Keith Edwards

When I mention I'm an IT manager, one of the first questions I get: "Is your team on-prem, hybrid, or remote?" It's become one of those news cycle curiosities, "In at 11, where does Johnson file his TPS reports??" Seems silly with the amount of technology available -- unless you're pulling cable or desk side, you're almost certainly able to do much of your role remotely. You adapt to the tools, implement systems, train, and communicate. Rinse. Repeat. Success. It works, may need to herd cats sometimes, but that goes with the territory. My crew is hybrid, works great for us and results to boot! How do you do things on your team?

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Manually processing 1,500 forms a year? That’s a ticking time bomb. 💣 Your employees might be on the brink of burnout... That was the situation at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. Then we implemented a digital transformation solution and, everything changed: ➡ Power Pages eliminated manual data entry ➡ Power Automate streamlined approvals and notifications ➡ Power BI provided real-time insights The result? 500 hours saved and stress eliminated. Keep your team from burning out and give them the tools they need to work smarter, not harder. 👉 Read the full success story and see how automation made a difference: https://lnkd.in/grtZzEv2 #DigitalTransformation #ProcessAutomation #PowerPlatform #Efficiency #EmployeeWellbeing #BusinessIntelligence #PowerAutomate #PowerBI #WorkSmarter #SuccessStory 

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Hey everyone, I did a thing! I'm new to this whole "writing an opinion piece" thing, but I'm pretty happy with how this turned out! Most folks know by now I'm really passionate about the Generative AI space and responsible ways for using it - I hope to share more of my thoughts like this in the future. #genai #generativeai #responsibleai

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It's "Post-Election" Hump Day! Sometimes you make your choices and it turns out good and sometimes it turns out bad. Sometimes you are just stuck between choosing the lesser of 2 evils. Don't get stuck with limited choices when you are searching for your next IT Leader. Let me find your next employee! It's time to check the box and give me a call... It's as easy as calling my name! MIKE MIKE MIKE #MikeMikeMike #FindGreatPeople #ITLeadership #HumpDay #ElectionDay

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This important guidance from OIRA will help federal agencies take steps to learn and understand how people make use of government websites and online forms. It's a watershed moment, and a lot of people in the world of #CivicTech are really excited about this. I am too. But conducting usability research and understanding users needs is just one part of making government digital services better. To actually help users, agency product teams need to be able to quickly, securely, and reliably deliver new features and enhancements to digital services into production. And this is something that many agencies will continue to struggle with even after this guidance becomes more widely adopted. If government product teams can't quickly iterate on their digital service offerings through regular, rapid code deploys, it doesn't matter whether they are able to conduct user research. If you can't easily deploy changes, you can't help users. https://lnkd.in/gDCsNFRp #ServiceDelivery #DigitalServices #UserResearch

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A recruiter reached out to me about a REMOTE architecture role that some of you might be interested in. If you are, message me and I’ll connect you with the recruiter – I’ve never worked with this person before, so consider this a public service announcement and proceed at your own risk. :)   Our client is consolidating 5 Microsoft Active Directory domains into a single modern environment, leading to a unified desktop instance on AWS Workspace. As a result, we are looking for experts with experience in Solution Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Automation, or Security Engineering, ideally with strong Azure, AWS, and identity management backgrounds. The roles would involve leading the AD cleanup, domain consolidation, and implementing a new identity management system in Microsoft Entra ID.   Below are the specifications for each role. Note these are high visibility roles that will require the ability to function as the SME and advise our client on the not only the best steps for the immediate future, but also in forming 5 year plans. 1. Solution Architect o Experience: 10+ years in IT architecture, with 5+ years in cloud and identity management. o Certifications: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, TOGAF. o Competencies: System design, cloud and security architecture, integration. o Responsibilities: Design Entra ID architecture, ensure security and compliance, provide technical guidance. 2. Enterprise Architect o Experience: 12+ years in IT architecture, with enterprise-level project experience. o Certifications: TOGAF, Enterprise Administrator Expert. o Competencies: Enterprise architecture, strategic planning, technology alignment. o Responsibilities: Align project with IT strategy, oversee integration with existing systems, ensure compliance.

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If you are a state or local government entity you should continue your work to comply with upcoming Title II regulations, which will require full conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA with narrow exceptions. But don't forget to pay attention to current activities; the DOJ has made clear that their position is that the regulations reflect what they believe are already existing obligations under the law to provide access. If you sell websites, web content, or mobile apps to state and local government customers, now is the time to get ready for your customers to demand a plan from you. #a11y #accessibility #enforcement

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So, I'm going off-script this one. I left my house this morning, in a rural small town in the Appalachian Mountains, heading to DC for the AgileDC 2024 conference. I left my family, who have been without power for days, spending our days clearing trees and debris and our nights tiredly eating canned spaghetti cooked atop a Coleman camp stove...and we are the LUCKY ones. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left 2.4 million people without power, thousands without homes, and close to a hundred lost their life. Sure, we prepare for blizzards and ice storms in the mountains, but a Hurricane? Hitting with this level of destruction this far inland? It's unfathomable. So, why did I leave during this time of crisis? For a conference? Because I believe in this cause! AgileDC is a non-profit and "All proceeds are donated to charities chosen by the volunteers", like Feeding America and the International Relief fund. Their mission is to be "...catalysts for mainstream agile adoption in the government and not for profits space in the DC area and beyond"....while supporting and giving back to communities. I am honored to have been chosen to speak at this conference on Embracing Neurodiversity in our Agile Practices. CGI is one of the sponsors because this organization aligns our internal culture of social responsibility and philanthropy. I am truly grateful for organizations like CGI and AgileDC who prioritize humans helping humans. https://lnkd.in/gzDV-DWH #AgileDC #Agility #federalgovernment #WeAreCGI #CGI #Agile

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I was recently asked by a friend for advice on hiring an IT Security and Support Partner for their business. As someone in the industry, I understand how overwhelming the process can be. There are numerous options available, making it challenging to determine who is reliable. If you Google "how to choose an IT Security and Support Partner," you'll encounter many articles listing "red flags" to be cautious of. 🚩 While it's useful to be aware of these, choosing a partner should be about more than just the absence of red flags. You should feel entirely confident in your decision. So, here are some green flags to consider when selecting an IT Security and Support Partner: ☑️ They have a clear and efficient process for onboarding new clients. ☑️ There is open and transparent communication with a dedicated point of contact. ☑️ Their pricing is transparent and fair, without any hidden fees or unexpected charges. ☑️ They have a proven track record of successfully supporting businesses in your industry. ☑️ They take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Focusing on these positive aspects can make the difference between a good working relationship and a great one. What other factors do you think are important to consider when choosing an IT Security and Support Partner? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #Cybersecurity #Technology #SmallBusiness

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My wife recently started using Vultron after I told her to check it out. She stated she wanted to get back to work supporting proposals, writing, or providing recruiting services. She has made a view post on her company page about it. Although I am not as knowledgeable about the tool, it is helping her with her current client(s). One thing I think is cool is the integrated Sam.gov search feature; you can seamlessly move government documents from Sam.gov to your project folder to begin your proposal development. #proposalmanagement #GenAI #GenerativeAi

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I have been asked to present one of my Power Automate flows that I am building at Blackbaud's bbdevdays. This will be my first time presenting any type of coding. One of the challenges facing development offices is processing "inkind" gifts. "Inkind" gifts are basically gifts of "stuff." This includes anything from highly valuable art work to donations of canned goods to a food bank. These gifts often have to evaluated and verified by outside departments before going to gift processing. Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHCNYM) was looking to move away from paper forms and manual data entry. So I created a Microsoft Office Form to collect the information. The form allows for uploading a picture of the dontation. The Power Automate Flow starts an approval process that pushes the information from the form, including the picture, to the relevant department for verification. When verified, a second approval process is sent to the accounting department, including the picture, to ensure the gift qualifies according to all applicable laws and policies. When approved, the donor is automatically emailed an acknowledgment letter. If at any point the approval is regected the person regecting the donation adds the reason in the comments section of the approal and the donor is automatically emailed a rejection letter with the reason. All the of the approvals results, comments and who approved or rejected are added to the form results in the assoicated Excel sheet and the gift process. I've only been using Power Automate for a few months and this was the first one I built fully on my own so I am pretty proud of it. There are still a few tweaks that I am hoping the group will be able to provide some advice but all-in-all I think it is pretty good. Caveat for my earlier statement about building on my own, throughout the past few months I have recieved incredible advice from Austen Brown and Alex Wong and others in the Blackbaud Power Automate Community.

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Thought of the day: In my years of leading IT teams, one lesson stands out: the most advanced frameworks can fall flat if your team isn’t properly equipped to use them. Frameworks promise efficiency, structure, and scalability. But without intentional training and a deep understanding of their nuances, they can become a burden rather than a benefit. I’ve seen this firsthand. Implementing a framework without adequate preparation often results in confusion, inconsistent practices, and frustrated team members. It’s not enough to simply adopt a framework; success lies in how well your team is trained to navigate and leverage it. Training isn’t just about teaching the steps—it’s about embedding a mindset. When your team understands why a framework exists and how it supports their work, they become more engaged, efficient, and aligned with your goals. In IT, where processes can make or break your service delivery, this is especially critical. A framework is only as good as the people using it. So, before you roll out the next “game-changing” framework, ask yourself: Have I invested enough in my team’s training? Am I ensuring they not only know the steps but also the purpose behind them? Your frameworks are only as efficient as your team’s ability to implement them. Invest in your people, and the efficiency will follow.

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An organizational culture that looks to fix blame is less likely to find and solve problems than one geared toward candor and collaboration. CGI Federal's Patrick Cronin explains how to maintain a healthy culture in this new blog. #ServiceDelivery @OCM

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Big fan of Teams? I’ve got good news! Microsoft are rolling out an update that makes it much easier to find people and the content they’ve shared. When you type someone’s name into Teams, the improved search function will suggest relevant content linked to that person, such as shared files and previous conversations. The update is available on both Windows and Mac, so it’s ready for you to use now. Type in a name, apply the filter, and you should have what you need in seconds. Teams has seen a lot of useful updates for businesses lately. Whether you’re in a video call, sharing documents, or sending a message, Microsoft are helping to keep communication simple. Give it a try and see how much faster you can get things done. Tell me what you think. #Microsoft #Teams #NewUpdate https://lnkd.in/egy3x9bF

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10/10 would recommend working with generous co-workers like Koren Lane and Andrew Lane. Several of Aviture's awesome employees work in or around Omaha. But several of Aviture's awesome employees work remotely. Koren is one of those remotes, but she comes into the Omaha more often than most. And when she does (at least lately), the great @Andy Lane has been sending flowers. And she enjoys those flowers while she's here, but I get to enjoy those flowers when she boards a plane to go back home to said husband. Rather than pitch them or let them wilt in an office where no one can see them, she drops them by my desk, where I get to enjoy them. And it costs her nothing to be generous, but not everyone would see the opportunity to bless and encourage others. So 10/10 would recommend working with generous co-workers that bless others. (Koren would also 10/10 recommend marrying Andy Lane, but she's got that singular role already nailed down.) #aviture #greatcoworkers #generous #remoteemployees #appreciation

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Zachman’s top two rows equate to MAGIC but the lower down you go the more IT specific it becomes. Do you agree that Zachman gets more IT centric the further down you go? If not, why not? How would you map these things? Professional EA Training www.PEAF.com/Training #EntArch #EnterpriseArchitecture #BusinessArchitecture #PEAF #TOGAF https://lnkd.in/d-eymeKt