Wind River: making training pay

Key Benefits

• Global business infrastructure enabling the complete in-sourcing of training management
• Client on track to double training business without increasing headcount
• iLearning PLUS software meets project objectives of global standardization, ability to meet future needs of training business and an improved customer experience
• Client able to deliver global, cost-effective professional training to large pool of professional services engineers and customers

Background

Wind River is a global leader in the production of device software optimization (DSO) offering companies technology to help them efficiently develop and run device software.

Wind River also has a professional services division that works with leading vendors to design, develop, and deploy innovative products.

In addition to offering products and services, Wind River identified education as a key focus for their business. The education unit would ensure that software developers across the globe would have access to the latest Wind River technology information and hands-on training.

Wind River had previously managed their training via a range of third party providers. With education becoming a strategic focus, Wind River identified the need to bring the administration and management of learning in-house. This would provide a platform for growth whilst giving Wind River management the visibility required to justify investment in ongoing initiatives.

Wind River had clear goals for their education business and in the 2006 financial year they aimed to double the training business while minimizing headcount.

In order to meet their business objectives Wind River would need an internal infrastructure and experienced implementation team to support the global in-sourcing of their customer education program.

iLearning PLUS reducing complexity and eliminating customization

Wind River purchased the Oracle iLearning product and engaged Seertech through a local US partner to manage the implementation. Seertech Solution‘s iLearning PLUS product was identified as being essential to the success of the project as it would reduce the cost, complexity and risk surrounding the implementation.

Seertech Solutions using iLearning PLUS was able to configure a solution to suit Wind River’s business. According to Terry Carrell, Director, Worldwide Education Services at Wind River, the
project provided results that were right on target and “the solution was delivered on time, on budget and the delivery team was extremely flexible.”

The solution was delivered on time, on budget and the delivery team was extremely flexible
Terry Carrell, Director, Worldwide Education Services, Wind River

Developing a global learning centre

iLearning PLUS has enabled Wind River to develop and support its global business with full in-sourcing of training management. Seertech’s iLearning PLUS ensures a high quality and seamless experience for prospective learners and Wind River now has a fully integrated web portal that allows existing and potential customers to easily find, buy and use the exact training courses that they need. The combination of real-time course information updates, reduced complexity of the site navigation and associated enrollment and payment processes minimize the chance of losing a potential learner through frustration. It also presents a professional image to existing and potential customers helping build a competitive advantage.

“iLearning PLUS enabled us to provide Wind River with complete control of the look and feel of the Training Portal. Their staff, customers and consultants are able to enjoy a single interface that was configured to meet required workflow and structure whilst matching the Wind River style guide”.

Paul Hardwick, CEO, Seertech Solutions

Key to the successful solution was the ability to standardize and automate the training business processes to support real-time monitoring and reporting of business performance. The ability to support new training offerings such as Personalized Learning Programs (PLP), Web Based Training (WBT), and On-Line Assessments will enable Wind River to continue the innovation around learning and education.

In summary, the project was able to deliver the functionality that was required to create a globally relevant and standardized service, support new offerings and improve the customer experience.

Future

With the infrastructure now in place, the sky is the limit for Wind River who plan to use the environment to offer customized learning programs for larger customers. These programs will assist Wind River in providing customers with the right skills to make effective use of Wind River solutions now and in the future. With the success of the external training solution Wind River are now looking to leverage the learning infrastructure to train internal staff.

As the system generates more revenue integration with Oracle Financials is a priority. The ability to interface with Wind Rivers accounting programs will ensure that all financial information related to the training services is updated directly, without error, on time and without administration overhead. With a secure, reliable and consolidated training environment the Education Team at Wind River can focus on the next learning initiative that will see Wind River remain a leader in their industry and continue to deliver outcomes for their customers.