BISSG Programme 2008/2009

When are the meetings?

Our meetings are monthly from October to May. We meet from 18:00; the session starts at 18:30 and finishes at 20:30.

 Refreshments are available from 18:00 to 18:30.

Non-Linear Business Simulation – A Quantum Leap Forward Christopher Ledger, Simudyne

Simudyne (simudyne.com) is a global organization committed to pioneering 21st century management science and simulation technologies. Its work is based on the discovery and expression of deep insights into the dynamics of complex adaptive systems and transformational technology. Simudyne’s technologies deliver for forward planning what accountancy delivers retrospectively – you literally see the future before it happens.  The session scope will be as follows, with illustrations from case studies which will cover the business applications of the technology:

• Simulation science - hybrid modelling formalisms;
• Improved technology to bring terra bytes of data into simulations;
• Advanced simulation visualisations using thin-client delivery.

Note: Due to last minute business commitments, this session was presented by Christopher Ledger of Simudyne.

Event cancelled due to low registration levels

Event cancelled due to low registration levels

Did you know that Mobile technology now reaches almost 4 billion people - almost two-thirds of the world's population? Wireless access is changing the way we access the Internet, accelerating the evolution of applications, and transforming many aspects of our lifestyles and workstyles. How does this affect web design, Web 2.0 developments, and the mobility of applications? At this event we'll review some history, current uses, key trends and forecasts for the future. The expert presenters are Andy Mulholland, Global CTO, Capgemini and Dr. Mike Short, Vice President R&D, O2.

We will also look at 'BCS Today - much more than UK' - the future of the BCS in 2009 as it transforms and expands to meet the challenges and opportunities of our world of change. The speaker will be Alan Pollard, President, BCS.

This event is organised by the BCS North London Branch and registration is essential. To register, access their web site at www.nlondon.bcs.org and follow the registration link. Places are limited hence early registration is advised.

Enterprise Carbon Management

The speaker for this event has withdrawn and we have not been able find another topic/speaker in the timescale.  Accordingly, this meeting has been cancelled.

Understanding Cloud Computing and the benefits to IT efficiency
Kate Craig-Wood, Managing Director, Memset Ltd

Download Presentation (PDF)

Cloud computing is becoming a common term, but what is meant by it is often unclear, and it is frequently used incorrectly. This presentation will first look at the what cloud computing is really about, including an examination of its sister architectures, grid computing and utility computing. Then we will examine what cloud & utility computing mean for the IT industry, the potential for cost savings and why they are the ultimate in green computing.

Kate is co-founder and managing director of Memset; a leading provider of flexible Web & IT hosting solutions for businesses. Memset has recently won several awards for environmentalism, innovation and service quality, including been voted the UK's Best Web host for the three years running. Kate has keen interests in business representation, energy and the environment and women in IT. She is also the youngest ever main board member of Intellect, the UK's high-tech trade association, and sits on the British Computer Society's Data Centre Specialist Group committee.

See Kate's blog article.

Understanding 'Lean' and its applicability to business and IT successopic

Andy Burtenshaw, Principal Consultant, Lean Services Programme,  Fujitsu

Toyota is revered in the automotive industry for its success in growing to be the world’s largest carmaker, emerging from a bankrupt national producer in 1950 to overtake all of the dominant American manufacturers. 

The secret to Toyota’s success? A culture of continuous improvement and a determination to take waste out of all its process that have rewritten the manufacturing 'best-practice' handbook.  Now commonly termed 'lean' the principles under-pinning it are well understood – focus on customer value, define the value stream, eliminate waste, create flow and continuous improvement. Fujitsu has a 35 year relationship with Toyota; being a key supplier of IT services, applications and automotive parts.  This relationship has been the  inspiration for its own lean journey and Andy Burtenshaw will update you on progress to date, how lean can be used in the IT environment and some of the future challenges.

Andy Burtenshaw is Principal Consultant, Lean Services Programme at  Fujitsu. Andy has career-long Lean experience in manufacturing working for Nissan in Japan and in services including advising HMRC and Royal Mail.  Andy’s current role with Fujitsu focuses on developing the approach to develop and sustain Lean across the business.

AGM – Postponed

Annual General Meeting

Download Nomination Form

Read the Minutes

There will be a full AGM with the usual event timing of 18:00 for 18:30 until approximately 19:30.  The agenda will be:

• Apologies for Absence
• Minutes of the AGM 14 May 08
• Chair's Report 
• Treasurer's Report
• Secretary's Report
• Programme for 2009 – 2010
• Election of Committee
• Any Other Business 

If you wish to be nominated for a BISSG Committee post, please download and complete the form and return to the email address shown by 2 June 2009.