Vikram's space: Blog

ASAP Architect Winner

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:33:17 GMT

It was a fantastic experience working with Architects from various parter organizations delivering the ASAP webcasts. It was quite hectic for me as well as other partner speakers but it was more hectice for the participants as they had to shell out 6 hrs per week. Hope the next ASAP series would have a lengthier timeframe.

The Winner for the Architect Contest is :-

Jayakumar.V from Cognizant

Architect

The Case Study URL for the ASAP Program is :-

http://www.codeplex.com/EAppointments

The webcasts are available on the site :-

http://www.microsoft.com/india/webcasts/ondemand.aspx

TATA Indicom Bridge for ASAP Series

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:46:55 GMT

Based on the feedback we now have a Tata Indicom Bridge also for the ASAP series This can be used on the 8th,10th,12th,15th,17th and 19th of October 2007.
Participant Pin Code	3766512

Dial-in-Number (Select the PoP most suitable to you)
International Dial-in-Number	0091-22-67914444 / 67914455
Mumbai & Other Indian Cities not listed below	(022) 67914444/ 67914455
Pune(MH) Not accessable using BSNL & MTNL service	(020) 66204444 / 66204455
Ahmedabad (GJ)	(079) 66553335 / 66553336
Bangalore (KA)	(080) 66683335 / 66683336
Chennai (TN)	(044) 66663335 / 66663336
Delhi	(011) 66553335/ 66553336
Goa	(0832) 6643335 / 6643336
Guntur (AP)	(0863) 6654445 / 6654446
Gurgaon (HR)	9511-66553335 / 66553336
Hyderabad (AP)	(040) 66554445 / 66554446
Kolkatta (WB) Not accessable using BSNL & MTNL service	(033) 65554444
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) Not accessable using BSNL & MTNL service	(0657) 6554444
Nagpur (MH)	(0712) 6623335 / 6623336
Noida (UP)	9511-66553335 / 66553336
Vizag (AP)	(0891) 6654445 / 6654446
Vijaywada (AP)	(0866) 6654445 / 6654446

ASAP Architecture Contest Case Study

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:28:17 GMT

The Architecture Contest for ASAP.

I. The Context

Event Management is a multi-million dollar industry, growing rapidly, with mega shows and events hosted regularly. Surprisingly, there are few software applications available to support this business.

Among other capabilities, the software should support the target participant needs, logistic planning and coordination of multiple service vendors.

Event Management extends to a broad category of events – from the mega-events (Olympic Games) to average sized student gatherings (Techfest at IIT-Mumbai). This problem statement focuses on large events that would cover 5000+ participants spread over multiple days. Some examples include the India Intl Trade Fair (IITF, Pragati Maidan) or a Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference.

II. The Problem

The event must support out-of-town speakers and participants. The event will be attended by paying delegates (for specific seminars) as well as general public. The software must support the needs of the following “Actors” & Scenarios

Actors

1. Speakers

- Most likely from out-of-town.

- Leaders within their professional domain.

- Event organizers would like to ensure that all would like to return next year.

2. Paying Delegates

- Committed customers who expect to get value for the fees paid (could be as high as $2000 for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference)

- Acquiring knowledge & networking is high on their needs

- Event organizers would like them to get lasting value for their commitment (time + money)

3. General Public

- Interested customers – mostly local to city.

- Willingness to spend some time to acquire knowledge. Networking would be nice.

- Event organizers would like to have high participation to enhance the “buzz” and marketing value for sponsors.

Scenarios

The scenarios the software must support are:

1. Trip & schedule planning for speakers (logistic support)

2. Local transportation for paying delegates

3. Delegate registration and tracking

4. Enhance networking opportunities & mechanisms (technology as an enabler tool)

5. Support and assistance (Electronic “concierge”)

III. Some Ideas

1. Feedback, Opinion Services: Participants can provide real-time feedback, insights about a seminar, speaker using Pocket PC’s. Such feedback could help other participants to choose seminars, or speakers to modify their presentation to suit the audience. (Need Fulfilled: More effective use of participant & speaker time)

2. People Matching Services: Based on the input profile & feedback provided by individuals, the system could match potentially like-minded persons. (Need Fulfilled: Networking)

3. Recommendation Services: The system could suggest sessions, meetings, local attractions, etc, based on personal preference & feedback provided (similar to Amazon.com’s “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” feature). (Need Fulfilled: Participant Value)

4. Invitation Services: Instant (event specific) blogs. Services that help individuals invite other like-minded individuals for get-togethers, dinner meetings, etc. (Need Fulfilled: Networking)

IV. Guidelines & Assumptions

1. The intent of this Case Study is to focus on the high-level functional & technical architecture

2. The proposed solution must be practical and deployable using existing Microsoft products and off-the-shelf hardware.

3. Assume: the event organization has a significant use of information technology (Kiosks, Displays, WiFi cloud, etc)

4. Assume: all participants have WiFi enabled PocketPC’s (or Smartphone)

V. Our Evaluation Criteria

The software tool will be evaluated on the following criteria

1. Clarity: Clear communication of architectural vision that satisfies the needs to event organizers (project sponsors)

2. Practical: Solution to be implemented within the next 3-6 months.

3. Simplicity: Reduces execution risk

4. Innovation: Imagine, Think Different.

5. Approach: The thinking behind the proposal. What other alternatives did you consider before closing on the final proposal.

VI. Deliverables

1. Mandatory:

Architecture vision … “1-sheeter” (Exec summary) with diagram
Architecture deliverables
- “Solution Overview”
- “High Level Architecture”

2. Discretionary:

Any other documents/diagrams to support your proposal

3. Extra Credits: (for your Thoughts)

Architect’s Diary: The evolution of a solution … from initial thought to final proposal

VII. Resources

1. MSDN Architecture Center – http://msdn.microsoft.com/architecture/

2. Microsoft Patterns & Practices - http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices/

3. Microsoft.NET 3.0 Framework Community – http://www.netfx3.com/

mail to:- vikramr@microsoft.com

Talking about TCS, World's best IT Service Provider

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 06:33:01 GMT

Quote

TCS, World's best IT Service Provider
New York: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) topped the list of top 10 best performing IT Services providers worldwide rated by Global Services, a specialized publication for IT businesses.Indian ...