Well the cat is out of the bag and inboxes, Facebook and the Twittersphere are full of Energize IT chatter. If you subscribe to the Canadian versions of the TechNet Flash or MSDN Flash you would have received this invitation in your inbox on Thursday afternoon. Since then the Energize IT mailbox has been flooded with questions. As Ricky would say to Lucy “You got some ‘splaining to do!”, hence the longest blog post in CanITPro history! (I think)
I originally got my start with the team at the first Energize IT back in June 2006. (Note: If Rick offers to fly you anywhere for an event, make sure you find out what strings are attached!) Over the years Energize IT has changed a little each year but we heard the same feedback. “Why isn’t there an Energize IT in my city?” This feedback even came from the GTA where it can be difficult to get from Kitchener to downtown Toronto for 9AM on a Saturday morning. We heard you! We also heard that a Saturday in May or June is not ideal because, well let’s face it, Winter is over and I want to get outside! So we changed things up! So let's answer some questions on Energize IT 2009!
The Why - Current economic realities are putting pressure on all of us to utilize technology in new ways. From increasing productivity, reducing costs, and providing clear benefit to the business, everyone plays a key role in making this real. Your ability to understand the technology possibilities to help solve real-world requirements is more important than ever and is where you can make a difference.
The What - From student to CIO, EnergizeIT 2009 is about what’s possible. Through a series of events across Canada, we will show you how to take advantage of the Microsoft-based platform, Windows 7, and a Software + Services approach to help your organization reduce costs and increase scalability. There are five types of events being held in conjunction with Energize IT 2009 in the various cities. So what are these events?
User Group: The Future of the Windows Platform
Innovation solves problems and fosters new ideas; it is the lifeblood of our industry. However, with every innovation, a question is asked by those with the opportunity to leverage it: “How is this going to make my life easier?”
In this session we will help answer this question as we discuss Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and show you how they can be integrated into your current environment and help solve some of today’s challenges around application compatibility, remote access and branch offices. You’ll learn how you can reduce bandwidth costs between your head office and the branch, how to leverage new virtualization technologies to solve application compatibility issues and discover new capabilities in the Windows platform.
Technologies: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
Audience: IT Professionals, Developers, Architects, Technical Decision Makers
Energize IT: From the Client to the Cloud
Windows 7. Windows Live. Windows Azure. The Microsoft-based platform presents a bevy of opportunities for all of us. Whether you are an IT Manager, Developer, or IT Pro knowing how these will impact you is critical, especially in the new economic reality.
This session will allow you to understand Microsoft’s Software+Services vision through a combination of presentation, demonstration, and discussion. Learn how you can collaborate more effectively and take your small and mid-sized business to the next level and accessible from virtually anywhere using the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. You will see Windows 7 in action and gain insight into how you can harness it in your environment. We will demonstrate how Windows 7 and Windows Live allow you to connect and collaborate with friends and family in ways you may not have thought of before. Find out how to develop applications that take advantage of Windows Azure Services providing new levels of scalability. Finally, discover how bringing together the power the Desktop with the flexibility of the Cloud will provide amazing opportunities for you to solve some difficult challenges ahead.
Technologies: Windows 7, Windows Live, Windows Azure Services, Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite, Visual Studio
Audience: Developers, Architects, Technical Decision Makers, Business Decision Makers, IT Professionals
Student Connection: Get Energized About the Future!
Between ever changing technologies, grim economic forecasts and conflicting news reports today’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students must be scared and confused. While one day you will read “CIOs face critical talent shortage” which spews facts like “…the demand for IT professionals is up 14 per cent across the country...” the next day you will read about layoffs affecting the largest companies in the ICT industry and wonder where your career is headed.
What is the true state of the ICT industry in Canada? What are some of the specialized skills employers looking for? How do you add these highly specialized tech skills to your knowledgebase? What technologies do I need to look out for and how do you keep pace with the changes?
In this session we will look at some of the latest technologies you might have heard about and show you some resources that will let you get ahead of the curve. We will try to separate fact from fiction with information from the ICTC Labor Force Survey and show you how to start your career off on the right foot and continue to grow and suceed!
Audience: ICT students and faculty
Technologies: Windows 7, Azure
Faculty Connection: Supporting Faculty to Support The Future
One of the toughest challenge with teaching technology is the fast pace of the industry. In other fields the changes are so steady that most curriculum content stays valid for many years, but in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) world fast changes are common. As a professor or teacher, it is extremely tough to stay current and follow that industry.
Microsoft offers many programs to help Academia, but unfortunately we have determined they are not easily discoverable and as a result – many of you are unaware of your options. Please join us for lunch to discuss your challenges and help us understand how we can better help you. We will take a few minutes to share the programs we have as well and give you a glimpse at Windows 7 as well.
Audience: ICT Faculty
Enthusiast Connection: Windows 7 InstallFest
The latest generation is upon us. If you have not experienced it yet - come and join your local community to re-discover the client. Rediscover Windows and see what all the fuss is about. See for yourself how Windows 7 will impact you at work and at home.
Learn by doing it yourself and get your hands on the new ways you can work with the user experience on your desktop. You now have more intuitive ways to open, close, resize, and arrange them. Learn how you can take control of the UAC (User Account Control) without putting yourself at risk; see for yourself the responsiveness of the platform.
Above all connect and exchange stories with other professional and enthusiasts in your local community. See how they are taking advantage of Windows 7.
If this speaks to you, join us for the EnergizeIT – Windows 7 InstallFest. You’ll get the opportunity to bring your own PC and install the latest build available of Windows 7 and re-ignite your passion for the PC.
Audience: All
Technologies: Windows 7
The Where – This has been the number one challenge with Energize IT in the past. The previous three events have been held in Toronto, and no where else. Based on the feedback collected we decided to change this in 2009 by taking Energize IT on the road. So far we will be holding one or more Energize IT events in the following cities…
Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton and St. John’s!
This is truly a coast to coast event! While the initial email invitation didn’t include all cities, there will be another mass email invitation coming shortly with the additional events listed as well as registration links. Some venues just took a little longer to confirm and we couldn’t open registration until we had confirmation.
The Who – YOU! Whether you are a student, IT Pro, developer, CIO, self employed consultant, or just a technology enthusiast there truly is an event for you. From student to CIO, we have something for you and we hope to see you at EnergizeIT 2009!
Stay tuned for more updates on Energize IT and if you have any questions about Energize IT, send us an email!
