Penske, a hands-on organization in the transportation and logistics industry, faced a critical challenge: transitioning from an in-person training model to a digital-first approach. As a hands-on organization reliant on on-site work, Penske struggled to deliver effective virtual learning without sacrificing quality.
“We were scrambling to figure out how we were gonna deliver our trainings, which then was mostly in person. And so we had to pivot very, very quickly… but we didn’t want to lose integrity“, shared Randy Cruz, Director of Talent & Organizational Development at Penske.
Additionally, Penske’s existing, primary LMS was outdated. Operating with a decentralized learning strategy, several departments operated their own LMS solutions, leading to inefficiencies, inconsistent access to learning, and fragmented content delivery.
“Our native systems weren’t it. It wasn’t enough for us. So we wanted to be cutting edge. We wanted to be state-of-the-art. We wanted to be leading in that area, so we went on the hunt,” explained Randy Cruz, Director of Talent and Organizational Development at Penske.
“[Learn365] was the differentiator because it was the only solution that integrated into the tool that we had grown accustomed to using—Microsoft Teams.”
Randy Cruz, Director of Talent and Organizational Development
Solution: A Microsoft-integrated LMS for a better learning structure
Accordingly, Penske evaluated multiple LMS platforms but found Learn365 to be the perfect fit due to its seamless integration with Microsoft tools, particularly Teams. Explicitly, the ability to unify training content in a familiar environment made Learn365 the standout choice.
Learn365 integrated well with the whole Microsoft suite. And that was the differentiator from all the other platforms that we were looking at.
With Learn365, Penske consolidated multiple LMSs into one, streamlining their learning infrastructure. Furthermore, employees could now access training directly within their daily workflows, making learning more efficient and intuitive.
Results: Enhanced engagement for improved Penske learning experience
Since implementing Learn365, Penske has significantly improved its learning structure and accessibility, resulting in:
Seamless hybrid training experiences: A blend of virtual, e-learning, and instructor-led training sessions.
Centralized learning resources: Eliminating the need to navigate multiple systems.
Enhanced collaboration: Leveraging Microsoft Teams for real-time discussions and document sharing.
Improved learner engagement: Employees now have easy access to learning content within their flow of work.
We’ve reimagined what training could look like… Everything doesn’t have to be all e-learning or all in-person. A nice blend to change up the learning experience has been very well received.
Additionally, Cruz emphasized the importance of easy access to learning content: “The one barrier you have to remove for your learners is access right. If you make it hard to access learning content, it’s easy. They just won’t. They just won’t access it. So this makes it very easy to access learning content.”
Future: Scaling learning with AI
Moving forward, Penske plans to explore Learn365’s Outlook integration, ensuring learning remains as frictionless as possible. With Learn365 at its core, Penske is shaping the future of employee training with better learning structures and a more engaging learning experience.
Looking ahead, the team are planning to keep on extending the use of Learn365 throughout the business, with new courses added, potentially using third-party content.
Altogether, Penske is committed to leveraging AI and deeper Microsoft integrations to make learning even more intuitive and accessible. By continuously refining its approach, Penske ensures employees have the best tools for growth and development.
AI is going to be a huge thing… Everybody has their imagined sense of what their user experience would optimally be. So staying modern with your solution and staying close to the user will keep you on the path to success.
Finally, watch the full interview below to learn more about Penske’s learning transformation with Learn365!
About Penske
Since 1969, Penske Truck Leasing has grown from a three-location rental and lease business to a multibillion-dollar transportation services company worldwide. We have led the industry with an unwavering commitment to customer service and innovation.
