Village Gamer

Ottawa – NGRAIN, a leading provider of interactive 3D equipment simulation solutions that maximize the effectiveness of training programs and maintenance support systems, today announced it is opening an office in Ottawa. The NGRAIN Ottawa office, which will accommodate a regional staff of business development, sales, project management, instructional design, 3D modeling and customer support professionals, expands NGRAIN’s reach across Canada. The Ottawa team will provide direct support to NGRAIN’s local and east coast customers and partners.

“NGRAIN has been working closely with the Canadian Forces and leading systems integrators since 2002 to deliver innovative training and maintenance support solutions that incorporate 3D equipment simulations to improve job performance,” said Paul Lindahl, CEO, NGRAIN. “The opening of the Ottawa office is the natural next step in our corporate expansion. We are looking forward to becoming a part of the Ottawa community.”

In the past year, NGRAIN has experienced over 300 percent growth. NGRAIN attributes a large part of its success to Canada’s air, land and maritime forces which use the company’s 3D equipment simulation solutions to support leading-edge training and maintenance programs. NGRAIN’s flagship commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software application, the Virtual Task Trainer, utilizes customized 3D equipment simulations to train personnel on specific tasks. Canadian Forces using the software are able to accelerate training up to 60 percent, and improve the resolution of maintenance issues by 30 percent. NGRAIN is actively supporting Canadian Forces on a range of programs including the following:

* CC-130 Hercules: Using an interactive Web-enabled 3D training system to familiarize technicians with parts on the Hercules aircraft, technicians have improved test scores and reduced training time by 60 percent.
* CP-140 Aurora: Turning generalists into specialists, the Canadian Forces 404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron uses NGRAIN to provide parts familiarization of the MK-46 torpedo, improve training throughput and increase knowledge retention and in-field success.
* Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT): To ensure the Eight Air Communications and Controls Squadron has the best training on the set-up and deployment of the two-way satellite ground communication station, NGRAIN created a virtual VSAT using its Virtual Task Trainer solution to allow for independent learning and to optimize instruction for this critical task.
* CC-115 Buffalo: To ensure trainees receive the most up-to-date information about the search and rescue (SAR) aircraft, NGRAIN is providing interactive training solutions for complex procedures of rigging flight control systems for the SAR aircraft fleet.
* CF Naval Engines: NGRAIN created Virtual Task Trainers for three engines to support improved training for the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School.
* CF-18 Hornet: Leveraging 3D simulations of the Hornet’s landing gear, NGRAIN has helped the Canadian Forces improve training throughput and reduce the cost of sustaining the equipment.

Gabe Batstone, NGRAIN’s Vice President of Sales and Business Development, will be leading the Ottawa office. “Providing our customers with exceptional support is top priority at NGRAIN. We are excited to take this next step in our expansion, which will allow us to spend even more time with our customers and stay in lock step with their training and performance support needs,” said Batstone.

The office will feature a Technology Center showcasing demonstrations of new and upcoming NGRAIN applications, as well as other ground-breaking technologies. NGRAIN will host a grand opening for the office in the third quarter of 2009.

“NGRAIN is a valued supplier of 3D simulation solutions for the Canadian Forces. We welcome them to Ottawa and look forward to the years to come,” said Lieutenant Colonel Greg Burton, Director Land Requirements Coordination, National Defence.

To learn more about the new office and meet the Ottawa team, visit NGRAIN at CANSEC, Canada’s foremost defence and security technology showcase. Featuring success stories of Virtual Task Trainers in action, NGRAIN will also be showcasing its new Virtual Task Refresher and Virtual Index applications at booth #3021. NGRAIN Virtual Task Refreshers leverage 3D equipment simulations to support remote personnel in the performance of operation, maintenance, and repair tasks. The NGRAIN Virtual Index expedites access to equipment information and reference materials via interactive links on 3D equipment components, acting as a key communication tool in senior briefings and program welcome kits.