2008 News Releases and Information

CARY, North Carolina (February 01, 2008)— John Deere Golf announces the launch of industry-leading online, on-demand customer training for golf mowing equipment and irrigation products, packaged in distance learning modules (DLMs) on the Internet at www.JohnDeere.com/training.

"These are the same modules we developed to train our distributors' technicians to be more productive, decrease diagnostic errors and increase machine productivity," said Garry Carpenter, training manager, John Deere Golf.

With cutting-edge voice narration for better retention, each DLM also uses color and motion to bring diagrams to life. Currently available in English, Spanish versions are under development and will be launched later this year.

"John Deere will continue to offer factory in-person training on golf products. However, online training provides customers more flexibility at lower cost," said Carpenter. "With online courses, the training is 'on site' wherever the technician is, whenever he has time. There's no need to schedule ahead, and each user can complete a course piece by piece whenever he gets an extra hour or a slow day during the off-season. It's significantly more affordable than traditional instructor-led training, and there's no travel to worry about."

Once enrolled, the user can pause and resume at any point within the course. An assessment included at the conclusion allows users to evaluate their retention of the information.

Carpenter describes this Web-based training as "ideal for courses that may have multiple units of a single equipment model or multiple employees – particularly seasonal workers – running those machines. It's a good way for supervisors to evaluate current technician skill levels and bring new workers up to speed fast."

Robert Nichols, equipment manager for TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, an early user of John Deere's Web-based training, describes it as a definite long-term advantage. "Manufacturer training is great, but it's a lot of information in one session," he said. "When you get home, you hope you remember everything you learned. And due to cost limitations, it might be another five years before you have an opportunity to receive training again. These online courses are there every day for people to use, making sure that every new hire, temp or seasonal employee is learning the right way."

Training courses cover both electric and hydraulic operating systems for all major riding mower product lines of golf equipment and for selected irrigation products. As the program continues, additional courses will be added, along with other helpful services for registered golf equipment users, such as tips, maintenance guides and troubleshooting information.

A list of the courses can be downloaded at John Deere's training page by choosing the "Customer Connect" option.

John Deere Golf offers quality agronomic products, precise irrigation systems and innovative equipment for golf course construction, renovation, and ongoing mowing and maintenance. As the official golf course equipment and irrigation supplier to the PGA TOUR, John Deere brings tournament-level quality to today's courses, giving golf course superintendents and other management professionals the products, expertise and support they need.