eLearning

Articulate Storyline Development for Employee Onboarding Programs

Articulate Storyline Development for Employee Onboarding Programs

Employee onboarding is the single most important training investment a company makes. Poor onboarding leads to slow productivity, compliance risks, and early employee turnover. Articulate Storyline enables companies to deliver interactive, scenario-based onboarding that accelerates performance and ensures compliance.

Organizations investing in structured eLearning development benefit from scalable and high-impact onboarding solutions.

If you’re planning an onboarding program, speak with IKHYA’s Storyline experts at info@ikhya.com to design onboarding courses that reduce ramp-up time and improve retention from day one.

Modern onboarding is no longer about PDFs and presentations. Global organizations across the USA, UK, Australia, UAE, and Europe use interactive Storyline modules integrated with LMS platforms to standardize onboarding, ensure compliance, and create consistent employee experiences across locations.


What Is Articulate Storyline and Why Is It Ideal for Employee Onboarding?

Organizations often adopt rapid eLearning strategies to accelerate onboarding development without compromising quality.

Articulate Storyline is a rapid eLearning authoring tool used to create interactive onboarding courses with scenarios, simulations, quizzes, and multimedia. It supports SCORM, xAPI, and LMS integration, enabling companies to track employee onboarding progress, ensure compliance completion, and deliver consistent training globally across departments, roles, and geographic locations.

Articulate Storyline is widely adopted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, healthcare systems, and technology companies for onboarding because it combines flexibility, interactivity, and enterprise-level tracking.

Core Capabilities That Make Storyline Ideal for Onboarding

1. Scenario-Based Learning for Real-World Job Situations

New employees learn faster when training mirrors real work situations. This approach is widely implemented through simulation-based training to replicate real-world job environments.

Storyline allows developers to build realistic scenarios using:

  • Branching decision paths
  • Role-based simulations
  • Customer interaction scenarios
  • Workplace safety simulations
  • Compliance decision-making exercises

Example: USA Healthcare Onboarding

A hospital onboarding module may simulate:

This type of healthcare onboarding ensures compliance with strict medical regulations and improves patient safety outcomes.

  • HIPAA patient privacy scenarios
  • Handling confidential patient data
  • Responding to compliance violations

Employees choose actions, and Storyline provides immediate feedback.


2. Software Simulation for Systems Training

Many onboarding programs require employees to learn internal systems such as:

  • CRM platforms (Salesforce)
  • ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)
  • HR systems (Workday)
  • POS systems (Retail)

Storyline allows developers to create:

  • Guided simulations
  • Practice simulations
  • Assessment simulations

This reduces training time and system errors.

Example: UK Financial Services

Banks use Storyline to simulate:

This is especially critical in financial services where compliance and accuracy are essential.

  • Customer onboarding workflows
  • AML compliance processes
  • KYC verification systems

Employees practice safely before using live systems.


3. Interactive Assessments with Compliance Tracking

Storyline enables advanced assessment capabilities:

  • Knowledge checks
  • Compliance quizzes
  • Scenario-based assessments
  • Certification tests

These integrate with LMS systems to track:

  • Completion status
  • Pass/fail scores
  • Time spent
  • Attempts

This is critical for regulatory compliance worldwide.


4. Multimedia-Rich Learning Experiences

Many organizations also incorporate microlearning to deliver short, focused onboarding modules that improve knowledge retention.

Storyline supports rich multimedia, including:

  • Video onboarding messages from leadership
  • Interactive animations
  • Audio narration
  • Clickable workplace environments
  • Interactive process walkthroughs

This improves engagement compared to static onboarding materials.


5. Full LMS Integration with Global Standards

Storyline supports:

Standard Purpose
SCORM 1.2 Basic LMS tracking
SCORM 2004 Advanced tracking and sequencing
xAPI (Tin Can) Detailed behavioral tracking
cmi5 Modern LMS communication
AICC Legacy LMS compatibility

This ensures compatibility with LMS platforms used globally, including:

  • Cornerstone
  • SAP SuccessFactors
  • Moodle
  • Docebo
  • TalentLMS

6. Global Localization for Multinational Workforces

Storyline supports:

  • Multi-language onboarding courses
  • Localized compliance training
  • Region-specific workflows

Companies in UAE, Europe, and Australia use localized onboarding to ensure compliance with regional regulations.

Example:

  • English version for USA
  • Arabic version for UAE
  • French version for Canada
  • German version for EU

7. Role-Based Personalized Onboarding

Storyline allows onboarding programs customized by:

  • Department
  • Job role
  • Seniority level
  • Region
  • Compliance requirements

This ensures employees receive only relevant training.


Why Global Enterprises Prefer Storyline for Onboarding

Feature Business Impact
Interactive scenarios Faster skill development
LMS integration Compliance tracking
Software simulations Reduced system errors
Multimedia learning Higher engagement
Localization support Global scalability
Role-based training Personalized onboarding

Real Example: Global IT Company Onboarding

A multinational IT company onboarding 5,000 employees annually implemented Storyline onboarding.

Before Storyline

  • Instructor-led onboarding only
  • Inconsistent onboarding quality
  • Limited compliance tracking
  • High training costs

After Storyline Implementation

  • 60% faster onboarding completion
  • 40% reduction in onboarding costs
  • 35% reduction in early employee errors
  • 100% compliance tracking via LMS

Organizations transitioning from Instructor-led onboarding to digital formats benefit from scalable and consistent training delivery.


Build High-Impact Storyline Onboarding Programs

Partnering with experts in Storyline development ensures high-quality, scalable onboarding programs aligned with business goals.

Organizations evaluating onboarding solutions can request a free eLearning demo to understand how interactive Storyline training works in real-world scenarios.

A professionally designed Storyline onboarding program improves employee readiness, compliance, and retention.

IKHYA – eLearning Solutions Company specializes in Articulate Storyline onboarding development for global organizations. Contact info@ikhya.com to design interactive onboarding that accelerates employee productivity and ensures compliance.


How Does Articulate Storyline Improve Employee Onboarding Effectiveness?

Articulate Storyline improves onboarding effectiveness by delivering interactive, scenario-based training that accelerates knowledge retention, reduces errors, and ensures compliance. Employees learn by doing rather than reading, which increases engagement and shortens time-to-productivity while allowing organizations to track completion, competency, and certification through LMS integration and detailed learning analytics.

Traditional onboarding methods—such as PowerPoint presentations, PDF manuals, or classroom sessions—often fail because they do not actively engage learners or simulate real job conditions. Storyline transforms onboarding into an interactive experience that prepares employees for real-world work.


1. Faster Time-to-Productivity Through Interactive Learning

One of the primary goals of onboarding is to help employees become productive quickly. Storyline accelerates this by allowing employees to practice tasks in a simulated environment before performing them in real systems.

Why This Matters Globally

Organizations across the USA, UK, and Australia track Time to Competency (TTC) as a key onboarding metric. Storyline reduces TTC by providing hands-on training.

Example: Australian Retail Onboarding

A retail chain onboarding 2,000 employees annually implemented Storyline simulations for:

  • POS system training
  • Refund and exchange workflows
  • Customer service interactions

Results:

  • 45% reduction in system errors
  • 35% faster employee readiness
  • 30% reduction in supervisor intervention

2. Improved Knowledge Retention with Scenario-Based Training

Research from global training organizations shows employees retain more information when they actively participate in learning.

Storyline enables:

  • Decision-making scenarios
  • Realistic job simulations
  • Immediate feedback loops

This strengthens long-term retention.

Example: UAE Aviation Industry Compliance Training

This approach is widely used in the aviation industry where safety and compliance training are critical.

Airlines in the UAE use Storyline onboarding for safety compliance training, including:

  • Passenger safety procedures
  • Emergency protocols
  • Security compliance workflows

Employees practice real scenarios, improving safety readiness and compliance adherence.


3. Reduced Compliance Risks Through Trackable Certification

Compliance onboarding is mandatory in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, oil and gas, and aviation.

Storyline ensures compliance through:

  • Mandatory module completion tracking
  • Certification assessments
  • LMS reporting
  • Audit-ready training records

Compliance Examples by Region

Region Compliance Requirement Storyline Use
USA HIPAA, OSHA Healthcare onboarding simulations
UK FCA, GDPR Financial services compliance training
UAE Aviation GCAA compliance Aviation onboarding programs
Australia Workplace safety compliance Safety onboarding modules

Organizations can generate audit reports directly from LMS systems integrated with Storyline.


4. Consistent Global Onboarding Across Locations

Global companies must ensure employees receive consistent onboarding regardless of location.

Storyline enables centralized onboarding deployment with localization support.

Example: UK-Based Global Bank

The bank implemented Storyline onboarding across:

  • UK headquarters
  • UAE branches
  • Singapore operations
  • Australian offices

Benefits included:

  • Standardized compliance training
  • Consistent onboarding quality
  • Reduced instructor dependency

5. Reduced Onboarding Costs Compared to Instructor-Led Training

Instructor-led onboarding requires:

  • Trainers
  • Physical space
  • Travel costs
  • Scheduling coordination

Storyline eliminates these costs.

Cost Comparison Example: USA Technology Company

Training Method Cost per Employee Scalability
Instructor-Led Training $800 Limited
Storyline eLearning $120 Unlimited

Annual savings exceeded $500,000.


6. Improved Engagement Compared to Traditional eLearning

Traditional onboarding often includes:

  • Static slides
  • Passive videos
  • Long documents

Storyline transforms onboarding using:

  • Clickable environments
  • Interactive decision points
  • Animated processes
  • Real-world simulations

This improves course completion rates.

Completion Rate Comparison

Training Type Completion Rate
PDF-based onboarding 40–60%
Video-only onboarding 60–75%
Storyline interactive onboarding 85–95%

7. Better Tracking and Analytics for HR and Compliance Teams

Storyline supports advanced analytics through xAPI and LMS integration.

HR teams can track:

  • Completion rates
  • Assessment scores
  • Time spent
  • Failed attempts
  • Compliance status

This allows early intervention for employees who need additional support.


What Are the Essential Components of a High-Quality Storyline Onboarding Program?

A high-quality Storyline onboarding program includes structured learning paths, role-based modules, realistic scenarios, software simulations, compliance assessments, and LMS tracking. It must align with job tasks, business goals, and compliance requirements while ensuring engagement, accessibility, and scalability for global deployment across departments and geographic regions.

Effective onboarding programs follow a structured instructional design framework.


1. Welcome and Company Introduction Module

This module introduces employees to the organization’s mission, culture, and expectations.

Typical Content Includes

  • CEO or leadership welcome video
  • Company history and mission
  • Organizational structure
  • Workplace culture and values
  • HR policies overview

Example: US Technology Company

Interactive Storyline onboarding includes:

  • Clickable company timeline
  • Leadership introduction videos
  • Department overview interactions

This improves employee engagement and connection.


2. Role-Specific Training Modules

Role-specific onboarding ensures employees learn skills directly relevant to their job.

Examples by Role

Role Storyline Training Example
Sales CRM simulations
Customer support Customer interaction scenarios
Healthcare staff Patient safety simulations
Manufacturing workers Equipment safety training

This reduces job errors.


3. Software Systems Training Simulations

Most modern jobs require system usage.

Storyline enables:

  • Guided system walkthroughs
  • Practice simulations
  • Error-based learning

Example: UK Insurance Company

Employees learn:

  • Policy creation workflows
  • Customer onboarding systems
  • Claims processing

This reduces real-world system mistakes.


4. Compliance and Regulatory Training Modules

Compliance training is mandatory in regulated industries.

Common modules include:

  • Workplace safety
  • Data protection (GDPR)
  • Information security
  • Anti-harassment training

Storyline tracks certification completion.


5. Scenario-Based Decision Training

Scenario-based training prepares employees for real workplace situations.

Example scenarios include:

  • Handling customer complaints
  • Responding to safety incidents
  • Managing data privacy situations

This improves decision-making skills.


6. Assessments and Certification

Assessments ensure learning effectiveness.

Storyline supports:

  • Knowledge checks
  • Scenario-based testing
  • Certification exams

HR teams can track results via LMS.


7. LMS Integration and Progress Tracking

Integration enables:

  • Progress tracking
  • Compliance reporting
  • Certification management

This is essential for global compliance.


What Is the Step-by-Step Process for Developing Articulate Storyline Onboarding Programs?

Articulate Storyline onboarding development follows a structured process: analysis, instructional design, scripting, visual design, development, testing, and LMS deployment. Each phase ensures training aligns with business goals, compliance requirements, and job tasks while delivering engaging, trackable, and scalable onboarding experiences across global teams and enterprise learning systems.

A structured development process ensures onboarding courses are accurate, compliant, engaging, and effective. Skipping steps leads to ineffective training, compliance risks, and costly redevelopment.


Phase 1: Training Needs Analysis and Onboarding Planning

This phase defines onboarding goals, audience needs, and technical requirements.

Key Activities

  • Identify employee roles and onboarding requirements
  • Define learning objectives and performance outcomes
  • Review compliance requirements (OSHA, GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
  • Analyze existing onboarding materials
  • Identify LMS and technical standards

Example: USA Healthcare Organization

Training analysis identifies onboarding requirements for:

  • HIPAA compliance
  • Patient safety procedures
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system training

Output Deliverables

  • Training Needs Analysis Report
  • Learning Objectives Document
  • Course Structure Outline

Phase 2: Instructional Design and Storyboarding

Instructional designers create the course structure, learning flow, and interaction strategy.

Key Components

  • Module structure
  • Screen-by-screen storyboard
  • Scenario design
  • Assessment strategy
  • Interaction planning

Storyboard Example Structure

Screen Content Interaction
1 Welcome message Video
2 Company overview Interactive timeline
3 Compliance scenario Branching decision
4 Software simulation Guided interaction
5 Assessment Quiz

Global Example: UK Financial Services

Storyboards include:

  • AML compliance scenarios
  • Customer onboarding workflows
  • Fraud detection simulations

Phase 3: Script Writing and Content Development

Scripts define narration, on-screen text, and interactions.

Script Includes

  • Narration text
  • On-screen instructions
  • Feedback messages
  • Assessment questions
  • Scenario dialogues

Example: UAE Aviation Safety Training Script

Scenario:

A passenger refuses safety instructions.

Employee must choose correct response.

Storyline provides:

  • Immediate feedback
  • Correct procedure explanation

Phase 4: Visual Design and UI Development

Visual designers create course interface and visual assets.

Design Elements Include

  • Custom layouts
  • Icons and graphics
  • Workplace simulations
  • Branding integration
  • Interactive elements

Example: Australian Mining Company

Visual onboarding includes:

  • Interactive mine environment
  • Safety hazard identification
  • Equipment simulations

This improves realism and retention.


Phase 5: Storyline Development and Programming

Developers build the course using Articulate Storyline.

Development Includes

  • Slide creation
  • Interaction programming
  • Scenario branching
  • Quiz configuration
  • Simulation development

Technical Features Implemented

  • Variables and triggers
  • Conditional logic
  • Branching scenarios
  • Interactive layers

Phase 6: Quality Assurance and Testing

Testing ensures functionality, accuracy, and LMS compatibility.

QA Testing Includes

  • Content accuracy verification
  • Interaction functionality testing
  • LMS compatibility testing
  • SCORM/xAPI validation
  • Cross-device testing

LMS Testing Platforms

  • Cornerstone
  • SAP SuccessFactors
  • Moodle
  • Docebo

Phase 7: LMS Deployment and Launch

Final course is published and deployed.

Publishing Standards

  • SCORM 1.2
  • SCORM 2004
  • xAPI
  • cmi5

Deployment Steps

  • Upload to LMS
  • Configure tracking settings
  • Assign to employees
  • Monitor completion and performance

Phase 8: Maintenance and Continuous Improvement

Onboarding courses must be updated regularly.

Updates Include

  • Compliance changes
  • System updates
  • Process changes
  • Content improvements

Real-World Global Examples of Articulate Storyline Onboarding Programs

Global organizations across industries use Articulate Storyline to deliver scalable, compliant onboarding programs. Companies in healthcare, finance, aviation, retail, and energy deploy Storyline to train thousands of employees efficiently while ensuring regulatory compliance, reducing onboarding time, and improving job readiness across international locations and distributed workforces.

Below are real-world implementation examples from major global regions.


USA: Healthcare Onboarding with HIPAA Compliance

Healthcare organizations must ensure strict compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Storyline Onboarding Includes

  • Patient privacy simulations
  • Data protection scenarios
  • Electronic health record training
  • Compliance certification assessments

Results

  • 100% compliance tracking
  • Reduced compliance violations
  • Faster employee readiness

UK: Financial Services Compliance Onboarding

Financial institutions must comply with FCA regulations and GDPR.

Storyline Training Includes

  • AML compliance simulations
  • Fraud detection scenarios
  • Customer onboarding process training

Results

  • Reduced compliance violations
  • Improved audit readiness
  • Consistent global training

UAE: Aviation Industry Safety Onboarding

Airlines must train employees on aviation safety standards.

Training Includes

  • Passenger safety procedures
  • Emergency response training
  • Security compliance scenarios

Results

  • Improved safety compliance
  • Faster onboarding
  • Reduced training costs

Australia: Mining Industry Safety Onboarding

Mining companies must train employees on safety procedures.

Storyline Modules Include

  • Hazard identification simulations
  • Equipment safety training
  • Emergency response procedures

Results

  • Reduced workplace incidents
  • Improved safety compliance
  • Faster employee readiness

Global Technology Company: Enterprise Onboarding Transformation

This type of large-scale onboarding transformation is commonly highlighted in detailed eLearning case study examples.

A global company onboarding 10,000+ employees annually implemented Storyline onboarding.

Before Implementation

  • Instructor-led onboarding only
  • High costs
  • Inconsistent training

After Implementation

  • 50% reduction in onboarding cost
  • 60% faster onboarding
  • Global training consistency

How Does Articulate Storyline Compare to Rise 360 and Traditional Onboarding Methods?

Articulate Storyline provides advanced interactivity, simulations, and branching scenarios, making it ideal for complex onboarding, while Rise 360 is better for simple, fast, responsive courses. Traditional onboarding lacks tracking, scalability, and engagement. Storyline is preferred when onboarding requires compliance certification, software simulations, and realistic decision-based learning across global enterprise environments.

Choosing the right onboarding method directly impacts employee readiness, compliance, and long-term performance.


Comparison Table: Storyline vs Rise 360 vs Traditional Onboarding

Feature Articulate Storyline Rise 360 Traditional Methods (PPT, PDF, ILT)
Interactivity level Very high Moderate Low
Software simulations Full support Limited None
Branching scenarios Advanced Basic None
Compliance assessments Advanced Basic Manual
LMS tracking Full SCORM, xAPI, cmi5 SCORM, xAPI Limited or none
Custom UI design Fully customizable Template-based None
Localization support Full Moderate Manual
Best use case Complex onboarding Simple onboarding Basic information sharing
Scalability Enterprise-level Enterprise-level Limited
Global deployment Excellent Good Poor

When Global Enterprises Choose Storyline

Storyline is the preferred solution when onboarding includes:

  • Software system training (SAP, Salesforce, Workday)
  • Compliance certification (HIPAA, GDPR, OSHA, FCA)
  • Safety training (oil & gas, aviation, mining)
  • Scenario-based training
  • Role-specific learning paths

Example: UAE Oil and Gas Industry

Oil companies use Storyline to simulate:

This type of safety training has been successfully implemented across industries to reduce risk and improve compliance outcomes.

  • Hazardous equipment handling
  • Emergency shutdown procedures
  • Safety compliance protocols

This reduces accidents and ensures regulatory compliance.


When Rise 360 Is a Better Option

Rise 360 works best for:

  • Policy training
  • HR onboarding information
  • Basic company introductions
  • Mobile-first onboarding

It is faster to develop but less interactive.


Why Traditional Onboarding Is Becoming Obsolete

Traditional onboarding methods lack:

  • Tracking and analytics
  • Interactive engagement
  • Compliance verification
  • Scalability

This creates risk for global organizations.


What Is the Cost of Developing Articulate Storyline Onboarding Programs Globally?

Articulate Storyline onboarding development typically costs between $3,000 and $15,000 per hour of finished training, depending on interactivity level, simulations, localization, and compliance requirements. Complex onboarding with software simulations and scenarios costs more, while basic onboarding modules cost less. Offshore development can reduce costs by 40–60%.

Enterprises planning onboarding budgets and large-scale implementations can request RFP to receive detailed cost estimates and tailored solutions.

Costs vary significantly based on region, complexity, and scope.


Global Cost Comparison by Region

Region Cost per Hour of Storyline Development
USA $8,000 – $15,000
UK $7,000 – $12,000
Australia $6,000 – $11,000
UAE $5,000 – $10,000
India (Offshore) $3,000 – $6,000

Offshore development offers significant savings while maintaining quality.


Cost Based on Interactivity Level

Level Description Cost per Hour
Basic Slides, narration, quizzes $3,000 – $5,000
Moderate Interactive scenarios $5,000 – $9,000
Advanced Simulations, branching $8,000 – $15,000

Factors That Affect Development Cost

Organizations often evaluate in-house vs outsourced eLearning to determine the most cost-effective onboarding development approach.

1. Interactivity Level

Higher interactivity increases development time.

Examples:

  • Software simulations
  • Branching scenarios
  • Custom interactions

2. Content Volume

More screens increase cost.

Typical ratio:

  • 1 hour training = 150–250 slides

3. Localization Requirements

Multi-language onboarding increases cost due to:

  • Translation
  • Voiceover
  • UI adjustments

4. Compliance Requirements

Compliance training requires:

  • Certification assessments
  • Audit tracking
  • Documentation

Cost vs ROI Example: Global Technology Company

Metric Before Storyline After Storyline
Annual onboarding cost $2,000,000 $800,000
Training consistency Low High
Compliance tracking Limited Full
ROI 250%

Many global organizations choose to outsource eLearning development to reduce costs and accelerate project timelines.


Best Practices Used by Fortune 500 Companies for Storyline Onboarding

Fortune 500 companies use structured instructional design, realistic scenarios, LMS integration, localization, and analytics tracking to ensure onboarding effectiveness. They align onboarding with job performance, compliance requirements, and business outcomes while continuously updating training based on performance data and regulatory changes across global operations.

Below are proven best practices used worldwide.


1. Use Scenario-Based Learning Instead of Passive Content

Scenario-based learning improves decision-making skills.

Example:

Instead of explaining policy, simulate real situations.


2. Implement Role-Based Learning Paths

Different roles require different onboarding.

Example:

  • Sales onboarding
  • HR onboarding
  • Technical onboarding

3. Integrate with LMS for Full Tracking

Track:

  • Completion
  • Certification
  • Compliance

4. Use Software Simulations

Allow employees to practice safely.


5. Design Mobile-Compatible Training

Organizations increasingly invest in mobile-compatible training to ensure onboarding accessibility across devices and remote work environments. 


6. Continuously Update Onboarding Content

Update based on:

  • Compliance changes
  • Business changes
  • Feedback

Frequently Asked Questions About Articulate Storyline Onboarding Development

How long does it take to develop a Storyline onboarding course?

Typical development takes 4 to 12 weeks depending on complexity, number of modules, simulations, and compliance requirements. Advanced onboarding with system simulations and localization requires more time, while basic onboarding can be developed faster with existing content and simple interactivity.


Can Storyline onboarding integrate with any LMS?

Yes. Storyline supports SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, xAPI, and cmi5, making it compatible with most LMS platforms, including Cornerstone, Moodle, SAP SuccessFactors, and Docebo used by global enterprises.


Is Storyline suitable for large global organizations?

Yes. Storyline is used by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, banks, airlines, and government organizations to onboard thousands of employees globally with consistent training and compliance tracking.


Does Storyline support multi-language onboarding?

Yes. Storyline supports multiple languages including Arabic, French, German, Spanish, and more. This makes it ideal for global onboarding programs.


What industries benefit most from Storyline onboarding?

Industries include:

  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • Aviation
  • Oil and Gas
  • Technology
  • Manufacturing

Start Building High-Impact Storyline Onboarding with IKHYA

Organizations planning onboarding initiatives should carefully evaluate how to choose the right eLearning vendor to ensure project success.

Articulate Storyline is the global standard for creating interactive, compliant, and scalable onboarding programs. Organizations that invest in professionally designed Storyline onboarding see faster productivity, reduced compliance risks, and better employee retention.

IKHYA – eLearning Solutions Company develops enterprise-grade Articulate Storyline onboarding programs for global organizations. Contact info@ikhya.com to reduce onboarding time, improve compliance, and deliver world-class employee onboarding experiences.

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