Customer Story

How CNES doubled team confidence in cloud-native geospatial in three weeks – and unlocked data pipeline improvements in the process

A tailored hybrid training programme helped CNES build confidence, a shared technical language, and new momentum for cloud-native geospatial adoption across a cross-functional team.

Chat with us
2x

Confidence increase

Average self-reported confidence in cloud-native geospatial concepts doubled across the programme.

20

Cross-functional specialists trained

Across satellite image processing, DevOps, ground segment, EO algorithms, and scientific applications.

3 weeks

End-to-end programme delivery

From first online module to capstone project completion and training certificate.

The Challenge

Preparing a larger team for the cloud-native transition

CNES wanted to move beyond isolated pockets of expertise and create a shared language and shared confidence across a much broader team.

Client: Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES)

CNES is one of Europe’s foremost space agencies and a major provider of satellite and Earth observation data.

Why this mattered

By tailoring the sessions to the team’s specific needs, the programme helped turn cloud-native knowledge into practical operational capability, strengthening CNES’s ability to share data and algorithmic expertise in a more standardised and accessible way for the wider EO community.

At a broader level, this training represents a significant step forward for CNES in the field of EO downstream applications. It strengthens our capacity to share both our data and algorithmic expertise in a more standardized and accessible manner, for the benefit of the wider community.

Pierre-Marie Brunet · Head of Downstream Platforms, Data Processing and Data Fusion Unit

The Solution

A tailored hybrid programme based on training needs

thriveGEO began with a training needs assessment, then designed a hybrid experience that combined self-paced learning, instructor-led practice, and a final capstone project rooted in participants’ real-world work.

Structured learning pathway

The programme began with an online survey and semi-structured interviews to understand the team’s knowledge gaps, practical priorities, and learning goals.

Data discovery & formats in practice

These insights shaped a tailored curriculum focused on the concepts, tools, and cloud-native workflows most relevant to CNES’s EO data activities.

Applied technical workflows

Participants received self-paced online modules 1.5 weeks ahead of four days of instructor-led, in-person sessions built around Jupyter notebooks and real-world geospatial datasets.

Capstone application

The programme concluded with a capstone project where each participant applied their learning directly to their own work context, turning new knowledge into practical operational capability.

The Results

Confidence doubled, and practical capability followed

Pre- and post-training surveys revealed a clear shift in how participants rated their own readiness to work with cloud-native geospatial technologies.

Confidence grew into practical readiness

Before
2 / 5
After
4 / 5

Clearer technical readiness

By the end of the programme, participants were better equipped to discuss cloud-native approaches, evaluate relevant tools, and connect new concepts to their own EO data workflows.

Recognised programme completion

The full team completed the programme, progressing from self-paced onboarding to instructor-led sessions and capstone delivery, with each participant receiving a digital badge issued by the Cloud-Native Geospatial Forum.

Participant Voices

In their own words

Feedback highlighted the accessibility of the course materials, the value of practical application, and the relevance of new tools introduced through the programme.

Accessible concepts

The great added value of this course is to present concepts in an accessible way and to illustrate these various concepts and technologies through practical application.

Well documented

The online modules are very well documented, explained. A huge work and resource!

New tools, clear value

For me, learning about DuckDB and GeoParquet was a highlight because I was new to it. And the introduction modules were really, really good!

Business Impact

A shared foundation for cloud-native innovation

By bringing an entire cross-functional team to a common level of cloud-native geospatial literacy, CNES gained the organisational conditions needed to move faster and more collaboratively in its infrastructure transition.

Shared technical foundation

Accelerated cloud transition

Applied innovation in workflows

Scalable learning model

Build geospatial capability

Looking for similar results in your own team?

thriveGEO designs tailored learning programmes that build confidence, shared language, and practical capability across technical and cross-functional teams.

Subscribe to our monthly geospatial skill signal – with practical tools, workflows, and insights.

Contact Info

contact@thrivegeo.com

© 2026 thriveGEO GmbH | Imprint | Data Privacy