How DGM Norway went from clunky processes to seamless training management with FrontCore

DGM Norway is a leading provider of safety training and certifications, particularly within the dangerous goods and transport industries. The company is part of Dangerous Goods Management Group, an international franchise with offices in 33 countries and more than 65 locations. DGM is a full-service provider of equipment and services for individuals and businesses dealing with issues and challenges related to the handling and transport of dangerous goods. They offer a wide range of courses covering all regulatory requirements within the dangerous goods sector. Their services are critical in helping customers operate in compliance with national and international regulations.

Challenges with previous system

General Manager Frode Enoksen, who is also the lead instructor at DGM Norway, has extensive experience in the field and understands the importance of streamlined administration in order to deliver the best possible training to customers. He explains that they previously used a solution that was challenging in several ways:

• Cumbersome to use: The system was not very intuitive and required a great deal of manual work.
• Limited flexibility: DGM Norway offers a wide range of courses, and the old system was not flexible enough to meet their many different needs.
• Lack of customisation options: It was also difficult to make tailored adjustments to meet the company’s unique requirements.

The search for the right solution

In 2019, DGM Norway began looking for a new training management system that could meet their needs. They wanted a provider with extensive experience and a strong reputation in training management, and FrontCore quickly became a favourite.

DGM Norway was given the opportunity to test the solution before purchasing, which gave them confidence that the system would meet their requirements effectively. FrontCore proved to be a solution that combines extensive functionality with ease of use. The system is complex, yet visually intuitive and easy to navigate.

As DGM Norway offers a broad range of courses with different administrative requirements, it was also essential for them to find a provider able to make the necessary adjustments when needed. With such a varied training portfolio, flexibility is a key factor in ensuring efficient training management. Here too, they saw that FrontCore could deliver.

Another major advantage of FrontCore was how easy it was to integrate the system with their existing websites. Their course calendar and registration forms could be published quickly and kept automatically up to date, reducing the need for manual updates and saving them a great deal of time.

Implementation and tailored solutions

The transition to FrontCore went smoothly, and DGM Norway was able to make several necessary adjustments during the implementation phase. Some of these were unique to their needs, while others were introduced as improvements that other FrontCore customers can also benefit from.

An important part of the implementation was setting up FrontCore’s booking solution on DGM Norway’s website. Enoksen describes the integration as quick and easy to set up. After implementation, they were immediately able to start receiving registrations directly from their own website into FrontCore.

Measurable improvements with FrontCore

Since implementing FrontCore, DGM Norway has seen major improvements in the way they manage courses. Previously time-consuming and manual processes are now automated, freeing up valuable time and resources.

• Efficient administration – The system is now tailored to their specific needs. They have received customisations that allow them to manage their broad range of training courses more efficiently.
• Time savings – Where they previously had to spend a great deal of time publishing and updating training courses, they can now publish large volumes of courses in a short amount of time, without cumbersome manual processes.
• Better data flow and follow-up – With structured and accurate data captured at the registration stage, they gain better insight into participant data and training attendance, making it easier to follow up with learners and ensure they receive proper support throughout their training.
• Customers return – With automatic notifications sent when it is time for participants to renew their certifications, DGM Norway ensures that customers return for further training. This automated follow-up is not only good customer service, but also generates additional revenue for the business – without any extra work.

A reliable provider

Like all course and training providers, DGM Norway considers it important to have a stable system that works without interruption. The Managing Director says he cannot remember the system ever being down. This provides extra peace of mind for both them and their customers.

In addition to stability, it is important to have a provider that is available and helpful when something unexpected happens. Enoksen points out that it is easy to deliver under normal circumstances, but the real test of a supplier is how they handle challenges when the unexpected occurs. On this point, he believes FrontCore performs extremely well. He explains that they are quick to get in touch when issues arise, and that problems are resolved efficiently.

FrontCore has also been an important contributor to DGM Norway’s recent IATA recertification, an accreditation body for dangerous goods training in aviation. In fact, DGM has been ranked as an “IATA Top Ten Training School” on several occasions. To gain this approval, training providers must meet strict requirements, and Enoksen highlights how FrontCore has helped ensure that their training management remains of a high standard and compliant with those requirements. This has enabled DGM Norway to offer its training with IATA approval and without remarks.

Recommending FrontCore to others in the industry

The Managing Director says that DGM Norway has already recommended FrontCore to several other training providers, and some of them have already adopted the system based on DGM Norway’s positive experiences. This also applies to other departments within the DGM network. One example is DGM Italy. In our webinar “Scaling beyond a bespoke system: DGM Italy’s success story“, Kirsten from DGM Italy shares how they moved beyond their in-house system and implemented FrontCore to create a more scalable, efficient and compliant setup.

For those considering a more user-friendly and efficient training management system, DGM Norway recommends trying FrontCore for free and experiencing the benefits for themselves.