The Importance of IT Training
Information Technology is a booming industry. For an individual who decided to get into this field, it will be a rewarding decision in terms of salary compensation but also quite a challenge too. Attending a focused and high quality I.T training related to your profession is inevitable if you want to survive in the demanding I.T career. Moreover, if this IT Training will help you also to obtain an I.T certification, this is even better. A certification in I.T (e.g certification in Microsoft, Cisco, VMWare, CompTIA etc) will help you tremendously to become established as an expert in the industry and will show also your current or prospective employer that you are investing in your career and that you are a person who takes his/her career advancement seriously.
IT Training Options
There are several options for getting an I.T Training. You can buy books and study by yourself (the cheapest option), you can attend a classroom/instructor based training (most expensive option), or you can purchase a Computer Based video training (probably the best option). The latest seems to be getting very popular over the last years mainly because of the excellent material being developed by the training vendors, and also because this kind of training combines both self-study and instructor-based teaching. One such vendor that develops computer video based training with great success since 2002 is TrainSignal for which I’m writing this review here.
TrainSignal Computer Training Vendor
Train Signal was found in 2002 and provides computer-based “Total Experience” training that gives individuals the tools and confidence to tackle real-world challenges, pass their certification exams and succeed in today’s competitive global IT market. The training lessons offered by TrainSignal are included in DVD disks and contain multiple file formats, convenient for learning anytime and anywhere.
Specifically, the training content comes as High Resolution Video format from real certified instructors (the classroom experience), MP3 Audio and iPod Video for “Training on-the-go”, PDF Instructor Notes for easy reading, and also Practice Exams to help you pass your certification easily.
In my opinion, Information Technology training in the new era should be based on E-Learning, and this is what TrainSignal will offer you. E-Learning is clearly advantageous over traditional classroom based training or pure self study using only text books. Much lower cost compared to instructor-based training, ability to study on your own pace, ability to learn with different lesson formats (video, audio, practice test) etc are some of the positive aspects of E-Learning.
Training Packages offered by TrainSignal
Train Signal offers a wide range of computer training packages covering Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, VMware, Wireless Networking, and Microsoft Office. Training is offered for over sixty different courses. The following training categories are offered:
- Microsoft Training
- Windows Server 2008 Training
- Windows Server 2003 Training
- Exchange Server Training
- Other Microsoft Training
- Microsoft Office 2007 Training
- Word 2007 Training
- Excel 2007 Training
- PowerPoint 2007 Training
- Outlook 2007 Training
- Access 2007 Training
- Visio 2007 Training
- Cisco Training
- Cisco CCNA Training
- Cisco CCNA Security Training
- Cisco CCENT Training
- Cisco ICND2 Training
- CompTIA Training
- CompTIA A+ 2009 Training
- CompTIA Network+ Training
- CompTIA Security+ Training
- CompTIA Project+ Training
- VMware Training
- VMware vSphere Training
- VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1
- VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 2
- VMware ESX Server Training
- Wireless Networking Training (CWNA)
TrainSignal Approach and Key Advantages
As the company describes on their official website, the training offered by TrainSignal is based on the “Total Experience” concept. Specifically, the key advantages to choosing TrainSignal for your E-Learning training needs are the following:
- Scenario Based Training:
Each course offered by TrainSignal uses “real world scenarios” in which you are “hired” by a fictitious company to solve virtual problems with real world solutions. This means that the learner will understand both the theory and the practical application of every lesson in the course.
- True Expert Instructors
As we mentioned above, the Video courses in the training DVDs are taught by certified instructors who are true experts in their field. All instructors have diverse range of real world experience, so they can pass it on to you in the training course.
- Prepare for Certification the Right Way
All lessons are so detailed that cover all main aspects of the certification exam for the particular course. Each course contains also exam simulation and practice tests from Transcender, the world’s respected exam simulation provider.
- 100% Original Material Developed Exclusively at TrainSignal
Unlike other training vendors that are actually resellers, TrainSignal offers 100% original content developed in-house. This means better support, better quality control and better fine-tuning of the material according to feedback received from learners.
- Long Term Investment in knowledge
Each training course will not only be used once and then forgotten. Rather, it will be a long term expert resource you will refer to again and again. In each course you will find value added professional recommendations, instructor notes, expert insights etc that will be essential for your day to day work in your professional environment.
- 90-Day Money Back Guarantee
The company is so confident about the value of its training courses that offers a 90-Day money back guarantee. It’s probably the only computer training vendor that offers a money back Guarantee for their products.
Some Customers of TrainSignal
Some of the world’s top companies, government agencies, colleges etc have used training courses from TrainSignal. Some examples include DELL Computers, Cisco Systems, JP Morgan Chase, Bridgestone tires, USA Army, Comcast, U.S Department of State, U.S Department of Health, University of Southern California, Arkansas State University, Arizona State University etc.
My Conclusion about TrainSignal
I can talk from personal experience here. As a Cisco certified professional (CCNA, CCNP, CCSP) and as a former Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), I have extensive knowledge about I.T certifications and training. I have used Trainsignal for my CCNP certification which helped me to pass all exams with scores over 950/1000. Considering the depth and quality of the Cisco related training courses that I have personally used, I can assure you that you will find the same high quality training in all the other courses offered by TrainSignal. I certainly suggest TrainSignal as an excellent E-Learning resource for your IT training courses.
A privately-held company, Train Signal is based in Schaumburg, IL. For more information about Train Signal, please visit www.trainsignal.com.