Having a good software implementation is essential to a company’s success. Businesses and projects come in many different shapes and sizes, so implementation styles can be adjusted to fit each case. One important decision is whether to have a trainer on-site, have training sessions virtually, or employ a mix of both styles.
“While we share implementation best practices during our project planning meetings with our new clients, it’s important not to have a one-size-fits-all approach to every implementation. Together with the client, we consider the project scope, business goals, company culture, and project schedule to land on the optimal implementation style, whether that be on-site, virtual, or a mix of the two,” shared Cathy Brady, Training Manager at ADD Systems.
While both on-site and virtual implementations are effective and can lead to the same successful end, there are strengths to both that may better cater to a business’s or project’s specific needs. Whether it’s preferring the hands-on style of on-site or preferring the flexibility of virtual, businesses have a number of factors to consider. Here are strengths of on-site and virtual software implementation:
Strengths of On-site Implementations
- Creates Focus: When a business brings a trainer on-site, his/her physical presence makes the project take center stage and helps the team to focus and take full advantage of the training.
- Leads to Better Understanding of Company Culture: By sitting in a business’s office, the trainer can quickly get a feel for company culture, align his or her training style to match, and create an ideal learning environment for the team.
- Allows for Personal Attention: In-person interaction can help a team bond with their trainer and quickly lead to open communication that helps individuals connect, understand each other, and learn fast.
- Puts People at Ease: With a trainer present, team members often feel secure, knowing that they can easily ask questions at any time.
- Adjustable Training: When a trainer is on-site, they can easily see if the staff is understanding the training, and they can alter their approach for team members who need to be educated in a different way.
Strengths of Virtual Implementations
- Offers More Flexibility: By their nature, virtual implementations require fewer logistics to put in place. No travel for the trainer or team members means they can focus all their time and effort on the training.
- Enables Easy Access to Recorded Training: It’s always nice to have the option to re-take a lesson, and video-conference software is ideal for that. In fact, you can create an on-demand training library for team members that contains all the training sessions, so even future employees can use it to help them get up to speed.
- Allows for Homework Time: Some projects lend themselves to a 1 to 2-hour training session followed by time to do homework in preparation for the next session. A series of virtual sessions is perfect for this type of cadence.
- Offers Cost Savings: Virtual implementations, by their very nature, do not require travel. The elimination of associated expenses for your trainers and any team members can be a nice cost savings.
- Suited for Remote Offices: Virtual training is great in today’s modern world, where not all employees come into the office every day. If a company has multiple offices, it can get them together virtually with less hassle.
A Hybrid Approach
The best implementations come from tailoring the style of training to fit the project, leaving the flexibility to choose on-site, virtual, or a combination of the two. Working together, the implementation team and the client can sculpt the training to be the best fit.
“We meet clients wherever they are comfortable, whether that be on-site, a series of virtual meetings, or a combination of the two,” said Lisa Stearns, Manager of Retail Implementations at ADD Systems. “It’s most important that a client be as happy with the process as possible so that we can implement our software efficiently and seamlessly.”
Effective hybrid implementations often begin and conclude with on-site sessions, while incorporating virtual sessions in between. This approach fosters team interaction and establishes company policies and procedures from the beginning. The virtual sessions that follow create opportunities to build a training library that supports sustained learning. A final on-site phase provides hands-on support during go-live, ensuring staff are present to address any unforeseen challenges that may arise.
Recommendations
Nobody knows your business and project goals better than you and your software provider. Let the project scope and details guide your implementation method decisions, but remain flexible and consider all options to land on the optimal plan.
Above all, prioritize user experience. Your team is your true source of strength, so take them through this journey with care and understanding. It’s an exciting adventure, and with a carefully considered plan that is in lock-step with your company culture and project goals, your implementation is sure to be a success.
If you’d like to learn more about what a software implementation with ADD Systems looks like, click here.
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