Services

Hall Marketing provides, runs and designs computerised simulations for management development use.

Most simulations with durations of up to about a day are available of-the-shelf for trainers to run. Longer, more complex or very new simulations are run by us (or may be available for trainers to run after training).

To ensure the greatest flexibility, we provide most simulations in several versions and provide different editions so as to meet client needs in the most efficient and cost efficient way. Our simulations and services as follows:

· Professional Editions

· Academic Editions

· Special Editions

· Simulation Rental

· Fully Tutored

· Tutor Training

· Services for Training Providers

Additionally, we offer flexible terms in terms of copyright waivers and maintenance.

Professional Editions

This is available for the larger training company or company training centre. A range of versions are provided to allow the most appropriate version to be chosen to match course needs. As for the standard edition, the package includes a comprehensive training manual, a copy of the simulator and either participant's manuals or participant manual masters supplied. (Full simulator maintenance is included and copyright waiver is optional.)

Academic Editions

This is an especially subsidized or sponsored edition. It is only licenced for use on full time academic courses in schools, colleges and universities. Its use for short courses or commercial training is expressly prohibited.

Special Editions

These are especially focused versions of simulations. For example their are especial graduate trainee editions of the Challenge Series and special schools editions of the Concepts Series.

Simulation Rental

This involves renting the simulation for use on a single course of up to 24 people. For larger courses, multiple rentals are required.

Copyright Waiver

We provide documentation masters as downloads and it is permissible to customise these to your house style provided our copyright is maintained.

Simulator Maintenance

Because operating systems change and we add new versions to the simulation we provide a simulator maintenance option. For an annual fee, we will provide the latest simulator software and version.

Tutor Training

Our simulations are designed simple to use, however we do offer training in how to run simulations. For simulations lasting a day or less this is not necessary. For longer simulations where, normally, we would run the simulation for you, it is often possible for you to be trained in use for a nominal fee.

Running Simulations

Any simulation can be supplied on a fully tutored basis. And, this may be attractive if the simulation is only to be run a few times, is very complex or is being used with a very large group.

Fees for running simulation consist of trainer time plus simulator rental and include documentation and the use of a single microcomputer and printer. Accommodation and travel are additional.

Simulation Design

Regularly, we tailor, customise and develop simulations to meet specific needs.

Tailoring

This involves changing terminology, the reports produced and, possibly, the decisions made.

For example:

A special version of Financial Analysis was produced for Philips BV in less than a day. This involved changing the financial terminology in both the simulation and the comprehensive documentation to replicate the company's terminology.

A special version of Executive Challenge was produced for a schools conference in a couple of days. This involved simplifying the documentation and reports produced, enabling additional decisions (to make the simulation even more exciting) and creating a special series of reports for the team coaches.

Usually, tailoring takes a few hours to a few days.

Customisation

This involves taking an existing simulation and changing or adding to it to meet specific client needs.

For example:

RESERVE was developed from Management Challenge for Ashridge Management College. This involved taking a manufacturing based simulation and adding models that replicated the research and development function. As a result engineers and scientists could explore and appreciate the link between R & D and commercial success.

Casino Challenge was developed from Service Challenge for the GEC Management College at Dunchurch. This involved stripping out and replacing part of the marketplace models. As a result the simulation allowed casino managers to explore the commercial aspects of running a casino and how they could build a loyal and regular clients.

Our object oriented software structures and master database approach means that customisation can take a few days to a few weeks.

New Simulations

This involves creating a completely new simulation. However, because we have very considerable design experience, an extensive library of models and use simulator shells development time is usually half that of our competitors and recent designs using our simulation shell have taken about a fifth of the time required by our competitors!

For Example:

PROFESS was especially developed for Barclay's Life to simulate the operation of a professional services company. This involved creating a completely new model to address the clients needs. However, despite the complexity of the model, instead of taking months to develop it took weeks. This allowed us to meet the client's time scale and budget. But, this shortened development time was not at the expense of functionality. Not only did the client find the simulator easy to use and fully met his needs, when the client's business changed, it took less than a day to change the focus of the simulation.

INTEX was especially developed for the Benson & Hedges Management Challenge to simulate the operation of a FMCG company operating in a rapidly industrialising nation. Although the marketplace model was totally new, the financial consequences of the decisions calculated using standard financial models (from our library of models). This reduced development time, increased the reliability of the design and provided a comprehensive ranged of financial reports to assess team performance.

For details of our design approach, examples of our design record and design metrics