PSL and HR Alloy Partner to Provide Sophisticated Online Simulations

Assessment specialist PSL and qualification technology leader HR Alloy have formed an exclusive partnership, whereby PSL will create and distribute online workforce management simulations built with HR Alloyís ground-breaking Virtual Simulation Authoring (VSAô) suite for clients throughout Europe.

ìSimulations are a new development for online assessment and they will transform the market,î said Richard Alberg, Chief Executive of PSL. ìAn interactive simulation can provide very clear information about a candidate, for a fraction of the cost of a standard face to face assessment or development centre. Individuals enjoy participating and find them far more job relevant than many alternative assessment techniques. The simulations can even be tailored to depict specific details of a client organisation.î

Montreal-based HR Alloy has developed a ground-breaking authoring system which allows the rapid development of web-based assessment simulations in a realistic 3D environment.

With the new simulations, individuals will use a web browser to enter a virtual reality environment where they will undertake a series of assessment/development centre-type exercises. They can interact with on-screen characters and move throughout the virtual space to perform job-related tasks.

ìHR Alloyís VSA allows us to create simulations that feature life-like, computer-generated characters,î said Richard Alberg. ìIt also employs natural sounding, text-to-voice technology which means we can write a script and have a character speak that phrase, in various languages and with local accents. Itís precisely the route we wanted to go down and now we have a terrific technology partner.î

The system records every action - and inaction - collecting multiple data points that are saved in a sophisticated scoring engine. Every decision made by the user, from clicks to response-delay, can be used to measure potential job success.

J-F Gauthier, CEO of HR Alloy, said: ìWe are very enthusiastic about this partnership with PSL, as they have such an impressive reputation for providing world-class assessment solutions. They fit perfectly with our own goals: to bring the high financial impact of sophisticated assessment processes to the worldís best hr consultants and their clients. Assessing a global workforce is extremely complex, with various laws and geographic challenges involved. We have developed one of the most efficient technology solutions to manage that complexity, ensure consistency and deliver bottom line results. We look forward to delivering this value to PSL and their clients.î