Yes you can

It’s going to be my birthday soon –and I wanted to do something really fun like wing walking so, with best intentions decided to give up smoking and get fit. Did you ever wonder how some people find it so easy to remain motivated, positive and focused while others don’t? I know I do. Because it’s just not that easy is it?

When ‘’M’ returned from WPC (and still no gossip from the bond night) she was talking about the keynote speech given by President Bill Clinton. He asked everyone to think about the impact of the IT revolution and what part they can play in achieving equality around the globe. She said his enthusiasm was really quite contagious and everyone was talking about it afterwards. But how is he going to keep that momentum going? Clinton did say he is on Facebook and answers question on the social network site. “We actually do tweets from time to time to keep people up with what we’re doing, which I never thought I would do”, he said.

So, it got me thinking about the students I support and what I can do to help. We have student forums and I often pop in and out to offer a bit of advice and like President Clinton we actually tweet from time to time and the tutors are great when the students need a little more help as IT certification can be quite complicated at times.

But what else helps?

I would like your thoughts – what keeps you enthusiastic about the changes you have committed to? How do you keep yourself motivated when things get tough?

Add your comments and let me know.

It’s going to get cloudy……..

So, what is all this hype around Cloud computing, what is it and why is everyone talking about how it will revolutionise the way organisations operate.

With the global economy taking a bashing and technology evolving at an alarming rate having the technical infrastructure to operate in today’s business market can be a daunting prospect – it is not easy to forcast with accuracy the requirments needed to operate successfully and at the same time take into account the fluctuating demand on resource?

Well that’s where Cloud computing takes over. It has been described as hosting with a difference – the difference being you can have as little or as much as you want when you want for as long as you want. The infrastructure is there, developed, maintained and updated by a third party so all a user needs is a computer with internet access.


It was apparent at this year’s WPC that Microsoft see the Cloud as something to be taken seriously and it is the bed-rock of their strategy moving forward. CEO, Steve Ballmer and COO, Kevin Turner both addressed cloud-computing in their keynote speech with Turner stating that Microsoft’s big goal for the next couple of decades was “continuous cloud service for every person and every business”.

Corporate VP Jon Roskill, taking over the Microsoft Partner Programme this year from Allison Watson, spoke passionately about Microsoft’s collaboration with partners saying that “together we're going to succeed in this transformation to cloud”.

Computeach will be following progress in this area closely over the next few months and as always we will keep you all in the loop.


Drop your comments in the box as we would like to have your thoughts.

Computeach go to the Microsoft World Partner Conference (WPC)

All go here today – our boss has just returned from the Microsoft World Partner Conference (WPC) in Washington DC, a bit bleary eyed (jet lag) and full of innovation.. So far she has not mentioned the themed Bond night but we are calling her ‘M’ and I am sure she will reveal all at some point.


The WPC happens every year and provides the opportunity for Microsoft Partners to get together with each other and Microsoft (over 14000 registered attendees from more than 130 countries this year) to exchange ideas and learn from one and other whilst being updated on all the latest technologies and strategies from sessions run by Microsoft.


With over 500 sessions taking place at the event we will provide highlights from the best bits going into much more detail on each subject but Just to give you an idea of some of the subjects that were hot:

• Cloud computing and Mobile working
• Using technology for global aid and development

• Enterprise-class computing for the smaller business

• Education

• Government

• Health and public safety

• National security

• The hybrid organisation

Drop a comment if you have any preference to what would interest you the most.

What Next………

He really would like you to believe he can leap from tall buildings in one bound………


Anyway, while my meek and mild mannered friend is off saving the planet (well he is doing his bit and putting bottle tops in the golden box) I thought I would introduce myself – I’m the colleague (AKA Lois) and have to agree this is going to be a great place to keep you all updated.


Last week proved very busy with CIW announcing changes to their certification and Microsoft running their World Partner Conference in Washington DC.  We have participated in lots of events and will be able to update you with all the interesting news in the weeks to come.  So, watch this space and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

It’s a bird……..It’s a plane………….

Seriously, I’ve just been asked to take over this blog along with my colleague (who for the record I’m now calling Lois) and I’m really excited. It reminds me of the first time I went Zorbing – no idea what to expect and no idea what I am going to do but ready to try. So, like all dedicated Zorbonauts let’s get this ball rolling.

My real job here in Dudley is to support students with their studies keeping them informed and on-track. This is going to be a great place to keep you up to date, provide lots of information on all the programmes, plenty of hints and tips and not forgetting all the latest office gossip. You can even add your own comments and let me know what you think 

Up Up and Away…………………