COMDDAP Reflections...

COMDDAP – Computer Manufacturer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines launched the 3-day COMDDAP Davao Expo 2009 seminar and exhibit last July 2-4, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of the Apo View Hotel here in Davao City. The seminar has said to have two so-called categories wherein there is a free seminar open for everybody such as students, teachers, IT personnel and other IT interested individuals. There is also a closed seminar for those who had registered with a registration fee of about Php400, I think.


Many schools had participated in the said event. Aside from The University of Southeastern Philippines, I saw some students of Ateneo de Davao University, STI and University of Mindanao and other schools that offer Information technology courses. I have also acquainted a student from the ACES College of Technology of Tagum City. I didn’t recognize other students because they are not wearing either their school uniforms or identification cards.
Upon entering the Grand Ballroom, exhibits from different vendors such as Canon, Hewllet Packard, Smart Bro, Sandbox, Dell and other I.T. companies showcase their latest products and technology innovations. Cool gadgets, software, and other I.T. products that are displayed by the respective booths of different vendors can be seen and tested. The hall was filled with different kinds of people, students and I.T professionals are all alike, all hungry for learning and of the latest innovation of the different technologies of the I.T. vendors.

Few days before the event, we were told to attend such exposition for us to gather knowledge and information that can or may be used for future purposes. It is not compulsory but is required. (Laugh. That was just an expression. The two terms are synonymous.) Well, let’s go on to where we had left. Actually, I didn’t get myself registered for the said event. It was my friend who let me registered (But I asked her to and she’s just too kind to do such request. Thanks buddy!). So, I was registered to attend the 1:00 to 2:00 o’clock seminar that Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to attend it because I was fond of strolling around the hall, hopping from one booth to another and searching for the said room where the seminar took place. It was too late already that I found the Vanda room, where the seminar took place and it was already 2:30 in the afternoon (I was such a loser that time. I should have asked!). I felt so down and left the hotel and went home – boarding house. The next day, I found out that there are some students who failed to register and can still enter the room – venue for the seminar, so I tried to attend the seminar illegally (I think that was the best description for such act.) Luckily, I’ve made it to attend the seminar, unregistered. My conscience is urging me not to but my mind tells me to go. I am thankful that I made it that way because I have learned new things on the seminar (but still my conscience is hunting me).

The first speaker was from the Jupiter System Inc discussing about the ERIC DMS or Enterprise Resource Information and Control Dealer Management System. All I know based in the discussion is that ERIC Dealer Management System is an en-to-end software solution for automotive sales, and service businesses. The discussion covers the services that are catered by automobile companies, how such software can help in relation to this field and others. After the discussion was an open forum. Questions are being answered and limited CD’s of the presentation are distributed for free. Too bad I didn’t have one.

The second presentation was about the HP’s latest innovation the HP Thin Client by speaker from NEXUS Technologies Inc. The presentation really caught my attention. The presentation flowed smoothly as well as the visual presentation that can really catch your attention. HP Thin Client is a computing device that acts as an access device on a network. Though it seems like three-fourths of an actual desktop computer, it answers the problems regarding data loss, suspicious attacks, data access and many others. What astound me are the features the thin client has. It is so portable since it just weights about 3 kg and can be attached anywhere – either below the office table, at the back of the LCD monitor or just beside your monitor. It saves space due to its size. It can endure hot and dusty places such as factories, or gasoline stations because it has no fan that can sip in dust and has the ability to cool down at once. The product has eight USB ports, wherein four of it can be seen and the other four are hidden and locked for security purposes. Thin client has many variations that satisfy user needs. As the presentation went on, the speaker pointed out some institutions that had made use of the thin client. Some of them are a university in Thailand, where they use thin clients in their library, in a five star hotel and in a ticketing booth in an airport. Another one is in a gasoline station somewhere in Asia. I was fascinated by the product, not just by its looks but also its features. I was informed that it is good for networking. But I was thinking if this thin client is a good counterpart for personal computers or stand-alone desktop computers because as far as I know, the interface being used by the thin client is only virtual meaning it does not reside to the particular unit. So, I have a little doubt about using thin client as a personal computer.
After the presentation, a question and answer portion was held and those who had answered the question correctly got prizes such as 1Gb flask drive, Polo shirts and other stuff.

The next presentation came from the Edupro Inc. The presentation was all about Microsoft Windows Server 2003. The software pros and cons are discussed in detailed. The presentation is too technical that I can hardly understand what the speaker is saying. Video tutorials are also present in the discussion. After such, the crowd got energized by the question and answer portion as well as the draw lots performed by the group because of the prizes - naturally.
That was the fruit of attending that seminar, illegally. I really got something from the presentations and was captivated by the exhibits that I wished I had one. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward for more seminars and exhibits to come. I am also looking forward to get some freebies too! (LOL)