NZCS Events

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Wellington, 30/3/2010)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:39:48 +1300

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

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

PowerHouse People L4, Deloitte House 10 Brandon Street, Wellington (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.

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

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.

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.

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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National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Christchurch, 25/3/2010)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:34:23 +1300

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

25 March 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 1st Floor Conference Room 165 Cashel St Christchurch

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

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!

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

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.

About The Speaker

Rob is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

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

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)

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM) (Dunedin, 25/3/2010)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:28:31 +1300

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM)

25 March 2010: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Seminar Room Centre for Innovation (Big glass building) St David Street Dunedin

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

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!

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

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.

Includes light lunch.

About The Speaker

Rob is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

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

We intend to bring these events and nationally-recognised speakers to Dunedin every month, however need sufficient attendance to justify it. If you want regular free/inexpensive ICT events in Dunedin, please come along and bring others!

Special thanks to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) Economic Development Unit for helping to bring this event to Dunedin.

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Otago Branch of NZCS

The event will be immediately followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Otago/Southland branch of the NZ Computer Society Inc.

The Agenda is as follows:

Comments from the Committee
Presentation of Branch Financials
Election of Branch Officers (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, National Councillor, Committee Members)

This is also the time for NZCS members to put their hand up for election to the Otago/Southland Branch Committee. This is a very rewarding experience and your opportunity to do a little to help the local ICT community.

Proxies and nominations for Branch Committee and Officers can be made via email to info@nzcs.org.nz.

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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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)

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

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!

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

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 is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

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

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)

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM) (Hamilton, 18/3/2010)

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:37:56 +1300

National Series: A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm (Plus Branch AGM)

18 March 2010: 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub City Campus, Gate 5 Tristram Street, Hamilton Parking is available at Wilsons Parking on Alexandra St. (Map)

Free for NZCS members, inexpensive for others.

A Harmonious IT Environment through Realitsm

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!

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

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.

Note: Light lunch provided.

NZCS National Update

Immediately prior to Rob's presentation Paul Matthews (NZCS Chief Executive) will give a short presentation on the Society's significant and wide-ranging 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 is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

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

We intend to bring these events and nationally-recognised speakers to Hamilton every month, however need sufficient attendance to justify it. If you want regular free/inexpensive ICT events in Hamilton, please come along and bring others!

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Waikato Branch of NZCS

The event will be immediately followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty branch of the NZ Computer Society Inc.

The Agenda is as follows:

Comments from the Chair
Presentation of Branch Financials
Election of Branch Officers (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Committee Members)

This is also the time for NZCS members to put their hand up for election to the Waikato/BoP Branch Committee. This is a very rewarding experience and your opportunity to do a little to help the local ICT community.

Proxies and nominations for Branch Committee and Officers can be made via email to info@nzcs.org.nz.

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)

Students meet Industry BBQ (Christchurch, 16/3/2010)

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:29:46 +1300

Students meet Industry BBQ

16 March 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

University of Canterbury Staff Club Ilam Rd, Christchurch (entrance opposite University of Canterbury Students' Assn building)

Come and meet tertiary ICT students from the Canterbury region.

The ICT industry is vitally dependent on a good flow of graduates, so join us and:

let students meet real people from the Canterbury ICT industry that they hear and read so much about,
tell students about your organisation and what it does,
meet students that you might like to employ (even if you're not hiring at the moment),
talk to and encourage students in their studies to help ensure that when you do need new people, there are good students available,
enjoy a relaxing time with some drinks and barbecue food.

This event is organised by the NZ Computer Society and sponsored by the CPIT, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University computing departments.

Thanks to:

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Wellington Branch AGM 2010 (Wellington, 04/3/2010)

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:23:03 +1300

Wellington Branch AGM 2010

4 March 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Fergusson Room NZCS/IPENZ Engineers Building 158 The Terrace Wellington

This is a call to the 45^th Annual General Meeting of the Wellington Branch of the NZCS.

AGM Agenda

Apologies
Minutes of the meeting Thursday 26 February 2009
Matters arising
Chairman's report
Councillor's report
Treasurer's report'
Election of Officers
Election of Committee

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

NOTE: This event is for NZCS Members only

Immediately following the AGM, we will provide refreshments and receive and overview of what we can expect during 2010 from our Computer Society as we celebrate 50 years and prepare for the future:

Liz Eastwood about the plans for the 50th Celebration, and
Paul Matthews will talk about the key plans for the NZCS

Attendance is free, however, we ask that you please register below for catering and organising purposes.

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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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Transpower's Market Systems Project (plus Branch AGM) (Christchurch, 25/2/2010)

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:23:15 +1300

Transpower's Market Systems Project (plus Branch AGM)

25 February 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Hotel So 1st Floor Conference Room 165 Cashel St Christchurch

Transpower is investing significantly in the next generation of information technology and telecommunications hardware and software. In July 2009 Transpower's System Operator successfully completed and launched the $70 million Market Systems Project (MSP), replacing a 13 year old system.

MSP involved a major upgrade to the software and hardware supporting theelectricity market and system operation functions, positioning the SystemOperator as a world leader in this area.

MSP is critical to the electricity industry as a whole, as it looks to continue to improve the ability to deal with the increased complexity of load growth and increasing amounts of renewable generation. Now fully operational, MSP will deliver wide-ranging benefits to the industry(and hence ultimately to consumers). Its introduction has already led to a number of enquiries from interested grid operators internationally.

About The Speaker

Kieran Devine is an electrical engineer with more than 30 years experience within the electricity industry both in New Zealand and abroad. He is currently General Manager of System Operations forTranspower New Zealand Ltd, the owner/operator of New Zealand's high-voltage electricity transmission grid.

Kieran is responsible for real time Scheduling, Despatch, and Security of the New Zealand Power System, together with the management of the real time Wholesale Electricity Market, as theSystem Operator.

He completed bachelors and masters degrees in engineering at the University of Canterbury, and an MBA with Distinction from Victoria University of Wellington. Kieran is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers (NZ), and a member of UK and USA counterpart organisations - the IET and IEEE, respectively. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors of New Zealand, a former director of WEL Networks and past Chairman of the NZ Electricity Market, Rules Committee.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Computer Society will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday 25^th February at the Hotel So 1^st Floor Conference Room, 165 Cashel Street, Christchurch.

The Agenda, Nomination and Proxy Forms, and the minutes of last year's ADM are available here:

2010 Agenda
2009 Draft Minutes
2010 Nomination Form (for Officers)
2010 Proxy Form (if you are unable to attend in person)

We urge all members to attend the AGM.

Adrien Borrie, MNZCS ITCP
Secretary, Canterbury Branch

Registration Details:

NZCS members can register for this event below.

Non-members can register 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: Exploratory Testing and Session-based Test Management (Wellington, 23/2/2010)

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:44:15 +1300

TPN: Exploratory Testing and Session-based Test Management

23 February 2010: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington Please note the slightly later start time.

Brian Osman - What is Exploratory Testing and how does it work with Session-Based Test Management?

Think James Bach, think Exploratory testing ... is it a structured approach or is it just a free for all hacking session?

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:

What is Exploratory Testing
How to structure your Exploratory Testing
What is Session-Based Test Management
The information produced by Session-Based Testing
How to help your team improve its Exploratory Testing activities

About The Speaker

Brian Osman 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.

Brian holds both the Advanced Test Analyst and Advanced Test Manager Certification through ISTQB and is a member of the Association of Software Testing.

TPN wish to thank Westpac for providing the venue.

TPN also wish to thank Software Education for providing the drinks and nibbles.

Registration Details:

TPN is a non-profit organisation set up to support all Wellington testing. Confirming attendance at this event is a commitment to attend. Please do not book if you will not be attending.

NZCS members and non-members welcome.

NOTE: Please pay $5 at the door

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NZCS ISSIG: Weather Report from the Internet Storm Centre (Wellington, 18/2/2010)

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:19:13 +1300

NZCS ISSIG: Weather Report from the Internet Storm Centre

18 February 2010: 3:15 pm - 5:30 pm

Room 512A/B 5th Floor, WelTec 11 - 17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street) Wellington

The threats we face are ever changing, but how are they different from 1 year, 2 years, 3 years ago? What can we expect in the future?

As one of the handlers at the Internet Storm Centre, Mark Hofman has a unique view of the internet and the different threats present.

The Internet Storm Centre sees what was, is and will be and how they evolve. In the presentation Mark will go through a number of the things that the Centre has seen and how they evolve.

Door Prize:

There will also be a $100 book token door prize for an ISSIG member selected at random.

About The Speaker

Mark Hofman is a consultant at Shearwater Solutions. He is also an incident handler for the Internet Storm Centre as well as one of the SANS Institute's instructors.

He has been working in information security since the early 90's. He has worked for both private industry and government and has provided a wide range of information security consulting services to numerous organisations, including the financial sector, private sector, and government.

Mark has had a number of publications, has trained and lectured internationally.

Registration Details:

Registration is essential - NZCS ISSIG Members can register below, free of charge.

NZCS members and 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.

Special Training Opportunity

SANS - Security 401: SANS Security Essentials Bootcamp, 15-20 March 2010

SANS and Shearwater Solutions will be bringing SANS' most popular course to New Zealand for SANS Wellington 2010 on 15-20 March.

Course and registration details here: (http://www.sans.org/info/51414)

SANS have offered a 10% discount for NZCS or ISSIG members registering for the Bootcamp - simply enter the code "NZCS" at stage 3 of the registration process.

This is a special opportunity for Info Sec professionals to take part in this SANS comprehensive Security Essentials training course and qualify to take the GSEC certification exam.

See an overview of the course here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpoep3Dskb0

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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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NZCS 50th Anniversary Quiz (Wellington, 11/2/2010)

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:10:50 +1300

NZCS 50th Anniversary Quiz

11 February 2010: 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Upstairs "back bar" at Loaded Hog pub 57 Customhouse Quay Wellington (the waterfront, near Meridian on one side) (Quiz starts at 6pm)

You think you know it all? - put your skills to the test with our 50th Anniversary quiz night.

Quizmaster Noel Cheer

This year is the 50th anniversary of the NZ Computer Society's formation, so to kick off the year in Wellington we've developed a special quiz night.

The questions have been drawn up and the history books have been out (ok we used Wikipedia a lot!) The timescale of the questions ranges from 50 years ago to last week, so we recommend you form teams of mixed ages, to cover the spectrum.

Anyone not already in a team will be assigned a place on arrival.

Quiz starts 6pm.

Snacks and Nibbles will be provided, and there will be a cash bar.

About The Quizmaster

Noel Cheer was employed by IBM New Zealand -- from anonymity in 1961 until obscurity in 1997 -- in a range of activities which spanned repairing electric typewriters to reassuring self-intimidated middle managers that the new-fangled Personal Computers of the 1980s were relevant to business and posed no threat to either themselves or to IBM's core business.

(Well, one out of three isn't too bad!).

As Noel's interest in the equipment that he helped sell morphed from fixing it to using it, his job description took on the rosy title of Market Support Manager in which role he was IBM's face in the Unix group, UniForum.

Noel's career in IBM was, for the most part, happy with his more than 12 years of retirement blessed by a pension enabling him to use computers to eke out his limited writing and television presenting skills.

Registration Details:

Registration is essential - NZCS members may register at no cost 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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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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Nelson NZCS Christmas Gathering (Nelson, 21/12/2009)

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:57:18 +1300

Nelson NZCS Christmas Gathering

21 December 2009: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The Honest Lawyer 1 Point Road Monaco, Nelson

Its time to say goodbye to another year. The NZCS hasn't been as active as it could have been but there have been a couple of good events during the year. At this time of the year it's a good chance to get together and talk about the year in review and say farewell to friends for the christmas break.

This year we are going to try something a little different! Please come along to the Honest Lawyer on Monday the 21st with a story about a project or initiative that went well in 2009 and one that went pear-shaped, or not-so-well.

We'll sit around with a beer at some stage and go around the group listening to war stories - it's always good to hear from people doing similar things to others and the things they have learnt from... Don't be afraid, it's not compulsory but there is a lot of experience out there and here is a chance to all hear the great things that we've all been up to here in the sun capital!

The team at TelstraClear are kindly sponsoring the event with nibbles for us, but it will be a cash bar.

Join the Nelson Mailing List

You've received this event notification as you're on the Wellington Events List (Nelson is a sub-branch of Wellington), however we've just established a mailing list specifically for the Nelson IT community.

Those in Nelson should join the Nelson NZCS Events Mailing List to receive notification of future Nelson events. If you received this via email, click here and select "Nelson Events" and save. Alternatively, just log into the NZCS system and select it there.

If you know of others who should be on the list but don't have a profile, please direct them to:
http://www.nzcs.org.nz/membership/newcontact?m=23

Registration Details:

Please register below for catering purposes.

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Birds of a Feather: The Challenges of Contract Tendering (Wellington, 16/12/2009)

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:05:26 +1300

Birds of a Feather: The Challenges of Contract Tendering

16 December 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Waterloo Bar and Grill Waterloo Quay Wellington (was the Ferryman Hotel) www.thewaterloo.co.nz

This is an open invitation to those in Wellington's ICT community to meet informally, for the last time in 2009, over a drink and nibbles for a facilitated discussion on a relevant topic.

Come along and join in the discussion, facilitated so that everyone can have his or her say. Share your experiences, your war stories, your successes and your knowledge, or come along to learn from others.

Topic: The Challenges of Contract Tendering

Getting work in the current environment is a real challenge for a lot of professionals. With most of the larger Government and Public sector work now being tendered out through GETS, IT professionals are not alone in taking on the often arduous task of responding to RFPs and RFT's. This discussion is focused on the challenges IT professionals have in this area and exploring ways of making the process easier and, hopefully, producing more professional and successful tenders.

The discussion is facilitated so that everyone can have their say. The nominal charge, payable at the door, is a gold coin entry for members (subsidised by NZCS) and $10 for non-members to cover costs.

Nibbles provided. Cash bar available.

Facilitator

Steven Howard. MA (Psych), DipSocSci. (Computer Science), BSc. (Math)

Steven's has over 20 years experience in the IT industry including management roles in IT security and risk, contract governance, customer support and business planning. In 2003, he embarked on a career change which took him into full time studies towards a Master of Arts degree in social psychology and training in personal coaching.

He completed his MA in 2007, graduating with the award of first class honours. Steven's consulting career commenced while completing his studies and since then he has been involved in helping some of New Zealand's largest companies to shape winning contract proposals. Steven is highly talented at interpreting corporate cultures and assisting technical people to write for business audiences.

Registration Details:

Please register for this event below.

NOTE: Free to register, however Gold Coin entry for NZCS members and $10 for non-members - Payable at the door.

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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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Canterbury Christmas Party [Members only] (Christchurch, 01/12/2009)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:23:38 +1300

Canterbury Christmas Party [Members only]

1 December 2009: 5:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Club XO 128 Oxford Terrace (The Strip) Christchurch (Above Liquidity Bar and Restaurant)

Canterbury Software Cluster

and Canterbury Branch NZCS

Christmas Party

This is an invitation to NZCS members to join the Canterbury Software Cluster at the combined NZCS/CSi Christmas Party.

This event is for NZCS and CSi members only and is free for NZCS members. To help estimate numbers we would appreciate it if you would please Register below.

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Panel on ICT Skills Gap [NOTE: New Venue] (Christchurch, 26/11/2009)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:22:54 +1300

Panel on ICT Skills Gap [NOTE: New Venue]

26 November 2009: 5:45 pm - 7:15 pm

Imagitech Theatre - A134 Ground Floor, Main Building, Near City Campus Library CPIT, City Campus, Madras Street Christchurch [NOTE: This is a new venue]

In this day and age access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) plays an absolutely essential role in both economic and social development.

Over the last decade investment on ICTs has become the largest component of capital expenditure within most organizations. The increasing investment on ICTs and accelerated adoption of ICT solutions (to digitize businesses and modernize communities) have introduced challenges. Today, more than ever, organizations and societies depend on skilled ICT workers to keep up with the pace of adapting ICTs and benefit from their investments on ICT solutions and applications.

Concern about the shortage of ICT and eTechnology skills is world-wide. The world has become aware that growth in adoption of ICT is outstripping the supply of adequately trained and skilled ICT workforce and the situation is unlikely to improve. It is clear that, either directly or indirectly, one of the key roles of tertiary education is to develop, prepare and supply adequately skilled ICT workers to respond to the needs of Industry.

As an exciting closure to the 2009 South Island Digital Careers Expo, NZCS Canterbury Branch has organized for a panel of experts from various sectors to discuss the ICT skills gap and possible solutions that can be considered to address the increasing demand on ICT skills. The panellist will represent views from various professional bodies and organizations such as: the tertiary sector, Department of Labour, Accelerated Auckland, Canterbury Development Corporation and human resources management functions of technology companies within the Canterbury region.

This will be an exceptional opportunity to be part of an interactive discussion suitable for industry, students, academia, and anyone interested in becoming aware of ICT skills shortage issues and the concept of a greater tertiary-industry partnership.

Includes Refreshments, sponsored by CPIT.

Panellists

Anthony Thomas - Sector Manager, ICT - Canterbury Development Corporation

Anthony has both worked and studied internationally from 1992 through to 2009. He completed an MBA at the University of Bristol in 1999 following which has held roles with a focus on collaborative strategies with the Commonwealth Secretariat (London), Virgin (Sydney) and News Digital Media (Sydney). Anthony joined CDC in February 2009 as ICT Sector Manager.

Judith Speight - ITT WRKZ Ltd

Judith is a graduate of the University of Auckland; she works across the public and private sectors as a catalyst, strategist and advisor.

Judith is a current councillor for InternetNZ and NACCQ, a director of ITT WRKZ Limited and trustee for Carers New Zealand. At an operational level Judith leads Accelerating Aotearoa, a charitable organization that works with Communities, Government, Education providers and the Private Sector to build New Zealand's competitiveness by improving the digital skills and abilities of New Zealanders.

Historical roles include membership of New Zealand's APEC TEL delegation, Government's Broadband Forum, Minister for Communication's Electronic Commerce Action Team, the Prime Minister's Y2K Task Force, Chairman of the Telecommunications Users Association (TUANZ), member of Internet NZ's Executive Board & Trustee for the e-regions Trust.

In 2007 Judith was recognised internationally with a Champion of Digital Literacy award in Orlando, Florida for her work to address the Digital Divide.

Matt Hoskin, Manager, Relationship Management Team, Immigration NZ

Matt manages the Relationship Management team within Immigration New Zealand, where he has worked since 2005. A small team, the Relationship Managers assist sectors and employers to find, recruit and retain the skilled migrants that they need. Prior to that Matt worked for Venture Southland, the region's economic development agency, where he set up the regional skilled migrant recruitment and retention programme. Originally from the UK, Matt has degrees in Law and International Relations.

Panel Chair: Mehdi Asgarkhani, Faculty of Commerce, CPIT

Mehdi is currently a principal lecturer (strategic management of ICTs) and academic leader at Faculty of Commerce (CPIT). He is currently the chair of the NZCS Canterbury branch committee and has been previously involved (prior to joining CPIT) in the ICT sector in various roles including, Managing Business Support Services, Business Strategy Analyst; Project Director; and ICT Solutions Consultant.

Mehdi's industry based research includes the effectiveness and the role of ICT solutions within various sectors of the industry (with focus on the public and education sectors), strategic management of technology, ICT governance and strategies for developing closer alliance between the ICT education sector (tertiary) and the ICT industry. He has had numerous publications (both in NZ and internationally) in the strategic use of ICTs in the public sector and tertiary education.

Registration Details:

NZCS Members and Corporate Partners should register below for catering purposes.

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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Evolution of Development Methodologies - John Fisher (Wellington, 26/11/2009)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:50:27 +1300

Evolution of Development Methodologies - John Fisher

26 November 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Spectrum Theatre (Previously BP Theatrette) BP House, 20 Customhouse Quay Wellington

Evolution of Development Methodologies - A Personal Perspective

The manner in which business needs have been documented and implemented has changed dramatically over the 50 or so years that computers have been around. This presentation traces the history of methodology from the early days through to the present.

Changes in approaches to systems development have been largely dictated by the hardware and software capabilities of the time coupled with continuing refinements in how the real world is perceived and can be modeled and simulated. Starting in the 60's when The Beatles were the rage, it traces methodology from a simple "get it written" approach to "Enterprise Architecture" as seen through the eyes of someone who has "been there, done that".

The methodology path evolves through the structured approaches of the 70's and on to the "ultimate" of Information Engineering. From there it meanders through object orientation and the birth of UML in the 90's. It ends with a picture of methodology today which mixes the best of the past with the realities of now and the impact of Zachman, TOGAF and Enterprise Architecture.

John Fisher looks at these significant developments in a lighthearted, though sometimes serious way, based on his own experiences. The objective of this talk is to both inform and entertain.

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

John Fisher has been involved in IT for 45 years, and has worked on transaction and database based systems almost exclusively for his entire career, more recently focusing on the areas of information architecture and knowledge systems.

At Ministry of Education he is currently an Enterprise Architect responsible for the development of Sector Business Architectures and their integration into a TOGAF based enterprise architecture framework. He is working in this area with Overseas Education Agencies such as JISC (UK) and SURF(Netherlands). He is Vice President of the New Zealand Chapter of the Association of Enterprise Architects (a/EA)

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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Birds of a Feather: ICT Continuity in Constrained Economic Times (Wellington, 18/11/2009)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:41:17 +1300

Birds of a Feather: ICT Continuity in Constrained Economic Times

18 November 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Waterloo Bar and Grill Waterloo Quay Wellington (was the Ferryman Hotel) www.thewaterloo.co.nz

This is an open invitation to those in Wellington's ICT community to meet informally over a drink and nibbles for a facilitated discussion on a relevant topic.

Topic: ICT Continuity (IT DR) in Constrained Economic Times

We will review some survey figures and then discuss what we can do to continue to maintain and build the resilience of the ICT Systems and Services we provide to our organisations.

The discussion is facilitated so that everyone can have their say. The nominal charge is a gold coin entry for members (subsidised by NZCS) and $10 for non-members to cover costs.

Nibbles provided. Cash bar available.

Facilitator: David Thompson, CBCI

David is a Business Continuity and ICT Disaster Recovery practitioner who has managed a number of teams in the actual recovery of people, property and systems after several disaster incidents. These events include the Hutt Valley and Queenstown floods, and throughout New Zealand, hazardous materials contamination, denial of access and ICT systems failures.

He works with a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors in New Zealand bringing his expertise in Business Continuity Management, Information Communication Technology (ICT) Continuity Management, Crisis Management, Emergency Response management to enable the building of a greater resilience within those organisations.

David is also a recognised leader, trainer and international public speaker in the Business Continuity industry. He holds the Certified Business Continuity Institute accreditation.

David's commitment to building resilience within organisations also finds expression in his roles as the Chair of the New Zealand Advisory Committee and NZ Representative, for Continuity Forum, the business continuity and disaster recovery association in Australasia. David is also a member of the NZ Society for Risk Management.

Registration Details:

Members may register for this event below.

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

NOTE: Gold Coin entry for NZCS members.

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New Microsoft platforms overview (Nelson, 18/11/2009)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:50:35 +1300

New Microsoft platforms overview

18 November 2009: 7:30 am - 9:00 am

Computer Concepts Ltd 7 Forests Rd Stoke, Nelson

NZCS Nelson Sub-branch Presents:

In 2009 Microsoft has released 3 new significant platforms that have to be understood given their significance in the business client/server marketplace. This presentation covers off those "big 3".

Windows 7
Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

Come along and expect to be informed as to the advancements made in Microsoft's server/client computing and the changes to their core messaging system.

This is a unique opportunity to get a peak at these new releases in a relaxed atmosphere where you are not be "sized up" for a sale. The presentation will be delivered by Microsoft but the presentation will be an overview of the platforms, not a sales pitch.

Everyone is welcome.

Includes light breakfast

Join the Nelson Mailing List

If you know of others who should be on the list but don't have a profile, please direct them to:
http://www.nzcs.org.nz/membership/newcontact?m=23

Registration Details:

Computer Concepts are kindly sponsoring this event and putting on some breakfast for participants. Please be sure to register in advance, however, for catering purposes.

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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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Using social media to build personal/professional learning networks (Napier, 12/11/2009)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:27:46 +1300

Using social media to build personal/professional learning networks

12 November 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Room R101 Eastern Institute of Technology 501 Gloucester Street Taradale Napier 4112 (Different venue - Food and Wine Building at the back of the EIT Campus next to the construction site )

NZCS Napier Sub-Branch Presents:

Using social media to build personal/professional learning networks

With the proliferation of web2.0 tools and the ensuing information overload as everyone has become a publisher, it can be hard to keep the signal-to-noise ratio down.

However, these very social media tools can also help. They can be used to build a filter - a professional learning network - that will help you navigate your way around networks to connect with knowledge and experts to inform your everyday practice.

On this presentation Joyce Seitzinger will look at common elements of social media and include examples and stories from those who rely on their PLN every day.

NOTE: Please join the Hawkes Bay mailing list (below) to receive future event notifications

Student Presentations

Students will be displaying their posters developed for their final BCS degree project (developed around a project undertaken for industry or an internship in industry). You will have the opportunity to discuss their final project with them. There will also be 10 minute presentations from two of the Students.

Refreshments Provided

About The Speaker

Joyce Seitzinger is an e-learning instructional designer and project manager who has worked on online learning projects since 1999.

Despite having a Bachelors Degree in Celtic Studies, one of her first jobs was in e-learning and its creative and innovative nature has kept her there.

Joyce moved to New Zealand in 2006 to work as e-learning advisor in tertiary education, currently at EIT Hawke's Bay. She has a Master of Education Technology from the University of Southern Queensland and is the co-convenor of the ITPNZ eLearning Forum.

Her special interests include Moodle, networked learning, instructional design & staff development for e-learning.

Join the Hawkes Bay Mailing List

You've received this event notification as you're on the Wellington Events List (Hawkes Bay is a sub-branch of Wellington), however we've just established a mailing list specifically for the Hawkes Bay IT community.

Those in Hawkes Bay should join the Hawkes Bay NZCS Events Mailing List to receive notification of future Hawkes Bay events. If you received this via email, click here and select "Hawkes Bay Events" and save. Alternatively, just log into the NZCS system and select it there.

If you know of others who should be on the list but don't have a profile, please direct them to:
http://www.nzcs.org.nz/membership/newcontact?m=22

Registration Details:

Registration is essential to secure your place and for catering purposes. Please register below.

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Personalising Learning Environments with Quick Response (QR) Codes (Hamilton, 10/11/2009)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:43:56 +1300

Personalising Learning Environments with Quick Response (QR) Codes

10 November 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Events Room 2, Gallagher Hub Wintec City Campus, Gate 5 Tristram Street, Hamilton

It is increasingly recognised mobile learning (m-learning), in its variety of forms, is shaping, and being shaped by, the way we live, work and learn.

However, m-learning implementations are often heavily "keypad" dependent. The protracted and often clumsy method of accessing stored information and services through the limited input functionalities of mobile phones is time-consuming, frustrating and affects uptake of these m-technologies. To increase the impact of m-deployments a number of institutions are using Quick Response (QR) Codes to provide learners with speedy and ready access to information, services and assessments that are location sensitive.

What Are QR Codes

While the information contained in a normal bar code is presented in a horizontal direction, the information contained in a QR code is presented in both the vertical and horizontal direction. This means substantial more amounts of information (such as website addresses, text and numerical information, and contact details) can be stored within the code. The contained in the QR code can de-coded by a "smart-phone" with an embedded camera and code reading software installed. And example (for Wintec Research Archive is shown in figure 1 on the right.

Benefits

Embedding QR codes into learning environments, both physical and electronic, will enable learners to move from one place to the next, and to be able to use readily-available, handheld computing devices and communication technology to access localised content anywhere and at anytime.

About The Speaker

Dr John Clayton is a New Zealand e-learning educator with extensive knowledge of deploying, using and evaluating e-learning technologies. He is currently the manager of the Emerging Technologies Centre at the Waikato Institute of Technology and for the last three years has been a member of the New Zealand Ministry of Education e-Learning Reference Group.

Dr Clayton has been the project leader of a number of significant government funded e-learning deployment projects including the Open Source Courseware Initiative and the Open Source Learning Object Repository Project. He has recently led New Zealand Ministry of Education research funded projects investigating The Role of e-Learning in Building Workforce Capability to Meet Regional National Industry Needs and a second project investigating E-Learning Activities in Aotearoa / New Zealand Industry Training Organisations. He has recently completed the ICT PD Cluster Programme Research Review Project.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free, however please register below to secure your place.

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TPN Presents: Test Estimation - Getting the Picture (Wellington, 10/11/2009)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:42:09 +1300

TPN Presents: Test Estimation - Getting the Picture

10 November 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

Wellington NZCS Test Professionals Network presents

David Rodriguez is a Testing Consultant working for Fujitsu in Wellington. On a regular basis he provides test estimates for client projects.

It can be very challenging to create accurate estimates when project requirements are not clear, or the technology is unfamiliar. Since estimates form the basis of project cost it is important to form a clear picture of what the testing will entail. David will look at the close link between devising the test strategy and creating the test estimate. He will explain techniques which are available to support the estimation process.

Come along to hear David present his experiences with test estimation and join in the discussion on this important and relevant topic.

The presentation will be followed by a networking session with drinks and nibbles provided.

Refreshments Provided

About The Speaker

David Rodriguez has over 20 years IT experience covering Development, Project Management, Test Analysis and Test Management. He holds an MSc in Computing. In his spare time he dabbles in watercolours.

TPN wish to thank Westpac for providing the venue and Fujitsu for providing the refreshments.

Registration Details:

TPN is a non-profit organisation set up to support all Wellington testing. Confirming attendance at this event is a commitment to attend. Please do not book if you will not be attending.

NZCS members and non-members welcome.

NOTE: Please pay $5 at the door

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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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Data Warehousing to Maximise Business Intelligence (Wellington, 29/10/2009)

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:14:52 +1300

Data Warehousing to Maximise Business Intelligence

29 October 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

IBM Level 11, Majestic Building 100 Willis Street Wellington

The Gartner 2009 conference on Business Intelligence found a discontinuity between what businesses want from Business Intelligence (BI) and what IT is delivering.

The demand is for Strategic BI, but IT departments are not delivering a BI Strategy - they focus on point solutions. IT compare the cost of centralising BI into a Data Warehouse against the ease of implementing Data Marts, whereas the Business sees the significant benefits of a Data Warehouse and the cost of fragmented Data Marts.

In this session Roy Elgar will cover:

Key success factors in delivering Strategic BI - governance, roadmaps, logical and physical models and data architecture
Measuring Success in Data Warehousing - 5 stages of DW growth and exploitation, examples from around AsiaPacific and Japan
Technology trends - why ELT (Extract, Load and Transform) is replacing ETL (Extract, Transform and Load), in-DW applications and in-DW data mining,

This interactive presentation will explain how a good DW strategy and implementation delivers value to both Business and IT.

Includes Light Lunch

About The Speaker

Roy Elgar has 30 years of data and database experience, from early mainframe and mid-range systems to today's massively parallel Data Warehouses, working in UK, NZ, India, China, Korea and Malaysia. His industry experience covers Retail Banking, Insurance, Cards, Telecommunications, Health, Manufacturing and Government.

While at a major international bank based in Scotland, Roy was the technical leader for a project to merge 3 Data Warehouse systems on different platforms (Teradata, IBM Unix and mainframe) into a single Enterprise Data Warehouse Environment.

Since the early 90s, Roy has specialised in the practical design, development, implementation and growth of Data Warehouse environments to support business change and growth. He has completed ELT Design Reviews for the largest bank in China and the largest mobile carrier in India, recommending process and data design changes to meet required Service Level Agreements. He has also developed design guides, logical and physical data models, education and training materials.

Roy is a frequent speaker at EDW seminars globally and has been recognised for innovative and productive work in Data Warehousing including 2 selections for IBM Winning Team Forums and became a Teradata Knowledge Star Winner in 2007.

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 "Brown Bag" Lunch (Christchurch, 28/10/2009)

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:31:03 +1300

NZCS "Brown Bag" Lunch

28 October 2009: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Office of Farrow Jamieson Level 9 Forsyth Barr House (Armagh Street) Christchurch (Click Here for map)

Join us for the 1st of what may become a regular event.

NZCS Canterbury recently started the informal ‘Birds of a Feather' sessions as something a bit different and on a different night to our regular monthly presentations. So let's try something that may appeal to those in the central city that can't make it to evening events.

This is an open invitation to those in Canterbury's ICT community to meet informally at lunch time, potentially once a month, in addition to our current monthly events.

Participants bring along your own lunch, ‘brown bag style'.

Tea and coffee will be available thanks to Farrow Jamieson

Topic: Open discussion and networking

For this first session we will leave it pretty informal and open, but here are a few ideas that can be tossed around.

Do we want to do a regular lunch event, and if so an informal or formal style?
Is a central venue the best place for these, or other, NZCS events?
What topics, speakers etc would you like to hear/see at events?
Anything else?

Come along and have a chat and do some networking.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free, however we'd really appreciate you registering so we know who's coming, and for catering the tea and coffee. Thanks!

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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

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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Social Media for Business 101 (Christchurch, 22/10/2009)

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:57:57 +1300

Social Media for Business 101

22 October 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Ground Floor Meeting Room) Click Here for map

Business is moving on from traditional one-way marketing. Organisations embracing social media marketing are reaping the rewards.

Simply put, the benefit of social media is that, by engaging your public on a personal, conversational basis, your public actually pays attention to what you have to say. Social media provides a very cost-efficient means of targeting and connecting with any given audience.

Blogs, Facebook and Twitter have radically changed the face of customer relationship management. The technology and applications can seem daunting. Learn the fundamentals of social media technology and how to get started or find out how to develop your existing skills in this area.

Refreshments kindly sponsored by Novell

About The Speaker

Kaila Colbin, PMP, is an entrepreneur and social commentator who arrived in NZ from the US four years ago. She is the founder of Missing Link Consultants Limited, a communications and marketing consultancy with a focus on social media and also a co-founder of Falcon Training Limited, a project management training company.

Recognised as an innovative voice on web trends and global online communities, Kaila is an ambassador for the Web Genome Project, a movement to map the virtual topography of the Web; the voice of the former VortexDNA blog (now the Web Genome Project blog); and a regular contributor to Search Insider and Network World.

Registration Details:

This event is free for NZCS members, however registration is essential.

Non-members 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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Member's Networking Evening (Wellington, 21/10/2009)

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:41:40 +1300

Member's Networking Evening

21 October 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Robert Walters Level 8, Featherston House 119-123 Featherston Street (Entrance off Waring Taylor Street) Wellington (Map)

Introducing the Wellington branch networking event, a chance to meet informally with your peers.

The format of the event is informal with no specific topics, other than our common interest in advancing professionalism in ICT, and is intended to provide a relaxed atmosphere for you to meet and network with your fellow members over a drink and a bite to eat.

There is a lot happening in the industry at present so come along and share your thoughts and discuss the "goings on" with your peers and colleagues.

Many thanks to Robert Walters for providing us with this opportunity to share with fellow members for an informal networking opportunity.

Refreshments Provided

About This Month's Sponsor - Roger Walters

Robert Walters plc is one of the world's leading specialist professional recruitment consultancies with 37 offices spanning 16 countries. They place candidates on a permanent, contract and interim basis in accountancy & finance, banking, operations, legal, information technology, sales & marketing, human resources, support & administration. www.robertwalters.com

Registration Details:

Members may register for free below. Please ensure you register as this assists us with catering. Thanks.

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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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Birds of a Feather: Open Source Software in the Real World (Christchurch, 13/10/2009)

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:23:16 +1300

Birds of a Feather: Open Source Software in the Real World

13 October 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Pegasus Arms Bar 14 Oxford Terrace Christchurch (Click here for map)

This is an open invitation to those in Canterbury's ICT community to meet informally each month over a drink and/or counter meal, in addition to our current monthly events.

These Birds of a Feather events are popular at other NZCS branches and we welcome this opportunity to discuss issues and practices of interest to our industry in Canterbury.

Come along and join in the discussion, facilitated so that everyone can have his or her say! Share your experiences, your war stories, your successes and your knowledge, or come along to learn from others.

No cover charge, cash bar, and counter meals available.

Topic: Open Source Software in the Real World

In these economic times, can you afford not to be using Open Source Software? Or is Commercial Software still the way to go?

Open Source software is increasingly being adopted by organisations to meet their needs for an enriched choice of tools and applications that on economic grounds they may not be able to justify developing themselves from the ground up. Earlier this year Don Christie spoke to the Canterbury Branch on this topic and the opportunities sounded attractive, and Gavin Treadgold presented the Sahana Project to us.

Have you had some real world experience with the adoption of, enhancement of, and/or submission of improvements back to Open Source software? How does this compare to commercial offerings, in function, support, stability, and other factors?

Whether you like the concept of Open Source software or not, come along, share your experiences, and have a chat on this theme over a drink and some networking.

Registration Details:

This event is free for members and non-members, however please register below to secure your place.

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Enterprise Architecture (Napier, 08/10/2009)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:43:24 +1200

Enterprise Architecture

8 October 2009: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Room A101 (Different Venue - 4 Storey Building, Lecture Theatre on Ground Floor) Eastern Institute of Technology 501 Gloucester Street Taradale Napier 4112

Enterprise Architecture is a relatively new discipline, which treats a business - including its supporting ICT capabilities - as a whole, with a view to increasing its capabilities.

To date, its adoption has largely been in the domain of Government and Big Business, but it is applicable to enterprises of any type or size. In fact, it could have a greater effect on the efficiency of a smaller enterprise in a significantly shorter time.

This presentation will outline the purpose and objectives of Enterprise Architecture (EA) and then describe its components and their relationships in more detail. In addition, some of the challenges of EA introduction and implementation will be discussed.

Topics will include:

An outline of the objectives of EA
Strategies for obtaining Business Buy-In
Outline of an implementation methodology
Modelling approaches for the integration of the various architectures
Affordable tools to support EA development

About the Speaker:

John Fisher has been involved in IT for 45 years, and has worked on transaction and database based systems almost exclusively for his entire career - most recently focusing on the areas of information architecture and knowledge systems.

At the Ministry of Education, he was originally responsible for defining the Information Architecture and monitoring the information and knowledge management initiatives for both the Ministry and the Education Sector.

His current focus is the development of Sector Business Architectures and their integration into a TOGAF based enterprise architecture framework.

He is working in this area with Overseas Education Agencies such as JISC (UK) and SURF(Netherlands), and is Vice President of the New Zealand Chapter of the Association of Enterprise Architects (a/EA).

Interests outside work include Railway Modelling and Cowboy Action Shooting.

Light refreshments will be provided prior to a 5.30pm presentation, sponsored by NZCS Wellington Branch.

Registration Details:

Registration is necessary to confirm numbers for catering. Please register online or e-mail reservations@nzcs.org.nz.

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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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Richard Stallman on Software Patents (Hamilton, 30/9/2009)

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:03:49 +1200

Richard Stallman on Software Patents

30 September 2009: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub Wintec City Campus, Gate 5 Tristram Street, Hamilton

In this insightful discussion, international Free Software advocate Richard Stallman (RMS) will argue that software patents seriously and significantly obstruct software development.

Software patents are patents that cover software ideas. Stallman will argue that they restrict the development of software to the point that the risk of legal action as a result of design decisions is dramatically raised. Stallman will also make the point that patents in other fields restrict factories, but in IT, software patents restrict every computer user and consumer.

Stallman will also present some of the international research and economic data related to this issue.

Light refreshments provided.

About The Speaker

Richard Stallman is a software developer and software freedom activist.

In 1983 he announced the project to develop the GNU operating system, a Unix-like operating system meant to be entirely free software, and has been the project's leader ever since. With that announcement Stallman also launched the Free Software Movement. In October 1985 he started the Free Software Foundation.

Full profile here (and here).

Registration Details:

Registration is free but essential. Places are limited - please register below to secure your place.

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Aligning ICT Tertiary Education with Industry Needs (Christchurch, 24/9/2009)

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:26:38 +1200

Aligning ICT Tertiary Education with Industry Needs

24 September 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Seminar room L233 Level 2, Main Building, Above the City Campus Library CPIT, City Campus, Madras Street Christchurch

Few would argue that, whether directly or indirectly, one of the key objectives of tertiary education is to prepare students for the needs of Industry and their career.

A big part of this is solid, practical experience of what our exciting sector offers. However, how can students gain the practical experience they need while studying, and how can the industry and tertiary sector partner to make this available in a win-win-win situation?

The answer can be found in the concept of internship, or "co-opting" students.

In this thought-provoking presentation Ian Wells will outline how Trimble Navigation has found an ideal solution to their testing needs by pairing up interned undergraduate students with Master Testers, thereby providing vital industry experience as well as meeting the needs of their business.

This is a positive and creative programme providing practical experience to students (as well as helping pay their fees!) plus cost-effective and dynamic workers to meet the needs of industry. But why does Trimble have to go as far as the University of Waterloo to find a programme with the flexibility of hiring full-time students at any time of the year, and via a simple process?

While there are very good internship programmes in operation in and around New Zealand Ian will outline how the more comprehensive Waterloo programme works so well for them, the students, and the Institution, and ask whether it's time to consider moving these type of partnerships to something more similar to that programme.

Two students, Michael Trengrove from Lincoln University and Jeffrey Ho from Waterloo University will also discuss respective tertiary sector institution and business interactions from a student's perspective.

This will be an excellent interactive discussion suitable for industry, students, academia, and anyone interested in the concept of a greater tertiary-industry partnership.

This event is sponsored by CPIT, including drinks and nibbles following the presentation.

About The Speaker

Ian Wells is Technical Services Manager for the Mapping and GIS division of Trimble Navigation based here in Christchurch. He is responsible for testing all GPS hardware, software and firmware released by the division. He can be contacted at ian.wells@trimble.co.nz or through linkedin.com.

Registration Details:

This event is free for NZCS Members and Corporate Partners, however registration is essential.

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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Project Management Unbundled (Nelson, 24/9/2009)

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:10:43 +1200

Project Management Unbundled

24 September 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Room M308 (3rd Floor of Library Learning Centre) Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Nelson (See Map)

Why do ICT projects fail, and what basic steps you can take to ensure success?

Martin Aitken will explore two key topics in this project management overview:

The key ways to project your projects against failure
A comparison of the key project management methodologies

A clear understanding of project management methodologies and relevant certifications are becoming increasingly important for everyone involved in IT projects today. Martin will explain to us the difference between the Project Management Professional (PMP) and PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) certifications. Is one better than the other?

Martin will look at the organisations behind these two certifications and will also clarify the benefits of methodologies such as SCRUM and Agile.

Includes Light Lunch

About the Speaker

Martin Aitken is a professional trainer at Project Plus. He began his career in Information Technology as a COBOL programmer on ICL mainframes and has worked in a variety of roles since in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Holland, Asia and New Zealand. His predominant area of specilisation has been in the Financial Services sector and, over the last 3 years, e-government projects.

Martin has worked primarily in software related projects, but also has wide-ranging experience in other types of project management, communications and senior management roles. He has both PMP and PRINCE2 certifications.

Martin's visit is sponsored by Project Plus and NZCS Wellington Branch.

This event is being kindly sponsored by SQL Services

A light lunch will be provided prior to a 12.30pm presentation, kindly sponsored by SQL Services.

Registration Details

Registration is essential to secure your place and confirm numbers for catering. Please register online below.

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Web Services in the Real World (Wellington, 24/9/2009)

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:55:34 +1200

Web Services in the Real World

24 September 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

The original intent of the Internet was to allow computer systems to compute and collaborate.

However, achieving this goal has always been laborious, complex and fraught with difficulties. A raft of technologies known collectively as Web Services have emerged in recent years and have proven to fulfill some of the promises envisioned in the Internet's early years.

In this informative talk Mike Reid will discuss how Web services are implemented in the software-as-a-service and cloud computing models. The session will include the practical aspects of making Web services fit for use in any organisation.

Topics include:

What web services really are
Advantages and different approaches of Web service models
Practical Web service design, and
Considerations when building Web services

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

Like most professional developers Mike Reid had an interesting in computing from an early age. Rather than study Computer Science, he pursued studies in Physics and Mathematics.

While working toward a PhD in Astrophysics he wrote a large amount of scientific software for finding and modeling gravitational micro-lensing events as part of the MOA project - a joint New Zealand/Japanese team. MOA were the first to discover extra-solar planets using the gravitational micro- lensing technique and have now discovered several planets, including the lowest mass extra-solar planet detected so far, and a system containing multiple planets.

After achieving a PhD, he went on to work on real-time software for scientific instruments, and discovered that his scientific background provided a different practical perspective on computing. Since he began consulting with Argonaut Ltd he has developed systems in areas as diverse as traffic information, health systems, hardware device control and measurement.

Recent projects including building and training other developers in the design and implementation of Web services that scale to millions of transactions per day.

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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Birds of a Feather: Virtualisation (Christchurch, 08/9/2009)

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:17:07 +1200

Birds of a Feather: Virtualisation

8 September 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The Bar @ Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Click here for map)

This is an open invitation to those in Canterbury's ICT community to meet informally each month over a drink and/or counter meal, in addition to our current monthly events.

These Birds of a Feather events are popular at other NZCS branches and we welcome this opportunity to discuss issues and practices of interest to our industry in Canterbury.

No cover charge, cash bar and counter meals ($10 ea) available.

Virtualisation

Virtualisation is the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage device or network resources.

It has been happening for many many years in our industry with virtual memory and virtual machines dating back to almost the start of computing. However in the past few years there has been an explosion and now it is virtual everything.

Whether it is the desktop, the server, applications, storage or even the network, Virtualisation seems to be the buzz at the moment.

There are various offerings from the open source and commercial communities - mostly "Free" but what is the real cost, and who is using what?

Come along and have a chat on this theme over a drink and some networking.

Registration Details:

This event is free for members and non-members, however please register below to secure your place.

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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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The Sahana Project - Free Open Source Software for Disaster Management (Christchurch, 27/8/2009)

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:10:20 +1200

The Sahana Project - Free Open Source Software for Disaster Management

27 August 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Ground level meeting room)

In the days following the impact of the Boxing Day Tsunami on Sri Lanka, in addition to the humanitarian crisis, it also became apparent that there was an information problem. Hundreds of programmers were assembled under the Lanka Software Foundation and over the course of a week created a web application to register missing persons, camps, and the swelling numbers of NGO's in Sri Lanka. This system was called Sahana - Sinhalese for 'relief'.

Since then, Sahana has been rewritten, and has been deployed at many of the large disasters over the past 5 years, and has won numerous open source awards and accolades.

The aspirations on the project are captured in the following goals:

Primary: Help alleviate human suffering and help save lives through the efficient use of IT during a disaster

Bring together a diverse set of actors from Government, Emergency Management, NGOs, INGOs, spontaneous volunteers and victims themselves in responding effectively to a disaster

Empower the victims and their next of kin and better enable them to help themselves

Protect victim data and reduce the opportunity for data abuse

Provide a Free and Open Source solution end-to-end available to everyone

Includes drinks and finger food sponsored by Novell (www.novell.com).

About The Speaker

Gavin Treadgold (Director - Kestrel Group Limited)

Gavin has had a lifelong interest in technology after being introduced to his first computer at the age of 10. He left university in 1996 to start a web development company and developed New Zealand's first online pharmacy.

After becoming involved in Civil Defence rescue in 1997, he became increasingly interested in how information technology could be applied to Emergency Management. Returning from an internship in Washington DC with the DC Emergency Management Agency in 2002, Gavin was founder of Kestrel Group - a risk, continuity and emergency management consultancy.

Gavin specialises in reviewing emergency management arrangements, developing plans, and co-ordinating exercises. His experience covers a range of sectors including CDEM, health, central government, lifelines and the private sector. Much of Gavin's work for Kestrel has focused on the details involved in producing operational response plans.

Gavin became involved in Sahana mid-way through 2005, and is a member of the Project Management Committee and a member of the Board.

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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Legal Aspects of Cloud Computing (Wellington, 27/8/2009)

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:35:50 +1200

Legal Aspects of Cloud Computing

27 August 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Spectrum Theatre (Previously BP Theatrette - accessed from Johnston Street) BP House, 20 Customhouse Quay Wellington

Cloud Computing - we are hearing a lot about it lately and there are many views on it. But like anything new it raises fresh legal and privacy issues and those looking at Cloud Computing solutions as an alternative to the traditional ways of delivering IT services need to be aware of these issues and the impact they could have.

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

Michael Wigley is a well known legal buff and is one of the few New Zealand lawyers who specialises in technology, IT and telecommunications. Allied with that background is extensive involvement in providing opinions and advice on complex legal issues, often with heavy technical, commercial and strategic components. Michael has a particular involvement in procurement issues acting for vendors and purchasers, within and outside the public sector. He is closely involved in telecommunications regulatory work.

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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Introduction to Videoconferencing and Site Visit (Christchurch, 13/8/2009)

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:45:59 +1200

Introduction to Videoconferencing and Site Visit

13 August 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

IP Communications Ltd Pathway House 68 Durham Street South Sydenham, Christchurch

Come and join us and gain hands on experience how videoconferencing has developed over the recent years and it is assisting businesses.

The session includes:

A non-technical explanation of videoconferencing
An overview of the latest trends
An explanation of how organisations can save time and money
A live, hands-on demonstration of high definition video and the videoconferencing bureau room

You'll also get the chance to experience the latest in high definition technology as we call live locations in New Zealand.

You should attend if...

You are keen to gain an overview of the different types of systems (Skype, desktop, room, telepresence, etc.)
You want to know what to consider when installing a video system into an organisation.
You are curious on how video communications has evolved from its standard definition beginnings to the high definition solutions available today.
You want to understand the costs and ROI of videoconferencing.
You are interested to know how a bureau service operates, the costs, how you book, etc.
You need to know the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of modern videoconferencing solutions.
You are interested to know how video is currently being used.

Space is limited to 30 places. Registrations close Friday 7th August 2009

About The Speaker

Richard Bishop, Managing Director - IP Communications Limited

Founded in 2006, IP Communications Limited is a videoconferencing company that specialises in the design, deployment and support of high-definition videoconferencing solutions. IP Communications also operates VideoLink, the first public videoconferencing bureau established in the South Island.

In a career that spans 20 years, Richard has a wealth of national and international business experience from the research, finance and technology industries. Richard has worked in senior roles within large national organisations, US multinationals, research organisations, start-ups and SMEs. During this time Richard has developed his experience and passion for technology-based communication solutions.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free for members, however please register below - numbers are strictly limited.

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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TPN presents: James Bach - The Myths of Rigor (Wellington, 13/8/2009)

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:57:40 +1200

TPN presents: James Bach - The Myths of Rigor

13 August 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

We are delighted to announce that once again James Bach, international software testing guru from the USA, will be in Wellington soon - he has kindly agreed to speak at our next TPN meeting.

James Bach presents The Myths of Rigor: "I keep hearing that rigor is important in software engineering. Well, it's not that simple. Rigor is not an ingredient, like sand, that you spread on icy roads to keep from slipping off. Rigor is no simple fix. Rigor is complex. Rigor can be useful or it can be dangerous, or both at once. In this talk I outline the typical arguments in favor of rigor and try to show how to counter them with a more sophisticated view of intellectual work processes."

The presentation will be followed by a networking session with drinks and nibbles provided by Software Education.

About The Speaker

For those of you who don't know James, he specialises in thinking about, teaching, and performing testing as a sophisticated thinking art. He is part of a community called the Context-Driven School. Some of the best-known names in the testing field are part of this movement.

James Bach is in New Zealand to speak at Software Education's annual STANZ Conference, running in Wellington 24-25 August.

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 (Wellington Students) (Wellington, 05/8/2009)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:57:51 +1200

Evening with Industry (Wellington Students)

5 August 2009: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Theatre 101, MacLaurin Theatre, Kelburn Campus Victoria University of Wellington View Map

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 beer and pizza

About The Speaker

Speakers include recent graduates who are now working at KPMG, Intergen, BNZ, and other prominent companies.

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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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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Who moved the future? (Wellington, 30/7/2009)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:33:46 +1200

Who moved the future?

30 July 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

IBM, Level 11, Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street, Wellington

By now we were all supposed to have flying cars, holidays on the moon and household robots. What we've ended up with is spam, speed cameras and The Pirate Bay.

While society and business evolve relatively slowly, technology - particularly IT - moves faster than many of us feel comfortable with.

Vik Olliver takes stock of the last year's advances in IT, reveals some of the great hidden technologies, polishes his crystal ball, and looks at why we're still struggling in an IT dystopia.

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

Vik Olliver is a Senior Analyst with Catalyst IT Ltd., a researcher on the RepRap Project, NZOSS committee member and an emergency medic with the fire brigade.

He also runs an IT News Clippings service that comes in very handy when creating presentations on the current and future state of IT. He does this from the Waitakere rainforest, but enjoys coming to Wellington regularly.

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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Get your head out of the clouds and into the "Cloud" (Christchurch, 23/7/2009)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:27:59 +1200

Get your head out of the clouds and into the "Cloud"

23 July 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Ground level meeting room)

Managing your data, backing up critical data and being prepared for disasters is critical for all organisations.

Implementing the right IT infrastructure that caters for growth can save you time, money and resources, and optimise your operational efficiency.

NZCS invites you to attend a meeting that considers the challenges of performing effective backups, creating robust disaster recovery plans and managing common data growth problems.

In this context the speakers will discuss virtualisation and cloud computing, considering insights such as the issues being faced, how organisations can utilise these concepts, what the business benefits are, and whether they are right for your organisation.

You will hear case studies of how organisations have successfully virtualised their data, and developed disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.

Refreshments are kindly being sponsored by Revera and Hitachi Data Systems.

About The Speaker

Andrew Chapman from Revera and Kerry Sims from the Wellington office of Hitachi Data Systems will be the presenters.

Revera is a New Zealand-owned company that specialises in providing IT infrastructure services. It has a local 'infrastructure-as-a-service' capability called "Datacloud" based around data centres in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch.

Hitachi Data Systems Corporation provides services-oriented storage solutions that enable heterogeneous storage to be dynamically provisioned according to business needs and centrally managed through storage virtualisation software.

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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Annual NZCS Dinner (Christchurch, 04/7/2009)

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:32:19 +1200

Annual NZCS Dinner

4 July 2009: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Native Garden Café Untouched World 155 Roydvale Avenue Burnside

An Invitation to the Annual Dinner

Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Computer Society Inc.

The Canterbury Branch of NZCS invites you to the NZCS Annual Dinner on Saturday 4^th July 2009

Native Garden Café, Untouched World, 155 Roydvale Avenue, Burnside

Commencing at 6:30 p.m. for drinks, sitting down at 7 p.m.

This is a full three-course dinner for all those in the Canterbury region, members and non-members welcome.

Cost : $55-00 per person. A selection of quality wines will be available on a cash basis at $7-50 per glass.

NOTE: Registration and Payment required before the 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.

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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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IntelliConnect - An innovative research platform (Christchurch, 25/6/2009)

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:33:06 +1200

IntelliConnect - An innovative research platform

25 June 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Ground level meeting room)

IntelliConnect^TM is CCH's newly launched online search platform, designed to transform the way that its customers research CCH's online information products.

Based on an intuitive, Google®-like search engine, IntelliConnect^TM was built from the ground up, based on thousands of hours of customer input. The result is a leading-edge design in search and content publishing technologies that provide intelligent information, connected to the way professionals search and use information and workflow tools.

CCH New Zealand Limited is part of the Tax, Accounting & Legal Division of Wolters Kluwer, a multinational publisher and information services company. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, has annual revenues (2008) of €3.374 billion, employs approximately 19,544 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region.

Includes Refreshments

About The Speaker

Matthew Leonelli is the South Island Account Manager for CCH New Zealand Limited. His background includes 10 years of sales and sales management experience in document efficiency solutions and strategic staffing for "Fortune 500" organisations.

Matthew has a B.Sc. in Human Development from the University of Utah and his interests include playing golf, tramping, skiing, fishing, running and travel. He and his family arrived in New Zealand in 2008.

NZCS wishes to thank Novell for sponsoring this event.

Registration Details:

Members may register at no charge below. Please register to secure your spot.

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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Owning ITIL (Wellington, 25/6/2009)

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:49:50 +1200

Owning ITIL

25 June 2009: 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

Some ITIL projects are misbegotten: they should never have been approved.

Rob England will provide some practical guidelines to help decide whether a project should go ahead at all, and if they do then how to keep them on track. Instead of 3 out of 10 projects being successful, Rob believes the a ratio of 5 out of 7 is achievable.

Rob will outline an approach to approving, governing and administering ITIL projects to ensure maximum value on investment.

Includes light lunch.

About The Speaker

Rob England 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 is also well known for his controversial website, The IT Skeptic (Google page-rank 4, tens of thousands of readers worldwide).

Rob's goal is to maintain his relaxed lifestyle while becoming a millionaire by end of 2010. Details of the plan are 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

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 Annual General Meeting (Wellington, 19/6/2009)

Sat, 30 May 2009 15:07:05 +1200

NZCS Annual General Meeting

19 June 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Ferguson Room 158 The Terrace Wellington

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

New Zealand Computer Society Inc

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society will be held at 5.30pm on 19th June 2009 in Wellington.

The following documents are available:

Proxy Form (if you are unable to attend in person)

We strongly recommend members unable to attend in person complete a Proxy Form.

Apologies may be sent via email to info@nzcs.org.nz, faxed to 04 473 1025, or posted to PO Box 10044, Wellington.

Other Business

NZCS CEO Paul Matthews recently put a paper to Council recommending that Councillors and Branch Chairs, as well as possibly Secretaries and Treasurers, be exempt from NZCS membership dues.

As this affects Councillors directly, National Council has put the following two motions to the AGM for consideration:

That membership dues be waived for members holding the positions of NZCS National President, Deputy President, Branch Chair or National Councillor;
That membership dues be waived for members holding the positions of NZCS Branch Treasurer or Branch Secretary.

Note that this meeting is for members of NZCS only.

Please register below for catering purposes. Thanks!

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Project Management Unbundled, Martin Aitken (Nelson, 11/6/2009)

Sun, 31 May 2009 13:52:20 +1200

Project Management Unbundled, Martin Aitken

11 June 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Room A211 Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Nelson Campus Map: tinyurl.com/nmit-a211

Why do I.C.T. projects fail and what the basic steps you can take to ensure success?

Martin Aitken will explore two key topics in this project management overview.

Firstly, the key ways to protect your projects against failure, and secondly, a comparison of the key project management methodologies.

Martin will also look at the organisations behind these two certifications and will also clarify the benefits of methodologies such as SCRUM and Agile.

Includes Light Lunch

About The Speaker

Martin Aitken began his career in Information Technology as a COBOL programmer on ICL mainframes and has worked in a variety of roles since in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Holland, Asia and New Zealand. His predominant area of specilisation has been in the Financial Services sector and, over the last 3 years, e-government projects.

This event is being kindly sponsored by SQL Services.

A light lunch will be provided prior to a 12.30pm presentation

Registration Details:

All welcome, however registration is essential to confirm numbers for catering. Please register below to secure your spot.

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JADE Case Management & Intelligence System (Christchurch, 28/5/2009)

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:37:19 +1200

JADE Case Management & Intelligence System

28 May 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Canterbury Innovation Incubator 200 Armagh Street Christchurch

After Jade had built a case management and intelligence system for the Australian Federal Police, it became clear that law enforcement agencies throughout the world could use this innovative new application.

This presentation will cover the early development of JADE Investigator, the features that make it unique and successful, and how and why it has already been deployed in law enforcement agencies in 18 countries.

The presenter will also discuss his experiences with law enforcement agencies in the US market, and talk about the huge differences between policing there and in New Zealand.

Includes Refreshments.

About the Speaker

Greg Thompson has more than 20 years experience in international sales and marketing, and has held senior management roles at several leading Canterbury technology exporters, including Tait Electronics, HumanWare, and Jade Software Corporation.

In these roles he has worked extensively in the United States, the UK, Europe and Asia, often developing export markets for new products and services. From 1994 he spent two years based in England establishing Cardinal Network's UK operation (now Jade's UK subsidiary), and in 2004 he was based in California on assignment as President of HumanWare's US subsidiary. He travels overseas on business extensively, and currently at Jade Software he has a focus on introducing a new investigation management and intelligence analysis product to law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.

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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Cloud Computing - 'Now where did I put that cloud again?' (Wellington, 28/5/2009)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:49:06 +1200

Cloud Computing - 'Now where did I put that cloud again?'

28 May 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Spectrum Theatre (Previously BP Theatrette) BP House, 20 Customhouse Quay Wellington (NOTE: Previously advertised as at "IBM")

Cloud computing, the end game of Service Oriented Infrastructure, is apparently the new utopia!

We hear about getting our computing power and services "from the Cloud" and most of us already do get some of our services this way, storage of our photos and all manner of life events on social networking sites, e-mail accounts etc.

Is the Cloud ready for the Enterprise? What are the implications and considerations of getting applications and services bundled with storage, memory processing and security from the Cloud. How do YOU prepare for this new computing paradigm?

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

Peter Shephard is a Senior Consultant working at Datacom Systems Wellington, specialising in Infrastructure Architecture and Systems Integration. Peter has been with Datacom for over 9 years. During this time he has worked in a number of roles with key Datacom clients, which amongst others include:

As the Systems Architect for the New Zealand Post Account,
As the Programme Manager responsible for the delivery of the Census 2006, Online Option developed by Datacom for Statistics New Zealand.

Prior to Datacom Peter worked for IBM NZ as a Senior Systems Engineer, and in South Africa as Principal Network Architect for Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA) which at the time was the largest bank in Africa.

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 Wellington: What are the Risks of Risk Based Testing? (Wellington, 27/5/2009)

Wed, 13 May 2009 03:22:09 +1200

TPN Wellington: What are the Risks of Risk Based Testing?

27 May 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

Matt Mansell is the Manager of Testing Services at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and has implemented Risk Based Testing on a number of projects. In the last two years, DIA have been working to build risk analysis in as the basis of their testing.

In that time they have learnt some lessons about the risks of this approach. In this talk, Matt will share some of the hardest lessons learnt and discuss how they have been refining their test processes to mitigate the risks of risk based testing.

Some of the topics Matt will discuss are:

The old double downgrade
Ostrich based risk analysis
The risk proliferation minefield
The risk with using risk to descope testing
The lack of risk buy in leading to risk sell outs

There will be plenty of time for discussion and everyone will be encouraged to take part in what should be a very interesting Q&A session.

Come along to hear Matt Mansell present his experiences with Risk Based Testing and join in the discussion on this important and relevant topic.

The presentation will be followed by a networking session with drinks and nibbles provided.

About The Speaker

Matt Mansell is the Test Manager for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) in New Zealand. DIA has a medium sized team that is responsible for governance over the whole test lifecycle; although they largely perform the System, System Integration and Acceptance testing. With a diverse application environment (over 30 different core applications) the team is required to be versatile and adaptable.

As a manager, Matt's passion is to develop the best test team in the market. Personally, he has been in testing for 10 years and in management for two. He also has a degree in Psychology and Philosophy, as well as a post graduate diploma in secondary teaching. Matt is deeply interested in what it takes to make a good test professional and how to grow people in to test professionals.

TPN wishes to thank Westpac for providing the venue.

Registration Details

TPN is a non-profit organisation set up to support all Wellington testing. Confirming attendance at this event is a commitment to attend. Please do not book if you will not be attending.

NZCS members and non-members welcome.

Registration costs $5, however please pay this at the door.

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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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Simple steps to improving IT Governance (Wellington, 30/4/2009)

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:32:43 +1200

Simple steps to improving IT Governance

30 April 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

IBM, Level 11, Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street, Wellington

Simple Steps to Improving IT Governance

People and Communication, not Process!

Join Warwick Sullivan as he discusses the current shortcomings in the area of suitable IT Governance, why getting this right is so important to the success of IT projects (and, in fact, organisations), and the recipe for improving IT governance and hence reducing the likelihood of IT project failure.

Warwick will map out a solution based on a greater emphasis on people and communication, rather than the process-based approach taken by some organisations.

Includes light lunch

About The Speaker

Warwick Sullivan is the founder of Sandcastle Consulting specialising in the governance of business projects with IT components, strategic development, and service management. He is a certified ITIL Expert, MSP practitioner, PRINCE2 practitioner, governance of enterprise IT, qualified in CobIT, ValIT, and ISO9000 auditing.

After having held senior roles responsible for the provision of ICT services in government, defence and commercial interests he understands how to apply best practice and methodologies to improving ICT services and gaining value from the investment in technology and people.

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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Kete: online digital knowledge for libraries and communities [WLUG] (Hamilton, 27/4/2009)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:03:05 +1200

Kete: online digital knowledge for libraries and communities [WLUG]

27 April 2009: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

MS4.G.02, University of Waikato, Hamilton. (map)

Kete: online digital knowledge for libraries and communities

Hamilton City Library is using Kete to create an online knowledge basket of Hamilton history. Learn more from Rae McCormick and Smita Biswas of the Library and Walter McGinnis of Katipo Communications.

Kete (Maori for 'basket') is an open source collaborative content and knowledge management system, developed by Katipo Communications Ltd and the Horowhenua Library Trust for building online community-driven history and memories.

Hamilton City Library is using Kete to build a resource of Hamilton's heritage, recording stories, photographs, videos and audio recordings.

Join us for a discussion covering how you can be involved, how Kete was developed, and how Kete helps the community to make their own stories and knowledge more accessible.

Kete was the 2007 winner of the 3M Award for Innovation in Libraries, sponsored by 3M New Zealand in conjunction with the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa.

Kete was also awarded Special Mention for excellence in e-content (North America and Oceania region) at the 2007 World Summit Awards.

http://ketehamilton.peoplesnetworknz.info
http://kete.net.nz
http://www.katipo.co.nz

About The Speaker

Walter McGinnis is lead developer of Kete. Kete is a digital archiving tool, a web-based application using the Ruby on Rails framework. This event is organised by the Waikato Linux User Group.

Registration Details:

Please register for this event online now by using the link below.

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Customer Focused Design (Christchurch, 23/4/2009)

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:24:18 +1300

Customer Focused Design

23 April 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Canterbury Innovation Incubator 200 Armagh Street Christchurch

How do you develop products that your customers will love and rave about?

Designing software or web applications that really hit the mark can happen by chance but rarely does.

Customer Focused Design is both a philosophy and methodology which can systematically produce products that are more readily adopted, sell more and have lower support costs.

In this informal talk, Alan Cox, CEO of LeftClick, will outline the principles and tools of Customer Focused Design, where you can apply it, and why it makes extremely good business sense.

Refreshments included.

About The Speaker

Alan Cox is CEO of Christchurch based LeftClick, which specialises in customer focussed design for e-commerce and web based applications. Whilst often touted as a user-experience guru, Alan is far more humble in saying that he's simply a practitioner of advanced common sense and good practice.

Registration Details:

Attendance is free for members and staff of Corporate Partners, however registration is essential. Please register using the link below.

Non-members are very welcome. Please register below via Credit Card. 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.

Thanks to Canterbury Innovation Incubator for providing their venue

(More Info)

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

(More Info)

ISSIG: Key Presentations from SourceBoston2009 (Wellington, 20/4/2009)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:58:25 +1200

ISSIG: Key Presentations from SourceBoston2009

20 April 2009: 3:15 pm - 5:15 pm

Room 613A/B, 6th Floor WelTec 11 – 17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street) Wellington

NZCS Information Security Specialist Group (ISSIG) Quarterly Meeting

Report on Key presentations from SourceBoston2009 11^th - 13^th March 2009

The SourceBoston2009 conference brought together many of the movers and shakers in Info Security in the 21^st century.

Join Alisdair McKenzie as he presents on some of the presentations at this conference. Among the major speakers were:

Amit Yoran (Risk Metrics & Management)
Marcus Ranum (Anatomy of a Security Disaster)
Jermiah Grossman (Get Rich or Die Trying - Making Money on the Web the Black Hat Way)
Adam Shostack (The Crisis in Information Security)
Christofer Hoff (The Frogs who desired a King - Virtualisation and Cloud Computer Computing)
James Atkinson (Horseless Carriage Exploits and Eavesdropping Defenses)

Please Click here for more information about the speakers and topics.

Schedule

Assemble/Register - 3.15
Presentation - 3.45
Networking - 4.45

About The Speaker

Alisdair McKenzie was fortunate to be in USA at the time of the conference (courtesy of ISACA), and was able to attend the event. He was impressed by the quality of the speakers and the relevance of the topics they covered. He has video of several of the sessions he took part in and has assembled a presentation session of highlights from the conference including those highlighted above.

Door Prize

There will also be a $100 book token door prize for an ISSIG member selected at random.

Registration Details:

ISSIG Members should register below (no charge).

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.

(More Info)

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.

(More Info)

TPN Presents: Developer testing: The times they are a'changing (Wellington, 24/3/2009)

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:21:28 +1300

TPN Presents: Developer testing: The times they are a'changing

24 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Westpac Level 1, Optimation House 1 Grey Street Wellington

Automated developer testing has evolved into a mainstream practice in the last few years. Integrating developer testing with other code quality practices, such as continuous integration, test driven development and static analysis, provides systems of a higher technical quality.

The success of developer testing has spawned new practices such as behaviour driven development and executable specifications. These practices encompass a team approach to improving business quality, and further reduce the amount of rework required during the testing/QA cycle.

In this presentation, Nigel Charman examines the impact of these different practices on the tester, using role play to explore the changes in team dynamics with the different practices. A brief overview of the tools that support each practice is presented, and the economics of developer testing will be discussed.

About the Speaker

Nigel Charman is a Senior Consultant with Assurity Consulting, where he specializes in the implementation of Agile and Development Quality initiatives. He also spends some of his time getting his hands dirty as a software developer in the health and electricity sectors and as a co-developer on the open source JiBX/WS project. Nigel has over 20 years of software development experience and is a co-leader of the Wellington Java Users Group.

TPN wish to thank Assurity Consulting for sponsoring the event and Westpac for providing the venue.

Registration Details:

TPN is a non-profit organisation set up to support all Wellington testing. Confirming attendance at this event is a commitment to attend. Please do not book if you will not be attending.

NZCS members and non-members welcome

NOTE: Please pay $5 at the door

(More Info)

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Nelson, 20/3/2009)

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:59:55 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

20 March 2009: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

NMDHB Seminar Centre – Room Two Opposite side of Waimea Rd from Emergency Department Nelson Hospital Nelson

This is your chance to have your say about the upcoming Professional Certification Programme.

[NOTE: This has been sent to the Wellington Area list as there is currently no list for the Nelson region. Please accept our apologies if you are receiving this and are outside this area]

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.

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.

(More Info)

Student Event: Welcome to Wellington! (Wellington, 19/3/2009)

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:15:22 +1300

Student Event: Welcome to Wellington!

19 March 2009: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Student Union Hall Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus, Kelburn Parade Wellington

Calling all ICT and engineering students!

[Please pass this on to any computing/ICT/engineering students you know]

The New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) is sponsoring a social evening for you to meet and get to know other ICT students, them to meet you, and meet some tertiary staff that you'll be getting to know better over the next year or two.

The invitation is going out to Students from all tertiary institutions in the Wellington region. We're anticipating a good turnout, with free pizzas on offer, but as always there is a limit to the space available.

How to get registered

To avoid disappointment (and help with planning and catering) please register (below) by Friday, 13th March 2009 (self initiative test 1 and IT orientation).

If you achieve registration and make it to the event we look forward to welcoming you!

Places are limited, so no registration, no pizza!

Where is it?

Campus information and a map is available here.

The student Union building is located at grid (i, 23). Access can be gained to the Student Union building from Salamanca Rd, Kelburn Parade or McKenzie Terrace. Buses 17, 18, 20, 22 and 23 go to the Kelburn campus and you can also use the cable car.

Spread it around!

All ICT/Computing/Engineering students in the Wellington region are welcome. Oh, and did we mention the free pizza?

(More Info)

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Christchurch, 19/3/2009)

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:12:11 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

19 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Hotel So Conference Room 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Assemble from 5pm, workshop starts 5:30pm sharp)

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.

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.

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.

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.

(More Info)

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Dunedin, 18/3/2009)

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:07:11 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

18 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

University of Otago Executive Residence School of Business 68 Forth Street, Dunedin (Assemble from 5pm for a start at 5:30pm sharp)

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.

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.

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.

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.

(More Info)

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.

(More Info)

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Wellington, 17/3/2009)

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:34:43 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

17 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

PowerHouse People Ltd L4 Deloitte House 10 Brandon Street, Wellington (Assemble from 5pm, Workshop will start at 5:30pm sharp)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks to Powerhouse People for sponsoring this event and providing refreshments.

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NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification (Hamilton, 11/3/2009)

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:29:45 +1300

NZCS Consultation Workshop on Professional Certification

11 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Wintec City Campus (Gate 5) The Bill Gallagher Hub Anglesea Street, Hamilton (Assemble from 5pm for a start at 5:30pm sharp)

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.

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.

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.

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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Students meet Industry BBQ (Christchurch, 10/3/2009)

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:09:31 +1300

Students meet Industry BBQ

10 March 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

University of Canterbury Staff Club Ilam Rd, Christchurch (entrance opposite University of Canterbury Students' Assn building)

Come and meet tertiary ICT students from the Canterbury region.

The ICT industry is vitally dependent on a good flow of graduates, so join us and:

let students meet real people from the Canterbury ICT industry that they hear and read so much about,
tell students about your organisation and what it does,
meet students that you might like to employ (even if you're not hiring at the moment),
talk to and encourage students in their studies to help ensure that when you do need new people, there are good students available,
enjoy a relaxing time with some drinks and barbecue food.

This event is organised by the NZ Computer Society and sponsored by the CPIT, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University computing departments.

Thanks to:

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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.

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.

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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Don Christie: Using Open Source to Build Innovative Solutions (plus Branch AGM) (Christchurch, 05/3/2009)

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:36:01 +1300

Don Christie: Using Open Source to Build Innovative Solutions (plus Branch AGM)

5 March 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch

Don Christie: Using Open Source to Build Innovative Solutions

Don Christie has an extremely interesting story of innovative success relevant to those in both the commercial and open source software spaces.

As a founder of what is now New Zealand’s largest open source solutions provider, Don is one of the first people to build a truly viable and successful commercial model in New Zealand around open source software and has managed to build his company to almost 100 employees.

Don's company Catalyst IT, which was voted in NBR Magazine earlier this year as the most exciting company in New Zealand, provides significant solutions to companies such as Telecom, Fairfax, the TAB, plus a host of Government agencies. Catalyst also architected, designed and developed, host and maintain NZ Registry Service's core system, the Shared Registry System (SRS) which maintains the .nz domain space (ie handles all .nz internet addresses).

In this intriguing presentation, come and hear what inspired Don to take his passion for Open Source to the mainstream and the hurdles he has had to overcome along the way. Don will also discuss his keys to success in turning concepts into reality, an integral step on the path of innovation. The insight presented by Don will be of huge interest to others aspiring to be the best in their field through hard work and true innovation.

Don is also the organiser of the NZ Open Source Awards and president of the NZ Open Source Society.

Canterbury Branch AGM

The 45th Annual General Meeting of the Canterbury Branch of NZCS will be held prior to the commencement of this presentation.

The following forms are available for the AGM:

AGM Agenda
Branch Committee and Officer Nomination Form
Proxy Form (if you are unable to attend in person)
Minutes from Previous Meeting

Schedule of Events

5:00pm: Networking
5:30pm: AGM
5:40pm: Don Christie speaks

Registration Details

REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL.

Members can register for free below. Others 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.

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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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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Notice of Annual General Meeting (Waikato Branch) (Hamilton, 03/3/2009)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:22:16 +1300

Notice of Annual General Meeting (Waikato Branch)

3 March 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Events Room 2, Gallagher Hub Wintec City Campus, Gate 5 Tristam Street, Hamilton

This is notice that the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Computer Society (NZCS) Waikato / BoP Branch is to be held on the 3rd March 2009.

Come and enjoy refreshments and finger food from 5.30pm while you mix and mingle with your fellow NZCS Waikato / BOP Branch Professionals. The Waikato / BoP Branch AGM will follow.

We ask all Waikato and Bay of Plenty members to attend the AGM.

Agenda

Welcome
Apologies and 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 Waikato Branch Committee officers and Waikato Branch Committee members
General Business

You can download a proxy authorisation form or a nomination form.

David Hallett
Chair, Waikato/BoP Branch

(More Info)

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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Notice of Annual General Meeting (Otago Branch) (Dunedin, 27/2/2009)

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:15:18 +1300

Notice of Annual General Meeting (Otago Branch)

27 February 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

ProSouth Conference Room 131 High Street Dunedin

This is a call to the Annual General Meeting of the Otago Branch of the NZCS. We would like to invite all members along to the Otago Branch AGM - have your say in 2009.

All NZCS Members Free

AGM Agenda

Refreshments
Apologies
Matters arising
Chairman's report
Councillor's report
Treasurer's report
Election of Officers
Election of Committee

We ask that all members attend the AGM.

Proxy and Nomination Forms to follow.

Registration Details:

Please use the link below to register. Registration is essential for catering purposes.

(More Info)

50th Anniversary Planning and Branch AGM 2009 (Wellington, 26/2/2009)

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:15:12 +1300

50th Anniversary Planning and Branch AGM 2009

26 February 2009: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Ferguson Room Engineering House 158 The Terrace Wellington

NOTE: This event is for NZCS members only

This is a call to the 44^th Annual General Meeting of the Wellington Branch of the NZCS.

AGM Agenda

Apologies
Minutes of the meeting 28^th February 2008
Matters arising
Chairman's report
Councillor's report
Treasurer's report'
Election of Officers
Election of Committee

Immediately following the AGM we will provide refreshments and invite you to participate in a golden opportunity to contribute to the Society's 50^th Anniversary, which is happening in 2010.

The Society is celebrating the milestone by running a series of events in each of the regions plus a national conference in September. Wellington will kick-start the 2010 year with an event in January or February 2010. So we need your ideas in a relaxed atmosphere

Attendance is free, however we ask that you please register below for catering and organising purposes.

(More Info)

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification (Christchurch, 12/2/2009)

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:38:42 +1300

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification

12 February 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Hotel So 165 Cashel Street Christchurch (Assemble 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.

(More Info)

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification (Dunedin, 12/2/2009)

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:51:13 +1300

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification

12 February 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

ProSouth Conference Room 161 High Street Dunedin

NZCS Work Programme

NZCS Professional Certification

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

Light lunch provided.

(More Info)

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification (Wellington, 10/2/2009)

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:41:33 +1300

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification

10 February 2009: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

L4, Deloitte House 10 Brandon St Wellington (Assemble from 5pm for a 5:30pm start)

NZCS Work Programme

NZCS Professional Certification

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

Venue and Refreshments kindly sponsored by:

(More Info)

The Role of the Enterprise Analyst (Wellington, 05/2/2009)

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:58:14 +1300

The Role of the Enterprise Analyst

5 February 2009: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

IBM, Level 11, Majestic Centre 100 Willis Street, Wellington

The Role of the Enterprise Analyst

Shane Hastie, Chief Knowledge Engineer

So what is the role of an Enterprise Analyst?

Shane Hastie will shed light on the role of the Enterprise Analyst by examining the Enterprise Analysis Knowledge Area that is contained in the vast Business Analysis Body of Knowledge, BABOK^TM.

Shane will explain:

What is included and what are some of the key techniques and tools of Enterprise Analysis
Understanding the role of strategic goals and objectives and how the business analyst contributes to and is guided by overall strategy
Understanding the various levels of Enterprise and Business Architecture; how they flow into the tactical data, system and application architectures and how they impact on business analysis activities
Understanding risk as it relates to enterprise level activities, and how it guides the business analyst in conducting systems investigations
Identifying and presenting business requirements and how they lead into the more granular system, user, quality and functional requirements for new or enhanced systems

Includes Light Lunch.

About The Speaker

Shane has over 20 years experience in software development and implementation. Significant projects included the development of an Irrigated Cane Management System for a large sugar cane plantation in Swaziland, a pharmaceutical drug dissolution analysis system to prepare registration applications, a volume/sales tracking system for sawmills, a security guard scheduling and monitoring system, plus an Airline Revenue Management System, sold to 12 airlines throughout Africa, from Mozambique to Ghana.

In addition to his expertise in requirements engineering, use cases and peer reviews, Shane provides training in project management, systems analysis, software testing as well as design techniques using traditional, Object Oriented and Agile methodologies.

Shane is also a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP^TM) and has a Masters degree in Information Management from Victoria University of Wellington. He is also a member of the International Institute of Business Analysts, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the NZCS.

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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Adapting to the Evolving Threat to Internet Security (Wellington, 04/2/2009)

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:39:04 +1300

Adapting to the Evolving Threat to Internet Security

4 February 2009: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Duxton Hotel 170 Wakefield Street Wellington

NZCS, Microsoft and the Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection present:

Adapting to the Evolving Threat:
Microsoft’s View of Threats to Internet Security

George Stathakopoulos, Trustworthy Computing Security Division (TCSD), Microsoft Corp, Redmond

Over the past 10 years the use of the Internet and the threats to Internet users have completely changed. The Internet has gone from a new mechanism for some aspects of society and commerce to being the primary environment for commerce, collaboration and social interactions.

Threats to the Internet have transformed from disruptions of Internet service for hacker fame, to exploiting the Internet as the vehicle for crime and targeted attacks.

Very few systems are truly "off-the-net" these days so we need to be aware of the value of our information and potential threats to it through all systems, whatever their connection or use. In order to develop and maintain this awareness, it is essential to embrace business, technical and societal issues.

Microsoft and its Trustworthy Computing Security Division (TCSD) based in Redmond is at the forefront of analysing the worldwide IT security threat environment - they are the Microsoft team responsible for assessing and managing threats to Microsoft's products and more than 500 million Microsoft customers around the globe.

The NZCS in partnership with the Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Microsoft invite you to a session that:

Aims to deliver background knowledge and data that should better enable you to work within your organisation to authoritatively state the continued business benefits of investing in protection.
Should enable you to better understand and undertake your day to day risk management and threat prevention activities. The data shared in this session will be based on Microsoft's latest vulnerability and malware findings and analysis.

George Stathakopoulos, General Manager of TCSD and key members of his team are visiting Wellington exclusively for this event and will provide an insight into Microsoft's analysis of current and future threats and how that relates to New Zealand and more broadly to the Internet citizen.

Tea and Coffee will be served following the event.

Registration Details:

This event is free for both NZCS members and non-members, however space is very limited.

REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL - Please register below.

(More Info)

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)

NZCS Work Programme

NZCS Professional Certification

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

Light refreshments provided.

(More Info)

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification (Hamilton, 03/2/2009)

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:41:01 +1300

2009 NZCS National Update - General Progress and Certification

3 February 2009: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

The Hub at Wintec City Campus, Gate 5 Tristam Street, Hamilton Parking is available at the Wilsons Parking Bulding in Alexandra St. (Map)

NZCS Work Programme

NZCS Professional Certification

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

Light lunch provided.

(More Info)

Andy Hopper: Computing for the Future of the Planet (Wellington, 23/1/2009)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:26:27 +1300

Andy Hopper: Computing for the Future of the Planet

23 January 2009: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Oceana Room for morning tea, then Soundings Theatre Te Papa Cable St, Wellington

NZCS "International Innovators" Presentation:

Andy Hopper, University of Cambridge, UK

Founder of Acorn Computers (creator of the Acorn, BBC Micro and Archimedes range of computers), and Professor of Computing Technology at the University of Cambridge, Andy Hopper is one of the UK's great technology visionaries.

Andy will draw on his extensive commercial and academic success to present a framework for the future of computing in the context of problems facing the planet.

Digital technology is becoming an indispensable and crucial component of our lives, society, and environment, and Andy will argue it is time to take the next step.

The framework has a number of goals: an optimal digital infrastructure, sensing and optimising with a global world model, reliably predicting and reacting to our environment, and digital alternatives to physical activities.

This will be a truly inspiring and thought provoking presentation from one of the global leaders of computing technology of our time.

This is one you won't want to miss.

Schedule

10:30am - 11:00am Morning Tea (Oceania Room, Te Papa)
11:00am - 12:30pm Presentation (Soundings Theatre, Te Papa)

About The Speaker

Andrew Hopper CBE FRS FREng is the Professor of Computer Technology and Head of the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Hopper’s PhD was in the field of communications networks and he worked with Maurice Wilkes on the creation of the Cambridge Ring and its successor, the Cambridge Fast Ring which was further developed into ATM.

Hopper founded Orbis Ltd to develop networking technologies and in 1978 co-founded Acorn Computers Ltd with Hermann Hauser and Chris Curry.

In 1993, Hopper set up Advanced Telecommunication Modules Ltd with Hermann Hauser. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996 and awarded their Silver Medal in 2003. In 2004 he was awarded the Mountbatten Medal. In May 2006, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

After more than 20 years at Cambridge University Computer Laboratory Andrew was elected to the Chair of Communications Engineering at Cambridge University Engineering Department in 1997. He returned to the Computer Laboratory as Professor of Computer Technology and Head of Department in 2004.

In 1999, Hopper gave the Royal Society’s Clifford Paterson Lecture on ‘Progress and research in the communications industry’ and was thus awarded the society’s bronze medal for achievement.

In 1997, Hopper co-founded Adaptive Broadband Ltd (ABL) which was to further develop the 'Wireless ATM' project started at ORL in the early 90s. ABL was bought by California Microwave, Inc in 1998.

In January 2000, Hopper co-founded Cambridge Broadband which was to develop broadband fixed wireless equipment; he was non-executive chairman from 2000 - 2005. In 2002 Hopper co-founded Ubisense Ltd to further develop the location technologies and sentient computing concepts that grew out of the ORL Active Badge system.

In 2005 he co-founded Adventiq a company developing a VNC-based system-on-a-chip.

Professor Hopper is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and has been a member of the IET 'Information Technology Sector Panel' since its inception in October 2002.

Registration Details:

REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL - Please Register Below.

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 Christmas Gathering (Nelson, 18/12/2008)

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:28:26 +1300

ICT Christmas Gathering

18 December 2008: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Verdict Bar and Cafe 189 Bridge St Nelson

NZCS and Gen-I Presents:

Nelson ICT Community - Christmas Drinks and Get Together

Come and join your colleagues from the wider Nelson IT community to mark the end of the year by having a fun social night together.

We'd like to see as many people in the Nelson IT community along to "wrap up the year" and talk about how next year is panning out.

All Welcome - Cash Bar, Nibbles Provided (Courtesy of Gen-I)

Registration Details:

This event is free for both NZCS members and non-members - all people in the IT community. Cash bar, however finger food provided courtesy of Gen-I.

Please indicate your intention to attend by registering below (for catering purposes).

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