Nashville Technology Council

Sean Cassidy, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Healthcare, IBM

As senior vice president and general manager, healthcare, Sean Cassidy is responsible for leading Initiate’s healthcare business globally and driving its growth. Sean previously led the company’s services, field operations, products and business development teams. Prior to joining in 2004, Sean held executive positions at a number of enterprise software and e-commerce companies, including London based YouDevise, Ltd., OurHouse.com, and TenFold Corporation. He began his career at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). He has broad technology and consulting experience in the healthcare, financial services, utilities, retail, telecommunications and transportation industries.

The Naked Hospital is a super roundtable, half day event being held August 26th, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Jamison Hall in The Factory at Franklin.

Transparency has become even more important in the past year as we begin the healthcare reform discussion. The Naked Hospital is the fist event in Nashville to bring quality, marketing, transparency, and technology in health care together. We will focus on how and why health systems and hospitals should focus on quality reporting as well as financial reporting. At the end of the day,this level of reporting puts additional strains on the information systems and resources deployed by most health systems and hospitals. How will they cope? What is the next step? The Naked Hospital will take the user experience from high level strategy through national and state legislative issues through practical, hands on tools to walk away with.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS ARE:
– Congressman Jim Cooper
– Miriam Paramore (SVP, Emdeon)
– Dr. Stephanie Bailey, MD, MSHSA (Former Chief of Public Health Practice, CDC)
– Michael Boroch (CEO, Smart Room)
– Bill Brown (CEO, Entrada)
– Janet King (Nashville Health Exchange)
- Sean Cassidy (SVP, IBM Global Health Services)
-David Jarrard (Jarrard, Phillips, Cate, & Hancock)

Admission is $50 for NTC members, $75 for non-NTC members, and $200 for a member table of 8. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

Click Here to Register

Naked Hospital is Underwritten by:

Breakfast Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Track Sponsors

Nashville Tech Story (11/17/09)

A Cray supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has regained the title of the world’s most powerful supercomputer, overtaking the installation that was ranked at the top in June, while China entered the Top 10 with a hybrid Intel-AMD system.

The upgraded Jaguar supercomputer at Oak Ridge, in Tennessee, now boasts a speed of 1.759 petaflops per second from its 224,162 cores, while the IBM Roadrunner system at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico slowed slightly to 1.042 petaflops per second after it was repartitioned. A petaflop is one thousand trillion calculations per second.

The list of the Top 500 supercomputers, set to be released on Monday during the SC09 supercomputing conference in Portland, Oregon, is compiled twice a year and is now in its 34th installment. The total capacity of the systems on the new list is 27.6 petaflops, up from 22.6 petaflops on the previous list in June.
Jaguar has been upgraded since June with new processors and surged ahead to take the lead. It is based on the Cray XT5 Linux supercomputer platform, which uses Advanced Micro Devices Opteron (AMD) processors. Its total peak capability is 2.3 petaflops per second.

The No. 3 system is Kraken, at the National Institute for Computational Sciences at the University of Tennessee, which performs at 832 teraflops per second. This Cray XT5 supercomputer was ranked No. 6 in June, when it was rated at just 463 teraflops per second.

Intel processors power 402 of the systems on the list, or 80.4 percent, up slightly from 399 in June. The IBM Power architecture is the second most commonly used, with 52 systems, down from 55. AMD’s Opteron family appears in 42 of the systems.

Most of the Top 500 supercomputers — 426 systems — now use quad-core processors. Only 59 use dual-core chips, and just four systems are based on single-core architectures. There were six systems on the latest list using IBM’s nine-core Cell Broadband Engine processor, also used in the PlayStation 3. Gigabit Ethernet is the internal interconnect technology in 259 installations, compared with 181 using InfiniBand.

Hewlett-Packard led in the number of systems on the list, with 210 supercomputers or 42 percent, compared with 185 for IBM. However, the IBM systems accounted for the most computing power, with 34.8 percent of total performance, down from 39.8 percent. HP held 22.8 percent.

The Top 500 list is compiled by Hans Meuer of the University of Mannheim in Germany, Jack Dongarra of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Erich Strohmaier and Horst Simon of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.

Click here to Read More

Nashville Tech Story (11/4/09)

The business of analytics is growing dramatically as we expand our informational needs for an organization.  Analytics can be thought with regard to intelligence for the business, information, content management (structure and unstructured), and predictive (statistical).  There are a plethora of products in each of these four quadrants of analytical tools.

A new global study of more than 2,500 Chief Information Officers (CIOs), released by IBM in September, reveals that leveraging analytics to gain a competitive advantage and improve business decision-making is now the top priority for CIOs. More than four out of five (83 percent) survey respondents identified business intelligence and analytics – the ability to see patterns in vast amounts of data and extract actionable insights – as the way they will enhance their organizations’ competitiveness.

These results and other insights are detailed in the just-released Global CIO Study 2009, which is the largest face-to-face survey of CIOs ever conducted. The study, titled “The New Voice of the CIO,” represents the insights and vision of CIOs from 78 countries, 19 industries, and organizations of every size. The study reinforces the increasingly strategic role that CIOs are playing as visionary leaders and as drivers of innovation and financial growth.

With an increased focus on data analytics, the survey also revealed that data reliability and security have emerged as increasingly urgent concerns, with 71 percent of CIOs planning to make additional investments in risk management and compliance.

As a result of analytics, the CIO’s role is changing to include the following:

• Making innovation real
• Raising the ROI on IT
• Expanding the business impact.

Sign up today to join us for lunch on November 12, 2009, for the launch of the Analytics Group.

The Nashville Tech Story (8/21/09)

This week, we held our latest Bumpy Road Series.  The topic was Cloud Computing.  Cloud computing is a new consumption and delivery model inspired by consumer internet services.

Cloud computing exhibits the following 5 key characteristics:

• On-demand self-service
• Ubiquitous network access
• Location independent resource pooling
• Rapid elasticity
• Flexible pricing models

Raymond Trakimas, Vice President IBM Enterprise Initiatives reported “from a business perspective, the cloud enables:

• Economies-of-scale
• Self-service for end users
• Sourcing options for consumers of cloud services.”

He went on to discuss the technical perspective by saying “the cloud  leverages virtualization which enables:

• Abstraction of resources
• Dynamic right sizing
• Rapid provisioning.”

Four major platforms are beginning to emerge:

1.    Business Process as a Service
2.    Application as a Service
3.    Platform as a Service
4.    Infrastructure as a Service

Cost savings can be from 30%-75% depending on the services you move to the cloud.  If you think the Cloud sounds like it would work in your business, it is time to create a transformational plan to help guide you through the analysis and implementation.

Visit our website event calendar to join next month’s webinar.

The Nashville Tech Story (July 13, 2009)

IBM and the Nashville Technology Council will be hosting an interactive webinar series on July 15th.  This will be the first of multiple informational discussions over the next few months within this series.  The first topic will focus on “The Convergence of Collaboration and Social Networking.”

Even though companies are facing tough economic times, this series will teach you how to take the economic “bumpy road” to create opportunities for immediate and sustainable growth.  The successes and failures of this program will depend on how each business can embrace the changes needed to make a difference.

These 60 minute discussions are idea sessions to help businesses and IT decision maker’s develop ideas for improving the application of technology to their business.  Some of the other topics in the series will include:

• Mapping out a winning business strategy
• Affordable approaches to security in a connected world
• Business Intelligence: Finding new value in old information
• Risk & Compliance: Remedies for regulatory woes
• Financing strategies, stimulus packages, and protecting cash flow
• Web 2.0: Ready or not, here it comes
• Exploring the case for Green Technology
• Business Resilience: Survival strategies
• Intro to Cloud Computing

Interested in receiving more information?  Click Here!  Looking to register for this FREE webinar?  Click Here!

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.

Welcome to Techville!

The Nashville Technology Council (NTC) broke ground on Techville today.  Techville demonstrates Nashville’s breadth and depth in the technology industry by profiling the leading technology companies in the region.  Techville is presented as a colorful map, an artist’s rendition of Middle Tennessee, which includes logos of technology companies and famous Music City landmarks located all over Middle Tennessee.  Techville is available in a 2’x3’poster and online at Techville.us.

“As honorary Mayor of Techville, I decree April 24, 2009 as TechDay,” proclaimed Beth Chase, CEO C3 Consulting and current NTC Board of Directors Chair.  “Today we are taking another step in positioning Nashville as a leading destination for technology companies.”

Like a real city, Techville has City Council members and Commissioners. 53 companies received special recognition as City Council members and Commissioners.  In total, the printed map displays 158 technology companies and online there are over 327 technology companies represented.

The Techville.us website is a helpful tool to search for technology services by the companies featured on the map. On the website, viewers can scroll over the logos for company descriptions and key contact information.  The user can click through to the company’s website.

The Techville map puts a face on Nashville’s technology industry.  “The first time I saw it, I was amazed at the sheer number of companies that make up our technology community – as well as the breadth of services and products offered,” said Nicholas Holland, CEO of centre{source} and creator of the website.  “When people think of Nashville, they often think of Music or Healthcare.  After seeing the Techville map, one will appreciate the significance of the technology industry.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.  Those in attendance include Carlyle Carroll from the Chamber, Chris Beck representing EDS and the Board of Directors for the Nashville Technology Council, and staff members – Chelsea Redden, Emily Armstrong, Kevin Bittorie, Sara Carter, J. Tod Fetherling, and Warren Burke.

The Techville map will be distributed via the Nashville Business Journal on April 24, 2009.  To order a copy of the Techville Map or a Framed Copy of the Techville Map, please click here.

6:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Networking

7:30 a.m. Keynote: Ronald Clanton, Partner, Sourcing Advisory – KPMG

8:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Video Connect to India

8:00 a.m. Ashish Shah, General Manager, Healthcare
GE Jack Welch Innovation Center, Bangalore

8:30 a.m. Sangita Reddy, Executive Director
Apollo Hospitals Group, Hyderabad

9:00 a.m. Jim Dockins, Regional Director
Fortis Healthcare, New Delhi

9:30 a.m. Break

9:45 a.m. Saurabh Sinha, CEO
eMids, Bangalore

10:15 a.m. Rafiq Sayed, Hi-Tech and Computer Services, North America
TATA

10:45 a.m. Manjo Punja, Chief Sales and Operations Officer Americas
Wipro Technologies

11:15 a.m. Case Study: Ron Marston, President & CEO – HCCA International

11:45 a.m. Break; Box lunch available

12:05 p.m. Luncheon Panel Discussion: How do I determine which sourcing solution works best for me?
Moderator: James Brady, Chief Executive Office
Deloitte & Touche AERS India Private Limited
Panel Members: Chris Pair, Assistant Vice President, Operations, HCA
Andy Flatt, CIO, Healthspring
David Hepburn, Chief Administrative Officer, Perot Systems

1:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions

• Insourcing: HCA Case Study Presentation
  Moderator: Mary Silva Doctor
• Outsourcing: IBM Case Study Presentation
  Moderator: Roger Letalien, Vice President, IBM Global Services
• Offshoring: eMids Case Study Presentation
  Moderator: Mike Hollis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, eMids Technologies

2:45 p.m. Summary and Wrap Up

Analytics Group Launch Luncheon
November 12, 2009
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Nashville City Club | 201 4th Ave N |  Nashville, TN 37219
Click Here to Register Online

Sponsored by:

Are you an analytics junkie? Join the Nashville Technology Council at this luncheon as we kick off the formation of an Analytics Group.  This event is sponsored by IBM, and will feature a panel of experts who will discuss their experiences, provide useful tips and expert knowledge.

Moderator:
Jason Kelley, Director, Practice Area Leader, Business Analytics and Optimization, IBM

Jason Kelley is the Director, and Global Practice Leader for mid-market Business Analytics and Optimization (BAO). IBM’s Business Analytics & Optimization consulting team of 4000+ business professionals bring together the IBM business focused best practices, differentiated technology, and industry focused expertise, to deliver business intelligence solutions. Prior to leading the mid-market BAO team, Jason was responsible for the North American Application Services consulting practice, driving innovative application development and industry focused solutions. With a depth of experience in our global markets Jason has also led IBM’s world wide Industry Solution go to market efforts focused on service oriented technology & customer care analytics.

Over the years, Jason has had the opportunity to work across the IBM organization Industry Solutions space in the Software Group, Global Technology Services, and now in GBS.  Developing a depth of skill across industries has been consistent in Jason’s career as he has held executive roles in the Public, Industrial, and Services sectors, as well as founding and leading a successful marketing services firm prior to joining the global team at IBM.

Mr. Kelley is a Graduate of West Point, the United States Military Academy, with graduate work at the University of Tennessee, UCLA Anderson School of Business, and a MBA from the Cox School of Business at SMU.  He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Central Texas Better Business Bureau and also enjoys any volunteer opportunities to mentor inner city or at risk youth.  With a passion for invention, Jason contributes to IBM’s ongoing leadership in innovation and technology patents as the holder of two U.S. Patents with others pending.

Panelists Include:

Adam A. Hameed
Senior Vice President – Data and Analytics Solutions
Emdeon

Mr. Hameed is our Senior Vice President of Data and Analytics Solutions. Mr. Hameed has extensive experience in data and analytics and the healthcare industry after spending numerous years successfully leading UnitedHealth Group’s sales and account management operations for its Ingenix and OptumHealth payer markets. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group in 2004, Mr. Hameed held many sales, marketing, and business development positions with several leading consulting and software companies, including FICO, Deloitte Consulting, and Accenture. Mr. Hameed also assisted in building a national customer relationship management consulting and systems integration company. Mr. Hameed earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and General Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Barry Ralston
Chief Architect and Director of Business Intelligence
ComFrame Software

With a career in Business Intelligence spanning 16 years, Barry is a featured speaker for many nationally recognized events including recent Microsoft SQL Server Launches, the Oracle Development Tools User Group, International Oracle User Group – Americas and JavaOne. Since joining ComFrame in 2001, his client successes include Aflac, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Honda, and UPS . A member of the Microsoft National VTS Program, Barry also maintains sqlbipro.com, a blog focused on promoting business intelligence education and software craftsmanship.

Here to Register Online