Case study
Building a practical online training platform for Mi Crow
Mi Crow had a clear vision for a better online training experience. AlphaFirst helped turn that vision into a working platform that could support customers, content and partners.
Mi Crow
- Established in 1992 as Quasar
- 100s of corporate customers worldwide
- Growing network of UK partners
- 1600 companies using white-label platform
- Extensive library of short training videos
AlphaFirst involvement
- Worked with Mi Crow since 2010
- Development of custom online training platform
- Ongoing development and support
- Platform extended to support partner licensing
“Even though there’s an up-front cost it works out far more cost-effectively in the long run.”
Michael Shane, Managing Director, Mi Crow
Background
What happens when a successful, visionary corporate training entrepreneur works with a practical software developer?
This case study shows how Mi Crow and AlphaFirst worked together to build and evolve an online training platform.
The requirement
“Having been in the training business since 1990, under our Quasar brand, by 2009 we really wanted to do something revolutionary, and strengthen our online training offering.
“At the time we were working with a graphic designer who didn’t have the programming and scripting capability that our new website demanded. Our designer recommended Jeremy Tilson so we got in touch.
“Jeremy and the team at AlphaFirst took my design for a graphical interface and built a solution in response.”
Second generation platform
“The world of Learning Management Systems was extraordinarily complex at the time. Providers were more focused on the supporting software rather than the content and the user experience.
“We wanted to create a platform that learners would habitually gravitate towards.
“The brief I gave AlphaFirst this time was to create something that people would instinctively know how to use.”
Why build something new
“If you have something in your mind that you want to produce you can either hotch-potch your way round a plethora of off-the-shelf tools and watch the monthly subs mount up, or you can get something that’s yours and different.
“Even though there’s an up-front cost it works out far more cost-effectively in the long run.”
What changed
The platform allowed Mi Crow to deliver training content in a way that matched their vision. It also enabled them to expand into partner licensing, allowing other organisations to use and brand the system.
Approach
“Jeremy structured a very pragmatic finance plan for us to develop something cost-effectively.
“I like to stick with Jeremy because what he builds doesn’t break!
“AlphaFirst is a company that cares and gets things done when you need it most.”
Recommendation
“AlphaFirst is reliable, cost effective and doesn’t break the bank. They are ideally suited to businesses like mine and I would recommend giving them a call to discuss your ideas.”
Michael Shane, Mi Crow
What AlphaFirst say
“We’re very proud of the platform we’ve produced with Mi Crow. It’s a great collaboration.
“It’s great to have Michael’s trust to provide the technology that is going to serve his business best.”