Founded in 1982 as Logical Operations by two professors from the Rochester Institute of Technology, the company began as an onsite computer training facility. In 1991, Ziff-Davis acquired the company, renamed it Ziff-Davis (ZD Education and made published materials available to a broader, offsite audience. In 1996, ZD Education introduced LearnItOnline.com - the first online learning site to offer an interactive, self-paced information technology curriculum. In February 2000, U.S. Equity Partners, L.P., an affiliate of Wasserstein & Co., acquired the company and renamed it Element K®. Element K has become a respected leader in the industry, known for our integrated products and services and unparalleled customer service and support.
Logical Operations, our first training center, is founded to help train employees on a new piece of office equipment – the micro computer.
Our official courseware model is purchased by other training organizations nationwide.
Our extensive catalog of training materials is offered to training centers and colleges nationwide. We are the first to formally publish original curriculum and training products.
We are the first to offer an alternative to vendor-authorized print courseware. Ziff-Davis acquired Logical Operations and The Cobb Group. We become the leading publisher of computer-related journals and e-mail tips. Today we serve more than 100,000 journal subscribers and 850,000 e-mail subscribers.
We become the nation's leading publisher of personal computer training products, and one of the largest personal computer training facilities in the world.
We are the first company to offer online, self-paced training on the Web. We are the first to offer tools to customize print courseware and the first to offer in-classroom media tools (ActiveLearn) and Case-Based Learning (LearnPro).
Ziff-Davis University takes a new name, Element K is born, and in less than a year, Element K is noted as a Best of the Web pick by Forbes.com.
KnowledgeHub, our powerful learning management platform, is launched. Enhance our multi-modal e-Learning solution by integrating vLabs® virtual labs into our best-in-class learning experience. For the second year in a row, Forbes.com recognizes Element K as a Best of the Web pick. Element K offers custom content and custom site development services.
We acquire the intellectual property of vLab virtual lab technology. Element K launches KnowledgeHub Authoring Services, a web-based course authoring tool. Element K is selected as a Cisco Learning Solutions Partner.
Microsoft engages Element K to deliver learning solutions ranging from distribution of its North American courseware to providing its hosted e-Learning platform.
Element K was placed in the Magic Quadrant by Gartner Research, highlighting Element K"s superior instructional design and effectiveness.
Eli Research purchases Journals business as Element K increases focus on learning solutions and services.
Element K increases global reach and efficiency by joining the NIIT family of businesses. Element K is included in HRO Baker’s Dozen for Training and Development Outsourcing; voted Top 8 Worldwide Training Providers by WorkForce Management Magazine; included as a Top 20 Company in the Training Industry by Training Outsourcing.
Element K is a Winner of Elearning! Magazine’s Best of 2006 for IT content; is included in HRO Baker’s Dozen for Training and Development Outsourcing; voted Top 8 Worldwide Training Providers by WorkForce Management Magazine; included as a Top 20 Company in the Training Industry by Training Outsourcing.
Voted Best IT Content by ELearning! third year in a row, selected into Training Outsourcing's Top 20 lists and HRO Baker’s Dozen for the third year in a row.
First and only provider of print and online products built to work together in the real world. Included in HRO Baker’s Dozen for Training and Development Outsourcing; Top 20 Training Outsourcing Companies by Training Industry, Inc.; Winner of Elearning! Magazine’s Best of 2008 Excellence Award for IT content; ProCert rating of 5.0 / 5.0 for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Strata courseware; Brandon Hall Award for Best Custom Content (Silver) and Best Innovation in Learning Technology (Bronze).
Element K receives the 2010 Innovative Learning Technology Award from ASTD; releases Knowledge Packs that extend the student experience beyond the classroom with enhanced learning tools.
Element K is owned by SSI Investments II Limited.
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