Software AG > Case Studies > Smart Integrated Learning within the Automotive Sector

Smart Integrated Learning within the Automotive Sector

Customer Company Size

Mid-size Company

Region

Europe

Country

Netherlands

Product

webMethods Application Integration Platform
Amazon Web Services
inQdo connect

Tech Stack

Cloud Computing
Application Integration
ERP Systems

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Cost Savings
Productivity Improvements

Technology Category

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms

Applicable Industries

Automotive
Education

Applicable Functions

Discrete Manufacturing
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Manufacturing System Automation
Predictive Maintenance

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
Software Design & Engineering Services

About The Customer

Innovam is a Netherlands-based company that develops and administers innovative educational programs. Established in 1948, its main focus is the automotive sector, where it works closely with manufacturers, importers, dealers and mechanics. It also provides training for the bicycle and maritime industries, and develops curricula used by vocational schools. For 70 years, Innovam has been a leader in building knowledge within the Dutch automotive sector. From the days of the post-World War II gas-guzzlers, to the emerging era of hybrid and electric, Innovam’s training has touched nearly every facet of the industry—and every make and model in the Netherlands. In a sector where change is constant, the company has prospered by keeping nimble: by adapting to shifting market conditions and new types of learning platforms.

The Challenge

Innovam, a Netherlands-based company that develops and administers innovative educational programs for the automotive sector, was facing several challenges. The changing market conditions demanded cost reductions. The company was also in the midst of a strategic change towards a 'blended learning' model combining online and traditional classroom training. This new focus on e-learning meant Innovam’s IT infrastructure was more essential to its business than ever. Yet its existing application landscape wasn’t cutting it. The company relied heavily on a monolithic enterprise resource planning system, which was ill-suited to meet its primary IT needs: planning and managing training, allocating staff, and delivering online learning through a sleek and user-friendly website. Changes in this system were sluggish and fraught with risks, making Innovam less flexible. Running it on-premises was also expensive—at a time when the company needed to cut costs.

The Solution

Innovam found its fix with webMethods, Software AG’s powerful application integration suite—in collaboration with Software AG partner inQdo. Innovam’s solution of choice was inQdo connect: a full-service version of webMethods that proved essential to driving its shift from a cumbersome and costly ERP to a flexible best-in-breed application landscape. Central to the appeal of webMethods was its ability to facilitate this shift in stages—which made the entire operation far less risky with minimal impact on existing and new applications, switching the source systems for the master data seamlessly. inQdo began by installing and managing webMethods on-premises. Over time, it transitioned the platform to a subscription-based cloud service, hosted by AWS, which made Innovam’s operations more flexible and drove substantial reductions in costs. Eventually, it switched off the old ERP entirely—the final step in a successful back-end migration that positioned the company for new success.

Operational Impact