Docent Picks Up The PaceDocent Picks Up The Pace

Learning-management system supplier Docent is trying to get smarter and faster. The Mountain View, Calif., company last week acquired E-learning content-management developer gForce Systems. Terms weren't disclosed.

GForce, in Menlo Park, Calif., supplies Web-based technology that allows for the immediate development and deployment of E-learning content. When a feature is added to a company's product, a sales executive can create an ad-hoc presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint and a Web-based camera, then deploy it to the sales team with gForce's system. The technology, interoperable with Docent's systems because of an existing partnership, will be integrated into Docent's product, which manages classroom and online training.

Gforce customers include Cisco Systems and Commerce One. Says International Data Corp. senior analyst Cushing Anderson, "They have good technology in a good space."