One of the many revelations I've had about the City of Detroit over the last couple weeks is their use of social media to interact with the citizens. It's not just a push of info to anyone that might be out there, it's an actual conversation. I was coming home from City Hall last week and heard a story on WWJ about Charles Pugh's online town hall - link to Jeff Wattrick's MLive.com article. Using Twitter, Facebook and Skype, he was fielding questions and giving answers live in his first online town hall meeting. Outstanding! I've also been following Mayor Bing on Twitter. The one thing that's unique about him is that he's actually LISTENING and RESPONDING. Bravo Mayor Bing... this is a great example of being available and engaged with your community!
Modern cities are their own ecosystem of interrelated agencies, departments and individuals. This organizational complexity has grown steadily over the past 30 years; add to that complexity an ever expanding sea of information captured in systems not designed to communicate and then consider the historic pressures on budgets and resources. While demand for city services grows, citizens anticipate a near frictionless experience when they are interact. The expectation is a 24x7 scenario highlighted by web applications running on all sorts of mobile devices giving us transparent access to services as we need them.
Not all interactions with cities is quite that smooth - yet! IBM works with cities and local governments all over the world to solving real world problems. Take a look at the clip below. My favorite quote, "Our competitors are not doing this."
"... and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" - The Beatles
18000 W 9 Mile Rd Southfield, MI 48075-4009 United States
Referenced:
Tom Barett, Mayor of Milwaukee Jennifer Roberts, Chair, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor, City of Baltimore Cory Booker, Mayor, Newark, New Jersey Gordon Matherson, Leader, Glasgow City Council Marc Ott, City Manager Austin, Texas Francis Slay, Mayor, St Louis
We are pleased to announce the availability of the latest IBM Cloud White Paper - Guiding the cloud application decision with the IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor. Most organizations are considering whether a cloud delivery model is appropriate for particular applications and how best to evaluate the opportunity and develop a plan that supports desired business outcomes. IBM has developed a methodology and tool for determining how to approach these decisions and optimize the benefits from applications being delivered from a cloud environment.
To learn more about this approach, you can find a copy of the white paper here on ibm.com/services/cloud
OVERVIEW Cloud-delivered applications provide many business benefits such as scalability based on business demand, the ability to maximize resource usage, expansion of services, maximization of software and hardware investment,and the standardization and ease of use of IT resources. When considering whether to move an application to the cloud, it is important to consider both the business purpose of the application and the role that application plays in supporting business and IT strategies. This context is important for considering whether to transition an application to a cloud environment, or whether to re-architect or “transform” the application – and if so, how to do it. IBM has developed a unique methodology and tool for determining how to approach these decisions and optimize the benefits from applications being delivered from a cloud environment.
EVALUATING CLOUD APPLICATIONS When considering cloud delivery, one of the major challenges faced by enterprises is the lack of the right implementation plan for moving existing applications to the cloud. Adapting an application for cloud delivery requires up-front analysis and planning. Enterprises often limit cloud deployment to new applications without fully considering if, and if so how, existing applications can be transitioned. In some cases, business and IT objectives and conditions warrant larger, more comprehensive changes to an application that is moving to the cloud than are possible under the transition approach. For clients who have made the decision to transform an application, IBM has developed a comprehensive methodology to help inform and guide the migration process. This methodology is encapsulated in the IBM Cloud Transformation Advisor.
The Cloud Transformation Advisor provides a systematic consulting method and knowledge base for facilitating the transformation of enterprise applications for cloud environments. This is accomplished by applying standardized, repeatable and reusable processes and work products, thereby saving time and money. The approach behind the Cloud Transformation Advisor ensures that desired cloud capabilities are based on enterprise business motivations and realistic business scenarios, ensuring that the application functions in the way it was intended to do so. The tool enables informed decision-making based on quantitative analyses with well documented rationales, and provides a mechanism that helps to ensure accurate, business-driven decisions are made.
If you are interested in a briefing or would like to speak to one of the authors about applying the approach to your own environment, please contact me.
thanks...
Brian M O'Curran IBM Collaboration Solutions The Great North East, Messaging & Collaboration Leader 586.255.5350 phone | bmoc at us dot ibm dot com
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"Ninety-three percent of all internet quotes are incorrect" - Abraham Lincoln
Please join us in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 23 – 27 to learn how IBM can help you turn insight into action with the latest business analytics and optimization (BAO) products and solutions and the very best technical and business education!
Information On Demand 2011 will bring together more than 10,000 business and technology leaders to experience four days of in-depth education, delivered in the Information Management Forum, Enterprise Content Management Forum and Business Analytics Forum. In addition, the Business Leadership Forum will provide opportunities to learn how you can bring these capabilities together as solutions to dramatically improve your business. More than 700 sessions will highlight how you can apply IBM business analytics and optimization technologies and solutions to gain insight and drive business results.
Don't miss the one conference that delivers the very best education value!
Conference Highlights:
- 700 technical education sessions - 300+ customer speakers - 128 hands-on labs - Session content featuring software, hardware and services solutions - 110 industry-focused business and IT leadership sessions - Session content featuring software, hardware and services solutions - More than 10,000 attendees - Three complimentary certification exams - Largest IBM expo - IBM and industry-renowned speakers - Networking opportunities
For Government Attendees: Learn how Business Analytics and Optimization helps Government agencies with a means to improve effectiveness while at the same time reducing fraud and waste. Hear how Governments at all levels are improving citizen services, strengthening public safety, while effectively managing resources at the same time.
Education: Get information on the very latest Information Management, Business Analytics and Enterprise Content Management solutions and strategies, and breaking news on product releases and product road maps. Participate in discussions about next-generation capabilities, improve your technical skills, and meet with your peers while learning pragmatic ways to help your organization reduce costs and outperform the competition.
Networking: No other event will give you this kind of access to product experts, product engineering, industry experts and IBM Business Partners. You can experience the power of fresh viewpoints as you network with experts from other organizations.
Relationships: Learn in informal meetings with product experts, meet with IBM executives and IBM Business Partners who have the inside scoop on emerging trends and strategies - all in one place, in just a few days.
So don't wait! Register before August 31 to save $300 with the early bird discount and your choice of conference hotel accommodations!
Visit the web site today for more information: http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/2011-conference/
See you in Las Vegas!
thanks...
Brian M O'Curran IBM Collaboration Solutions The Great North East, Messaging & Collaboration Leader 586.255.5350 phone | bmoc at us dot ibm. dot com
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"Ninety-three percent of all internet quotes are incorrect" - Abraham Lincoln
Did you know that IBM Rational has several offerings that address the challenges of Government Services Agencies?
Governments continue to spend hundreds of millions to extend their systems and modernize to bring 20th century technology into the 21st century.
We see five mutually reinforcing imperatives for transforming the citizen experience and the government approach:
Put the client at the center of your service delivery system — Organize the services you offer and the way you deliver them around the needs of your clients rather than around organizational or programmatic boundaries.
Improve client outcomes— Move away from a transaction oriented system toward promoting ongoing, sustainable, transparent client relationships.
Target services effectively — Apply scarce resources more thoughtfully and increase their value to clients and taxpayers.
Increase efficiency — Reduce the cost of successful programs by streamlining business processes, automating routine transactions and focusing workers on higher-value activities.
Integrate service providers — Share appropriate information and collaborate with citizens and other providers to develop and deliver services to clients
The application of technology must make program and service delivery smarter, faster and less costly but should also help leaders make tough decisions on current offerings and guide agency investments in the future.
Technology should facilitate cross-agency data sharing and collaboration and must reinforce agency accountability and government transparency into how funds are allocated and spent.
Rational Solutions help:
Target services to client needs with better business planning and alignment
Increase efficiencies by modernizing enterprise investments (think 21st century needs and 20th century technology)
Drive more integrated and outcome oriented service delivery through SOA
More Information
Oklahoma Department of Human Services gains business and IT efficiency with an IBM Rational solution - link
MWD Advisors White paper: Delivering stakeholder centric services: from strategy to execution - link
Rational Solutions for Smarter Government Services (brief) link
Make sure you're fully planning to get the most from your limited resources, IBM can help.
On February 8-10, 2011, IBM hosted an online Jam session with over 2,700 participants from corporations, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The discussion focused on social business and its potential to redefine how we work in the future. The major discussion themes were:
Building the social business of the future
Developing participatory organizations through social adoption
Using social media to understand and engage with customers
Determining what social means for IT
Identifying risks and establishing governance
In this report you will find key insights from over 2,600 discussion posts and more than 600 tweets. What a great a blueprint for organizations considering adopting a social business strategy. Download a copy! Enjoy!!
Questions? You know how to find me!
Have a great weekend!
thanks...
Brian M O'Curran IBM Collaboration Solutions The Great North East, Messaging & Collaboration Leader 586.255.5350 phone | bmoc@us.ibm.com
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"Ninety-three percent of all internet quotes are incorrect" - Abraham Lincoln
The IBM Lotus technical community and our friends at GBS are proud to announce Lotus Notes and Domino Application Development Workshop. All the details below. Columbus, June 23rd Cleveland, June 21
AN IBM EXPLORATION OF TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION Presentations and Hands-on Lab Exercises for a 1 day Exploration of Technology (EoT). The days focus is on Lotus Notes and Domino application enhancements in version 8.5.x and the upgrade strategies to quickly web enable and move your older Lotus Notes applications to the web.
OBJECTIVE The Notes & Domino Application development Workshop is intended to provide you with an in-depth examination of the new capabilities of Notes and Domino application development in 8.5.x. For existing customers, this exploration will help you assess the additional value and potential impact to their existing Notes application environment. For new customers, this exploration will not only give you a hands-on experience with a product new to them but it will also reinforce our advantages over the competition, such as the power of applications development. At the conclusion of the Exploration of Technology, you will leave with an understanding of the business opportunities this new version can help solve for your older Notes applications.
AUDIENCE This Workshop is targeted for IT Managers, System Administrators, Developers and Architects evaluating the IBM Lotus Notes / Domino 8.5.x development options. It is recommended that participants have an understanding of their business needs and current IT technologies.
AGENDA Introduction and Welcome What's New in Notes & Domino 8.5.x Application Development Domino XPages Overview How to Web enable your existing Lotus Notes applications Lunch Domino Application Transformer Overview – Group Business Systems Lab: Domino 8.5.x Application Development Exercises
COST This session is offered free of charge. Complimentary refreshments including continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. However, participants are responsible for their own business travel expenses.
SCHEDULE For your convenience, registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM. The session will start at 9:00 AM and end at approximately 3:00 PM.
CONTACT FOR INFORMATION To enroll in this Exploration of Technology, please contact your IBM Software Sales Representative. Ahhhh, that'd be me! bmoc at us dot ibm dot com. E-Mail me and I'll get you registered.
How are CIOs earning – or sustaining – the authority to help their organizations fulfill critical strategic objectives? In a complex global environment where demand is high for creative business leaders, what are today’s Chief Information Officers (CIOs) doing to remain vital, no matter what type of business they support?
Be the first to hear the results of this study encompassing over 3,000 responders in 81 countries.
Hi, Thanks for stopping by. You didn't read it wrong, it's Billion's with a "B." It's amazing how fast the money adds up with we're talking about software licensing costs. Software can be a large percentage of an IT budget for any given year. If I could show you how to reduce that spend and either be a hero or help fund some other, higher profile (and probably higher ROI) project, would that be worth a few minutes of your time?
For the past several years, IBM's Project Liberate team has been engaged in helping my customers to understand alternatives with respect to Microsoft Enterprise Agreements, and, in most cases, guiding them to save money. A LOT OF MONEY!
We help customers understand their Enterprise Agreements, and show them alternative strategies to purchase their Microsoft licenses often resulting in lower costs than are available via the Enterprise Agreement. You can benefit by learning to buy what's needed versus buying into a bundle of products that might not get fully utilized. In the process, customers have "liberated" budget dollars to fund other projects or initiatives.
Customers with Microsoft Enterprise Agreements might be able to save up to 40% or more on the cost of their renewal through this no-charge evaluation of their current Enterprise Agreement.
During a a typical engagement, we:
Help you to evaluate your current expenditures within your Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and provide alternatives based on current deployment plans, product readiness and end user segments.
Share best practices that other customers are using when negotiating Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (Office Pro vs. Office Standard, OS Upgrade charge vs. OS upgrade with hardware refresh, etc.).
Help you understand what analysts are recommending when negotiating contracts with Microsoft.
Deliver a presentation about cost savings using our experience with Microsoft contracts.
Project Liberate engagements have helped customers around the world to achieve significant cost savings. There's never an obligation to purchase or replace any software.
Value Proposition for you:
Potentially reduce your Microsoft bill, using the same products you use today via alternative buying options.
Savings can self-fund innovation and productivity initiatives.
Reduce your dependency on Microsoft bundles, buying only what you need.
No-charge consulting engagement.
Look, this stuff is complicated. I know. Anymore, who can spend any money without getting the absolute maximum return? Give me a call and we can talk. Might be the best call you make this week. You certainly have nothing to lose... I'm not a high pressure sales guy, I'm not going to hound you until the end of time. Just two people talkin' - no pressure.
Brian O'Curran 1-586-255-5350 Yeah, I'm in Michigan too.... or send me an e-mail bmoc at us dot ibm dot com
It's the valley for me. It's the time of the year where all the looking back over the previous year is done. Victories recorded; lessons learned; regrets and dreams of 4th grade do-over's all rumbling around. I haven't been real active with this blog for a variety of reasons. I'm back in the saddle again. As I think about my work life, I've got many reasons to be excited.
Our portfolio of software has never been better than it is right now. I've been involved with Lotus since release 2.0 of Notes. It's been a long road and, amazingly, there's more road ahead, a lot more road.
I'm delighted about the shift in the brand toward focusing on how business uses our technology to drive business results. I've been talking about that for quite a while.
I like the movement toward building our use-cases from the end-users perspective and making the UI compelling. Yeah, we've come a long way! And, it's only getting better. I can't wait to see the announcements around Vulcan.
Lotusphere is almost here. I think this year is going to be a watershed year for the brand as IBM claims it's place as the leader in enabling business results with collaboration. We've got the right vision, we've got the right technologies and we've got the momentum.
Yeah, it's a good spot to be.
I got an e-mail this morning with a link to a presentation entitled "The Business Value of Social Software." It's just full of great info. Of the 30 or so slides, I paused at this one. I know we have all kinds of statistics about why collaboration is good, why it helps employees to more with less, why it enables organizations to outperform their non-collaborative peers. Check out that box that says "employees spend 25% of their time just looking for information." Do the math for your organization or department. Ten hours a week times fifty weeks in a year times some pay range that makes sense for your situation. That's the kind of money being spent for people to look for info. What if you could take just one hour off per week? What kind of productivity gains could you see? What if you could reduce the time in half? Oh, it's possible.
Yeah, this collaboration stuff is real alright. Call me and let's figure out how your organization can take advantage of it.
