CWC and ITAC partner to advance the interests of women in technology careers
November 16, 2006 – Canadian Women in Communications (CWC) and the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) are pleased to announce a new cooperative agreement aimed at supporting the participation and advancement of women in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector through involvement in CWC and its programs. Please click here for the full text of the news release.

ITAC's Pre-Budget Submission - "Building a Productive and Competitive Knowledge-Based Economy in Canada"
On October 31, ITAC submitted its pre-budget submission, "Building a Productive and Competitive Knowledge-Based Economy in Canada" to the Minister of Finance and the Clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance. In our submission, we applaud the commitment of this Government to build a more competitive and productive Canadian economy. The complete submission is available at: www.itac.ca/PolicyandAdvocacy/Papers/06Oct31Pre-BudgetSubmission.pdf

October 2006 Netflash Highlights:
"Does ICT Matter to SMBs?" • Mike Zafirovski Launches Technology Executive Breakfast Series • TATA lecture series: A frontline perspective on the Indian IT Revolution • Doing Business With Rogers • Benchmarking Project Management in Microelectronics • ITAC SMB Breakfast Series • ITAC CEO Addresses Manitoba's tech community • PSBC Update: Professional Services Supply Arrangements • HR Forum

Small and Medium Business Owners Believe ICTs Can Improve Productivity...But Invest Elsewhere
Small and medium-sized business owners believe that investment in information and communications technology (ICT) will improve their operational efficiency and drive productivity. Nevertheless, they plan to make business investments elsewhere, most notably in the acquisition and retention of staff and in non-ICT related operating expenses and capital investments.

This information is one of the key findings in a new study on SMB business owners’ attitudes toward ICTs. The study, “Does ICT Matter to SMBs in Canada?”, was conducted by IDC Canada on behalf of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC). It was designed to provide a deeper insight into the key pressures SMB owners face in the operation of their businesses and to explore their attitudes toward the use of ICT tools in their operations. To conduct their study, IDC interviewed 300 owners and senior business executives from firms with 20 to 999 employees in all parts of Canada and across all industrial sectors.

To view the entire news release, please click here. For a copy of the study's executive summary, please click here.

Benchmarking Project Management in Microelectronics
October 17, 2006 – Steve Csermak, Gennum Corporation's manager of project management, lead a lively discussion of his craft with a number of representatives from microelectronics companies in the Toronto area on October 12. The discussion revolved around the tools, processes and standards for project management and also served as an informal benchmark for best practice. Steve concluded his presentation with the suggestion that an anonymous benchmarking survey conducted by ITAC would deliver real benefit to the industry. The idea was well received in the room so ITAC staff is currently exploring how to get this done. Any other microelectronics company representatives interested in guiding or participating in this project should contact Lynda Leonard at 613-238-4822 x223. The next Toronto area best practice forum will address the topic, "Evolving from Hardware to Software," and will take place in early 2007.

ITAC CEO Addresses Manitoba's tech community
Bernard Courtois, President and CEO of ITAC, was the featured speaker at the Information and Communication Technology Association of Manitoba’s (ICTAM) annual general meeting in Winnipeg on October 10. ICTAM and ITAC are partners in the Canadian ICT Federation, an alliance of Canada's key local and provincial tech associations. Bernard’s speech, “Improving Canadian Productivity Through ICT Adoption,” can be downloaded here.

Mike Zafirovski Launches 2006/7 Technology Executive Breakfast Series
Mike Zafirovski, President and CEO of Nortel, made his first Ottawa area speech before a sold-out room at a breakfast co hosted by ITAC and OCRI on September 28. He took the opportunity to share the stage with John Roese, chief technology officer at the leader of Nortel’s team in Ottawa, as well as other members of his senior staff, including ITAC board member Peter Carbone. Mike's presentation is available here.

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ITAC High Tech Compensation Survey 2006