ESRI Increases Access to GIS Software Training

ESRI offers access to more than 40 beginning, intermediate, and advanced instructor-led GIS courses through a variety of training alternatives and venues. Instructor-Led Video-Assisted Classroom Training provides convenient access to a wide variety of courses taught by qualified ESRI instructors via video. Students can watch video-recorded lectures and demonstrations and complete hands-on software exercises at their own pace. They can review course materials on their own and repeat the lectures or the exercises as time permits. An ESRI instructor with expertise in the subject matter is in the classroom at all times to answer questions, explain concepts, and provide guidance.

Instructor-Led Remote Classroom Training uses two-way, interactive video-teleconferencing technology. This lets students attend instructor-led training classes remotely from a local ESRI learning center, select ESRI satellite locations, or any location within their own organizations that has compatible video-teleconferencing equipment.

The classes are broadcast from an ESRI location in the United States to one or two remote locations. Students in the remote locations can see and hear the instructor lecture as well as speak with other students, ask questions, and share GIS knowledge. The instructor can see students' computer screens and provide remote assistance with class exercises.

Instructor-Led Virtual Classroom Training offers online training delivered in real time via the Internet and telephone conferencing technology. Students take the training from their desktop or laptop computer, either at work or at home.

"Our customers can be assured they are receiving the highest-quality GIS education from expert instructors in the field," said Ralph Luchs, ESRI training delivery manager. "Our ultimate goal is to make sure our customers can receive the instructor-led training they need, when and where they need it, in order to be successful with ESRI software."

In the coming months, ESRI will offer 28 Instructor-Led Video-Assisted Classroom Training courses including introductory classes such as Introduction to ArcGIS Server and Introduction to the Multiuser Geodatabase. More advanced courses are scheduled too, such as ArcGIS Server: Web Administration Using the Microsoft .NET Framework and Building Web Maps Using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript.

ESRI will also offer 13 Instructor-Led Remote Classroom Training courses such as Introduction to ESRI Business Analyst Desktop, Introduction to ArcGIS Server Image Extension, Building Geodatabases, and Working with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst.

ESRI learning centers are located in more than 50 cities, including Danvers, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania; Vienna, Virginia; Alpharetta, Georgia; West Palm Beach, Florida; Leawood, Kansas; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Sacramento, California. Map of all the learning centers , including directions on how to get there.