Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014

Skillsoft Java-Free Overview

Skillsoft is committed to providing a Java-Free (no browser-configured JRE) solution for those
customers who are eliminating Java from their environments. To that end, we are executing a multi-
phase program to provide customers with Java-Free alternatives wherever possible. The first phase
is expected to complete release in August 2014. As the Java Free program progresses, the
information in this document will be continuously updated at:
http://documentation.skillsoft.com/en_us/support/index.htm#50872.htm so please be sure to refer to
this site for the very latest information.
The tables below provide the Java Free status of all Skillsoft content, the Skillport learner experience,
the Skillport administrator experience, authoring tools, and other miscellaneous technologies.
Content Java-free Status
There are a number of key considerations which apply to all content:
Some titles are referred-to below as Dual-Mode. This means they can play in either Java-
Free or Java-dependent mode. Java-Free play for these titles requires one of the following
HTML5-compliant browsers:
o IE 10+
o Firefox 21+
o Chrome 29+
o Safari 6+ (supported on MAC OSX only)
Tablet and smart phone course launches are always Java-Free
Enhancements to the Skillsoft Course Player and course content will provide a Java-Free
desktop playback experience for most courses (details below). An up-to-date list of Skillsoft
courses available in Java-Free form is available. Contact your Skillsoft representative.

The table below provides details of the Java-Free status and plans for all categories of Skillsoft
content.
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Content Category Content Area
Can Launch
Java-Free?
Java-Free
Browser
Requirement
Notes
Business Skills
Courses
US English Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
Non-US English Partial Library
HTML5
compliant
Conversions to Dual-mode
underway, to be completed
Feb 2015
Final Exams Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
IT and Desktop
Courses
Courses
published prior
to Feb 2014
(except Office
2010 and 2013;
US English)
Partial Library N/A
Some (but not all) titles will
be converted to Dual-mode
form during the latter part
of CY 2014. Titles will be
chosen on the basis of usage
and currency.
Office 2010 and
2013; US English
Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
Courses
published after
Feb 2014
Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
IT and Desktop
Videos
All Always
All supported
browsers

Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Content Category Content Area
Can Launch
Java-Free?
Java-Free
Browser
Requirement
Notes
Business Impact
and Challenge
Series
All, Legacy
format (pre Oct
2014)
Always
All supported
browsers
Fully Java-Free in original
passive form (but not tablet
accessible).
Library to be republished by
October 2014 in Dual-mode
form, retaining Java-Free
play, but now requiring an
HTML5 browser. Republish
effort also makes these
completeable and tablet-
accessible.
All, Republished
Format (after Oct
2014)
Yes
HTML5
compliant
Skillsoft
Advantage
Portal
Environment
Always
All supported
browsers
Navigation within the
Advantage environment is
Java-Free; does not include
content launches
Content
Launches
Varies Varies
Content within an
Advantage environment may
or may not be Java-Free,
depends on content-type.
Most titles are Dual-mode
and can be played Java-Free.
Assessment-Only
launches
Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
Environmental,
Safety & Health
All Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Content Category Content Area
Can Launch
Java-Free?
Java-Free
Browser
Requirement
Notes
Legal Compliance
and E. S. & H;
US English
US English Yes
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode; Java-Free with
HTML5 browser, else Java-
dependent
Non-US English Partial Library
HTML5
compliant
Conversions to Dual-mode
underway, to be completed
Aug 2014
Dialogue Design
and SkillStudio
Built Content
All Varies
HTML5
compliant
Dual-mode when built as
Skillsoft-format. Java-Free
with HTML5 browser, else
Java-dependent
CrossKnowledge
Courses
All Always
All supported
browsers

Books 24x7
Assets
Books Always
All supported
browsers

Videos Always
All supported
browsers

Virtual Practice
Labs
All Always
All supported
browsers

Live Learning
Student Guides No N/A
FileOpen plugin needed for
security purposes
Encores Yes
HTML5
compliant
Audio-only; Dual-mode;
Java-Free with HTML5
browser, else Java-
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Content Category Content Area
Can Launch
Java-Free?
Java-Free
Browser
Requirement
Notes
dependent
Other (passive)
Resources (i.e.
Learning Sparks,
Express Guides, Job
Aids, etc.)
All Always
All supported
browsers


Special considerations for content:
All retired courses and retired course formats will not be retrofitted to support Java-Free
course play.
Java-Free course play does not yet support custom skins. Customers wishing to continue
using their skins for all launches must do so in Java-dependent mode.
Java-Free course play is not supported when Web Accessible (508) mode is enabled. A
solution is on the roadmap and expected late 2014 or early 2015.
Custom Content
We cannot make any blanket statements on the Java-Free status of custom content hosted by
Skillsoft. That content comes from a wide array of sources, built on many different authoring
platforms, using many different building-block components (i.e. audio and video files). There could be
Java dependencies most anywhere.
If the custom content was built by Skillsofts Custom Development Services group, they can be
consulted to advise on the Java-Free status of the titles and what options may be available if Java-
Free updates are desired. If the custom content was built by the customer or a third party, and it
requires Java to function and it is desired that the Java dependency be removed, contact the author
or toolset vendor to evaluate the courses and advise. Alternatively, Skillsofts Custom Content
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Publishing group may be engaged (at a fee) to evaluate the courses and make recommendations for
converting and republishing them in Java-Free form.

Skillport Learner Status
The table below outlines provides Java-related details for the learner features of Skillport. Please
note: Java-Free enhancements will only be made to Skillport 7.3 and 8.0. Sites with earlier versions
of Skillport that desire a Java-Free experience should contact their Skillsoft Account Executive to
discuss an upgrade.
Feature Java-free
Available
Notes
Skillsoft Course
Manager (SCM)
TBD During Skillport login, a Java applet is used to identify the
presence of the SCM and to trigger results sync. Java is
also required to download courses. Users without Java
will be unable to login if Download is enabled. This
affects all versions of Skillport.
Currently, the only way to remove these Java
dependencies is to disable the SCM on the site.
Image Uploader Aug 2014 The image uploader used in inGenius (7.3) and
Community (8.0) uses a Java applet to upload user profile
pictures. Earlier versions of Skillport do not have this Java
dependency.
Note: Learners without an installed JRE can still use
inGenius and Community but will be unable to upload a
profile picture.
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014




Skillport Administrator Status
The table below outlines provides details for the administrator features of Skillport.
Please note: Java-Free enhancements will only be made to Skillport 7.3 and 8.0. Sites with earlier
versions of Skillport that desire a Java-Free experience should contact their Skillsoft Account
Executive to discuss an upgrade.
Feature Java-free
Available
Notes
Image Uploader Aug 2014 The image uploader used to upload asset images (ILT,
ELOs, Series, etc.) requires Java.
Publisher Early 2015 Course File Uploader

Skillsoft Desktop Tools Status
The table below provides details of the Java-Free status for other Skillsoft tools.
Feature Java-free
Available
Notes
Dialogue Design TBD Preview function uses Java-dependent Skillsoft Course
Player
SkillStudio TBD Preview function uses Java-dependent Skillsoft Course
Player
KC Portal Editor August 2014 Image Uploader
Java-Free Status: Content and Skillsoft Platforms | June 30, 2014



Results Upload
Manager
TBD

We hope this information on Skillsofts Java-Free initiative provides you the details you need to plan
your move to a Java-Free experience. If you have any questions regarding the information or how it
applies to your use of Skillsoft products please do not hesitate to contact your Skillsoft account team.

Revision Log
04-JUN-2014: Amended Chrome to version 29+
13-JUN-2014: Added comments re: Custom Content
Mod to Content table; some older IT / Desktop courses will be converted
23-JUN-2014: Clarified Business Impact & Challenge conversion from passive to active
30-JUN-2014: Business Impact & Challenge republish in CCA slipped to October due to Skillport
dependencies.