QAI and DocPoint Solutions

6th Annual User Conference in Annapolis, Maryland

On September 23, 2011, Quality Associates, Inc. (QAI) and DocPoint Solutions hosted their highly anticipated annual User Conference. Clients, partners, end-users and professionals from the electronic content management (ECM) and Microsoft SharePoint industries attended, as well as federal, state and local government agencies; educational associations; and manufacturing, healthcare and other companies.

“The Marriott Waterfront Hotel in downtown Annapolis provided the perfect setting for the conference,” said Lora Martin, marketing manager, QAI and DocPoint Solutions. “Its location and facilities provided the relaxed educational environment we sought, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about the newest innovations in ECM as they networked with each other, QAI and DocPoint staff and our strategic business solutions partners.”

Scott Swidersky, executive director, QAI, and president, DocPoint Solutions, welcomed everyone and introduced keynote speaker Markus Most, director of business development, NARA. His presentation titled “The Rhythm of Records Management” provided a humorous and informative overview of records management over the past 10 years and gave a glimpse into its likely future. 

Next, Bob Dickerson, vice president, DocPoint Solutions, offered insights on the wide-ranging applications of the Microsoft SharePoint platform. He delivered a thought-provoking discussion titled “Using SharePoint as an ECM Solution”  in which he addressed the platform’s versatility and adaptability, as well as its costs advantages.

QAI then opened the floor to its sponsors and technology partners via a vendor breakout session. Beyond showcasing the latest innovations developed by QAI and DocPoint’s business partners, the exhibit allowed attendees to strategize on how new technologies could enhance their organization’s unique business processes. Generous sponsorships from Platinum Sponsor Eastman Kodak Company and Gold Sponsors Fujitsu and Kofax, as well as Canon, ibml, AvePoint, HiSoftware and Nintex, made the 2011 User Conference possible.

“QAI’s annual conference is a great forum where our company representatives can interact with current and potential end-users,” commented Mike Friel, channel sales manager, Kodak. “It allows us to stay attuned to their changing business needs and thereby fulfill our ongoing commitment to give customers the full complement of scanner products, software, solutions and services they need.”

“The opportunity to obtain end-user feedback outside the office setting is invaluable,” added Mark Muehlberger, channel sales service manager. “So, too, is the chance to let others know about our unparalleled service offerings. What separates Kodak from its competitors is the service behind every product we sell.”

Lunch on the hotel’s patio, which overlooks the Chesapeake Bay, followed. The menu offered attendees a wide variety of entrees from which to choose. As they ate, Orlando Phillips performed Calypso, Soca and Reggae music featuring vocals, steel drums and saxophone.

After another vendor breakout session, attendees gathered to hear Maxine Given,

senior director of finance and administration, The Fund for Johns Hopkins

Medicine, speak on her organization’s implementation of an automated remote check deposit solution. Her presentation entitled  “Johns Hopkins Medicine ‘Cures’ Inefficient Donor Gift Processing”  traced how a QAI-Kodak collaboration reduced Hopkins’ 17-step manual check deposit process to just 7 steps using technology and reduced check deposit time from 10 days to 3.

Then, Orbital Sciences’ Greg Marcinkowski, senior Microsoft system engineer, and Michelle Walker, manager of information technology, jointly presented a case study on “The Evolution of a Well-Organized Central Repository.”  NASA required Orbital, which is the prime contractor for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract II (NSROC II), to provide a repository for information dissemination and collection. Working with DocPoint Solutions, Orbital developed a single, easy-to-navigate portal using SharePoint. Now, users can access many different systems from one central interface.

Next, Ralph Gammon, publisher of Document Imaging Report, mediated a technology panel. The panel members included Salvador Barragan, IDB, David VanderEems, Iron Mountain, and Rick Churchville, Kodak. The panel addressed questions on document imaging trends across all levels of government, both domestic and foreign; demand for SharePoint in ECM solutions; benefits of cloud technologies; advances in mobile capture technology; and the challenges associated with advanced OCR and auto-document classification.

Heather Tuckfield, volunteer program manager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, then spoke on “Saving a National Treasure.”  Pollution is a major problem plaguing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Foundation acts as a watchdog to preserve the Bay and educate business, government and the public on the need to be proactive. Heather’s address edified attendees on the wonders of the watershed and the urgent need to restore the Bay.

Next, the 74-foot schooners Woodwind and Woodwind II set sail for a tour of the Bay, passing the U.S. Naval Academy on its outbound course. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful Annapolis skyline from a different perspective, and some even took turns at the helm under the watchful eyes of the respective captains. Everyone agreed that experiencing the Bay from this perspective reinforced the poignancy of Heather’s save-the-Bay message.

The day wrapped up with a happy hour that included drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the Deck of the Marriott. Attendees, staff and sponsors relaxed, mingled and enjoyed the beautiful late afternoon waterfront sights just prior to sunset.

“Our conference brings together the best minds in the content management industry for a special, one-day event that combines education and networking,” said Scott Swidersky. “It provides a rare opportunity for industry thought leaders, customers, business partners and others to share perspectives, business trends and new technologies in an environment designed to promote information sharing. There was something for everyone, and I’m sure many businesses will benefit from the knowledge exchange that occurred here today.”

Interested in attending future QAI events? Please contact Lora Martin.

TESTIMONIALS

"Great event!  Great networking opportunity, it's amazing how the attendance keeps growing year after year which speaks highly for QAI."

- Eli Petrova, Senior Account Manager, Kofax

"It was a truly delightful and informative user conference we were honored to be invited to attend. Markus Most’s presentation, it should be noted, was particularly eloquent in his delivery that effortlessly drew out smiles from us audience and kept us fascinated in the progression of records management from past, present, and future.

The vendor show was enlightening with the variety of scanners on display demonstrating their ability to generate PDF’s. I found that the representatives were attentive with inquires I had made and freely supplied responses in conjunction with detailed pamphlets.
The technology panel was also intriguing by providing us a glimpse into the continuing evolution of the cloud system. Lastly, I just like to thank the staff from QAI whom I found profoundly accommodating to our needs."

- Carlos J. Bonilla, GLP Archivist, BioReliance Corporation

"QAI annual user event continues to grow and is a great networking opportunity for me.  There is an outstanding cross-section of high-volume imaging users, government personnel, ISV representatives, and other industry personnel in attendance.  It's a great crew for knowledge sharing, as well as some fun."

- Ralph Gammon, Document Imaging Report

"A fantastic way for representatives from all facets of the industry to mingle.  Year after year I meet new associates that come to this event from all over the U.S because of the informative, yet relaxed environment.  I never walk away questioning why I attended: I only want to know when it's happening again"

- Christopher Foreman, Senior VP, AvePoint

"I thought the user conference was excellent! The presentation by the individual from the National Archives was very well done.  I felt that content was delivered in an engaging way that kept my interest throughout the entire presentation.  The overall atmosphere was welcoming and delivered like family.  Very impressive event! I really enjoyed it!"

- Christine Rivard, Director,Technical Implementations, Iron Mountain