Consona Connect 2010 - Detailed Agenda

October 12-15, 2010 | MGM Grand Hotel | Las Vegas, NV

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Tuesday
	12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
		Info - Conference Registration/Information

	7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
		Welcome Event - Customer Account Manager Reception

Wednesday
	7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
		Info - Conference Registration/Information

	7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
		Meal Function - Breakfast

	8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
		GEN 100 - Opening Welcome Session

	8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
		Break - 15 minutes

	8:45 AM - 10:00 AM
		GEN 101 - Axis Update and Product Roadmap
		Attend this session for an overview of what’s been happening with the AXIS product line over the past year, as well as where we’re going in the coming years. Intended for all attendees, this session’s topics will include: AXIS product developments in 2009 and 2010. AXIS product roadmap. AXIS professional services outlook for 2010 and beyond.
	10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
		Break - 30 minutes

	10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
		APP 102 - What’s New in AXIS 6.0
		This session will provide an in-depth look at the new features of our latest release, AXIS 6.0, which features a completely-redesigned menu and user interface called AXIS Advanced Navigation. In addition to adding a more modern look and feel that is consistent with other Windows applications, AXIS Advanced Navigation will help your users be more productive by allowing them to work with multiple documents at once and navigate through AXIS with ease. This session is intended for all AXIS users and will demonstrate the new functionality and benefits of AXIS 6.0, including: AXIS Advanced Navigation. User-defined favorites and auto-launch. Recent documents history. How to change facilities on the fly. Time zone support. Expanded document numbers. Sales history view on order entry.
	11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
		Meal Function & Speaker - Lunch with Manufacturing Economics Expert, Norbert Ore
		We're proud to announce we've recently snagged a manufacturing economics expert to provide his insights on creating greater value for your company at Consona Connect 2010. Not Just Another Expert Norbert Ore has served as the chair of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) for the past 15 years, a position which gives him responsibility for compiling, writing, and releasing the ISM Report on Business®, the monthly economic report recognized as a leading indicator of the U.S. economy. Review his latest report. Mr. Ore will be speaking about the state of the economy, specifically from a manufacturer's perspective. How did we get here? Where are we going in 2011? Best known for leading global strategy and technology implementations in Fortune 500 companies, Mr. Ore focuses on the consumer products, chemical, paper, packaging, building products, and construction industries. Additionally, he has consulted and trained extensively in both the private and public sectors. Norbert is a leader in purchasing and supply management and a past winner of the prestigious J. Shipman Gold Medal, which is presented annually by the ISM for leadership and service in the field.
	1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
		APP 103 - Introducing AXIS CRM
		This session will introduce the new integration between AXIS and Consona’s Customer Management (CM) solution. Attendees will learn about the Sales Force Automation (SFA) capabilities and the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) features, as well as the business benefits for how Consona CM has been tailored to your environment. Specifically, we will discuss: Contact management from prospect to close. How to improve the efficiency of managing inbound calls. An integrated view of the complete customer experience.
		EXEC 103 - Executive Session by Jeff Tognoni, Chief Executive Officer
		Are We There Yet? Assessing the Economic Environment Join Consona’s CEO Jeff Tognoni for his personal take on where we’ve been and where we’re going in today’s economic rollercoaster ride. In this session, you’ll gain tremendous insight into economic history, theory and drivers, and how you can take action in your own business. All conference attendees are welcome to attend this session.
		PROD 203 - Training - AXIS Advanced Reporting - Setup and Finance
		This interactive training session will focus on how AXIS Advanced Reporting can deliver financial reports—that have the look and feel of spreadsheets—with drill down capabilities to view source information in just a few mouse clicks. Designed for users in both financial and operational job functions, this session will highlight the following benefits of AXIS Advanced Reporting: Ease-of-use. Ability to create custom reports within minutes.
		ROUND 203 - Take Advantage of AXIS 6.0 for Wire & Cable
		This session will concentrate on how customers can take advantage of features in AXIS 6.0 specific to the wire and cable industry. Several features will be reviewed, including commodity pricing, material planning functions, weight rollup, cut orders, backflushing and more. Customers will present examples of features being used and process improvements that have been realized. General discussion will also be conducted on future functionality enhancements.
	2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
		Break - 15 minutes

	2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
		APP 304 - Attribute Pricing in Action
		This session will walkthrough the setup and execution of attribute pricing, from selecting the system fields and available user data fields (grade/alloy, width, length, gauge, quality, etc.) to calculating a suggested selling price. Specifically, we will build lookups and calculations for the use of attribute pricing functionality for both quote entry and sales order entry.
		PROD 204 - Training - AXIS Advanced Reporting – Operations
		This interactive training session will focus on how AXIS Advanced Reporting can deliver operational reporting designed by the user without writing a custom report. Features include drilldown capabilities to view source information in just a few mouse clicks. Designed for users in both financial and operational job functions, this session will highlight the following benefits of AXIS Advanced Reporting in the area of operational reporting (non-financial interests): Ease-of-use. Ability to generate reports using live real-time data. Capability to design graph and dashboard presentations.
		ROUND 104 - Customer Spotlight – Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals, Inc.
		Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals, Inc. is a leading global producer of a diverse range of stainless steel and other specialty metals products and has been an AXIS customer since 2008. Ulbrich is currently in the midst of a multi-year transformation project to implement AXIS in their North American facilities, as well as several others worldwide. A significant part of this project includes the development of new AXIS functionality to better support Ulbrich business requirements, and many of these new capabilities are expected to be introduced in future AXIS releases. Join us for a presentation and open discussion that is intended for all AXIS customers and will cover: Project scope. Rational for selecting an integrated system vs. “best of breed.” Business benefits expected and realized to date. Project challenges and solutions. Future plans. Questions and answers.
	4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
		Consona ERP - Networking Event

Thursday
	7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
		Info - Conference Registration/Information

	7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
		Meal Function - Breakfast

	8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
		APP 305 - Dynamic Routings in Action
		This session will help attendees develop imaginative and useful master process routings to create work orders that adapt dynamically to product features on customer orders. Attend and learn how to create lookup tables and dynamic rules and then apply these rules to master routings.
		GEN 105 - Cloud Computing Premiere
		Cloud computing is the hottest topic in the IT world today and promises to revolutionize how ERP applications are delivered. In this session, we'll cover the basics of cloud computing and explain why so many industry analysts are excited about the benefits of cloud computing.
		ROUND 105 - Feature Team: Wire & Cable Roundtable
		This roundtable discussion will focus on feature improvements that may be included in future AXIS releases. All wire and cable customers are encouraged to attend this session to provide input on desired features for consideration. In addition, ideas for streamlining or expanding existing functionality will be discussed.
		TECH 305 - Disaster Recovery
		In this session, we will focus on various options available to AXIS customers with backups, after imaging, and database replication. Attendees with job roles related to information management, system administration, and security will see the most benefit from this session. Takeaways include the ability to: Identify the risks associated with your present disaster recovery plan. Evaluate the options available to you to improve your disaster recovery plans. Determine your business disaster recovery needs.
	9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
		Break - 30 minutes

	9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
		APP 206 - Future Functionality: Slit and Roll Planning – Part 1
		This session is Part 1 of a two-part series focused on new functionality to be included in future AXIS releases and designed to support the planning of rolling and slitting operations. The new functionality is rich and robust in supporting the planning—or layout—process. Numerous features have been introduced, including: Presentation to planner of work orders/sales orders requiring roll/slit planning. Search for starting material based on required gauge and width and reserve the incoming tag(s) to the work order. Search for work orders with stockoff destinations that may be used to supply starting material to the work order being planned. Allow for multiple rolling and slitting operations on one work order. Planned “virtual” tags that are created to support planning of downstream operations and scheduling. Support costing and margin analysis by generating “Pre-Costs” for the work order, each of the operations, and for the planned, virtual tags. The first session will concentrate on searching for starting material, reserving the material, and planning roll operations. The second session will concentrate on planning slit operations and pre-costing of the work order.
		ROUND 106 - Shop Floor Data Collection Roundtable
		Customers interested in simplifying floor operations are encouraged to attend this session, which will review the current features available in AXIS Shop Floor Data Collection, as well as discuss planned and in-development features. Specifically, we will review: Component issue by tag. Production entry. Production entry by tag. Other transactions.
		TECH 306 - Crystal Reports with AXIS
		This session will focus on developing reports using ODBC to connect directly to the databases, taking advantage of AXIS XML exports and developing complex—yet easy-to-use—information sources. Perfect for attendees with job roles related to report writing, programming, and management who demand more from their current reporting structures. Following this session, attendees will be able to: Establish an ODBC connection to the databases with safe and secure read-only access. Develop complex, grouped reports. Setup and automate an information dispersal system suitable for your business.
	10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
		Break - 30 minutes

	11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
		APP 207 - Future Functionality: Slit and Roll Planning – Part 2
		This session is Part 2 of a two part series focused on new functionality to be included in future AXIS releases and designed to support the planning of rolling and slitting operations. The new functionality is rich and robust in supporting the planning—or layout—process. Numerous features have been introduced, including: Presentation to planner of work orders/sales orders requiring roll/slit planning. Search for starting material based on required gauge and width and reserve the incoming tag(s) to the work order. Search for work orders with stockoff destinations that may be used to supply starting material to the work order being planned. Allow for multiple rolling and slitting operations on one work order. Planned “virtual” tags that are created to support planning of downstream operations and scheduling. Support costing and margin analysis by generating “Pre-Costs” for the work order, each of the operations, and for the planned, virtual tags. The first session will concentrate on searching for starting material, reserving the material, and planning roll operations. The second session will concentrate on planning slit operations and pre-costing of the work order.
		EXEC 107 - Executive Session by Jeff Tognoni, Chief Executive Officer
		The Big Switch – Just How Big is Cloud Computing? Join Consona CEO as he explores what he calls the most “disruptive opportunity” in software’s recent history. Inspired by some of the thinking in Nicholas Carr’s The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, From Edison to Google, Tognoni will walk you through the opportunities presented by cloud computing, and how Consona is responding to support you. All conference attendees are welcome to attend this session.
		PROD 207 - Training - Setup for Commodities
		This session will be a good refresher course for customers currently using commodity functionality and others who are interested in learning more about how commodities are used within AXIS. We will review all setup procedures for using commodities and commodity pricing with AXIS. Specifically, we will look at: Commodity market definition. Commodity definition. Updating commodity prices. Assigning commodities to products. Differences between engineering data and product commodity entries. Weight roll-up. Commodity pricing options.
		ROUND 107 - Customer Success Story, Northwire Inc.
		Join us for an interactive discussion with Northwire Inc. who have utilized AXIS to help streamline their operations and realize improved performance during tough economic times. This session is intended for all AXIS customers. Northwire Inc will examine how to price product based on current (i.e. real time) cost of goods sold (COGS). This objective was achieved via user-defined tables, user-defined fields, and exit and entry procedures to provide a solution completely contained within Axiom. This presentation will overview the entire process, starting from defining the business case, identifying the different function users, understanding the users’ needs, and defining the project deliverables through solution development within Axiom, prototyping and implementation. Items included in the session are: Business and Users Needs: Sales Order History with associated commodity cost basis. Current COGS, Gross Margin, and Unit Price as a function of order quantity. Gross Margin Matrix based on two dimensions: COGS elements and order quantity. Two levels of authority in customizing Gross Margin Matrix and Unit Price. History of COGS model parameters. Developing a Solution in Axiom: Screen layout from user perspective. User defined Fields and Tables. Exit and Entry procedures. Program development. Program maintenance.
	12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
		Meal Function - Lunch

	1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
		APP 208 - Future Functionality: Simplified Production Entry
		This session will focus on new material tracking and control transaction to be included in future AXIS releases, called Dispatch and Production Statusing (DPS). As the name implies, the transaction is a combination of the dispatch inquiry and production statusing—all in one screen. But, there is much more, such as: Improvements to delay reporting, time reporting and quality control test results have been made to facilitate “speedy” entry by the operator. Improved access to operation instructions, whether they are by operation descriptions, part/operation “drawings,” or viewing the roll/slit patterns. Changing the look of the DPS screen—depending on the operation type—to avoid numerous pop-up screens. Consolidation of stockoff reporting and containerization into production statusing to allow for one transaction instead of multiple transactions by the operator.
		EXEC 108 - Executive Session by Thomas Millay, General Manager, CRM Division
		Join the General Manager of Consona’s CRM products Tom Millay as he opens up the Consona playbook and delivers key insights into best practices in strategy development and operational planning. In this session, Millay will draw upon his 30 years of experience in the information technology industry across sales, marketing, business development, systems development and operations to provide practical suggestions on how to develop, refine, and roll out new business strategies, as well as align operations to support them. All conference attendees are welcome to attend this session.
		PROD 208 - Training - Labeling Configuration
		Customers that are interested in implementing labeling or expanding existing labeling functions should attend this session that will provide an overview of how to setup labeling within AXIS. Specifically, we will discuss: Label definition and types. Label formats. Examples.
		TECH 208 - Progress OpenEdge 10 Overview
		This session is meant for users who are migrating to the new Progress OpenEdge 10 platform. New features available in OpenEdge 10 include Type II storage areas, automated after imaging, auditing, as well as much more. This session will help attendees: Understand these new capabilities and how to take advantage of them. Learn database tuning techniques for versions 9 and 10.
	3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
		Break - 15 minutes

	3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
		APP 209 - Future Functionality: Simplified Shipping
		There is a new, simplified method currently in development designed to help customers create customer loads more efficiently. In this session, we will demonstrate the new transaction, “Create and Maintain Loads for Sales Orders,” which gives users an overview of sales orders needing shipment and of material available to ship. The system also adds tag numbers of material to the new load automatically and shipping papers can be produced from a single window within the new transaction. In addition, the new simplified shipping method offers an efficient alternative to the use of traditional AXIS load planning and load shipping transactions, which will remain on the menu and are compatible with the new functionality.
		RTT 209 - Real Time Topic: Outside Processing, Quality, Purchasing Roundtables
		This session will focus on the topic of your choice. Below are topics we think are critical to your product and your business, but we want you to tell us which ones you’d like to see. Your choices are: Outside Processing Quality Purchasing After you register for the conference and vote for your preference, you can visit the pre-conference interactive website, Groupsite, and send in questions about your selected topic. Also on Groupsite, join in discussions with the presenter and other attendees on what the focus will be for the winning topic. All real-time topic sessions will be decided and announced on August 1, 2010.
		TECH 209 - Customization Best Practices
		In this session, we will focus on best practices for in-house customization of AXIS. We will be addressing entry/leave procedures, screen modifications, character-based reporting, and custom exports for use with Crystal Reports and other third-party reporting tools. This class is ideal for in-house developers, as well as managers seeking to understand what is possible with customizations. Following this session, attendees should be able to: Understand the basic principles and capabilities of entry/leave procedures. Use mod marks correctly to make upgrades easier. Work with the standard customization templates for screen, reports, and exports.
	5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
		Networking - Evening Event

Friday
	7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
		Info - Conference Registration/Information

	7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
		Meal Function - Breakfast

	8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
		APP 210 - Average & Replacement Cost New Functionality
		This session will focus on the new functionality of average and replacement cost features, which could open up new venues of inventory management and valuation. We will discuss average actual cost and replacement cost (standard cost type) and how they can be implemented in your environment. Following this session, attendees will be able to: Setup requirements for each method. Understand how this could benefit their particular business.
		EXEC 110 - Executive Session by Steve Bailey, Chief Technology Officer
		Join Consona CTO Steve Bailey as he breaks down various cloud architecture approaches in this advanced technical discussion. In this session, he’ll share with you both the risks and benefits of these approaches, as well as further explain how Consona is building the reference architecture for cloud computing—and how soon you can take advantage of it.
		TECH 210 - Preparing for AXIS 6.0
		This session will focus on the AXIS 6.0 desktop, which allows users to have multiple transactions and inquiries open and active concurrently. In addition, users can switch between functions with a single click and are no longer required to exit from one screen or module to access another. This advance in power and usability requires changes in application programs to conform to a new framework for execution and operation. This session is intended for technical personnel from companies that have customized AXIS and need to know how to upgrade their programs to conform to the new framework. By the end of this session, attendees will be familiar with: The major architectural differences between 5.3.2 and 6.0. The specific changes required to application programs to function in the new environment. The new menu structure and mechanisms for menu customization. The major differences in user interface capabilities between 5.3.2 and 6.0 Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with the Progress development tool kit and knowledge of how to customize AXIS 5.3.2.
	10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
		Break - 30 minutes

	10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
		APP 211 - AXIS New Cost Visibility Management
		In this session, we will focus on the new cost visibility functionality, which is critical to inventory managers and sales personnel who need to view cost-related information on inventory and products and know costs in order to determine whether a quote or sales order will be profitable. This new functionality provides enhanced visibility of cost data within the sales order management, purchasing and receiving, inventory management and material tracking and control modules. Following this session, attendees will be able to: Add a new “Summary Cost Elements” transaction that will be used to maintain user-defined named lists of cost elements that will be summed for reporting purposes. Define a new “Cost Reporting Category” system code to categorize transactions, inquiries and reports that can display cost information. - Orders: Includes any transactions, inquiries or reports that are related to sales orders or quotes prior to invoicing. - Sales: Includes any transactions, inquiries or reports that are related to invoiced sales orders. - Inventory: Includes non-sales related inquiries or reports that display costs associated with inventory.
		RTT 211 - RTT: Purchasing, Replication, Labeling Roundtable
		This session will focus on the topic of your choice. Below are topics we think are critical to your product and your business, but we want you to tell us which ones you’d like to see. Your choices are: Purchasing Replication Labeling After you register for the conference and vote for your preference, you can visit the pre-conference interactive website, Groupsite, and send in questions about your selected topic. Also on Groupsite, join in discussions with the presenter and other attendees on what the focus will be for the winning topic. All real-time topic sessions will be decided and announced on August 1, 2010.
	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
		Meal Function - Lunch

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday