Cancellations
How much lead time will we get if you have to cancel a class?
We have a strict no cancellations policy. We do not cancel a class so
long as there is one paid-up student enrolled. |
Custom
Content
You
say your group and private classes can be tailored to our needs.
What level of customization is included in the base tuition?
The base tuition applies to a standard class using standard materials.
However, our instructors are very experienced and flexible. In many
cases they can adjust the in-class presentations and exercises to
your needs. Often we are able to conduct our classes using your files
and/or databases.
In addition, we can develop custom content such as PowerPoint slides,
scripts, workbooks, etc. in advance. Please contact us for a free
estimate. We can even develop the course content based on your files and/or databases. (see below) |
Databases
Can
a custom class use its own database or files instead of ones you supply?
Yes, just let us know and we will be happy to provide a free
quote if required. In many cases there would be no extra charge.
We may need an extract of your database or files in advance of the
class to help us prepare your class. But often we can adjust our
class presentations and exercises in class. |
Discounts
I want to set up a class for several students. Is there a discount for this?
Yes. We do provide substantial discounts for multiple students. This
applies whether you want an onsite class at your facility or ours.
See Price List for current levels.
This is intended to apply to a single order. For example, two orders paid
a week apart are treated separately.
Do I get a discount if I buy more than one class?
Yes, if you buy a Training Passport. This provides a very substantial
discount. See Price List for current levels. |
Enrollment
How do you enroll for a class?
We do not have
a separate enrollment process. Simply place your order on-line. We
will send you an invoice and confirm the dates when paid.
What is the deadline for enrolling in a scheduled class?
Right up
through the Thursday of the week preceding the class.
As a single
individual can I sign up for an existing group class?
No. Due to the
nature of the group training environment we cannot allow individuals
to "join" custom classes for other organizations.
We recommend
you sign up for private training or tutoring.
What
is the minimum enrollment?
Due to the
semi-private nature of our training, scheduled classes will run so
long as there is one student enrolled.
Custom group classes require a minimum of two or three
students depending on the course. Out of state clients should probably
plan on 5 or 6 at the least. |
Equipment
What equipment
should we plan on for an on-site class?
One computer
per student and one connection for the instructor's laptop or a
customer supplied desktop computer. Ideally, all on a LAN with a
share drive or folder.
A Datashow or
equivalent screen projector. (Although we can supply this if need be
for a modest fee.)
A suitable
training room. (or see Facilities below.)
Can you supply
us with computers or projectors for an on-site class?
Yes, although
there will be a modest rental charge. We can provide the projector as
well as a few laptop computers with some software.
Can
you supply the software for an on-site class?
No. The
customer needs to have the proper software installed and configured
on the student computers prior to the class (but see above). The
instructor will typically bring a laptop with the software they need. |
Facilities
If we prefer,
can we ask you to supply the classroom facilities for an "on-site"?
The goal with
on-site training is to provide convenient, custom training to small
groups at your facility. However, if you prefer to train away from
your facility we have an option...
Have us arrange a University
of Phoenix classroom.
These large, comfortable rooms are available at reasonable rates in
many major locations throughout Southern California ranging from
Palmdale through San Diego.
Ontario |
Kearney Mesa |
Gardena |
Murrieta / Temecula |
San Diego |
Pasadena |
La Palma |
Lancaster |
These are BYOD classes. Students supply their own laptop computers. |
Materials
Do you supply materials for your classes such as lab
manuals?
Yes.
Students do not need to bring any materials to class. We
supply all materials needed for each class. This usually
includes lab manuals from Logical Operations, a leading
national courseware provider.
|
On-going
Support
Once the class
is over can we contact you with questions?
Yes. We are happy to answer your questions for a full two months following one of
our classes. In addition we encourage our students to take advantage
of our consulting and programming services to help with their projects. |
|
Training
Modalities
What is the
difference between group and private training?
Private
training is set up for one person and hourly billing is available for
shorter tutoring type sessions. Students in group classes always pay
a tuition fee. Both types are scheduled to suit the client's
convenience and are customizable.
Group classes are typically hosted at the client's
location or online. We may
also be able to host the class at a rented university
classroom. Private students would typically arrange an online session.
Do
you have "pre-arranged" groups?
No, groups are custom scheduled by the client requesting the class. |
Rates
What are the
rates for programming work billed hourly?
We do both
hourly work and fixed bid. For current rates please see Programming
and Consulting rates.
Are
the course prices per day or per class?
Per student
per class. For example a two day course advertised at $195 will cost
$195 per student, not $390. Our advertised prices are very reasonable. |
Refunds
What if we
have to cancel a class? Do we get the full amount refunded?
Tuition is
fully refundable with two weeks notice prior to the class start, 50%
refundable with 24 hours notice. Customization and other expenses
incurred are non-refundable.
Do you provide
a refund if we can't use all the days of our passport?
It depends. We figure passport refunds as the difference
between the passport cost and the retail cost of the
classes taken to date. For example: you took a 1 day VBA
class listed for $295. The refund available for the
remaining days on an application passport is $495 - $295 = $200. |
Registration
What is the registration fee?
This is a modest fee for private for group and private classes. Not currently charged. |
Retakes
Can we retake a class?
Due to the custom nature of our classes this is not something we can offer. |
Scheduling
When do classes start?
Unless
otherwise arranged, class hours are from 9:00AM to 4:00PM for full
day classes and 9:00AM to 12:00PM for half day classes. Evening
classes are from 6:00PM to 9:00PM.
Can we
schedule a class on Saturday?
Yes. This is
fine, but is subject to instructor availability.
What about evenings?
For group and
private classes our modular approach makes this a very feasible
concept. However, there may be limitations imposed by instructor availability.
Can we take
just one or two of the sessions for a given class?
Certainly. For
example your group may already have some familiarity with how to
create tables, work with the datasheet and do simple queries. But you
would like some formal training on Forms and Reports (our session 2),
or maybe Macros. Give us a call. Our modular approach is a perfect
fit for this. We will tailor the class to your needs.
Is consulting
offered outside normal weekday work hours?
Subject to
availability, yes. Billed at time and 1/2. |
Shipping
Fee
Is there a
charge for shipping the course manuals to an onsite class location?
Not normally. However, if we have to rush delivery of books from our suppliers in
order to accommodate a class on short notice the client will pay the
additional charge. |
Travel
What are the travel charges?
An hourly rate
for instructor travel time plus mileage when outside the local Orange
County Area. These are included in the original invoice at estimated
levels per Mapquest or Google Maps. See price
list for current rates.
For classes
outside the Southern California area meals, lodging and any
applicable airfare and auto rental at cost would apply. Travel time
is billed at $300 per travel day.
What is the
"local Orange County area"?
Locations within 40 miles of Laguna Niguel in south Orange County. Roughly all
of Orange County, north to Long Beach and the Los Angeles County
line, east to Riverside and south to Oceanside and Vista in San Diego County.
Do you provide training out-of-state?
Yes. See above
for costs. You will probably want to have a minimum of 5 or 6 students. |
Payment
When is payment for a class due?
You will be
invoiced prior to the scheduling of the class. Invoices are due on
receipt. Class dates and enrollment will be confirmed upon payment.
You may pay by check or credit card.
Meals, auto
rental and lodging charges, if any, will be billed at completion.
Airfare, if applicable, will be billed as incurred. Travel time will
be billed in advance with the original invoice.
What about
payments for fixed bid work?
50% upon
approval of the Statement of Work. 50% upon delivery and acceptance.
Can you bill
students in a group class individually?
Yes, we can bill separately if need be. |
Do
you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept
both Visa and MasterCard. We also accept American Express cards. |
Training
Certificates
Do you award training certificates?
Yes, at the
conclusion of each class each student will receive an individual
training certificate. |
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