We realize that there are significant variables in resource demands during the life of a project, and it is our intent to ensure our clients have the resource flexibility, or sprint capacity, as their needs dictate. ECS maintains a capable and flexible staff of experienced engineers across the spectrum of engineering disciplines. Many of engineers have active security clearances and are able to meet our customers’ technical needs on-site or at our facility in Orlando, Florida.

Primary services include:

-          Software Engineering

-          Systems Design & Integration

-          Architectural Visualization

-          Instructional Design

-          Program Management Support

-          Content Development

Our mobile content facilitates a “learning objects” approach to blend immersive, scenario-based simulations with other learning content to collectively guide the learners through the learning process. Our approach employs mobile learning technologies and a technology infrastructure to provide communication and collaboration between users, groups, applications and content through a common interface. These applications integrate with an organization’s existing technology infrastructure using common architectures, interfaces and specifications.  This transcends the traditional boundaries of proprietary systems by providing a comprehensive environment for integrating new technology, tools and information and enables mobile content to reach large numbers of people quickly, allow for the rapid tailoring of training, and provides experiences that transfer into critical thinking skills and high levels of performance.

In addition to learning content, one of the core principles behind our Mobile technologies is the development and incorporation of technologies, processes and methodologies that take effective practices from the commercial world and integrates them into a comprehensive knowledge network. These trends have the potential to change how people work and could become the preferred tools for some users to obtain the specialized skills needed for effective job performance. Specific trends that mobile technologies can address include:

• Dynamic knowledge creation – Organizations do not simply process information. Mobile technologies can also be used to create information and knowledge (e.g., best practices, lessons learned, FAQs, formal/informal knowledge transfer, etc).

• Personalized services and tools – Learners are expecting personalized services, tools and experiences.(e.g., search and discovery, customization, tailored content)

• Collaboration – Mobile tools, software, and policies for allowing small groups to work together towards common goals (e.g., communities of practice, social computing)

Whether in the classroom, or in the field, mobile learning applications developed by ECS help improve workplace performance and create employees that are better prepared. This product has the ability to not only to simply capture knowledge for the sole purpose of managing it, but will provide the capability for individuals to reach knowledge experts and meaningful content. This accelerates and enhances situational performance and decision-making

This approach emphasizes team communication and working software as the primary measures of progress and allows the team to adapt quickly to changing requirements. This also benefits our clients as they are able to see measurable progress in the form of completely developed and tested features every few weeks or months. In this fashion, an application will be able to be demonstrated with minimal features early on in the development process, but will be continually improved through out the project. This also helps negate many of the issues with changing requirements.

Key principles in the ECS software development model include daily Scrums by the development team where progress is explained, upcoming work is described and any impediments to the goals of the sprint or the project are raised. This management style promotes a cross-pollination of ideas across the various components of the project and encourages communication. In addition to the daily Scrums, weekly project status reviews are held to identify new issues and mitigate risks. One other mechanism that is used to help mitigate risk is the process of tracking costs for all major features and components of the project. In this fashion, risks are identified, tracked and their impact on the project can be catalogued and mitigated.

Project Management Tools

ECS uses a standard set of tools to effectively plan and manage our software development programs. Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Exchange allows interoperable communication between team members. Microsoft Project is used to manage resources, assign tasks, track progress, manage budgets and analyze workloads. It also gives us the ability to evaluate the impact of new project requirements and change requests against existing plans, budget, schedule and resources.

ECS currently uses a web-based bug tracking system called Mantis. Mantis is a lightweight and simple bug tracking system that uses the PHP scripting language and MySQL to create a highly extensible system. This allows us to edit and add different fields for each project. Additionally, it has been tested and works with almost any browser. Its list of features includes the ability to assign priorities, email notifications, simple searches and filtered viewing among others.

ECS also uses the Subversion, version control system to manage our files and directories over time. This system uses a central repository, which is backed up nightly and acts as an ordinary file server, except that it stores every change ever made to a file or directory. This system is used for both code and content.

• 3D modeling and rendering
• Physics-based simulations
• Comparitive design evaluations
• Virtual prototypes
• Lighting studies
• Interactive walkthroughs
• Historical reconstruction

The ECS Visualization toolkit focuses on real-time, 3D modeling and rendering of specific locations and provides the capability to view both interior and exterior environments to allow viewers to compare as-built facilities with multiple proposed changes. This environment allows for real-time manipulation of proposed construction and transportation components such as facility interiors and exteriors, runways, protected airspace geometry, roads, bridges, tunnels, planning and designs and ultimately provides the capability to allow our clients to see a finished project years before its completion.

Analysis

ECS excels at answering many types of questions that organizations have about instruction and learning issues. Using a systemic approach, ECS investigates all elements of a learning system:  the people, the processes, and the technology. This helps us better understand the whole learning system and rapidly develop recommendations to meet our clients’ demands.

Design

ECS’s team of instructional designers ensure that a program of instruction is innovative, incorporates sound learning and instructional principles, is appropriate for the target audience, and is within the constraints of the customer. We use a combination of best practices and lessons learned to design training systems that consider learner and content characteristics, apply a unified look and feel, and deliver training in an effective and efficient manner.

Development

ECS is at the forefront of all aspects of courseware development for all types of media including Web-based, computer-based, and paper-based using multiple learning theories for instructor-led, independent learner, and blended modes of learning. ECS also trains customers on the strategies, processes, and conventions of courseware development for internal development or for their management of external courseware development efforts.

Implementation

ECS provides implementation support through planning activities, train-the-trainer, trial implementations, on-going training support, and change management planning.  ECS ensures that change management planning is not overlooked, life cycle management costs are not underestimated, and that integration, implementation, and management issues are addressed early.

Evaluation

ECS conducts evaluations for a variety of purposes. Training effectiveness and program evaluations are among the most common. We apply a combination of formative and summative evaluations to provide the decision-maker with information on what decisions need to be made and why they need to be made.

ECS uses a wide range of technologies to develop web-based training, interactive courseware, simulations and performance support systems; and applies distance learning technologies to establish effective learning environments for “on-demand” training. Technically speaking, ECS also develops e-learning web-portals integrated with SCORM conformant learning management systems to centrally manage courseware and simulations while allowing users to interact with each other. ECS uses a wide range of technologies including Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, Action Scripting 2.0, JavaScript, XML, JSP, JAVA Servlets, MySQL, JDBC, AJAX, PHP.

Section 508 Compliance

Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) has successfully delivered Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) that meets section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d). Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

As an Advanced Learning Technologies organization, ECS regularly develops web services and web-based applications and solutions. Accessibility to all of the features of our developed solutions is not only required, but is key to continuous learning.

ECS engineers understand the challenges and complexities of generating and optimizing complete synthetic environments, including geo-typical and correlated, geo-specific terrain solutions.  Our engineering teams draw from a broad range of source data to produce and export terrains for any simulation system or simulator subsystems. Our terrain solutions are built to

Courseware Development

ECS develops interactive courseware using proven learning principles to ensure that students gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform better. Our courseware solutions are engaging, interactive and support a variety of learning styles. ECS employs instructional designers, multimedia designers and web programmers to rapidly and cost effectively develop and deploy SCORM conformant interactive courseware solutions that address the specific needs of your organization. ECS works closely with clients to develop the right solution to most efficiently teach students on any given subject matter. ECS also develops e-learning web-portals integrated with SCORM conformant learning management systems to centrally manage courseware and simulations while allowing users to interact with each other. ECS uses a wide range of technologies including Adobe Flash, Dreamweaver, Action Scripting 2.0, JavaScript, XML, JSP, JAVA Servlets, MySQL, JDBC, AJAX, PHP.

Physics and Behaviors

Our engineering team provides fast and realistic physics modeling that’s suitable for use in a variety of applications. Our component based approach provides the ability to add real-time dynamic behavior to simulation objects. In addition to our own physics simulations, ECS is experienced with implementing third party middleware physics engines including Karma and Havok. Additional experience includes the integration of dynamic character physics (including localized rag doll effects), vehicle dynamics and environmental effects.

Network Programming

ECS provides expandable computing solutions that maintain cohesion between network management and security needs and other software and hardware systems. ECS engineers have experience in client-server architectures that reduce network traffic while improving multi-user updates. Standard industry practices such as dead reckoning, localized event handling and asset interpolation are used to optimize network traffic and enhance the capabilities of distributed computing.

Programming/Scripting Languages/APIs

• Visual Basic
• C, C++
• Java
• VB Script, Javascript, LUA
• HTML, XML
• Perl, Pascal, Ada, Win32, MFC
• Direct X, Open GL
• Game Engines and middleware: Gamebryo, Unreal, Torque, Delta 3D, Open Scene Graph, LipSync, AI Implant

Mobile Learning Architectures

These small personal computers are already being used in the field and there is great potential to deliver new mobile learning environments that provide contextual knowledge, training and performance support

Learner Tracking

The capture of assessment data ultimately ensures that training objectives are being met by the learner. The objectives in this project are to develop an assessment engine and data model that can be used in a range of learning systems to apprehend the different relationships between players, player actions, groups and group actions. From such data, patterns of routine cognitive activities can be discerned.

Delta3D – LMS/SCORM Integration

This project, funded through the Naval Education and Training Command was designed to investigate and validate technologies that could be used for integrating simulations into the Navy’s Integrated Learning Environment (ILE). From a technical perspective, it is attempting to identify the key interface points between simulation content and LMS environments, such as delivering simulation content to the learner, monitoring key interactions and performance within the simulation content and determining what the student should next experience within the continuum of training.

SCORM – Simulation Interface Standards

ECS is intimately familiar with SCORM and has worked with the SCORM architecture since its inception. Training Transformation and the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative have been at the core of the ECS growth strategy. Currently, ECS is participating in a SCORM-Simulation Interface study group commissioned by the IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC) and the Simulations Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO). This group is looking to standardize how simulations and games are launched and communicate with SCORM managed learning environments.

Intelligent Tutoring Systems and Standards

The notion of Intelligent Tutoring Systems has proven to be effective. The use of standards promises reduced cost and reuse for ITS. This program is leveraging SCORM and HLA standards to implement an ITS architecture for rapid development of simulation-based ITS. The feasibility and effectiveness of this architecture will be demonstrated by applying this architecture to implement ITS prototypes for both individual and team decision-making training prototypes.

Interactive Storytelling

Our primary objective of this project is to develop customized and individual training through the real-time adaptation of stories. Our approach is to design an architecture to support a “learning by doing” pedagogically appropriate sequence of events within a story.