< PreviousTransform Your FutureA Valuable Partnership Between TribalNet & Info-Tech Research GroupSEPTEMBER:Asset & Facilities Management VLUPCOMINGRESEARCH:NOVEMBER:Emergency Services Management VLDECEMBER:HIPAA BlueprintNew NATRC members recieve a FREE TribalNet All-Access Membership and FREE conference pass!It will cost you more money in time and resources NOT to be a member of the NATRCNATRC Members Recieve:Get online access to research, specific to the tribal industry.Technology is one of your largest expenditures. That’s why trusted research data can make a big impact on your bottom line. The Native American Technology Research Center gives you a reliable source of information to evaluate your technology systems - to make informed purchasing decisions.Vendor & Product Evaluations Specific to the Tribal IndustryVendor Landscapes available include: Tribal Enrollment and Membership Management Systems, Tribal Government Financial Management Systems, and Tribal Court & Docket Management Systems.Benchmarking ProgramsSee where you measure up on staffing and budget, compared to organizations with similar demographics.Complimentary 3-Month Info-Tech Core MembershipComplete key projects and build core IT processes. Your 3 month Info-Tech membership gives 3 of your IT executives daily access to actionable solutions with tactical tools, diagnostics programs and unlimited analyst guidance. Includes all core research resources (covering Applications, Infrastructure and Strategy & Leadership).Special SavingsFREE Annual TribalNet All Access MembershipFREE Annual TribalNet Conference PassSPECIAL SAVINGS when combining NATRC and Gaming & Hospitality Research Center (GHRC) membershipsJohn JamesChief Information OfficerCherokee Nation, OKOr Call: Erin Font1-888-670-8889 ext. 2772New to NATRC: Diagnostic ProgramsAre you sufficiently protected against security threats? Collect the data you need to effectively manage IT Security. IT Security Diagnostic ProgramThe new IT Security Diagnostic Program is a low effort, high impact program designed to help IT Security Leaders assess and improve their security practices.Application Portfolio Assessment: End User FeedbackThis powerful diagnostic program facilitates the rating of an application portfolio by your end-users. Find out what users really think. Decide which apps to retire, upgrade, re-train on or maintain, and where to focus your efforts to meet business demands.Consider Resources Available in Your NATRC Membership as Valuable Training for Your EmployeesEmployee training brings a big return on investment through increased productivity, knowledge, loyalty, and contribution. A study showed that, for many large organizations, the average annual learning expenditure was $1,081 per employee.* An NATRC membership gives your entire IT team on-line access to best-practices research, to build your core capabilities and complete key projects with greater success. It’s a cost-effective investment in employee training to enhance productivity and growth.* The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) study, 2009.IT Assessments Create a Clear Pathway for Future GrowthTribalNet has also partnered with Info-Tech to provide valuable IT Assessments to members of the tribal community. Info-Tech proudly serves over 30,000 IT professionals worldwide. Its research analysts provide a thorough assessment of the IT organization, complete with practical and implementable recommendations. The approach leverages the insights and experience Info-Tech has developed helping hundreds of IT organizations, and is customized to meet each client’s specific goals and objectives.What IT Research Would You Like Developed Next? Growth in NATRC membership funds additional industry research, year after year. Let us know your biggest IT challenges. We’ll help you solve them!Discover the power of the NATRC.www.tribalnetonline.com/natrcI’ve been an Info-Tech customer for several years. With their valuable research easily available, they save me time and money by not having to research it myself. It’s hard to believe they provide so much information on every topic I can think of! They understand Native American Tribes and issues with sovereignty which makes their research more meaningful and specifically focused.Tribal Enrollment and Membership Management SystemsTribal Government Financial Management SystemsTribal Court & Docket Management Vendor LandscapeAVAILABLE RESEARCH:JonFeatured Columns - ExecutiveMark Kirk, Director of Information Systems Group, Osage NationDecision time! The last minute had arrived, as it always does, and the final choices still hadn’t been made on deploying connectivity solutions for our new administration buildings. As is typical in today’s rapidly changing business environment, I had told myself I had plenty of time to research options, evaluate products, and make an informed decision on what we should do in our new buildings. Network infrastructure has been a big part of my IT background, after all. Making a few logi-cal decisions about cabling and wireless protocols should be second nature for me, right? Well, in a per-fect world maybe so, unfortunately, I apparently don’t live in a perfect world. Just like most of you reading this article, time is at a premium, and innovation and creativity has become synonymous with normal operations. Executive expectation levels are high and failure isn’t an option, or something like that. Although in my previous life, I spent a considerable amount of time working for the federal government, employment in native nation government has been an eye-opening experience. All in all, it’s been great, and you get to meet some fantastic people but wow, let’s just say, most tribal technology folks aren’t look-ing for something to keep themselves occupied. With our ever-expanding role in the day-to-day operations of the enterprise, coupled with the fact that most organizations are asking their tech departments to do more with less, many in our industry are feeling some stress to say the least. If it sounds like I’m making excuses for my procrastination tenden-cies, well … that could possibly be true.Excuses aside, the time had come for decisions and everyone was looking at me for answers. If you haven’t been involved recently in the design and deployment of network cabling and wireless infrastructure, just be aware, there are a lot of options these days. Unless you’ve consistently kept up with all of the industry changes, you’ll need to do a lot of research to make sure you end up with an infrastruc-ture solution that fits your needs. It’s not as easy as it once was; budget is certainly still a major concern but now end points, security, and user satisfaction also have to be primary concerns. If you’re fortunate enough to have an infrastructure professional on your staff, then you’ll have things moving in the right direction in no time. If you don’t happen to have one of those guys (or gals) roaming around the office, you’re probably going to need a little help. There are a plethora of “state of the art” structured cabling sys-tems available that provide a solid platform to build your network around. Wireless access systems have improved dramatically in the past couple of years. When properly engineered and deployed, wireless can provide fast, secure network access with all of the flexibility today’s mobile users require. If you have a large campus, multi-building or multi-data closet installation to consider, you have to look at the type and grade of fiber and copper backbone cabling that your application requires. Even the data closet equipment that houses your network hardware has become very complex. Mounting options only begin at the open rack or enclosed cabinet decision. The various accessories and components that facilitate proper copper and fiber cable routing support, power separation, cooling, and security can occupy a week’s Decision Making - What’s Your Approach?32TribalNetMark KirkDirector of Information Services GroupOsage Nation“My TribalNet contacts have saved me from countless hours of fruitless sampling and experimentation in attempting to find workable solutions to various issues.”Featured Columns - Executiveworth of research on their own! Oh, and no pressure, if you happen to make the wrong decision on some component, it “probably” will still work. Just have your explanations ready when executive wants to know why it takes them 14 minutes to log in to their email, “Yes sir, of course that’s normal!” I made the intelligent decision and immediately set about seeking help from every resource I could think of. My first calls were to some of the friends I’ve been fortunate enough to make after attending TribalNet conferences. I’ve often found that these folks are a wealth of ready and relevant informa-tion and advice. My TribalNet contacts have saved me from countless hours of fruitless sampling and experimentation in attempting to find workable solutions to various issues. I figured out after my very first conference that most of the folks in attendance were dealing with many of the same challenges that we faced daily. More importantly, they were willing to share knowledge in areas where they could help. They were anxious to learn from our team, as well, on issues where we may have more experience than them. It’s the quintessential definition of networking and a fantastic arrangement! I’ve found that relation-ships like these are most effectively initiated through face to face communications. My next calls were to a few of the TribalNet vendors. Dealing with vendors that exhibit at the conferences is always a great experience. These folks understand the peculiarities of dealing in the tribal sector. I get so tired of having to try to explain sovereignty just to place an order for the latest turbo widget. Generally speaking, when I call a vendor from the conference and let them know who I am and that I ran across them at TribalNet, no other explanations are necessary. We can get right to the point of figuring out a solution for my need.I should get back to my point I suppose. The time had come to pick equipment and direction and just let it happen. I’d made calls, done my research, listened to some educated advice and made my deci-sions. Since that time, the new buildings have gone up pretty much according to plan. The network infrastructure is basically finished. As I’m writing this article, I can see that our first move-in dates are less than a couple of weeks away. So, by the time you see me at TribalNet in Austin, ask about how the network is running in the new buildings. By then I should have a pretty good idea of how good (or bad) my decision making actually is!After attending the University of Tulsa, Mark embarked on a career that has always revolved around technology in one fashion or another. Prior to being involved in tribal government, he spent many years with AT&T working on federal government and education sector projects from coast to coast. An Osage tribal member and native Oklahoman, he jumped at the opportunity to return to his home state in 2012, and accept the information services director position with Osage Nation where he continues working on projects today.Fall 2015MONDAY 11/2/159:00am-3:00pm • Registration9:30am-11:30amAssociation Meeting: Open Meeting and Session - Oklahoma Native American Technology Council (ONATC)Workshop - Leadership: Leadership Workshop: How to Transform an Organization11:30am-12:30pm • Lunch on your own12:30pm-3:30pmAssociation Meeting: Open Meeting and Session - Midwest Tribal Technology Council (MTTC)Workshop - Security: Hands on Security Workshop - Capture the FlagWorkshop - ALL Tracks: Social Engagement and Gamification3:30pm-4:00pm • Bus Transportation to Meet & Greet Event (5 miles away)4:00pm-7:00pm • TribalNet Exclusive “Texas-Style Backyard BBQ” Meet & Greet Event Sponsored by RainmakerTUESDAY 11/3/157:30am-2:30pm • Registration7:30am-8:30am • Sponsored Breakfast8:30am-8:45am • TribalNet’s opening presentation8:45am-9:45am • Keynote: Cyber-Security10:00am-11:00amCasino: Gaming and Hospitality Operational Analytics Leadership: Mentoring: preparing the next generation Health: Electronic Medical Records: selecting or changing your healthcare modelSecurity: Breach Detection: finding what is already there11:15am-12:15pmHealth: Immunization Data Exchange: current state and beyondLeadership: Innovate or Die: it’s your jobCasino: Understanding Your Guest Through Their Smartphone HabitsSecurity: Panel - Cloud and Tribal Sovereignty: can it be done?12:15pm-1:15pm • Sponsored Lunch12:45pm • Industry Award Announcements1:15pm-2:15pmExec/Management: Business Case: should/can we implement innovation and change?Government: Online Member Services Platform: engaged citizensCasino: Virtual Currency and Social GamingHealth: Cyber Threats Facing Today’s Healthcare Sector2:15pm-6:00pm • Vendor Tradeshow2:15pm-6:00pm • Sponsored Hospitality Event2:30pm-3:30pmGovernment: Mobile Tools for Use Specifically in Tribal GovernmentsHealth: Health Initiative Impacts in Native Populations: million hearts champs & project ECHOExec/Management: How Technology Can Increase Revenue and Improve the OrganizationSecurity: Incident Response Plan6:00pm-7:15pm • TribalNet Cocktail Hour sponsored by VMware16TH ANNUAL TRIBALNET CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY 11/4/157:30am-2:30pm • Registration7:30am-8:30pm • Sponsored Breakfast8:30am-8:45am • TribalNet’s morning presentation8:45am-9:45am • Keynote: The Evolution of Computing10:00am-11:00amExec/Management: Change Management: effectively changing operationsLeadership: Being a Leader People Will FollowCasino: iGaming and On-Premise GamingSecurity: Security Cost vs Risk11:15am-12:15pmLeadership: Aligning Key Departments to Make a DifferenceHealth: The Strategic Direction for I.H.S. Health ITGovernment: Energy and Sustainability PanelSecurity: EMV Credit Card Security12:15pm-1:15pm • Sponsored Lunch1:15pm-2:15pmExec/Management: IT Steering Committees: engaging the organizationGovernment: Community Impact of TechnologyCasino: Millennials and the Changing GamerSecurity: ISAC: Improving Security at ALL Tribes2:15pm-5:00pm • Vendor Tradeshow2:15pm-5:00pm • Sponsored Hospitality Event2:30pm-3:30pmExec/Management: Contract Management: protecting the organization and saving moneyHealth: Health Analytics and Metrics: expanded and enhanced reporting toolsGovernment: Tools to Use to Justify Budget Specifically for Tribal GovernmentsSecurity: Security Awareness: engaging employees in security4:30pm-5:00pm • Prize Announcements and Bingo Run $1000 Grand Prize DrawingTHURSDAY 11/5/157:45am-9:00am • Sponsored Breakfast9:00am-12:30pmWorkshop - ALL: Strategic Thinking & AnalyticsWorkshop - ALL: Emergency Preparedness and Cyber Security Threats12:30pm • Conference CloseHOTEL INFORMATIONRenaissance Austin Hotel - Austin, Texas$179/nt plus tax (book by 10/9/15)Call to book your reservation: 1-512-343-2626Mention you are attending TribalNet to receive the conference rate.HOW TO REGISTERGo to www.tribalnetonline.com to register today!T CONFERENCE (agenda subject to change)IT Leaders Q & A - CasinoMohegan SunQ & A with Fred Brown - CIO, Mohegan SunWe oversee all areas of technology for Mohegan Sun. The property currently has 300,000 square feet of gaming space - over 5,000 slots and 300 table games. We have a 34-story, 1,200-room hotel tower and just broke ground on another tower which is set to add 400 more rooms to our total count. Our entertainment factor on property stretches well beyond gaming with, over 40 stores, 30 dining options, 100,000 square foot of convention space, and a 10,000 square foot arena that hosts the CT Sun WNBA team, NE Black Wolves lacrosse team, and an impressive lineup of entertainment.Can you give us a snapshot of what areas your IT department oversees?36TribalNetWe have a staff of 85 in IT, broken into three main groups- technical services, business services, and security. In the CIO role at Mohegan Sun, my goal is to be a strategic partner with the business and focus on vision building for the organization. I come from a philosophy that if you focus on your team first, everything else will follow, and it does. I have an amazing team, and after we restructured from a flat organizational structure to a hierarchical one we are better positioned to provide the best support and service to the organization while aligning our goals with the business now and for the future. We have the mindset that technology is what is going to be the factor in raising the bar higher for the guest’s experience. Our company has pride in providing the best guest service possible and within IT we need to implement technology that can help make that distinction. Whether it’s enhancing A/V to trigger excitement on the floor or cool and convenient kiosks that guests can print tickets from for our loyalty club- it all adds up. One of the “wow factor” technology initiatives we are working on with the new build of the hotel tower is complete in-room automation. The goal is to be able to control your entire room experience with an in-room tablet including IPTV, DND system, smart energy, and lighting. That same tablet will also be your hotel compendium and will contain everything you need to know about the property. SmartCON and iRiS are our partners in this technology and we are excited to launch this with the opening of the new hotel tower. Guest-facing technology isn’t our only strategy in providing excellent guest service. The technology we deploy internally for operations translates to a better guest experience as well. An example is enhancing our business intelligence tools to give our executives and staff improved ability to view real-time data and make decisions for the business. Managers see snapshots of what’s really happening on the floor and what’s really in play. No more guessing, the data is in their hands. Consistently putting technology at the forefront of improving the overall experience of the guest. How is your IT team structured to provide support and service to all those areas?What are some of the “new and cool” technologies you are working on implementing?IT Leaders Q & A - CasinoWe would like to thank Fred for taking the time to connect with us for this interview. He welcomes your questions and comments and can be reached at: fbrown@mohegansun.comStrategy and vision, my big focus right now is on evaluation of the entire IT landscape and defining enterprise standards. As we grow, we need to have the right partners in place, a solid foundation to build on and the tools to make the best decisions possible. Decisions we make now need to set us up for the future. We recently had a huge undertaking of deploying 100% end to end Wi-Fi coverage in our Arena. It was a big confidence check in extending coverage to the rest of our campus. With the right pieces in place for our infrastructure we are giving ourselves capability for future mobile initiatives on the horizon. Additionally we want to make sure the systems we are putting in place for gaming and hospitality are models to replicate for the future. One of our bigger hospitality projects, converting to RFID door locks, was done in May with the intent to replicate that in the new tower when construction is complete. We have launched iGaming in the play for fun social arena, Mohegan branded so that we are establishing our presence in the market and are ready when it’s ready. Sometimes the pace of the industry and the juggling of multiple projects can take your time away from focusing on the strategy and vision but it’s that which will allow us to set ourselves apart from our competition. As a CIO overseeing 85 individuals on your team, what is your time most spent on?37Fall 2015Core TechnologyNetwork - Juniper and Cisco Point of Sale - Micros 9700ERP - Infinium Property Management - Agilysys - LMSGroup Management - Delphi Business Intelligence - SAS SuiteGaming System - Bally Technologies Data Warehousing - TeradataMainline Information SystemsMeet Your VendorsProtect your investments with enhanced video surveillanceIn the past, the quality of surveillance solutions was hit or miss, with their fuzzy images and cheap, unreliable recording hardware leaving much to be desired. Our team has developed state-of-the-art solutions that are scalable and customizable to your environment and budget requirements. This flexibility and design quality has helped us to become one of the premier integrators in the industry. A few features of our solutions include:• Plug-and-play compatible – devices sit on your existing IP network• Ability to incorporate existing composite CCTV analog system on new IPbased open systems• State-of-the-art video compression• Automated archiving and retrievalManage your data with superior storage solutionsFrom social, audio, video, email, digital video surveillance and meta-data (data about the data), data analytics, mail logs, machine data to more traditional business data like email, documents, archived chats, backup data, transaction records, it’s a struggle to find the necessary space for on legacy storage solutions. Our experts are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry and can give you valuable advice on the strengths and weaknesses of your entire spectrum of storage solutions. We take 38TribalNetMainline is a veteran owned business serving the TribalNet community by protect-ing your investments, collecting and managing your data and analyzing and predict-ing data trends through our superior and cost effective solutions and services. We have a dedicated team of professionals that take the time to understand your objectives and your challenges and impart strategic solutions within your budget and timeframe.Tyler BurkettAccount Executive - FederalMainline Information Systems480-221-3244Tyler.Burkett@mainline.com www.mainline.com Meet Mainline Information Systems, The Technology Partner for Business ResultsAwards and Accomplishments Mainline was named the 2014 Gaming Market Partner of the Year for North America by Axis Communications, the world leader in network video.Global Desktop Virtualization Partner of the Year Award at VMware Partner ExchangeRed Hat Business Partner of the YearIBM Beacon Award for the Outstanding Optimized Solutions on Enterprise Servers for Business InnovationAxis 2013 Gaming Market Partner of the YearCRN’s 2013 List of Tech Elite 250IBM Specialty Elite Certification: System x, Power Systems, PureFlex and Flex System, System Storagegreat pride in not limiting you to the product range of any single vendor, but to enable you to pick from the best available technologies to build the multi-tiered solution while supporting you with an array of implementation and advisory capabilities.Analyze your data with advanced business intelligence Your business analytics software needs to not only manage your data, but also highlight key insights and predict future trends. With Mainline, you can rest assured that your big data analytics implementation projects are in good hands. Our dedicated team of business analytics experts have unmatched industry expertise with over 300 business analytics software technical certifications – and it shows. We are the first business partner in the U.S. to receive the IBM Gold Accreditation for IBM Cognos business intelligence. Mainline recommends, designs, and supports IT solutions that help businesses increase their effectiveness. With more than 500 professionals around the country, and numerous certified architects across various specialties, Mainline can assist with your most urgent and highly visible IT initiatives.Meet Your Vendors39Mainline’s Industry Partnerships: • IBM • Red Hat • HP • Cognos • Milestone Systems • SAS • VMware • SUSEFor more information about Mainline Information Systems go to www.mainline.comMainline Information Systems has demonstrated their leadership in the gaming industry by promoting the advantages of IP video technology in a traditionally analog market,” said John Bartolac, business devel-opment, segments manager for Axis Communications. They remain dedicated to understanding their gaming customers’ unique and evolving needs and showcasing how IP video can provide the most effective solutions.Fall 2015Next >