In autumn 2023, the collaboration between ARTECH Consulting GmbH and Daimler Truck AG began with a manageable scope of work: fundamental training sessions were to be delivered within a few weeks in preparation for the company’s planned global transition to a new PLM system. Initially, a small team of three to four trainers was envisaged.

However, what began as a temporary training project developed over the following months into an extensive international collaboration – underpinned by the high quality, flexibility and professionalism of the ARTECH team deployed.

It became apparent even in the early stages of the project that the requirements associated with the system migration went well beyond traditional training measures. Based on the positive experience with the initial training sessions, the client decided to continuously expand the collaboration.

The project team gradually expanded until, at peak times, up to ten staff members from ARTECH Consulting GmbH were involved in the project simultaneously.

In addition to standard basic training for end users, the project subsequently encompassed numerous additional areas of responsibility:

  • Delivering international train-the-trainer programmes
  • Supporting test and validation processes as part of the system migration
  • User support and guidance during the roll-out of new PLM structures
  • Design and production of e-learning content for global user groups
  • Establishment of sustainable knowledge structures for long-term training programmes

This combination of training, methodological guidance and operational support proved to be a key factor in the successful roll-out of the new system.

Global training sessions for international teams
A key component of the project was the delivery of training programmes worldwide for users in different regions. The ARTECH team organised and delivered online training sessions for teams in countries across several continents, including:

  • USA
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Japan
  • Turkey
  • numerous European countries

The training sessions were always scheduled to coincide with local working hours in each region to ensure optimal participation and high learning outcomes.

In addition, the team also travelled internationally to deliver training sessions directly at various locations, including:

  • Turkey
  • Spain
  • India
  • France
  • several locations in Germany
  • USA

This combination of global online training and international on-site workshops enabled particularly effective support for the worldwide system migration.

Award for e-learning concept
Another milestone in the project was the development of comprehensive digital learning resources, designed specifically to meet the requirements of the new system.

The e-learning structures developed helped users worldwide to familiarise themselves efficiently with new processes and functions and to build up knowledge in the long term.

The quality of these learning solutions did not go unnoticed externally either:
The project received an award from the specialist portal eLearning Journal in the category of system migration and learning platforms.

This award underlines the high standards and innovative strength with which ARTECH Consulting GmbH implements modern learning concepts in technical transformation projects.

Key success factors: expertise, flexibility and availability
From the client’s perspective, three factors in particular were crucial to the project’s success:

  • the high level of technical expertise demonstrated by the trainers and consultants involved
  • a high degree of flexibility in meeting international training requirements
  • the project team’s high availability and rapid responsiveness

Particularly in complex transformation projects involving international teams and diverse requirements, these qualities are crucial to ensuring the smooth introduction of new systems. The intensive collaboration over a period of around two and a half years not only led to the successful completion of the project but also opened up new opportunities. During the project, ARTECH Consulting GmbH came into contact with several suppliers and partners of Daimler Truck AG. These discussions have since given rise to initial follow-up projects and new collaborations. As a result, the successfully completed project has had an impact far beyond the original scope of work and forms the basis for further joint initiatives.

Conclusion
This project serves as a prime example of how a training assignment that was initially planned on a small scale can develop into a comprehensive international partnership through successful collaboration.

For ARTECH Consulting GmbH, this project was a significant milestone – not only because of its scope and international dimension, but also due to the recognition of the work carried out by the client and through external awards.

Its successful completion after two and a half years therefore marks not only the end of the project, but also the beginning of new joint developments.