E-Learning, Intranet and Branding

I recently reviewed a case study on a company called 3Com.  The study outlined how this tehnological company utilized their intranet for their e-learning program that assisted their internal staff members stay abreast of the product details and changes in an ever changing technological product base.  The interesting thing about this article was how this e-learning concept did not stop there.  In addition, 3Com utilized their e-learning program to educate outside of their company as well.  They created a "Partner Learning Center" that allowed all Business Parters and resellers the same access to learning.  Employees of those reseller companies could access all the product information, certification, testing, etc. that 3Com employees could access.   The interesting thing was how this combined use of both the e-learning and intranet technological products really started the "Virtual HRD" atmosphere within this company.  This provided a true competitive edge for 3Com by allowing this type of access to learning.  A further piece of this was the face that 3Com was able to create customized e-learning environments and place this on the reseller's intranet (for higher end clients).  This again created a great differentiation piece for 3Com.  This was excellent service to their clients and ultimately end purchasers.    As a final component of this great concept was 3Com's ability to incorporate a new brand and org culture piece from this e-learning piece.  To me this was an innovative way to utilize e-learning and really resonated with me in terms of Virtual HRD - what better way to incorporate the technology and organizational culture pieces within 3Com!!!
Attached is a link to the article on 3Com E-learning and brand.  Certpoint/3Com E-learning-Branding