ScreencastingTools

SOFTWARE EVALUATION

INTRODUCTION

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BackgroundBackground

Category: Screencasting software

Situation: Our team is evaluating software to be used in knowledge capture sessions, for documenting processes in various formats including printable documentation and interactive online simulations. We must select from two potential solutions.

Comparing: Adobe Captivate 4 vs. Epiance Epiplex500

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RequirementsRequirements

Selected software must be able to:• Quickly capture session only one time but then

output to multiple formats as needed• Add and edit audio• Output to .doc and .swf formats• Add comments and tips within simulations• Capture any online process while blocking

extraneous applications (e.g., Outlook or IM)• Easily edit (remove, add and modify screenshots)

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FEATURES

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Captivate FeaturesCaptivate Features

Capture Capture • Captures virtually any system, ignoring pop-ups and other applications• Contains project templates with set preferences for

reduced capture time

EditingEditing • User-friendly layout and Editing screen• Audio adding and editing• Modification of screen images, text, etc.• Comments, highlights, rollovers, animations, etc.• Flash and video embedding• Text to speech and Zoom features

OutputsOutputs • Interactive formats - .swf, .exe., .avi • Demonstration, Training and Assessment modes

• Documents - .pdf, .doc. 6

Epiplex FeaturesEpiplex Features

Capture Capture • Captures virtually any system• Blocks pop-ups and specific applications from capture• Can pre-set preferences to reduce capture time• Masks private data fields

EditingEditing • Can mask or secure data fields• Can edit screen images, text, etc.• Can add “sticky notes” and callouts

OutputsOutputs • Pack Utility and Document Wizard assists in output• Interactive formats - .swf, DHTML

• Show, Guide and Test versions• Documents - .pdf, .doc., .ppt, .xml, .xls• Context Sensitive Help

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COMPARISON

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So, What’s the Difference?So, What’s the Difference?

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Epiplex Pros vs. ConsEpiplex Pros vs. Cons

ProsPros ConsConsVery easy to start using Not as many “bells and whistles”

Easy to edit captures Parent company not as large or established

Formats to several different outputs Online help not as extensive

Lower cost overall Installation somewhat time-consuming

Process modeling component

Already a standard in parts of company

Multi-language support

Differentiation between Capture and Developer licenses 10

Captivate Pros vs. ConsCaptivate Pros vs. Cons

ProsPros ConsConsAbility to create more interactive online modules (not necessarily system-based)

More features means it takes longer to learn how to use it

Robust edit capabilities Not as widely utilized in the company

Audio editing capabilities More expensive as a whole

Significant online support and user community

Have experienced some bugs with LMS integration

PhotoShop integration with layering

Text to speech feature11

Side by Side ComparisonSide by Side Comparison

EpiplexEpiplex CaptivateCaptivate AdvantageAdvantage

Company/Stability

• Epiance founded in 2001• Headquarters - India

(not as easy to contact or as stable as Adobe)

• Adobe founded in 1982• Headquarters -

California

Installation • Time-consuming and complicated

• Quick and simple

Ease of Use • Requires very little training and tutorials to start capturing• Menu user-friendly• Captures fully

• Robustness adds level of complexity to Editing interface• Capture sometimes

miss clicks

Outputs • Additional DHTML format

• Additional formats for EXE or AVI formats

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Side by Side ComparisonSide by Side Comparison

EpiplexEpiplex CaptivateCaptivate AdvantageAdvantage

Help/ User Community

• Limited • Extensive

Cost/ Licensing • Free unlimited end users• Different license levels• $199 per Capture

license• $2000 per 5

Developer licenses• Already a standard for

some parts of company

• Free unlimited end users• $399 per

Capture/Developer license

Other Factors • Process modeling• Integrates with LMS,

Web and Report/Track

• Integrates easily with extensive Adobe suite

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RECOMMENDATION

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ConclusionConclusion

Recommendation:• Both fully meet core requirements • Epiplex is better solution for our needs at this time• If requirements grow, might look at something more

robust like Captivate

Reasoning:• Already in use in many parts of the company (could

easily start utilizing it)• Provides a simple solution to record “quick and dirty”

knowledge capture sessions • Can output in many formats with minimal editing effort 15