Sunday, September 05, 2010

About Us

Interaction Australasia...
helping IBM users achieve a better performance.

In a market experiencing technical changes on an unprecedented scale, people working in an IT environment are facing complex and multi-dimensional challenges. The market leaders of tomorrow are those organisations or individuals who recognise the need to continually update their education, embrace new developments and grasp opportunities.


Who we are

Interaction is a non-profit membership-based organisation serving the constantly evolving and changing business needs of users of IBM products and services. It was formed by amalgamating three separate user groups - Australasian SHARE/GUIDE, COMMON Australasia and Team RS/6000 - into a single entity. Interaction now offers an even more effective, focused forum and continues to be a valuable resource for its members.


Mission


  • Independently present its members comments, concerns and suggestions to IBM
  • Assist its members to maximise the benefits obtained from the use of IBM products and services
  • Provide insight into IBM trends and directions, via meetings, conferences and other communications technology as determined most suitable for Interaction members

    • Vision

  • To be endorsed and supported by IBM as the official User Group in the Australasian region
  • Enjoy a strong membership of loyal and professional individuals that meet regularly to discuss and share real ideas, challenges and successes in an open environment
  • Provide and foster an environment of camaraderie

    • Values

    Members:
  • Education, information exchange and networking that assist members to maximise the benefits obtained from IBM products and services
  • Education on leading edge technology and solutions presented from IBM’s global resources, other users and industry specialists
  • Information exchange, social interchange that results from the camaraderie and sense of community that exists between members, local and overseas IBM resources and other industry specialists
  • Member organisations benefit by having employees that are informed IT professionals at the leading edge of technology and business trends
    • IBM:
  • Facilitate delivery of IBM marketing strategies, products and services to influential IT technical and infrastructure managers
  • Strengthen Interaction members’ loyalty to IBM by helping them maximise the benefits obtained from their use of IBM products and services
  • Obtain customer feedback about IBM products and services in an environment that encourages an objective response
    • Business Partners:
  • Facilitate delivery of marketing strategies, products, demonstrations and services to influential IT technical and infrastructure managers
  • Consolidate and increase awareness of Business Partners products and services

    • What we provide

    Education and training

    Management and Technical Conferences:
    A conference, in tandem with a major Trade Expo, is run annually. Designed to provide business solutions, technical skills and tools for career development, the conference comprises around 80 sessions over a 3-day event and attracts over 300 attendees. A feature of the annual conference is hands-on labs where you can gain valuable, practical experience. Also, the Trade Expo attracts vendors who show the latest leading edge technology products and services.

    Regional special interest forums:
    Are held throughout the year in capital cities in Australia and New Zealand. These are designed for small groups (30-40 members) to get together to learn about business and technical solutions in the System i (AS/400), System z (ES/390) and System p (RS/6000) environments. Interaction is actively planning to broaden the scope of these regional meetings still further.

    Seminars and Executive Forums:
    One-day and half day seminars are conducted on 'hot topics' such as eBusiness, Disaster Recovery, Storage Management and more. These events provide quick updates and have proved extremely popular with members.

    Industry influence

    Interaction, building on the longstanding presence of its predecessors, ASG and COMMON, is a major force in the IT industry. It provides members with the opportunity to represent their organisations' interests and concerns; has the ability to influence product directions of IBM and other vendors' products and services and establish critical links to IBM's research and development teams and executives.

    Networking opportunities

    As a member of Interaction, you and your organisation will have access to a network of over 400 member companies and over 3,000 individual practitioners. This provides a gateway to a vast resource of technical and industry experts who are available to offer support for specific needs and problems.

    How you will benefit

    Membership of Interaction will help you improve business results through education, professional connection and opportunities to influence the IT industry. Membership offers practical benefits as well as recognition with your peer group and the opportunity to be in the cut and thrust of the burgeoning IT industry.

    As a member you will:

    • keep abreast of the latest developments
    • gain exposure to new technologies
    • share information with other members
    • learn new approaches to problem-solving
    • have 1-on-1 discussions with local and global experts
    • stay ahead of the competition
    • form key relationships and partnerships

    To join Interaction Australasia click here to apply online or print out an application form