InSys Views - June 2009

Volume 4, Issue 6 - June 2009

Greetings, folks -

I don't think of myself as starry-eyed, but I'm definitely an optimist. As Winston Churchill said, there's not much use in being anything else. Pessimism is its own punishment -- if you let yourself be preoccupied with bad news, it robs you of present happiness without doing anything to make the future any better.

So I try to be a personal delegate of optimism and enthusiasm for the future, whenever I have an opportunity to communicate with colleagues, clients and consultants. We can all participate in making a better tomorrow, by our words and deeds. That's the kind of advice our founding fathers would have given us, don't you think? It's what they were doing, after all.

Of course, there's no denying these are stressful times. Even in stable and secure organizations, it's hard for people to stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude. Computerworld compiles an annual list of the best places to work in IT, and one of the things the winners have in common is a focus on maintaining an upbeat work environment. Of course, most companies can't build their own on-site fitness centers or offer the perks you get at the Googleplex. But any firm can work to be value-driven, treat its employees with respect and maintain open lines of communication.

Onward and upward!

Linda Magnusson-Rosario, CEO

Researchers Chase Cooler Data Centers

Syracuse University has teamed with IBM to create one of the world's most efficient data centers, while the Georgia Institute of Technology announced it has created a 1,100-square-foot testing facility where researchers can test new cooling designs and measure the impact on power efficiency. Read the article.

Federal CTO Provides Insight

Aneesh Chopra sits down with InformationWeek to talk about the role technology will play in policy, the smart grid, education and economic development agendas. Read the article.

Coping with Dumped Products

As larger companies begin buying up smaller ones, IT departments must cope with products that are no longer supported. IT managers suggest implementing policies that spread assets and software across multiple vendors. Read the article.

InSys Tech Specialist Practices Martial Arts

Matt Ambroziak, Lead Technical Specialist, spends his days managing the InSys Network, troubleshooting technical issues and supporting internal systems. But in his spare time, he takes on a different sort of challenge through the practice of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA is a contact sport that incorporates a variety of fighting techniques, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Karate.

Matt got interested in MMA a about two years ago, and has recently taken his sport to a new level. He trains 12 hours a week - six hours on the mat and another six hours at the gym for conditioning and strength training. He's planning to participate in the bi-annual Challenge of Champions series and recently placed third in a kickboxing event, even though it was his first tournament. "It's a lifestyle and I love competing," says Matt. "It's not only a great way to stay in shape, but it improves my self discipline by challenging me to reach new health and fitness levels. Plus, I think this level of discipline helps me stay focused on the job and off."

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