NZCS Auckland Events

NZCS Workshop: Web Security Strategies for Developers (Auckland, 08/3/2012)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:34:52 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Web Security Strategies for Developers

8 March 2012: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 4.12

These days websites are under constant attack and it's incredibly easy for a developer or administrator to make seemingly minor mistakes that have catastrophic consequences.

You can't fight a war that you don't know you're waging. You can't defend your websites against attack unless you know the tricks the blackhats are using to infiltrate. In this workshop renowned security expert Andy Prow, Managing Director of Aura Software Security, outlines and demonstrates many of the latest attacks and defenses in use today.

This is an absolutely essential workshop for software and web developers, designers, web teams and administrators.

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: Full Day

Objectives

By the end of this workshop you'll have a good understanding of some of the common attacks such as:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Domain Request Forgery (CDRF)
SQL Injection
Man-In-the-Middle attacks
Layering your defenses (defense-in-depth) that can help protect you from exploit chaining

More importantly, however, you'll also learn how to minimise the risk from these and other attacks, with practical tips that you can apply straight away to help you design, build and manage more secure websites.

Audience

This workshop is essential for:

All developers and designers working on web applications but without formal training in security
Anyone working in the website / web application space
IT Professionals interested in security issues

Your trainer

Andy Prow is Managing Director of security specialists Aura Software Security, is an ITCP Certified Professional and holds a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

With over 16 years of IT experience Andy has designed and written software for companies including IBM, Telecom, Vodafone and Ericsson.

Andy launched the Aura group of companies in 2001 and Aura Software Security has developed into one of NZ's leading IT Security Consulting practices with many significant clients including the NZ Government, Xero, and Banking and Corporate companies in New Zealand and overseas.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS Corporate Partners and approved organisations can opt to pay by invoice by calling 0800 252 255 or emailing attendee and business details through to registrations@nzcs.org.nz. Credit criteria and other conditions apply.

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NZCS Auckland Christmas Drinks (Auckland, 14/12/2011)

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:54:01 +1300

NZCS Auckland Christmas Drinks

14 December 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Sale Street Bar and Restaurant 7 Sale Street Freemans Bay Auckland

Say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012!

Come and join the Auckland Branch of NZCS for a few festive drinks and nibbles on us!

A great opportunity to see what the AKL Branch Committee has been up to and to catch up with others from across the industry. No presentations or formality - just a good end-of-year catchup over a pint or two. Let’s all get into the Christmas spirit!

Nibbles and some drinks will be provided (before reverting to a cash bar).

Special thanks to DesignerTech for contributing to the bartab!

Registration Details:

Please register for catering purposes. You can register for this event below.

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IT-related Degree Accreditation Workshop (Auckland, 14/12/2011)

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:16:45 +1300

IT-related Degree Accreditation Workshop

14 December 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Decima Glenn Owen G Glenn Building, Level 3 The University of Auckland Business School 12 Grafton Road Auckland

NZCS would like to welcome academics and others interested in ICT-related tertiary education to attend this workshop to discuss New Zealand's plans for international accreditation of ICT-related degree programmes in New Zealand.

Presenting this workshop will be:

Professor Doug Grant from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Doug is Chair of the ACS Professional Standards Committee and has significant experience conducting the ACS Degree Accreditation Programme as well as undergoing accreditation in his own departments.
Professor Michael Johnson, Director of The Macquarie-DET ICT Innovations Centre and also heavily involved in ICT-related Degree Accreditation in Australia, both having been the process himself a number of times and also as part of Accreditation Panels of other institutions.
Paul Matthews, Chief Executive of NZCS and spearheading the implementation of Degree Accreditation in New Zealand.

The intention of this workshop is to discuss in detail the Seoul Accord-aligned Degree Accreditation programme being proposed for New Zealand and address any issues or questions raised by the tertiary community here.

Note that in this context we're using the term "ICT-related" to mean Computer Science, Information Systems/Science, Software Engineering, Applied Computing, ICT, and related programmes.

What is Degree Accreditation?

Most countries educationally comparable to New Zealand have independent professional degree accreditation programmes in place for ICT, where the ICT professional body in each country (ie the local equivalent of NZCS) is a vehicle for independent accreditation of degree programmes to international standards.

This is not unique to ICT; Both in New Zealand and abroad the same applies in Engineering, Accounting, Architecture and most other professions.

A number of countries have recently come together to cross-recognise ICT-related degrees programmes that meet international practice standards. This cross recognition agreement is called the Seoul Accord and under this agreement ICT-related degrees from Australia, Canada, USA, UK, Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Japan are accredited by the national ICT professional body and mutually cross-recognised in each of the other signatory countries.

And as it currently stands, New Zealand isn't a party to this agreement. The consequent, of course, is that kiwi ICT-related degrees aren't recognised in those countries under the Seoul Accord. The impact of New Zealand's lack of participation hasn't been felt widely yet, but the implications are becoming more significant for New Zealand degrees and graduates.

Hence NZCS is proposing to implement ICT degree accreditation in New Zealand in partnership with the tertiary sector, with the intention of providing New Zealand tertiary institutions with the same opportunity to accredit and hence cross-recognise degrees with other Seoul Accord signatory countries.

Why now?

Globally ICT is growing up into a true profession and with that comes international standards and obligations. For professionals, ITCP is becoming more and more important. And if we want the great reputation of New Zealand ICT degrees to be maintained we need to be at the Seoul Accord table.

As well as this, anecdotally the impact on international student numbers in ICT is also being affected, with many choosing accredited courses in Australia rather than coming to New Zealand.

So in short, it's highly likely that in time, New Zealand graduates' degrees will only be globally recognised if they're from a Seoul Accord-accredited programme, whether we like it or not. And as New Zealand's ICT professional body, NZCS has an obligation to put this programme in place.

The approach

NZCS have been working on this project for some time, investigating all options and working with the tertiary sector to taylor the proposed model to the New Zealand environment.

The proposed approach is to partner with the Australian Computer Society to form an Australia/New Zealand ICT Accreditations Board, overseeing accreditation activities on both sides of the Tasman. This will be made up of academics and industry representatives selected from both Australia and New Zealand.

The benefit to this approach is that it allows us to leverage the successful Australian programme, which has been operating for over 20 years and is Seoul Accord compliant. ACS currently accredits every University in Australia, as well as the TAFEs that have started providing bachelor-level degrees.

NZCS and ACS have worked closely to ensure that the model and approach is suitable for both countries. The intention is that the implementation and operation of each country's Degree Accreditation will be run through the respective body in that country, with the Accreditations Board governing the process and managing the Accreditation process documentation.

The full Accreditations documentation is available in this ZIP archive. Those looking into this should also consider the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum which is likely to be integrated.

You can find out a little more about this initiative from this recent update.

Who should attend?

As well as the Heads of School or Department from tertiary institutions, we're hoping that a good contingent of academics from each of the relevant departments/schools in each significant tertiary institution throughout New Zealand will attend.

This is aimed at those within the academic community or that have a direct involvement with ICT-related tertiary education.

Whether you agree with the concept of Degree Accreditation or not, we strongly encourage you to attend to ensure you're engaged with the process, your concerns or context is being raised, and the presenters have the opportunity to talk through any issues you might have.

When is it?

We would have liked to offer these workshops in all main centres, however unfortunately we've had to restrict them to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We STRONGLY encourage those from other regions to attend one of these - they are not just for the local institutions.

These are being held on the following dates:

Christchurch: Tuesday 13th December 2011, 1pm-5pm, CPIT
Auckland: Wednesday 14th December 2011, 1pm-5pm, Auckland University
Wellington: Thursday 15th December 2011, 1pm-5pm, Victoria University of Wellington

Please contact us if travel is a major issue. We may be able to arrange some for of video conferencing for one, although we strongly recommend being there in person.

What happens next?

Following the workshops a further formal Consultation process will be conducted, calling for further submissions on the proposed plan. This is to ensure there are no other outstanding matters that could prevent the successful roll-out of the programme. This will run through until mid February 2012.

The consultation will determine whether further significant work is necessary. If not, we'll announce the first institutions to work through the accreditation process with Accreditation visits occurring as soon as these institutions are able to collate the necessary information, intended to be Q2 2012.

Registration

These workshops are being held free thanks to support from NZCS and ACS. However registration is essential to secure your place.

Places are limited. In the event of filling the available space, preference will be given to staff of tertiary institutions.

Please either register below, or send details of the names, email addresses and institution of those attending to events@nzcs.org.nz

A special thanks to Auckland University for providing the venue for this workshop.

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Smartmeeting Workshop for Cloud Computing Code of Practice (Nationwide, 05/12/2011)

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:14:42 +1300

Smartmeeting Workshop for Cloud Computing Code of Practice

5 December 2011: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Gen-i Smart Meeting Rooms Nationwide (See location details for your city below)

NZCS is in the process of facilitating the development a Code of Practice for Cloud Computing on behalf of the ICT sector.

The Code is being developed in consultation with all stakeholders in New Zealand and will benefit both suppliers and users of Cloud Computing Services.

If you're interested in Cloud Computing, come along and hear about this initiative and provide your input into the structure and approach that the code should take. This is the first consultation workshop covering structure, with topics such as the specific content held over the coming months.

Smartmeeting Locations

This workshop will be conducted via the Gen-I Smartmeeting full videoconference suite in the following locations.

There are limited places in each venue hence it will operate on a first-in basis, however we may need to restrict the number of attendees from any one organisation - we'll contact those that have registered if there is an issue.

The locations and number of seats are:

Auckland - 6 seats - Telecom Place, Victoria St. FULL, SORRY*
Wellington - 18 seats - Telecom Central, 48 Willis St FULL, SORRY*
Tauranga - 3 seats - lv 1 Telecom Exchange building. FULL, SORRY*
Napier - 3 seats, Telecom Exchange, 814 Browning St.
Hamilton - 3 seats, lv1, Gen-I House. FULL, SORRY*
Palmerston North - 3 seats, 53 Queen St.
Christchurch - 3 seats. Avonhead Tavern, 120 Withalls Rd. FULL, SORRY*
Dunedin - 3 seats. 18 Tennyson St. FULL, SORRY*

You'll be able to choose your location during registration.

* For those that are full please email info@nzcs.org.nz and ask to be put on a wait list. We'll then contact you if a space becomes available.

About the Project

Cloud Computing is a growth area in New Zealand and around the world and represents a significant opportunity for providers both domestically and globally.

However the reputation of the Cloud Computing community in NZ is threatened by the lack of standards and practice guidelines. This, combined with a lack of understanding of the accepted definitions of "cloud computing" and what it entails, results in a situation where services are being offered that go not meet what is generally considered acceptable standards of practice.

The New Zealand Cloud Computing Code of Practice is intended to address many of the social and industry focused challenges.

Support

The NZ Cloud Code Initiative is supported by many of New Zealand's most prominent cloud providers as well as international cloud leaders such as Google and Microsoft.

Financial contributors to the project include Xero, Gen-I, Equinox, OneNet, Webdrive, Google, Salesforce.com, InternetNZ, NZRise, EOSS Online Ltd, Systems Advisory Services and NZCS.

Thanks to Gen-I

A big thanks to Gen-I for making their Smartmeeting suites available for this initiative throughout New Zealand.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however registration is absolutely essential to secure your place. Those unregistered will not be able to access the rooms. Please register below.

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Consultation Workshop for Cloud Computing Code of Practice (Auckland, 01/12/2011)

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:26:37 +1300

Consultation Workshop for Cloud Computing Code of Practice

1 December 2011: 3:00 pm - 1:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.17

NZCS is in the process of facilitating the development a Code of Practice for Cloud Computing on behalf of the ICT sector.

The Code is being developed in consultation with all stakeholders in New Zealand and will benefit both suppliers and users of Cloud Computing Services.

Consultation Streams

Note that there are three streams over the two days. All streams will cover identical content and when you register you can select the stream that suits you:

1/12/2011: 3pm-5:30pm
1/12/2011: 6pm-8:30pm
2/12/2011: 11am-1:30pm

About the Project

Cloud Computing is a growth area in New Zealand and around the world and represents a significant opportunity for providers both domestically and globally.

The New Zealand Cloud Computing Code of Practice is intended to address many of the social and industry focused challenges.

Support

The NZ Cloud Code Initiative is supported by many of New Zealand's most prominent cloud providers as well as international cloud leaders such as Google and Microsoft.

Financial contributors to the project include Xero, Gen-I, Equinox, OneNet, Webdrive, Google, Salesforce.com, InternetNZ, NZRise, EOSS Online Ltd, Systems Advisory Services and NZCS.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however registration is essential to secure your place. Please register below.

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NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice (Auckland, 30/11/2011)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:30:32 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice

30 November 2011: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Progressive Enterprises Limited 80 Favona Road, Mangere, Auckland Conference Room 4 Onsite Parking Available

This one-day workshop will provide an introduction to the profession of project management, an overview of its terminology, practices and techniques and cover a series of practical examples - perfect for anyone looking to change career or for anyone being asked to manage small projects.

This workshop combines the highly popular NZCS "Introduction to Project Management" and "Project Management in Practice" half-day workshops into a single one-day course.

In this workshop you'll be led through real world examples from the experience your trainer brings, learning techniques and developing tools applicable to any type of small project. Working in small groups our exercises are designed to give you practical skills to develop, progress and implement commonsense Project Management in your workplace.

The workshop will cover the following:

What is a project?
Overview of the project structure
What is project management?
Phases of a project (Start Up, Initiate, Delivery, Closedown)
Project Purpose and Objectives: This will help you identify how a business case (and therefore a project) is developed.
Project Organisation Structure: Design a project organisation structure to understand what the specific roles of project governance are.
Risk analysis: Examine project risks and perform a specific risk analysis exercise, helping you to develop an understanding of how to manage the impact of risks and maximise opportunities.
Project Planning: Working through specific planning techniques for an example project. Better understand what planning techniques exist, how they should be used and what level of planning should occur.
Quality: In this exercise you will document quality requirements for one or more deliverables and learn how to keep track of it throughout its creation.
Project Monitoring and Reporting: In this exercise you will produce a project management report and outline the specific monitoring requirements that a project may utilise.
Benefits: Identifying, tracking and ensuring that benefits are realised
Leadership: Developing the skills for getting the best of the people involved in your projects.

Objectives

At the end of the Full Day workshop delegates will be able to:

Start to apply project management practices in real life
Start running your own projects
Start developing hands on skills in the tools required by a Project Manager
Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to manage a project using commonsense and good communication rather than a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT professionals being asked to manage a project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior managers governing small projects
Those IT professionals looking to move into the project management profession

About the Trainer

Colin Ellis hails from the UK and has close to 15 years multi-industry project, programme and programme office management experience. He has recently set up his own consultancy in Wellington as The PMO Guy and is providing project management training and programme and project management consultancy services to the public and private sector.

Colin is passionate about project management, is a qualified PRINCE2, MSP and P30 practitioner and is keen to work with other members of the community to ensure that the key elements of the profession are not lost in a candidate rich market.

Registration

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Developing software the Agile way (Auckland, 17/11/2011)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:33:27 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Developing software the Agile way

17 November 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.01

Agile software development, with its focus on delivery of working software, intense collaboration and rapid feedback, can deliver better results for both the customer and the project team.

But what do we mean by agile, and how do we know if it's right for us?

This half day 'Introduction to Agile' workshop provides an overview of the values and principles that underpin agile methods such as Scrum, eXtreme Programming (XP) and Kanban. It explores the cultural shifts that need to occur for agile to succeed, as well as covering common terminology and agile practices. It also looks at potential risks in adopting agile, and how to set your agile project and team up for success.

The workshop covers the following:

The agile evolution
The agile manifesto - values and principles
Popular agile frameworks including Scrum, XP, Kanban
Applying common agile practices
Agile roles and responsibilities
Agile risk assessment

This course will be delivered by a certified training instructor who is also a Certified Scrum Master and practicing IT consultant. Course concepts will be reinforced with real world examples.

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will understand:

The culture shifts that occur when moving to agile
Key agile concepts, practices and terminology
How team member roles change on an Agile software development project
The value in assessing a project's Agile potential in its early stages

Target Audience

IT Professionals and Managers who want to know more about agile concepts and terminology
Clients and other stakeholders of agile software development projects
Anyone considering getting involved in agile software development and wanting to get a good initial understanding of the topic.

Your Trainer

Anthony Boobier is an Equinox Consultant who has over 15 years experience of working within the IT industry, the last 8 have been focused on Agile software development. Anthony has worked with a variety of Organisations in, Government and the private sector within New Zealand and the UK. Anthony is a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP), Certified IT Professional (CITP), PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) and founder member and treasurer of the Wellington Agile Professionals Network

Equinox IT is an independent IT consultancy, software development, and training company based in Wellington and Auckland - www.equinox.co.nz.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Product Innovation for Tech Companies (Auckland, 14/11/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:09:14 +1300

NZCS Workshop: Product Innovation for Tech Companies

14 November 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.01

We've built something. Now what?

How do you commercialise a concept or product and take it off-shore? Or qualify the potential of your idea?

The need to innovate to stay ahead is a theme across government and businesses of all sizes in New Zealand. Large organisations often struggle with the chasm between coming up with an idea and getting it into delivery mode. Smaller companies are generally more nimble with getting their ideas from concept to concrete - but stall at the point of go to market.

There are a wide range of reasons many of our innovations don't make it as far as the global stage.

In some cases they don't pass the Google test: has it been done before? In other cases the market speaks: "we don't need it or we cannot buy it if you haven't told us about it".

In general it usually boils down to a clear view of your product's value proposition, market opportunity, target customer and market segment, and path to market.

The seminar is intended to give you an idea of what areas you need to focus on in your business planning and capability development, and it's likely not what you think.

Objectives

By the end of this interactive seminar you'll have a level understanding of some of the key considerations and pitfalls when getting your product to market.

The session will cover the top level lifecycle from idea to market and outline key considerations for each stage. Key discussion areas will include how to qualify an idea, the importance of a clear value proposition, how to understand the realistic size of a market opportunity, ways a New Zealand company can market and sell internationally, when and how to protect IP and much more.

Target Audience

Leaders within technology start-ups and mid stage businesses who are looking to take their product to the international market
People in any organization who have been given responsibility for taking an idea from concept to a market proposition
Founders and leaders of early to mid stage businesses that feel their businesses are stuck at a certain stage and need to do something differently to move forward - or that don't want it to be
Anyone considering taking a tech-related concept to market

Workshop Presenter

Caroline Dewe, Director at Alphero, is highly experienced in innovation both within New Zealand and internationally.

She has come from the school of hard knocks and brings real experience in the joys of marketing and selling New Zealand technology into European and SE Asian markets. Alphero is currently providing advice to businesses from start-up to corporate in how to accelerate their ideas and their businesses.

The workshop will include many practical examples and war stories of the good the bad and the truly unexpected.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Software Testing (Auckland, 09/11/2011)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:02:29 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Software Testing

9 November 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.15

In this information age we rely heavily on software applications and IT in both our personal and professional lives -on-line banking, Facebook, payroll, order processing, and using mobile telephones to name a few examples.

Testing is a vital discipline to ensure that these software applications and IT systems meet the identified requirements and work to an acceptable standard.

This half-day 'Introduction to Testing' course provides a high level overview of testing for both people new to testing, or those needing an awareness of the topic. The course covers the fundamental principles, processes, mindset, terminology and activities involved in testing.

The content and terminology in this course strongly aligns with the introductory sections of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) foundation certification syllabus, providing a good foundation in testing and a stepping stone for anyone wanting a develop a career in testing.

This course will be delivered by a certified training instructor who is also a practicing test manager and IT consultant. While the course will introduce a number of concepts, these will be backed up by real world examples and applied learning.

The workshop covers the following:

What is testing and why is it necessary
Testing principles
Fundamental test process
The testing mindset
Testing within the broader software development process
Test levels and test types

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course attendees will be able to:

Understand the fundamental principles, processes, mindset, terminology and activities involved in testing
Understand the levels and types of testing, and how these fit into broader software development and IT processes
Provide a higher quality and more proactive testing process, and understand the importance of such

Target Audience

Developers and others who need to consider testing and be involved in the process, but that have no formal testing background
IT Professionals and managers who have been asked to participate in or manage the testing of a project or projects
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in project testing or acceptance
Anyone considering a career in testing and wanting to get an initial understanding of the topic.

Your Trainer

Matt Johnston is a Principal Consultant in Equinox's IT Architecture Practice. Matt has a broad and deep experience across all aspects of software development, including substantial focus on testing, performance testing, and test management activities. In addition to his consulting activities, Matt is a certified instructor in Equinox IT's training business.

Equinox IT is an independent IT consultancy, software development, and training company based in Wellington and Auckland - www.equinox.co.nz.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Introduction to ICT Skills Mapping (Auckland, 04/11/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:26:11 +1300

NZCS Workshop: Introduction to ICT Skills Mapping

4 November 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.01

This half-day course is an introduction to ICT Skills Mapping focused on organisational design, role profiling, integrating skills and competencies, managing gaps and much more.

The workshop will bring attendees to a common level of knowledge in the use of skills frameworks such as SFIA, the Skills Framework for the Information Age and then show the value of using a framework such as SFIA to construct job descriptions and role profiles to allow more focused and effective resource allocation and development of career pathways

The workshop will consist of a mixture of presentations, discussions and practical exercises based on real-world examples.

The workshop covers an introduction to the following:

Essential elements of role profiles
How to integrate skills and capabilities
Flexible use of resources
Building motivation and engagement
Managing gaps and refining recruitment practices
SFIA, the Skills Framework for the Information Age
Constructing job descriptions and role profiles
Focused and effective resource allocation and development of career pathways

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course attendees will understand the concepts of:

Identifying the organisation structures and roles for the ICT team
Understanding defining ICT job profiles and mapping the skills and competencies to the roles
Evaluating your current staff against the requirements to identify the gaps
Designing development and training plan to close the gaps
Creating more effective job advertisements for better targeted recruitment

Target Audience

Those with existing or prospective responsibility for the development of ICT staff
All levels of management, and HR practitioners who are responsible for development of performance and capability within their organisation
Those interested in maximising the effective assignment of their people to roles and projects

About the Presenter

Don Robertson ITCP is a past President of NZCS. Don was involved in part of the research for the introduction of the IT Certified Professional (ITCP) programme for New Zealand which included the adoption of SFIA as the basis for competency evaluation. He is a respected seasoned professional having managed large ICT service organisations and managed many programmes and projects.

He brings a mixture of theory and practical experience to ICT skills and competency mapping. Don has a Diploma in Advanced Management, is a certified project manager and runs his own consulting business.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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2011 Gibbons Lecture 5: Alan Turing and the Secret Cyphers: Breaking the German Codes at Bletchley Park (Auckland, 03/11/2011)

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:08:21 +1300

2011 Gibbons Lecture 5: Alan Turing and the Secret Cyphers: Breaking the German Codes at Bletchley Park

3 November 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

University of Auckland Conference Centre Building/room 423-342, 22 Symonds St

2011 Gibbons Lectures in association with NZCS

Lecture 5: Alan Turing and the Secret Cyphers: Breaking the German Codes at Bletchley Park

It is now widely accepted that Alan Turing was one of the most important founders of both theoretical and practical computing, although he died in 1954 just when the field of computing was getting underway. After his fundamental work on the Theory of Computing, in 1939 Turing was recruited for the effort to decipher enemy codes at Bletchley Park. He disappeared from the public record and it was only many years later that it was widely known what he had accomplished. Turing initially worked on cracking the German "Enigma" codes which involved his devising electro-mechanical special-purpose computing machines known as "bombes."

The story of the Enigma cipher machine and its defeat by the Bletchley Park code-breakers has astounded the world. This lecture also describes Bletchley's success against a later, more advanced German cipher machine that the British codenamed Tunny. Unlike Enigma, which dated from 1923 and was marketed openly throughout Europe, the ultra-secret Tunny was created by scientists of Hitler's Third Reich for use by Hitler and his generals. Central to the Bletchley attack on Tunny was Colossus, the world's first large-scale electronic digital computer.

Includes refreshments

About The Speaker

Jack Copeland received his D.Phil. in Philosophy from the University of Oxford. He is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Turing Archive for the History of Computing at the University of Canterbury. His publications include the books The Essential Turing; Alan Turing's Automatic Computing Engine; Colossus: The Secrets of Bletchley Park's Codebreaking Computers; and more than 100 articles on the philosophy and history of computing, the philosophy of mind, and philosophical logic.

About the Gibbons Lectures

In 2012, the hundredth anniversary of Turing's birth is being celebrated by a series of events organized world-wide. As our contribution, the 2012 Gibbons lecture series will be devoted to "The Turing Legacy" - this talk forms part of the series and is being recorded for later webcast. The Gibbons Lectures are presented in association with the New Zealand Computer Society.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however please register below for catering and to secure your place.

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NZCS Workshop: IT Governance Fundamentals (Auckland, 03/11/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:42:32 +1300

NZCS Workshop: IT Governance Fundamentals

3 November 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 4.12

IT Governance is focused on the leadership, structures and processes that ensure that an organisation's information technology sustains and extends the overall organisation's strategies and objectives.

This half-day workshop is an introduction to the fundamentals of IT Governance, its relationship with Corporate Governance and its relevance in developing and sustaining organisations in the private and public sector.

The workshop will use a participative approach using case study material. Real world examples will be used from the real-world experience that your trainer brings. We will provide you with course notes, guides, templates and checklists as well as references for further reading.

The workshop covers the following:

An introduction to IT Governance
An overview of why organisations need IT Governance
IT Governance as a subset of Corporate Governance
Discussion of the roles of the Board, and responsibilities of executive management and the CIO
IT Governance Assessment and Maturity Model
Identification of the steps involved in implementing IT Governance
Challenges to be overcome in implementation
Skills required of CIO's, CEO's and Board member
Examples of current business/IT alignment and governance models and standards
A Board IT Governance Checklist
An overview of the ISO 38500 IT Governance Standard

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

Define IT Governance and its relationship to Corporate Governance
Assess the maturity of IT governance in their organisation at a basic level
Describe the three pillars for effective IT Governance
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Board, IT Strategy Committee, CEO, Business Executives and CIO for IT Governance
Understand the use of a Board IT Governance Checklist to uncover issues

Target Audience

Board Members, CIOs, CEOs or executives
Individuals wanting to reach those positions and needing a base-level understanding of IT Governance
Anyone with an interest in understanding IT Governance

Your Trainer

Murray Wills aka "the Virtual CIO" is Principal Consultant and Managing Director of Maxsys Limited (www.maxsys.co.nz). Murray brings extensive hands on experience as a consultant / advisor to government agencies and private sector organisations where he advises Boards, CEO's and CIO's in IT Management, Project Management and Governance.

As an author in the areas of IT strategy, project management and IT governance for industry journals, his own, and other blogs, his expertise reaches an international audience.

Murray has a Master's Degree in Business Studies from Massey University majoring in Information Systems with distinction.

Along with being a Full Member of the New Zealand Computer Society and an IT Certified Professional (ITCP), he is a Member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a Gateway Reviewer.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN Presents: Web Application Security Testing for Today's Biggest and Emerging Threats (Auckland, 19/10/2011)

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:54:09 +1300

TPN Presents: Web Application Security Testing for Today's Biggest and Emerging Threats

19 October 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake, 2 Drake Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

NZCS Test Professionals Network (TPN) presents: Web Application Security Testing for Today's Most Serious and Emerging Threats

In 2010, more than half of all cyber attacks targeted web applications and the trend continues.

In this presentation we'll look at how to test our web applications for vulnerabilities to secure and protect our organisation. It will also highlight some of the new trends that we need to be aware of. This will include combining insights from industry-leading research organisations such as IBM X-Force and OWASP.

Alan will present the latest and emerging threats, as well as principles to help you test web applications for security.

About The Speaker

Alan Kan is IBM Rational Software's technical leader in New Zealand. A frequent speaker at conferences, he evangelises software delivery best practice and helps organisations improve their software project delivery process. Alan is experienced throughout the software delivery process and one of his recent engagements was as tech lead - which also included test management responsibilities - in a US Department of Homeland Security initiative.

Alan's LinkedIn profile can be found here: http://nz.linkedin.com/in/zenmaster

We hope you can join us for this event.

The Auckland TPN Committee.

Event Schedule

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & Close Out

Cash Bar Available.

Registration Details:

Seats at this location are limited so registration will cut-off once we meet capacity.

Please RSVP by registering and paying online through the NZCS registration. You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

If you'd like to sponsor one of our events please feel free to contact one of the committee members.

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NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice (Auckland, 20/9/2011)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:24:25 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice

20 September 2011: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 3.01

This workshop combines the highly popular NZCS "Introduction to Project Management" and "Project Management in Practice" half-day workshops into a single one-day course.

The workshop will cover the following:

What is a project?
Overview of the project structure
What is project management?
Phases of a project (Start Up, Initiate, Delivery, Closedown)
Project Purpose and Objectives: This will help you identify how a business case (and therefore a project) is developed.
Project Organisation Structure: Design a project organisation structure to understand what the specific roles of project governance are.
Risk analysis: Examine project risks and perform a specific risk analysis exercise, helping you to develop an understanding of how to manage the impact of risks and maximise opportunities.
Project Planning: Working through specific planning techniques for an example project. Better understand what planning techniques exist, how they should be used and what level of planning should occur.
Quality: In this exercise you will document quality requirements for one or more deliverables and learn how to keep track of it throughout its creation.
Project Monitoring and Reporting: In this exercise you will produce a project management report and outline the specific monitoring requirements that a project may utilise.
Benefits: Identifying, tracking and ensuring that benefits are realised
Leadership: Developing the skills for getting the best of the people involved in your projects.

Objectives

At the end of the Full Day workshop delegates will be able to:

Start to apply project management practices in real life
Start running your own projects
Start developing hands on skills in the tools required by a Project Manager
Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to manage a project using commonsense and good communication rather than a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT professionals being asked to manage a project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior managers governing small projects
Those IT professionals looking to move into the project management profession

About the Trainer

Registration

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Innovation Summit: Unblocking the Skills Pipeline (Auckland, 07/9/2011)

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:35:13 +1200

NZCS Innovation Summit: Unblocking the Skills Pipeline

7 September 2011: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

OGGB Owen G Glenn Building 12 Grafton Road Auckland Case Room 3 PLEASE NOTE THE ROOM CHANGE

The ICT industry is growing fast, so why can't we attract enough talent?

According to the TIN100 report, exports from the top 100 technology companies in New Zealand add up to almost $5 billion and technology exports now rank second only to the dairy sector.

Our industry employs approximately 40,000 people, yet we import thousands of hi-tech positions a year and still can't keep up.

Technology is probably New Zealand's fastest growing sector and on its way to becoming New Zealand's top export earner. It's a high-value sector creating high-value jobs that will move our country forward, yet according to recent statistics and despite the recent recession, the ICT skills shortage continues to grow worse threatening this future.

What can we do about it?

The inaugural NZCS Innovation Summit: Unblocking the Skills Pipeline will bring together experts and those interested in the future of the IT industry to discuss, listen, debate and plan over free beer, wine, juice and pizza.

How do we address the skills shortage?

According to every statistic ICT is the best paid profession in New Zealand, yet University and Polytech enrolments are down. Kids in school aren't being attracted to our great industry. In short, the skills pipeline is seriously blocked and it's time we did something about it.

Through NZCS the ICT sector has embarked on several projects designed to unblock the skills pipeline however this clearly isn't enough.

NZCS Auckland Branch has put together a range of experts from across the ICT and education sectors to discuss what's being done and what should be done to address this very serious issue. But we also need to hear from you!

Come join the conversation and tell us what you think, or just come along and hear about what's happening in this space over free beer and pizza.

Panel and Short Presentations

The event will include a signficant panel and short presentations from the following team of experts:

Ian McCrae, CEO of Orion Health. Orion is New Zealand's largest software exporter and Ian brings a strong industry perspective to the discussion.
Greg Day, Founder of PeopleMine, GetStaffed and various other companies. Greg is an entrepreneur with strong views on the need to focus on entrepreneurial skills from an early age.
Paul Matthews, CEO of NZCS. Paul has been heavily involved in a number of educational initiatives including helping reshape how ICT is taught in schools.
John Hosking, Director of Centre for Software Innovation, Auckland University. John has been heavily involved in a number of initiatives in the education space.
Tim Bell, Associate Professor of Software Engineering, Canterbury University. Tim led the team charged with creating the new School ICT curriculum.
Mike Usmar, CEO of Computer Clubhouse. Computer Clubhouses provide a unique opportunity for kids to discover technology in a safe and supportive environment.
Lorraine Stefani, Director of Academic Development, University of Auckland. Lorraine's research includes the use of e-Portfolios and online learning.
Charmaine Pountney, Former Principal Auckland Girls Grammar. Charmaine's a strong advocate for diverse educational approaches in New Zealand.
Gordon Drydon, Author, The Learning Web. Gordon has been advocating a new approach to education and eLearning with a strong focus on Web 2.0.

The panel will be facilitated by Brett Roberts, NZCS Auckland Branch Chair.

These individuals are here to listen as much as talk and we really need to hear from you.

Free beer, wine, juice and Pizza.

Programme

5.30pm Arrival and refreshments
6.15pm Panel and short presentations
7.30pm Refreshments and discussion
8.30pm Finish

A Special Thanks to Lloyd Executive Recruitment for supporting this event.

Registration Details:

Registration is essential. NZCS Members can register for free below.

Non-members can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Strategically Managing the IT Service Lifecycle (Auckland, 26/8/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:16:29 +1300

NZCS Workshop: Strategically Managing the IT Service Lifecycle

26 August 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago 385 Queen Street Auckland Room 3.01

IT Service Management plays a strategic role in the definition, development and operation of IT services.

This impacts the identification and delivery of business value, having a service-aligned organisational structure, alignment of silos and the use of governance as an enabler. Lastly it hinders the transformation of the IT organisation from one that is usually characterised by a technology focus to one that has a strong business focus.

This interactive seminar is designed to provide the audience with an understanding of the importance of the strategic role of ITIL together with other governance frameworks to facilitate strategic decision making and investment in services and in order to transform from a technology service provider to a business service provider.

The seminar is intended to give the audience an understanding of what IT Service Management is, how it can be implemented at a high level and the critical role it plays within organisations while attempting to not be bogged down with a focus on technology and tools.

Duration: 1/2 day

Objectives

Understanding the strategic role of the Service Management lifecycle as recently defined in ITIL Version 3.
How the components parts of IT Service Management work and underpin the Lifecycle.
The session will also touch industry frameworks and standards to support IT Service management such as COBiT, ISO/IEC20000, SFIA, etc.

Target Audience

People in management and senior management
People who are new into the industry and have a service aspect to their role; in essence… everyone!
People in any organisation who have been given responsibility for improving aspects of their role, whether it be on a personal, team, or wider group level.
People who don't look at the word "Service" as something that would be a lot easier if it wasn't for the customer.

Course Presenter

Leon Swart is a qualified IT Service Manager and an ITIL Infrastructure Manager. He has extensive experience in the ICT industry for over 20 years across a number of fields including Project Management, Operations Management, Vendor Management, Service Delivery Management, Information Management and Outsourcing. His involvement includes industries such as telecommunications, banking, outsourcing and technical vendor companies.

His experience includes involvement in the mainframe, network, server, workstation and distributed deployment and support from both an application and hardware perspective.

His focus have been around implementing ITIL processes in the work environment, particularly employed in roles where significant changes in structure and process were required to ensure profitable business units.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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National Series: The Latest and Greatest Web Trends (Auckland, 24/8/2011)

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:37:25 +1200

National Series: The Latest and Greatest Web Trends

24 August 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Concordia Institute of Business Level 3, 20 Hobson Street Auckland CBD PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN VENUE

So what are the latest and greatest in online trends in New Zealand and overseas?

Recently Trent Mankelow and his Optimal Usability team were asked to distil learning from research and design projects with 190 clients across 19 industries and present the most important online trends that are emerging here and overseas - a somewhat daunting challenge.

In this entertaining presentation Trent digs into this research to outline:

The three key attributes of world-class organisations, using local and overseas examples from a number of industries
How new devices are going to affect future experiences
Why the chief economist at Google thinks statisticians are sexy
What swearing, fairies, and dinosaurs have to do with a good customer experience
Why design is not the same as aesthetics
What you can do to join to fight for great online experiences in New Zealand

If you're interested in anything online you need to be at this presentation.

Includes refreshments.

About The Speaker

Trent Mankelow is the co-founder and CEO of Optimal Usability, New Zealand's leading usability consultancy company.

Since 2002 Optimal Usability has observed over 5,000 people interacting with all sorts of touchpoints, including websites, paper forms, kiosks, websites and IVR systems. Trent regularly speaks and writes about customer experience, service design and usability.

Registration Details:

Registration is essential and places are limited. NZCS financial members may register below now.

Others can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN Presents: An Emerging Role in Test Automation (Auckland, 23/8/2011)

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:12:38 +1200

TPN Presents: An Emerging Role in Test Automation

23 August 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake, 2 Drake Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (TPN) presents: An Emerging Role in Test Automation

With the wider acceptance of agile software development practices, test automation is becoming more important. There is currently a severe shortage of people with skills in this area. This event will focus on answering the following questions:

What skills are actually needed?
How can those skills be developed?
How much effort is required?
What background is needed?
What tools are available for your learning?

Then it will look at the pitfalls:

What are the issues that you're likely to face, given that little software is developed with test automation in mind?
What are some traps that many people fall into when approaching automation?

And finally:

What's it like working in test automation on an agile team?
On a non-agile team?

To conclude the evening, Rick will also provide us with a progress update on the tool development research project he was working involving The Universities of Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato in conjunction with Rimu Research Ltd, which he talked about a little over 12 months ago.

About The Speaker

Rick Mugridge is an expert in agile software development, working in NZ, Europe and USA as coach, architect, developer and consultant to people working in test automation.

He has developed FitLibrary, an open-source testing framework that works with FitNesse. He continues to develop tools for test automation, including for web systems, and with a current focus on legacy systems. He is the main author of "Fit for Developing Software", Prentice-Hall, 2005, which covers test automation techniques.

Rick has a PhD in Computer Science and has taught software engineering at the University of Auckland.

We hope that you can join us for this event.

The Auckland TPN Committee

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Cash bar available.

Many thanks to Optimation for very kindly sponsoring the venue hire at the last event. If you'd like to sponsor one of our events then please feel free to contact one of the committee members.

Registration Details:

Seats at this location are limited so registration will cut-off once we meet capacity. Please have the correct change when you pay at the door. Receipts will be given.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation (Auckland, 04/8/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:29:04 +1300

NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation

4 August 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 4.12

These days every organisation has a website. But getting people to your client's sites is hugely important but often overlooked.

This workshop will provide an introduction to the core concepts of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). You'll learn why SEO is such an important marketing tool for websites plus the key concepts related to how SEO works and what steps you can take to improve the discoverability and search rankings of your website.

The workshop will also outline the tools and websites that you can use to optimise your website and is aimed at all levels - website owners, online marketing, and developers.

The workshop includes the following:

Introduction to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
What is SEO?
SEO and online marketing (SEM)
SEO Key concepts
SEO - Science or Magic?
Paid Ads
SEO in practice
- Page Optimisation
- Site Optimisation
- Link building
SEO and Social Media
Tools

Summary
SEO Resources
- Reading
- Online

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course attendees will understand:

The core concept of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
How to devise a basic SEO and SEM strategy for sites and clients
What resources are available and how to find them
The importance of ethical optimisation and marketing

Target Audience

Developers and designers involved in creating websites
Those who provide web-related services to their clients, or manage that process
Anyone responsible for administering a website or websites
Those with an interest in maximising exposure to online content

Your Presenter

John Clegg is an experienced internet technology consultant. He has been providing technology solutions and building large scale websites since 1999.

John was one of the founders of bidorbuy.com - an online auction site that operated in India and South Africa. More recently, John founded ProjectX technology, a niche online development company specialising in online mapping and addressing solutions. ProjectX built ZoomIn.co.nz - a community based business listing website and Smaps - the mapping site for Trade Me in 2006.

John has been providing SEO consulting and training since 2006.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Developing software the Agile way (Auckland, 07/7/2011)

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:49:57 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Developing software the Agile way

7 July 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

AMES IT Academy 500 Queen St, Auckland CBD

Agile software development, with its focus on delivery of working software, intense collaboration and rapid feedback, can deliver better results for both the customer and the project team.

But what do we mean by agile, and how do we know if it's right for us?

The workshop covers the following:

The agile evolution
The agile manifesto - values and principles
Popular agile frameworks including Scrum, XP, Kanban
Applying common agile practices
Agile roles and responsibilities
Agile risk assessment

This course will be delivered by a certified training instructor who is also a Certified Scrum Master and practicing IT consultant. Course concepts will be reinforced with real world examples.

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will understand:

The culture shifts that occur when moving to agile
Key agile concepts, practices and terminology
How team member roles change on an Agile software development project
The value in assessing a project's Agile potential in its early stages

Target Audience

IT Professionals and Managers who want to know more about agile concepts and terminology
Clients and other stakeholders of agile software development projects
Anyone considering getting involved in agile software development and wanting to get a good initial understanding of the topic.

Your Trainer

Equinox IT is an independent IT consultancy, software development, and training company based in Wellington and Auckland - www.equinox.co.nz.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: James Bach - The Dirty Secret of Formal Testing (Auckland, 05/7/2011)

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:34:49 +1200

TPN: James Bach - The Dirty Secret of Formal Testing

5 July 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake, 2 Drake Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland

Auckland NZCS Test Professionals Network in conjunction with Software Testing presents James Bach.

From James:

I can tell you this: I have arguably done the most rigorous testing that anyone has done in the testing business, which is testing for court cases. I once poured $250,000 of labor into a 10 minute test that was filmed for a jury. No commercial company can afford to be that meticulous. I've also tested a class III medical device. And I've noticed something important that no one talks about when they talk about formal testing. It seems to be a secret. A dirty secret. I will reveal it to you in this talk.

So come to my talk, or else you will forever wonder what that secret is.

Many thanks to Optimation for very kindly sponsoring the venue.

About The Speaker

James Bach is a software testing guru from the USA, who specialises in thinking about, teaching, and performing testing as a sophisticated thinking art. He is part of a community called the Context-Driven School, along with some of the best-known names in testing.

He calls his approach "Rapid Testing" and he will be in Auckland delivering training during the first week of July with SoftEd. James' style of rapid testing is tester-centric (as opposed to technique-centric) and is a blend of heuristic testing, risk-based testing, and exploratory testing. He also has a brand new talk which he is presenting exclusively at TPN.

We hope that you can join us for this event.

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Cash bar available.

Registration Details:

All registrations to this event must be placed via the NZCS Website by 12:30pm July 4th, which can then be paid for at the door. Receipts will be given. Seats at this location are limited so registration will cut-off once we meet capacity.

Please note: There will be no door sales.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Auckland Innovation and Technology Summit (Auckland, 30/6/2011)

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:35:29 +1200

Auckland Innovation and Technology Summit

30 June 2011: 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

OGGB-4 (room 260-073) Owen G Glenn Building 12 Grafton Road Auckland

Help shape the future of technology-led innovation in Auckland

Technology-led innovation in New Zealand faces many challenges, however none are insurmountable.

The NZCS Innovation and Technology Summit, in conjunction with Crown Fibre Holdings, Lloyd Executive Recruitment and the NetHui Conference brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, IT Professionals and others from across Auckland to work together to address the challenges and identify the opportunity of a future of technology-led innovation in Auckland.

It's a time to discuss, debate, reflect, then act.

What's it all about?

Auckland is now a new city. There are plenty of opportunities, but for our city to take advantage we need action. The purpose of this Summit is to come together to discuss how the ICT community can shape the future of innovation in Auckland and help get things on track to make Auckland the innovation and technology hub of the south pacific.

This is your chance to hear from some of the most successful innovators and entrepreneurs in New Zealand but more importantly, a chance to put across your ideas and provide input into the future of our great city. And best of all, it's free!

Panelists include:

Rod Drury, CEO of Xero
Ian McCrae, CEO of Orion Health
Roanne Parker, Owner of Jericho (digital marketing)
Michael Whitehead, Owner of WhereScape
Rhoda Holmes, Managing Director, Raghnall Ltd
Prof John Hosking, Director of Centre for Software Innovation (Auckland University)
Rohan MacMahon, Strategy Director at Crown Fibre
And others.

Example topics might include the opportunities of Ultra Fast Broadband for Auckland, how the new Auckland Council can be leveraged and what other opportunities are now in play.

The event and discussion will be facilitated by the new NZCS Auckland Branch Chair Brett Roberts.

However bring your thinking hats too - this isn't just a sit and listen session. You'll have the opportunity to participate directly in discussion and present your own ideas about making Auckland and New Zealand thrive. The outcomes of this Summit will feed directly into both local and central Government and industry.

Includes refreshments and light meal.

Format

Innovation, like Professionalism, is as much a mindset as it is a set of tools to measure it. So let’s cut through the cr*p and hear from some of the true Auckland ICT entrepreneurs and innovators about how we can get our new super Auckland on track.

Following a panel-style discussion all attendees will have a chance to shape and develop what's been discussed over beer/wine/juice and pizza, then present it back for discussion by a second panel.

Following the main discussion there'll be plenty of opportunity to debate and discuss over refreshments. And this isn’t just a talkfest – the points raised will feed directly into policy discussions at NZCS and through to Government, the Auckland Council and industry.

Also in attendance will be NZCS President Ray Delany, NZCS CEO Paul Matthews, the entire new Auckland Branch Committee and a selection of other leaders from throughout the industry and academia.

Draft Schedule of Event

The draft schedule will be:

5:30pm: Refreshments
6:00pm: First panel discussion of successful Auckland innovators
7:00pm: Break for beer/wine and pizza and group discussions on issues raised
7:30pm: Presentations from groups and second panel discussions of ideas
8:30pm: Closing Refreshments
9:00pm: Conclusion of event

(Agenda subject to change)

A Special Thanks to our Partners

An extra special thanks to premier partner Crown Fibre Holdings for providing the refreshments and Lloyd Executive Recruitment for supporting this event.

In Partnership with the NetHui Conference

This event is presented in partnership with the NetHui Conference (see www.nethui.org.nz). Please note, however, that registration to this event is still necessary even if you have already registered for NetHui.

Introducing the new-look NZCS Auckland Branch Committee

NZCS Auckland Branch Chair Brett Roberts will kick things off with an introduction of the "new look" NZCS Auckland Branch, plans for the year and a quick outline of what NZCS stands for.

Those that haven’t been involved over the last few years may find NZCS has changed - it’s not what you might think.

Registration Details:

Please note: REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL

Thanks to NZCS, Crown Fibre Holdings and Lloyd Executive Recruitment this event is FREE for all those in the ICT and business communities in Auckland – NZCS members and non-members alike.

However register early. Numbers are strictly limited and this event will likely fill fast.

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NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Software Testing (Auckland, 15/6/2011)

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:15:24 +1300

NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Software Testing

15 June 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

University of Otago House, Level 4 385 Queen Street, Auckland Room 4.12

Testing is a vital discipline to ensure that these software applications and IT systems meet the identified requirements and work to an acceptable standard.

The workshop covers the following:

What is testing and why is it necessary
Testing principles
Fundamental test process
The testing mindset
Testing within the broader software development process
Test levels and test types

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course attendees will be able to:

Understand the fundamental principles, processes, mindset, terminology and activities involved in testing
Understand the levels and types of testing, and how these fit into broader software development and IT processes
Provide a higher quality and more proactive testing process, and understand the importance of such

Target Audience

Developers and others who need to consider testing and be involved in the process, but that have no formal testing background
IT Professionals and managers who have been asked to participate in or manage the testing of a project or projects
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in project testing or acceptance
Anyone considering a career in testing and wanting to get an initial understanding of the topic.

Your Trainer

John O'Brien is a Senior Consultant in Equinox's IT Governance Practice. John has over 20 years of IT experience with a strong focus on testing, test management, and test strategy. In additional to his consulting and test management activities, John is a certified instructor in Equinox's training business and is an ISTQB certified testing professional.

Equinox IT is an independent IT consultancy, software development, and training company based in Wellington and Auckland - www.equinox.co.nz.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Project Management in Practice (Auckland, 02/6/2011)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:42:16 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Project Management in Practice

2 June 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

This workshop follows on from well attended and highly successful "Introduction to Project Management" workshop run by NZCS which gave an introduction to project management addressing the basics of project management, its terminology and techniques.

In this interactive workshop you'll be led through real world examples from the experience your trainer brings, learning techniques and developing tools applicable to any type of small project. Working in small groups our exercises are designed to give you practical skills to develop, progress and implement commonsense Project Management in your workplace.

Working from a structured Case Study, the course covers the following:

Project Purpose and Objectives: This will help you identify how a business case (and therefore a project) is developed.
Project Organisation Structure: Design a project organisation structure to understand what the specific roles of project governance are.
Risk analysis: Examine project risks and perform a specific risk analysis exercise, helping you to develop an understanding of how to manage the impact of risks and maximise opportunities.
Project Planning: Working through specific planning techniques for an example project. Better understand what planning techniques exist, how they should be used and what level of planning should occur.
Quality: In this exercise you will document quality requirements for one or more deliverables and learn how to keep track of it throughout its creation.
Project Monitoring and Reporting: In this exercise you will produce a project management report and outline the specific monitoring requirements that a project may utilise.
Benefits: Identifying, tracking and ensuring that benefits are realised
Leadership: Developing the skills for getting the best of the people involved in your projects.

Note that this can be combined with the "Introduction to Project Management" course on the same day, to provide a full-day broad introduction to Project Management theory and practice.

"Introduction to Project Management" isn't a formal prerequisite to this workshop, but is strongly advised.

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

Start to apply project management practices in real life
Start running your own projects
Start developing hands on skills in the tools required by a Project Manager

Target Audience

Managers and IT Professionals who have been asked to manage a small project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior Managers who will be governing small projects
Those IT professionals looking to move into the project management profession

About the Trainer

Colin Ellis hails from the UK and has close to 15 years multi-sector project, programme and programme office management experience. He has recently set up his own consultancy in Wellington as The PMO Guy and is currently on assignment at Ministry of Justice as Head of Project Services and is also providing project management training services to the public and private sector through Tregaskis Brown Ltd.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Project Management (Auckland, 02/6/2011)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:20:47 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Introduction to Project Management

2 June 2011: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

This half-day workshop will provide an introduction to the profession of project management and an overview of it's terminology, practices and techniques - perfect for anyone looking to change career or for anyone being asked to manage small projects.

You'll be led through straight forward practical examples from the real-world experience that your trainer brings. You'll learn approaches and techniques and be able to develop tools to help you manage any type of small project.

The course will cover the following:

What is a project?
Overview of the project structure
What is project management?
Phases of a project

a. Start Up

- Justifying a project
- Developing a Business Case

b. Initiate

                      - Project Planning
                      - Developing a schedule
                      - Quality Planning

c. Delivery

       - Stakeholder Management
       - Quality Management
       - Benefits Management
       - Risk and Issue Management

d. Closedown

- Lessons Learned
- Post project reviews

Further training/certification options

Duration: ½ Day

Objectives

At the end of the course, delegates will be able to:
Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to manage a project using commonsense and good communication rather than a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT professionals being asked to manage a project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior managers governing small projects
Those IT professionals looking to move into the project management profession

About the Trainer

Colin Ellis ("The PMO Guy") hails from the UK and has close to 15 years multi-sector project, programme and programme office management experience. He has recently set up his own consultancy in Wellington as The PMO Guy and is currently on assignment at Ministry of Justice as Head of Project Services and is also providing project management training services to the public and private sector through Tregaskis Brown Ltd.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice (Auckland, 02/6/2011)

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:10:55 +1200

NZCS Workshop: Project Management - Intro and Practice

2 June 2011: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

This workshop combines the highly popular NZCS "Introduction to Project Management" and "Project Management in Practice" half-day workshops into a single one-day course. You can also choose to do one or the other.

The workshop will cover the following:

What is a project?
Overview of the project structure
What is project management?
Phases of a project (Start Up, Initiate, Delivery, Closedown)
Project Purpose and Objectives: This will help you identify how a business case (and therefore a project) is developed.
Project Organisation Structure: Design a project organisation structure to understand what the specific roles of project governance are.
Risk analysis: Examine project risks and perform a specific risk analysis exercise, helping you to develop an understanding of how to manage the impact of risks and maximise opportunities.
Project Planning: Working through specific planning techniques for an example project. Better understand what planning techniques exist, how they should be used and what level of planning should occur.
Quality: In this exercise you will document quality requirements for one or more deliverables and learn how to keep track of it throughout its creation.
Project Monitoring and Reporting: In this exercise you will produce a project management report and outline the specific monitoring requirements that a project may utilise.
Benefits: Identifying, tracking and ensuring that benefits are realised
Leadership: Developing the skills for getting the best of the people involved in your projects.

Objectives

At the end of the Full Day workshop delegates will be able to:

Start to apply project management practices in real life
Start running your own projects
Start developing hands on skills in the tools required by a Project Manager
Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to manage a project using commonsense and good communication rather than a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT professionals being asked to manage a project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior managers governing small projects
Those IT professionals looking to move into the project management profession

About the Trainer

Registration

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Workshop: IT Governance Fundamentals (Auckland, 20/5/2011)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:03:46 +1200

NZCS Workshop: IT Governance Fundamentals

20 May 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

The workshop covers the following:

An introduction to IT Governance
An overview of why organisations need IT Governance
IT Governance as a subset of Corporate Governance
Discussion of the roles of the Board, and responsibilities of executive management and the CIO
IT Governance Assessment and Maturity Model
Identification of the steps involved in implementing IT Governance
Challenges to be overcome in implementation
Skills required of CIO's, CEO's and Board member
Examples of current business/IT alignment and governance models and standards
A Board IT Governance Checklist
An overview of the ISO 38500 IT Governance Standard

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Duration: 1/2 Day

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

Define IT Governance and its relationship to Corporate Governance
Assess the maturity of IT governance in their organisation at a basic level
Describe the three pillars for effective IT Governance
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Board, IT Strategy Committee, CEO, Business Executives and CIO for IT Governance
Understand the use of a Board IT Governance Checklist to uncover issues

Target Audience

Board Members, CIOs, CEOs or executives
Individuals wanting to reach those positions and needing a base-level understanding of IT Governance
Anyone with an interest in understanding IT Governance

Your Trainer

As an author in the areas of IT strategy, project management and IT governance for industry journals, his own, and other blogs, his expertise reaches an international audience.

Murray has a Master's Degree in Business Studies from Massey University majoring in Information Systems with distinction.

Along with being a Full Member of the New Zealand Computer Society and an IT Certified Professional (ITCP), he is a Member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a Gateway Reviewer.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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2011 Gibbons Lecture 4: Attached processors for real-time applications (Auckland, 18/5/2011)

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:24:26 +1200

2011 Gibbons Lecture 4: Attached processors for real-time applications

18 May 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Building/room 423-342 University of Auckland Conference Centre 22 Symonds St Auckland

2011 Gibbons Lectures in association with NZCS

Lecture 4: Attached processors for real-time applications

Although modern single processor computers can easily perform a billion calculations per second, they still cannot even match the capabilities of our vision systems!

However, specialized processors may be attached to a conventional computer to enhance its power. Such processors include reconfigurable logic chips - in which the computing circuits can be changed at will - and the very powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) which are of particular interest nowadays since there's one in almost every desktop computer.

In this lecture we'll look at harnessing a GPU's power to solve some problems that require enormous computing power - one example is human genome matching. Another is a system, developed in our Photogrammetry Laboratory, which can see a 3D world using stereo vision in the same way that our brain uses two eyes to work out the distance to objects that it can see.

Such systems will allow computers to take over many tasks that, for humans, are dangerous, boring or error-prone. But GPUs were designed for a specific application - rendering scenes rapidly for electronic games - and thus are more appropriate for some applications than for others.

Includes refreshments

About The Speaker

Assoc Professor John Morris has a PhD in optical spectroscopy from the University of Sydney, but after an encounter with a 30kV pulsed laser power supply, moved into the much safer computing field - encouraged by the fact that modern processors run on a mere (and touchable) 1.8V now.

He has taught in Melbourne, Tasmania, Western Australia, ChungAng (Seoul), KyungPook (Daegu) and Auckland and had post-docs in NRC Ottawa and Tokyo.

His main research interest is computer architecture and reconfigurable systems and is returning to his starting point in optics with a focus on intelligent vision systems. The high-resolution real-time stereo vision systems in the laboratory at Auckland are a first step in a grand goal to emulate human eye-brain capabilities.

About the Gibbons Lectures

The Gibbons Lectures is an annual series of talks given in the Department of Computer Science in association with the New Zealand Computer Society.

There are 4 lectures delivered at weekly intervals in the first semester. The goal of each lecture is to describe detailed developments in a particular research area to a general but technical audience - to IT professionals, Computer Science students at all levels, and IT practitioners in other departments and outside the University.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however please register below for catering and to secure your place.

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2011 Gibbons Lecture 3: Co-operating computers - problems and prospects (Auckland, 11/5/2011)

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:16:53 +1200

2011 Gibbons Lecture 3: Co-operating computers - problems and prospects

11 May 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Building/room 423-342 University of Auckland Conference Centre 22 Symonds St Auckland

2011 Gibbons Lectures in association with NZCS

Lecture 3: Co-operating computers - problems and prospects

In recent years computer electronic circuitry has become so dense that even personal computers possess two or more processors, or "cores", and this number is likely to grow.

The largest computers have long made use of many processors programmed to cooperate in running problems of coordination and consistency. Large problems requiring large computers tend to be highly structured, and can be broken apart in many ways.

Even so, it has been challenging to solve a single problem using many processors, and as parallel processing comes to personal computers, the problems become much harder: their programs tend to be less structured and harder to divide.

For many problems today, it is difficult to get two computers to solve the problem faster than one. We now know that programming parallel computers is difficult, and new techniques must be developed to meet the challenge.

Includes refreshments

About The Speaker

Professor James Goodman received a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980. He then joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His research is focused mainly on computer architecture: the hardware/software interface, and particularly on memory, multiprocessors and synchronisation.

His current interests are primarily focused on support for Transactional Memory, a programming model that dramatically simplifies programming for parallel computers. He joined the Auckland CS Department in 2003 while continuing his practical interests in collaboration with Sun Microsystems.

Goodman is most well known for his paper on "Using cache memory to reduce processor-memory traffic" where he was the first to describe snooping cache coherence protocols. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Fellow of the ACM.

About the Gibbons Lectures

The Gibbons Lectures is an annual series of talks given in the Department of Computer Science in association with the New Zealand Computer Society.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however please register below for catering and to secure your place.

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TPN: Model-Oriented Test Automation - Fantasy or Reality? (Auckland, 04/5/2011)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:08:25 +1200

TPN: Model-Oriented Test Automation - Fantasy or Reality?

4 May 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake, Conference Room (Upstairs), 2 Drake Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) Presents:

Model-Oriented Test Automation - Fantasy or Reality?

Test automation can be a big challenge for testing organisations. Often, current technologies will demo well, but in daily use they fall flat in the ability to create test automation that keeps up with software changes. This often leads to fewer automated test scripts and higher costs associated with creating and maintaining them.

A new concept, called Business Dynamic Steering, has broken the mold to enable improved productivity in the creation of tests and in the ability to maintain these tests. Dynamic Steering accomplishes this by building a model of the application. Dynamic Steering uses a very direct test case methodology based on concrete values and a distinct execution path. In short, the basic workflow is to build the application model (proxies of the application's graphical and non-graphical interfaces for test automation), use the components to assemble test cases, and enter validation values and actions.

This model-oriented view of test case development, separating the application model from the creation of test cases, significantly simplifies maintenance of tests. Update the model, and all tests cases that utilize the components will be updated.

Who Should Care: Testing organisations that have been struggling to get the desired return on investment (ROI) from existing technologies should investigate emerging technologies that take model-driven approaches.

Presenters:

Thomas Hadorn, TRICENTIS (Australia & New Zealand)

Dominik Weissboeck, TRICENTIS (Australia & New Zealand)

We hope that you can join us for this event.

The Auckland TPN Committee

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Attendance Cost:

All Welcome

$5.00 inc GST

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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2011 Gibbons Lecture 2: eResearch in New Zealand (Auckland, 03/5/2011)

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:04:42 +1200

2011 Gibbons Lecture 2: eResearch in New Zealand

3 May 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Building/room 423-342 University of Auckland Conference Centre 22 Symonds St Auckland

2011 Gibbons Lectures in association with NZCS

Lecture 2: eResearch in New Zealand

"eResearch" is the application of modern, high-performance computing to scientific research.

It is a broad and fast-growing field in its own right, covering established and emerging compute platforms, computer-supported collaborative work, computational semantics, support for domain-specific tools and services, and information science methodologies.

Here we introduce the New Zealand eResearch initiative, and the associated BeSTGRID network, along with examples of the research that is being undertaken, both locally and nationwide.

Includes refreshments

About The Speaker

Mark Gahegan is Director of the Centre for e-Research and Professor in the School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science at the University of Auckland.

He recently relocated to New Zealand following nine years as Associate Director of the GeoVISTA Center for visualisation and spatial analysis research at Pennsylvania State University.

His degrees are in the computing and information sciences. His research interests are at the interface of the natural and computational sciences, concentrating on eResearch, knowledge representation, visualisation and geographical information science.

About the Gibbons Lectures

The Gibbons Lectures is an annual series of talks given in the Department of Computer Science in association with the New Zealand Computer Society.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however please register below for catering and to secure your place.

(More Info)

2011 Gibbons Lecture 1: Computing outside the box (Auckland, 27/4/2011)

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:52:17 +1200

2011 Gibbons Lecture 1: Computing outside the box

27 April 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Building/room 423-342 University of Auckland Conference Centre 22 Symonds St Auckland

2011 Gibbons Lectures in association with NZCS

Lecture 1: Computing outside the box

Whitehead observed that "civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them." Thanks to Moore's Law, these operations can nowadays involve increasingly complex information manipulation and computation.

The outsourcing of computing via approaches such as utility computing, on-demand computing, grid computing, software as a service, and cloud computing can further enhance human capabilities, by freeing computer applications from the limiting confines of a single computer. Software that thus runs "outside the box" can be more powerful (Google, TeraGrid), dynamic (Animoto, caBIG), and collaborative (FaceBook, myExperient).

It can also be cheaper, due to economies of scale in hardware and software. Simultaneously, service-oriented architectures make it easier to integrate data and software from many sources. The combination of new functionality and new economics inspires new applications, reduces barriers to entry for application providers, and in general disrupts the computing ecosystem.

This lecture discusses new applications that outside-the-box computing enables; the hardware and software architectures that make these new applications possible; and the social dimensions of outside-the-box computing.

Includes refreshments

About The Speaker

Professor Ian Foster is Director of the Computation Institute, a joint institute of the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory.

Dr. Foster is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, and the British Computer Society. His awards include the Global Information Infrastructure (GII) Next Generation award, the British Computer Society's Lovelace Medal, R&D Magazine's Innovator of the Year.

Ian received his undergraduate degree from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and a PhD from Imperial College, United Kingdom, both in computer science. His research deals with distributed, parallel, and data-intensive computing technologies, and innovative applications of those technologies to scientific problems in such domains as climate change and biomedicine.

Methods and software developed under his leadership underpin many large national and international cyber infrastructures. His research resulted in the development of techniques, tools and algorithms for high-performance distributed computing and parallel computing. As a result he is sometimes called "the father of the Grid".

About the Gibbons Lectures

The Gibbons Lectures is an annual series of talks given in the Department of Computer Science in association with the New Zealand Computer Society.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free however please register below for catering and to secure your place.

(More Info)

TPN: Enterprise Tester - NZ-developed Test Tool, taking on the World! (Auckland, 05/4/2011)

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:11:46 +1300

TPN: Enterprise Tester - NZ-developed Test Tool, taking on the World!

5 April 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake 2 Drake Street Freemans Bay Auckland.

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Enterprise Tester: A NZ-developed Test Tool, taking on the World!

Catch Limited is using innovative products, a low-cost internet strategy and disruptive pricing to shake up the software world; now they're reaching out to their local community.

This month CEO, Bryce Day, will be presenting on Catch's flagship product, Enterprise Tester, a web-based, open platform that integrates into leading products like the incident management and help desk product, JIRA from Atlassian.

Customers love this open web-based test platform and the support Catch provide. Come along to this month's TPN meeting to find out why!

Many thanks to Catch for very kindly sponsoring the venue hire.

About The Speaker

Bryce Day is the CEO of Catch Limited, and is about as passionate about software testing as a person can be. He currently travels around New Zealand, Australia and the United States, talking to customers about how they are using Enterprise Tester and finding out what features can be added to allow them to get even more out of their test platform.

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Cash bar available

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details. Payment can also be made at the door. Receipts will be given.

Please note seats at this location are very limited

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"Meet the President" Evening and Auckland Branch AGM (Auckland, 31/3/2011)

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:27:48 +1300

"Meet the President" Evening and Auckland Branch AGM

31 March 2011: 5:45 pm - 7:15 pm

The Bluestone Room BlueStone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland

"Meet the President" Evening and Auckland Branch AGM

Come and meet the new NZCS President and hear what your Society's been up to.

Come and hear a short presentation from new NZCS President Ray Delany talking about the Society direction over the next 2-3 years, plus NZCS CEO Paul Matthews will give an update on current activities followed by the opportunity for informal discussion and Q+A.

This will be followed by the Auckland Branch AGM.

We ask that all members consider attending this presentation and AGM.

Refreshments from 5:45pm for a 6:15pm start (followed by cash bar and networking).

This is a call to all members to the 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Auckland Branch of the NZCS.

AGM Agenda

Apologies and Proxies
Minutes of last year's AGM
Matters arising
Chairman's report
Councillor's report
Treasurer's report
Result of the Election of Committee and National Councillor
Election of Officers - Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Followed by networking and a cash bar.

Please email any Apologies of Proxy Appointments to info@nzcs.org.nz

Attendance is free, however please register below for catering and organising purposes.

Directions

Durham Lane is between Wyndham St and Victoria St West. When walking up Queen Street, turn right; past City Living Hotel.

If driving, turn left into Durham Lane when coming down Queen Street. You can't turn into Durham Lane from the other direction. Parking is next door.

Registration Details

You can register for this event online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 or emailing attendee details through to registrations@nzcs.org.nz. Registration is also important to ensure membership type is determined for voting purposes.

NOTE: This event is for NZCS Members only

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WFIA presents: Shaken but not Stirred (Auckland, 02/3/2011)

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:39:57 +1300

WFIA presents: Shaken but not Stirred

2 March 2011: 7:15 am - 8:30 am

The Bluestone Room BlueStone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland

NZCS "World Famous in Auckland" presents: Shaken but not Stirred

Ian Tuke Commercial Director at Plan-b, will share the recent experience of 3 well known NZ organisations as they were struck by significant disruptive events - including the Christchurch earthquake.

It will look at the different measures that the organisations had in place to ensure their businesses could keep serving their Customers and will provide good insight into lessons learned post-event.

He will also touch on how NZCS professionals can leverage the new Business Continuity standard to benefit your business.

Includes a full breakfast

About The Speaker

Ian has 19 years experience in helping organisations manage risk and supporting them through unexpected events.

He served in the NZ Police for 13 years, the majority of which was in the CIB. He then established and managing NZ Immigration's global verification function before moving into professional services, becoming a senior manager with KPMG's Australasian forensic practice.

This is Ian's 4th year at Plan-b, NZ's largest Business Continuity Service provider.

Directions

Durham Lane is between Wyndham St and Victoria St West.

When walking up Queen Street, turn right; past City Living Hotel.

If driving, turn left into Durham Lane when coming down Queen Street. You can't turn into durham Lane from the other direction. Parking is next door.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

(More Info)

Security Workshop: Web Security Strategies for Developers (Auckland, 01/3/2011)

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:23:51 +1300

Security Workshop: Web Security Strategies for Developers

1 March 2011: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

Security Workshop: Web Security Strategies for Developers

Duration: 1/2 Day

These days websites are under constant attack, and it's incredibly easy for a developer or administrator to make seemingly minor mistakes that have catastrophic consequences.

This is an absolutely essential workshop for software and web developers, designers, web teams and administrators.

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Objectives

By the end of this workshop you'll have a good understanding of some of the common attacks such as:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Domain Request Forgery (CDRF)
SQL Injection
Man-In-the-Middle attacks
Layering your defenses (defense-in-depth) that can help protect you from exploit chaining

Your trainer

Andy Prow is Managing Director of security specialists Aura Software Security, is an ITCP Certified Professional and holds a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

With over 16 years of IT experience Andy has designed and written software for companies including IBM, Telecom, Vodafone and Ericsson.

Andy launched the Aura group of companies in 2001 and Aura Software Security has developed into one of NZ’s leading IT Security Consulting practises with many significant clients including the NZ Government, Xero, and Banking and Corporate companies in New Zealand and overseas.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS Corporate Partners and approved organisations can opt to pay by invoice by calling 0800 252 255 or emailing attendee and business details through to registrations@nzcs.org.nz. Credit criteria and other conditions apply.

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Advanced Robotics: The Future of Aged Care Services (Auckland, 24/2/2011)

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:41:50 +1300

Advanced Robotics: The Future of Aged Care Services

24 February 2011: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor, 401 Queen Street Auckland

NZCS is proud to bring you the next of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on ICT and the Future of Aged Care Services.

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

National Series: Advanced Robotics: The Future of Aged Care Services

The statistics around the aging population in New Zealand are worrying whichever way we look at it. Currently over 500,000 people are aged 65+, projected to double by 2028. By 2051, greater than 25% of our population is expected to be over 70.

This increase will bring about major logistical issues in how we, as a country, care for our elderly. More people will require support, and already the ratio of nurses and care-givers to elderly clients is low.

Can technology help bridge this gap?

The value of robotics for healthcare could be huge in terms of health, societal and economic benefits. Robots offer the promise of sustainable and affordable health provision without compromising quality of care.

Some products are already available, like the surgical robot Da Vinci, which helps the surgeon, who sits at a special console, to perform very precise minimally invasive surgery procedures, and the care-bot, which monitors patients and helps them with daily routine activities at the same time. These are just the beginning of a completely new way of delivering healthcare services.

In addition to this, the University of Auckland Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Intelligent Robot Division of Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute and the Selwyn Foundation are jointly working on revolutionising the field with the creation of Charlie, the 21st Century Care-Giver.

Charlie(s) will help nursing staff and independently-living elderly with tasks that can be effectively managed by a robotic device, such as:

Vital signs monitoring and recording
Information management
Medication reminders
Patient identity and tracking
General fetch and carry tasks
Video and audio links to families and carers
Falls monitoring

In this presentation Gillian Reid FNZCS ITCP, Deputy Chair of the Selwyn Foundation, will outline how technologies such as Charlie are innovating aged-care healthcare, how and why Charlie was designed, and the impact early prototypes are making in trials at Selwyn Village in Auckland.

About The Speaker

Dr Gillian Reid (QSM) is a Fellow of NZCS (FNZCS) and ITCP, and has been Head of the Computer Studies and Applied Mathematics Department of the Auckland Institute of Technology and a lecturer in Management at the University of Auckland.

She was the first IT Director of Sky City Ltd, and has worked as a senior ICT manager in software development companies and for international ICT service delivery companies such as IBM and EDS. She now has her own successful ICT Consultancy.

Along with these professional positions, she has applied her ICT knowledge to many executive positions in the voluntary sector. She was the first woman President of the New Zealand Computer Society. She is also a past President and Assistant Secretary General of the South East Asian Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC), and was awarded the QSM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the community.

She is currently Deputy Chair of the Selwyn Foundation, a large Anglican charitable trust operating over several sites throughout the upper North Island, that provides care for the elderly. It is in this role that she has been part of the strategic implementation of ICT in the Selwyn Foundation Group to change the way service delivery to the elderly is considered and managed.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Optimal Usability - Shailesh Manga (Auckland, 10/2/2011)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:49:18 +1300

TPN: Optimal Usability - Shailesh Manga

10 February 2011: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake, 2 Drake Street Freemans Bay Auckland.

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Optimal Usability - Shailesh Manga

Optimal Usability provides consultancy services to help evaluate and improve the usability of products, services, environments and interactions.

Using scientifically rigorous processes grounded in psychology to help organisations simplify their interfaces, making them more intuitive and easier to use.

Their job is to find out what customers find confusing or frustrating, and then provide solutions. The result encourages and enables earlier adoption and higher productivity through increased usage, improved user satisfaction, and enhanced brand image.

About The Speaker

Shailesh has a passion for tackling complex problems (no doubt from his background as a physicist). He is skilled at helping organisations structure themselves and execute on projects to deliver world-class customer experiences. Shailesh's role as a Director of Optimal Usability connects him to many international usability and customer experience professionals. This broad knowledge allows Shailesh to challenge and extend New Zealand clients in the area of customer experience at both a strategic and project level.

Shailesh's recent activities have included spending 4 months in the US working with another User Experience firm, speaking at conferences, helping clients develop strategies that are customer focused, building up UX teams and incorporating service design into organisations. He also struggles to leave projects alone and most recently enjoyed working on the customer testing phases of the Air New Zealand Sky Couch project.

Event schedule

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30pm to 6:30pm - Speaker (including Q&A session)
6:30pm to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

NZCS members and non-members welcome

Cash bar available

Registration Details:

Please note seats at this location are very limited

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WFIA: Privacy Issues - Home and Abroad (Auckland, 02/2/2011)

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:16:09 +1300

WFIA: Privacy Issues - Home and Abroad

2 February 2011: 7:15 am - 8:30 am

The Bluestone Room BlueStone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland

NZCS "World Famous in Auckland" presents: Privacy Issues – Home and Abroad

Privacy is an evergreen issue for the IT Industry and you’ll have noticed it hitting the headlines again in the last few days.

What is less well known is that our own Office of the Privacy Commissioner hosted the December Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum meeting here in Auckland. The Forum meets twice a year and includes delegates from ten countries including the USA, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea and New Zealand.

Join Assistant Privacy Commissioner Katrine Evans for breakfast and insights to both local and international privacy issues.

Includes a full breakfast

About The Speaker

Katrine Evans is the Assistant Privacy Commissioner (Legal and Policy).

Katrine joined the Office in August 2004, after a ten-year career as a law lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington. She is legal counsel to the Privacy Commissioner, leads and manages litigation and gives advice in the area of investigations.

She also manages the Office's communications, policy, technology and data matching work.

Directions

Durham Lane is between Wyndham St and Victoria St West.

When walking up Queen Street, turn right; past City Living Hotel.

If driving, turn left into Durham Lane when coming down Queen Street. You can’t turn into durham Lane from the other direction. Parking is next door.

Click Here for a map.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA Breakfast: 100% Innovation - Export Growth and Productivity Opportunities for the ICT and Hi-Tech Industry (Auckland, 07/12/2010)

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:35:20 +1300

WFIA Breakfast: 100% Innovation - Export Growth and Productivity Opportunities for the ICT and Hi-Tech Industry

7 December 2010: 7:15 am - 8:30 am

The Bluestone Rooms Bluestone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland City

100% Innovation - Export Growth and Productivity Opportunities for the ICT and Hi-Tech Industry

Join us for this flagship NZCS Auckland branch event - the last “world famous in Auckland” breakfast for 2010.

This is a great opportunity to catch up with past speakers, sponsors, corporate partners and other significant professionals and executives from our Industry. And it’s wonderful start to the festive season.

Brett O’Riley of NZICT will wrap up the year just closing and look ahead to next year’s opportunities for our industry. NZICT represent the supply side of New Zealand's Information and Communications Technology and Hi-Tech industry; Software, Hardware, Services, Networks, Education and Training. They champion quality ICT to increase New Zealand's global competitiveness. They have had an eventful year including major initiatives and trade missions to the World Expo in China. Brett will tell us about the impact of some of these and how industry is positioned for 2011.

Includes full breakfast.

About The Speaker

Brett O'Riley has been involved with the Information & Communications Technology industry for 21 years. He has held senior roles in both established and start-up ICT companies, working in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the USA. Brett is Vice Chairman of the Pacific Telecommunications Advisory Council, a director of several ICT companies and sports bodies, and Chief Executive Officer, NZICT Group.

Directions

Durham Lane is between Wyndham St and Victoria St West. If your coming up Queen Street, turn right into Durham Lane. The Bluestone Room is then on your right past City Life Hotel and there are parking buildings next door and across the road.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=9-11%20durham%20lane

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Innovation Day - Auckland (Auckland, 01/12/2010)

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:52:16 +1300

NZCS Innovation Day - Auckland

1 December 2010: 8:45 am - 6:30 pm

Auckland Room 1 SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre 88 Federal Street Auckland

NZCS Innovation Day 2010 is a mini-conference packed full of keynotes, presentations, panels, and discussion about innovation and ICT.

This event is TOMORROW!

Following many requests NZCS brings you this encore event to the hugely successful NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference in September.

If you didn't make it to Rotorua this is an event absolutely not to be missed. A combination of some of the country's leading ICT innovators and a crowd of people thirsty for innovation will make this an event like no other.

If you were at the Conference come along to this event to check out the presentations you missed and to continue the innovation story and discussion.

From 3D graphics to cloud to succeeding in business - these fascinating presentations cover a huge spectrum of topics in and around ICT.

Full details at http://nzcs.org.nz/InnovationDay

Huge speaker lineup

Being an encore of the NZCS "50 Years of ICT Innovation" 50th Anniversary Conference we've secured some of the country's top entrepreneurs and innovators from throughout the ICT and creative sectors, including conference keynotes Rod Drury and Ian Taylor.

Please see http://nzcs.org.nz/InnovationDay for full details

Rod Drury: Building Global Technology Businesses from NZ

Founder of Xero, the award-winning Software-as-a-Service company currently redefining small business accounting, Rod Drury was previously founder and CEO of AfterMail which was acquired by Quest Software in January 2006 and subsequently won Best Exchange Product at TechEd 2006 in Boston.

Rod is passionate about inspiring New Zealanders to innovate, and will focus primarily on removing barriers to innovation in New Zealand.

More information on Rod's presentation

Ian Taylor: Innovation in the Deep South

Ian Taylor (Ngati Kahungunu) is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading Maori innovators and has established three successful technology businesses from his base in Dunedin: Taylormade Media – a television and multi media company; Animation Research Ltd (ARL), one of the country’s most celebrated high tech companies; and BookIt, a specialist on line booking company.

Taylor revolutionalised the way the world watched sport with the creation of real-time 3D graphics for the Americas Cup. This was later expanded to cover other sports such as Golf, Cricket, Motorsport, Gliding and Aerosports.

More information on Ian's presentation

Rick Shera: GBH in the Cloud?

We're moving our lives to the cloud, whether we choose to or not or even whether we realise it or not.

Increasingly, this is not as an adjunct to proprietary desktop controlled systems but as a replacement for them. Rick Shera will discuss the significant ramifications of this not just for individuals but also for businesses that provide connectivity or services.

More information on Rick's presentation

Gavin Lennox: New Zealand’s 3D Heritage and Future

New Zealand has long been an early adopter of 3D technology – from early ray tracing research to high-profile projects like Virtual Spectator and Weta Digital’s involvement in the movie Avatar. In this presentation Gavin Lennox, CEO of Nextspace, will highlight successes and learnings from a range of New Zealand 3D and visualisation projects.

More information on Gavin's presentation

Dominic Stow: Organisational Culture – Enabling Innovation

As we emerge from recession, the demand for innovative IT solutions to enable the business strategy will grow. Dominic Stow will provide a thought provoking presentation into the challenges that organisations face in creating a culture of innovation.

More information on Dom's presentation

Hazel Jennings: Growing ICT innovation in the not for profit sector

The Not-For-Profit (NFP) sector in New Zealand is NZ$9.8 billion "industry" employing more people than the construction, transportation and utilities industries combined.

In this presentation Hazel Jennings discusses some of what the sector has been thinking about its ICT services and some of the innovations that have occurred as a consequence.

More information on Hazel's presentation

Ian Witten/David Milne: Thinking outside the Search Box

There are many opportunities to improve interactivity of information retrieval beyond the ubiquitous search box. In this talk Ian H Witten and David Milne describe ongoing New Zealand research into using Wikipedia to make other textual information sources easier to search and navigate.

More information on Ian and David's presentation

Collaboration and Discussion

Innovation Day isn't just about expert and inspirational presentations - it's also an opportunity to engage, collaborate and discuss innovation in New Zealand.

Catalysing Innovation Panel

NZCS Fellow Ray Delany chairs this panel of experts exploring how New Zealand can create the best possible environment for innovative and entrepreneurial success in ICT.

Panelists TBA

Innovation Hui

The Innovation Hui is your chance to discuss innovation in New Zealand. NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews will facilitate this all-of-room discussion on catalysing innovation. The ideas explored in this session will directly lead to NZCS policy and be presented to leaders in Government.

Full details of Innovation Day at http://nzcs.org.nz/innovationday

Draft Programme

This Draft Programme is subject to change. Please see below for more information about these presentations.

08:45am Arrival Coffee
09:10am Welcome
09:15am Rod Drury: The Next Phase: Building Global Technology Businesses from NZ
10:00am Rick Shera: GBH in the Cloud?
10:35am Morning Tea, sponsored by DesignerTech
10:55am Ian Witten / David Milne: Thinking outside the Search Box
11:30am Gavin Lennox: New Zealand’s 3D Heritage and Future
12:05pm Lunch
01:00pm Catalysing Innovation Panel, Chaired by Ray Delany
02:05pm Hazel Jennings: Growing ICT innovation in the not for profit sector
02:40pm Afternoon Tea, sponsored by Codec
02:55pm Dominic Stow: Organisational Culture – Enabling Innovation
03:30pm Innovation Hui, facilitated by Paul Matthews
04:30pm Ian Taylor: Innovation in the Deep South
05:15pm Refreshments, sponsored by Microsoft
06:30pm Innovation Day concludes

All catering and refreshments provided.

Bring your whole team

As well as coming along yourself we strongly suggest bringing your whole team - you won't find a better end-of-year event to inspire and motivate your team, young and old alike.

It would be hard to find a better way to finish the year.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS Corporate Partners and approved organisations can opt to pay by invoice by calling 0800 252 255 or emailing attendee and business details through to registrations@nzcs.org.nz. Credit criteria and other conditions apply.

There are strictly limited seats available at both these events - we strongly recommend getting in quick to avoid disappointment.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 16 - Organisation Change and Impact of ICT (Auckland, 30/11/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:53:07 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 16 - Organisation Change and Impact of ICT

30 November 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

The ICT Professional Knowledge Series is a new weekly series of seminars run in partnership with the Auckland Campus of Whitireia Polytech, designed to improve the understanding of professional issues for those practicing, or intending to practice, in ICT.

The series is very closely aligned to the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum which outlines the knowledge ICT Professionals should possess when practicing in New Zealand related to non-technical areas such as ethics and relevant legislation.

Tuesday the 30th of November: Organisation Change and Impact of ICT

This week's seminar is on Organisation Change and Impact of ICT and includes discussions on the role ICT plays in organisational change.

The topics covered include:

How programmes are established and managed to deliver business transformation
How projects are managed and deliverables achieved
The need to determine feasibility of potential solutions
That “stakeholders” exist, who and what they are, and that their expectations must be determined and managed

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

Approximately a third of the seminars will be specific case studies led by a practicing professional, with other sessions being a workshop-style discussion and analysis of a particular area of professional knowledge.

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

A clear understanding of the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum is a pre-requisite for ITCP Certification. Ongoing professional development is also a key requirement for retention of both NZCS membership and ITCP Certification.

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

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Seminar Series: Introduction to Project Management (Auckland, 30/11/2010)

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:57:56 +1300

Seminar Series: Introduction to Project Management

30 November 2010: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, 45 Queen St Auckland

Introduction to Project Management

Duration: 1/2 Day

This half-day course is an introduction to project management which addresses the basics of project management and its terminology and methods - perfect for anyone managing small projects already or looking to move into project management.

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to apply a framework for effective management of small projects, without the overhead of a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT Professionals who have been asked to manage a small project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior Managers who will be governing small projects

Approach

You'll be led, not lectured, through real world examples from the real-world experience your trainer brings. You'll learn concepts and techniques applicable to any type of small project. We will provide you with simple tools and techniques to get you off to a flying start.

Course Content

The course covers the following:

The nature of project management
The role of the project sponsor
Risk and Issue management
Quality management
Stakeholders
Benefits
Procurement
Project planning
Project justification
The Planning Phase
The Delivery Phase
The Harvest Phase

Your Trainer

Paul Sutton operates Project Results bringing hands on experience as a Technology Professional, Project Management Trainer, Coach and Practitioner. Paul has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Canterbury in Computer Science and Operations Research.

Along with being a Full Member of the New Zealand Computer Society he currently holds PMP^® and MSP^TM Practitioner certifications. He is also a Gateway Reviewer and an Accredited PRINCE2^TM Trainer.

The Course

Goal Professional Services provides expert project management consultancy and courseware across Australasia. Goal offers a wider range of course options and with a huge range of experience you can be sure you will be given best practice knowledge.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 15 - Business Acumen (Auckland, 23/11/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:09:17 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 15 - Business Acumen

23 November 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 23^rd of November: Business Acumen

This week's seminar is on Business Acumen and includes discussions on the commercial context in which organisations operate.

Topics covered include:

Governance e.g. role of board of directors, company structures and funding models
That there are various business models, and fundamental differences between public, private and not-for-profit sectors
The importance of global social, political, environmental and economic trends to an organisation

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: Soft Skills (Auckland, 17/11/2010)

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:43:53 +1300

ICTTop100 Lunch: Soft Skills

17 November 2010: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

The Blue Stone Rooms Blue Stone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

Soft skills

What do we mean? How will our staff acquire these Soft Skills?

Recruiters repeatedly say graduates need Soft Skills. What do they mean? How can we do this? Let us start by discussing these documents!

Directions

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 14 - When do ICT professionals need a lawyer? (Auckland, 16/11/2010)

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:11:30 +1300

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 14 - When do ICT professionals need a lawyer?

16 November 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 16^th of November: When do ICT professionals need a lawyer?

We have invited Rick Shera to join us for this week’s seminar. Rick is a lawyer at Lowndes Jordon and has substantial involvement with ICT. He has been on the board of InternetNZ and on Netsafe. He is active in discussions on the Patents and on the Copyright ACTA bills before Parliament.

Rick will discuss the following:

When do you need PI insurance?
Update on software Patents and Copyright
Model software development agreements
Now that there is Professional Certification (ITCP), how does a purchaser write this into a contract?
Mediation and arbitration clauses in contracts

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

"Down Memory Lane" - An NZCS 50th Anniversary event (Auckland, 10/11/2010)

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:32:58 +1300

"Down Memory Lane" - An NZCS 50th Anniversary event

10 November 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

University of Auckland Science Centre Building 303 38 Princes St, Room 279, Second floor (enter from a courtyard behind the Student Commons) Auckland CBD

Kicking off at 5:30pm with light refreshments, attendees will be split into small groups to tour the Department of Computer Science's great collection of exhibits.

Included are:

Many pre-computer mechanical and electro-mechanical machines
Early PCs and some early PDAs such as the Apple Newton
Early Apple Macintosh starting with the first Macs and Lisas which include many of the innovative design styles and advances over the years
The first digital computer used at The University of Auckland - an IBM 1620
Punched-card data processing

... and many other interesting items which we are sure (for some), will trigger memories of events long forgotten, and anecdotes which you may want to share (prize for the best story!)

Registration Details:

Numbers are limited, so this invitation is restricted to NZCS Members only (no charge). Book quickly to avoid missing out. Please register below. Registration is essential.

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TPN: Moving from Manual Testing To Automation (Auckland, 10/11/2010)

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:47:51 +1300

TPN: Moving from Manual Testing To Automation

10 November 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Drake - 1st Floor 2 Drake Street Freemans Bay Auckland

Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Eric Jiang: Moving from Manual Testing To Automation

Software companies and IT professionals are now faced with the pressure of shrinking development life-cycles without risk to software quality. One solution to ease this pressure is to automate part of the testing process. Although there is a huge demand on automation engineers in the market, the thought of moving from manual testing to automation can seem daunting for both companies and test professionals.

This presentation is intended to address some of the issues and challenges when making this initial transition based on the speaker’s firsthand and recent experience. This will also cover some of the benefits of test automation, and comparisons to manual testing.

Objectives: Some thoughts and shared ideas on moving from manual to automated testing.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank Eric Jiang for offering his time to present.

The Auckland TPN Committee

About The Speaker

Eric Jiang is a test analyst with a special interest in automated testing. He’s currently working for Air NZ as a contractor. Companies he has worked in, include Provenco, GFG-group and Wright Express.

Eric holds a bachelor degree in Computer Systems Engineering and a Post graduate diploma in Computer science (with an emphasis on automated testing). He is currently working with Jim Buchan (Senior Lecturer in AUT) on developing a framework of analysis for understanding the benefits of test automation.

Eric has firsthand experience in designing and implementing automated test suites from scratch for desktop and online applications using both commercial and open-source tools.

This presentation is to relate his own initial and recent experience (whilst it is fresh) so that manual testers who are considering automation can appreciate what is involved when making the transition for the first time.

Event schedule

5:00pm to 5:30pm – Registration & Networking
5:30pm to 6:30pm – Speaker (including Q&A session)
6:30pm to 7:00pm – Networking & close out

Cash bar available

Also please note seats at this location are limited so registration will cut-off once we meet capacity.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 14 - Managing Personal Information (Auckland, 09/11/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:05:43 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 14 - Managing Personal Information

9 November 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 9^th of November: Managing Personal Information

This week's seminar is on Managing Personal Information and includes discussions on the principles that apply to personal information including identification, collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information.

Topics covered include:

The principles of privacy
Privacy Policies, and the important of adhering to them
Ethical issues of using personal information
How personal information can be identified & categorised
The concept of “privacy by design”

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 13 - Ethical Decisions (Auckland, 02/11/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:59:08 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 13 - Ethical Decisions

2 November 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 2^nd of November: Ethical Decisions

This week’s seminar is on Ethical Decisions and includes discussions on what constitutes an ethical decision and resolving them.

The topics covered will include:

The importance of ensuring a decision or advice is in the best interests of the client or employer
Importance of consideration and informing one’s clients or employers of the economic, social, environmental or legal consequences which may arise from decisions and actions

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

National Series: Mapping ICT to the "Real World" with Process Modelling (Auckland, 26/10/2010)

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:24:06 +1300

National Series: Mapping ICT to the "Real World" with Process Modelling

26 October 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

NZCS is proud to bring you the next of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on mapping ICT to the "real world" through business process modelling and BPMN 2.0.

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

National Series: Mapping ICT to the "Real World" with Process Modelling

One of the major strengths of ICT is improving the efficiency and profitability of business, however to be successful it's essential that ICT accurately maps to the way organisations do business.

In that context, processes are at the heart of everything we do. No matter what it is. And in all facets of an organisation, some process is always being followed even if that process only exists in the heads of a few key personnel.

Business Process Mapping is all about capturing and documenting these processes in a standard manner all stakeholders understand. The correct documentation and execution of these processes is a key factor in building agile organisations and plays a primary role in enabling businesses large and small.

This presentation will look at how to document your existing processes in a standards compliant manner that will enable both Business and IT to finally talk the same language while providing key artefacts for process re-engineering projects and allowing for the possible direct execution of those processes in a BPMS.

This subject and presentation is essential for ICT professionals and Business Analysts alike who are serious about providing the maximum return to their organisations or clients for their ICT investment.

Special thanks to Integration Works Ltd for sponsoring this presentation.

About The Speaker

Steven McArdle has more than 25 years in the ICT sector and is currently employed as an SOA Solutions Architect by Integration Works Limited in Wellington.

About the National ICT Series

The NZCS National ICT Series is a series of monthly presentations bringing some of the country's top ICT-related thought leaders and speakers on a national circuit to present their view on interesting and informative subjects.

These events are designed to be informal and interesting, and are ideally suited for open-minded individuals interested in expanding their understanding of a range of different IT topics. From service management to open data access, from technical presentations to ICT in disaster zones, there'll be something there for everyone.

Launched in March 2010 in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin, these events promise to be informative and educational, often challenging the traditional view of ICT and its role in the organisation and wider environment.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Barcon Event - Meet the new ANZTB Board (Auckland, 26/10/2010)

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:53:25 +1300

TPN: Barcon Event - Meet the new ANZTB Board

26 October 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Heritage Hotel Auckland Calder Mackay Room 3 11 Wyndham Street Auckland

The NZCS Auckland TPN in conjunction with the ANZTB would like to invite you to attend a joint ANZTB/Auckland TPN event.

The evening will provide a brief overview of the new ANZTB Board members, news around the ANZTB Conference to be held in March next year and a general opportunity to meet new contacts, catch up with old friends and enjoy refreshments on us.

A similar event was held in the past and was highly successful.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank the ANZTB for sponsoring the event.

Thank you.

The Auckland TPN Committee

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

Thanks to:

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 11 - Commercial Law (Auckland, 19/10/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:45:23 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 11 - Commercial Law

19 October 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 19^th of October: Commercial Law

This week's seminar is on Commercial Law and includes discussions on legislation relating to procurement of services and technology solutions.

Topics covered include:

That there are legal requirements on companies during the tendering process
The existence and nature of legislation relating to contracts (e.g Fair Trading Act, Commerce Act, Consumer Guarantees Act)
The Commissioning Rule and concept of ownership of software
Software licensing and third party software issues, such as those of combining code under different licensing models
Difference between commercial, public domain, permissive (e.g. BSD/Apache) and protective (e.g. LGP, GPL, AGPL) licenses
Purpose of service contracts and SLAs
The role of non-disclosure agreements in regards to contracts

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 10 - Project Delivery Risk (Auckland, 12/10/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:42:13 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 10 - Project Delivery Risk

12 October 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 12^th of October: Project Delivery Risk

This week's seminar is on Project Delivery Risk and includes discussions on the risks associated with the delivery of a project and appropriate mechanisms to manage them.

Topics covered include:

The key risks associated with projects and the importance of assessing them
The importance of project controls and governance structures to minimise project risk
The role of project quality and testing processes in reducing delivery risk

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

WFIA Breakfast: Connecting the Health Sector (Auckland, 06/10/2010)

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:46:44 +1200

WFIA Breakfast: Connecting the Health Sector

6 October 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

The Blue Stone Rooms Blue Stone Building 9-11 Durham Lane (West) Auckland City

New Zealand has one of the best automated primary care systems in the world, with 97% of GPs using a highly functional interactive electronic medical records system. Well designed health IT makes a health system more efficient, vastly safer and it can save taxpayers money. But it is a lot more complicated than it looks.

There is a lot of debate over when and how to share patients’ records. Isn’t it much more efficient to hold a central record for each patient and then let all interested parties access it? If so, why has such a system designed in this manner failed so miserably costing UK taxpayers 1.5 billion pounds?

Health IT is one of New Zealand’s largest IT market segments and a hot topic with the Government keen to save money and boost productivity. Tom Bowden will look at how IT is contributing to health care in New Zealand and how this market is developing with new challenges and opportunities. In particular he will look at the latest trend to give every patient access to their own personal electronic health record; considering what works best and why and what this means to consumers of Healthcare.

Includes Full Breakfast.

About The Speaker

Tom Bowden is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of HealthLink, the largest provider of health sector communications and related services in Australia and New Zealand. Tom is currently representing New Zealand in a number of international research projects.

HealthLink was established in 1993 as a joint venture between Telecom New Zealand and Orion Health (one of the world’s largest non-US based health IT companies). In 1996 Telecom New Zealand sold its share of the venture to HealthLink staff members and it remains a privately held company. HealthLink ranks among the most significant organisations of its type in the world; connecting more than 9,000 health sector organisations who exchange more than 50 million items of clinical information annually. In New Zealand, HealthLink is used by every general practice, hospital and pathology laboratory.

Directions

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=9-11%20durham%20lane

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 9 - Quality of Advice (Auckland, 05/10/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:27:52 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 9 - Quality of Advice

5 October 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 5^th of October: Quality of Advice

This week's seminar is on Quality of Advice and includes discussions on the importance of ensuring the work and advice you provide as a professional is of the highest standard.

The topics covered will include:

Professional limitations and when to seek further expertise
What is meant by “delivering on promise”
“Expert advice”, and managing conflicting opinions
The importance of continuing professional development

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

TPN: Effective Communication (Auckland, 30/9/2010)

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:43:41 +1200

TPN: Effective Communication

30 September 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cliftons Training Facilities Level 2 45 Queen Street Auckland

Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

David Hayman: Effective Communication

Effective Communication is the cornerstone of pretty much everything we do. As a tester, communication can be the making or breaking of a project often before it even starts. We are all aware of the benefits of all levels of reviews even though they often remain difficult to implement in an effective manner.

This presentation is intended as a light hearted look [testers can be very serious sometimes!] at the effects of communication on our daily work and the impact it can have on our projects. David Hayman is not going to attempt any level of psycho analysis on hidden meanings or the complexities of body language. He hopes to trigger a few thought processes and maybe instigate a bit of discussion around what works and what doesn’t, when to say it and when not to, who to say it to and perhaps how to say it when no one wants to hear it.

Objectives: Some discussion, some laughter, some thoughts and some shared ideas

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank David Hayman for offering his time to present, Qualit for sponsoring the event and finally to Cliftons for providing the venue.

Drinks will be provided, thanks to:

Thank you.

The Auckland TPN Committee

About The Speaker

David Hayman's IT experience extends over some 26 years and includes time spent as a programmer, systems analyst and project manager. The last 22 years has been focused on software testing which has provided significant experience in all aspects of the testing practice, its processes, methods, theories and practical applications.

David uses that long and varied practical experience to provide a range of testing solutions to clients across business areas including banking, insurance, government [local and central], utilities, finance, telecoms and software development across New Zealand, Australia, UK and Europe.

He is a frequent and thought provoking speaker at testing and management conferences around the globe. He is an accredited trainer of the ISTQB Foundation, Advanced Test Analyst and Advanced Test Manager certification courses and has been a member of the ANZTB Board since 2008; he is currently Vice Chair.

David is currently a Test Consultant and Test Practice Manager for Qual IT Solutions and is located in Auckland, New Zealand. He is also the Program Coordinator for the ANZTB 2011 Conference to be held 28-30 March 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Event schedule

5:00pm to 5:30pm – Registration & Networking
5:30pm to 6:15pm – Speaker (including Q&A session)
6:15pm to 7:00pm – Networking & close out

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Evening with Industry (Auckland, 29/9/2010)

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:48:12 +1200

Evening with Industry

29 September 2010: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Owen Glen Building 12 Grafton Rd, The University of Auckland City Campus, CBD

NZCS and the University of Auckland warmly invite you to participate in this unique Evening with the IT Industry event.

At this event we bring together leading IT managers and professionals in the industry and the senior class students from the tertiary educational institutions in Auckland majoring in the various computing disciplines (Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Computing Systems) and provide a forum to mix and mingle while discussing IT staffing needs and expectations of the Industry / Business sector.

The Evening with the Industry is a very popular event with both IT professionals and students. Usually we had over 150 participants.

Organised by the Auckland Branch of the NZCS and hosted by the University of Auckland.

Soft drinks and pizza will be served. Door prize (Xbox) provided by Microsoft.

Opening

Welcome by Professor Michael Myers, Head of the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, The University of Auckland School of Business.

Welcome by Mr. Peter Cornelius, Chair, Auckland Branch, New Zealand Computer Society.

Panel Discussion

Nigel Parker, Director of Developer and Platform Group, Microsoft
Raymond Hayter, MD, Hansen NZ (former Peace Software)
Michael Myers, HOD, The University of Auckland
Chris South, Team Manager, Hays Specialist Recruitment
Chandan Ohri, Partner, KPMG
Bennett Medary, Chair, NZICT

The Forum

Meeting company representatives.

Participants

CEO or CIO of leading IS companies, Auckland region.

Information Systems / Computer Science students from: the universities and technical institutes (around 250).

Registration Details:

NZCS members: free, all the others $5.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 8 - Role of Business and IS Strategy (Auckland, 28/9/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:17:23 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 8 - Role of Business and IS Strategy

28 September 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 28^th of September: Role of Business and IS Strategy

This week's seminar is on Role of Business and IS Strategy and includes discussions on the purpose of IS strategy and its components.

Topics covered will include:

That an IS strategy is aligned with the organisational goals
Different models for ICT selection e.g. Proprietary vs. Open source, custom vs. best of breed, lease vs. buy etc, and the general conceptual pros and cons of each approach
That risk profile impacts on approach to technology adoption

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 7 - Compliance Frameworks (Auckland, 21/9/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:10:03 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 7 - Compliance Frameworks

21 September 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm to 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 21^st of September: Compliance Frameworks

This week's seminar is on Compliance Frameworks and includes discussions on the role of internal and external standards.

Topics covered will include:

The difference between certification, guidelines, standards, frameworks and methodologies
The concept of “good practice” rather than “best practice”
How standards can be used to help with legislative compliance
The role of good practice within ICT and an awareness of the existence of key frameworks (for example ITIL, CMM, Cobit)
The use of policies & standards to influence behaviour within the organisation (e.g. acceptable use policies)
The existence of mandatory requirements on Government departments and their suppliers (eg from SSC, OAG, MED

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 6 - Risk Mitigation (Auckland, 14/9/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:26 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 6 - Risk Mitigation

14 September 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm to 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 14^th of September: Risk Mitigation

This week's seminar is on Risk Mitigation and includes discussions the concept of risk mitigation in relation to Information assets.

Topics covered will include:

The types of strategies for dealing with risk, including avoidance, acceptance and mitigation
The existence of security frameworks and when they apply
The importance of security awareness in the use of ICT, including physical security of information assets
The concepts of business continuity, disaster recovery and service continuity in relation to ICT
The role ICT audit plays with regard to risk mitigation
The role of ICT governance structures in risk mitigation

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 5 - Professional Behaviour (Auckland, 07/9/2010)

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:51:34 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 5 - Professional Behaviour

7 September 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitieria Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 7th of September: Professional Behaviour

This week's seminar is on Professional Behaviour and includes discussions on what constitutes good professional behavior.

The topics covered will include:

Discretion in regard to client and employer affairs
The importance of cultural respect in the workplace, including the principles of the Human Rights Act and Treaty of Waitangi
What is meant by personal integrity in a professional sense
The importance of not denigrating or damaging reputation of competitors, clients or colleagues

ï»¿More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Special Seminar with Warehouse CIO Owen McCall (Auckland, 31/8/2010)

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:44:16 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Special Seminar with Warehouse CIO Owen McCall

31 August 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitieria Polytechnic 450 Queen Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 31^th of August: Ask a CIO how to do IT

Owen McCall, CIO of The Warehouse will present and answer your questions about what a CIO of such a large (for NZ) organisation has to do to contribute to a very successful business, and the role of ethics and professionalism.

Bring your questions - we expect a vigorous facilitated discussion to follow.

The Warehouse has over 120 stores stocking over 80,000 SKUs. They have also just won an award for their new online purchasing web site.

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

TPN: Rex Black: A taste of the ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst (Auckland, 25/8/2010)

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:58 +1200

TPN: Rex Black: A taste of the ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst

25 August 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cliftons Training Facilities Level 2, 45 Queen Street Auckland

In this interactive presentation Rex Black will introduce you to the new ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst qualification. You’ll be challenged to answer a sample question or two and will learn about the chapters and learning objectives for the ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst qualification.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank Rex Black for offering his time to present, to Software Education for sponsoring the event and finally to Cliftons for providing the venue.

Thank you

The Auckland TPN Committee

About The Speaker

Rex Black is the immediate past President of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) and co-author of the ISTQB Foundation and Advanced Syllabus.

With a quarter of a century of software and systems engineering experience, Rex is President and Principal Consultant of RBCS, Inc., a leader in software, hardware and systems testing. Rex specialises in working with clients on engagements small, medium, and large to ensure complete satisfaction and positive ROI.

He is the most prolific author practicing in the field of software testing today. His popular book, Managing the Testing Process, has sold over 25,000 copies around the world, and he has also written a number of other books on testing which have also sold thousands of copies. In addition, he has written numerous articles and papers and has presented at hundreds of conferences and workshops around the world.

Event schedule

5:00pm to 5:30pm – Registration & Networking
5:30pm to 6:15pm – Speaker (including Q&A session)
6:15pm to 7:00pm – Networking & close out

Drinks will be provided.

Thanks to:

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 4 - ICT Organisation and Structure (Auckland, 24/8/2010)

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:59:42 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 4 - ICT Organisation and Structure

24 August 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitieria Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 24^th of August: ICT Organisation and Structure

This week's seminar is on ICT Organisation Structure and includes discussions on how ICT organisations are structured and the various roles and functions performed by ICT within the organisation.

Includes a general understanding of the following concepts:

The difference between decentralised vs centralised organisational models, and how they affect ICT
The key ICT roles in an organisation, and their purposes
That there are different models for ICT sourcing: in-sourcing, outsourcing, co-sourcing and off-shoring
That there are tendering models and requirements for each (eg including RFP, RFI processes)

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1^st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3^rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4^th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

Hacked: Teaching the Good Guys Bad Tricks (Auckland, 19/8/2010)

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:00:09 +1200

Hacked: Teaching the Good Guys Bad Tricks

19 August 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

Continuing a security theme, in the latest National Series event NZCS is present one of the country's experts in application and web security.

NOTE: Due to the NZCS 50th Anniversary Conference there will be no National Series event next month.

Hacked: Teaching the Good Guys Bad Tricks

NZCS National ICT Event Series

You can't fight a war that you don't know you're waging. You can't defend your website against attack unless you know the tricks that the bad guys will use.

Join Andy Prow, Managing Director of Aura Software Security, as he demonstrates and discusses attacks and defences in action. By the end of this session you'll have an understanding of some of the common attacks such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Domain Request Forgery (CDRF), and will have an appreciation of how layering your defenses (defense-in-depth) can help protect you from exploit chaining.

The session will also give you some practical tips that you can apply straight away to help you design, build and manage more secure websites.

About The Speaker

Andy Prow is Managing Director of security specialists Aura Software Security, is an ITCP Certified Professional and holds a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

With over 16 years of IT experience Andy has designed and written software for companies including IBM, Telecom, Vodafone and Ericssons.

Andy launched the Aura group of companies in 2001, and Aura Software Security is now one of NZ’s leading IT Security Consulting practises with clients including the NZ Government, Xero, plus other Banking and Corporate companies here in New Zealand and overseas.

About the National ICT Series

The NZCS National ICT Series is a series of monthly presentations held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin, and bringing some of the country's top ICT-related thought leaders and speakers on a national circuit to present their view on interesting and informative subjects.

These events are designed to be informal and interesting, and are ideally suited for open-minded individuals interested in expanding their understanding of a range of different IT topics.

Registration Details

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 3 - ICT-related Laws (Auckland, 17/8/2010)

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:49:37 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 3 - ICT-related Laws

17 August 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytech 450 Queen Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 17^th of August: ICT-related Laws

This week's seminar is on ICT-related Laws and includes discussions on various important (NZ) laws that affect ICT operations.

Topics covered will include:

The Privacy Act and implications of breaches to the Act
NZ laws relating to electronic commerce
The Public Records Act & Archives Act and implications for ICT
The legal requirements for managing Spam
Legal issues of Intellectual Property, copyright and patents
Legal liability, professional liability, third-party liability
Legislation relating to electronic crime and its impact on ICT

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 2 - Information Risk Assessment (Auckland, 10/8/2010)

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:40:08 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 2 - Information Risk Assessment

10 August 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queens Street Auckland (Seminar runs from 6.15pm - 7.30pm)

Tuesday the 10th of August: Information Risk Assessment

This week's seminar is on Information Risk Assessment and includes discussions the concepts of risk assessment of Information assets.

Topics covered will include:

Quantifying the business impact of information risks
Risks to information confidentiality and mitigation concepts
Risks to integrity of information and mitigation concepts
Risks to information availability and mitigation concepts

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Every 1st Tuesday of the month)
ICT Risk (Every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Every 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Every 4th Tuesday of the month)

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 1 - Ethical Work Practice (Auckland, 03/8/2010)

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:29:37 +1200

ICT Professional Knowledge: Seminar 1 - Ethical Work Practice

3 August 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Whitireia Polytechnic 450 Queen Street Auckland

Tuesday 3^rd August: Ethical Work Practice

This week's seminar is on Ethical Work Practice and includes discussions on ethical issues and topics to support NZCS’s Code of Professional Conduct and Code of Practice.

Ethical work practice, professional behaviour, quality of advice and making ethical decisions will be covered in this session.

More information about this Series

The seminars will be run every Tuesday at the Whitireia Campus, 450 Queen Street at 5.45pm for a 6.15pm start. Enter the Queen Street entry.

[Parking: Coming up Queen Street, turn left past 450 Queen Street into Turner Street. There is plenty of street parking available.]

You may attend all sessions or just come along to those that interest you.

Professional Knowledge covers 4 areas:

Ethics and Code of Practice (Tuesday, 3 August)
ICT Risk (Tuesday 10 August)
Legal and Compliance Frameworks (Tuesday, 17 August)
Roles and Context of ICT within the Organisation (Tuesday, 24 August)

A clear understanding of the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum is a pre-requiste for ITCP Certification. Ongoing professional development is also a key requirement for retention of both NZCS membership and ITCP Certificaiton.

You can download the NZCS Professional Knowledge Curriculum here for more information.

Registration:

Only one email notice will be issued for each week's seminar, on the preceding Wednesday.

Please register below to secure your place.

(More Info)

Seminar: Introduction to Project Management (Auckland, 27/7/2010)

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:49:31 +1200

Seminar: Introduction to Project Management

27 July 2010: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cliftons Level 2, Tower Centre 45 Queen Street Auckland

NZCS are proud to announce the first of a new half-day Seminar Series in Auckland. These will cover a broad range of IT-related areas.

Introduction to Project Management

Duration: 1/2 Day

Book Early - numbers are very limited

Objectives

At the end of the course delegates will be able to:

Understand the basics of project management
Understand project management terminology
Be able to apply a framework for effective management of small projects, without the overhead of a formal project management method

Target Audience

Managers and IT Professionals who have been asked to manage a small project for the first time
Clients and other stakeholders who have a role in ensuring small projects proceed smoothly to a successful completion
Senior Managers who will be governing small projects

Approach

Course Content

The course covers the following:

The nature of project management
The role of the project sponsor
Risk and Issue management
Quality management
Stakeholders
Benefits
Procurement
Project planning
Project justification
The Planning Phase
The Delivery Phase
The Harvest Phase

Your Trainer

The Course

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

(More Info)

The Latest in Digital Forensics and e-Crime (Auckland, 22/7/2010)

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:20:05 +1200

The Latest in Digital Forensics and e-Crime

22 July 2010: 5:45 pm - 7:15 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland

In the latest National Series event, NZCS is proud to bring the head of the NZ Police's National eCrime Group to Auckland to present the latest in digital forensics and eCrime. This is not one to be missed!

National Series: The Latest in Digital Forensics and e-Crime

Digital Forensics and e-Crime is a rapidly developing and cutting edge discipline of ICT, contributing more and more significantly to crime investigations in New Zealand and globally every year.

The NZ Police e-Crime Group is responsible for managing the digital forensics for the NZ Police via three e-Crime Labs throughout the country.

In this presentation Maarten Kleintjes, head of the NZ Police National Electronic Crime Group, will give an update on the latest local and international work in digital forensics and e-Crime including recent examples of high profile cases where digital forensics played a key part in cracking the case.

As the devices on which people process and store information have become more sophisticated, more widespread and more interconnected, the role of the E-Crime Lab has grown considerably. These days there are very few crimes committed that don’t have an electronic component to evidence and the number of exhibits have increased from around 40 a year in 1985 to over 16,000 in recent years. This ranges from people using their computer to research how to commit a crime (or ironically how to get away with it!), or emails or text messages which often unknowingly give the game away, through to more complicated analysis.

Maarten will also outline EVE, the Environment for Virtualised Evidence, the world-leading system created by the NZ e-Crime Group and launched last year to revolutionalise the efficient and timely collection, indexing and analysis of electronic evidence. This system dramatically changed the turnaround of a Detective submitting a computer for analysis and access to files and information from many months or years to several days.

The NZ Police e-Crime Group is leading the world in the area of digital forensics, and this presentation will provide significant insight into this fascinating area.

About The Speaker

Maarten Kleintjes is the Manager of the National Electronic Crime Group for the New Zealand Police.

Maarten has a long, varied and distinguished background in the computer industry as an electronic engineer, technical investigator, consultant, software developer, educator and international seminar presenter.

Maarten commenced his career in the New Zealand Police in 1984 as Officer in Charge of the National Tape Laboratory specialising in covert evidence gathering and recovery through advanced signal processing. In 1993 he advanced into the position of Chief Technical Investigator and pioneered Computer Forensics in New Zealand. In 1999 he was appointed National Manager after successfully establishing the Electronic Crime Laboratory.

In 2009 Maarten was appointed Manager e-Crime Group and is responsible for the e-Crime Laboratory, the NC3 (National Cyber Crime Centre) and the e-Crime Research and Development group.

His interests have covered a wide range of topics including audio, video, operating systems, programming languages, cryptography and the Internet.

Maarten trained in New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands in the area Electronic Engineering, Signal Processing and Computer Forensics. In his career with the New Zealand Police he has been involved in a large number of high profile investigations and he gives evidence in District and High Court on a regular basis as an expert witness.

In addition to his investigative work Maarten is much involved as an educator, lecturing at the Royal NZ Police College and other National and International Seminars.

About the National ICT Series

These events are designed to be informal and interesting, and are ideally suited for open-minded individuals interested in expanding their understanding of a range of different IT topics.

Registration Details

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: Clever (Auckland, 21/7/2010)

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:56:19 +1200

ICTTop100 Lunch: Clever

21 July 2010: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

Clever, Leading Your Smartest Most Creative People

by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones.

We scan the ideas in this clever book about how to lead exceptionally talented people - in only 7 minutes - and then our talented attendees tell us how to really do it!

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: IAG's Agile Testing Strategy (Auckland, 13/7/2010)

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:31:26 +1200

TPN: IAG's Agile Testing Strategy

13 July 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Apiata Room Level 1, IAG NZI Centre 1 Fanshawe St Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

IAG’s Agile Testing Strategy

Jeff Bedwell, Test Manager of IAG, will be talking us through IAG’s agile testing strategy. In today’s IT industry, the agile methodology is seldom implemented effectively. Often times it takes a substantial investment of time, patience and discipline for a company to mature their agile approach.

IAG is one of these companies dedicated to refining their agile process.

Join us as Jeff talks us through the history behind the move to the agile methodology with one of the industry’s largest and most well known insurance firms. The talk will cover:

IAG’s background of testing beginning from the Waterfall Approach, Prince 2 methodology, and use of Rational Robot.
The move to Agile Testing, including examples of what did and did not work
Test pyramid and strategy
How SCRUM was introduced
Agile team approach - role clarity and separation
Reusable scripts
The team’s move from functional to technical testing
Open source software selection - Fitnesse/Slim
Champions
SOA – concentration of effort on reusable items
Successes to date

On behalf of the entire TPN, the committee would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to IAG who will be sponsoring the venue at their premises as well as the drinks for the evening.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

About The Speaker

Jeff Bedwell is currently the Test Manager at IAG and is responsible for championing the automation strategy and process, as well as managing the Test Team. He has spent more than 25 years working at a variety of Insurance companies including Commercial Union, NZI and now IAG.

During that time he covered most areas of insurance including sales, head office and branch management before moving into TS as an analyst around 13 years ago. In TS he has worked as a Senior Analyst, Business Consultant, Project Manager and Team Leader before changing roles again and becoming the Test Manager at IAG around 3 years ago.

We hope that you can join us for this event.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

Event schedule:

5:00 to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm - Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Drinks will be sponsored by IAG (Up to two drinks per person).

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WFIA: Connecting Otara - The Technology behind NZ's most Connected Community (Auckland, 07/7/2010)

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:12:38 +1200

WFIA: Connecting Otara - The Technology behind NZ's most Connected Community

7 July 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

The Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe after-school learning environment where young people from under-served communities work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology.

Clubhouse 274 is an after-school drop in centre in Otara where members choose to come and work on projects that interest them. As well as having access to state of the art technology and programmes, the Clubhouse also uses volunteers as mentors to provide help and support.

In addition to facilitating the globally successful Computer Clubhouse learning model for its school age members and duplicating it around the country, Clubhouse 274 is also at the forefront of community connectivity. It hosts a fully integrated digital learning environment established between local schools and residents of the community.

With support from the local community, the ICT industry sector, and other private, community, local and national government bodies, 5000 families have access to a seamless set of digital solutions including:

A fibre network that is part of Vector’s Metro Ethernet, providing ultrafast broadband to
a free community-wide wireless network built by Rural Link to all Clover Park residents in association with community partners, Housing New Zealand
An online portal allowing the community to communicate and share digitally created content, developed at the University of Auckland and funded by the Ministry of Youth Development and Manukau City Council
Distribution of low cost digital devices through the Intel Classmate Laptop Project funded by Microsoft New Zealand and the Auckland Airport Community Trust
A Mobile Clubhouse 274 caravan to reach anywhere within the immediate precinct of the Computer Clubhouse Connected Community Project provided by Hewlett Packard New Zealand.

In this presentation Mike Usmar, CEO of the Computer Clubhouse Trust, will share with us details of the technology program that enables this celebrated community institution. Mike believes the Connected Community Project makes "Otara the most connected community in New Zealand."

Includes full breakfast

About The Speaker

Mike Usmar is CEO of Computer Clubhouse Trust, and the “World Famous in Auckland" (and the rest of NZ) Computer Clubhouse 274; a member of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network based at the Museum of Science in Boston, and the recently launched Network of Aotearoa Clubhouses (NOAC), based in Otara, Manukau City.

He has led this organisation from 2005 when the first Clubhouse 274 opened in temporary facilities, and is widely credited for his leadership in the development of a vibrant series of clubhouses now opening across the country.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Test Automation with Legacy Systems (Auckland, 23/6/2010)

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:14:36 +1200

TPN: Test Automation with Legacy Systems

23 June 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Dining Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street, Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Test Automation for Legacy Systems with Rick Mugridge.

Most software is developed without test automation in mind. The software usually changes over time and the systems are likely to have become rather tangled. This makes it hard to apply test automation at multiple levels. And it can be difficult to have clean test independence, especially when test systems are shared.

Test automation often has to be carried out through user interfaces, which tends to make automation slow and fragile. We look at the issues in applying test automation to legacy systems, including political ones, and look at some useful approaches.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

About The Speaker

Rick Mugridge is an expert in agile software development, working in NZ, Europe and USA as coach, architect, developer and consultant to people working in test automation.

Rick has a PhD in Computer Science and has taught software engineering at the University of Auckland.

We hope that you can join us for this event.

The Auckland TPN Committee

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm – Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:45pm – Presentation and Questions
6:45 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Drinks will be available at a cash bar (cash only).

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Site Visit: Air New Zealand Corporate (Auckland, 16/6/2010)

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:05:14 +1200

Site Visit: Air New Zealand Corporate

16 June 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Air New Zealand Auditorium 185 Fanshawe Street Auckland CBD

Air New Zealand, world renowned airline and leading IT innovator, is hosting an exclusive evening for NZCS members.

Over many years Air New Zealand has built up a market-leading reputation of true innovation and IT has been central to their success. This is an exclusive opportunity to find out more about how innovation and IT works in practice at Air New Zealand.

Presenters include:

Julia Raue, CIO, Air New Zealand
Chris Trigg, GM IT Production, and
Young Ly, Manager Innovations and Ventures

The Programme:

Kicking off at 5:30pm with light refreshments, the presentation starts at 5:45 and concludes with Q & A at approximately 7:30pm.

During the evening guests will have a chance to try out the new Kiosk technology.

As well as an overview of the Group IT People structure and “people strategy”, find out about:

How AirNZ IT strategy aligns to the business
AirNZ’s financials/cost profile and key deliverables
The domestic and global experience
AirNZ challenges, what works, and what’s next.

There will be a showcase of technology, self service, and innovation.

Good Car Parking is available in the adjacent Wilson's Park or on the street.

Click Here for a map

Numbers are limited, so this invitation is restricted to NZCS Members only (no charge). Book quickly to avoid missing out.

Registration Details:

This event is for NZCS members only. Please register below. Registration is essential.

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National Series: ICT in a Disaster Zone [Auckland] (Auckland, 10/6/2010)

Mon, 24 May 2010 11:06:50 +1200

National Series: ICT in a Disaster Zone [Auckland]

10 June 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

NZCS is proud to bring you the next of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on ICT in a disaster zone and the role technology plays in saving lives.

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

National Series: ICT in a Disaster Zone

As we know, ICT has transformed everyday life and changed the way we do things. As well as this, technology now plays a pivotal role in the global humanitarian and rescue response when disaster strikes around the world.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have established a number of IT & Telecommunications Emergency Response Units (ERUs) to help in the response to disasters and emergencies around the world. New Zealand's ERU was the 5th such unit and consists of a team of 20 with diverse backgrounds in telecommunications and ICT.

The Emergency Response Units are charged with putting in place emergency telecommunications infrastructure to support the rescue effort. Ongoing power and internet outages as well as IT system software and hardware failures within the country create significant difficulties for Red Cross to maintain ongoing contact with key partners, field staff and external contacts, making this role essential.

As an active member of the NZ Red Cross IT&T ERU, Steve Davis will outline the impact greater use of telecommunications and IT infrastructure has had on the rescue efforts in disaster-hit areas such as Haiti, Tonga and the Solomon Islands, the challenges faced, as well as some of the backgound to the Red Cross IT&T team.

About The Speaker

Steve Davis has a background in Radio Communications and IT spanning more than 25 years and has been putting this to use in the fields of Emergency Management and Disaster Response through a number of agencies over the past 18 years.

Through an early interest in electronics and radio Steve obtained his amateur radio license in 1980, soon after becoming a member of the New Zealand Association of Amateur Radio Transmitters (NZART) and later joining the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications group (AREC). Steve has served as a member of the National Council for NZART, various offices for the local NZART branch and as Section Leader for the local AREC Section.

Through AREC Steve became involved in Land Search and Rescue in New Zealand and has responded to many searches to provide communications and IT support at the Incident Control Point. Steve has also participated in local, regional and national roles of the Land SAR organisation over many years.

In more recent times Steve has become a member of NZ Red Cross’s first International Emergency Response Unit, providing IT & Telecommunications support to International and Local Red Cross in times of a major disaster.

Steve is currently self employed providing training, consulting and contracting services in a range of fields in the ICT and Emergency Management sectors, and is active in NZCS, Scouts NZ, and the Mountain Safety Council.

About the National ICT Series

Registration Details

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA: Open Source Solutions with Commercial Solutions - a marriage made in heaven? (Auckland, 02/6/2010)

Thu, 13 May 2010 23:44:30 +1200

WFIA: Open Source Solutions with Commercial Solutions - a marriage made in heaven?

2 June 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS "World Famous in Auckland" breakfast presents:

Open Source Solutions with Commercial Solutions - a marriage made in heaven?

Presented by John Holley, Group Manager ICT, Auckland Regional Council

John will discuss the Auckland Regional Council's (ARC) experiences in utilising open source solutions to enhance existing business processes and systems within the ARC.

Often it is believed that the use of open source solutions along side commercial solutions means compromise. In this presentation John will discuss the experiences of the ARC utlilising open source solutions, especially in conjunction with SAP.

He shows how suitable open source additions can both save money and improve business processes.

Includes full Breakfast

About The Speaker

John Holley is the Group Manager ICT for the Auckland Regional Council.

Before this, he has held a number of IT management, sales, and consulting roles, including at the University of Auckland and the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

He has been a school trustee for 12 years, including time as board chair for his children's primary school. He additionally provides consulting to a number of schools in the greater Auckland area on ICT and is a member of the Accelerating Aotearoa Taskforce.

In his spare time he is an officer in the NZ Army, which has included an operational deployment to East Timor in 2001, and instructs in operational planning and leadership at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS AI: What Is Knowledge Engineering? (Auckland, 20/5/2010)

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:02:46 +1200

NZCS AI: What Is Knowledge Engineering?

20 May 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

WT1103 Auckland University of Technology 360 Queen Street Auckland CBD

AUT’s Knowledge Engineering and Discovery Research Institute (KEDRI) develops new methods and systems for information and data modelling, data mining, knowledge discovery and computational intelligence, and applies them to important real-world problems. The methods are inspired by principles from nature such as biological neural networks and brain functions, genetics, evolution and quantum physics.

Today it is not enough to just have access to data and information - thanks to the Internet this has never been easier and with the newer technologies such as cloud computing data portability is potentially less of an issue as well. The question is how can we best utilise all this data to make our life easier?

It seems the more data we have the more complex the decision process becomes. Perhaps if we want technology to help make our life easier we need to first understand how we solve complex problems in our heads and then how much of that can currently be 'replicated by' or 'delegated to' a machine. What we are seeing in today's knowledge engineering world is the equivalent of the 'assembly line' in the industrial revolution. It is the start of a new generation of data mining, pattern recognition, autonomous learning and cognitive systems to help make our ever more complex world easier to comprehend.

Come along to an evening of knowledge engineering exploration and bring your own complex decisions to contemplate.

Who should attend

Anyone dealing with mountains of data at work wanting to know if technology can or cannot help them make better decisions. Anyone who is interested in or is studying artificial intelligence and wants to actually apply what they are learning. Anyone who is open to new technology and innovation solving today's business problems.

This event is open to NZCS members and non-members, registration is essential (as there are limited places).

About the NZCS Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group

We are a new specialist group within the NZCS keen to promote artificial intelligence awareness in the wider community and to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice. Check out our community website http://nzaisg.ning.com/ to find out more and become a member of the group.

Registration Details:

Registration is essential - please register below to secure your spot.

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National Series: Transformational ICT through Open Data (Auckland, 13/5/2010)

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:43:46 +1200

National Series: Transformational ICT through Open Data

13 May 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

NZCS is proud to bring you the next of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on the concept of open data, and how it is transforming the ICT sector.

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

National Series: Transformational ICT through Open Data

(Previously called "A Brave New World: Rebuilding Civil Society Online")

Throughout Europe in the 18^th Century the great Age of Enlightenment was born, a movement promoting the black arts of education, reason and logic in decision-making.

In this entertaining and informative presentation popular ICT commentator and online strategist Paul Reynolds will shine light on the new Internet-driven "Age of Enlightenment" happening right now, and how individuals and organisations can cash in on the phenomena by building upon the growing wealth of publicly-available open data covering everything from map and geospatial information, through to the human genome itself.

Exploring what is available and where is fascinating, and as Reynolds takes us through some of the more obscure and interesting datasets freely available, what we can do with it will surprise even the most data-aware information scientists amongst us.

Reynolds will argue that with the age of the Internet and the new age of Cloud Computing now upon us, the revolution is already here, with levels of information and data never seen before at our fingertips and the type, nature and volume of open data expanding rapidly.

Similarly, the scope and range of the tools being applied to open government and e-democracy are transforming the landscape we, as ICT professionals, operate in, also impacting on politicians, bureaucrats, citizens and business.

But where does the ICT profession sit in relation to these double revolutions? Managing information and data has responsibilities attached, and is the profession really ready and open to always-on ubiquitous networks, or will risk aversion, and a craving for the old certainties of centralisation send the baby with the bathwater?

In a truly inspired presentation designed to provoke discussion and debate Paul Reynolds's asks: Is the ICT profession ready for the 18th century?

About The Speaker

Paul Reynolds is an entertaining and colourful ICT commentator and consultant based in Auckland, with an avid interest in information access and cultural/techno change.

Paul presents a very entertaining regular insight into the Virtual World on Radio NZ, and is often at the forefront of discussion and debate around ICT issues, especially in relation to data and digital literacy.

Paul co-founded McGovern Online, an online media company with clients throughout New Zealand and in Australia, Fiji and the UK.

Until recently Paul was the Adjunct Director to the Digital Library at the National Library of New Zealand, has served on the Library and Information Advisory Commission and Government Digital Strategy Advisory Group and is on the board of the NZ National Digital Forum.

About the National ICT Series

Registration Details:

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Major KiwiSkills Launch Event (Auckland, 06/5/2010)

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:40:20 +1200

Major KiwiSkills Launch Event

6 May 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Level 5, Microsoft House 22 Viaduct Harbour Ave Auckland 5pm for a 5:30pm start

NZCS are proud to invite you to the:

KiwiSkills Launch Event

Join NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews and members of the NZCS management team, KnowledgeWeaversNZ Principle Beverley Bunker, Opp Spokesperson on Small Business and Manukau East MP Hon Ross Robertson, Microsoft NZ CEO Kevin Ackhurst and others as we outline and launch the major new NZCS digital literacy programme, KiwiSkills.

A recent research report completed by KnowledgeWeaversNZ and commissioned by NZCS found that New Zealand is losing at least $1.7 BILLION every year in lost productivity by not tackling ICT competence in the workplace.

The report also found that Digital Literacy is now "an essential life skill and the right of every NZ citizen".

That's all well and good, but what can YOU do about it? How can you help New Zealand tackle this issue, and what options are available for you and your colleagues or clients?

There are a number of excellent programmes throughout New Zealand targeted at those with little or no computing skills, however very little focusing on the vast majority of technology users that have basic skills, and it is these people that benefit the most from improved digital literacy.

Introducing: KiwiSkills

KiwiSkills is a multi-pronged programme designed from the ground up to tackle digital literacy in New Zealand.

KiwiSkills focuses on removing the barriers to upskilling staff and the community, including introducing a series of benchmarks, internationally-recognised standards that kiwis can aspire to, providing quick and easy access to the training, testing and support programmes available throughout New Zealand, plus engaging businesses and the community to work together on dealing with this once and for all.

You're Invited!

NZCS invites you to the launch of the KiwiSkills Programme in Auckland next Thursday, 6th May. This will be an excellent opportunity to find out more about KiwiSkills, and look at how you can get involved to make a difference in New Zealand.

Join NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews and members of the NZCS management team, KnowledgeWeaversNZ Principle Researcher Beverley Bunker, Opp Spokesperson on Small Business and Manukau East MP Hon Ross Robertson, Microsoft NZ CEO Kevin Ackhurst and others as we outline and launch the KiwiSkills Programme.

Major Announcements

This event will include a series of Major Announcements representing a level of investment and commitment not seen before by NZCS. This will be a historic occasion and one you don't want to miss.

Prize Draw

Ten attendees will win a full 7-module ICDL online training package worth $149 each, courtesy of NZCS.

Formalities begin at 5:30pm and will be followed by full refreshments.

Registration Details:

This event is free, however registration is essential. Please register below or email registrations@nzcs.org.nz to secure your place.

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YITPG Presents: Engaging online with Social Media #yitpg (Auckland, 29/4/2010)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:02:03 +1300

YITPG Presents: Engaging online with Social Media #yitpg

29 April 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Level 5, Microsoft House 22 Viaduct Harbour Ave Auckland 5:45pm start.

NZCS Young IT Professionals Group presents: Justin Flitter

Social Media, its everywhere! But what is it... really? How can we embrace this new way of interacting with others? How can we build communities and networks around us using Social Media?

Join serial tweeter Justin Flitter (Twitter: @justinflitter), as he guides us through what is Social Media, and how do people and brands build and maintain communities and social networks?

This will be followed by Beer and Pizza and a chance to share your views. yum!

If you're a business and you're not engaged with social media, you're missing out on a huge opportunity. If you're just a dude or dudette, it's time to engage!

Justin will also talk us through current tools available in the Social Media marketplace, and how we can use these to our advantage.

BUT WAIT theres more... This'll also be an interactive presentation, so those tweeters are encouraged to bring their phones and PDAs along and join in the presentation.

Justin has a wealth of experience to share. How to get the most RT's. What and what not to say. How to deal with negative tweets, how often to tweet. Strategies for business. Developing a strong Personal Brand. Career development and more

Includes Beer and Pizza. Yum.

Young IT Professionals Group Proudly Supported by:

About @justinflitter

Well known blogger and tweeter Justin Flitter is the ASIA Pacific Business Manager for Zendesk.com. Previously Justin worked as the National Contact Centre Team Leader for Student Job Search and as the Customer Service Manager for Fishpond.co.nz/.com.au

Over the last year Justin has helped grow Zendesk's social media sites, tweeting, chatting and supporting their customers through Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter.

With around 13,000 followers Justin actively uses Social Media for Business Development and Personal Branding.

Justin blogs at http://iamflitter.com and runs FlitterMedia.co.nz, a Social Media Consulting and Mentoring business with Graeme Russell, Hamish Coleman Ross and Jen Corbett. Justin is passionate about Social Customer Service, Engaged Communities and encourages CEO's to put the conversation at the heart of their business.

A special thanks to Microsoft for sponsoring the venue.

NZCS Young IT Professionals Group (YITPG)

YITPG is a new Specialist Group of NZCS, basically a networking group for 20- and 30-something ICT enthusiasts (those with up to 10 years’ professional work experience) and students.

YITPG will be running regular events and providing opportunities for young IT peeps to get together over beer and pizza and good company, while also maybe learning something new...

Join the mailing list (below) and come along!

Young IT Professionals Group Mailing List

This event has reached you through the NZCS Auckland Events list, however future YITPG events will be sent to the YITPG Mailing List. To add yourself to this list, simply log in, click here, select the YITPG Auckland list, and click "Save", and hey presto - you'll be invited to all future Young IT Professional events!

Registration Details:

Registration is essential. No registration, no beer and pizza!

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS AI: How intelligent is Business Intelligence today? (Auckland, 28/4/2010)

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:36:57 +1200

NZCS AI: How intelligent is Business Intelligence today?

28 April 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The University of Auckland Dept of Computer Science Level 2, Room 279 Science Centre Building 303 38 Princes St Auckland Map

NZCS Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group Presents:

How Intelligent is Business Intelligence today?

Come and listen to a real business intelligence war story straight from the field and then participate in a interactive debriefing session led by an experts panel of artificial intelligence researchers, innovators and business intelligence solution providers.

Business Intelligence (BI) is a well worn industry term but just how intelligent is it? Ben Gracewood (http://ben.geek.nz) our guy from the 'front' (who is also a great storyteller) has volunteered to share one of his recent experiences with a large fast moving consumer goods company implementing a BI system to manage demand forecasting. We will then hand the discussion over to the experts panel to review that experience and share some insight into artificial intelligence capabilities and BI solutions that could be applied to the requirements. Later in the discussion there will be some time set a side for attendees to put their questions or suggestions to the experts panel.

Who should attend: Anyone who is thinking of getting more knowledge out of the business data they are amassing on a daily basis. Anyone who thinks that the answers lie in the numbers but has no way of demonstrating that with their current technology. Anyone who is interested in or is studying artificial intelligence and wants to actually apply what they are learning. Anyone who is open to new technology and innovation solving today's business problems.

This event is open to NZCS members and non-members, registration is essential (as there are limited places). For further information including venue directions, car parking options and panel participation please contact pennya@featureit.co.nz

About the NZCS Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group

Registration Details:

Please register for this event below.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: Technology in 2060 (Auckland, 21/4/2010)

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:55:01 +1200

ICTTop100 Lunch: Technology in 2060

21 April 2010: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

Technology in 2060: 50 Years from now

2010 is the 50th anniversary of NZCS and ICT in New Zealand. But what technology will we be using 50 years from now, and how can we exploit this now?

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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National Series: Developing for the iPhone: Innovation and Usability (Auckland, 15/4/2010)

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:57:36 +1300

National Series: Developing for the iPhone: Innovation and Usability

15 April 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

NZCS are proud to bring you the second of the National ICT Series, this month focusing on the paradigm shift required to develop for a mobile platform such as the iPhone.

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

Developing for the iPhone: Innovation and Usability

Many believe that the introduction of the iPhone brought about a fundamental shift in the usability, functional abilities, and expectations of phone and PDA users.

However along with this shift came a new challenge: how to develop for this revolutionary platform?

Join John Ascroft, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Jade Software Corporation, and Hadley Trounson, a member of Jade's development team as they take you through the iPhone environment and its focus on user-centric design and market driven innovation.

The Jade team will also outline the total shift in developmental paradigm encountered, plus their experiences in introducing the new platform and the technical development challenges encountered along the way.

This will be a thoroughly enthralling presentation and not one to be missed.

About John Ascroft

John Ascroft is Jade's Chief Innovation Officer, based in Christchurch and a member of the Jade senior management team.

His current responsibilities include the Jade High Performance Technology division and the corporate Innovation program.

John joined the company in 1983 and has held a variety of technical and management roles in the research, development and marketing areas, including a one year assignment as VP North America based in Atlanta, Georgia.

John has a BComm in Accounting, is a Member of the New Zealand Computer Society, and his outside interests include flying, motorcycles and history, but not usually at the same time.

Special thanks to Jade for part-sponsoring this presentation

A special thanks to Jade Software for making it possible for us to bring you this event.

Canterbury based Jade Software Corporation Limited (Jade) is an information technology research and development organisation with over 25-years experience in supplying innovative software solutions and services.

They specialise in providing high-performance, smart technology solutions to complex business problems.

About the National ICT Series

Registration Details:

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Microsoft's New Test Technologies (Auckland, 07/4/2010)

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:03:59 +1300

TPN: Microsoft's New Test Technologies

7 April 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

MPC Room Level 5 - Microsoft Building 22 Viaduct Harbour Ave Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Microsoft's New Test Technologies with Wayne Ewington

With the upcoming release of Visual Studio 2010 (in April), there are exciting new offerings for those involved with application testing - new technologies, new features, and better ways to ensure testing is fully integrated into the software development lifecycle.

This session will provide an overview of Microsoft's new test technologies, including demos of the product set.

The session will highlight:

Fast forwarding through manual tests
Reproducing bugs on a common virtualised environment
Automatically attaching context to bugs
Visibility to the test progress
Deep collaboration with the development team

Not to be missed for QA Testers, Manual Testers, QA Managers, Test Leads, Development Managers, particularly if your organisation already does .NET development.

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

Refreshments

Refreshments will be provided on the night by Dot Net User Groups Inc.

About The Speaker

Wayne Ewington has more than 22 years in the IT sector including six years in IT Management positions. He focuses on development and project management working primarily with technologies such as Microsoft Office SharePoint Server and Windows SharePoint Services, as well as development tools such as Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) and Team Foundation Server. Wayne is both a 'VSTS Extended Ranger' and an 'Information Worker Subject Matter Expert', one of a small group of people within Microsoft recognised as being an expert in their specialised areas.

In addition, Wayne is also a certified Microsoft Solutions Framework Trainer and helps organisations deliver successful projects.

We would like to thank Microsoft for sponsoring the event and Wayne Ewington for offering his time to present.

Registration Details

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

Venue

Note: Doors open at 5pm for a 5.30pm start. In case of any difficulty entering the building, please contact Dean Edwards on 021 570 618

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WFIA: Cloud on the Ground - Cloud Computing in the NFP Sector (Auckland, 07/4/2010)

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:16:16 +1300

WFIA: Cloud on the Ground - Cloud Computing in the NFP Sector

7 April 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS World Famous in Auckland presents:

Cloud on the Ground - A Practical Example of the Benefits of Cloud Computing in the not-for-profit sector

Speaker: Ray Delany, Chief Executive, Designertech

Cloud Computing is the current buzzword-du-jour of the IT industry. While varieties of Cloud Computing are amongst the fastest-growing services in the industry, the proportion of organisations that have actually committed to the model remains relatively low.

In this presentation Ray Delany will discuss some of the benefits that can be obtained, and the barriers to adoption.

A recent implementation of a form of Cloud Computing at the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society will be used as an example of what can achieved, what some of the issues to watch out for are, and the benefits that can be realised through the power of the model.

Includes full Breakfast

About The Speaker

Ray Delany is a Fellow of the NZCS and a regular contributor at the WFIA breakfasts and other NZCS initiatives.

Ray has been an advocate of the value of Utility Computing and Cloud Computing for small-medium enterprises and the not-for-profit sector for some years.

As Chief Executive of Designer Technology Limited he is actively involved in delivering these solutions in the real world.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Update briefing on ACTA from MED to NZCS members (Auckland, 23/3/2010)

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:35:08 +1300

Update briefing on ACTA from MED to NZCS members

23 March 2010: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Level 11, ANZ Centre 23-29 Albert Street Auckland

ACTA, or the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, is an important and potentially somewhat concerning Agreement currently being negotiated by a number of countries, including NZ, in secret.

ACTA has the potential to significantly effect how we use the Internet, allegedly potentially requiring countries to implement what some would regard as draconian steps to reduce piracy online.

The treaty is being spearheaded by the United States, the European Community, Switzerland and Japan, but also including Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mexico, Jordan, Morocco, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the European Union.

You can read a recent Blog post by NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews outlining ACTA in brief here.

NZCS's Position

Whilst it is fair to say that NZCS is concerned by the ACTA process, and by what would appear to be being included, New Zealand officials certainly appear to be the voice of common sense in negotiations and NZCS is awaiting detailed information to form a formal view.

One area of concern, however, is the secrecy in the process. The Society has expressed concern directly to the Ministries concerned, who have given assurances that they have also attempted to improve the transparency of process.

Update from MED and MFAT

Officials from the Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be providing a special update to NZCS members in Auckland and Wellington.

This will be a summary of progress achieved at the 7th round of negotiations held in Mexico in February, as well as seek any additional input on proposed provisions for enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital environment (the government is currently seeking public submissions on this aspect of ACTA and it will be one of the topics on the agenda for discussion by delegations at the 8th round.)

We strongly encourage you to attend this briefing and ask questions of the officials presenting.

Registration Details:

There is no charge to attend this briefing, however places are limited and registration is essential.

Further Information

Here is some further information about ACTA:

Wikipedia
MED's ACTA Page
acta.net.nz - a site put together by a consortium raising concerns about ACTA

Note that InternetNZ are also holding a "PublicACTA" event in Wellington on 10th April. Please contact InternetNZ at rsvp@internetnz.net.nz to register for that event.

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National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Auckland, 18/3/2010)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:08:53 +1300

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

18 March 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm

AWI International Education Group Ground Floor 401 Queen Street Auckland (5:30pm for a 6pm start)

NZCS are proud to kick off the new National ICT Series, beginning with well-known IT Skeptic Rob England presenting on what would appear to be regarded as the utopia of service management, RealITSM...

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

Idealised models such as ITIL®, COBIT and ISO20000 are all very well for theoretical discussions, but more and more people are discovering these models just don't fit the way we do things in the real world.

Join the movement that is sweeping the ITSM community. Find out about Real ITSM, as it is done in the real world.

Making IT Real. Get Real. RealITSM, that is...

In this light-hearted and humorous presentation Rob England, the wellknown "IT Skeptic", introduces Real ITSM, as documented in the book "Introduction to Real ITSM" (see www.realitsm.com).

RealITSM is the methodology of implementing IT service management as it is done now in the real world, thereby saving costs, minimising impact and ensuring acceptance.

Realitsm (pronounced "realism" with a slight lisp) is the underlying philosophy of primarily ensuring a tranquil life for IT staff. After all, life is hard for us IT types!

The main threats to IT stability, or at least the stability of the IT team, are change, accountability and reduced spending. Realitsm is about eliminating these threats from the IT environment, in the best interests of all in IT. A harmonious IT environment requires adherence to the following Realitsm principles:

Ensure a stable operating environment
Maximise adaptability to change
Promote involvement through collectivist decision-making
Maintain morale through reduced group accountability
Maximise revenue and funding for the IT department
Maximise benefit and value for the IT staff

Realitsm may be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, however by reflecting on the motivations of teams and managers that unknowingly subscribe to some of its principles, a level of clarity on the importance of service management becomes apparent.

This is a not-to-be-missed presentation for anyone in the Service Management space or those interested in a humorous presentation from one of the more colorful figures in New Zealand's IT scene.

NZCS National Update

Immediately prior to Rob's presentation NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews will give a short presentation on the Society's significant plans for 2010.

NZCS's Manager of Professionalism, Erin Connolly, will also be in attendance to answer any questions about ITCP and other projects.

About The Speaker

Rob England, an IT Certified Professional (ITCP), is a "portfolio entrepreneur" working on multiple activities via his company, Two Hills. These include IT commentator, speaker and consultant (ITSM, culture change...), blogger, speaking coach, sales coach, trainer, published author, small business researcher, and nascent internet businessman.

Rob does remote consulting, writing and editing for a variety of clients internationally. He provides local consulting and training to a number of business and government clients on Service Management (ITSM) topics, especially ITIL. He also specialises in helping change IT culture, through a CC plan, workshops and structured courses such as The Seven Tasks of EnGrok.

Rob is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

He runs a stable of other diverse sites including Real ITSM (a funny one), Ops4Less (cut the cost of IT operations), He Tangata (IT is the people), Chocolate in the Morning, and others, all built in his own Drupal-based technology stack.

Rob's goal is to maintain his relaxed lifestyle while becoming a millionaire by the end of 2010. Details of the plan are somewhat sketchy.

He lives in idyllic but breezy Pukerua Bay, Wellington, New Zealand with his wife and son. Pukerua Bay is most famous as the home town of Peter Jackson, but Rob hopes to change that.

Rob's profile (including links) is at http://www.twohills.co.nz/profile

About the National ICT Series

Launching in March 2010 in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin, these events promise to be informative and educational, often challenging the traditional view of ICT and its role in the organisation and wider environment.

Registration Details:

Places are limited and these events may well sell out, hence Registration is essential.

NZCS members may register below.

Non-members and staff of Corporate Partners may register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Stories for grown-ups: Creating user stories and how this affects testers (Auckland, 04/3/2010)

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:52:17 +1300

TPN: Stories for grown-ups: Creating user stories and how this affects testers

4 March 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Presidents Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street, Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Stories for grown-ups - Creating user stories and how this affects testers with Sandy Mamoli.

Now we're running Agile - help! "I don't recognise my job anymore and I'm supposed to work with user stories instead of functional specifications - HELP?!"

Scrum Coach and Agile advocate Sandy Mamoli will share her experiences as a Scrum Coach at the ACC and Sony Ericsson in this "warts and all" presentation. Hear real life stories about working with Agile and being an Agile tester. Find out what works and what doesn't. Get insights into challenging the norm and how to write good user stories. Most of all get answers to "what are user stories anyway, do I need them and what they have to do with testing!"

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank Sandy Mamoli for offering her time to present.

Thank you,

The Auckland TPN Committee

About The Facilitator

Sandy Mamoli is one of NZ's leading agile advocates and is a Certified Scrum Master. She became New Zealand's first Certified Scrum Practitioner in October 2007. Sandy has a passion for using agile to bring true business value to companies and is motivated by helping organisations understand and adopt the fundamentals of Scrum.

One of Sandy's major agile initiatives was working on Sony Ericsson's global enterprise website, which was a distributed agile programme of work (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Mumbai). She has since coached many project teams including teams at the ACC and NZ on Screen and is currently working as an independent Scrum Coach at the National Library, Assurity and for a large financial organisation.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS members and non-members welcome.

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30pm to 6:15pm - Speaker (including Q&A session)
6:15pm to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

Drinks will be available at a cash bar.

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Notice of AGM: Auckland Branch of NZCS (Following WFIA) (Auckland, 03/3/2010)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:15:19 +1300

Notice of AGM: Auckland Branch of NZCS (Following WFIA)

3 March 2010: 8:30 am - 9:00 am

The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland CBD

Notice of the 2010 Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) Auckland Branch

The Auckland Branch AGM will follow the WFIA Event on the morning of Wednesday 3rd March 2010.

Agenda

Welcome
Apologies
Proxies
Minutes of the previous AGM and matters arising
The Chairman's annual branch report
The Treasurer's annual branch report
Election of Auckland Branch Committee officers and Auckland Branch Committee members
General Business

You can download a proxy authorisation form here and a nomination form here.

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WFIA: Opportunities & Challenges in e-Democracy (Auckland, 03/3/2010)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:19:47 +1300

WFIA: Opportunities & Challenges in e-Democracy

3 March 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS World Famous in Auckland presents:

Engaging Your Customers On-line - Opportunities & Challenges in e-Democracy

Speaker: Carol Hayward, Research Manager, Rodney District Council

This month's event will look at the current state of local government e-democracy and the expected areas of future activity.

The effective use of ICT has the potential to lower the barriers to democratic engagement and to provide the tools that communities can develop and manage for themselves.

This session will review the lessons learned internationally and provide valuable insights into customer or citizen expectations.

Includes full breakfast.

NOTE: The Auckland Branch AGM will be held immediately following this event - all members are urged to attend.

About The Speaker

Carol Hayward is Research Manager at Rodney District Council and has a background in e-participation and democratic engagement. She previously worked at Bristol City Council in the UK as part of the Local e-Democracy National Project and subsequently gained European funding to continue progressing e-participation activities while evaluating and promoting lessons learned.

Since moving to New Zealand in October 2008, Carol has worked with the Association of Local Government Information Managers (ALGIM) to develop a local government survey on current and future e-democracy practices which formed the basis of an e-Democracy white paper, launched at ALGIM's conference in November 2009.

Back in Rodney, Carol provides strategic input to the Council's website development and social media activities and has led the introduction of the Council's e-panel, online forums and related activities.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: Top Ten Predictions for 2010 (Auckland, 17/2/2010)

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:29:49 +1300

ICTTop100 Lunch: Top Ten Predictions for 2010

17 February 2010: 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

iStart Top Ten Predictions for 2010

iStart Magazine predicted the following as their top 10 in Quarter 1, 2010:

Planning for economic uncertainty.
Consolidated buying as government cuts costs.
Unconventional allies for growth.
ICT: Role in reducing climate change CO2 gases.
Restructure of ultra-fast broadband plan.
Fibre for schools policy under spotlight.
Customer care strategies will move to the forefront.
Mobility set to grow.
The Cloud - a hybrid approach.
ROI and the business outcome.

So what do you think? Let's put our heads together and identify the way forward!

Register for the next 10 lunches and save!

You can register for the next 10 ICTTop100 lunches and save considerably, equalling $35+GST per lunch. Note that this applies to the following 10 lunches whether you attend or not.

Note that you CAN send someone else in your place if you are unable to attend. For instance, a company may purchase a 10-pack and send different staff each month.

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Get Ready for Web Application Security Testing (Auckland, 16/2/2010)

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:54:46 +1300

TPN: Get Ready for Web Application Security Testing

16 February 2010: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Auckland Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Get Ready for Web Application Security Testing with Alan Kan.

Traditionally, penetration testing and ethical hacking are topics for security professionals. These were normally done after software testing was completed. As web applications become more popular target for hackers, some organisations are starting to include security testing in the test cycle rather than treating it as an afterthought. This has shifted the responsibility of security testing to testing professionals.

In this session, Alan will provide you an overview of the security landscape, introduce some of the most exploited vulnerabilities, how to test for them, and how you can get ready for web application security testing

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

Refreshments provided

(Note: Event is being re-sent due to additional places being available)

About The Speaker

Alan Kan is the Technical Manager for IBM Rational in New Zealand. A frequent speaker in conferences, he promotes software delivery best practices and helps organisations to enhance their software delivery processes.

Alan is also currently leading a project to connect Rational users in New Zealand. He holds a Master's in information systems from the University of Auckland, and is a certified Project Management Professional. IBM Rational offers a platform for governing software and systems delivery, ensuring software quality, functionality, security, reliability and performance in development and production.

We would also like to thank Qual IT for sponsoring the event and Alan Kan for offering his time to present.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA Breakfast: 10 (Of The Many) Things Your Marketing Department Does Not Know... (Auckland, 03/2/2010)

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:40:03 +1300

WFIA Breakfast: 10 (Of The Many) Things Your Marketing Department Does Not Know...

3 February 2010: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

In today's business IT is often tasked with taking care of the website that marketing is responsible for.

Indeed, this is the very website that marketing is reliant on for sales or leads but..... there are a number of things that the marketing department just doesn't know about web projects and online marketing.

This event will explore those knowledge gaps and help you to help them.

Includes full breakfast.

About The Speaker

Grant Osborne is a results-driven and performance-focused online marketing professional. Grant has over 6 years experience in online marketing management roles, and has developed innovative digital marketing solutions for a number of leading NZ, Australian and International companies.

After his time in the UK as Online Marketing Manager of several Internet start-ups, Grant came home to NZ and joined First Rate as an Internet Marketing consultant, then moved into the role of Consulting Manager.

Most recently Grant invested his talents in the hospitality industry as the Online Marketing Manager for Accor Hotels NZ & Fiji before returning to the Q Group in his current role as Director of Strategy & Performance.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Meeting to discuss new Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group (Auckland, 08/12/2009)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:16:58 +1300

Meeting to discuss new Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group

8 December 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Meeting Room 1, e-Centre Gate 5 Oaklands Rd Massey University, Albany Auckland 0632

[Note that this meeting is now full. Please contact pennya@featureit.co.nz for more information]

NZCS is currently considering the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group and several members have called a meeting to discuss and gauge interest.

NZCS Specialist Groups (also known as Special Interest Groups or SIGs) are sub-groups of the Society that share an interest in a specialist ICT area such as Security (ISSIG) or Professional Testing (TPN).

NZCS SGs meet regularly and provide a range of events and speakers in their subject of expertise, as well as providing input and information to the Society in their chosen field to assist with NZCS's public advocacy.

Artificial Intelligence Specialist Group

A meeting to discuss forming a new NZCS Artificial Intelligence Group has been called for Tuesday, 8 December 2009, 5:30 pm onwards in Meeting Room 1 at e-Centre, Gate 5 Oaklands Rd, Massey University, Albany 0632.

This meeting is open to all NZCS members (any grade) and prospective members with an interest in Artificial Intelligence either in a commercial or research context.

Please contact Penny Anderson on email pennya@featureit.co.nz for further information regarding this Specialist Group.

Registration Details:

Please register your interest below if you intend to attend, to assist with logistics.

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WFIA Breakfast: Value of IT in the Organisation: Current Scenario (Auckland, 02/12/2009)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:19:19 +1300

WFIA Breakfast: Value of IT in the Organisation: Current Scenario

2 December 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

Despite all of the hype and media attention on the power of technology, IT teams and the IT industry as a whole is often viewed by their organisational peers and "bosses" as being underperforming and a drag on the organisation.

Owen McCall, Chief Information Officer at The Warehouse will explore why this is and set out a plan that he believes will support addressing this value creation gap.

Includes full breakfast

About The Speaker

Owen McCall has held the post of Chief Information Officer at The Warehouse Limited since November 2003, having previously worked for Deloitte Consulting since 1986 in various consulting roles through to Partner level.

He has 22 years experience working in IT and the professional services industry with broad experience in all aspects of the systems lifecycle. The main emphasis that he brings to all jobs is to determine how to use IT to add real value.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN Presents: Exploratory Testing with Session-based Test Management (Auckland, 17/11/2009)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:19:53 +1300

TPN Presents: Exploratory Testing with Session-based Test Management

17 November 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Auckland Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

When is enough, enough? Manage Exploratory Testing with Session-Based Test Management with Brian Osman.

When is enough testing enough? How does a test team know when they are done? Session Based Test Management (SBTM) not only enables a test team to manage and structure Exploratory Test sessions, but also provides a framework for reporting back to stakeholders on progress. What's more, it helps keep test teams performing with high levels of creativity, engagement and fun!

This 45 minute presentation will cover:

How to structure your Exploratory Testing
The information produced by Session-Based Testing
How to help your team improve its Exploratory Testing activities

We would be grateful if you could please forward this invite to others who may be interested in the event.

We would also like to thank QualIT, who are sponsoring the event.

Refreshments provided

About The Speaker

Brian provides training and consultancy in software testing for Software Education. He brings over 11 years of software testing experience to the training courses he delivers for Software Education and the consultancy services he offers to Software Education customers.

A hugely popular trainer, Brian has worked with a variety of industries, covering topics as diverse as Advanced Test Management, Agile Testing and Web Based Testing.

Brain holds Advanced Test Analyst Certification through the ISTQB and is a member of the Association of Software Testing!

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Insights, Predictions and Suggestions about Information Systems (Auckland, 04/11/2009)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:22:03 +1300

Insights, Predictions and Suggestions about Information Systems

4 November 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS World Famous in Auckland (WFIA) Presents:

Insights, Predictions and Suggestions about Information Systems 2009

As well as being indispensable tools that support business processes, computers and information technology (IT) are a rich source of strategic or competitive advantage for the businesses that use Information Systems well.

For others, IT is just a necessary cost of doing business. An Information System (IS) is the combination of Information Technology (IT or ICT) and the people who use it. Once this is understood, it becomes apparent that business will be more successful when the right IS is doing the right things in the right ways.

One of the major factors driving the speed of change in IT is described by Moore's Law. This law recognises that since the invention of the integrated circuit in 1958, the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated has increased exponentially, doubling approximately every two years. (2 x Power @ ½ $ / 24mths). This phenomenon was first observed and documented in a 1965 paper by Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore.

Moore's Law has consistently delivered Cheaper-Faster-Better computing power, and in 2005, was not expected to stop for at least another decade. This steady IT innovation generates newly viable IS solutions for old issues as well as new choices for new opportunities ... relentlessly redefining the paradigm for IS and its application. Getting the best possible value for business from the right IS will continue to be an opportunity for leadership and management; welcomed and embraced by the bold to their benefit, missed by many to their cost as they wonder what happened ...

So, how do you work through the maze of options in the dynamic world to implement the IS solutions that are right for you? Ian Howard, Independent Consultant, Facilitator and Coach offers some Insights, Predictions and Suggestions about Information Systems 2009.

Please feel free to review this presentation that can be accessed from the i&A website - so you can bring along an informed view for a vigorous discussion at the Nov 09 WFIA.

Includes full breakfast

About The Speaker

Ian Howard is Managing Director of i&A, an Auckland based consultancy that provides independent IS Consulting and Professional Services for business across a wide range, scale and complexity of projects.

Ian is an experienced senior Consultant, Facilitator and Coach with extensive professional and commercial expertise garnered from long term, deep and wide involvement with a range of initiatives, people and projects across many business sectors.

In addition to his fascination with Leadership, Management and the Human Condition, Ian has a particular interest in the effective application of IS to business. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS), a member of the Institute of Directors and holds a Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Auckland

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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YITPG Presents: Geek bling with @nzben #yitpg (Auckland, 22/10/2009)

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:08:52 +1200

YITPG Presents: Geek bling with @nzben #yitpg

22 October 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Level 5, Microsoft House 22 Viaduct Harbour Ave Auckland

NZCS Young IT Professionals Group presents: Ben Gracewood

Interested in the latest gadgets and gizmos? Want to know what's happening in the tech space?

Join Ben Gracewood (Twitter: @nzben), technology test-driver for TVNZ's Breakfast Programme, as he presents the latest in geek bling - tech gadgets and gizmos that do really cool things.

Ben will also talk about his predictions for the future - what's around the corner in geek toys and how will it make life more interesting?

This is the inaugural event for the Auckland NZCS Young IT Professionals Group (YITPG), a new NZCS Specialist Group focusing on 20- and 30-somethings.

NZCS members and non-members welcome, but registration is essential please!

Includes free Pizza and Beer. Yum.

About @nzben

Ben is a certified gadget-freak, self-styled technologist, raconteur, mentor, manager, megalomaniac.

By day he is a mild-mannered software development executive. Having no suit to tear off, he instead transforms himself into a super gadget-freak by blogging (ben.geek.nz) and tweeting (@nzben) about all things shiny and electronic.

In his spare time you can find him moving various vehicles around via remote control, reading hard sci-fi, tinkering with electronics, fixing the house, and other such interesting and diverse pastimes as may catch his fancy.

You can see him on TVNZ Breakfast here (he's the one not crashing the helicopter...)

Special thanks to Microsoft for sponsoring the venue.

NZCS Young IT Professionals Group (YITPG)

YITPG is a new Specialist Group of NZCS, basically a networking group for 20- and 30-something ICT enthusiasts (those with up to 10 years’ professional work experience) and students.

YITPG will be running regular events and providing opportunities for young IT peeps to get together over beer and pizza and good company, while also maybe learning something new...

Join the mailing list (below) and come along to this inaugural event!

Young IT Professionals Group Mailing List

Registration Details:

Registration is essential. No registration, no beer and pizza!

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: Cloud Computing and SaaS (Auckland, 21/10/2009)

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:20:00 +1300

ICTTop100 Lunch: Cloud Computing and SaaS

21 October 2009: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Auckland Club 34 Shortland St Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

Cloud Computing and SaaS

Currently HOT issues - but what is Cloud Computing and Software as a Service?

What are the issues?
Promises of no capital costs, no startup costs, low training costs?
Would you contract out your core apps? Your volume apps? Your unique apps?
Service Levels?
Backup?
Retreival of all your own data? Moving on?
What is the ROI? What admin costs do you incur and/or save?

These are just some of the issues to be discussed!

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Benefits Management using Strategic Journey Mapping (Auckland, 07/10/2009)

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:03:52 +1200

Benefits Management using Strategic Journey Mapping

7 October 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

Delivering value from change initiatives in today's complex and competitive environment poses significant challenges to managers.

Operational improvements must be undertaken to ensure that planned business results are achieved.

Programmes and Projects are the normal vehicles for implementing change initiatives. Programme and Project management with a strong focus on project delivery is necessary to achieve new capabilities but it is often insufficient to deliver the final business benefits promised. This is where Benefits Management comes in.

What is Benefits Management?

Are you asked, or do you ask yourself, the following questions?

How do I translate my strategic goals into initiatives and projects?
How do I communicate to my staff, why they are working on these initiatives and what they are delivering?
Are we really doing the right projects at the right time?
What happens if I delay or cancel this project?
When do I get the benefits from the project?
Am I delivering benefits or just another project?

If so, you are not alone because research shows that the targeted benefits from significant business change initiatives are poorly defined and managed within organisations throughout the world:

86% of organisations lost up to 25% of target benefits across their entire portfolio
59% of organisations have no or only informal benefits-management process (41% have)
18% of those who had a formal process stringently enforce it (thus only 7% effectively track)
Only 2% of organisations surveyed achieved targeted benefits all the time.

Source: Based on KPMG Global IT Project Management Survey in October 2005 on 600 companies from 22 countries

Benefits Management using the Strategic Journey Mapping (SJM^TM) methodology is an approach to effectively plan, manage and deliver outcomes from the concept stage to achievement of benefits.

The presentation will review current issues faced, available literature on the subject and outline a methodology that can make a significant difference.

Includes full breakfast

About Xelocity

Xelocity is a New Zealand owned Consulting and Enabling Solutions Company focused on delivering powerful business results to the clients through a combination of excellence and velocity.

Xelocity provides services and solutions to a range of multinational clients and vertical markets. The company has proven improvement value propositions around strategic foresight, Supply Chain Excellence, project implementation, operational excellence and benefits realisation.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN Presents: Rescuing the Testing Project (Auckland, 30/9/2009)

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:07:10 +1200

TPN Presents: Rescuing the Testing Project

30 September 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Main Dining Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

NZCS Test Professionals Network (Auckland)

As a testing consultant, Geoff Horne is often called upon to help rescue runaway testing projects.

In this presentation, Geoff looks at common causes of such problems, what to do to remedy them, and how to prevent their recurrence.

If your testing is taking longer than planned . . . or you are finding too many (or too few) defects . . . or your test project has simply lost its way, then this session will be most useful.

Find out if you are operating with faulty assumptions, learn how to identify the causes of your problems, and develop a strategy and plan to fix them.

Whether your issues relate to test planning, analysis, design, execution, management, or reporting, this proven approach will assist in getting your testing back on an even keel.

Drinks available at a cash bar (cash only).

About The Speaker

Geoff Horne is based in New Zealand and has founded and run two testing companies which have grown to enjoy an international clientele in Australia, UK, & USA. He has over 30 years experience in IT including software development, sales and marketing and IT and project management.

In 1994, almost by accident, he found himself involved in testing a complex fault management system which led to further testing and QA assignments covering a wide range of applications and tools.

Geoff's companies were subsequently founded to bring a full range of testing consultancy services to the IT Industry. Of late, he has focused on a few select Australian clients running complex test projects in a programme test management capacity.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA Breakfast: Creating Market Demand (Auckland, 02/9/2009)

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:57:15 +1200

WFIA Breakfast: Creating Market Demand

2 September 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

Creating Market Demand: Increasing revenue and margins by unblocking your customer's profitability.

The presentation will show local case study that demonstrates how revenue can be increased by focusing on lifting your clients' profitability. This strategy looks at the whole market 'value-stream' (from suppliers through to final end-user customers) to identify what things, in our control are constraining our customers profitability at the root-cause level. We use that 'true root-cause insight' to create an offer that solves a whole host of symptomatic problems, and is very hard for competitors to match.

We call this value proposition a Mafia Offer. A Mafia Offer is one that "meets a client's significant needs to the extent that no significant competitor can," (Dr Eli Goldratt) and is "an offer so good, that your customers can't refuse it, and your competitors can't or won't offer the same." (Dr Lisa Lang)

This presentation unpacks the system and process of developing and implementing a Mafia Offer, and closes with an invitation to join an open-source community of entrepreneurially minded individuals and organisations wanting to develop this in New Zealand.

Includes full breakfast

About The Speaker

Peter Schibli is an experienced business improvement consultant, who has delivered profit growth programmes to over 50 businesses as well as holding senior management positions. Peter has led Landmark Education's, 'Team Management and Leadership' programmes and has facilitated hundreds of teams. Peter is a Six-Sigma Black-Belt, Lean and TOC practitioner. He has been trained in the Theory of Constraints 'Marketing Solutions' technology in the Netherlands by Goldratt Solutions for Sales.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Evening with Industry (Auckland Students) (Auckland, 25/8/2009)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:03:23 +1200

Evening with Industry (Auckland Students)

25 August 2009: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Auckland University Cap and Gown Lounge (Beneath Shadows) From Princes St (see Map) Auckland

NOTE: This event was full, however we've opened up some more spaces. Places are very limited however - please register quickly to avoid disappointment.

An event for tertiary CS/IS/IT and other ICT-related students to find out what it takes to get a job, and what the process involves to prepare for the competitive job market at this time.

It's a chance for students to meet industry people, learn about the different kinds of jobs available, and what various jobs entail.

Non-students also very welcome! Come and mix and mingle with the ICT professionals of tomorrow.

Includes free soft drinks and nibbles

About The Speaker

Speakers include Andrew Wilshire, Fonterra CTO; Dominic Stow from Fronde; Leon McAlister from Hays IT, and others including Microsoft and Simpl.

Registration Details:

This event is free for NZCS members and non-members.

Please register below to secure your place and to assist with catering.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: A review of the Code of Professional Conduct (Auckland, 19/8/2009)

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:32:10 +1200

ICTTop100 Lunch: A review of the Code of Professional Conduct

19 August 2009: 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

NZCS Draft Code of Conduct

The NZCS has begun the drafting of the Code of Professional Conduct, a replacement for the existing Code of Ethics.

The NZCS has asked the ICTTop100 Group to review it. Please read it and we will discuss our initial reactions to it.

You can download a copy of the Code here.

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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AUT, in conjunction with NZCS, presents "A Data Deduplication Storage System" (Auckland, 17/8/2009)

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:26:11 +1200

AUT, in conjunction with NZCS, presents "A Data Deduplication Storage System"

17 August 2009: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

WA 220, AUT City campus - Map at http://www.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/18155/map_city_campus.pdf

Data protection has been a challenging problem for enterprise data centers, with a process that is often high-cost, inefficient and error prone. Disk-based deduplication storage has emerged as the new-generation storage system for enterprise data protection.

Deduplication - or global compression - removes redundant data segments in a large storage system to compress data into a highly compact form and makes it economical to store backups on disk and to transfer them across a wide area network for disaster recovery.

The key technical challenge is to achieve high deduplication throughputs with minimal hardware requirements such that a deduplication storage system can be substantially more efficient than tape libraries, while their costs are substantially lower than those of the traditional storage systems.

This talk first presents the design and implementation of a deduplication storage system for data protection and nearline storage use cases, and then describes several techniques to address the deduplication throughput challenge. We will show that the resulting system can achieve over 700MB/sec deduplication throughput on a commodity server.

We will also show that such a system can reduce the storage footprint and network bandwidth requirement for real-world backup datasets by a factor of 10 to 50 and reduce the power consumption of storage for data protection by an order of magnitude. We will then discuss the impact of deduplication technology in future storage systems.

About The Speaker

Kai Li is a Charles Fitzmorris professor at the Computer Science Department of Princeton University. His research interests include operating systems, computer architecture, distributed systems, scalable display systems.

He has led several research projects at Princeton including the Shared Virtual Memory project which studies how to build shared memory on a cluster without physically shared memory, the Scalable I/O project which attacks I/O bottleneck problems for supercomputers, the Scalable High-performance Really Inexpensive MultiProcessor (SHRIMP) project which investigates how to build high-performance servers on a cluster, and the Scalable Display Wall project which explores how to build and use a high-resolution, wall-size display system to visualize massive datasets.

During his sabbatical from Princeton in 2001, he co-founded Data Domain, Inc which built the first commercial deduplication storage system and became the leading company in the deduplication storage market.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA Breakfast: Outsourced Bespoke Development (Auckland, 05/8/2009)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:40:39 +1200

WFIA Breakfast: Outsourced Bespoke Development

5 August 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

"Outsourced Bespoke Development" - Why there has never been a better time for it!

As Software Products and Software-as-a Service (SaaS) continue to grow in sophistication, companies in these difficult times are still having to do more with less so cost savings naturally is a high priority, and making that informed critical call to buy or custom build a software solution is where it all starts.

Partly due to the current financial crisis, outsourcing a custom solution is becoming appealing to both end user organisations as well Software Product and SaaS companies for many reasons.

These include:

You are totally in control of the software, make changes when you like to accommodate the way you work as your business changes;
The solution perfectly aligned with your business strategy and internal processes;
Unique functionality/capabilities enable you to differentiate from the competition.

To meet the above needs, Augen's model of local engagement combined with offshore resources provides scalability and significantly lowers overall cost. Progressively over the next several years, bespoke development is expected to become more and more dependent on lower cost offshore resources.

Augen has been a pioneer in the NZ custom software development sector since 1993. The company is a dedicated software services provider with over 450 successful projects under its belt, including custom/bespoke applications, SaaS products, client/server as well as web-based solutions, spanning from SME to large enterprise environments.

Includes full Breakfast

About The Speaker

Mitchell Pham - Director, Augen Software Group

Mitchell Pham is one of the Augen Software Group's founding directors and has been serving as its General Manager Software Solutions. Originally a software developer, he has moved on to undertake leadership and management roles in Software Development, Software Consultancy, Products & Services Development, Marketing and Business Development.

Mitchell brings more than 16 years of his ICT experience in the software sector to the Augen team. Within that time, he has been involved with a number of software product/SaaS businesses. He has, in particular, wide ranging exposure to the nature and challenges of product & service development, revenue & engagement models, protection of intellectual property, sales & marketing channels, business offerings & capabilities, internationalisation and speed-to-market.

Born in Vietnam, Mitchell came to New Zealand as a refugee at the age of 13. In 2005 he led the Augen Software Group into Asia, when he established their subsidiary development centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Today, he continues to champion Augen's business capabilities in Asia and the benefits and opportunities it can bring to the New Zealand software sector.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: Experiences of Software Testing in Agile Projects - A Panel Discussion (Auckland, 07/7/2009)

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:03:52 +1200

TPN: Experiences of Software Testing in Agile Projects - A Panel Discussion

7 July 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Main Dining Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street, Auckland

Experiences of Software Testing in Agile Projects - A Panel Discussion Facilitated by Gillian Clark.

Continuing our series on Software Testing within Agile software development, we have gathered both testers and consultants from a range of companies who practice Agile techniques for a panel discussion. Gillian Clark from Assurity Consulting, who is a founding member of the Agile Professionals Network, will facilitate.

This event brings together those with real experience implementing Agile practices in their day to day work life. We plan to cover topics such as,

How Agile is your company?
The tester's roles in the team?
How does testing work within your Agile projects?
What has changed about your testing practices e.g. Regression Tests and Automation?

The event will be a mixture of sharing experiences, questions from the audience and panel discussion. Join us for a lively and fun event.

Drinks will be available at a cash bar (cash only).

About the Facilitator - Gillian Clark (Assurity Consulting)

Gillian has extensive, multi national, experience in IT management. She is a founding member of the Agile Professionals Network, a qualified Scrum Practitioner, a Scrum Product Owner, and a certified Agile Project Leader (foundation). A leading agile advocate within New Zealand, Gillian has spoken at many events. She is a principal consultant at Assurity Consulting where she provides coaching and consultancy to clients for Agile Development and Agile Project Management.

About the Panel

Our panel includes,

Rick Mugridge, Rimu Research (Rick is the lead author of "Fit for Developing Software", Prentice-Hall, 2005)
Stephen Acott, Air New Zealand
Ben Coop, Fronde
Joe Marshall, Zeacom
Helen Walters, Assurity Consulting

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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WFIA Breakfast: Doing Business in the Cloud: Why there has never been a better time for Cloud Computing (Auckland, 01/7/2009)

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:37:45 +1200

WFIA Breakfast: Doing Business in the Cloud: Why there has never been a better time for Cloud Computing

1 July 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

Software-as-a Service (SaaS) or Cloud Computing continues to dominate the business and IT agendas and is becoming the model of choice for an increasing number of organisations. A recent Gartner survey reported 90 per cent of enterprise organisations plan to maintain or increase their investments in SaaS. Further research shows that CIOs believe 56% of software will be delivered as a service within five years.

Amplified by the current financial crisis, cloud-based technologies are becoming an appealing solution to IT organisations - meeting their IT hardware, software and scalability needs at low cost therefore, enabling innovation and growth. Most IT organisations have, or will in the next five years, become partly dependent on cloud-based multitenant architecture, and some of them will begin developing their own custom applications on Platform-as-a-Service as well.

Salesforce.com has pioneered the SaaS industry movement for over ten years providing over 58,000 customers with web-based solutions for sales, service, marketing and call centre operations to streamline Customer Relationship Management (CRM) processes.

Includes full Breakfast

About The Speaker

Aden Forrest has over twenty years experience in information technology and is responsible for supporting and leading Salesforce.com's New Zealand operations, including customer support, alliances, sales & marketing and services.

Prior to joining Salesforce.com, Aden has held sales & marketing leadership roles with Siebel, Edenbrook UK, E.piphany EMEA, Oracle UK, Oracle New Zealand and Marketing Technologies Ltd.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: What does Certification mean for you? (Auckland, 20/5/2009)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:03:38 +1200

ICTTop100 Lunch: What does Certification mean for you?

20 May 2009: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

Certification: What does it mean for you?

This month's ICTTop100 will be discussing Certification, and what internationally-aligned certification means for you.

Certification has been approved by the NZCS National Council. It will be to international standards and will be recognised in UK, Australia, USA, Canada and many other parts of the world.

But what does it mean for you, as an ICT leader?

In brief, and as well as entry requirements, Certification has three parts:

2 Skills in the Skills Framework for the Information Age at Level 5 or more
Understanding of non-technical knowledge, such as Ethics, Good Practice and Law.
Proof of general knowledge over the Core Body of Knowledge

Certification has been driven by a number of factors, including the failures of large government contracts. Certification will allow purchasers to insist that experienced and qualified staff will be provided as the primary resource on their projects.

More information at www.itcp.co.nz

Please read the material on the site and get ready for vigorous discussion.

What does it mean for You?
What should employers do? Recording your staff Skills - now and what you want them to be!
Recording job profiles?
What should vendors do?
What should purchasers do?
What should PTEs do?
How will it affect our AUPs and SOPs?
How will it effect Recruiters and job applicants?

Let us discuss these topics and prepare our plans as a sector.

IMPORTANT: New Series of Lunches

Note that the previous series of 10 lunches has now concluded. All attendees please re-register below to book for the next 10 lunches in 2009.

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that usually register for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches DO need to re-register for the next series of 10.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

Registration for 10 Lunches, and NZCS Membership

As ICTTop100 is a series of lunches, we strongly recommend registering for the next 10 rather than each individually.

Additionally, attendees may choose to register for the next 10 lunches as well as NZCS membership and receive a considerable discount. This is open to existing members as well as those wishing to join NZCS.

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WFIA Event: Global Perspective on Cyber-warfare, Cyber-terrorism, and Cyber-crime (Auckland, 06/5/2009)

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:26:50 +1200

WFIA Event: Global Perspective on Cyber-warfare, Cyber-terrorism, and Cyber-crime

6 May 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

The Cyber world and real world used to be two separate worlds that rarely collided. However today the intersections between both worlds are getting bigger and the actions in the cyber world are affecting the real world.

Cyber warfare is defined as the use and management of information in pursuit of a competitive advantage over an opponent (business or military). The objective of the attacks are to derive tactical information, spreading propaganda, undermining and weakening the opposing force. These attacks may have government support as well as the involvement of foreign governments, the usage of various types of DDoS, cyber zombies, cyber mules and the defacement of websites, attacks may originate from around the world with the use of cyber mules.

Countries at war are now employing cyber attacks as weapons that weaken the economy, defense or communication of enemy nations. Simultaneously, cyber criminals are working together to disseminate information and means for hackers to hack into systems and launch attacks. While there is immense cooperation between criminals, organizations and governments lack coordination or cooperation in overcoming cyber crime and terrorism. There is a need for international cooperation and joint exercise between countries to combat these attacks. Most importantly more awareness on cyber warfare must be done.

Includes Full Breakfast

About The Speaker

Dr Lech Janczewski has over thirty five years experience in information technology. He was the managing director of the largest IBM installation in Poland and project manager of the first computing centre in the Niger State of Nigeria. He is Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Department of Information Science and Operations Management.

His area of research includes management of IS resources with the special emphasis on data security. Dr Janczewski wrote above 300 publications presented in scientific journals, conference proceedings and books. He is the chairperson of the New Zealand Information Security Forum, secretary of the IFIP TC-11 Committee (information security) and the Fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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Imagine Cup 2009: Finals Evening (All Welcome) (Auckland, 29/4/2009)

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:03:25 +1200

Imagine Cup 2009: Finals Evening (All Welcome)

29 April 2009: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

University of Auckland Business School Owen Glenn Building Grafton Road Auckland

The Imagine Cup, sponsored by Microsoft, is an annual global competition which encourages students to use technology to transform great ideas into real world solutions.

Here in New Zealand student teams from around the country have put together outstanding and in some cases ingenious technology solutions to some of the world's toughest problems. A selection of teams have made it to the New Zealand final, and one team will win a trip to Egypt to pitch their idea against the world.

NZCS is very proud to be a strategic partner for the 2009 Imagine Cup.

You're invited to take part in this momentous occasion as an audience member, as the finalists present and demonstrate their unique solution to a panel of influential industry judges live, and you can decide for yourself who should take out the title of Imagine Cup 2009 NZ.

This will be a great night out of fun and entertainment, so come and support the next generation of kiwi entrepreneurs and have a great time in the process.

Light dinner and drinks provided.

There will also be a prize draw for attendees - be in to win a host of prizes including 1 of 3 Microsoft XBox Consoles.

Attendance is free of charge (for members and non-members), however places are limited so please register early to secure your spot.

Registration

Please click the link below to register.

(Note that if you have registered through a different site, please do NOT register again).

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TPN: The Challenges of Testing on Agile Projects (Auckland, 21/4/2009)

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:59:54 +1200

TPN: The Challenges of Testing on Agile Projects

21 April 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Presidents Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street, Auckland

Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Gillian Clark - An Introduction to Agile Development

Jim Highsmith (amongst other things, the director of the Agile Project Management Advisory Service for the Cutter Consortium) has said "Agile is a way of thinking, not a particular practice."

Whilst this is true and very relevant - it doesn't really answer the question 'but what is Agile, with a capital A'.

This presentation is aimed at explaining what Agile is (from a software development perspective) and examines:

Why Agile?
Some of the flavours of Agile development
The Agile Manifesto
The key features of any Agile process
Some key reasons why agile fails

During this event, you will hear Gillian Clark, a founding member of the Agile Professionals Network talk to you about what Agile actually is and what that may mean to you as a test professional.

- The Auckland TPN Committee

Drinks will be available at a cash bar (cash only).

About The Speaker

Gillian has extensive, multi national, experience in IT management, is a founder member of the Agile Professionals Network is a leading agile advocate within New Zealand is an Agile Project Management trainer; agile development coach, provides coaching and consultancy for Agile Development; is a qualified Scrum practitioner a Scrum Product Owner, and a certified Agile Project Leader (foundation).

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS Members and Non-Members welcome.

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Registration & Networking
5:30 to 6:15pm - Speaker including Q&A session
6:15 to 7:00pm - Networking & close out

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ICTTop100 Lunch: ICT Management Competencies (Auckland, 15/4/2009)

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:43:22 +1200

ICTTop100 Lunch: ICT Management Competencies

15 April 2009: 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

The Key Competencies of ICT Managers

This month's ICTTop100 will be discussing the Key Competencies of ICT Managers.

To lead competent teams in ICT the manager - whatever their title - needs their own role-specific competencies.

What are those competencies? When are they needed? When operating in what facet of your role?

Let us survey the full range, the options and the alternatives.

Are these needs addressed by courses? Are the courses readily available? At the right price?

Here are some possible courses we might discuss:

Critical Thinking
Customer Services
Group Facilitation
Influencing Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Negotiation Skills
Writing for Success
Resolving Conflict

And many more.

What are the really important competencies of CTOs and CIOs?

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register, however DO need to reply to the previous email.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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ICTTop100 Lunch: NZCS Professional Certification (Auckland, 18/3/2009)

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:06:30 +1300

ICTTop100 Lunch: NZCS Professional Certification

18 March 2009: 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

ICTTop100 is a forum where senior ICT professionals and managers come together to discuss and debate a particular topic in detail, over a formal lunch.

Discussion takes place under the Chatham House rule, and the outcomes are then forwarded to various stakeholders (such as NZCS, Government, etc).

NZCS Professional Certification

This month's ICTTop100 will be discussing NZCS Professional Certification.

As most will know, NZCS has now released a draft model for professional certification in New Zealand, which maps to the certifications available in many other countries around the world. Professional certification from an independent professional body is an essential element of every profession, and the equivalent programmes in other countries have led to significant benefits to the profession and the public.

This month's ICTTop100 will be focusing primarily on:

The overall proposal
Should we stay fully aligned to the BCS, ACS, CIPS, and IFIP
How we will encourage our staff to qualify
What will we write in a contract as a vendor
What will we write in a contract as a purchaser

You can view the Draft Model here. We strongly recommend you read it before attending, and be ready for some vigorous discussion and debate!

Registration Details:

NOTE: Those that are already registered for all 10 ICTTop100 lunches do NOT need to re-register.

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Auckland, 10/3/2009)

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:07:54 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

10 March 2009: 5:15 pm - 7:30 pm

NOTE THE SLIGHTLY LATER START TIME WE230 Lecture Theatre Auckland Uni of Technology (AUT) St Paul St Auckland Click Here for a map (Assemble from 5:15pm, Starts 5:30pm

This is your chance to have your say about the upcoming Professional Certification Programme.

Certification Programme

NZCS is in the process of designing and implementing a Professional Certification Programme for ICT Professionals.

This internationally-aligned certification has the potential to redefine our profession, and put ICT on equal footing with other professions, such as Accountancy, Medicine and Engineering.

"Professional Certification" is the cornerstone of a profession, and helps define and recognise true professionals. This is an overarching certification and is NOT the same as technical certifications; ie it is similar to "Chartered Accountant" or "Chartered Engineer" certifications for those professions rather than technical certifications (such as Microsoft or Cisco certs), although technical certifications are aligned with it.

Certification Workshops

This facilitated interactive workshop is your chance to not just hear about the detail of how this programme will work, but to provide significant feedback into the process as well.

Senior NZCS staff will work through the details step by step then lead discussion around why particular routes have been chosen and decisions made, other options available, and what the participants believe are the best options.

Who's invited?

Everyone is welcome. Professional Certification is for the entire sector - not just existing NZCS members - and we encourage everyone to come along and get involved.

Consequently, please pass this invitation along to anyone you believe may be interested in attending.

More information

The full model will be released at the beginning of March and sent to everyone on the NZCS Mailing List.

In the meantime, please visit www.nzcs.org.nz/certification for more information, particularly the "Certification Update" document and Frequently Asked Questions.

Parking

There is no parking on the AUT Campus grounds
There is limited "Pay and display" parking on St Paul's Street (taken mainly by students)
The Wilson's Car Park on St Paul's Street is probably most convenient park - $3 per half hour up to a maximum of $8
The map (above) shows the two best ways to access the lecture theatre - follow the red lines

Registration

Registration is essential. Places will be filling fast, and registration is necessary for catering and logistic purposes.

To register, simply click the Registration link below. Registration is free.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting (Auckland Branch) (Auckland, 04/3/2009)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:23:39 +1300

Notice of Annual General Meeting (Auckland Branch)

4 March 2009: 8:30 am - 9:00 am

The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland CBD

Notice of the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) Auckland Branch

The Auckland Branch AGM will follow the WFIA Event on the morning of Weds 4th March 2009.

Agenda

Welcome
Apologies
Proxies
Minutes of the previous AGM and matters arising
Items for General Business
The Chairman's annual branch report
The Treasurer's annual branch report
Election of Auckland Branch Committee officers and Auckland Branch Committee members
General Business

You can download a proxy authorisation form here and a nomination form here.

Ann Mckenzie
Chairperson , Auckland Branch

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WFIA Breakfast: The Importance of Industry Image rather than Industry Wars (Auckland, 04/3/2009)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:15:45 +1300

WFIA Breakfast: The Importance of Industry Image rather than Industry Wars

4 March 2009: 7:00 am - 8:30 am

Main Dining Room, The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street Auckland

Kevin Ackhurst - Microsoft New Zealand

Kevin Ackhurst, Managing Director of Microsoft NZ, will present on the topic "The Importance of Industry Image rather than the Ravages of Industry Wars".

Full synopsis to come.

The WFIA Breakfast will be followed by the Auckland Branch AGM.

Includes Full Breakfast

About The Speaker

Kevin Ackhurst is the Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand. He has a wealth of industry and Microsoft experience in diverse regions and multiple business groups.

Kevin is passionate about people development, diversity and energising customer and partner experiences with Microsoft. Kevin has been with Microsoft for 10 years and came to New Zealand from Microsoft Corporation's Public Sector team where he was General Manager, Operations and Business Strategy, based in Redmond, Washington. In this role he was instrumental in assisting Microsoft teams around the world work with governments focused on developing digital strategies to transform their economies.

Prior to this role, Kevin was Public Sector Director for Australia for nearly four years, leading a team which drove significant public sector engagement projects. Kevin focused on work with national and local government agencies to identify and accelerate innovative uses of IT that help address key public service challenges. In Australia, Kevin also worked as Director of Services for three years, with responsibility for customer support, consulting and customer service. Kevin joined the Microsoft Australian team from Microsoft South Africa where he was a Managing Consultant. His career began as a lecturer in systems simulation, modeling and industrial engineering practices at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa where he graduated with Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

Kevin lives in Auckland. Outside work, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, Jodie and sons Thomas and Kieran, as well as skiing, watching great rugby teams, reading, and listening to music.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

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TPN: The Challenges of Testing on Agile Projects (Auckland, 03/3/2009)

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:33:25 +1300

TPN: The Challenges of Testing on Agile Projects

3 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Presidents Room The Auckland Club 34 Shortland Street, Auckland

Test Professionals Network (Auckland) presents:

Dealing with the Testing Challenges of Agile Methodologies
by Rex Black

A number of companies have adopted Agile methodologies, for various reasons ranging from speed of delivery, flexibility in rapidly changing situations, to just plain trendiness. Every software development lifecycle model, sequential or spiral, incremental or Agile, has testing implications.

Some of these implications ease the testing process. Some of these testing implications challenge testing. In this talk, Rex Black discusses those Agile testing challenges so that you can recognize and resolve these challenges in your company if it adopts an Agile approach.

About the Speaker

Rex Black (USA) is a leader in software, hardware, and systems testing with 35 years of software and systems engineering experience. He is the President of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board and President and Principal Consultant of Rex Black Consulting Services Inc. Rex's popular book, Managing the Testing Process has sold over 25,000 copies around the world, including Japanese, Chinese, and Indian releases. Some of his other books, like Critical Testing Processes and Effective and Efficient Software Testing, have also been published in Hebrew, Indian, Japanese and Russian editions. In addition, he has written numerous articles and papers and has presented at hundreds of conferences and workshops around the world.

An exclusive arrangement allows Software Education to run courses designed by Rex Black throughout Australia and New Zealand. Rex will be in town to personally deliver Software Education's recently launched ISTQB Advanced Test Management course. Rex is honoured to speak at this TPN event on the 3^rd of March.

TPN wishes to thank Software Education for arranging Rex Black’s participation at this evening event.

Registration Details:

You can register for this event via Credit Card online now by using the link below, or alternatively call 0800 252 255 with your Credit Card details.

NZCS members and non-members welcome.

Event schedule:

5:00pm to 5:30pm - Drinks/nibbles & Networking
5:30 to 6:15pm - Speaker including Q&A session
6:15 to 7:00pm - Drinks & Networking

Drinks will be available at a cash bar (cash only).

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2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification (Auckland, 03/2/2009)

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:10:15 +1300

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification

3 February 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

MPC Room, 5th Floor Microsoft Building 22 Viaduct Harbour Ave Auckland (Assemble from 5pm for a 5:30pm start)

Join NZCS President Don Robertson and CEO Paul Matthews as they present an update on national activity including detailed information about the main drive for this year - the Certification initiative being implemented in 2009.

NZCS Work Programme

NZCS Chief Executive Paul Matthews will outline the achievements thus far in the context of the overall Work Programme for 2008/2009 including the issues NZCS has addressed and is addressing and why. This will include NZCS's work for the ICT profession, computing and ICT education standards and the community at large, and the plans for 2009 and beyond.

NZCS Professional Certification

Next NZCS President Don Robertson, who also chairs the Certification Working Group, will cover the background information and research that has lead to the development of the Professional Certification/Charter Programme. This programme is designed to ensure NZ ICT professionals gain the same opportunity as our counterparts in other countries by having their level of professional competency and skills accredited against an internationally-accepted standard.

The professional certification and recognition programme for ICT professionals is happening - this is your chance to find out more.

Have your say, or find out more

More importantly, however, this event will give you the opportunity to have your say about the current direction of NZCS and the profession generally. Whether you think we've got it right or wrong, we want to know about it.

This is a not-to-be-missed event for members and non-members alike. If you're not a member, this is your chance to come along and hear what NZCS stands for and what we do on a national level to further the interests for the ICT profession.

Light refreshments provided.

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