Media Centre

Master List

PRESS INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF: Tata Interactive Systems
18 Grosvenor Place, LONDON, SW1X 7HS
tel 020 7235 8281; fax 020 7235 8727; web: www.tatainteractive.com and
PHM Group Limited
44 - 48 Paul Street, LONDON, EC2A 4LB
tel 020 7613 6700; fax 0207 613 6766; web: www.phm.co.uk

24th October 2006

Tata Interactive Systems and PHM collaborate on implementing a series of pan-European e-learning projects

The global e-learning producer, Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), and the motor industry specialist channel development and training company PHM have signed a deal to collaborate on designing and developing a part of one of the most ambitious and complex e-learning programmes in the industry. This ambitious project has been commissioned by the Marketing Communications Team of Ford of Europe.

Ford has worked with PHM for a number of years and the combination of PHM's knowledge and experience about Ford coupled with the cutting edge e-learning expertise of TIS promise to deliver e-learning of the highest standards.

The programme, commissioned by Ford of Europe, will bring product knowledge-related learning materials to some 30,000 sales staff and managers in Ford dealerships throughout 21 countries and across 23 different languages across Europe.

"Apart from the technical challenges of delivering the programme in the various countries across Europe there are language and culture issues to be addressed, along with the need to make the learning materials accessible and motivating for people aged from 20 to 65 who possess a wide range and varying degrees of IT skills," explained Peter Hookham-Miller, managing director of PHM.

Making product knowledge related materials available via e-learning on this scale is new to Ford of Europe but the benefits of this approach include having these learning materials available as and when required as both launch information for experienced staff and as introduction materials for those who are relatively new to the Ford franchise, product and brand.

Ultimately, Ford of Europe believes that making all product training available as e-learning available to staff at anytime and from anywhere, will not only be a highly cost-effective way of delivering consistent messages throughout Europe, but will also significantly shorten the time and efforts it takes to get fully trained as well as improving the quality of the learning - all helping Ford dealerships improve their customers experiences.

"Initially, TIS and PHM are working on the production of four e-learning programmes - each one relating to a Europe-wide product launch," said Alan Samuel, head of UK operations for TIS. "Each of these four programmes is being produced in 23 different languages - and each of these will contain approaches and materials that are specific to particular cultures."

"The project is so complex that we needed to find an e-learning producer that had experience of producing multi-cultural programmes and could demonstrate that it met exacting quality standards," said Hookham-Miller, whose company is providing the subject matter expertise for all the programmes' content, following its extensive regular communication and research within various divisions of Ford of Europe.

End

Notes for editors

About PHM Group Limited

The PHM Group, established in 1990, is a channel development and training company which conceives and manages programmes to improve the performance of national and multi-national sales channels. Its innovative programmes improve the performance of a channel, its distributors, retailers and the people who work within them. The PHM Group specialises in markets that have complex distribution channels - notably the automotive industry - and in developing markets, such as consumer electronics.

The PHM Group provides:

• Channel development

• Performance improvement - programmes focusing on the key 'pressure points' within a channel or sales process and applying proven techniques to increase standards and effectiveness

• Motivation, recognition and sales incentives

• Sales process improvement

• Strategic and operational consultancy

• Training and learning

• Product launches and events

• Product training

• Competence and skills training

PHM Group clients include: Ford of Europe; Mazda Motors Europe; Mazda Motors UK; Hoover Candy; Thomson and Volkswagen.

About Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) 
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is a global pioneer in e-learning, with more than 15 years of experience in designing and developing innovative and cutting-edge e-learning solutions. TIS is a part of the $18 billion Tata Group - one of the largest and most trusted business conglomerates in India. 

TIS employs a global team of over 900 multi-disciplinary specialists - a unique mix of project managers, software engineers, instructional designers, content developers, visual designers and animators. Its service bouquet includes Simulations, Systems Training, New Hire Training, Business Processes and Skills Training, Regulatory and Compliance Training, Sales and Customer Service Training, Adaptive Assessments, Story-based Learning Objects, M-Learning and EPSS. TIS also has a K12 math practice and a K12 content practice, as well as having substantial experience in developing learning content and tools across keystages and subject areas.

Powered by creative talent, sound processes and technological excellence, TIS has developed e-learning solutions for more than 300 clients - including 50 Fortune 500 companies - across the US, the UK, Australia, Mainland Europe, Japan, UAE and India. Its client roster includes leading corporations, renowned educational institutions and government bodies such as American Airlines, British Airways, Citibank, Colgate-Palmolive, ExxonMobil, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, HP, McGraw-Hill, ntl, Orange, Pearson Education, Qantas, Qwest, Royal Mail, Swiss Re, UNICEF, University of Phoenix, University of Maryland and Vodafone, along with Hodder, Oxford University Press, Granada Learning, Nelson Thornes, Research Machines PLC, Compass Learning, Florida Virtual School, Harcourt, Prentice Hall and, in the government sector, BECTA, UFI and DODEA. 

Apart from holding ISO 9001 certification, TIS is the only e-learning organisation in the world to be assessed at Level 5 in both the SEI-CMM and P-CMM frameworks. TIS’s quest for excellence is reflected in numerous prestigious industry awards, including a Silver - Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award 2005 and 2004, APEX 2005 Award of Excellence, BETT 2004 Best Product Award, and 2 Business World-NID Design Excellence awards. 

For more information log on to www.tatainteractive.com

About the Tata Group 
The Tata Group, established in 1904 by the great visionary Jamsetji Tata, is one of Indias largest and most trusted business houses. The group pioneered the industrial revolution in India by founding, among other things, the first steel plant, power plant and chain of luxury hotels. 

The Group employs more than 330,000 people in 91 companies across diversified industry sectors including steel, automobiles, cement, telecom and IT. Generating revenues to the tune of £7bn per year  2.6 per cent of Indias total GDP  it is recognised as a leader in several industry segments such as such as steel, power, software exports and chemicals. It is also the parent company to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Asias largest software producer. 

Further information from:
Alan Samuel, Tata Interactive Systems, 020 7905 0156, www.tatainteractive.com