Narration: COMDDAP '09

COMDDAP 2009
(Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines)

COMDDAP 2009... It’s one of the ways on learning Information Technology outside the four corners of the room. Gaining IT knowledge, not in theoretical way but practically, not just ideally but in reality. These words came into my mind as we had at least few moments in COMDDAP 2009.

GETTING INOn July 2, 2009, we attended the COMDDAP 2009 at the Apo View Hotel. Beforehand, we registered the 1:00-5:00 pm sessions. As we enter the hotel's grand ballroom attaching our student stickers, we immediately are busying ourselves on getting the promotion prints and flyers from the different companies participating the event. The room was filled with the booths of different companies' ride. Even if we are not going to buy, we were still enjoying watching the gadgets and products they exhibit. Some of the names in the head of each booth are indeed well-known. Some of these are the Smart Bro, hp invent, neo, etc. From a ball pen with radio to notebooks and laptops even cameras. All of these can be seen at the exhibition booths. Well, that was not our main purpose though. That’s why we proceed to the session.Jupiter Systems Inc. and ERIC
After we sign our signatures corresponding to our names, the first exhibitor of the nexus group shared about his company. Mr. Celmer Santos talked about Jupiter Systems Inc. and the ERIC (Enterprise Resource Information and Control) DMS. First, he shared a brief history of the said company which says that it is already 24 years in service as an enterprise software company and it’s one of the pioneers of the Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in the Philippines. After that, the exhibitor shared about ERIC DMS. This is a management for financial, personnel, distribution and manufacturing for auto dealerships. The exhibitor opened up the general features, characteristics, process flow and some of the clients of the said DMS. He mentioned “DMS is a complete, end-to-end solution for auto dealerships.” After which, there was a Question and Answer portion which followed by the giving of feedbacks through answering their feedback form. Well, honestly, I can’t answer the form because I can’t relate for I’m only a student. (Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines)

HP INVENT:Thin ClientAfter the ERIC DMS is the HP invent. I can say that I can relate with this because I’ve already heard of it as a brand for laptops. When Mr. Leonard Zapa said that they are giving away tokens such as T-shirts and USB flash disks, the room was filled with excitement. Take not, the question are just so easy only if you listen to his ideas. All you have to do to get one token is to be the first to raise your hand. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those lucky students to get one.By the way, the exhibitor shared about Thin Client with the words “HP: Think Big; Go Thin” Amazing, right? This means that Thin Client is of small packages but with great benefits like efficient design and longer life span. Thin Client is one of the fastest computer devices. The exhibitor shared about Thin Client and its amazing features.To start with, HP acquired Neoware Inc. on Oct. 1, 2009. Thin Client is a computing device without hard drive (no hard disks). It only uses Flash IDE, Flash storage. It runs applications in remote locations, blade PCs or virtual desktops. It can be used independently, as a task-specific computing device. He also shared about the key growth drivers which are the data security, reliability, easier management, remote PC alternatives and virtualizations. These answer the question, why go on thin Clients? Aside from that, it also is environment friendly and has lower over-all costs. I smiled when he emphasized “lower over-all costs” because it only means that Thin Client is indeed expensive yet worth the cost for its longer life span.Microsoft Dynamics
Another exhibitor talked about Microsoft Dynamics. A Retail Management System which is compared to POS. The title “Microsoft Dynamics” has persuasive subtitle “Success depends on more than one location.” The exhibitor spoke about MS in retail industry leadership as highest in the industry, used by top retailer and that 65% of POS are on Windows which is MS-owned. He also talked about MRMS advantages like streamline operations, improve profit margins, build customer loyalty, manages business, not technology and have a life outside your business. RMS HQ key features are inventory control and tracking, purchase orders, pricing, sales and promotions, sales tracking and powerful, flexible reports. Open Source for Business Applications
The last exhibitor talked about Open Source for Business Applications. At last, I’ve already clarified with the Open Source as distinguished with the Free Software. I heard of the name Mr. Paul de Paula and the terms Joomla and Drupal for the first time. SPINweb Production Inc. is a company that offers web design and development, web hosting and maintenance, online marketing, corporate presentation and Flash 3D Animation.At first, we are asked about whom among us have gone onto web development. Only two had raised their hand because majority of the crowd were merely students. The two were asked to do the things I can’t really relate. In the middle of the session, we were asked to identify the keywords associated with Open Source. They came up with words free, open, contributor and no licensing. However, these words are clarified during the discussion. Open Source is free in the sense of “free speech not beer” or anti-commercial. Also, the exhibitor asked us to identify the icons representing the different open Source applications. Unfortunatey again, of about 20 icons, I was just able to identify ¼ of it. Those icons are Ubuntu, Opne office, Mozilla Firefox, thunderbird, Pidgin, Transmission, Limewire, Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress OS Commerce, Zen Cart, Ruby on Rails, Php Cake and others. It made me realize that even though I’m already three years in the study of Information Technology, I am still but a beginner in the real IT world. Well, it’s okay for me because I know that I’m subject to learn more. Aside from that thought, I also found out that MozillaFirefox, the one that I’m using next to Internet Explorer is indeed an Open Source application. I also heard of the names Eric S. Raymond and Richard Stallman as the founder of the Open Source and Free Software. By the way, Open Source really originates from the Free Software. I also heard about The Cathedral and the Bazaar. The exhibitor also shared the organization that uses Open Source applications.The session was ended with a debate concerning the question “, which is better, the proprietary Software or the Open Source?” And this was answered with a fair thought that Open Source is more advantageous in the other way as Free Software do. To sum up, Open source is good on personal uses while proprietary Software is good in critical missions like the automated elections for its liability. A certain visitor once asked “, what is your opinion on the backing out of TIM its joint venture with the Smartmatic?” The exhibitors can’t answer because according to them, it’s already out of bound.Nexus Group
The one s responsible for the success of the sessions is the Nexus Group. The group comprises the companies such as Nexus, IT ___ and Systems Integrator, Jupiter Systems Inc., Business Software Solutions expert, edupro, IT Training snd Solutions, and the SPINWeb, Online Media Develpoment. These companies have their own websites like www.jupitersystems.com.ph, www.hp.com, www.nexusgroup.ph, www.opensource.org etc.

GETTING OUTI, with my classmates got out the room with fulfillment that at least, I’ve learned a little in attending the session. Our visist to COMDDAP 2008 would never be complete without taking pictures everywhere in the Apo View Hotel, even inside the CR.

PHOTOS