By Loren K. Baynes, Director, Global Marketing Communications, The Open Group
The Open Group hosted its latest event in the Scottsdale Plaza Hotel, Arizona, January 28 – 31, welcoming over 600 attendees including decision-makers, Enterprise Architects, engineers, technologists and end-users representing many businesses and governments. The theme was ‘Digital in Practice and the Supply Chain’, with a focus on the standards, architectures, and business frameworks that support and enable the transition to a modern Digital Enterprise.
The event kicked off with a welcome address from Steve Nunn, President and CEO of The Open Group. The plenaries featured excellent keynotes by speakers from companies including NASA SEWP, CDW Government (CDW-G), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fujitsu, Conexiam, IBM, Intel, and Micro Focus.
A warm welcome by Steve Nunn!
The first day began with a vibrant presentation by Alexander Marshall, Technical Strategy Manager, NASA SEWP on ‘Build with Integrity, Buy with Confidence: How to achieve product integrity & supply chain security’. Alexander shared his view on how the Open Trusted Technology Provider Standard (O-TTPS) is progressing in the real world of government acquisitions and how the relationship between resellers and manufacturers play an important role in the supply chain risk management process. Next up was Sheryl McCurnin, Senior Manager, CDW Government (CDW-G) to discuss the benefits of being certified as a Trusted Technology Partner.
The plenary session continued with a presentation by John Bowling, Technical Expert, Avionics Architectures and Interoperability, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) which focused on the importance of open standards in procurement. This was followed by a great session by Chris Frost, Principal EA, Technology Strategy Office, Fujitsu which looked at three specific ways that working with standards bodies like The Open Group provides business value, and approaches that can be used to give quantitative measures of that value. Monday’s plenary concluded with a discussion around Digital First, which David Hornford, Managing Partner, Conexiam explained is an integrated approach based on the Seven Levers to Digital Transformation framework.
Afternoon track topics were ‘Digital in Practice’ and ‘Secure Business Operation’, which was followed by a networking reception on Monday night – providing the opportunity for attendees to meet with speakers, industry experts, and exhibitors.
Day two was as lively as the first! The morning began with a panel discussion around ‘The Profession and Value of Data Science’ with experts from IBM – Maureen Norton, George Stark and Martin Fleming. The accompanying speaker presentation provided insight into the “day in the life of a Data Scientist” and why this profession is becoming the next great profession for certification by The Open Group. The Data Scientist Certification is available to individuals who demonstrate skills and experience in the Data Science profession, and have applied those skills to solve business problems and drive change within an organization.
Our panel of IBM experts took to the stage to discuss the next great profession that is Data Science
Kirk Smith, Director, Control Systems Architecture, Intel, hosted a fantastic session to announce the launch of the O-PAS™ Specification Version 1.0, a Preliminary Standard from The Open Group. Developed by The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF), the standard will provide a vendor-neutral reference architecture to enable the construction of scalable, reliable, interoperable and secure process automation systems.
Kirk Smith announcing the ‘standard of standards’, O-PAS™ Specification Version 1.0
This exciting announcement was followed by a panel session focusing on ‘Data Science Leveraging Cloud to Manage the Business of IT’ with IBM and Micro Focus. Afternoon track topics focused on ‘Enterprise Architecture’ and ‘Business Value from Data’. The Open Group then hosted a private dinner function at the Scottsdale Plaza Hotel, taking advantage of the great weather to host an exclusive barbecue for guests of The Open Group!
Wednesday introduced the Business Architecture Day, during which industry experts came together to discuss what businesses are doing to maximize the value of Business Architecture. This day also featured sessions on ‘IT Management – How to Optimize Value Delivery’. Speakers came from Nationwide, Raytheon, and The Boeing Company to name a few.
Members-only meetings were also held throughout the week on a variety of topics.
Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors; MEGA International, Association of Enterprise Architects, BRM Institute, Business Architecture Guild and Van Haren Publishing.
Hope to see you at our next quarterly event – The Open Group Dublin 2019, April 29 – May 2!
Loren K. Baynes, Director, Global Marketing Communications, joined The Open Group in 2013 and spearheads corporate marketing initiatives, primarily the website, blog, media relations, and social media. Loren has over 25 years experience in brand marketing and public relations and, prior to The Open Group, was with The Walt Disney Company for over 10 years. Loren holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She is based in the US.
http://www.opengroup.org @theopengroup #ogAZ