David Wesst

Get into the holiday coding spirit with The 11ty Days of Web Development! In this festive session, unwrap the magic of 11ty, the JavaScript-based static site generator that makes building fast and flexible websites a joy. Whether you're a developer on Santa's "nice" list or just getting started, we'll guide you through setting up 11ty, exploring its powerful features, and creating your own web gift for the world. Join us for a holly-jolly introduction to modern web development tools—no Grinches allowed!

IT Architecture practice is a different kind of tech role. You code less (or not at all), you have more meetings, you write a lot of documents, draw a lot of pictures, and have no real authority over anyone or anything. Yet as bizarre as this role sounds, we continue to see more and more organizations create their own architecture practices to align their technology teams and forge a unified path forward. In this session, you will learn about the role of IT Architecture in an organization and how IT architects work together navigate the enterprise and create consistency across multiple business units with different goals.

They said it was impossible. They said it couldn’t be done. They said they would never move our customized commercial off the shelf (COTS) application and move it into the cloud. They were not a Solution Architect. This session we will go through nearly 3-year journey to move a customized, Oracle-powered, on-premsis COTS ERP, and move it to a cloud powered version of itself with modern development practices. We will review the good parts, the bad parts, and provide you with your own enterprise solution architecture cheatsheet to find success in the impossibly large tasks.

Effective communication is a critical part of any developer’s career, and that includes delivering compelling presentations. Are you ready to take your technical presentations to the next level? This introductory talk is perfect for anyone looking to create more engaging and effective presentations without relying solely on PowerPoint. Discover easy-to-use tools and practical techniques that make your message clear and captivating. Learn how to incorporate interactive visuals, live demos, and storytelling elements to connect with your audience. Whether you’re presenting at a conference, meeting, or workshop, this session will equip you with the basics to confidently deliver presentations that leave a lasting impression.

Neo had to take the red pill to hack the Matrix. But as solution architects, you don't need any pills to hack IT governance! In this presentation, we'll explore how you can drive change in IT governance as a solution architect, even without direct authority. We'll show you how to leverage your ninja solution architecture skills to build consensus, foster collaboration, and achieve meaningful change across the organization. So, put down the pills, and join us for a fun and informative session!

This enterprise architecture-centric session delves into the evolving integration landscape within today’s market, emphasizing the strategic necessity of distinguishing between integrations, orchestrations, and automations. The presentation argues for the development of a robust foundation that supports data and digital governance, which is critical for managing these three integration types effectively. This foundational strategy not only streamlines current processes but also sets the stage for leveraging Artificial Intelligence technologies. Attendees will explore how to build and implement integration strategies that not only meet current needs but also anticipate future technological advancements and business requirements. The session provides actionable insights into creating a cohesive framework that facilitates both immediate improvements and long-term innovation.

Are you ready for the AI revolution? This presentation will explore the current state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and whether it's truly ready for the mainstream. We'll cover everything from the basics of AI to its potential impact on industries, job roles, and society as a whole. Whether you're an AI skeptic or enthusiast, this is your chance to join the conversation and share your thoughts on the future of AI in the world. Come ready to learn, debate, and have some fun!

In this panel conversation, I have a chat with Jared Kozak, the CEO of Karve IT. We discuss how this technology, just like any brand new hyped up technology, has a lot of risk when it comes to adopting it, but also some great rewards. We also explore the potential challenges that come with using Generative AI, such as ethical, legal, and social implications. Jared shares his insights and experiences on how to balance innovation and responsibility, and when it makes sense to take on scary new technology like Generative AI.

How do you upgrade a customized Banner SSB8 in record time and get ready for the cloud? With a lot of guts, grit, and humor. Jackson and David are here to tell you how. They have faced skeptics, challenges, and deadlines, but the key is to never give up. They rallied the campus community around the project’s vision and are making it happen. This is their story of turning the impossible into the incredible.