In business computing, a user group is a set of people who have similar interests, goals, or concerns. A user group can be devoted to a technology, application, or corporation, some even to a specific product of a particular corporation. The members have regular meetings where they can share their ideas.Whether done annually or quarterly, globally or regionally, face-to-face or online, the User Group can be a valuable tool for both customer and vendor.
When User Groups are held, customers are taught more about the product they utilize. Best practices can be shared not only by expert users, but also by networking with others who learn by comparing situations and actual experience. Events are typically planned well in advance, held at a destination city, and facilitated by experts who follow a detailed lesson plan.
Online options
Peer-to-peer support is an important aspect of user groups, and something that online platforms help facilitate. Nowadays, with tools (like Zoom and GoToMeeting), planning a physical gathering several months (even a year or more) in advance are no longer the only way to get together. Online meetings have the ability to provide those interactive sessions to demonstrate solutions to the topics raised by attendees.
What’s in it for the vendor?
What better way for a software vendor to improve its product than to hear direct feedback from the very users they market? User Group attendees can test new features and share common needs, affecting future developments in the product they utilize. Vendors receive 1st hand assessments without needing to develop surveys to send out in hopes of receiving a timely response. They’re also able to reveal forthcoming developments and features.
MdE, Inc. recently hosted this year’s User Groups, continuing on their tradition since 1999, when they began providing the ADORETM field training software for public safety. Because of the success of these annual events, their flagship ADORETM field training (FTO) software program has grown into a multiple module software suite (PeACEqTM) of products which tracks field training documentation, employee performance evaluations, instructor certifications, continuing education/ In-Service, job promotion requirements and qualifications, issued equipment and department assets, and more.
MdE, Inc. looks forward to hosting our 2019 User Groups so check the website often for updates. And for more information on the PeACEqTM suite of software modules, contact us today.
