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Panel Discussion

Spreadsheets represent one of business' most compelling conundrums. A new research report from Aberdeen Group examines the role for spreadsheets, and barriers/difficulties related to data quality, data access, and employee productivity. The report provides help for end users and management in determining the right approach to spreadsheets and when BI and analytics technology should be considered.

Aberdeen's October 2008 benchmark report, Business Intelligence for the Small to Medium Sized Business (SMB), demonstrated that the top performing SMBs were able to drive substantial performance improvements through their use of BI and analytical tools.  The research shows that best-in-class SMBs were using BI tools (traditional on-premise client-server BI, web server based, BI incorporated into enterprise applications, BI appliances, etc...) at a far greater rate than all other companies.

As information flows more freely in the business world, decisions need to be made quicker and based on sturdier data. The research reflects that SMBs using some type of BI were performing at a higher level than those who reported that spreadsheets were their primary BI tool.

Gather more about this Aberdeen research and learn from the real-world experience of our panel participants how they grew from risky spreadsheet dependence to solid data reliance.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers responsible for business data collection and analysis.
• Business users from organizations who currently rely heavily on spreadsheets for information collection and sharing.
• Company owners and executives responsible for managing today’s complex organizations at a time of great change and uncertainty.

Learning Objectives:

• Encourage assessment of spreadsheet use and define where they can be used to meet certain data input vs. reporting needs.
• Develop awareness of the proliferation of spreadsheets and their role in organizational decision-making.
• Learn how to work with your solution provider to clearly understand the specifics of how BI tools can reduce or eliminate the risks associated with uncontrolled use of spreadsheets.

About Panel Discussion

David Hatch, Vice President and Principal Analyst, Aberdeen Group

Hatch has published research and Market Alerts in the area of On-Demand BI technology and the convergence of ERP and BI offerings. A member of HIMSS (Health Information Management System Society),Hatch has contributed articles and papers that have appeared in numerous industry publications.

Hatch holds a BA, Communications degree from the University of Massachusetts, and has completed seminar work in Project Management Excellence at Boston University, and Marketing Innovative Technologies at Harvard University.

Bobby Hull, Corporate Systems Analyst, BGF Industries Inc.

Previous to this role, Hull spent over 10 years as a Senior Quality Engineer, coordinating all facets of the BGF quality control program; including the re-design of several quality sub-systems in order to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.  During his more than 30 years with BGF Industries, Hull has performed in the capacity of Finishing Inspector, Lab technician, Crew Leader and Manager of their QC laboratory.

Hull holds a Doctorate of Divinity from the American Institute of Holistic Theology, Birmingham, AL, and has completed course work in Chemistry at the University of Richmond and in Fine Arts at Lynchburg College.

Jennifer A. Elder, Ph.D., Vice President Biostatistics and Consulting Services, PharPoint

Jennifer A. Elder, Ph.D. serves as Vice President of Biostatistics and Consulting Services for PharPoint.  Dr. Elder has performed statistical analyses for clinical trials for 15 years, with 11 of those years being in the CRO industry.  Dr. Elder served as the lead statistician on the pivotal studies for two novel compounds in a new class of antiretroviral medications in indications for the treatment of HIV and viral hepatitis.

She participated in the completion of several NDA, MAA, sNDA, and IND applications and provided strategic consulting, clinical program development planning, and statistical analysis oversight for over 75 projects.  Additionally, her experience includes providing statistical support for several pharmaceutical industry-sponsored pregnancy registries and phase I through IV clinical trials.  Prior to her CRO experience, Dr. Elder was an Assistant Professor of Biostatistics and a statistical consultant at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she maintains an adjunct affiliation.  Dr. Elder has participated in the authorship of many presentations and has been an invited speaker at several industry conferences.

Bob Messier, Senior Director, Business Performance Analytics, SAS

Bob Messier is Senior Director, Business Performance Analytics at SAS. He has worked in various roles within SAS including Sales, Marketing, Business Development, and Product Management.

In his current role leading SAS Business Performance Analytics and Platform Technologies Teams, Messier is responsible for defining, creating and delivering comprehensive Business Performance solutions. In addition, he is has helped customers adopt Business Intelligence Competency Centers (BICC), promoting best practices for proper use of Business intelligence within an organization.

Messier also leads an Innovation team that researches upcoming business and technology trends. This team is responsible for the incubation of new products and markets, including the incubation and creation of SAS® Profitability Management, SAS® for Sustainability Management, and SAS® for Performance-Based Budgeting.

Messier holds both a MBA in International Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a BS in Accounting from Providence College.