Keep It Simple Computer Training Lives Up to Its Name

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- July 19, 2006 - When Laura Allison founded Keep It Simple Computer Training in 1993, there were only 50 World Wide Web servers in existence, Microsoft launched Office 4.0 and MS-DOS 6.0, the PC game DOOM was released and Bill Clinton put the White House online with the first presidential Web site. A year later, Netscape was founded and Vice President Al Gore coined the phrase “Information Superhighway.”

Today, computers have become nearly as commonplace in homes and offices as the telephone and with this technology explosion comes the need for effective training to stay current with the latest software packages and applications. Allison says, “Whether you are a casual computer user or require one to perform your work, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to stay on top of the latest developments in the field. Even something that seems as simple as taking and sharing family photographs can be a challenge with digital cameras, graphical software and file format choices.”

At Keep it Simple Computer Training, classes are offered on a variety of subjects including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and PowerPoint), project management with Visio and MS Project and publication design with Adobe InDesign, Pagemaker, Photoshop and Illustrator or in Microsoft Publisher. In addition, there are classes in Web site design using FrontPage and DreamWeaver. For the beginner, there are even PC literacy classes in Windows, emailing and Internet usage. A number of courses are designed to help small business owners get a better handle on their finances including QuickBooks and Quicken and Allison will offer new classes this fall for the recreational computer user.

Allison’s expertise and easy-going training style helps relieve much of the anxiety that people face learning new software packages or improving the skills they already have. “Many people still find the computer to be a very intimidating instrument,” said Allison. “In our classes, we take as long as needed to be sure everyone gets a good and comfortable understanding of the subject matter. If that doesn’t work, there’s always the one-year guarantee that allows previous students to take a course refresher for up to one year after their original training session.”

Keep it Simple offers a number of training and payment options including corporate accounts and discount coupons, a traveling trainer program that brings training to your facility, and savings club memberships, a more economical payment plan for students seeking Microsoft Office Specialist certification. Keep It Simple is a Microsoft Authorized Testing Center for the MOS exams, offering testing that is open to the public, but by appointment only. Allison is always on the lookout for new classes, training models and opportunities to help people improve their computer skills. “Learning new skills is fun, exciting, and challenging – and the benefits can change your life,” she said.

For more information on Keep It Simple Computer Training, call 866-PC-SKILLS (866-727-5455), e-mail: info@keepitsimple.net or visit the Web site at www.keepitsimple.net

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com