Highlights | Week 4
Each week this year I’m sharing highlights to keep you up-to-date with the progress of CraniumConnect, DynamicsHUB and the other projects I’m working on. Check out my most triggering activities, conversations, news and developments which inspired me or just caught my attention!
Promising Conversations
During the past week, I have spoken with some of our members. Interesting conversations have taken place which has led to some new insights and ideas. Jeroen Koppenaal, IT Director at Home Fashion Group and I, engaged in a heated conversation about DX dilemma’s over a spicy Indian dinner.
He shared his concerns on CapEx vs OpEx and elaborated that as vendors and their partners are shifting towards OpEx driven business models, the risk of budget and cost overruns are much higher. In most cases, CIO’s don’t even realise this in the first place, because their definite need for stable enterprise systems and managing contingencies are prevailing. He understands that companies choose for peace of mind and assurance which usually lead to OpEx based decisions. He also stated that IT investments based on OpEx easily could lead to far more significant costs than expected. Securing and controlling his OpEx IT investments has become one of his priorities.
We also talked about the pressing need of “fresh blood”, new Microsoft professionals from outside the existing ecosystem which has reached its peak saturation for a while now. Professionals are in a carousel and job hopping from one partner or customer to the other.
In our future conversation, we will talk about the risks and rewards of being a digital innovator.
Another exciting conversation was with André van der Vegt, GM of district East at Dura Vermeer.
We reflected on his keynote presentation at Dynamics Experience last year and the feedback from our guest that they enjoyed the authenticity of his story. André shared the success story of Dura Vermeer of the so-called ‘Boekelose Brug’. A bridge which is built with the use of the Microsoft HoloLens. Furthermore, we spoke about their future ambition and the development of AR/VR technology.
In April this year, I am invited to attend the opening of the Boekelose Brug and will share a report accordingly.
Click the play button to see the transportation of the final result:
If you missed the keynote of André and want to hear more, let me know. We will schedule sessions with André during this year.
Visit “Stuurgroep Docentenplatform Microsoft Dynamics Nederland”
This week Lola Herb and I were invited to the “Steering Committee Teachers’ Platform Microsoft Dynamics Netherlands”, at the head office of Microsoft. The main focus of this event was about the transition from NAV to the use of Dynamics 365 Business Central within educational institutes. One of the critical challenges that was addressed: how to create adaptive content for students concerning a highly dynamic cloud based system. Special thanks to Hans van der Hoeven and Wim Halve for inviting us.
Striking News
When talking about the Digital Transformation at educational institutes, the following news article caught my attention this week: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/22/microsoft-launches-classroom-pen-stylus-for-kids.html
Community developments
I am pleased to announce that this year we will add a new element within our executive community and user group. During the upcoming months, multiple focus groups, our so-called ‘labs’ will be established. These relative small groups will act as an interactive body in which members will have an active role to research, exchange knowledge and/or develop content concerning a specific industry or topic.
In addition, I can already announce our first lab! This lab will consist of members of an educational institute. Topics will be addressed on both user group, as well as business and strategy level. Topics include Student Life Cycle, Recruitment, Career Services, Marketing Automation and Governance.
Simon Thunnissen, Project Manager External Relations at the University of Groningen is appointed as the chairman for this Education Lab. The kick-off will be in our office in Amsterdam on Tuesday, February 13th.
Do you want to know more about this development or join the Education Lab? Please send an email to info@craniumconnect.com
Enjoy your weekend!
Warm regards,
Jay Ramsanjhal