ISInc dba Innovative Solutions

I’ve done a couple of Microsoft-​certified classes here for work-​related applications. Teachers are a mixed bag of contractors who travel all over; some are significantly better than others, but none I’ve encountered are actually «bad.» Classes are fast-​paced, but instructors always more than willing to dial it back or provide individual attention as needed.
Parking is plentiful, there’s a load of carbs (donuts, pastry, oranges) available for breakfast. Lunch options are many and diverse, from the Creekside Café, to Mezcal to Bankok Thai – use Unilocal from the comfort of your classroom!
The building is a former medical facility, and as such it is very well-​shielded (either on purpose or not) against cellphone signals. Unless you’re seated against a window – or step outside – do not expect your phone or text messages to work well.

Great Training Provided On Software Applications
SITREP
My job requires that I utilize different software applications for some of the projects that we work on. Even though Microsoft Office Suite products are pretty user friendly, I don’t always have the time to dick around with the applications to find out how to use the functions on a «hit or miss» basis.
Enter ISinc (Innovative Solutions Incorporated) which provides dam great trainings with instructors who are extremely conversant in their realms of expertise.
SETUP
The rooms are set up very smartly as computer labs. Each work station has it’s own computer with plenty of desktop space to spread out your note pads and other accessory items.
Our stations are slanted forward by about 45% so that we can comfortably look towards the front of the room where the instructor is providing visual examples by using an In-​Focus machine to project what s/​he is working on, and so we can follow them along on our own systems.
Each room is different in size depending on the need and enrollment for a particular course.
COURSES
Back in 2012, I took two separate trainings
(1) The first was a 2-​day course for MS Access;
(2) Another week the second was a 3-​day course for MS Excel.
Both these trainings were very intensive and covered a significant amount of material.
However, now in 2013 I’ve most recently this last week of June took a 4-​day «SharePoint 2010 For Power Users» course with instructor Shannon Coleman, who is pretty awesome I must say.
Shannon was easy to follow and always went back to each of us trainees to make sure we were getting the nuances of understanding things like building libraries, creating items, setting up web-​parts and wiki-​pages, modifying the user-​permissions of our hypothetical staff & teams. It was actually quite intense, but we were trained in a manner that made it understandable for someone like me where computing takes something of an effort.
TRAINING MATERIALS
For all my trainings, there were significant training materials provided. Both the Access and Excel trainings had their own workbooks for each separate day of the trainings. SharePoint was a bit more extensive and we got a 700 page book which we managed to significantly cover the high points over the course of 4 days.
Shannon also provided each one of us students with 48 MB size file of the SharePoint book so that I can in turn help train some of my colleagues by giving it to them as a resource on the processes of SharePoint, as I myself deploy this information back on our own internal Department website.
I am currently developing our Division’s SharePoint site now, and this information is definitely the «How-​To» of how I am going to be doing it.
BREAKS & MUNCHIES
What’s really cool about the ISinc training system is they are not going to overwork you /​overtask your brain. Good research shows that we need to have our brains refreshed and allow our bodies some time to stretch and get the blood flowing again. So there are established 15 breaks at 10:15am and at 2:30pm, with the usual lunch hour from 12 noon to 1pm at the very least.
The nice surprise is that the staff of ISinc always have munchies.
* A selection of pastries, bagels, cream cheeses, yogurts, fresh fruits, etc. available for the morning break; and,
* A selection of muffins, fresh fruit, chocolates, candies, etc. available for the afternoon break.
In addition they always have a station of coffee and tea available all day long. And what is neat is that if you are in the multi-​day trainings, every Wednesday lunch they have a free BBQ for the students with lots of food and drinks, including canned sodas and waters. Total YUM.
COST
The trainings are not cheap — that latest SharePoint training retails at about $ 2000 for the 4-​days. But my department is lucky since they have a corporate account with ISinc and are able to only pay 30%-40% of what it would cost me as an individual.
PERSONAL BENEFIT
I consider myself very lucky because Access, Excel, and SharePoint are MS Applications I use (and will use) in my personal life as well my own Laptop /​Tablet /​Pad systems myself. So having this knowledge base is of an extreme benefit to me.
THE LOWDOWN
I am definitely impressed with the training I have received and give high marks for my particular training experiences on the subjects that I have taken. I am already scheduled, in fact, to come back to ISinc at the end of the month for a training on MS Publisher since one of my roles in my Division is to be an editor of a Newsletter that we are just creating, and it appears that the main interfaces of this project with our Graphics Department are done through Publisher. So back to training I go!

Something changed recently. The instructors have been steady and professional. They are great. However, the resources provided needs major improvement. My last class, Microsoft ASP .NET MVC 4, had horrible network issues. The class required operations over the network, as well as on the internet. Less than 10% of the time, we were able to do our labs. Furthermore, the Microsoft course required direct linking to the Microsoft Azure website, which required the student to input a credit card number. A no-​no !!! Although the salesperson (Josh) and the network support person were friendly, the two other front desk staff members were semi-​friendly. I am a bit disappointed. Back in 2009, it was a honeymoon situation I guess.

I’ve taken three training classes here in the past month. All my classes were well planned with wonderful instructors. They provide books and have state of the art workstations utilizing Virtual Machines. I was sick two days in a row and the staff set me up with remote Desktop and Windows LIVE Meeting. Thank you for not making me come back for makeup classes.
Carbs are served twice a day. Bring your own drink unless you don’t mind paying $ 1.25 for soda or $ 1.00 for bottled water.

I needed some training so I decided to give ISInc a try. Fantastic decision! Instructors are great, staff is friendly and free food/​drinks! Everyone at the company is very helpful and the classes are terrific. I have taken two classes here (one at their Sacramento location and one online, which worked extremely well) and will absolutely go back for more. Highly recommended (whether in person or taking an online course)!

My boss said «You need to get certified!» I thought I was already certifiable… but guess that wasn’t good enough.
Found IS Inc to take the test.
Very easy to make the appointment online.
Very easy to find the location.
When I arrived they quickly did the paperwork and I started the testing about 15 min before my «official» appointment.
Parking was easy too.
Yes, I passed. If you need to take a third party exam to prove you know something, give IS Inc a try.

I recently completed a 2 day Microsoft Project 2007 training class. The instructor was very knowledgeable and informative.
Training was top-​notch everything I needed to enhance my skills, including tips and tricks that will be very helpful in developing, managing, and trouble-​shooting project plans.
This is a great training facility in a great location with easy freeway access. Staff is very professional, responsive and helpful.
Free coffee, pastry, and snacks are provided along with various magazines and trade journals in a comfortable lounge area.