This standard for the software development in the training area comes, at the origin, of the sector of aviation. It was gradually extended to the whole of the problems related to the electronic formation. Compatibility with this standard allows in particular inter-working between heterogeneous platforms and contents thus offering enrichment and increased upgrading capabilities.

In this type of formation, the exchange with the others learning or the tutors is carried out in a non simultaneous way via forums of discussion or exchanges of e-mail. This mode of formation rests moreover on a training known as "car-directed ", with courses, exercises and evaluations automated, implying a certain autonomy of learning.