Xcel Energy Selects Plateau Systems to Manage Learning and Knowledge Processes for 13,000 Employees in 12 States
Utility to Consolidate Training Efforts With Plateau 4 LMS, and Integrate With Other Enterprise Applications to Improve Business Processes
ARLINGTON, VA September 25, 2001 Xcel Energy, the nation's fourth-largest combined electric and natural gas utility, has selected Plateau System's enterprise software to manage distance learning and instructor-led training for 13,000 employees at more than 40 different plants in the United States.
Xcel Energy is consolidating its entire training program on the Plateau 4 Learning Management System (LMS), an open-architecture enterprise application that manages learning and knowledge processes for organizations. Xcel Energy also is integrating Plateau 4 LMS with its Human Resources and Passport Work Management systems to ensure that all employees assigned tasks are qualified to perform them, and to automatically update employee development plans when procedures change or personnel take new positions.
Plateau 4 LMS' ability to provide unique time stamps and electronic signatures for all training events allows Xcel Energy to comply with stringent federal guidelines enforced by OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation and other agencies.
Plateau 4 LMS will import all training data from three legacy training systems, giving Xcel Energy a single platform to deliver and manage Web-based and classroom learning for all its divisions and plants. The company expects to significantly cut training costs, create new organizational efficiencies and enhance the value of its existing enterprise applications.
No other enterprise software we looked at had the ability to fully automate the training lifecycle of our employees, said Wendy Wersal, Xcel Energy's Manager of Organizational Effectiveness. With Plateau 4 LMS, we can deliver any type of learning event to any location, and record that event to provide audit trails for all our learning initiatives.
Plateau 4 LMS is the only enterprise-class learning management system built on open, J2EE-based architecture. This architecture gives organizations unmatched scalability, interoperability and security as they develop their enterprise learning programs. It also allows companies to rapidly integrate Plateau 4 LMS with other enterprise software applications, improving business processes and delivering targeted learning to individuals.
About Plateau Systems: Plateau manages learning and knowledge processes for organizations, improving their business operations by integrating and delivering the knowledge employees, customers and partners require to excel. Plateau's enterprise-class software supports online and traditional learning methods, and integrates seamlessly with other enterprise software applications to enhance their value and reduce the cycle of learning. Plateau 4 Learning Management System (LMS) is built on open, J2EE/EJB architecture, and is being used by clients across the globe, including Motorola University, Federal Express, Nestle USA and the U.S. Air Force. The company was founded in 1996, and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
About Xcel Energy: Xcel Energy, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the nation's fourth largest combined electric and natural gas utility company. Formed in August 2000 by the merger of Minneapolis-based Northern States Power Co. and Denver-based New Century Energies, Xcel Energy serves 12 states and has revenues of more than $11.5 billion annually. Synergies realized by the merger are expected to result in more than $1.4 billion in cost savings over the next decade, benefiting customers and shareholders.
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