Training options to suit your needs

For the past couple of years this column has been dedicated to computerized maintenance management software. Many of you have contacted me for advice on choosing a CMMS system and since then have chosen your software. I’m sure many others have followed this trend and have been busy implementing their systems.

In the beginning you probably received some basic training on the software to get you started and by now you are ready to move forward to gain some advanced training on your software. There are several ways to receive this knowledge.

Off-site training

First of all, there is off-site training, usually held at a software company’s training centre. These training programs range from beginner to advanced, depending on your needs.

The training is usually broken into topics or modules and can range from one to five days in length. There is training on the software, bar coding, report writing and the database, just to name a few subjects. Your software vendor should have training outlines, dates and costs available for you.

My team recently went for some advanced training at the DataStream training centre in Greenville, S.C. We were met by a very knowledgeable instructor, and offered tailored course content and professional training classrooms and materials. We were impressed and plan to take some additional training there in the near future.

One of the key reasons we learned so much during this training was the fact that we had been using the program for just over a year and we were ready to receive advanced training. So here is a word to the wise: start off with the training you need to get started, then after you are more familiar with the program, go for the advanced training sessions.

One of the advantages of off-site training is that you will be focused on the course. There are very few, if any, interruptions and you are learning not only from the instructor but also from the other participants.

The price of these courses may scare a few people, as they may typically be $3,000 or more for a five-day course. However, my experience is that they are certainly worth the price.

On-site training

On-site training can be done by your software vendor, its affiliates or by private consultants. The benefit of on-site courses is that the training can be tailored to fit your needs. An experienced trainer who understands an industrial style environment can quickly adjust the functionality of the program and training to help your staff manage the program.

Two points of caution for on-site training are: 1. Choose a consultant that has experience in an industrial atmosphere and, of course, with the software. 2. Arrange to have other staff look after the job duties of the class trainees so they’re not interrupted while in the program. On-site, focused training is very valuable to your personnel, so it is important to leave them alone during the training sessions.

On-site training costs run anywhere from $700 to $2,000 per day plus expenses, so have a prearranged, organized training plan to get every dollar’s worth of the consultant’s time. Check out the trainer’s background to ensure he or she can address your needs. Like everything we purchase, there are good and bad alternatives. Ask for references.

On-line Internet message boards

Some vendors and consulting companies offer websites that are dedicated to your software. These sites allow you to ‘meet’ over the Internet and chat with other software users to exchange ideas and solutions that can help you with your program.

I find it amazing how the users of a program can actually find better ways to use the software than the makers of the program themselves. Our company offers such a website for its customers. We have a message board for chatting about the software, a news journal to post the latest improvements to the program, a document centre where users can download training manuals, step-by-step pictorials and a host of other useful files.

We expect to have over 30 different plants using this website soon. It gives each plant an opportunity to share information and to get up to speed on the latest program improvements that have been made by the program administrators.

Software conferences

Most of the larger makers of CMMS programs have yearly software conferences. For a fee, customers can attend a two- or three-day meet-and-greet, where they talk to other users of the program and share information.

You can also attend sessions to learn about the latest software enhancements and add-ons. I have noticed that new software versions are released at the conferences to introduce the users to the latest products. The biggest benefit of attending may come from the contacts you will make, allowing you to share information not only at the conference but later, when you’re back at work.

Conference calls

Information can also be shared through conference calls set up for software users. We have monthly conference calls with our customers to talk about software issues, proposed improvements and program modifications. We usually have one or two participants from each plant and the minutes of the call are posted on the website.

As you can see, there are several ways to get training and to share information. Any avenue you can use to learn better ways to manage your CMMS system is worth the time and effort. Choose the medium that works the best for your company and your users.

Peter Phillips of Trailwalk Holdings, a CMMS consulting and training company based in Nova Scotia, can be reached at 902-798-3601 or by e-mail at peter@trailwalk.ca. He will answer your questions on CMMS issues or problems. His previous columns can be viewed at www.mromagazine.com.