Cloud Computing Simulations = Reduced Travel Costs

Hello SimDev Community-

For those customers that have been working with us for a long time, you know that we are obsessed with finding ways to drive down costs. For those that may not have worked with Simulation Development Group, we are dirt cheap. Cheap to a fault at times. We can create a custom business simulation for surprising low costs (often for less than canned business training solutions). The fault comes in that we'll sometimes put this as the highest priority and our customers need to adjust this sometimes (yes, we know, there are worse problems).

"Where is this going?" you're probably asking. Its going here:

We have good news: We've figured out a way using cloud computing to create significant savings without impacting quality. WooHoo!

A custom business simulation for training or business acumen almost always requires a facilitator to be effective. A sim on its own is pretty ineffective. Sometimes we fly out to facilitate, sometimes you may want to facilitate, but we still need to be there for support. Either way, there are still travel costs incurred.

So we asked ourselves, "Is there a way for us to be there without us being there?" The answer is yes... Cloud Computing! Cool. To simplify the idea:

- You facilitate, we support you, but from our offices instead of yours. Why pay for travel when technology can let this happen remotely?

This isn't something we want to explain how (our competitors watch us closely enough as it is) within this posting. If you have questions, give us a call.

Our research shows that this creates costs savings of anywhere from $2000+ on average per delivery. This won't help if you want us to facilitate, but hey, if you want the glory, we'll give it to you.

All the best,
- SimDev Team
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Wow! Micro Sims Are Massive!

Hello SimDev World and Happy Holidays,

About a year ago, we started talking to existing and new customers about the idea of small rapid delivery custom business simulations. We did a blog posting on it in February. At that time, we called them quick sims. We are happy to report that this was clearly the best solution we could have offered our customers in 2009. This isn't just because budgets were tight. It was actually more because very focused simulations seem to have a better effect on learning than on the larger multi-day programs. We also have to say: We Love Them Too! Why? Because they are more exciting, very high energy, and people leave feeling invigorated and excited about what they've learned and how they'll apply it. In other words, it was our most popular solution by almost 2:1 in 2009. We're happy you like it.

Now, here are a few common questions we get with regard to Rapid Sims:
Q. What exactly is a rapid delivery custom business simulation or game?
A. These are simulations that combine your training content with running all or a portion of your business. The goal is to create very rapid "rounds" (maybe 1 or 2) running your business that includes having to utilize your training content.
Q. How long do the sims take to execute?
A. This can vary from 1 hour to much longer. It really depends on how complex you wish to make the simulation exercise.
Q. How complicated is it to get started and run the simulation?
A. Its really not that tough. Because the sim solution is small and applicable to your training content, the simulation fits nicely into the program. Most of the facilitation is done by us (you're welcome to if you wish). This relieves you of additional worries and complexities.

Overall, we just wanted to say that we're happy that you're happy with the rapid delivery simulation solution and there will be much more innovative solutions to come in 2010.

- SimDev Team
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