From the Editor: See You in New Orleans

By Betty Hawkins



See You in New Orleans
"Big Blue in the Big Easy." You've seen us advertise it in the last couple of Personal Systems' issues. What is "it"? It's the latest event in a long line of technical mega-conferences that have been an IBM tradition for many years. This year's Technical Interchange is the most comprehensive program IBM has ever put together. Because "no man [or woman] is an island" in today's technical arena, you'll see the latest and greatest from four platforms: OS/2, AIX, AS/400, and MVS - all together in the Big Easy!

This year's multi-platform event has some excellent ancestors--not the least of which is the tradition-rich Technical Coordinator National Update. Many of Personal Systems' readers will remember these Updates, dating back to 1986, as an early support element of IBM's Technical Coordinator Program. Held annually - and exclusively - for members of the Technical Coordinator Program for six years, these conferences set the standard for the effective delivery of technical support.

While the audience and product focus at the conferences, called Technical Interchanges for the last several years, has expanded to meet today's exploding technology requirements, the emphasis on the needs of technical coordinators remains our primary concern. IBM's Technical Coordinator Program staff are partners in the production of the Technical Interchanges, ensuring that the technical content meets the requirements gathered from technical coordinators. Current members of the program are treated to special recognition and invited to exclusive events during the conference week. Sessions are conducted for those wanting to learn more about the program, and new members are invited to join.

The Technical Coordinator Program staff, which includes Personal Systems' staff, wants to meet you (and give you neat conference stuff) in New Orleans. Be sure to join us May 21 through May 25 at our registration booth and at our exhibit booth.

The Technical Coordinator Program Tradition
Since 1983 IBM has been providing support, through the Technical Coordinator Program, to customer personnel responsible for the needs of personal computer users within their organizations. With the delivery of technical support being the primary goal of the Technical Coordinator Program, a publication containing in-depth technical articles has been a significant part of the program since its early days. This publication evolved (through a series of vehicles beginning with a humble photocopied newsletter) into the Personal Systems magazine in its early format in 1988.

Other support delivery over the years has come in the form of electronic Q&A;, satellite education, locally-IBM-sponsored seminars, special education discounts, electronic bulletin boards, and customer councils. As the business needs of its members change, the program changes to meet these needs; retaining, however, its original goal of increasing user self-sufficiency and productivity.

In today's support environment, the Technical Coordinator Program has one more major attraction: it's free to qualified participants! If you're interested in learning more about the program, contact your IBM representative or call (800) 547-1283. And don't forget to make your plans now...we'll see you in New Orleans!

Betty Hawkins, Editor