Midwest CMG

Without using expensive tools, Mr. Drake leads you through a fairly simple benchmarking process that can be applied to your unique environment. He will show you how to convert the data into useful information that clearly relates the results to the changes in tunable parameters or options. This benchmarking effort was initiated to better understand the dynamics of the system and to better predict elapsed times and resource impacts of selected workloads. Servers involved were NT and some UNIX media servers.

"Best-in-class" companies spend less than half of "average" data centers on software costs! An average data center would have to negotiate all their ISV software for "free" if they were to get to the cost structure of best in class. If best-in-class companies spend between 40-50% of their total software costs on ISV software, how are they able to decrease their costs? Product image licensing (PILS) management is the most effective cost reduction tool. For every $1 saved from traditional negotiated discounts or process improvements, companies can save $10 by utilizing PILS techniques. Best-in-class companies have perfected the art of PILS to keep their software costs down. This presentation will reveal the secrets from the best to help you dramatically reduce your software costs.

In the interest of achieving greater customer acquirement and service, many companies are now refocusing their structure on key processes rather than departments. In today's large organizations, Capacity Planning is the key to attaining superior customer-related outcomes. Ms. Cismas will discuss a radical approach to defining the Capacity Planning processes for large-scale enterprises, including data collection, data storage, information extraction, and information presentation. She will also explore the Capacity Planning service role in restructured, process oriented organizations.

Surviving a merger, reorganization or downsizing is difficult, but not impossible. This time is devoted to the experience of a CMG member, who with the help of friends and our network was able to land another job in two and a half months. Mr. Ralston will tell us of measures he used to locate jobs and the results of each effort. Luckily he got a great job with a wonderful company. We should all be so lucky!

CMG and the Regions