Intertek Alchemy Initial Review

I've really enjoyed getting to know and use this product.

Pros

Building learning groups are the easiest I've expereinced. Also, Tech support has been fantastic. Help is a phone call away.

Cons

I would like to be able to create nested learning paths, a feature that's curently in development.

Its good, but missing a few key components to make it great.

Its good, but lacking in simple functions to make it great. Im sure it would save myself and other trainers that use California's ETP hundreds a of hours of work, if they would just add the ability for 2 facilitators and create an iPad app.

Pros

Its easy to use. It used remotes the answer questions and they provide at least 50% of the classroom material we use (high quality). The provided classes are easy to download and customize. They do allow you upload several formats and you can account for live classrooms. The personnel management side is pretty good and allows for grouping, hire and fire dates and more. Their customer service answers right away and are awesome.

Cons

There is no iPad app at all. This is probably my biggest gripe. Everything after this is not a deal breaker, but with the COVID-10 pandemic, we are needing a mobile device solution. Yeah they have e-learning, but for the average production worker they dont want to have to remember another username and password. Taking their Kiosk mode, and placing it on an iPad would be great. Instead its just for windows and uses windows tablets (kiosk) anymore? ipad is by far more popular. Probably my second biggest complaint is that it only allows for 1 facilitator. I am in California, and with the ETP program I need the ability to have 2 facilitators for electronic sign in (RFID). But since it only allows for one, I have to have everyone use a sign in sheet, then use the RFID reader to sign into Alchemy. Not a deal breaker, but it causes me lots of extra paperwork. Also the different formats you can upload, can only go to certain areas. For example, if I want to use SCORM format, I can only do so for e-Learning and not classroom settings. Also, there is no SCORM converter. Instead they have PowerPoint add-on to create training, but that seems to lockup a lot when adding audio and video. You are forced to save, close and reopen PowerPoint every 10-14 slides if you are using audio. Its a pain, but workable.

2 Years of Alchemy Systems

Alchemy has very good customer support and is constantly embarking on improvement opportunities. Overall experience is very positive. The growth of the platform and expansion of capabilities is not always smooth, we would like to continue to see expansion of capabilities with focus on streamlined system processes.

Pros

The group based learning with real-time comprehension checks using the remotes is very valuable for our manufacturing teams. Alchemy has provided much needed visibility to potential training gaps so they can be addressed. Utilizing Alchemy has helped streamline and standardize our new hire onboarding processes, and has enabled more ownership of safety and food safety program training at a department level. It was easy to sync with our HRIS to minimize duplicate data entry between the systems.

Cons

The admin responsibilities could be more streamlined - there is often the need for redundant processes to ensure users have the right content/access. More integration between the different Alchemy modules is needed for easier utilization for both admins and users. The ability to use purchased content via Player and not just e-learning would be very beneficial for our organizational structure.

Alchemy Easy to Use

Once we began to use alchemy we now have a consistent record of compliance training across all our worksites. Reports can be generated at anytime we need them. Integrating alchemy has been a smooth transition with positive results.

Pros

Alchemy is easy to use from creating and publishing a course to tracking completion. The remotes that are assigned to each employee for group training makes completion of the course fun and engaging and allows us to track the results by each individual employee for compliance. The Coach Observation tool adds a layer of follow up and reinforcement to the training. It is helpful to be able to observe the employee on the job performing the task correctly.

Cons

While creating the course is easy I would be helpful to have more options to customize the training in different formats. I would also like to see a report on users by worksite so I can audit them to ensure employees are in the correct group within a worksite.

Make Compliance a Breeze

Alchemy has been easy to use and the support staff have been amazing and extremely responsive.

Pros

Alchemy Products help ensure we stay compliant and makes developing and administering training a breeze. Go paperless and never have to worry about tracking down a training sign-in sheet again.

Cons

Playbook is new but it would be nice to have courses built in playbook be available through e-Learning as well.