Now that we’re firmly in the new millennium, what trends and technologies will rise to dominate IT next? Join an assembly of seers, gurus and aggressively early adopters in peeking around the corner for a glimpse of the tools we won’t be able to live without . . . . or will we?

Are weblogs the most elegant grass roots communication platforms since Colonial pamphleteers walked the earth, or is blogging just this year’s spin on slacking? Why do so many high tech industry pundits name weblogs the next really big thing? Is blogging is to web publishing what instant messaging was to email? Trellix built the first integrated web site and blog publishing tool, just last month picked up by Earthlink. CEO Don Bulens will tell why the technology has a bright, inevitable future.

SPEAKER
Don Bulens, CEO and President, Trellix Bio

Cutting through the hype! We will discuss what Content Management actually is; the management of the business lifecycle, from creating content through to authorizing and publishing it. There is tremendous business value for a company that can successfully integrate its information across the enterprise into a `collective`. In other words, manage and leverage this information and then deliver it to end users through a variety of timely, accurate and easily accessible channels. Joe Michaud, President of MaineToday will discuss the general challenges and a general process for assessing possible soultions in this area, and use the MaineToday site as an example of a fairly complex challenge with multiple needs and multiple solutions.

SPEAKER
Joe Michaud, President, MaineToday.com Bio

Okay, so the bubble has burst. Get over it and get on with life! Now is the time for solid innovation that provides value and generates new opportunities. Our fearless future guru, Dana Hutchins, will offer some examples and directions that look promising…and perhaps a couple that look perilous, too. Join Dana, owner and founder of Image Works, as he dons his long-view spectacles for his ever popular review of coming attractions in high tech gadgetry, not just what’s new but what is going to be new. Solid innovation provides value and generates new opportunities. From wearable computing to distance learning, IT’s never dull when Dana’s talking!

SPEAKER
Dana Hutchins, President, Image Works Bio

There is no doubt that networks this century are fast becoming essential to doing business, producing opportunities but at the same time providing new risks, worries and dangers. The rules keep changing for security, spam and good network citizenry; here’s what you need to stay alert and educated.

Feeling helpless about those bulging in-boxes? You are not alone; unsolicited commercial email (UCE) increasingly drains resources from business and network vendors alike. Hear some answers. VIA Group’s Jason Chase discusses implementing a successful solution. Tim Brooks, founder of Integra Strategic, and previously, New England Internet Services, will detail other options and resources.

SPEAKER
Tim Brooks, Integra Strategic Technologies Consulting, LLC Bio
Jason Chase, VIA Group Bio

Information security is a martial art, and like any martial art requires not only specific techniques and tactics, but an effective strategy for deploying them. This session describes the structure of an effective information security plan. Andy Robinson will present specific case studies for practical and cost-effective solutions to common weaknesses in information security policies, practices, and technical implementations. Andy will specifically point out areas in which information security can be substantially improved with minimal investments of time and money. This session is suitable for executives and managers with modest technical knowledge of computer networks, and for IT professionals with an interest in information security strategies as well as tactics.

SPEAKER
Andy Robinson, President, net/main infoSecurity Solutions Bio

Companies view providing web services as a means of improving processes and expanding offerings. They can be complex to deploy, secure, manage, and scale. This talk addresses web services architecture, implementation, and management issues. How do you pick technologies for deployment? How do you size them? How can the facility be secured? How can it be managed? Each of these areas has many options (both good and bad). This talk will explore the issues and options and provide guidance on how to proceed in providing web services.

SPEAKER
Peter Baer Galvin, CTO, Corporate Technologies Bio

That’s Development as in evolution. Change is continual . . . change is progress . . . change just is. If your job is to produce applications that add value and return on investment for your organization, you’ll find what you need to know to keep up with best practices, essential elements and evolving trends.

Keeping our eyes open and honestly evaluating our efforts are the two best practices which are central to good software development. In this session, Jesse and Christian will detail some of the best practices they find useful in their work. Jesse will describe how to get the best value from a postmortem analysis of a project. Christian will share three tips for better software development: document, enforce, and review.

PANEL DISCUSSION
Jesse Chunn, Standard I-O Bio
Christian Ratliff, DeLorme Bio

Too many user interfaces look great as a demonstration, but are not really usable for those people who must work with them. In this session you will learn how to work with end users in the system design and development process to ensure that the resulting systems are truly functional, and that they implement a well-understood model of the user's world. Arthur Fink draws on his experience in organization consulting, cognitive psychology, humanistic training, and commercial photography to present a model of user-centered system development.

SPEAKER
Arthur Fink, Arthur Fink Consulting Bio

A business and technology related contrast of Java to C#. Where do they stand with documentation quality or size of the third-party library market? The speakers will share some of their experiences gleaned from hands on experience and spark a lively discussion of the contest between JAVA and C# in software development.

SPEAKERS
Paul Stubbs, UNUMProvident Bio
Jeffrey Hoffman, Starlit Software Bio

When too many Next Big Things make MIS feel more in chaos than in charge, it’s time to separate functionality from flap, what’s real from what’s not, and get your program moving again. Get the inside scoop here on TCO, program management, legal issues.

Measuring TCO might seem like an improv routine, but IT managers are taking it more seriously these days. Join this diverse group of business leaders engaged in B2C, B2B, and Academic ventures as they speak of recent technological investments and relate how the application of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and other productivity measures impacts their unique businesses. We’ll dedicate a large part of the session to answering your questions so come prepared.

PANEL DISCUSSION
Derek Dresser, Director of Technology, Gould Academy Bio
Curtis Ingraham, Senior IT Acquisitions Specialist, L.L.Bean Bio
Sharon Kaiser, VP of E-best, Wright Express Bio
John Petrey, CIO, Banknorth Bio
Fred Robinson, Strategic Technology Partner-L.L.Bean Bio

Program Management has helped large enterprises, where large and complex project portfolios often overwhelm simple project management techniques. Its core principles serve smaller organizations effectively as well, especially if they are integrated into well-designed overall project management processes. Come explore these core principles with speakers Juergen Renger, who founded a Maine-based consulting firm specializing in the practical application of program management principles and best practices, and Jeffrey Belanger, President of a leading communications strategy and technology solutions company.

SPEAKERS
Jeffrey Belanger, Boston Intelligence Group (B.I.G., Inc.) Bio
Juergen Renger, J Renger Associates, LLC Bio

The past year has been extremely eventful. Our speakers will open with a discussion on the current state of affairs of the legal world in the Maine IT community.

SPEAKERS
Chris A. Caseiro, Verrill & Dana, LLP Bio
David Crocker, David P. Crocker, Esq. Bio
Stephen Jordan, Verrill & Dana, LLP Bio