NX Motorsport Engineering Teams

Andretti Autosport, and Racing speed software learning curve using online tools

Industry Automotive

Business challenges Get new users up-to-speed on software use as quickly as possible Refresh software knowledge for occasional users Cut down on travel and time away from the shop

Keys to success Efficient use of training options and materials Learning Advantage helps Siemens PLM Software helps racing teams achieve their goal of making cars go faster Self-paced learning IndyCar and NASCAR teams train by providing a variety of tools to help new users and keep them up-to- “Training the trainers” users get up-to-speed on using its software date on software enhancements systems, including Learning Advantage, an Internet-based learning management sys- Results It’s all about speed tem. Learning Advantage is a convenient, New hires quickly gain Speed is the essence of . The easy-to-use e-Learning portal that provides proficiency on software use first car to the finish line wins, so it is the cost-effective and time-efficient methods Occasional users of software responsibility of every crew member – for users to gain skills and knowledge of stay up-to-date and sharp including those who work at team head- Siemens PLM Software solutions. This sys- quarters designing and building parts and Advanced users gain new tem provides access to an unparalleled systems – to do whatever they can to help library of self-paced courses and assess- application know-how, make the cars go faster. Engineers, design- including training skills ments, as well as management tools for ers and machinists work year-round, companies to measure learning progress Engineers remain in-house improving and refining their team cars’ and to administer learning programs. and on-car, increasing engine and drive train performance, fabri- productivity/innovation cating parts and systems, and responding When you can’t get to a class right away Racing teams deliver to rule changes from racing governing “Hectic racing schedules can make it tough faster cars bodies, such as IndyCar and NASCAR. to attend traditional classroom training,”

www.siemens.com/plm “Learning Advantage has made training possible even in the middle of the racing season.” Scott Graves Engineering Operations Manager Andretti Autosport™

“Learning Advantage is also great for advanced CAD users who are familiar with other systems, but new to NX. They can pick and choose the courses that will benefit them the most. And it’s always there to go back says Scott Graves, Engineering Operations Racing teams often field multiple cars in to as a refresher, or refer- Manager at Andretti Autosport™, an each race, and the lifespan of an engine is ence tool.” IZOD IndyCar Series™ team. “Learning usually one race or less. So, shop crews Advantage has made training possible are constantly fabricating parts and build- Jon Rittle even in the middle of the racing season.” ing new engines for their own teams, and Engineering Designer, in the case of Hendrick Motorsports, build- Vehicle Dynamics Group “Sometimes new employees will not have ing engines for other teams. Over the an opportunity to attend a class right away course of a season, racing teams build based on course or workload schedules, hundreds of engines, not to mention and Learning Advantage will get them up- numerous other car parts and systems. to-speed until a live course is available,” says Jon Rittle, engineering designer, Program expansion and new hires create Vehicle Dynamics Group at Joe Gibbs an ongoing need for training. “As employ- Racing, a NASCAR team. “Learning ees are promoted throughout the com- Advantage is also great for advanced CAD pany, and we hire new employees, the (computer-aided design) users who are need arises for more training,” says Rittle. familiar with other systems, but new to “Like a lot of companies, we haven’t the NX. They can pick and choose the courses resources that we would like to have, so that will benefit them the most. And it’s we try to schedule our in-house ‘core func- always there to go back to as a refresher, tionality’ training classes quarterly, when or reference tool.” possible. That said, there can be a gap in time from when a training need arises and Hendrick Motorsports, another NASCAR when the next scheduled class is available. team, has similar experience with Learning At times like this, we leverage the capabili- Advantage. “We use Learning Advantage ties of Learning Advantage to help get almost daily,” says Jim McKenzie, engi- users up-to-speed and proficient in their neering applications manager at Hendrick daily duties, and to prepare them for the Motorsports. “All of our licenses are in use in-house training classes when they constantly.” become available.” “Every minute that we are able to train in-house and not traveling to an off-site training facility is another minute that we can apply to making the cars go faster.” Jim McKenzie Engineering Applications Manager Hendrick Motorsports

A continuous need for training Rittle can relate. “Learning assembly Even trained users need additional train- sequences was a big one for me,” he says. ing. “Several of our engineers are occa- “Suddenly, I was able to put the engine sional users and online training enables internal systems in motion and check them to quickly brush up on features that clearances and fit-ups much quicker. It they haven’t used recently,” says Graves. was exciting to see the parts animated. “They can also broaden their skills at Learning Advantage was very helpful for their own pace.” freeform modeling. It helped explain the differences between different types of Training can help users renew their skills, surfaces quickly, and how I could create as well. Graves notes, “Recently we hired them. I was learning it at the same time a new designer who had been away from I was using it for creating complex parts. NX for several versions. He easily picked Without Learning Advantage, it would up with the current version using online have taken much longer with less impres- training as a refresher course.” sive results.”

Teams also have to train the trainers. “If you’re in a hurry and need some guid- “We are constantly looking to upgrade ance to get you through the job on time, and expand into new areas of the soft- either because you’re using a new area of ware,” says McKenzie, “This creates a NX, or just haven’t used it in a long time need for more training as well. Obviously and need a refresher, Learning Advantage we need to ‘train the trainers’ as well as is a great tool to have,” Graves says. “You our end-users, so having the Learning can quickly zero-in on your area of interest Advantage and course material tools and see how NX can help you in a rather available to us is a huge advantage.” quick time frame, using hands-on exam- ples and not just by reading a menu of instructions. It allows us to get changes and new ideas to the track faster, helping to improve our performance every race weekend.” Solutions/Services Learning Advantage e-Learning Portal www.siemens.com/plm/ learningadvantage NX www.siemens.com/nx

Customer’s primary business Andretti Autosport™, 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Champions, fields multiple entries in the IndyCar Series and campaigns multiple cars in the Firestone Indy Lights, “Siemens PLM Software training is very The bottom line of applying Learning Star Mazda Championship and important early-on to employees’ tenures,” Advantage is that it provides a real USF2000 National Champion- says Rittle. “It reduces time spent trying to advantage in keeping the racing teams ship. do something they might have done differ- as productive and creative as possible. www.andrettiautosport.com ently on another system in the past, or “Every minute that we are able to train have never done before. There are many in-house and not traveling to an off-site Hendrick Motorsports fields four ways to get the same result in NX, and training facility is another minute that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams the courses can help explain the best we can apply to making the cars go and supplies engines to other method for a particular task.” faster,” McKenzie says. NASCAR organizations. www.hendrickmotorsports.com Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series. www.joegibbsracing.com

Customer location Andretti Autosport , USA Hendrick Motorsports Concord, USA Joe Gibbs Racing Huntersville, North Carolina USA

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