JIST Publishing
JIST Publishing, operating as Paradigm Education Solutions, is an educational publisher and cloud-based learning platform serving higher education, secondary education, corrections, and workforce programs across the United States through its Cirrus 2.0 platform and Microsoft Office, allied health, and career-readiness courseware.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What JIST Publishing does
JIST Publishing operates as Paradigm Education Solutions, a division of Kendall Hunt Publishing Company headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. The company is an educational publisher and learning platform provider serving four distinct US verticals — higher education, secondary education (CTE/dual enrollment/special education), corrections and reentry, and workforce development — through a combination of printed textbooks and workbooks, digital courseware, online assessments, and the Cirrus 2.0 cloud-based learning environment. The legacy JIST Publishing brand, historically associated with career-readiness and job-search materials (e.g., Getting the Job You Really Want, Job Savvy, Road to Reentry), has been consolidated under the Paradigm umbrella, while the Microsoft Office courseware stable (Marquee Series, Benchmark Series, Guidelines, Seguin's COMPUTER Concepts) forms the core higher-education franchise, supplemented by pharmacy technician, allied health, QuickBooks accounting, keyboarding, and Windows 11 titles.
The Cirrus 2.0 platform is the company's central technology asset: a cloud-hosted virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment that delivers training and assessment for Microsoft Office, computer concepts, health careers, accounting, and career readiness without requiring local software installations. Cirrus 2.0 integrates natively with the four dominant LMS platforms — Blackboard, Canvas, D2L (Brightspace), and Moodle — and runs on PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. The platform supports automated scoring of live-in-application exercises, real-time personalized feedback, grade books, and instructor resources bundled complimentary with courseware adoption.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: one-time courseware and textbook sales (print booklets, eBooks, instructor resources, video series), recurring subscriptions for Cirrus 2.0 platform access, attempt-based licensing for digital assessments and certification exam prep (MOS, TOSA, IC3), and licensing of video content in DVD and streaming formats. Distribution is sales-led, executed through regional account managers and a Customer Solutions team targeting colleges, universities, school districts, correctional agencies, and workforce program operators, supplemented by direct website ordering and digital distribution via Redshelf and VitalSource. The company does not disclose revenue or headcount, operates exclusively in the US, and has no venture or external equity capital as a wholly-owned division of privately held Kendall Hunt Publishing.
JIST Publishing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- JIST Publishing
- Legal name
- Paradigm Education Solutions
- Website
- https://jist.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- JIST Publishing, operating as Paradigm Education Solutions, is an educational publisher and cloud-based learning platform serving higher education, secondary education, corrections, and workforce programs across the United States through its Cirrus 2.0 platform and Microsoft Office, allied health, and career-readiness courseware.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
JIST Publishing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Publishing and Courseware
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Computer Training (611420), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interdisciplinary/General Education & Study Skills (EDAGABAN), Professional Licensure & Certification Exam Prep (Bar/CPA/NCLEX/PMP, etc.) (EDAGADAD), Productivity & Office Software Skills (EDAAAIAC), Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations) (BPAEANAD)
Keywords
Where JIST Publishing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
JIST Publishing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Courseware and Textbook Sales: Sale of print and digital textbooks, workbooks, and courseware materials for Microsoft Office, allied health, pharmacy technician, career readiness, and other educational verticals. Products sold in various formats including print booklets (packages of 10), digital/eBook versions, and comprehensive instructor resources.
- Cirrus 2.0 Online Platform Access: Cloud-based learning platform subscription providing students and educators access to course content, assessment tools, grade books, and technical support. Integrated with courseware purchases or sold as standalone access.
- Digital Assessments and Inventories: Online career assessments, inventories, and certification exam prep tools (MOS certification, TOSA certification, IC3 Digital Literacy) sold as digital products with attempt-based licensing.
- Video Content Licensing: Sale and licensing of educational video series including DVD and streaming options for career readiness, life skills, and job search training content.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quick Financial Literacy Guide - Print Booklet Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Road to Reentry Video Series |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Soft Skills in the Workplace DVD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | RIASEC Inventory - Print |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Soft Skills Inventory - Print |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
JIST Publishing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
JIST Publishing, operating as Paradigm Education Solutions, publishes and sells print and digital textbooks, workbooks, and assessments for Microsoft Office applications, allied health, pharmacy technician, accounting, and career/life skills education. The company also offers the Cirrus 2.0 cloud-based learning environment, which delivers courseware, live-in-application exercises, automated grading, and LMS integration for institutions.
Product overview
JIST Publishing, operating as Paradigm Education, offers a comprehensive learning solutions portfolio centered around the Cirrus 2.0 cloud-based learning platform. The product portfolio includes computer applications courseware (Marquee Series and Benchmark Series for Microsoft 365 including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook; Seguin's COMPUTER Concepts; Guidelines for Microsoft 365), accounting courseware (Computerized Accounting for QuickBooks Online), and career/life skills solutions (job search guides, career assessments, soft skills training). The Cirrus platform delivers content through LMS integrations with Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle, and includes instructor resources, assessments, and certification preparation tools for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) credentials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cirrus 2.0: Cloud-based learning environment platform delivering training and assessment for Microsoft Office applications, computer concepts, health careers, accounting, and career readiness.
Products and services
- Cirrus 2.0 Cloud-based learning environment delivering training and assessment for Microsoft Office, computer concepts, health careers, accounting, and career readiness. Accessible from PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks with no installations required, integrating with Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle.
- Benchmark Series: Microsoft 365 Three-level instructional courseware for Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint with multi-part, project-based exercises that build skill mastery and prepare students for certification exams.
- Marquee Series: Microsoft 365 Accelerated, step-by-step, project-based courseware that helps students build competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint for business or personal use.
- Guidelines for Microsoft 365 Courseware providing a straightforward, visual, step-by-step approach to teaching basic skills using Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access for Office 365.
- Seguin's Computer Concepts & Applications for Microsoft 365 Courseware providing instruction for entry-level competence with Microsoft Windows, web browsers, and Microsoft 365 productivity applications including OneNote, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and cloud computing alternatives.
- Computerized Accounting for QuickBooks Online Accounting courseware providing step-by-step explanations and hands-on exercises aligned with the latest QuickBooks Online interface and procedures.
- Pharmacy Technician Series Comprehensive courseware on pharmacy technician practice covering community pharmacy business operations, infection control, professionalism, ethics, and advanced careers; includes PTCE exam review from PharmCon FreeCE.
- Allied Health Solutions Courseware and solutions for allied health programs including medical assisting, pharmacy technician, and electronic health records (EHR Navigator).
- MOS Certification Mapping Guides Mapping guides showing how courseware aligns to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification objectives for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Career and Employability Assessment Inventories Suite of assessments including RIASEC Inventory, O*NET Career Interests and Values Inventories, Employability Skills Inventory, Soft Skills Inventory, Career Exploration Inventory, Barriers to Employment Success Inventory, and Financial Literacy Inventory.
- Soft Skills Solutions Series 10-book series providing self-assessments and practice for developing soft skills including Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Equity & Diversity, Goals & Attitude, Professional Communication, Etiquette & Image, Self-Management, Teamwork, Workplace Relationships, and Leadership & Ethics.
- Job Search and Readiness Workbooks Workbooks covering job search, resume building, and overcoming employment barriers; titles include Getting the Job You Really Want, Quick Job Search Guide, Quick Resume Guide, and Overcoming Barriers to Employment Success.
- Job Savvy Resource for high school and secondary students addressing contemporary workplace issues and helping them gain a foothold in the workforce.
- Keyboarding Courseware Keyboarding courseware for developing typing skills from beginner level up to 60 WPM.
- Road to Reentry Video Series Video series for corrections audiences covering finding employment, making healthy choices, meeting basic needs, reconnecting with family and community, and succeeding on the job.
- Keys to Getting Hired Video Series Video series teaching effective ways to uncover job leads, connect with employers, and demonstrate value to potential employers.
- Life Skills for Success Video Series Video series covering career management, communication, stress and anger management, and time and money management.
- Overcoming Barriers to Employment Success Video Video program addressing common employment barriers including personal, financial, emotional, physical, career decision-making, job search knowledge, and education barriers.
- Career Success Resources Career development tools and resources for achieving success in employment goals, including Career Exploration materials.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% student pass rate on Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam reported by Oconee Fall Line Technical College
Companies that use JIST Publishing
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
JIST Publishing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
JIST Publishing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Kendall Hunt Publishing CompanyflagshipKendall Hunt Publishing Company is the parent organization of Paradigm Education Solutions and JIST Publishing. The company acquired AME Learning and operates as a major educational publishing company serving higher education, secondary education, corrections, and workforce development markets.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
JIST Publishing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Labyrinth Learning: Direct competitor in Microsoft Office and computer concepts courseware for higher education, with a similar catalog of textbooks, eBooks, and online learning platforms. Most directly comparable to Paradigm's Benchmark/Marquee Series and Seguin's lines.
- Jones & Bartlett Learning: Direct peer in allied health and pharmacy technician courseware, including certification exam prep. Most directly comparable to Paradigm's Pharmacy Technician Series and Allied Health Solutions product lines.
Broad incumbents
- Cengage Group: Broad incumbent in educational publishing and digital learning, with parallel Microsoft Office courseware (Course Technology imprint) and significant higher education footprint. Operates as a public incumbent across many verticals where Paradigm also competes.
- Pearson Education: Global incumbent in higher education publishing and digital platforms, with overlapping offerings in computer applications, allied health, and career readiness. Comparable via large content catalog and enterprise LMS relationships.
- McGraw-Hill Education: Large incumbent in higher education textbooks and digital learning platforms (Connect, ALEKS), with comparable Microsoft Office and computer applications courseware lines and significant institutional distribution.
- Elsevier Health Sciences: Broad incumbent in health sciences education, with parallel pharmacy technician, medical assisting, and EHR training content. Comparable through institutional sales motion and certification alignment.
- Wiley Education Services: Large educational publisher with parallel higher education textbook, digital courseware, and certification prep offerings. Comparable as a broad-spectrum incumbent with similar LMS-integrated digital platforms.
Emerging players
- Certiport (A Pearson Business): Holds the MOS, IC3, and TOSA certification programs that Paradigm's courseware maps to. Comparable as an adjacent player whose certification economy is the upstream demand driver for Paradigm's prep products.
Others
- VitalSource Technologies: Major eBook distribution platform that hosts Paradigm's digital courseware. Comparable as an ecosystem partner / distribution channel rather than a direct competitor, with shared institutional customers.
- RedShelf: eBook distribution platform that partners with Paradigm to deliver digital textbooks. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor in content authoring.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
JIST Publishing social profiles
Digital presenceJIST Publishing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
JIST Publishing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
JIST Publishing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
JIST Publishing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about JIST Publishing
What does JIST Publishing do?
JIST Publishing, operating as Paradigm Education Solutions, publishes and sells print and digital textbooks, workbooks, and assessments for Microsoft Office applications, allied health, pharmacy technician, accounting, and career/life skills education. The company also offers the Cirrus 2.0 cloud-based learning environment, which delivers courseware, live-in-application exercises, automated grading, and LMS integration for institutions.
Is JIST Publishing a public or private company?
JIST Publishing is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was JIST Publishing founded?
JIST Publishing was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is JIST Publishing based?
JIST Publishing is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does JIST Publishing make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Courseware and Textbook Sales are the primary driver. The others are cirrus 2.0 Online Platform Access, digital Assessments and Inventories and video Content Licensing.
Who are JIST Publishing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Labyrinth Learning and Jones & Bartlett Learning. Broad incumbents are Cengage Group, Pearson Education, McGraw-Hill Education, Elsevier Health Sciences and Wiley Education Services. Certiport (A Pearson Business) is listed as an emerging player. Others are VitalSource Technologies and RedShelf.
Does JIST Publishing have an API?
No public API is recorded for JIST Publishing.
What industry is JIST Publishing in?
JIST Publishing's product category is Educational Publishing and Courseware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAL, Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAGABAN, Interdisciplinary/General Education & Study Skills. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 2731.