Summit to focus on new Microsoft OS, technology changes

Organizers of the Columbia Business Technology Summit believe that business owners are bound to have questions when Microsoft releases its new operating system, Windows Vista, which is slated for availability in early 2007.

What are the advantages to updating? How do you use all those improved features? How is it different from Windows XP anyway?

Chances are, businesses won’t be sending employees to Microsoft trade shows to get the answers, said Ryan Towner of Towner Communications Systems. And the major questions about office technology are not just about Vista. With technology changing so often, limited time and money can prevent businesses from getting educated about what’s new.

Executives at three local technology businesses had those realities in mind when they set the agenda for the second annual Columbia Business Technology Summit on Oct. 31.

“This is a chance to talk to real people and ask questions,” Towner said.
Microsoft and Intel representatives will explain changes in software and hardware.

The local sponsors also will present information on other changing technologies. Personalized Computers will focus on computer networks, Delta Systems will discuss customer relationship management (CSM) and enterprise resource planning(ERP) systems, and Towner Communication Systems will present developments in Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

The companies aim to alleviate confusion about new technologies. For instance, most people know “in general” what a computer network is, said David Hawkins of Personalized Computers. However, businesses often don’t know the best way to implement a network or set up elements such as disaster recovery plans.

Delta Systems will educate participants about CRM and ERP systems. These systems automate normal business processes. A company, for instance, can use an ERP system to track a sale from order to delivery. A CRM system can be used to manage customer interactions.

If your business is interested in a high-tech alternative to playing phone tag, you might want to learn about VoIP. Running your telecommunications through the Internet offers many features that traditional phone lines do not. For instance, you could have all your lines — office, home, cell, pager and so forth — ring at once whenever someone calls any of your numbers.

“People are probably wondering about it,” Towner said. “It’s a benefit to those who attend that they can ask us.”

In response to suggestions from last year’s attendants, the summit will have two tracks, one basic and one more technical. The companies will present the information in a “case study” format in which they help a fictitious company with its technology.

Hawkins said the goal of the summit is to help local business people understand ever-changing technology.

“In one year, the playing field changes pretty dramatically in our industry,” Hawkins said.

The summit is set for 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center. Admission is $12. Attendance is limited to 200 people. Registration is through Personalized Computers. To register, call 817-2597.