The Madcap Adventures of Marc and David in Málaga
Apparently, training end users and implementers on the workflow, features and algorithms of the NextGate EMPI is the easy part. The challenging part is staying on the map!
A recent training session took place on Spain’s Costa del Sol, in Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso (1881) and the site of the booming Andalusia Technology Park. NextGate engineers Marc and David, not inexperienced world travellers, settled into the old city then ventured out to experience the wonders of this Roman-Arab-Spanish Mediterranean city.
Revving up their standard issue, manual drive BMW Mini Cooper, they followed the instructions of the British accented Garmin. However, cities that evolved before the advent of the motor vehicle make for exciting driving because the streets are so close together, often allow only one-way traffic, and have complicated street names – when you can actually find the signs.
Pilot and co-pilot, using all visual and auditory clues at their disposal, managed to arrive at their destination, but not before:
- Making a few extra circumnavigations in the roundabouts
- Realizing the fast approaching cars, with flashing headlights and clamorous horns, were telling them they were headed in the wrong direction
- Trying to correct a missed turn and ended up in a Bus and Taxi only lane
- Taking a road that did not even register on the Garmin
Emerging from the crazy experience in one piece, they decided to enjoy a few tapas to collect themselves. Ready and relaxed, they paid cash, and confidently strolled down the street, only to be chased moments later by the waiter, waiving money in the air. They stopped, exchanged perplexed looks, and then realized the waiter was showing them Chinese Yuan. David, having just returned from a trip to China, had 4 different currencies in his wallet and inadvertently chose the wrong one!
But by the week’s end, they were locals. And the Spanish VP responsible for the 10 consulting students congratulated Marc and David on a well organized, thorough, and indeed educational training session. They’re now all capable of implementing the Spanish language version of the NextGate EMPI.
Let’s see where the next adventure takes the duo!
