Many small to mid-sized organizations forgo a formal testing process and instead developers test their own code. This is not best practice for a number of reasons. This video presents 5 reasons why your organization needs QA. With Laminar Consulting’s proven outsourced QA model utilizing local US employees the solution is here and can work for your company.

5 Reasons Why Your Organization Needs Software Quality Assurance

Microstrategy continues to move forward with their Mobile BI Vision.  I have to say it's looking really good.



http://www.microstrategy.com/mobile/appletv/index.asp

We’ve recently had a spike in interest around Mobile BI.  With the new iPad 3 launching last week it looks as though the writing is on the wall.  Apple reported 3 million iPads sold in just one week which means more devices are showing up in the work place in greater numbers.  I replaced my laptop over 2 years ago and I haven’t really looked back.  Some would argue the benefits of using a tablet over a note book but the fact remains the device is here to stay and is now heavily integrated in our lives.  I use mine almost every day in both my personal and business life.  In fact I use mine quite extensively in the cockpit while flying.  

So what does this mean to the business world?  It’s clear these devices are no longer reserved for executive management as some sort of high tech gadget.  They are now common part of the regular workforce.   Companies are thinking much more about the mobile workforce.  Getting enterprise information to personal has now gotten that much easier and is much more cost effective.

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Saturday Morning, I headed out to the Planes of Fame Museum for their monthly event and to check out their facilities.  The Monthly event featured 2 speakers that were former Axis pilots during WWII and a quick demo flight of their very rare Focke Wulf 190.  The weather couldn’t have been any better and not a cloud in the sky.  I’m sure the 70 degree temperatures in the beginning of February added to the excitement and the numbers. The event was packed with over 300 people and the discussion lasted just over an hour with a Q/A session just prior to the Demo flight.  Everyone was very eager to hear the words from these pilots as they offered a very unique perspective having flown some of the first combat jets for the Luftwaffe.  Sadly these folks aren’t going to be around much longer as many of them are well into their 80s.  I think it’s important to hear their stories.

Looking through the facilities, the Museum offers a wonderful showroom perfect for any type of large event.  In addition the museum has relationships with several caterers and vendors in the local area which can provide a number of services.  My next step is to talk with a coordinator and pick some dates.  Meanwhile our content is being discussed amongst the presenters and should be finalized in the next couple weeks.

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Sure the idea is truly appealing but having come across 4 new customers over the past quarter I’m not so sure anymore.  Every one of these companies has had a real hard time saying that they were truly successful in implementing projects using offshore resources.  In fact several had mentioned it actually took almost three times and one mentioned there project was a total flop. 

I’m now questioning why companies are still willing to take their technology initiatives to offshore companies.  Why can’t we continue to use local resources and make our process much less complex?  Are we really that expensive in the long run when you add in the necessary overhead?

I made a quick spur of the moment decision to take a hop over to Catalina Island and invited one of my customers and friend.   Call it a client lunch if you will but it gave an opportunity for someone who has never been in a small plane to visit one of California’s top aviation destinations on a perfect weather day.  Late December skies are spectacular and with no smog to be seen it couldn’t have worked out better. 

I made a short video of our trip back from the Island using a sport video camera with a wide angle lens which really gives some unusual perspectives.

I took some time over the Holidays to investigate potential Air Museums to host one of our first fund raiser events.  First on the list is the Lyon Air Museum based at John Wayne Airport.  I wanted to see what the facilities had to offer and if they can hold such an event.  This museum is practically brand new being only two years old.  You could basically eat off the hanger floors it is so clean.   It has a lot of potential being that it’s so local.   Meanwhile I will continue my search.

I’ve uploaded several pictures of the collection to the Laminar Facebook Site. 

Check it out http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.295543607159271.71998.264700440243588&type=3

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There is little doubt with 125 Million licenses sold across 65,000 customers SharePoint is the bestselling Microsoft Product It’s interesting to note the success of the product’s implementation varies across the board and is usually tied to whether or not there is a vision for SharePoint.

Suggested Tips on using SharePoint as a Social Platform