Technology News
		with Brian Fitzgerald

Fifteen years ago, a handful of technology consultants collaborated to begin a networking group to learn more about each other’s skills, share information and to leverage local relationships. Their goal was to better serve the region and compete more effectively with larger firms from outside the area.

In early 2002, another group of activists took the initiative a step further, formalizing the organization, establishing bylaws and drafting a mission to serve information technology users, as well as providers.

As a result, users and providers of technology products and services began sharing new information, ideas, projects and solutions to the members, and the Northland Technology Consortium (NTC) was created.

Six years later, NTC is about to morph again, as “NTC 3.0.” Another energized group within NTC has been rethinking the organization’s role in the IT community. Participants have crafted an updated mission that will be unveiled at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the Holiday Inn Duluth Downtown. If you have an IT interest, I urge you to attend.

NTC uses its member power to collaborate, educate and advocate for IT issues. The real energy behind NTC 3.0 is coming from a greater role of higher education in the organization. New interim leadership at NTC is coming from President Steve Wagner, vice president-workforce and community development at Lake Superior College. It’s a reflection of higher education’s interest in closer collaboration with NTC and its members to coordinate IT curriculum changes, internships and even long term placement opportunities for their students.

Other user groups taking a more active role in NTC include business development organizations such as APEX (Area Partnership for Economic Expansion), large employers, financial institutions, integrators, software companies, small businesses developing IT consultants, even the government sector.

NTC is looking for technology providers, users, faculty and students to participate in surveys, communication, membership and for help in meeting NTC 3.0 goals set forth over time.

You can get involved by attending the May 15 event, visiting the NTC Web site and submitting your name and e-mail address to be kept informed about events, programs, surveys and participation.

Brian Fitzgerald is president of CcureIT (see-cure-eye-tee) in Moose Lake. He assesses risk, creates common sense IT policies, helps integrate policy into business practices, tests and manages technology to ensure security of data and other assets. You can reach him at info@CcureIT.com or 800.996.8251.

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