Independent ERP training consultancy Optimum has supported AB World Foods with end user training for Project HALO across four international hubs.
Optimum has supported AB World Foods with end user training for Project HALO, the company’s global implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365, spanning the UK, Poland, Thailand and North America.
AB World Foods, the global world cuisine food manufacturer behind household brands including Patak’s, Blue Dragon, Levi Roots and Capsicana, embarked on Project HALO to replace two legacy ERP systems with a single, aligned global system. The programme was designed not only to modernise technology, but also to harmonise business processes and support future growth.
The programme followed a fast-paced, staggered go-live approach, with the UK and Poland launching in Week One, followed by Thailand and North America in Week Two. This compressed deployment schedule required a focused and flexible training strategy to prepare users across all four hubs within a condensed timeframe.
Optimum was engaged to provide specialist end user training development and support across six key workstreams: Prerequisites, Reporting, Finance, Procurement, Order to Cash and Quality.
Working collaboratively with the HALO team, Optimum carried out a RapidScope® exercise to define the training curriculum, outputs and delivery approach. A blended learning solution was then designed to meet the needs of AB World Foods’ global user community, combining classroom and virtual training, Digital Self Learn (DSL) modules, tutorial and concept videos, and step-by-step reference guides.
To support local needs across the implementation, Optimum delivered finance training on site in Thailand, provided Polish-speaking trainers for delivery in Poland, and localised selected training materials so users could learn in their local language.
The training programme also supported significant behavioural change, helping users move from legacy green-screen technology and manual spreadsheet-based processes to a modern ERP environment with automated workflows, inter-company functionality and real-time transaction processing.
Peter McCormick, Business Lead for Project HALO at AB World Foods, said: “Our initial plan was to do the training in-house, utilising our own team… but it became apparent the further into the project just how much work was involved in build testing and UAT that we wouldn’t have capacity to do both.”
Sean Wain, Finance Lead for Project HALO at AB World Foods, added: “The team at Optimum hit the ground running quickly. They were very flexible around the kick-off (knowledge transfer) sessions, and that really helped us get a great start on the training part of the process.”
“Working with Optimum was excellent, and they really came to our help at our time of need on the project.”
By integrating closely with AB World Foods’ project and change teams, Optimum maintained flexibility as the programme moved from testing into an intensive training phase. The result was a professional, globally aligned training programme that supported a successful Dynamics 365 go-live across all four hubs.
Reflecting on the partnership, Peter McCormick said: “I felt a sense of reassurance that whatever the state of play, it was always going to be achievable in terms of delivering end user training. I’d recommend Optimum as a training provider. I found their approach was really professional and the more they understood about our programme and our business, the more flexible they were.”
Watch the Optimum and AB World Foods case study video.
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- Optimum is an independent ERP training consultancy, specialising in driving the user adoption of ERP software.
- AB World Foods is responsible for a portfolio of household food brands including Patak’s, Blue Dragon, Levi Roots and Capsicana.
- Project HALO was AB World Foods’ global implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365, replacing two legacy ERP systems with a single global platform.
- Optimum supported the programme with a blended end user training solution, including trainer packs, classroom delivery, virtual training, eLearning, translated materials and quick reference guides.
- Training support was provided across four international hubs: the UK, Poland, Thailand and North America.
