TRAINING CONCEPT FOR SOFTWARE - ORIENTED PRODUCTS 
Reiner Schwebel, Carl Zeiss, Germany 
ABSTRACT 
For full utilization of their capabilities, photogrammetric-cartographic systems and geographic information systems require comprehensive know- 
ledge and support. 
Software systems from Carl Zeiss therefore include learning functions and information for direct support in both training and production. By means 
of courses and individual training, Carl Zeiss systems and applications specialists convey practice-oriented knowledge of the system to operators, 
system managers and programmers. Follow-up training and support in conjunction with the software update service permit ongoing extension of 
knowledge and skills. Equal emphasis is placed by Carl Zeiss on development, production and services. 
KEY WORDS Education, Photogrammetry, Training 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Geographic information systems and photogrammetric-cartographic 
systems have become essential tools in modern regional planning 
and environmental protection. The effective use of these systems is 
primarily determined by the following factors: 
- the performance of the hardware, including the computer, 
- the efficiency of the software, 
- the user's know-how and 
- the service and support provided by the manufacturer. 
Cost analyses have shown that the costs in the GIS field, based on a 
10-year service life, are allocated as follows: 
10 96 on investment in the system hardware and software 
10 % on services (training, maintenance, support, update) and 
80 % on staff costs for system operation. 
The user interface, training and support have a decisive influence on 
the staff costs and operational efficiency. Reputable systems manu- 
facturers such as Carl Zeiss therefore consider it a task of prime 
importance to supply the customer not only with high-performance 
products, but also with expert services. The spectrum of services 
offered by Carl Zeiss comprises: 
* Applications and systems analysis and support 
* System installation and integration 
* Applications training 
* Hardware service 
* Software update service and 
* Programming support 
Our motto for support and training is 
Helping the user to help himself 
Only well-trained, proficient and motivated personnel will be able to 
fully utilize the potential of advanced systems. The training provided 
by Carl Zeiss is concentrated on a few vital areas which are outlined 
in the following. 
2. TRAINING CONCEPT 
A training concept must be tailored to both the intended application 
of the system and to the user. It must incorporate the learning 
functions and user interface of the system, while taking into account 
the different degrees of difficulty of the tasks involved and the 
personnel's technical knowledge. The training concept is based on 
the following levels: 
* the operator level for the use of the system functions in a 
prepared work environment; 
* the system level for work preparation and EDP management 
* the program level for the adaptation of the system software to 
special tasks; 
* the specialized level for the analysis and utilization of collected 
data. 
System-integrated learning functions, training courses by experts 
and systematic follow-up training and support are available for each 
individual level. 
2.1 Learning functions of the system 
State-of-the-art software systems include a great variety of learning 
and help functions for the user, which considerably facilitate operator 
handling of the system, in particular. Carl Zeiss systems such as the 
PHOCUS system for photogrammetry, cartography 
and land information and 
PHODIS photogrammetric image processing system 
offer the following system-integrated learning functions: 
e Help functions (on-line), detailed instructions for the perfor- 
mance and continuation of the task on hand, which can be called 
up on the monitor at any time and include cross references to the 
tutorials; 
* Tutorials (on-line) with an introduction to the major processes of 
a task, including cross references to the manuals; 
e Manuals ("off-line") with a detailed description of the overall 
system, its operation and programming, either in printed form or 
stored in the computer and accessible via the software. 
2.2 User interface 
In addition to these direct aids, the user interface and intelligent 
system functions play an important role in the training concept. An 
optimized user interface reduces the training necessary at the 
operator level, but increases the requirements at the system level. 
However, since more operators than systems engineers usually work 
with the system, the optimization of the user interface is also justified 
from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness. In the Carl Zeiss systems, 
for example, this involves the following tools: 
* Menu guidance based on WINDOWS (P-CAP PC software) for 
operators with no photogrammetric background knowledge or 
based on OSF-Motif for PHODIS 
* Screen and paper menues prepared for the performance of 
bulk operations (PHOCUS, PHODIS) 
* Dialog processing and command input for the advanced 
system user (PHOCUS, PHODIS), 
e Process programming for the predefined control of meas- 
urement and evaluation procedures (PHOCUS transfer files), 
e Program interfaces with subroutines and documentation for 
user programming of special tasks. 
Improvements in process technology and the implementation of 
expert knowledge in the software may result in a marked reduction in 
training requirements, as the example of automatic error elimination 
in block adjustment clearly illustrates. 
Similarly, only minimum familiarity with the operating system is 
required at the operator level due to the superimposition of easily 
comprehensible application functions on the operating system. As a 
result, special training on the operating system as offered by the 
computer manufacturers is not necessary for the operator.