Reynolds and Reynolds Launches Online Training for Automotive Retailers

Virtual training enables dealerships to cost-effectively train new hires, refresh staff and increase utilization of Reynolds systems and applications.

DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. 25 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced the launch of Reynolds University (RU) Online, a Web-based learning environment. RU Online offers both free and low- cost training classes via a virtual classroom, enabling dealerships to train new hires and refresh current employees in utilizing the Reynolds dealer management systems and other software applications.

As part of the offering, dealerships have access to a learning management system, powered by SumTotal Systems, the industry's largest provider of learning and business performance solutions. The learning system recommends appropriate role-based training plus tracks a dealership's training history by employee. The system makes it easy for dealerships to identify and select training for its employees.

With access to RU Online, dealership employees can conveniently schedule and receive online training via a PC as schedules permit, with no travel costs or disruptions to the dealership. RU Online delivers training through an interactive classroom that provides multimedia-rich content and enables students to interact in real-time with Reynolds training professionals and other students. Research has shown that application training has been shown to increase system utilization and results in the dealership.

Free and Low-cost Classes Available

Today, RU Online offers live demonstration classes at a nominal per-class fee. In addition, over 300 free recorded classes are available to dealers through the virtual classroom -- more than offered by any industry competitor.

"Dealers have told us this is what they want. They want their employees to have access to a first-class learning experience that is flexible, convenient, and cost-effective," said Terri Mulcahey, vice president of Reynolds Customer Services. "Now with the availability of RU Online, dealership employees can easily access application training and benefit from real-time interaction with an instructor and other peers."

The Reynolds Virtual Classroom is powered by Centra -- a leading provider of specialized application software and services for online business collaboration. The virtual classroom offers students the latest eLearning tools including Q&A capabilities, quizzes, polling and more.

Previously, Reynolds University offered on-demand tandem training, on-site training, on-demand telephone training and free Webinar application training. On-demand tandem training is one-to-one training delivered by a trainer via telephone and a dealership PC. Reynolds is currently converting all on-demand tandem training classes to the virtual classroom format. By visiting http://www.reyrey.com/ru/index.asp , dealerships can view schedules and register for virtual classes.