The Connect Event at the 2011 Automation Summit was an innovative speed networking event that used iPads and a custom application to schedule hundreds of 5-minute "power meetings" between attendees based on common interests. Over 80 participants held 384 meetings and made nearly 1000 connections in just 60 minutes. The event strengthened relationships between the Siemens user community and highlighted the creativity of Certified Solution Partners.

1. Connect Event makes an
impressive impression at the
2011 Automation Summit
In order to gain access to the The interactive and fun “Connect Event” at results of the matching process were trans-
new Connect Event Online this year’s Automation Summit was particu- mitted to all iPads. Each person could then
Community website that larly memorable for all attendees! The Con- view a graphical representation of their
nect Event was an innovative, high- personalized meeting schedule that in-
will provide supporting Connect
technology, speed-networking event that cluded a picture of who they would meet, a
Event project information organized hundreds of “power” meetings location where they would meet and a pro-
and access to discussion between participants with similarities in file of the person.
threads, go to their business interests.
Siemens Support Portal and All the participants were reminded that the
As each person entered the Session Room tactical goal of the networking event was
request access to the Connect
where the Connect Event was held, they to make as many personal connections as
Event Forum. It is necessary to were given an iPad to use for the event. A possible in one hour at their brief power
establish a Login Name, pass- picture of each participant was taken using meetings. With that goal in mind, they
word and Nickname for the the iPad and the photo was uploaded to a were immediately challenged with learning
Forum. database using a Siemens SIMATIC NET in- how to use a custom iPad application writ-
dustrial communication wireless Ethernet ten specifically for this event. The informa-
network. Based upon the results of a ques- tion sharing amongst the crowd of engi-
tionnaire completed prior to the event, in- neers was impressive! The energy in the
dividuals were “matched” with other partici- room quickly escalated as the navigation
pants based on their common industry and and use of the iPad application was re-
technology interests as well as their geo- viewed by Keith Jones – President, Prism
graphical proximity to one another. The Systems, a Siemens Certified Solution Part-
meetings were scheduled from an algo- ner, who developed the application.
rithm designed by DMC, Inc. a Siemens Cer-
tified Solution Partner. In order to measure the number of connec-
tions each person made at the event, each
Using the Siemens wireless network, the iPad had an application in which both
Connect Event Sponsors

2. meeting participants agreed on a common interest they During the event, the results of each connection were
discovered during their discussions. The choices of com- displayed on a back drop screen so each user and partner
mon interests that could be matched were personal could see the connections being made in real time! While
rather than business related, such as hobbies or sports. the networking increased, the Chairman of the Solution
This drove the discussions to a more personal level rather Partner Council and President of DMC, Inc., Frank Riordan
than purely business with the expectation that this would summarized the expectations going forward. “Over the
accelerate relationship building at not only the Automa- next 12 months all of the participants will be engaged in a
tion Summit, but beyond. pilot research project to share ideas on how to improve
productivity, including the use of the iPad in the industrial
automation environment. We will share the results of this
event and the results of our research project at the 2012
Automation Summit!”
This event portrays how the Solution Partner Program has
matured and why it has become so successful over the
last five years. Certified Solution Partners, who have
earned the confidence of Siemens and the users, by com-
pleting rigorous written and hands-on testing of their Sie-
mens technology expertise, and have proven their abili-
ties to deliver quality solutions, sponsored the event. The
Connect Event itself is an example of a very successful
and innovative solution designed and implemented in a
very short timeframe and in close collaboration among
Siemens, the Siemens User Advisory Board, and the Solu-
tion Partner Council.
Approximately 20 Solution Partner companies partici-
pated in the 2011 Automation Summit in Orlando, Flor-
After a rapid learning curve, the engaging conversations ida. Their contributions at the Summit, with a theme of
and the quick transitions to each five minute meeting “Navigating the world of automation,” went beyond the
lead to impressive results. In 60 minutes, 80 participants navigation necessary at the Connect Event by delivering
held 384 meetings and made nearly 1000 personal con- “Power User” presentations. These presentations focused
nections. “What was most impressive was that the Con- on Novel Approaches to Problem Resolution, Maintenance
nect Event set the tone for the rest of the conference by & Operations, Safety and Cyber Security, and Improved
encouraging discussion, relationship building and creativ- Performance by Applying Automation Technology.
ity. The Connect Event accomplished what it was de-
signed to do; to strengthen the Siemens User Community,
and to highlight the ingenuity of Certified Solution Part- Siemens Industry, Inc. Solution Partner Program
ners,” according to Peter Treible – National Industrial Part- www.usa.siemens.com/solutionpartner
ner Manager – Siemens Industry, Inc.