Nashville Technology Council

NovaCopy Offices
June 4, 2009 (4:00pm – 6:00pm)
15 Lindsley Avenue| Nashville, TN 37210

Click Here to Register Online

There a a few options in the marketplace to choose from when speaking about mobile wireless technology.  Our panel of experts will compare three major platforms Microsoft, the iPhone and Blackberry.  They will look to break down the various platforms and provide their reasoning behind the pros and cons of each platform.

Sponsored by:

	Gordon Bennett, Mobile Evangelist for the Heartland, Microsoft BIO COMING SOON!
	Terry Henry, Data Solutions, Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee Terry Henry is the leader of the regional data team for Verizon Wireless. With the focus on wireless data products and services, this team ensures that Verizon Wireless associates and leaders understand and can effectively provide the most productive, efficient and useable data solutions to meet consumers needs. Terry has 6 years of wireless industry experience with Verizon Wireless and 15 years of Information Technology experience in various industries including banking, automotive, manufacturing, health care, legal and transportation. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1993 and currently lives in Franklin, TN
	Jackson Miller, Founder, statzen.com Founder of statzen.com, urlzen.com and gpsAssassins. Plato’s Closet franchise owner. Father of 4.
	Byron McClain, Partner, Deepwell Software, LLC The developer of a popular travel application for the iPhone, LocalEats. LocalEats was in the Top 4 paid applications in the iTunes App Store in 2008, and the app still consistently ranks among the Top 5 paid applications in the Travel section of the App Store. Byron is also one of the founders of Deepwell Software, LLC, a leading developer of iPhone and Rich Internet Applications in the Nashville area.
	Ben Henderson, Partner / Senior Software Engineer, Firefly Logic Ben is a partner and senior software engineer at Firefly Logic, a Nashville based Microsoft partner. A native of England, Ben moved to the States in 1995 after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, with a degree in computer science. Ben is a passionate technologist who has frequent “genius” ideas and loves the social aspects of software development. During his 14 year technology career, Ben has experienced the highs and lows of software development and understands the pressures that face coders and stakeholders alike.
	Click Here to Register Online

Tweet! Tweet!

Are you twittering yet?  Twitter is this quirky little tool that allows people to communicate in 140 characters at a time.  I have been twittering for since November 2007 and it is really interesting use of technology and communication.  It certainly has personal benefits of staying in touch real time with friends and professional benefits of creating your brand voice.

Dell reported last Fall that they have surpassed $1 million in sales via Twitter.  So yes, there really is ROI attached to social media and this is one communication channel that you need to learn and understand.  Do you need to promote an event and engage attendees at the event?  Setup a Twitter account for that event.  Podcamp 09 was a great example of using the technology to capture the conversation for others not attending, but it also gave it traction beyond the event (#pcn09).  So what is the # for?  # is a hash tag to allow users to make comments and tag a particular twitter account. 

A word of caution about Twitter and all social media platforms.  If you use the media to only promote your services, you will not be successful.  You need to engage in conversations, reply to others, and talk about things other than your products.  Talk about your strategy.  Get feedback on new ideas.  You can and should promote your company and products, but Twitter is a two way flow of conversation.  It is an on-going dialog with the public about your brand.  Your brand could be you (Dave Delaney’s Dave Made That) or a product conversation (Dave Delaney’s GriffinTech).  Both work equally well on Twitter.

Also, don’t spam your followers.  If you post more than 1-2 times in a hour, you are probably abusing your Twitter rights.  Be thoughtful of your followers.  They are following multiple people, so be respective of your posts.

In past six months, Facebook has created a twitter type of approach to “What are you doing now”.  However, Twitter goes beyond that with a different approach by replacing friends with followers.  The potential audience size is much larger on Twitter.  Also, try some of the new tools being built around Twitter like TweetDeck.

If you are ready to have the world hear your voice, tweet! tweet!.  Remember, you only have 140 characters to bring your message to life, so be creative.

To join the Nashville Technology Council on Twitter: Follow Techville, Technashville, Jtodwork, and Bittorie.

May 21, 2009
Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

The Nashville Technology Council presents the 9th Annual Technology Nashville Conference.  Technology Nashville is our flagship event, addressing the State of Information Technology in our region, as well as tech innovation, entrepreneurship, talent, and technology sector employment.

This event draws senior management from technology companies as well as economic leaders from in and around the middle Tennessee region that play key roles in determining the future of our industry.  This event attracts approxamitely 250 participants with a format that includes breakfast / networking, panel presentations, a seated luncheon, and targeted Keynote addresses.

Click Here to Register Online

Follow updates for TechNashville Conference on Twitter

Sponsored by:

Does Your Company Need Help to Succeed?

During this recession, some businesses may be postponing projects that they had planned out of fear of spending money and not getting a return on investment. Some companies can’t afford to wait to upgrade or develop a whole new business application though, especially if it is needed to run the business.

The Nashville Technology Council is trying to help by encouraging members to do business with one another through a unique coupon code.

Firefly Logic was the first firm to test the new coupon code system. For the month of May, we are offering NTC members 20% off of our regular rate for development projects scheduled to begin by June 2009.

To access, the coupons being provided by NTC members, click here and login into the Members Only directory. Once you login in, click on Member Specials.

Getting to know Firefly Logic

You may already know Firefly Logic or have heard of them from BarCamp or from one of their monthly Geek Socials. In case you are not familiar with Firefly Logic, they have been here in Nashville since 2004. They specialize in Microsoft web, desktop and mobile software development projects along with iPhone development and technology consulting. They have a very diverse clientele list ranging from the entertainment industry to healthcare.

They have extremely talented local developers on staff available for software development projects or consulting (project or process analysis, risk assessment, etc.).  They are very active in the tech community and the NTC.  Catch them at the Mobile Platform Roundtable on June 4, 2009.

Contributed by Heidi Short, Member since 2008.  For more information on Firefly Logic, visit their website at www.fireflylogic.com

Tech Council Members Recognized

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” -Oprah Winfrey

Like any smart person or organization the Nashville Technology Council has surrounded itself with great talent. Movers and Shakers. Individuals and companies who are doing great things. Over the past few weeks some of those great people and companies were recognized and we would like to take this opportunity to give them a shout out!

Nashville 40 under 40
David Ledgerwood, ALOC Group
Brian Waller, Vaco

Nashville Business Journal: Best in Business Awards
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Winner 500+ Employees
Passport Health Communications, Scott MacKenzie, Winner 101-500 Employees
Advanced Network Solutions, Sonny Clark, Finalist 1-25 Employees
The Human Capital Group Inc, Steve Hayes, Finalist 1-25 Employees
C3 Consulting, Beth Case, Finalist 26-100 Employees
Magazines.com, Jay Clarke, Finalist 26-100 Employees
Zycron Inc., Darrell Freeman, Finalist 101-500 Employees
Bridgestone Americas, Mark Emkes, Finalist 500+ Employees
Vaco, Brian Waller, Jay Holloman, Jerry Bostelman, Finalist 500+ Employees

BusinessTN’s 2009: Best Employers in Tennessee
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC
InfoWorks Inc.
The North Highland Company
Education Networks of America

Thinking Global?  (Part 3 of 3 Part Series)

Offshore development is one of the most heated debates in the United States these days.  Although we think it is probably far down the line after the economy, healthcare and education.  Offshore is being debated because of the perceived loss of jobs in this country due to lower paying economies such as India, China, and South America.  Is it good business practice to find the lowest cost of operation in order to maximize shareholder value?

We define offshoring as subcontracting or moving of a business process from one country to another — typically an operational process, such as manufacturing or product development, or supporting processes, such as help desk/call center or accounting.

In Nashville, we have several companies who we think are doing offshore in a responsible manner.  They include Emids, Zycron, Wipro, and others.  In all three cases, these companies are growing their staffs both here and abroad.  They use an onshore/offshore model to manage projects and work in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Continue Reading →

PURESAFETY NAMES RISK MANAGEMENT EXPERT AS
VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC RESOURCES GROUP

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 5, 2009 – Nashville-based PureSafety, a leading provider of training, safety, occupational health and medical management software solutions, today announced the addition of Todd Hohn to the company’s senior management team as Vice President, Strategic Resources Group.

“Todd’s appointment is significant, as it deepens our in-house expertise in safety and loss control, as well as overall risk management,” said President and CEO Bill Grana.  “Unlike most of our competition, PureSafety has always maintained strong in-house safety and risk management domain expertise. Todd will assume leadership of our four existing safety and risk management professionals, providing strategic input into our product strategy, supporting our client base and further establishing PureSafety as a thought leader and true innovator in the industry.”

Hohn brings over 18 years of safety, loss control and related software experience with CNA Insurance and Aetna Insurance. In his prior roles, he exhibited a strong record of developing and implementing innovative products and risk prevention strategies to ensure improved quality, productivity and profitability. Hohn’s notable past accomplishments while at CNA included designing and implementing its large-scale safety training program the School of Risk Control Excellence and hiring and developing CNA’s Construction Risk Control staff of 70 dedicated safety professionals focused on risk control and service to the construction industry. 

Hohn earned a bachelor’s of science degree in safety from Illinois State University and completed the Advanced Executive Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, as well as the Executive Development Program from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He also earned the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

The addition of Hohn to PureSafety’s senior management team marks another key hire for 2009. To accommodate the company’s aggressive growth, Hohn and the rest of the company’s 85 Nashville-based employees will make the move to a brand-new 27,000-square-foot facility in Franklin, Tenn. this summer.
About PureSafety

Born out of a workplace tragedy in 1999, Nashville-based PureSafety empowers its customers to protect their organization’s most valuable assets: their people and their profits. PureSafety’s comprehensive suite of easy-to-use training, safety, occupational health and medical management software delivers bottom-line business benefits by streamlining key tasks, improving workflow, reducing costs and enhancing productivity. The company’s team of 145 employees serves more than 2,000 companies operating in more than 20 major industries including manufacturing, construction, energy, and pharmaceutical and life sciences. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., PureSafety has additional locations in Columbus, Ohio, Colorado Springs, Colo. and Westbank, British Columbia, Canada. To learn more, visit www.puresafety.com or call 888.202.3016.

When to look external? (Part 2 of 3 part series)

Outsourcing is a term that has grown in popularity over the last two decades.  However, we should not kid ourselves.  Outsourcing has been around since commerce began in the early days of civilization.  The first person who did not want to do accounting, found an accountant (or a scribe) to do the work and the outsourcing industry was created.

Today, we define outsourcing as subcontracting a process, usually involving product development, help desk/call center, manufacturing, accounting or other back office solutions to a third-party company.  For today’s discussion, we will limit outsourcing to just the United States.  Tomorrow, we will discuss Offshoring.

“An annual survey by accounting and consulting firm BDO Seidman LLP showed that 22 percent say the United States is the outsourcing destination they are most likely to consider in 2009, compared to 16 percent for China and 13 percent for India.”

I recently spoke with Greg Huddleston, IBM General Business Territory Manager for Tennessee.  Greg said that “IBM’s take on Sourcing is to lead in the invention, development and manufacture of the industry’s most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics.  We translate these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions, services and consulting businesses worldwide”.  Greg, along with Hugh Hale and Kitty Ricketts from the Global Business Services Public Sector will lead an engaging panel on outsourcing opportunities.

The Nashville Technology Council, the Nashville Health Care Council and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce present a “Virtual Trade Mission: Exploring Opportunities in India.” Join us as we explore health care and technology in India, along with strategies for local and global outsourcing, insourcing and offshoring via live video conferencing with Indian market leaders Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, GE, Wipro, Tata and a number of others.

Look inside first.

When we think of sourcing, often times we forget about Insourcing.  Yes, that’s right.  Insourcing is a wonderful opportunity to drive innovation inside the organization.  I have heard countless times where employees thought they could do it, but weren’t considered.  Often times, you can bring a multi-disciplinary team together as well including IT, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and Operations.

The potential benefits of insourcing include improved employee morale, greater sense of accomplishment, identification of internal thought leaders, and greater control of development.  The potential pitfalls are priority shifts, loss of productivity, missed deadlines on other projects, and longer time to market.

Like all insourced, outsourced, or offshore models, the management of the project itself is the number one priority.  A good project manager will make or break the overall success no matter where the services are ultimately delivered.  In the Agile Development world, daily scrums can be achieved whether the application is being developed internally or externally.

Recently, I spoke with Mary Silva Doctor with HCA’s IT&S.  Mary will be leading our Insourcing Panel discussion on Thursday, May 7, 2009.  Mary said they use Flex Sourcing at HCA.  Flex Sourcing is a combination of insourcing, outsourcing, and offshoring.  They look at the application or support function and determine where the resources are available right now.  If there is an internal group available, then they go internal.  If internal resources are not available, then they look outside the organization.  This is where they determine whether it can be sourced in the states or offshore.  Often times this is when they have to look at whether they need 24/7 resources or not.  They have a detailed matrix to make the final decision on sourcing.

Last but not least, internally sourced functions should consider creating service level agreements for their internal customers.  This helps you manage expectations with other departments and creates a more professional approach to your delivery of projects and functions.

Please join us on Thursday, May 7, 2009 for a Virtual Trade Mission where we will investigate insourcing, outsourcing, and offshoring.

Dell to Host Computer Recycling Event

Do you have an old computer that’s the size of a dinosaur laying around in your closest? Maybe you received a new printer for Christmas and just don’t know what to do with your old one. If you can relate to this then your lucky day is coming up. On Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dell is hosting a free computer recycling event at Dell’s Nashville Campus. The campus is located near the Nashville International Airport at the intersection of Donelson Pike and Murfreesboro Road.

You can bring any brand of printer, monitor, computer, mobile entertainment device, keyboard, mouse, scanner, or game console. Make sure your leave you old cell phones, televisions and stereos at home, as Dell will not be collecting those items. Before you hull in your computers, make sure all of your information is deleted from your computer’s hard drive. You will not leave empty handed if you come early. The first 1,200 participants will receive a tree sapling and a discount to go towards the purchase of a Dell computer.

Click here for more information.