Extra features
Usage reports
When you invest in a knowledge system, you want to know that it is being used.
You will want to track usage so that you can see
- weekly and monthly usage patterns
- who is making the most use of it
- which topics and pages are being accessed
- what search terms are being used.
Usage information will give valuable insights into possible learning and development needs. It will also identify potential high flyers who are keen to learn and develop their skills. The good people are always seeking new ideas and information.
Included in the Enterprise price is a full suite of online reports. You can customise these with your own parameters so you get information about usage patterns in the way that suits you.
You can also download the reports in Excel format for further analysis.
P.S. If you have people using the offline version, their usage data is also tracked and included in the usage reports. You have a single view on all usage, both online and offline.
Updates
Alchemy for Managers is frequently updated with
- new content and topics
- updates to existing topics
- additional glossary entries
This means we keep Alchemy up to date with regulatory changes, and changes in management philosophy and thinking.
There are many topics in development all the time so that there is a constant stream of additional material.
After all, the real strength of an online resource is the breadth of content so that whatever your issue or problem, you will find something practical that will help.
The most common feedback we get is ‘that’s so easy to use!’
Even so, Alchemy can still be improved. We have an ongoing development plan to improve usability even more.
Suggestions for changes or new features are always welcome.
Offline version
If you are on the road often with your laptop, you know you can’t always get a good fast internet connection, so an internet only resource is not much use.
No problem! Alchemy for Managers is also provided as an offline version that you can install on your laptop, and then you can use it without an internet connection.
Use it anywhere, anytime.
Some people prefer the offline version because it is faster than the online version. Since all the data is stored locally on your laptop, there is no waiting for slow internet connections.
The offline version is available on Windows 2000, XP and Vista. It is a native Windows application and requires no other software to run.
The program has been tested and approved by the IT departments of several large organisations. It is safe to run on your PC.
Access to both the online and offline versions is included for all users and you can use both if that suits your needs.
One common problem with this kind of resource used offline is that the content gets out of date.
However with Alchemy, when you do go online, there is a background update agent that automatically polls our servers for any updates and installs them for you. Simple!
You will always have the latest content
If the offline version is installed on a computer that never goes online, the updates can be provided on a CD.
Note: The same background agent that does the updating also sends usage data back so that offline usage data can be integrated with online usage data and included within your monitoring reports.
Offline FAQ
Q. What do I need to run Alchemy for Managers offline?
A. The offline version will run on any computer running Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista.
Q. Can I install the offline version myself?
A. This depends on your company policy concerning software installation on a company computer. If you can install other programs, the answer is probably ‘yes’.
Note that you can install and run Alchemy with standard user rights.
Q. How does the offline version get updated?
A. If an internet connection is available, a background process checks our servers for updates and automatically loads them and installs them for you so Alchemy is always up to date. If an internet connection is never available, then updates can be done from a CD.
Q. Is usage of the offline installations of Alchemy monitored?
A. Monitoring can be switched on. When an internet connection is available, the update agent sends back usage data which is collated and displayed together with all your online user data. You have a single view on all usage, both online and offline.
Q. I’m getting a new computer soon. Can I transfer the offline version across?
A. Yes. If you have created any personal preferences and personal notes that you wish to keep, use the backup option to save these to a file. On the new computer, simply use the restore option to import your personal data into the new installation.
Q. Are there any problems with firewalls?
A. Usually not. If you have a software firewall on your laptop, you may need to grant the Alchemy update agent access to the internet.
Q. Is the Alchemy program safe?
A. The program has been tested and approved by the IT departments of several large organisations. It is safe to run on your PC.
rules and regulations as conversation at a bar.’
Accessibility
You need to be sure that your sytems and tools are both legal within the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act, and that those with disabilities can gain useful access. To ensure this, we have been working with AbilityNet, a leading consultancy on accessibility.
They have provided the following statement about Alchemy for Managers...
“People Alchemy Ltd have followed all of our recommendations and made changes to their application so that it is now accessible to the majority of people with disabilities. They have committed to ongoing work as required to ensure that their software continues to meet our criteria for good accessibility.”
Robin Christopherson
Head of Accessibility Services,
AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a registered national charity with over 20 years’ experience helping people adapt and adjust their information and communications technology to make systems more accessible.
AbilityNet has its roots as a part of IBM that was spun off as a charity, and today they have the support of IBM, The British Computer Society and the University of Birmingham as corporate trustees. IBM, Microsoft, BT, Hewlett Packard, Agilent Technologies and Remploy continue to provide generous support by offering office space and more.
