Monday, September 24, 2007

itSMF conference must-go for ITIL, best-practice framework adopters

Network World

Network/Systems Management




Network World's Network/Systems Management Newsletter, 09/24/07

itSMF conference must-go for ITIL, best-practice framework adopters

By Denise Dubie

While normally I don't put my stamp of approval on topics I cover, this week I have to tell readers if you are considering, in the midst of, or maturing your IT service management processes, you should put next year's itSMF USA conference on your list of must-go industry shows.

I feel I can say this objectively without causing a conflict of interest because the itSMF USA is an industry organization comprised of nearly 8,000 members working to educate peers about IT service management best practices. It's not a vendor-sponsored group; its mission is about improving the work environment of its members through information and experience sharing, training and conferences such as the one I attended last week. (There are other such groups worldwide, so if you are not based in the U.S. or North America check out the international groups.)

The main reason I recommend the conference to anyone looking to adopt frameworks such as ITIL, CoBIT, CMM and more, is because you don't hear a word about vendor technologies. Sometimes a logo slips into the presentation, but conference planners advise speakers against being technology or vendor specific when detailing their experience with process improvements. I actually always want to know such information, however. It's noteworthy because IT service management process adoption, regardless of framework, starts with defining the processes that fit your organization and then finding the tool that works well with the framework you've developed.

Find out why WAN Optimization is Right for You

Discover how you can realize a three to four month return on investment with WAN optimization tools in this informative Webcast. Learn how all WAN optimization products are not the same and how to find the right box for your organization.

To find out more click here.

For instance, presenting company Mary Kay Cosmetics in Dallas works with BMC tools. Yet Mary Kay Technology Leader Steve Moore, who presented, didn't promote BMC to session attendees. He detailed his company's efforts in streamlining processes and added comments on the tools toward the end, because installing a tool and expecting processes to develop from there is not realistic. And BMC was the right fit for his company and his company's IT process improvements. It might not be right for all considering ITIL or other best-practice frameworks. And at a show like this, it's OK to say that.

The second reason I always put this show on my calendar is the content. Where else can you hear first-hand accounts of IT process improvements at Wells Fargo, State Street, State Farm, Carnegie Mellon University, Duke Medicine, Procter & Gamble, The Mayo Clinic, The Bank of New York, General Motors, GE and more (than I can cover at a show chock full of case study presentations or list here because I am just one person). That may be why companies send teams of IT service professionals to such shows to gather tips and lessons learned from presenters not afraid to share down to the most granular detail -- because they can. They aren't endorsing products, which many companies have strict policies against; they are there to explain their very complex approaches to process improvements.

This show represents a source of great knowledge on an important area of coverage, and for IT professionals it may become a tool that helps improve operations within their company for years to come. And it doesn't hurt that the group also managed to get Cal Ripken, Jr. to deliver a keynote address.

Also, I am aware that I don't get to a lot of other gatherings that showcase IT professionals sharing their experiences in such a manner. If I could, I would, trust me, but apparently even with all the technology I use to do my job well, I can't be in two places at once. If you are aware of such gatherings at a local, regional or national level, please share with me your favorites and why.


  What do you think?
Post a comment on this newsletter

TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES:

1. Daylight saving time issue reappears on IT radar
2. Gartner: Open source impossible to avoid
3. How much does the store owe this PC buyer?
4. Nortel replaces Enterprise chief
5. The end of booth-babe culture?
6. One less reason to adopt IPv6?
7. New Nortel Enterprise boss talks game plan
8. Obsolete WEP Wi-Fi gets new security shield
9. Cisco's risky business of acquisitions
10. Ameritrade leak started earlier than reported

MOST-DOWNLOADED PODCAST:
NW Panorama: 5 Cool iPod Tips and Tricks


Contact the author:

Senior Editor Denise Dubie covers the technologies, products and services that address network, systems, application and IT service management for Network World. E-mail Denise.



ARCHIVE

Archive of the Network/Systems Management Newsletter.


BONUS FEATURE

IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details.


PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE
You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today.

International subscribers, click here.


SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here.

This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription.


Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza

Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772

Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007

No comments: