Tales of a Software Conversion and What I Learned
Published by Michelle Haupt on
By Michelle Haupt
If you are caught up on Ortho2 newsletters, you will know that Ortho2 President Amy Schmidt wrote in the 2022 October edition about how we have converted our internal customer database to Salesforce. While her article mostly focused on the ticketing system our support departments use, this last quarter, the marketing department moved using Salesforce’s platform as well.
As you may be aware, transitioning to a new software system can be a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be. Here are five things I learned from this process that can be applied to your next software conversion. (And be sure to read how Edge Cloud has you covered through the process.)
1. Prepare as much as you can.
Install the software as soon as you get it and start clicking around. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can pick up what your trainer is teaching by just being familiar with where things are in your new software. Knowing how to navigate your software means you can focus more on how to accomplish your day-to-day tasks.
If there are any video tutorials made available to you before your training, review them. Focus on the tasks you will be doing most often first, and then move on to others as time allows.
(After we receive your initial paperwork, the Edge Cloud installer and download instructions will be mailed to you. After you’ve installed Edge Cloud on your machines, register for our support site at support.ortho2.com. Here you have access to a training program, and shorter videos to get you going.)
2. Come to your training prepared.
But what does prepared actually mean? It means a lot of things. Come mentally ready to take on the task of learning a new software. Come with your questions already formed from the preparation you did in point one. This can include offering specific examples of how a task was done in your previous software and discussing how it’s done in the new one.
If you have the chance, talk with your trainer before the actual training to set an agenda. Knowing what your priorities are will help your trainer personalize your experience, focusing on what is most important to you.
(You will be provided a training agenda that lists the training topics in order they will be discussed. Review the agenda, and work with our implementation team to make any adjustments needed. Your Ortho2 trainer will get in touch with you before your training to further provide information and personalization.)
3. Experiment throughout the training.
If there is some downtime in your training agenda or if you have days in between sessions, go through and do what was taught during your training. In our example, we were able to import marketing lists, create templates for future use, and set up our systems so the correct people had the correct access to different areas of the software. While we didn’t have the exact information at the time to do these things, we could set up tests lists and templates so that when we were ready to do the real thing, we had experience doing it. It also helped with…
4. Ask specific questions during training.
At the beginning of each session we had with our trainer, she started the conversation by asking what questions we had. Because we had worked with the material she had presented on, we were able to get direct feedback on the steps we worked through. When we ran into an issue after it was taught, our trainer walked us through the steps to correct it. You only have so much time with your trainer, use it as best you can so you can take away as much information as possible.
(Your trainer will be able to help you with your office’s specific needs during training. Use your time together to nail down specific processes you want to learn the most.)
5. Keep learning after training.
Once you are out on your own, use the resources set up for new customers. It could be written documentation, a help menu, or even video tutorials. Seek out groups on social media that use the software you do. We were able to join a Slack channel where we can ask questions and get different ideas from current users.
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out for help if that company offers live support. If you have specific questions, or wondering if you can do something in a faster way, chances are a support technician can help.
(Right after your training, our New Customer Care, Software Support, and Network Engineering Teams are just a chat or phone call away. You have access to our support site with documentation and video tutorials to learn at your own pace. And the Ortho2 Users Group Meeting is a great way to learn about Edge Cloud and meet others who use it.)
If you are getting ready to make the move to Edge Cloud, be sure to check out what our trainers and New Customer Care team wants you to know about training and conversions.
Michelle Haupt has been Ortho2’s Editor for more than a decade. She works to bring you content through the Ortho2 Newsletter, Blog, and is the voice of the Edge Shortcut videos on social media. When she isn’t creating content, Michelle likes to spend time with her family, solve puzzles, and bake.