Sysmex Introduces New Standard In Diagnostic Device Training With Opening Of Center For Learning

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Aug. 15, 2018  /PRNewswire/ -- Sysmex, one of the fastest growing providers of diagnostic hardware and software in the U.S., officially opened its new, state-of-the-art, 98,000-square-foot "Center for Learning" today in Vernon Hills, Ill., another major milestone for the company as it celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

"Breakthrough innovation and ingenuity is in our DNA at Sysmex, from our products to the training we provide that help our customers realize the full potential of how investments in our technology can improve patient care," said Stephanie Post, senior director of Marketing Communications, Commercial Operations Training and Development, and Program Management. "This facility builds on the training programs that clinical laboratory professionals have come to expect from Sysmex, which are unlike any other training curriculum in the medical device industry."

Since 2003, training has been the centerpiece of the unique package of support that Sysmex America provides its customers in the U.S. and Canada. Each product purchase includes a number of training "slots," used by customers to help key staff learn the skills needed to operate their recently purchased high-tech equipment.

Designed to meet the changing training needs of Sysmex's growing customer and employee base in the U.S. and Canada, the multi-million-dollar facility more than triples the training capacity of its previous Center for Learning with classrooms for laboratory professionals and six classrooms for Sysmex's own technical engineers.

"Our new Center for Learning is a major investment in our customers and our people," Post added. "It also demonstrates our commitment to leverage technology from a variety of fields to help drive innovation in healthcare."

The new Center for Learning will have the capacity to train up to 4,400 people per year, including 3,000 customers - both virtually and on-site - and 1,400 Sysmex employees working in field service, the company's technical assistance center and clinical application specialists.

Approximately 40 Sysmex employees are based at the new Center for Learning. When classes are in session, up to 80 staff and students are working at the center. Located less than three miles from the Sysmex America regional headquarters in Lincolnshire, Ill., the facility is already receiving rave reviews from customers, employees and visitors.

Due to Sysmex's growth, the location of the former Center for Learning will be converted into a final assembly and staging location for the company's new XW-100 complete blood count (CBC) analyzer.

Smart features abound

Throughout the new facility, space is utilized to maximize flexibility, interchangeability and create a highly collaborative learning and working environment with smart features such as:

• A "Skyfold" wall dividing a large training room into two smaller rooms that transforms into a giant, erasable white board that students can write on
• Open lobby areas arranged to also be used as breakout spaces for smaller groups
• Use of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in the broadcast studios, which consume less energy, emit less heat and require less frequent replacement
• Video monitors throughout the facility that post customer messages, so they can be shared without the involvement of staff or the disturbance of an announcement
• Purpose-built technology infrastructure allowing training video files to be accessed, stored and edited much faster, increasing production staff efficiency as they are no longer waiting for time-consuming file downloads
• Locating diagnostic equipment used for training purposes on outside room walls to maximize open space and natural light

The new facility also offers a fitness center, and one of the studios is fully green screen-equipped. The studios also feature a commercial-grade sound booth available for a variety of voice-over uses, including the ability to provide training through podcasts in the future.

More than triples number of studios for innovative Virtual Instructor-Led Training

When demand for customer training rapidly increased due to sales growth, the Sysmex learning staff created a new training model called Virtual Instructor-Led Training ? or VILT.

VILT involved taking the very best of conventional training, such as live, instructor-led learning, a combination of sharing information and performing hands-on exercises, and real-time question and answer opportunities with expert instructors, and combined it new technologies to make the experience as "classroom like" as possible.

To do that, the Sysmex team used high-definition, live video streamed over the Internet broadcast from commercial-grade studios, equipped with the same instruments the students are learning to use in laboratories where they work.

VILT has been embraced by Sysmex customers and allowed the company to make training available to many more laboratory professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

While the older Center for Learning offered two VILT studios, the new one has seven, each one fully equipped with the most high-tech and environmentally friendly technology to make maximum use of the space. The learning team collaborated with outside studio consultants, and considered lessons learned as the company gained more experience with VILT.

Once customer laboratory staff have completed a curriculum of VILT classes, they are extended exclusive invitations to attend advanced classes, in-person, at Sysmex's new Center for Learning.

In addition to live classroom and broadcast programs, Sysmex customers have an array of on-demand training options at their fingertips - available 24 hours a day, seven days per week - including eLearning, Webinars and more. Across its an entire menu of training options, Sysmex America customers attend more than 14,000 classes per year. 

About Sysmex's Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)

Leaders from Sysmex's Corporate Learning Team have guest-authored articles for Training Industry, the most trusted source of information on the business of learning. A January 24, 2018 "e learning" article provides an overview of VILT. A July 5, 2018 "learning technologies" article discusses new technology used to bring VILT up to the level of broadcast quality it offers today.                                                                                                   

About Sysmex America

Sysmex America is lighting the way to better health with diagnostic solutions that transform the future of healthcare and contribute to healthier lives. Its innovative hematology, urinalysis and flow cytometry testing technology is reshaping the world of diagnostics. As Americas regional affiliate of Kobe, Japan-based Sysmex Corporation ? a trusted global leader respected for optimizing the efficiency, operations and financial performance of clinical laboratories ? it offers diagnostic products that equip patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them with the information needed to make decisions with greater trust and confidence. Sysmex, founded in 1968, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. Forbes magazine named Sysmex one of the most innovative companies in the healthcare equipment and services category, and the Center for Companies That Care named Sysmex America to its "Honor Roll." To learn more about Sysmex America, please visit www.sysmex.com/us.

SOURCE Sysmex America