Teched, it brings me some happy memories. I've also gone as much as possible. So this is one of many different blogs on Teched. Probably not even the best TechEd blog. Do a search and find some of the many blogs. I even wrote one a while ago - not this year.
Why another blog?
Well - I was talking with a co-worker the other day. Yes, I really do talk to co-workers sometimes. I'm not just in the basement with my headphones on. OK - I do that a lot too. Anyway, she was trying to decide if she wanted to go to Teched this year. Our training dollars are limited. We go to Teched and then we may not get to go to a training class.
So I'm still trying to get her to go. As I am working on her, I thought. Yes I do think sometimes too. But only when I have to - think that is. I thought that maybe there were some other people debating on going to Teched this year.
Also - warning - this blog sounds like an info commercial. It's because I hope to see as many different people there as possible. Nope, I don't get anything directly from you attending. But I do get to meet other SAP enthusiast.
My thoughts:
I LOVE teched. I try and go as often as I can. I submit sessions to get a reduced price on Teched. (I add the hands-on to my Teched experience. So there are funds involved. Not to meantion the cost of hotel, flight, meals etc.) But if I am giving a session odds are in my favor to be able to go. We only send a limit number of people. We do have systems to support. Projects that are going on.... You get the picture.
Why Teched?
THERE IS GREAT INFORMATION THERE!
Want to go to a hands on session? We actually get to put into practice what we learn. I'm all for hands-on because it's easier for me to remember it afterwards.
Take a look at the sessions. I'm 100% sure something will interest you.
Why this year?
It's always a good time to go. However, this year your company may be growing. When that happens, you need to know new information for all the new projects.
If you company isn't growing. There will not be "new" person who will introduce new technology. It's all up to you and your co-workers.
Maybe a consultant will come in to help. Face it, not all consultants are excellent at what they do. There are some consultants that hands down are amazing. There are also some that talk the talk. How would you know if they are an expert, when you don't know anything about the technology? Teched will help with an overview of the technology.
I'm not planning anything new this year. The projects are already out there. I've heard this as well.
Really??? Things never change in a technology job, right? Get real, of course they do. You never really know when you could use something you learned. Knowledge is never wasted.
Myths:
The technology is too new - we won't use it.
That's something I've heard. Yes, Teched covers a lot of new things. I guess that is the definition of Teched. However, you can pick up things that you can use today. It really doesn't matter what system you are on. ABAP is ABAP anywhere. You may not be able to use it as presented. But you would be surprised at some of the "newer" technology that you can access from an "older" version of SAP.
Not using it. Well - there is a lot of content that I don't use. However I keep the presentations. I remember I have them, but not always what was in them. I've found I recently used a session on Floor plan manager from last year's teched. (UP162) At the time I attended that session - I had no plans on using floorplan manager, it just looked like a "cool" technology. That "cool" technology is something that I need today. So I dug out the information. And SURPRISE, it has helped me a lot. I'm not on enhancement pack 1. So I couldn't do exactly what was in the session, but it got me far enough along that I could use it.
I would normally try to go to a class. However, there isn't time. I need to use the technology now. Yes, I used other things like SCN e-learning, forums, etc to help. But it all was started with the session. I knew FPM was out there by attend Teched.
Too Little information.
Too little information? Really - take a look at the sessions offered. There is a ton of information. Too much to be able to go to everything. That's a bummer for me. I'd love to go to a bunch of different sessions. I encourage you to look at all the sessions - not just the one's in your track.
Some amazing people from SAP - even from SCN - are speaking at Teched. It's a chance to go to a session, and ask questions. Sometimes they even share contact information. Then you can ask for help latter when you use the technology.
Plus, you'll see them running around Teched. Last year the mentors even wore mentor shirts, you couldn't miss them. They will chat with you. I have not met one yet that didn't. Of course, most of them are going from session to session too. So keep that in mind when you stop them.
Too high Level.
This one has a little more merit. The sessions are high-level. They have to be. There is a limited time for each session. If you were to take a SAP class it would be 3 - 5 days. Sometimes more than that. The sessions are limited to 1 - 4 hours.
But they do get down into the details. There is enough - more than enough - information to let you know what is out there. That's half the battle. If you don't know the technologies are available, you can't present them as a solution.
Hands-on gets you some experience with the technology. That helps me solidify the subject in my mind, and gives me examples to go back to.
But I went last year - isn't it a repeat?
Honestly some of the sessions are. But did I mention I couldn't possibly attend them all? Now I get to go to some of the sessions I missed. YES! Also some content can be added to the sessions from last year.
And surprise! There are new sessions every year.
Conclusion:
My advice for this year's decision on should you go to teched...
Take a look at the ton of Teched blogs out there. Stop at the Teched forum. And go to read the sessions. (If you are a developer, take a look at my session too! You might find out it is something you want to learn. Mine is really on "older" technology. )
Personally, I jump at the chance to attend. But if you aren't sure, research. Yes, I am really biased. I love it - so I hope others do as well.
I believe the early bird registration ends at the end of the month.
