COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

WELCOME TO COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

Don’t forget to reach out to your local country user group to get the discount code for the congress!

Common Europe, in collaboration with Common Sweden, is delighted to be holding its annual flagship event, Common Europe Congress, in the friendly city of Gothenburg offering extensive education, networking and relaxation opportunities. It’s also a great opportunity for exploring the city… so why not take a family mini-break as well.
Congress education areas targeted are IBM Power hardware, Application Development, Advanced RPG, Open Source tools and Languages, System Management, Db2 and SQL, IBM Storage, IBM i services and microservices, Security and Compliance and much more.
There will be two AIX / Linux tracks, to emphasize the Power Systems character of Common Europe.
Top IBM Business Architects and industry experts have already agreed to share their knowledge on the latest announcements, customer cases as well as practical subjects.
The congress content includes:

3 ½ days of latest education delivered by top IBM and industry leading speakers punctuated by large breaks offering maximum networking,
Three-hour in-depth workshops, 60 minutes’ education sessions and solution provider’s special slots,
A Solution Providers’ Centre open for 2 ½ days with top European and worldwide technology companies at their booths presenting innovative practical solutions that will enhance our solutions,
A Congress Dinner in the hotel with live entertainment.

We have negotiated special room rates in the Congress hotel itself,
The Common Europe Organization Team looks forward to seeing you in picturesque Gothenburg.

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

10:00 CEST

Data Centric - Moving Business Logik into the Database

Monday June 2, 2025 10:00 - 13:00 CEST

When talking about application modernization database most think about converting from DDS to DDL and redesigning the database Ö and yes, this might be the final goal.
But there is much more Ö because we never can touch the database without respect to the application and vice versa. We have to move from an application-centric thinking to a data centric thinking. In short, instead of coding everything in whatever programming language, we should move as much business logic as possible into the database. It may even include foreign data that is provided and accessed by Web-Services.
But Öwhat does that mean? At first, using encapsulated (complex) SQL Statements wrapped in SQL Views or User Defined Table Functions, externalizing Data Access, adding constraints and triggers, Row And Column Access Control (RCAC) Ö
With all these techniques we cannot only reduce our source code to a minimum but also secure our data!

Speakers

Birgitta Hauser

Database and Software Architect, IBM Champion, Birgitta Hauser - Modernization - Education - Consulting

Birgitta Hauser worked on the IBM i and its predecessors since 1992. She graduated with a business economics diploma, and started programming on the AS/400 in 1992. She worked and works as traditional RPG Programmer but also as Database and Software Engineer, focusing on IBM i application... Read More →

Monday June 2, 2025 10:00 - 13:00 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Workshop

14:00 CEST

Visual Explain workshop - Get hands-on experience LIMITED

Monday June 2, 2025 14:00 - 17:00 CEST

Visual Explain is a short cut to better understand SQL requests and the performance. This hand-on workshop will introduced you to the tools used for analyzing SQL. You will have some labs that will get you started and guide you through different useful exercises. Visual Explain is part of Access Client Solution - ACS. The tool is constantly enhanced, and especially the last year, so the lab will guide you through ways to use the excellent tool. You will be guided through how to analyze and graphically view SQL statements. We will work with information from the Plan Cache snapshot.

Speakers

Morten Buur Rasmussen

Power Performance Specialist, IBM

Morten Buur Rasmussen is a performance Specialist at IBM Technology Expert Labs. Morten has 39 years of experience in the computing field. He started working with the S/38 and AS/400 in 1988 as programmer.Before joining the Lab Services and Expert Labs, he worked for IBM Denmark and... Read More →

Monday June 2, 2025 14:00 - 17:00 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Workshop

10:40 CEST

IBM i Ecosystem: Resources and Events for a Successful Career LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:40 - 11:40 CEST

This session will provide information about the resources available to learn and master IBM i, as well as training and certification opportunities. This information will help participants better understand industry expectations and the skills sought by employers. Additionally, it will highlight key events related to IBM i that anyone can participate in, offering not only learning opportunities but also networking possibilities with professionals in the field.

Speakers

Zouhair Oulli

Ansible for IBM i specialist, Kyndryl

As a specialist in Ansible on IBM i, I develop use cases that help delivery teams at Kyndryl automate their daily tasks and processes.I love creating IBM i related content and sharing knowledge with everyone through my website: https://zouhair-oulli.notion.siteI am a board member... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 10:40 - 11:40 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

11:50 CEST

Enhancing, Improving, and Growing your IBM i Team LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:50 - 12:50 CEST

All teams adapt and change over time, and all organizations face challenges dealing with same. We will explore keeping your current team happy, healthy, and moving forward. How to foster professional development and empower employees to continue enhancing their knowledge base. Then we will move into on boarding new talent focusing on those new to IBM i; special attention will be paid to experienced professionals coming into an i profession from another specialty. We will conclude with attracting new professionals to the industry and adapting to the unique strengths of their youth.

Speakers

Yvonne Enselman

Principal Architect for Quality Assurance on IBM i, Yvonne Enselman Professional Services

Tuesday June 3, 2025 11:50 - 12:50 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

14:00 CEST

Upgrade your TODAY! LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 14:00 - 15:00 CEST

We all want to upgrade our computer, car, house, phone... The list goes on and on. But how about upgrading our TODAY, so we get the most out of each new day? How much more productive would TODAY be if we could focus on the right things? How would you like to give your TODAY a processor upgrade, and get more done TODAY? How about a memory upgrade, so forgotten tasks don't fall through the cracks TODAY, and all the information you need will be at your fingertips TODAY? What does each new TODAY mean to you, and how do you make the most of it? Attend this session to upgrade your TODAY, and make TODAY matter!

Attend this session to learn:
- The value of each day and how to live TODAY to the fullest with no regrets
- How to spend each TODAY wisely by focusing on the right things, supercharging our productivity
- Ways to use tools and develop systems to be organized TODAY, supplementing our limited memories

Audience:
- Everyone who wants to make the most of all their TODAY's should attend this session!

Speakers

Steve Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son

Steven Wolk is the Chief Technology Officer for PC Richard & Son, a family owned and operated chain of 66 appliance and electronics superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Founded in 1909, PC Richard has always been known for honesty, integrity, and reliability throughout... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

15:15 CEST

Sponsor session: Rocket Software LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:15 - 15:40 CEST

Sponsors

Rocket Software

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:15 - 15:40 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Solution provider

15:50 CEST

Avoid Distractions, Get Focused

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:50 - 16:50 CEST

We live in a world of endless distractions. Get distracted and you lose focus. According to research, it takes around 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction.
Should we manage the distractions? Or let ourselves get distracted? Or learn to focus despite the distractions? If you can’t focus your attention, how can you accomplish anything?
This session will teach you how to identify when and why you’re being distracted, what to do about it, and how to increase your focus.

Speakers

Kim Greene

President, Kim Greene Consulting, Inc.

Kim Greene is president of Kim Greene Consulting, Inc. specializing in providing consulting services for the HCL Collaboration Solutions portfolio for IBM i, Windows, and Linux. Kim has over 20 years of experience with IBM Domino and 25 years of experience with the AS/400, iSeries... Read More →

Tuesday June 3, 2025 15:50 - 16:50 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

17:00 CEST

Technical knowledge basics for project managers LIMITED

Tuesday June 3, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 CEST

Project managers, quality assurance testers, and business analysts all need to know the fundamentals of the technical projects they support. This session is a review of what technicians are facing currently and a survey of what can be used as a baseline for further education. As project plans and tests become more complicated and these professionals are a conduit between teams a need for general tech basics can be helpful to facilitate communication.

Review cross department and technology interactions and technologies professionals need for management.
Review trends in upcoming strategic planning and provide an overview of where the IBMi intersects with other technologies we may not be as familiar with.

Professionals who are supporting evolving tech environments and want a better understanding of evolving practices.
NOTE: This is presented with Tony Owens

Speakers

Yvonne Enselman

Principal Architect for Quality Assurance on IBM i, Yvonne Enselman Professional Services

Tuesday June 3, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

08:00 CEST

The Ninja Guide to Building Teams and Creating Engagement! LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 08:00 - 09:00 CEST

Sure, Ninjas are cool, and they're fun to talk about. And more importantly, there's a leadership lesson there... Ninjas are always 100% ENGAGED! They equate their personal success with the success of their team, and of their mission. How productive would your teams be if they were always completely engaged, like Ninjas? Whether you're a leader looking to learn the secrets behind building strong teams and keeping them engaged, or a team member who wants to better understand team dynamics, you'll find this session illuminating.

During this session you'll learn:
- Hiring tips to ensure you get the people you need on your team (and to communicate better with them)
- Learn to interview candidates like a pro (or to ace your next interview)
- Techniques to build your bench by creating a reserve of good will
- How to keep your people motivated (and yourself!)
- Methods to align your team's success (as well as your own) with that of your organization
By the end of this session you'll have the tools you need to build a team of the best and brightest, and keep them as engaged as... Ninjas!

Audience:
- Everyone who leads other people - or works as part of a team - will benefit from this session!

Speakers

Steve Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son

Steven Wolk is the Chief Technology Officer for PC Richard & Son, a family owned and operated chain of 66 appliance and electronics superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Founded in 1909, PC Richard has always been known for honesty, integrity, and reliability throughout... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 08:00 - 09:00 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

10:20 CEST

10 Simple and Impactful Techniques to Improve Your Professional Skills LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST

This session is designed to help IT professionals adopt 10 simple and impactful techniques to practice and improve their professional or 'soft' skills. You'll hear about improving your listening, practicing facilitation, showing empathy, using white boarding, writing better technical reports and presentations, conducting peer reviews, and practicing self-awareness.

Speakers

Ian Jarman

CTO Systems Expert Labs, IBM

A leader in the IBM Systems community, Ian has managed IBM's worldwide portfolio of IBM Power Systems software products, including IBM i, AIX, Linux, PowerVM and PowerHA. His specialties include worldwide brand and product management for enterprise IT systems, software and services... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

11:30 CEST

Organizing Technical Projects LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30 - 12:30 CEST

Technical resources are highly in demand and their time needs to be used as efficiently as possible. Project management is the technique needed to offload tasks to administrative personal or junior team members. In this session we will discuss the needs of specialized engineers, multiple disciple teams, communication between departments and silos. Our focus will be on how everyone can ensure all the needed info for any given project is organized and communicated.

Write and contribute to project plan documents.
Communicate between teams and departments.
Form strong partnerships between technical and business resources
NOTE: Presented with Tony Owens

Speakers

Yvonne Enselman

Principal Architect for Quality Assurance on IBM i, Yvonne Enselman Professional Services

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30 - 12:30 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

12:40 CEST

TBD LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:40 - 13:05 CEST

Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:40 - 13:05 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Solution provider

14:05 CEST

AI Throughout Your Day!

Wednesday June 4, 2025 14:05 - 15:05 CEST

Tired of all the hype surrounding AI? Would you like to be more productive using AI - today - but you're not sure where to start? Or maybe you've scratched the surface with AI, but want to learn more? Either way, this is the session for you! Here we skip the theory and dive straight into real-world applications that boost productivity and streamline daily tasks using AI based tools. Join us for this session and leave with tangible skills to supercharge your productivity, while producing better results, with less effort!

Join this session to learn how to:
- Craft professional emails, reports, and letters in a fraction of the time
- Dive into data analysis without the headache
- Help you write code better and faster
- Unlock your creative side to make art you'll be proud of - even if you can't draw a straight line!
- Use AI throughout your day for personal and fun tasks as well as at work
- Get the most out of the many diverse AI tools available today for maximum productivity
- Whether you're new to AI or just looking for practical ideas, you'll leave with real examples and skills you can start using immediately for both professional and personal tasks. Join us to learn how to put AI to use for you today!

Audience:
Everyone who is curious about AI and would like to be more productive at work and in their personal life will benefit from this session. AI isn't just for data scientists anymore - it's a valuable tool we can all benefit from every day!

Speakers

Steve Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son

Steven Wolk is the Chief Technology Officer for PC Richard & Son, a family owned and operated chain of 66 appliance and electronics superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Founded in 1909, PC Richard has always been known for honesty, integrity, and reliability throughout... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 14:05 - 15:05 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development, AI

15:20 CEST

It's How you Say It. A Guide to Effective Public Speaking LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 15:20 - 16:20 CEST

An introduction to techniques and exercises to help you look after, develop and use your voice effectively for public speaking. This practical overview offers advice and tips for handling nervousness, correct breathing, tone, creating vocal variation etc. to actively engage with your audience .

Speakers

Jonathon Sawdon

Executive Secretary, Common Europe

Jonathon is a professional actor, writer, drama teacher, presenter and voice coach.He has several film and TV credits to his name, has appeared in numerous corporate films and advertisements as well as various corporate and commercial voice overs.He also works in the business sector... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 15:20 - 16:20 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

16:30 CEST

It's How you Say It. A Guide to Effective Public Speaking Part 2 LIMITED

Wednesday June 4, 2025 16:30 - 17:30 CEST

An in-depth practical session to develop and build vocal delivery and confidence for public speaking. Following the content from part 1, this session allows you to practice the exercises and techniques using speeches and texts in a group environment and receive feedback on your 'performance'.

Speakers

Jonathon Sawdon

Executive Secretary, Common Europe

Jonathon is a professional actor, writer, drama teacher, presenter and voice coach.He has several film and TV credits to his name, has appeared in numerous corporate films and advertisements as well as various corporate and commercial voice overs.He also works in the business sector... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 16:30 - 17:30 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

09:10 CEST

Strategic IT - Partnering with the Business and Communicating for Success! LIMITED

Thursday June 5, 2025 09:10 - 10:10 CEST

What are your career goals? Sure, we're all great with technology, but to continue growing in our careers requires that we do the unthinkable... we actually have to TALK to each other. And even worse... we have to TALK to the business people in our companies! Why? WHY? Why would we possibly want to TALK to PEOPLE? The answer to that question is that today more than ever, technology IS the business. So it makes sense that IT can help or hurt a business more than ever. It's critical that we align our IT efforts, goals, and strategies with those of the business - and all of that requires good communication. Would you like to have a seat at the table, to be taken seriously as a businessperson, and to have a voice in the decisions our companies make? Then this is the session for you. Take that first step outside your comfort zone, and you may just find yourself listened to with newfound respect and interest by your business. Come to this session to partner with your business and communicate for success!

Speakers

Steve Wolk

CTO, PC Richard & Son

Steven Wolk is the Chief Technology Officer for PC Richard & Son, a family owned and operated chain of 66 appliance and electronics superstores located throughout NY, NJ, CT, and PA. Founded in 1909, PC Richard has always been known for honesty, integrity, and reliability throughout... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 09:10 - 10:10 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

10:20 CEST

Are you a Sail, or an Anchor? LIMITED

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST

Throughout your career you will be placed into many situations. You will work with peers, subordinates and superiors. You will work with vendors and customers. You will work with those inside and outside of Information Technology. All of those people will form an opinion of you. What will it be? Each time you meet a challenge, each time you are asked for your opinion, each time you will provide input. In what manner will you respond? Will people think of you as a Sail or an Anchor?

Speakers

Larry Bolhuis

Cloud and Datacenter Engineer, IBM Champion, Service Express Inc.

Larry has grown up with computers since his father became a CE in 1967. He obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Calvin College in 1982 and soon after began working on IBM midrange equipment with the S/34 and S/36. Larry began working on the As/400 at its introduction In 1988.After spending many years as a developer Larry began working on communications, networking, and systems management tasks. Years of... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 CEST
08 - R11/R12

Personal Development

COMMON EUROPE CONGRESS 2025

From €204.79