Version 1.0.4 issues over and ready for the new model launches!

Been a while since I last posted anything, as I've been pretty busy with work, training new starters in our workshop with ODIS, and then to top it off - getting my head around a few issues here and there!

Cascade Process
Last time I posted, I had just finished and sent back my learner log, and with this last part of the cascade process done, I figured I was on my way to winning an iPad2!

To make sure, the last thing to finish was completing level 2 of the Play & Prove zone. As mentioned previously, this actually looked a lot easier than level one, which I thought was a bit weird, until I realised that I was probably finding it easier as I now am fully up to speed on using ODIS. This is obviously the case for everyone else too, as the amount of big scores on the score board is much higher than that of level 1. Oh well, I've posted myself a nice top score of 10,000 - along with quite a few others!

Version & Synch issues
So I've trained everyone, and they all seem quite up for using ODIS on a day to day basis, and then we boot it up one morning to find a 'synchronisation error'?

Better still, we're told that we're running on an old software version... I thought this was supposed to update online now?

Anyway, after much head scratching and asking around, we found out that there had been a number of updates over the past weeks (1.0.2 and 1.0.3), but the last one (1.0.4) was massive! This was so big that the servers were struggling to cope with it - hence we had not received it. So the auto-updating feature was temporarily turned off, which explains the synch error we're getting. So if all this is going on, why didn't anyone tell us?.. Pause for embarrassment :-(

They did! Cause I've yet again made the classic mistake of not checking Desktop!
Upon reading the bulletin, it explained the turning off of the updates, which actually only happening very briefly in order to turn the updates back on one at a time, to reduce the traffic.

It also turns out that the update of 1.0.4 was split into 1gb chunks for the UK roll out, and ODIS will continue to show the synch error until all the chunks are fully loaded. Anyway, I was told that this version has now been successfully loaded for many dealers, and upon checking our machine, sure enough, one day the error disappeared and the version was confirmed as loaded. I have also been informed that there has been an upgrade to ensure this won't happen again.

The good news!
On the plus side - in my experience with this new software, this version does a lot more than the previous versions, and seems a big improvement.

Looking back to when I was first told I was being sent on some training for some new diagnostic software, I was quite a bit worried really, cause this was a training courses with a difference - I had to go back and perform... Do something that was going to have quite an impact on the business if I didn't! And when I look at where we are at now... I look around and see all of my workmates all using something completely new to them, which to a large part was down to me :-)
Yes, they still moan & groan about the odd thing here and there, but the fact that they keep deciding to use it instead of VAS PC tells me it can't be that bad (especially since 1.0.4)

So, are we ready for the launch of these all new MQB platform vehicles that need ODIS? - YES!
Was it easy? - It certainly wasn't without it's challenges!
Was it worth it? - If we base that on the thanks I got from the business, maybe not, as it is apparently what's expected from a Master Technician. But the fact that this proves I can coach others back at work goes towards my reaccreditation - Yes. And the fact that I'm in with a chance to win the iPad is pretty good too! (I hear some techs aren't bothered about going for this, which increases my chances!!!)

But I suppose the biggest thing I'll take away from this 'training course with a difference' is, why is it any different to any other course? Maybe next time I go on a course (think expert DSG is the next), I should be tasked with performing when I go back?

Otherwise, what was the point in going???

One step away from an iPad?

So last time blogged, I had just completed my first cascade training session to my mates, and after a bit of Micky taking, it all went quite easy.

We'll as promised, here's how the other sessions went...

The second session was a lot less nerve racking, as I knew exactly what to do, and had a better idea how long to spend on each bit. Another big difference was by the time I did this session, a lot more of my work mates had seen ODIS being used by others and were genuinely interested. So I gave out the QRGs, showed them the Play & Prove zone, and bagged myself two more signatures on the learner log.

The third and fourth session was a breeze, which was mainly down to the Play and Prove zone. Because there were now 5 of us using it at lunch times and discussing our scores, the rest of my work mates were all keen to have look at what they were missing out on, and have a go at bagging themselves an iPad! (the good news is one of them just had a crack at the test too quickly, and failed the first attempt and scraped through on his second - he's blown his chances of and iPad!)

Anyway, by time I trained them they had already sussed out a lot of ODIS, but were still over the moon with their QRGs that I gave them and the YouTube channel videos.

But more importantly - that was me DONE! And after passing the learner log on to my dealer principle - SENT!!!

I have now finally taken level 1 myself too, and got nearly top marks, proving that practice really does make perfect. So with just level two to complete (and it looks easier than level 1), I am now definately (possibly) one step away from a nice shiney iPad2!!!

You beauty - bring on the next training course!!! ;-)

1st cascade session - DONE!

So, I work with these guys every day, right? How hard can this mini training session be?

As I mentioned in the last blog, our cascade sessions have now been ok'd and booked in by the Dealer Principle and Service Manager, and the scary 'training session number 1' was booked for this Wednesday afternoon - AGHHHHHHHH!!!

I spent probably about 20 mins getting ready:
Bring car in - check
Battery charger and wing covers on - check
ODIS connected - check
Faff about trying my best to waste time and put off the training - check ;-)

So after I couldn't put it off any more, I went for it...

And you know what? It wasn't that bad!

After everyone had laughed at me and generally took the Micky, I got into showing them how to open it up and getting them to navigate around the menus, and suddenly they were glued to the screen - rather than grinning at me!
We continued on to have a play at GFF, and by the time I'd pointed out where to find Guided Functions, it was clear I was no longer needed!

And I really think this was the point that hit it home to me how much ODIS is better, because I had stopped trying to 'convince' people about the benefits of it, and was stood there quite proud of it - what's that all about! - I didn't create it!!!

By the time they were having a look around Self-diagnosis, they were sold, and my job was nearly done, and any nerves were totally in the past.

The only thing left was to get them to sign the 'learning log', which turned out to be quite a nice surprise to end on. Because it reminded me of 2 things I had forgot...
1. To give them their quick reference guides (again, found myself showing off how they worked!)
2. To show them the 'Play & Prove' zone (which they love!)

Clearly, all I have to do now is actually pull my finger out and complete the Prove zone myself, as I've just noticed that someone has already passed level 2!

Anyway, all in all, it's been quite a painless event... The guys appreciated it, and the Dealer Principle seems well impressed!

I'll let you know how the next one goes!!!

Cheers

The cascade pack... me, a trainer???

OK, so since the last blog, I've been scared silly by all the huge scores appearing on the Play & Prove zone, so much that I still haven't actually attempted the test yet (yes, I'm STILL practicing!)

But now it's time for the real scary bit... the dreaded cascade pack!

So, rewind back to the end of the official training, I was supplied with a 'cascade pack' with an explanation of how to use the documents that it contained, which would hopefully support me in training my work mates :-0

The pack consisted of:
A 'to-do' list (explaining what to do),
Some quick refence guides (one for each technician),
A learning log (for recording who I'd trained),
A pre-paid addressed envelope (for sending the log back),
A session plan (recommending what to train them, and how long it takes)

Now I've got to be honest, as a Master Tech, I've been to a number of API's etc where I been 'tasked' with passing on the information I was given, but this never seemed to be that important, and consequently was all a bit informal. But this is clearly a completely different thing, as it's obviously really important that all the techs can use ODIS properly, and this is why I am feeling very very very nervous (and a bit stressed!) about the whole cascade process.

Now to be fair, I can also honestly say that I can't ever remember being so well supported in terms of the help I have been given to carry this out, but this still doesn't change my nerves! Anyway, I've been through the 'to-do' list with my service manager and dealer principle, and after much discussion, they agreed how important this process is, and have consequently booked the 5 short training sessions that I need to train our 10 techs. This means I now have exactly 2 days to get ready for the first session... me, a trainer... we'll see!!!

Watch this space...

Extra competition!

OK, so I've been openly honest and blogged about the 'fun and games' I've had with getting my head around ODIS over the past 2 or 3 months, and for those of you that haven't been reading - I think I've recently turned a corner cause I no longer see it as the 'fear of the unknown' (just like when ElsaPro first turned up), but see it more like an opportunity to use the new faster software and new features.

So I should now be glad that I've got a 3 month head-start of the UK Technicians who have just started attending the technical ODIS launch training, shouldn't I???

Well, I sort of was feeling quite confident, and with the announcement of the 'Play & Prove zone' being released last week, I was starting to get quite excited about the prospect of winning an iPad2!

That was of course, until I saw some of the HUGE scores that have started appearing on the leader board!
Not only was I impressed with the shear size of their scores, but the fact that they managed to score them WITHIN HOURS of the thing being released was amazing!!! I clearly have got some serious competition out there, so much for a head start :-(

The bar's been clearly set pretty high, but with 25 iPads up for grabs, I've not given up yet. So, I'm spending the next few evenings perfecting Level 1 in the 'Play zone', so I'm more than ready to achieve my own whopping score (cause you can only set a score once - then it's locked). Good job you've got unlimited practice! I've also noticed a lot of the videos on the YouTube channel are the same as those in level 1, so they're helping too.

Anyway, better get on with it, as I've heard level 2 is also being released in a few days.

Cheers!

Play and Prove zone

News flash - the ODIS Play & Prove zone has been launched,

and there's already an Apprentice completed it with a monster score!

Access it via LEMA at: http://www.vwgtraining.co.uk/

Search for 'ODIS'

Click on 'Access to material'

More iPad information

I've now got more information of how I'm gonna bag myself one one these beauties!

To have a chance of winning the iPads you have to use an online ODIS game called the Play & Prove Zone

When launched (tomorrow - 3rd  Nov 2011), you will access it via LEMA. It's free to access, so any technician can use it so long as they've got a LEMA login. Just search for the word 'ODIS' and you'll see the Play & Prove zone in your results.














I can now also confirm it works like this...

Play zone
This is basically an online version of ODIS, where you can practice carrying out various tasks, like resetting service lights etc. You get advice if you don't know how to do any of the tasks. You can use this area as much as you like.
Make sure you have speakers or headphones on though, as there is speaking that really helps.

Prove zone
This is also an online version of ODIS, where you get tested by completing 10 random tasks form the Play zone. There is obviously no help in the Prove zone.

When you finish the test, your score goes on the leader board (hopefully somewhere near the top), and you 'unlock' the next level of the game.

There are 25 iPads available! YES - 25!!!

They are available as follows:

There are 3 iPads up for grabs for the

• 3 highest scoring Audi Technicians
• 3 highest scoring Skoda Technicians
• 3 highest scoring SEAT Technicians
• 3 highest scoring VW passenger cars Technicians, and the
• 3 highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles Technicians

There is also an iPad awarded to the:

• Highest scoring Audi Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring Skoda Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring SEAT Apprentice Technician
• Highest scoring VW passenger cars Apprentice Technician, and the
• Highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles Apprentice Technician

We're not done yet! There is also an iPad awarded to the:

• Highest scoring Audi ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring Skoda ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring SEAT ODIS Champion
• Highest scoring VW passenger cars ODIS Champion, and the
• Highest scoring VW Commercial Vehicles ODIS Champion

Here's the really important part...
To be eligible to win, you also have to:

• Have your own Dealer Portal Login, and
• Have used ODIS at work (and have sent a diagnostic log online with your login)

However, both of these are standard practice anyway, so shouldn't cause you any bother.

The competition is open to all Technicians and Apprentice Technicians in Great Britain that work for Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Audi service departments.

An official communication will be published on Desktop and SEAT Central shortly, including all the terms and conditions.

Hope this wets your ODIS taste buds!!!