Midwest Society of Professional Consultants

November 1^st, 2006

MSPC Consultants College

The "Consultants" College concept in professional society meetings (originally conceived by Dave Taylor in 2003) was reintroduced in May and June of 2006 with such success that we are offering the format again.

Wireless Technology and Its Impact on Business
Moderator Gene Servillo (Gene Servillo Consulting, Inc.)

This presentation will review types of computing and communications devices that can be networked, the range of wireless networking choices for computers and communications devices (PDAs) and the wireless interconnection choices (infrared, Bluetooth, and simple radios) for peripheral computer equipment (mice, keyboards, printers, etc.).  The presenter will also review whether or not networking any device is useful.  This session will also review existing standards for wireless networking (Wi-Fi, PDAs, Wireless LANs, etc.), how to choose among them, compatibility issues and their value to small businesses.  The presenter will also speak about the impact of these newer technologies on the conduct of business, including the concept of total cost of ownership and operating efficiency, and about the consequences of network “portability” as it pertains to having work intrude into all aspects of one’s life.

Gene Servillo is President of Gene Servillo Consulting which he started in 1994. Gene performs a broad range of functions for clients including designing, installing, and supporting local area networks as well as providing ongoing technical support for attached workstations and off-the-shelf software. Gene is an “itinerant network administrator” who designs networks, installs and maintains servers, and provides end-user support for client staffs. In other words, he functions as the Information Technology department for businesses that are too small to afford a full-time staff person but want the quality of service obtained from a long-term relationship. Gene’s clients have included Sprint, the Chicago Board of Education, 360° Communications, Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Crozier-Keystone Health Systems and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.  He is active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club and retired from the United States Army Reserve with the rank of Captain.

Revolutionizing the Mobile Workforce
Moderator Glenn Eggert (Verizon Wireless)

Recent advances in wireless technologies are completely revolutionizing the way people do business. The buzz about "wireless", and "taking things wireless" has been out there for quite some time. However, when it comes time to formulate a wireless strategy for your business and/or your clients’ companies, things can get confusing very quickly.  This session will review the concept of a mobile workforce and the deployment of wireless technologies to support it.  The presenter will discuss how consultants and their clients can leverage technologies such as EvDO, and mesh them with other wireless technologies (W-LAN, W-PAN, private RF networks, etc.) to build comprehensive wireless strategies in order to increase a mobile work force's productivity. 

Glenn Eggert is director of data sales for its Illinois/Wisconsin Region for Verizon Wireless.  Glenn oversees the expansion of the region’s dedicated data sales team, which provides data product sales and services within northern and central Illinois; Wisconsin; northern Indiana, including Gary and South Bend; Davenport, Iowa, and surrounding communities.  Eggert has more than 11 years of experience in the wireless industry. He has spent the last four years leading data sales teams in Verizon Wireless’ Southern California Region, serving as both a regional sales manager and interim associate director.  Eggert began his career as a business-to-business sales representative for a regional wireless carrier and also held positions as a major account executive and application solution consultant. 

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers.  It is the first North American wireless operator to fully deploy a true 3-G wireless network (EvDO), and continues to expand it and has been the proven technology leader in high speed wireless WIDE area technologies (W-WAN) and has the most reliable high-speed wireless data network in the U.S.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).