Development Tools - EPSS Software & Components: software products that can be used to create electronic performance support systems. Some of these products are relatively easy to use and can be used to produce a “quick and dirty” but highly effective performance support components. You can use some of these products to extend the functionality of existing applications or quickly add online performance support information.Add-Ins
You can use this deceptively simple little application to add menu items to the Help menu in any Windows 3.1 or 95 application. These add-in menu items can be used to launch other applications, like the Windows calculator, a CBT or a hypertext document. It's amazing easy to use. (Feb-22-97)Assistware
With Assistware you can add online help to an existing application. Assistware uses a proprietary help topic document viewing software. To open a help topic for an application a users drags and drop the Assistware help bubble onto an application. You can download a demo from this web site. (Updated 2000-11-26)As-U-Type
As-U-Type is a utility that can automatically correct most common spelling mistakes and typos in any Windows 95/98 application. This can be a very useful for performers who enter lots of text information, such as a help desk representative who types information about equipment problems. (Updated 2000-11-26)AVTOOLTIPS for Visual Basic 6
A single control can handle unlimited multiple tooltips, identified by a "string tipID". ToolTips can be customized by specifying text, color, font, size, position, and behavior. (2000-12-03)CoachWare
According to the developer Sterling Resources, CoachWare is an "...online coaching tool that provides users with all the information they need, as they need it, in order to perform their jobs successfully. It presents business and system procedures in the context of the users’ job functions and provides easy to follow, step by step instructions for completing specific tasks." You can download a multimedia demonstration of CoachWare. (1999-08-07)Cognitive agents
According to the developer "Cognitive agents enable the construction of applications with context sensitive behavior, adaptive reasoning, and the ability to monitor and respond to situations in real time, all in a previously impossible human-like fashion. Because they are based on an understanding of the human cognitive architecture, cognitive agent-based applications can be used in a wide range of applications."(1999-11-15)DemoShield DemoX
With the DemoX ActiveX control or Netscape Plug-in you can easily add an interactive computer program demonstration to a web page or program created with Delphi, Visual Basic or any other development program that supports ActiveX controls. You create the interactive demonstration files with the DemoShield development tool. (Aug-13-97)DEMOquick Demo Generator
DEMOquick creates software demos that can guide a person through a realistic simulation of a software application. A person can enter text or use the mouse to click selections in the demo. The can also let the demo software perform each operation in the application. The software includes a browser plug-in that lets you view demos by clicking a link. DEMOquick is a complete authoring system. (2001-04-08)Desktop Support Factory
Desktop Support Factory is a program that allows you to link a variety of performance support application (CBT's, Lotus ScreenCam movies, QuickCards, Windows Help, etc.) to an existing windows application. DSF is a product developed by Usability Sciences Corp., the creator of QuickCards. (Updated Feb-22-97)e-Sim - Simulation Software
E-Sim created the simulation software used by LiveManuals.com. This site contains 9 different downloadable simulations for products ranging from a blood analyzer to a army tank. (1999-08-07)FlexHelp
FlexHelp, by Soft Solutions, is a very useful tool for adding some types of performance support features to an existing Windows application. It is simple to use and easy to learn. You an easily add several different types of performance support elements to windows and dialogs. (2001-01-01)HelpLinker
HelpLinker lets you to capture any screen or dialog box element in an existing application, and link it to a WinHelp or HTMLHelp topic, created with any help authoring tool.HintMaster_X32
provides a simple hint interface for your programs. When a user clicks on the hint, it automatically expands displaying the text message that you designate. This control is very helpful when you want to save form space but allow a user a way to view help information that works better than using tooltips. (2000-12-03)HotDocs
HotDocs works with your word processor to automate the process of creating standard documents. With HotDocs you can easily create robust document templates with pop-up dialog boxes for entering information in standard documents.IntraLaunch
IntraLaunch is an ActiveX component that can be used to launch a local application by clicking a hypertext link or graphic on a web page. For example, you can program the IntraLaunch to start a word processing program and open a specified file. This component is ideally suited for use in an corporate Intranet. (Jul-01-97)JAMTM
According to the developer "JAMTM is an advanced, web-based interactive job aid management system. It is a unique, performance centric business process support system that provides online, interactive job aids needed to perform the job. For ease of use, job aids are organized by job, group, process and task. The user is provided online access to information, procedures, tools, decision support systems, and linked expert support in order to accomplish "moment of need" performance objectives."JC_ActiveDoc
According to the developer " JC_ActiveDoc (TM) is a Netscape Plug-in that allows you to view Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint right inside Netscape. It's ideal for Intranet information exchange. It's also convenient to download and view Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents from Internet. (1999-09-18)Magi
Magi's user interface is extremely intuitive and simple to use. It consists of two key buttons, "Who should I contact?" and "What should I read?" which are embedded into the toolbar of standard desktop applications. The user simply highlights the relevant text and drags-and-drops it to the toolbar to get access to all pertinent information in the corporate knowledge base." This is a very interesting concept, but I'm not use how useful it would be in the context of a job.MMHelper
MMHelper lets you link online help, tool tips, status line help, multimedia presentations or business knowledge to the buttons, fields or other components in an existing Windows 3.1 or 95/98 program. You can view the linked information by placing the mouse cursor over the component or clicking the MMHelper button and then the component. For more information read this review. (1999-06-20)epiplex
EPIplex is a suite of software tools that can be used to: capture work flow in software; automatically documents process flows and front-end application integration; create Guide-Me's that demonstrate the use of software; automate process by performing multiple steps automatically; and integrate the workflow across many applications.On-Demand Personal Navigator
The developer describes On-Demand Personal Navigator as "a in-application learning product that interacts with an underlying software application to guide a user through performing a new or complex task—live in that application in a "real time" mode." The website has several downloadable demos. For more information read the independent review of this performance support product.Perfect Menus
Perfect Menu is a little utility application that allows you to add menu items to an application's right click pop-up menu. You can use these additional menus to open other programs, perform actions within the application or start a macro program.QuickCards
You can use QuickCards to create formatted pop-up text messages, that can be attached to any windows applications, including custom applications. The text in the QuickCard topic windows can include hot spots that display graphics, pop-up definitions, jumps to related topics, or open another application.Simon - System Integrated Maintenance Online
Simon™ is a unique approach to performing, tracking, and monitoring maintenance and operational activities. Simon™ allows for just in time learning as well as provides standardized maintenance procedures, complete parts information, machine operational status tracking, and the ability to connect remotely through video conferencing, all by voice activation! Another feature is Simon’s ability to automatically track all maintenance and operational activities by machine. (1999-09-18)VISN - Visual Interactive Support Network
According to the product description Visual Interactive Support Network is an electronic performance support software designed to deliver task-related information at the point-of-work to the right person at the right time, and is easy to use. The white paper and Features and Benefits page contain additional information about VISN. (2001-02-04)Wisdom for Notes
Wisdom for Notes is a just-in-time (JIT) learning tool for Lotus Notes®. According the product description and screen shots on this page, Wisdom for Notes consists of help pop-ups (bubblehelp windows) with task based instructions. (2001-04-29)