APC 2006 Annual Report Download - page 24

Training
Schneider Electric has created an exhaustive range of
training courses worldwide in the areas of electricity
and automation to help customers get the most out of
their legacy, new or renovated installations. These
courses cover products, solutions and know-how. Dif-
ferent programs have been devised to meet the needs
of electricians, engineering firm technicians, project
designers, engineers, contractors, operators and
maintenance technicians.
Seasoned specialists lead the courses, which are
organized in Group training centers in each country, at
customer facilities, at inter-company sessions or
online. Standard or customized, they included numer-
ous sessions in real-life conditions.
Schneider Electric also publishes many technical doc-
uments. The Technical Files collection of more than
100 publications is designed to help users understand
the design and operation of electrical installations, sys-
tems and equipment and automation devices. These
files, like most Group publications, are available for
downloading on the Internet.
6. Our customers
are our partners
Backed by its unique business model, Schneider
Electric reaches its customers through diversified
channels, unlike its competitors. The Group makes a
large portion of sales through distributors, systems
integrators, contractors and specifiers. These partners
provide strong, strategically related value, and extend
and amplify the Group’s commercial and technical
resources.
Quality and customer
satisfaction: a strategic priority
Customer satisfaction is an integral part of Schneider
Electric’s strategy to grow a loyal customer base. Sur-
veys are conducted in all countries to measure
progress in customer satisfaction. To enhance its team
members’ competencies, the Group has set up a sales
and marketing institute within Schneider Electric Uni-
versity. More than 7,000 sales people and marketing
specialists have attended institute programs over the
past two years.
Customers also have access to call centers, online
diagnostics and support services, an e-catalog, down-
loadable software, and online information and training.
Around the world, Schneider Electric serves 90% of
distributor and user needs within 48 hours.
To forge close contacts with customers and present
the extremely diverse range of solutions offered by
Schneider Electric and its partners, the Group organ-
izes private professional trade shows called Initi@tive.
The shows feature Schneider Electric’s main products
and solutions, as well as those of its partners, demon-
strations, and an "à la carte" schedule of conferences.
Three Initi@tive shows were held in 2006. More than
2,500 customers attended Initi@tive China in Xiamen;
nearly 2,000 dropped by Initi@tive Sydney, for cus-
tomers from New Zealand, the Pacific islands, Aus-
tralia and South Africa; and close to 1,400 visited
Initi@tive Orlando, for customers from the eastern
United States, Mexico and Canada.
Distributors: a daily partnership
Electrical equipment distributors account for around
50% of our total sales and 70% of catalog product
sales. They offer a tight-knit network of 15,000 sales
outlets worldwide.
This partnership includes local distributors, whole-
salers, non-specialized professional distributors and
large international groups such as Rexel and Sonepar
in France, Hagemeyer in the Netherlands, Nordisk Solar
Description of the company and its businesses
Contractor
panelbuilder
electrician
OEM Engineering
firm
systems
integrator Electric
utility
Prime contractor
Building owner
Strategic
accounts
End user
Schneider Electric
Wholesale distributor
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