Forum Train Europe Chooses NemoVote for Online & Hybrid Meetings

About Forum Train Europe: A Pan-European Non-Profit Alliance for Rail Coordination

Forum Train Europe (FTE) is an alliance of over 80 European railway companies, including Deutsche Bahn and SNCF. As a registered association headquartered in Bern, FTE aims to coordinate cross-border rail traffic in Europe and promoting European-wide harmonization in the railway sector. By implementing a digital voting platform like NemoVote, FTE has found a way to manage European rail coordination efficiently and securely – especially within an environment with increasingly complex voting requirements.

Why Forum Train Europe Chose Online Voting with NemoVote

FTE’s biannual general meetings are a key platform for steering decisions within the association. Online voting allows these important decisions to be made remotely and in real time. Before implementing NemoVote’s digital voting solution, voting was conducted manually through hand-raising and voting lists – a time-consuming process. With the digital voting platform NemoVote, FTE can now conduct votes both digitally and in hybrid formats, accommodating voters and voting administrators on-site and online. This aligns with today’s demands for flexibility in online voting and digital transformation, significantly contributing to the association’s efficiency.

Requirements for a Digital Voting Platform for FTE

Forum Train Europe had specific requirements for its online voting platform: transparency, real-time results, and the ability to weight votes. Due to varying member sizes, each member has a specific number of votes based on size and membership contributions. The digital voting software had to be able to handle complex vote weighting and provide features like delegation of voting rights. Furthermore, it was essential that the platform complied with data protection regulations and displayed vote distributions in real time. NemoVote’s hybrid functionality allows both online and in-person voting, perfectly supporting FTE’s digital general meetings.

The Path to NemoVote: From Hand Votes to a Professional Online Voting Platform

Over the years, Forum Train Europe experimented with different voting methods. Initially, voting was done manually, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization used a combination of Microsoft Forms and Excel, with authentication through tokens. This method, however, was cumbersome and not user-friendly. FTE sought a more efficient, professional solution to streamline the voting process and make their general meetings smoother and faster. After an intensive market analysis and comparison of various providers, the association ultimately chose NemoVote’s professional online voting platform.

Forum Train Europe has shown how digital voting makes a difference for complex requirements.

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Challenges in Introducing a New Online Voting Tool

Switching to a new online voting tool can bring challenges, such as managing costs and quickly familiarizing all users with the software. With NemoVote, costs were manageable, which helped gain internal support for the transition. FTE provided a guide with screenshots to help voters familiarize themselves with the tool. NemoVote’s intuitive interface made the guide almost unnecessary—a huge advantage, as it built confidence among users and made the digital voting process even more efficient. Positive feedback from FTE shows that a successful introduction of an online voting tool is feasible even within an international railway association.

NemoVote Tip: To further support members, NemoVote now offers tailored online video guides. We recommend sharing our Complete Guide on How to Vote with NemoVote video before the election day and How To Vote with NemoVote in under 2 Minutes just before the voting process. - Aaron 

Smooth Voting Process and Positive Feedback

After the first use of NemoVote during the general meeting, Forum Train Europe asked participants if they would like to continue using the tool in the future. Feedback was positive, and the absence of critical comments indicated that everything worked seamlessly. For Lukas, the motto in this case is: “No feedback is good feedback.”

Learnings and Optimizations for Future Digital General Meetings

Following its first experience with NemoVote, FTE plans to make a few small adjustments to further optimize the process. For example, voters and voting administrators will be encouraged to log into the digital voting platform at the start of the meeting to avoid delays. FTE will also continue to provide a guide since new delegates often join who are using NemoVote for the first time. This preparation ensures that future digital general meetings run even more smoothly, further increasing efficiency.

Recommendation for Organizations Choosing an Online Voting Platform

Organizations considering an online voting platform for their general meetings benefit from a well-thought-out selection of the tool and early familiarization of voting administration. FTE recommends NemoVote as a user-friendly and efficient solution for digital voting, suitable for complex voting structures. A well-prepared introduction and a clear guide with screenshots ensure that all users can participate confidently and comfortably – resulting in an stress-free and efficient digital general meeting.

Final Thoughts on NemoVote as a Platform for Online Voting

NemoVote has helped FTE make the digital voting process faster and more efficient. By enabling multiple votes to be conducted seamlessly, NemoVote speeds up the overall meeting flow. The tool reduces unnecessary waiting times and allows the focus to remain on content and discussions. For organizations looking to save time and resources, NemoVote is an ideal online voting platform that combines simplicity and security.

This article has been written in cooperation with Lukas Del Giudice, Senior Project Manager for Forum Train Europe (FTE).