Training Pages, an online database of IT and management training courses in the UK, has officially passed the threshold of 4000 entries. At the time of writing, the database detailed 4027 courses from 347 companies. These numbers will almost certainly increase by the time this notice is released.

Training Pages has some unique features which lie at the heart of its success as a comprehensive, yet specialist web site.

First, and foremost, it is a site which is automatically updated in real-time. When training companies wish to create or update course entries, they simply point, click, and immediately see the results on the web site itself.

As soon as a course entry is visible, the provider can take real-time enquiries from potential customers whilst receiving web usage statistics on their own courses and those of their major competitors. Apart from direct access to course details and their providers, potential clients benefit from a site which is easy to search and navigate. Providing it is listed in the database, anyone looking for a course, no matter how obscure, will find it.

No other UK training site offers comparable levels of interactivity and dynamic web services. The secret behind the site's functionality is it's integration of open standards, open source software, and a smattering of in-house programming trickery.

By separating the dynamic functions from the presentational elements of HTML, the site can constantly be adapted and improved with minimal human intervention. The programme code currently contains a host of premium features which have yet to be activated. e.g. direct booking, last-minute booking, course evaluation, trainer evaluation, freelance trainers, etc.

Training Pages was developed by GBdirect, a boutique IT consultancy and training company based in Bradford. A detailed case study of how they designed and built the site is available from:

http://www.gbdirect.co.uk/press/1999/trainingpages.htm