1. COMMON EUROPE (C E)
An umbrella organisation of national IBM user associations representing most European countries.
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2. C E Membership
COMMON Europe acts as the umbrella organisation for fifteen such country Common user groups.
User membership is through these country Common organisations
Today COMMON Europe is the largest IBM user group association in Europe, representing the views of over 5,200 companies and more then 3,300 individual members.
With a membership of over ITC professionals this is the core of our “Strength in Numbers” philosophy
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3. Agenda Purpose of C E. History of C E. Structure of C E.
Activities of C E.
Stockholm 2006.
Benefits for C E members.
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4. CE MISSION
To encourage members to exchange IT related experience and information.
To offer its members advanced education and training in IT
To influence IBM's strategy for product development and service levels through a formal Requirements Process.
Influence the setting of international standards in the interest of its membership
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5. Origin of Common
COMMON started 40 years ago in Chicago with a small group of people sitting around a kitchen table trying to work out a common coding problem on an IBM 1620 (hence the name COMMON - for Common interests. It's not an acronym). That meeting turned out to be the first COMMON meeting, and the organisation grew from there. COMMON groups and organisations sprang up around the world to allow IBM small systems users to get together to get the most from their investment - and as the meetings grew, to have unparalleled access to the latest knowledge, education and expertise - so they can increase the value of information technology to their business.
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6. Origin in Europe
Common in Europe was founded in 1962 in Switzerland. It was a European group with 600 members by 1981.
In 1986 it was decided to split into independent country-groups under one umbrella organisation.
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7. Members of C E
Belgium
Luxembourg 
Denmark
Netherland
Finland
Norway 
France 
Poland
Germany
Spain 
Ireland
Sweden 
Israel  ?
Italy
United Kingdom
Representatives from each country sit on the Board of Directors of C E
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8. C E Executive
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9. ACTIVITIES Common Europe Congress (CEC). Requirements.
Organised every year in a different member country
Generally a more comprehensive event than country events
Opportunity to meet colleagues from all over Europe
Offers a chance to experience the culture of other nations.
Requirements.
A channel for members to make requests on IBM for strategic and tactical developments with the backing of the C E organisation.
Common Europe Advisory Council (CEAC).
This group is formed from delegates from member countries, and specific issues are addressed with IBM in a confidential and candid manner to offer advice on the strategic directions of their products and services.
Annual Roadshow
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10. CEC Locations 2005 Sheveningen 1995 Copenhagen 1985 Eilat 2004 Cardiff
1994 Granada
1984 Sevilla
2003 Warsaw
1993 Rotterdam
1983 Helsinki
2002 Brussels
1992 Antwerpen
1982 Sonthofen
2001 London
1991 Brighton
1981 Paris
2000 Bremen
1990 Salzburg
1979 Vienna
1999 Helsinki
1989 Luxembourg
1978 Barcelona
1998 Dublin
1988 Wiesbaden
1977 Luzern
1997 Strasbourg
1987 Stavanger
1975 Lyon
1996 Jerusalem
1986 Davos
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11. Stockholm - Sweden 11.-13. June 2006
CEC 2006
Stockholm - Sweden June 2006
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12. Common Europe Advisory Council
CEAC is a joint IBM Europe and COMMON Europe initiative started in 1991 and re-established in 2004 for the iSeries platform. Selected members of Common in Europe contribute during meetings with IBM to discuss the unparalleled functionality of the i5, both from a strategic and tactical development point of view
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13. Rochester Roadshow Annual visit by IBM Rochester & Toronto Speakers
No cost picked up by country
Each country can organise an event using wide range of topics
High Value to members
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14. C E Value Proposition to IBM
IBM has a long and close partnership with Common Europe, because
CE provides IBM access to a consolidated group of like-minded IBM customers across Europe through European and local CE Conferences / events ( participants )
CE provides a channel for the exchange of information and experiences with IBM experts
CEAC:- IBM can share information about products, announcements and strategies and get direct feedback and requirements for product development
The results of better informed customers are:
They are better prepared to meet their professional challenges
They have unique insight into future technology & solutions
IBM can demonstrate Leadership
It shows real advantages compared to IBM’s competitors
Customers can make better and faster decisions.
CE provides unique opportunities for
Organised feedback on product requirements
Providing a sounding board for new ideas
Personal networking between IBM and CE members at technical and management level
Direct contacts to key customers, decision makers, influencers
Increasing IBM visibility & brand image
Gaining new customers and increasing IBM business
Providing the possibilities of gaining and maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty.
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15. COMMON Europe
All Common country associations seek close cooperation and dialogue with IBM to organise working groups and educational events
Our intention is to optimise our part of that dialogue, which has worked well for IBM and its customers for so many years
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