Solution Manager – webcast and SAP TechEd prep work

Precedings

I’ve written several blogs in the past month on Solution Manager, and how we’re trying to use it.  It continues to be like a boat, sometimes described as a hole in the water you throw money into.  You should be able to find my previous blog by looking at my SCN bio, or blog list.  This one is going to be more conversational than instructional.

I’m going to speak on an August 19, 2009 ASUG webcast on our Solution Manager “Work In Progress”.  For ASUG members, here is the calendar event link:

http://www.asug.com/EventsCalendar/EventDetails/tabid/150/EventID/1422/Default.aspx
 

My plan is to show 30 or 40 slides maximum, and then do a few minutes online demo before going into Q+A.  As of 08-Aug-09, over 250 people were registered, meaning that this is a topic of interest to many.  I’m hoping I don’t disappoint, because while we’ve put a lot into Solution Manager, I don’t think we have made as much progress as we might.  Do I blame the software?  Perhaps.

One result of the webcast will be ideas to finalize my content for my SAP TechEd session in Phoenix.  Here are a few details so you can put it on your agenda:

• http://www.sapteched.com/usa/edu_sessions/session.htm?id=519
• Session ID: ALM220
• Leveraging SAP Solution Manager Power Tools at Black & Decker

Succeedings

I’ve posted a couple challenges in the Corporate Social Responsibility / Sustainability discussion forum (now, unaccountably shortened to the Sustainability forum) for water bottles at ASUG / Sapphire.  I did not post one last year for TechEd, as I was able to travel to Berlin and hauling extra baggage was not in the plan.  This year, I will be once again giving away water bottles, along with a 1-year membership to Leave No Trace to the first 5 people who respond. I already have 2 responses from a twitter post in early July:

• 8:53 AM Jul 2nd : Thinking maybe I’ll try one more time to give away 5 water bottles, in time for SAP TechEd. Surely people drink water in Phoenix Arizona?
• 9:18 AM Jul 2nd : @karin_tillotson : @jspath55 may I have one of the water bottles please?
• 6:47 PM Jul 2nd : @grahamrobbo : @jspath55 Put me down for a water bottle if they have not all been taken

In September, I’m playing host to an ASUG CHapter meeting in Towson Maryland (right outside Baltimore).  Ping me if you’re in the vicinity.  The agenda will be online soon – I’ll share it with the SAP community…

What else?  I will be on Craig Cmehil’s Friday Morning Report on 14-Aug-2009 to talk about the SCNotties awards we’re cooking up for TechEd.  Below is a working model of one of the award statuettes.  Hey, it’s not gold-plated like the Oscars (TM), but you won’t be able to get one anyplace else.  I will also have the Blag+Jim designed special 2009 limited edition Mentor buttons, if you ask nicely.

Lastly, I have a list of TechEd sustainability sessions I need to review.  Hopefully I’ll get this done before Marilyn Pratt gets back.

Oh, and last plus one is … 

I’m supposed to find out tomorrow if I get to be a gopher for a TechEd hands-on session.  I’ll update this blog once I know for sure.