The Vermont National Guard (VNG) is the national defense organization responsible for implementing the training missions of soldiers of the Army National Guard, Air Force and Air National Guard. In 2001, the VNG was looking for ways to increase the quality and depth of its training programs as well as offset the increasing costs associated with these initiatives. At the time, the VNG was offering its soldiers training that was 20 percent Web-based and 80 percent distributed CD ROMs and classroom-based initiatives. Unfortunately, these training programs lacked the ability to deliver the collaborative features and rich media assets needed to create dynamic and efficient learning environments.

In April 2001, the VNG implemented mGen Enterprise's distance learning software to remotely offer Information Operations courses to soldiers located across the country. The implementation of mGen Enterprise enabled the VNG to repurpose their training initiatives to support rich media assets like video and audio and provide training to hundreds of thousands of users located throughout the United States in a completely automated process.

For example, the VNG offers an Incident Response Handler (IRH) course remotely through the Web via a soldier's desktop. Interactively facilitated by a Subject Matter Expert and instructor in Vermont, the IRH course provides soldiers with instruction on how to handle security issues related to automated information systems. mGen's platform enables the soldiers to engage in a unique and comfortable learning environment with real-time collaboration. By communicating directly with Subject Matter Experts, as opposed to taking the course independently through the Web, soldiers are learning the material more quickly, resulting in a higher graduation rate. In addition, the mGen solution has proven to be extremely cost effective, since the VNG is saving money by enabling soldiers to take a course without having to incur expenses and lost time related to travel.

" With the help of mGen, we are providing the government and tax-payers with a cost-effective way to train soldiers located in geographically dispersed locations. The solution's ability to provide interactive support from technicians and instructors located in Vermont has been a hit with the soldiers. We plan to implement additional courses for remote and on-site training, due to the successful adoption of mGen's learning technologies."