell previously built or newly created content to multiple buyers while maintaining security, control, and centralized management of their intellectual property. (See Figure 1.) The OpenSesame marketplace enables content developers to connect with new customers, no matter where the buyers are located or what LMS they use. Additionally, OpenSesame’s proprietary technology ensures that buyers cannot download or re-sell courses without the developer’s permission.
Figure 1. OpenSesame makes it simple for developers to connect to buyers.
Buyers can quickly browse courses on a variety of subjects, from workplace safety to specific product training. (See Figure 2.) OpenSesame states the pricing for each course up-front and, in most cases, buyers can preview entire courses before making a purchase. Buyers can effectively create a complete curriculum by purchasing courses from multiple developers while managing everything from a central dashboard. Finally, buyers can distribute purchased courses to employees on any LMS.
Figure
2. OpenSesame simplifies purchase and distribution of e-Learning
courses.
Purchasing one 15-minute course could help an employee prevent on-the-job injuries and lower insurance costs,” explains Blank. ”We are excited about ultimately expanding the range of available e-Learning content by launching this marketplace.”
OpenSesame will soon feature additional online-community elements, including message boards, forums, and product reviews.
About DevLearn
OpenSesame is a sponsor of this year’s , the leading e-Learning conference and expo taking place November 3 – 5, 2010 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
About OpenSesame
OpenSesame is an open marketplace for e-Learning that connects content developers with those in need of online training. Buyers can browse hundreds of courses in a wide variety of subjects from workplace safety to product training – all compatible with any Learning Management System. OpenSesame is in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit . Follow on Twitter for additional e Learning news and insight.
