The User Group was once again a fantastic opportunity for Australian users of InPlace to meet and discuss all things InPlace to ultimately learn more about the product, the direction it is taking and extract lessons from their peers undertaking similar processes in their Schools and Faculties.
The two-day conference was hosted by Monash University and the University of Canberra, with thanks to Deakin University for the space they provided in their Melbourne Corporate offices. The conference was very well attended by all of our Australian clients with over 55 attendees in total.
Of importance to all InPlace users is seeing our vision and the direction of the product including new features to be released or presently in development, and this is where we began on day 1 after updates and introductions. The product update was well received with significant new developments to show off including:
- Opportunities: Manage the creation, advertising and application process for opportunities such as jobs, events, overseas study or internships and as a placement allocation method.
- InSight: Survey and Assessment Tool with powerful reporting engine
- Cost Management: interfaces with finance system for complete payment, invoicing, RCTI and reconciling of costs with placements
- New interfaces and usability updates plus other new feature
Next, we open the floor for discussion where our clients have the opportunity to provide feedback and input into our roadmap which is very well received and makes the InPlace team proud to see the passion and enthusiasm of the InPlace users and university representatives.
One of the main aims and focus of the user group is to increase collaboration between users and to
learn from each other’s experiences, methodologies and workflows. The afternoon sessions were focused on achieving this, and included management of the social networking platforms and monthly teleconferences that help promote and foster this interaction between users and information sharing via round table discussions on key topics including Work Ready programs, student accessibility and process mapping.
An enjoyable dinner was had by all on the first evening in Lygon St.
The next morning was consumed by two QuantumIT led sessions, the first reviewed priorities for development and encouraged feedback from our clients as we opened the floor to review our development direction involving the audience. The second session demonstrated outcomes from our previous User Group and how this involvement was continually providing great forward planning and developments.
Next up were discipline focused breakaway groups led by representatives from a School or Discipline including groups for Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health & Medicine, Business and Project management and focused on aligning users with similarities to learn from each other which continued throughout the afternoon.
It is very encouraging to see so much focus and enthusiasm from all involved in the User Group and the involvement in the product and its direction from our network of Australian clients. There was widespread support for the continuation of the six-monthly conference and monthly webinars. We are all looking forward to the next User Group in November 2013.
The InPlace Team
