About the client
Vertual Ltd provides virtual reality training solutions for teachers, students, and patients of radiotherapy. They cater to users in over 30 countries and are transforming the way radiation therapy is taught, learned and understood in universities and teaching hospitals.
Key outcomes
We helped transition Vertual’s desktop-based software to a cloud-based VR training platform, resulting in:
Improved accessibility
Cloud delivery eliminated the need for specialised hardware and complex installations
Global reach
Over 160 sign-ups worldwide, establishing Vertual as the market leader in radiotherapy training
Enhanced learning experience
High user adoption and positive feedback driven by interactive training and custom learning tracks
Business challenge
Accessibility constraints in radiotherapy VR training
Vertual Ltd faced a significant accessibility challenge with their flagship software, VERT.
Designed as a virtual environment of a radiotherapy treatment room, VERT was built as a downloadable Windows application reliant on high-end NVIDIA graphics cards and OpenGL.
This setup necessitated not only specialised hardware but also local system deployment at each client site.
Organisations were required to refurbish specific rooms or halls for projecting the software onto screens or walls.
This approach presented considerable issues:
- VERT's dependency on specific graphics hardware and operating systems limited its accessibility to technically equipped institutions
- Users had to be physically present to use the locally deployed system, a significant barrier during COVID-19
- The necessity of a dedicated projection room presented logistical challenges in diverse settings
- Absence of a cloud-based VERT version hindered its use in mobile and flexible scenarios like remote training or demos
To expand VERT's reach and enhance its effectiveness as a training tool, our client wanted to develop an MVP of a web-based version of VERT, accessible on any device with an internet connection.
Project goals
The project entailed the following requirements:
- Transform VERT into a web application using AWS Appstream technology
- Maintain the speed and performance of the original application in its new web-based form
- Build a fully functional learning management system (LMS) around the core VERT functionality
- Implement a SaaS model with client management, subscription options, and usage-based billing
The solution
Converting the desktop app to a SaaS platform with AWS Appstream
Platform components
The web-based VERT is a multi-tenant, SaaS platform catering to the needs of multiple user types. It is structured into three portals:
- Student portal: Offers access to lessons, tracks exercise completion, and supports personalised learning for students and staff in training.
- Manager portal: Enables doctors, teachers, and trainers to create course content, manage groups, assign tasks, and monitor student progress.
- Admin portal: Allows VERT staff to manage organisation profiles, user access and permissions, and system maintenance.
System features and functionality
Content management
- Features for designated managers to organise the training materials available on the VERT platform into modules, sub-modules, and exercises and distribute them to learners.
- Edit the existing content or create custom content such as workbooks, assignments, or slideshows for students.
- Tag content with categories and hashtags for easy navigation.
System features and functionality
Student management
- Add users up to the maximum number of seats purchased according to the subscription.
- Manage user IDs or make them active or inactive.
- Assign modules or assignments to the users.
System features and functionality
Customised student groups
- Organise users into multiple groups by year, department, or any other common characteristic.
- Assign content to the groups in one go rather than individually.
System features and functionality
Engaging with learning material
- An intuitive system for students to view the modules and assignments along with due dates.
- Work on assignments by launching VERT virtually within the web browser.
- Generate and download PDF reports to view their progress and performance.
System features and functionality
Platform administration
- Set up and manage client organisation profiles via the admin portal.
- Set limits on the number of users at each organisation and total hours of usage allotted based on the licence purchased.
- Set up users (managers, students) within each organisation.
- Reporting around platform usage.
The impact
160+ sign-ups and enhanced accessibility with a SaaS deployment
The implementation of the VERT on Demand by GoodCore has had a profound and positive impact on the system's accessibility and solidified our client’s position as a leader in the radiotherapy training sector.
- The system’s web version enabled users to access and run it in the cloud, avoiding the need for specialised computer hardware and individual deployments in each client organisation.
- The platform has significantly enhanced the training experience of end users, achieving a high adoption rate and positive feedback.
- On top of the core functionality of delivery of training material, sophisticated LMS features enable the design of customised learning tracks for students.
- VERT on Demand has achieved over 160 sign-ups worldwide since its launch, making our client the undisputed market leader in radiotherapy training.
- Our engagement is ongoing and we're continuously enhancing VERT, adding new features to keep it at the cutting edge of training technology.
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