First WASABI-SIG Meeting

An article by -Matt-    No Comments

Well, even though I am not a numerologist, I still think 9/9/09 is a special day.  Why so? Clearly it’s because today is the first general WASABI-SIG meeting.  If you have an interest in data warehousing, business intelligence, data management, systems analysis, data visualization, etc., and most importantly, if you live in the DFW metroplex, I encourage you to come out and be a part of this new special interest group.

The thinking behind WASABI-SIG was not to supplant other local groups (e.g. DOUG, DAMA), but rather to complement them.   In working with our local clients, we have observed a common thread: highly skilled, creative individuals, working hard for their respective employers, mastering specific technologies and solving difficult problems in the business intelligence arena.  Another commonality is that they (and, may I say, I) don’t have it all figured out.  Some of us have mastered statistical analysis but are challenged with data visualization.  Others have knocked data visualization out of the park but yet struggled with a core data warehouse architecture that delivered a consolidated view of their company’s data asset.   If only we could get these individuals together, sharing their experiences, sharing their challenges, and sharing their successes.  Surely we could all learn something, right?  So was the thinking that birthed WASABI circa November 2008.  After a couple of leadership meetings, we have begun building momentum.

While attempting to garner sponsorship for this group, I received a challenge that I would like to elaborate on.  The challenge was this – “Why another user group when we already have DOUG, DAMA, etc…?  I’m not convinced.”  First of all, I think that’s a fair question.  Why do we need another group?  After all, other groups discuss some of the same topics and regularly host many top notch speakers from across the industry.  True, true…  However, not all of the WASABI audience use Oracle.  The focus of WASABI is a very synergistic set of core competencies for an audience that has been tasked with developing, implementing and supporting them in an economy that demands companies be agile and cost effective in order to compete and survive.  These are individuals who may have never attended a SIG meeting before, but yet have developed a practical specialization in some related area and want to share that experience.  While it won’t always be a small group (says the optimist in me), a small start does have its advantages.  I encourage you to come out and see what WASABI is all about.  Get in on it while the foundation is being laid so that you can play a part in shaping it.

Also, for those of you who agree with the premise and want to be involved, perhaps you own or work for a company that would be interested in becoming a WASABI sponsor.  I encourage you to go to the website and sign up.