Central Co-op Builds Confidence with Arribatec Training
“There isn’t any other training we’ve needed since. Nothing was missed and nothing required further sessions.”
For many organisations, a major systems upgrade is as much a people challenge as it is a technological one. New functionality, unfamiliar interfaces, and changing processes can create uncertainty across teams, particularly when employees have been working in the same environment for years.
That was the challenge facing Central Co-op when it embarked on a significant transformation programme involving the upgrade of its Unit4 ERP finance system. Having operated on the same version for more than a decade, the organisation needed to modernise its platform to enable the move to Unit4 Cloud. Rather than seeing staff training and development as the final step in the project, Central Co-op recognised it as a critical success factor. Now they needed a team who could deliver the training.
Arribatec’s team of trainers worked closely Central Co-op and developed a comprehensive training programme designed to equip employees with the skills, confidence, and support they needed to embrace the transition. The training modules and entire format of the course was built hand with the team at Central Co-op, focusing on what they needed, rather than a blanket, off the peg solution. The result was a smooth upgrade, strong user adoption, and a lasting foundation for future onboarding and organisational growth.
The Challenge
Central Co-op had been running Unit4 ERP for around 12 years without a major upgrade. During that time, employees became highly familiar with the existing environment and the processes that supported their daily work. With the move to Unit4 Cloud coming, it was necessary for them to implement two consecutive upgrades so they could make the transition as smooth as possible.
The changes went beyond a simple technical refresh. The upgraded system introduced a different look and feel, new reporting functionality, revised processes, and a move towards a web-based user experience. Users who had become comfortable with established ways of working would need to learn how to navigate and operate within a significantly different environment.
For Samantha Haywood, Senior Manager of Shared Service and Compliance, success meant ensuring colleagues felt prepared, informed, and confident long before the new system went live.
“Getting it right was important to me, which is why we invested the time and effort in dedicated training sessions.”
A Tailored Training Strategy
Rather than adopting a traditional champion-led approach, where a handful of internal super users are shown the ropes and then train everyone else, Central Co-op chose to invest in structured, dedicated training, all created and delivered by Arribatec’s Training Centre (ATC).
The project began with a detailed training needs analysis. Different user groups were assessed according to their responsibilities, system usage, and learning requirements. This enabled Central Co-op and Arribatec to create a targeted programme that delivered relevant content to the right people at the right time.
Samantha worked closely with Arribatec trainer Matt to design a schedule that balanced operational requirements with training attendance. Sessions were carefully organised, reviewed with subject matter experts, and adjusted where necessary to maximise participation across the business.
The flexibility of the approach proved particularly valuable, thanks to Arribatec Trainer Matt Volpato, Senior Application & Training Consultant at Arribatec.
“Matt was incredibly flexible throughout the process. Rather than expecting us to work around fixed training dates, he worked with us to ensure the right people could attend the right sessions at the right time.”
This partnership-driven approach ensured training was not treated as a one-size-fits-all exercise. Instead, it became an integral element of the overall transformation programme.
Creating a Long-Term Knowledge Resource
One of the most valuable outcomes of the project was the creation of a lasting learning library that would continue delivering value long after the upgrade had been completed.
Every training session was recorded and stored within a central directory, giving employees access to on-demand learning resources whenever they needed them. These recordings were supplemented with detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs), screenshots, and process documentation that reflected the updated system environment.
For new starters, the benefits were immediate. Instead of relying solely on informal knowledge transfer or individual experts, employees could access structured training materials that demonstrated processes step by step. This approach also reduced the risk associated with employee turnover.
“You’ve got to set people up for success,” said Samantha. “Teams evolve, roles change and new people join the business. If important knowledge sits with an expert, it creates risk. I wanted our processes and expertise documented so that anyone could pick them up and succeed, and that’s exactly what we achieved”
By combining recorded demonstrations with documented procedures, Central Co-op created a scalable onboarding resource that supports consistency across the finance function.
Driving User Confidence and Adoption
Large-scale system upgrades often generate anxiety among end users, particularly when familiar processes change significantly. However, Central Co-op experienced a very different outcome.
Because employees were involved throughout the journey and given multiple opportunities to attend training sessions, confidence remained high throughout the transition. Team members who missed a session could access recordings, while colleagues who attended could provide peer-to-peer support within their teams.
The quality of delivery also played a significant role in driving adoption. According to Samantha, user feedback on the training was overwhelmingly positive. By explaining concepts in a clear and accessible way, answering questions thoroughly, and adapting to different learning preferences, Matt helped ensure colleagues understood the new functionality and how it would support their day-to-day responsibilities.
“The feedback was really good from colleagues. He explained things differently if people didn’t get it the first time, and that landed really well.”
As a result, users quickly became comfortable with the upgraded system, including the ability to create their own accelerators and take advantage of the platform’s enhanced capabilities.
The Results
The ultimate measure of success was what happened after go-live.
Despite the scale of the change, Central Co-op experienced a smooth transition with minimal disruption to business operations. Employees were able to access the system and continue working effectively from day one.
“From Monday morning, people could log in and work. It was seamless, really.”
Perhaps most tellingly, there was no significant demand for additional or remedial training after implementation. The original programme had covered the knowledge users needed, demonstrating the effectiveness and thoroughness of the training design.
“The training got it right the first time. We haven’t needed any additional sessions because everything was covered thoroughly and effectively.”
The training resources continue to support the organisation today, particularly as Central Co-op navigates a fast organisational growth. With more people joining the business, it is important that they have a uniform, understandably, and engaging training asset ready to use.
A Foundation for Future Success
For Central Co-op, the project demonstrated that training can do far more than support a system implementation. When planned strategically, it can drive adoption, minimise disruption, preserve organisational knowledge, and create a long-term asset for the business.
By delivering tailored, flexible, and comprehensive training, Arribatec helped ensure a major system transformation was adopted smoothly and confidently across the organisation.
As Samantha concludes, “It’s helped create a more streamlined way of working and ensured a smooth transition to the upgraded system. That’s exactly what I set out to achieve, and that’s exactly what we achieved.”
