This paper is a description of a product called WBT-Master, developed by the Institute for Information Processing and Computer-Supported New Media, in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler, two Fraunhofer Institutes (Experimental Software Engineering, Computer Graphics), and Highware.

WBT stands for Web-based training. WBT-Master integrates support for six different knowledge transfer processes: training, tutoring, mentoring, knowledge mining, knowledge profiling, and knowledge delivery. The authors describe each of these processes (pointing out the differences between processes with similar names), and then describe how each process is supported by WBT-Master. The descriptions are supported by screen shots, and discussions of how the product is used.

The paper concludes with a discussion of evaluations of WBT-Master, conducted at the developers’ facilities. The methods used in the evaluation are described at length. The principal results of the evaluation are: Fraunhofer and Highware found generally improved learning effectiveness, whereas, at DaimlerChrysler, users found that “cognitive load associated with tool usage prevented them from learning.” The conflicting results are attributed to differences in organizational mission, and cultural differences. The cost-benefit analysis also yielded inconsistent results. The authors state that, for a training provider (such as Highware), immediate cost benefits can be obtained, whereas for a software developer (such as DaimlerChrysler), the payback period exceeds three years. Unfortunately, no further quantitative evaluation data are provided.