Published on 10-Nov-2007
Validated on 07 Mar 2013
"The IBM software has enabled us to reach new customers in markets that were previously inaccessible. Now it’s easier than ever to deliver flexible, high-quality training services to our customers—no matter where they are located." - — Cornelis A. Loppersum, CEO, AFORA International
Customer:
AFORA International B.V.
Industry:
Professional Services
Deployment country:
Netherlands
Solution:
Business-to-Business, Learning and Training, Supply Chain Management, Transforming Business
Overview
Established in 1990, AFORA International B.V. provides a wide range of support, consulting and training services to help companies optimize their software change- and configuration-management (SCM) solutions.
Business need:
AFORA sought to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering a fully integrated, online collaborative training service tailored to the specific needs of its customers. However, to offer such a service, AFORA needed to first develop a robust e-learning portal using reliable and scalable software.
Solution:
AFORA developed a hosted e-learning portal based on IBM software that enables its customers to hold collaborative training sessions live via the Web.
Benefits:
• Leveraged new e-learning platform to increase revenue by 300%
• Expects return on investment (ROI) of 350% within 24 months
• Convenience of the online portal helps increase customer satisfaction
Case Study
AFORA International delivers customized e-learning solutions to customers around the world.
Overview
AFORA International B.V.
Maarheeze, Netherlands
www.afora.nl
Industry
• Professional Services
Software
• IBM Lotus Virtual Classroom
• IBM Workplace Collaboration Services
• IBM Workplace Collaborative Learning
Services
• IBM Lotus Software Services:
Lotus Technical Support
Established in 1990, AFORA International B.V. provides a wide range of support, consulting and training services to help companies optimize their software change-and configuration-management (SCM) solutions. AFORA specializes in turning innovation globalization and increasingly complex software applications into assets.
Challenge
AFORA International provides consulting and training services to help companies optimize their Software Change and Configuration Management (SCCM) solutions. As other companies have entered the SCCM training market, AFORA sought to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering a fully integrated, online collaborative training service tailored to the specific needs of its customers. However, to offer such a service, AFORA needed to first develop a robust e-learning portal using reliable and scalable software.
Solution
AFORA developed a hosted e-learning portal based on IBM software that enables its customers to hold collaborative training sessions live via the Web. The portal utilizes IBM Lotus and Workplace technologies running on a Linux platform and can scale to allow numerous customers to take online training courses simultaneously. Now, AFORA can partner with third-party knowledge management firms to offer personalized training solutions to more customers, particularly larger customers with geographically dispersed employees. And AFORA’s customers can customize training sessions to fit their individual schedules and pace.
"The IBM software has enabled us to reach new customers in markets that were previously inaccessible. Now it’s easier than ever to deliver flexible, high-quality training services to our customers—no matter where they are located.” — Cornelis A. Loppersum, CEO, AFORA International
Benefits
• Leveraged new e-learning platform to increase revenue by 300%
• Expects return on investment (ROI) of 350% within 24 months
• Convenience of the online portal helps increase customer satisfaction
For more information
Please contact your IBM representative or IBM Business Partner.
Products and services used
IBM products and services that were used in this case study.
Software:
Lotus Virtual Classroom, Workplace Collaborative Learning, Workplace Collaboration Services
Operating system:
Linux
Legal Information
© Copyright IBM Corporation 2007 IBM Corporation Global Solutions, Industry Marketing 294 Route 100 Somers, NY 10589 U.S.A. Produced in the United States of America 10-07 All Rights Reserved IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com, Lotus and Workplace are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. This case study illustrates how one IBM customer uses IBM products. There is no guarantee of comparable results. References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates.