Count Down to Insight

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Countdown to Insight 2014

Insight is your opportunity to discover how big data has transformed Business Analytics, Information Management and Enterprise Content Management and explore the latest developments in Cloud, Mobile, Security, Social and Watson. If you register before September 19th you take advantage of the Early Bird Special and save $300. (link)

Summer is just about over, the kids are back in school, the pace of life seems to speed up a step or two, that can only mean one thing to your average, everyday support professional – Insight is coming.

Last month we featured an article about getting the Smarter Support Zone ready for Insight (link), so this month Supportlink is focusing on you, the conference attendee, and how you can get ready for Insight.

Your decision to invest your time and money to attend Insight is an important one. It's a decision that warrants some planning on your part so that you can get the most out of the elective sessions, hands-on labs, usability sandbox sessions, expert exchanges, and the birds of a feather lunches that you can take part in at Insight 2014.

With so much to do at Insight, its easy to get overwhelmed by choices. The Insight Session Preview tool helps you make those choices. (https://www-950.ibm.com/events/global/insight/sessions/preview.html) With its easy to use interface, the Insight Session Preview Tool allows you to search conference offerings by keyword, speaker name and company as well as filter by date. Note that you can't create your official agenda until you are registered for the conference. You can save your agenda and import it once you register.

But, what about when you actually arrive at The Mandalay Bay? What can you expect then?

When you first check in, you will be given an agenda booklet with every day's schedule, all of the breakout sessions listed by date/time and categorized by topic of interest, certificate programs, and the map of the venue. Take the time to go through this material, you may just find some sessions of interest that you did not see when using the Insight Session Preview tool.

Try to attend all of the major keynote sessions (https://www-01.ibm.com/software/events/insight/keynotes/), because that will give you a good idea of the key technologies and IBM solutions that are certain to be a part of the buzz of the conderence. One of the highlights will certainly be Kevin Spacey's keynote as he talks about his experience producing and starring in House of Cards on Netflix. Netflix, a true example of disruptive technology, certainly knows about the power of Big Data and Mr. Spacey is sure to entertain with his celebrated wit.

Breakfasts and lunches are other good networking opportunities. IBMers from different organizations sectors such as services, sales, product management, development, technical support, etc, from all over the world will be attending Insight, and they are eager to share their expertise and knowledge with you.

And we can't close without mentioning the Smarter Support Zone. Make time in your agenda to visit the Smarter Support Zone to get some 1-on-1 time with Support Analysts and try out the hands-on labs to see new products and functionality first hand.

Here are some other tips for Insight:

• Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. Everything in Las Vegas is big and therefore the scale of things can be deceiving - that hotel just down The Strip? that's a 30 minute walk; the other side of the casino floor? that can be a very long walk.

• Follow Smarter Support on tumblr and the hashtag #smartersupport

• Like Insight 2014 on Facebook.

• Water. Lots of it.

• Use a rolling computer bag, so that you don't have to carry your backpack all day long.

• Bring your business cards and pass them out.

• Rest when you can.

• Ask questions and talk to IBM experts. They are there for you.

• Enjoy your stay.