Training

Basic, advanced and customized training sessions are offered at the BLAZE SSI site in NJ and via web casts periodically throughout the year. Training dates are announced in the weekly BLAZE SSI FAX'd Facts newsletter. Sample course outlines are shown below.

Basic training sessions are appropriate for new users and as a refresher course for existing users. These sessions are one to two days depending upon the system and are offered quarterly at the BLAZE SSI site. New licensees of most BLAZE SSI software receive a credit redeemable for basic training.

Advanced training sessions are offered on specific topics. These sessions are of varied length depending upon the topic and are offered periodically based upon user interest.

Web casts are presented by BLAZE SSI to familiarize users with regulatory updates; to present new system features, or to highlight a specific system function. Web casts are held frequently and are announced in the BLAZE SSI FAX'd Facts Newsletter. A large number of recorded web casts are available on a variety of topics. Users may sign in to access these web casts at any time at www.blazessi.net .

    PC requirements for a BLAZE SSI web cast are:

    • Windows 2000, XP
    • Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater
    • Internet connection (dial up will work, but will be slower)
    • 1024 by 768 or higher screen resolution

For licensees who prefer training at their site, BLAZE SSI will present a Basic Training Session or will prepare and present a customized training session that takes into account the experience and background of the attendees. The cost of on-site sessions depends upon the number of trainers required, the location and the number of days the trainers spend on-site. The standard training materials are modified for the custom training session and are provided at no additional cost.

For licensees who would like to schedule a customized basic or advanced training session specifically for their company at the BLAZE SSI site, at their own site, or via a web cast, BLAZE SSI will prepare an appropriate session supplemented by written materials. Costs for special training sessions are dependent upon the course matter, number of trainees and site.

See Guides and FAQ for information about system documentation and other related topics.

Sample course outlines:

 

EBPII/Integrated RTS Basic Training:

    • Day 1: EBPII System – General workflow including data entry and performing calculations, review of DB and DC Plan Level Variables, DC 'advanced topics' (e.g. dated transactions; import/export; new comparability allocations), review of DB and DC report formats, creating output, system updating, sending user reports to BLAZE SSI, system utilities, Q&A.
    • Day 2: Integrated RTS System – General workflow including updating plan/employee data from EBPII, running tests, creating output, system updating and system utilities, Q&A.

The BLAZE SSI Basic Training session for a new EBPII user that has pension experience is two days. Basic Training is free for new licensees of EBPII and $250 for the two-day session for other users, such as newly hired employees at a user company or any user looking for a refresher course.

Training materials are provided to attendees at no cost. These materials may be duplicated as necessary for use within the licensee company.

 

PENDEAS Basic Training:

    • General workflow, including input of census data, using MS Excel to enter data via import, creating plan designs, running proposals, printing reports, system updating and system utilities, Q&A.

The BLAZE SSI Basic Training session for a new PENDEAS user that has pension experience is one day. Basic Training is free for new licensees of PENDEAS and $250 for the one-day session for other users, such as newly hired employees at a user company or any user looking for a refresher course.

Training materials are provided to attendees at no cost. These materials may be duplicated as necessary for use within the licensee company.

 

RTS Basic Training:

    • General workflow: Understanding system operation; Tests included in RTS; Data required for each test; Access data from recordkeeping system; Initialize/append data for subsequent year tests; Edit plan level data; Edit employee level data; Review subgroup options; En masse data editor; Selecting tests to run; Creating output; Saving data; Standard BLAZE SSI features: System updating; Sending user reports to BLAZE SSI; System utilities; O&A.

The BLAZE SSI Basic Training session for a new RTS user that has pension experience is one day. Basic Training is free for new licensees of RTS and $250 for the one-day session for other users, such as newly hired employees at a user company or any user looking for a refresher course.

Training materials are provided to attendees at no cost. These materials may be duplicated as necessary for use within the licensee company.