To reach the peak of Aconcagua, Andes in Argentina

Several years ago, I got an opportunity to see Mt. Bromo in East Java, Indonesia for the first time in my life. It was a tremendous experience to path up to the mountain. The closer we get to the top, the more humble we become.

In mount climbing, it is critical to have a sure footing before going to another level; else we slip and slide back several levels. A bad fall can end with serious wounds that take a long time to heal and seriously delay the journey.

There is a need to stay at each plateau long enough to learn what God is teaching us. Moving too quickly can be dangerous. Our zeal or our want-it-now mentality can make us want to take a helicopter shortcut to the top in order to skip levels. But the climb is an important step-by-step learning experience. Remember, the most attractive shortcut lead to disaster.

This sensation urge me to witness the beauty of Mt.Aconcagua, Andes in Argentina. Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,962 m (22,841 ft). But of course the path to this mountain is nothing compare to Mt.Bromo and requires many exercise beforehand.

From my calculation, it will take 5 years (2016) to prepare myself to go to the summit.
Let’s make this happen as well, just like any other projects in my life. My live my bloody adventure.

 

 

 

MIT Open Course for My Team

Recently, my department has a serious target to enhance our nuts and bolts knowledge for project management & software development life cycle. The goal is to improve with a significant measurable service to our client which scatter around finance, sales field, marketing, logistics and production department.

Of course we’ve already had SDLC framework and Project Management Methodology within, nevertheless this isn’t sufficient for this Fiscal year 2011, since we have so many new members and so many projects running simultaneously. The requirement criteria for this regular internal workshop is to elaborate between our unique organization culture and some advance course from university.

Perhaps your question, what university?….Right to the eye-bull, I straight go to MIT Open Course as my pool of knowledge from years ago. This website is my holy grail to study independently about almost anything in my organization. Thus giving us equal opportunity to study Cambridge kids style

Long story short, the course is under development and the trial run will be on next 15 July 2011 and another five series within this semester. I hope this workshop will benefit for both my team growth and organization business growth, wish me luck!

My freelance work for Oil Field Project

Got an email from an old amigo who worked in an oil field in Singapore a week ago,  mention that he needs my favor to establish their SCADA. Well, I definitely can’t say no for this work…top dollar..hehehe!

Main reason for our client to think about such Large architecture are:
1. Efficient Real time Monitoring of the Production and Drilling Parameters across all the assets in Indonesia
2. Facilitate off line analysis of the Valuable/ High Producing Wells through third party E&P Applications.
3. Remote control of the production well in case of Offshore platform
4. Total Face lift in the day to day operation of their Production and Drilling facility to improve the efficiency
5. Provide summarized information to the management for effective decision making

First week our team of four assembled the system architecture from tier-3 upto tier 1.

Next step, we’d like  to have integration with ERP System, where they’ve been using SAP on their daily basis.
The automation system integration with SAP is must to ensure the error free production and sales numbers reporting on day to day basis.

Automation system can feed the data to different modules of SAP:
- Production Numbers in PPPI modules

- Custody Transfer Numbers to SD Modules

- Diagnostic and Maintenance Data to PM modules

This integration system provides the data validation to ensure correct numbers are sent to integrated system.

I hope we could finalize the integration architecture right away to catch up with the deadline in two weeks before heading to Singapore for presentation.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst…let’s work buddy!

Return on Learning

I remembered at one discussion in 2009 with  a friend of mine in overseas about measuring the return on investment in training. Back then, I was still a junior manager and doesn’t really into this matter a lot.

His organization is at the conclusion that for every dollar his organization invests in training employees, the company receives $4.53 back. Amazing!!

Needless to say, the ROI number proved that training is important, and that learning investments not only are the right thing to do for their organization, but also make strong financial sense.

One of my key insight from their ROI work was that the effects of learning on business performance are cumulative over time.
In the simplified conceptual model summarized in the figure below, the overall effect of training on the business should be the area under the line for the company that trains minus the area of that for the company that does not provide training.

In their analysis,  they found that employees who took more training were more valuable overall because they had more billable hours and higher billing rates, and also stayed with the organization longer.

Now the burden is, how to keep training investments aligned with business impact and redirecting workforce investment to areas of maximum effectiveness…that will be one heck of a job!

What Next?

 

In this recent years, fortune always come after me simultaneously.
Not long enough that I’ve been promoted twice as a junior manager and senior manager within two concurrent fiscal years.
As an IT senior manager in this organization, I was expected to bring more strategic things rather than operational.

Nevertheless, I felt that this multitasking job is very complex and challenging.
As for starter, in this level, I have to prepare also about Human Capital Development of my smart IT staff.
I always think, People who succeed in their life normally are people who willing to do more and better!
This concept, eventough is very simple, yet crucial to my career.

Willingness to do more is a good habit, this great attitude is a corner stone for capacity building and capability building.
With some targets on the way, I hope this new position will be able to expand my horizon of the next great things in life.
Ganbatte Kudasai!

WONDERFUL TRIP IN JAPAN SEASON-2 (PART-6)

This time was my best educative days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo University. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO UNIVERSITY
The reason why I’m visiting this historic place is because the nature of this place, which is the most prestigious university in Japan, thus number one in Asia.
From the beginning I was arriving in the Akamon (Red Gate), my heart beat was rising; I hope I could enter this university near future.

Afterwards, I took a slim time to check out the information centre as my guidance to look up some info for sightseeing.

First spot was the Yasuda Auditorium, as this is the second famous landmark of Tokyo University.

Second spot was the Medical Building Auditorium.

Third spot was the Institute of Social Sciences.

Fourth spot was the alley between the Institute of Social Sciences annex and The Information Research center for Social Science annex.

Fifth spot was the Institute of Information Sciences annex.

Last spot was the replica of the Yasuda auditorium which we could find in the Information Center building.

The whole trip in Tokyo University facilities was amazing, I wish my paper could be accepted by this university soon and I could enter this university near future. Amen.

WONDERFUL TRIP IN JAPAN SEASON-2 (PART-5)

This time was also one of my best favorite days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo Tower. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO TOWER
Today, we continue the journey at Tokyo Tower; it’s like 10 minutes walking from Daimon station using Metro Subway, Asakusa Line. Right across the station, we could directly saw the tower; I couldn’t hold my self anymore, so I grabbed a picture just at the intersection.

And took another shot at the west gate of Tokyo Tower.

West gate apparently is so high, I was almost running out for air in my lungs, but the temptation of going up to the tower was hard to resist.
At last I reached the tower main gate with catching up my breath, hahahaha.
Accordingly, I checked out the ticket booth to buy the ticket to go up to the main observatory room.

After taking a picture with a warm lady operator, I continued to enter the elevator to go up to the main observatory room. Right after I arrived in the room, I was so amazed by the view from the top.
Below was taken from east side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see World Trade Centre Building and Nippon TV.

Below was taken from west side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see NEC Building, Rainbow Bridge.

Below was taken from south side of the main observatory room, behind me we could see Roppongi Hills, NHK, TV Asahi and Ebisu Garden Place.

At the second Floor of the Main Observatory room, we could “Look Down” to the ground of the tower clearly, because there’s a special mirror was placed on the floor, so tourist like me could see clearly everything down below. It’s scary but exciting.

In the main observatory, we could also rent a scope to look more closely any object in the far distance, the cost was just 500 yen.

After satisfied with the views from the top, I got on the elevator to go back down to the first floor, here I took a picture of the tower from the bottom of it’s structure.

At last, we could take a photograph just next to the poster of Tokyo Tower near the entrance of main gate.

It’s a wonderful trip to Tokyo Tower, even tough it’s tired, but I’m totally satisfied.
For Your Information:
> Tokyo tower total height is 333 meter; it’s the world’s tallest self supporting steel tower. The Eiffel tower in Paris is 320 meter high.
> Tokyo tower total weight is 400 tons; much lighter than the Eiffel Tower, which weights 7000 tons, this is a strong, lightweight steel tower.
> Tokyo tower was opened in 1958; this is the year that Brazil won its first soccer World Cup and that instant Ramen was introduced.

Next trip is the Tokyo University (Part-6).
Thank you for keep on reading this blog.

WONDERFUL TRIP IN JAPAN SEASON-2 (PART-4)

This time was one of my best favorite days in Japan which was taken in Tokyo Odaiba. It’s on Thursday, April 15 2009 very much of sightseeing. So, I’ll try to describe today activities as below:

SIGHTSEEING AT TOKYO ODAIBA
Today, we start the journey at Tokyo Odaiba, it’s like 30 minutes from Shinagawa station.

Once we’ve arrived there, there’s a giant spinning ferris wheel (Daikanransha or Gondola) provides a great views for tourist like me.

Next is the Tokyo Bay, there’s only one word to express this part of Tokyo, Fabulous! As you can see, the infamous Rainbow Bridge was standing still so beautiful behind me.

As always, beach is the notorious place to be visited, so here was I, sat in the cornerstone of Tokyo Odaiba Marine Park beach and watched the ships and birds shimmering Rainbow Bridge behind me, I was speechless! 

Then I took another step to the sand near the beach.

My attention was distracted by a strange ship near the beach; I thought it was an Alien space ship, hahaha.

Tokyo Odaiba is also the Headquarter location of Fuji TV, as could be seen behind my back.

Afterwards, I move forwards to the Aqua City Odaiba plaza, this plaza provides you with a lot of gaming stuff, such as Sega Joypolis and many more, preferable for game freak.

Mom and Dad, I’ve been visited United States of America and have seen the notorious Statue of Liberty.

Not, it wasn’t in USA, it’s in Japan, hahahaha, it’s still in the Tokyo Odaiba Marine Park.

After walking around the park, we continue our journey to the other side of the town by using Monorail. The monorail was actually circling the Rainbow Bridge very beautifully.

First stop was at Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari; it’s some sort of hot spring complex featuring an array of bathtubs of all temperature and flavors including: uchiyu (insidebath) and iwaburo (an outdoor rockbath), ashiyu (a footbath) and suna-buro (sand bath).

And finally, the infamous gate of Japanese traditional culture.

So that’s all for part-4, the trip to Tokyo tower and Tokyo university will be continued to Part-5.
Thank you for keep reading this blog.

WONDERFUL TRIP IN JAPAN SEASON-2 (PART-3)

This time I’ll skip one of my days in Japan which was quite a boring day, it’s on Tuesday, April 14 2009, not much of a sightseeing, but full of system theoretical and thoughtful activity. Instead, I’ll try to describe the great day in Wednesday, April 15 2009 as below: VISIT TO COMPANY TRAINING CENTRE Today, I have an opportunity to visit the world class training centre of our company. It was located near Shinagawa, so basically we walked like 15 minutes to reach to the location. Inside, we should register and get a name tag in order to be freely walking around the training centre. Until so, we can wait in the cozy lobby and watch the traditional Japanese house inside the TC. Today, we’re trying to see three things, which are: Company Corporate Museum, Company library and Company TC itself. Let me start from the Library, as this is one of my favorite chambers. We could also bring the book and sat in the comfort couch. Next is the Museum of our Corporate Company. I have to admit that this is the most remarkable place I’ve ever seen; this place recorded all of our company contribution to this world from each era. First of all, we could watch a movie of the history of our company from a huge screen, just like watching a theatre. Actually, this kind of activity was really bonded up your personality with the company. Afterwards, we move to the era of 1909, where our product has been used for the first time in the history of Japan and world.

Next one was in early of 1960, where our product has been used all over the world, including United Stated of America.

Next one was in early of 1985, where our product has been used all over the world, including ASEAN region, South America, Europe and Africa.

Afterwards, I’m heading to the Training Centre room to signup for the activity.

At the end of the session, all of us headed to the Pacific Hotel for having a lunch.

LUNCH AT PACIFIC HOTEL
The restaurant was in top floor (36 th), so we could almost witness all city of Tokyo from the window view (But, wait until Part-5, the better view from Tokyo Tower). From this view, we could see Shinagawa Station from above.

Right behind me is the picture of infamous Tokyo Tower.

Last but not least, the routine part was the picture of all members after lunch (full at last).

After lunch actually we had another theoretically session again about Logistic Planning from Department of Logistic HQ. But, I’ll not describe it over here, because it’s boring but tremendously important.

Nevertheless, tonight was also the best night I’ve ever had, since we spent the night in ROPPONGI area with another adult session, AWESOME!!!
Keep on watching my blog for Part-4. Thank you for reading this blog.

WONDERFUL TRIP IN JAPAN SEASON-2 (PART-2)

I love Monday, April 13th 2009, as people used to say, and that’s quite true apparently. My schedule today was a trip to Yokohama and Kawasaki. In Yokohama particularly, I’ll have a trip to witness our new data centre and in Kawasaki, I’ll have a trip to study about the Demand Planning and inventory Balance Control.

As usual, let me try to describe my trip today in Japan as bellow:

SHINKANSEN “BULLET TRAIN” TO YOKOHAMA
Monday was a very hustle and bustle day in Japan, I started the day at 8:30 AM with picked up by a friend of mine at the lobby of Shinagawa Hotel and walk by across to the station. I estimated there’re fifty thousand of peoples at that morning were using the station in a rush.

So, we headed to the Shinagawa Shinkansen booth and bought a Shinkansen “bullet train” ticket.

Please don’t ask me about the ticket price, because it’s so bloody overpriced. Nevertheless, it’s a one time opportunity, and I’m very glad to use it.
At the distance I could see the Sanyo Shinkansen or so called “Hikari” is getting closer to me.

After its stop, then I grabbed a snapshot in front of this beautiful lady.

I took inside the train, and took a picture of my amigo Arai-san who was very kind to explain to me about this “Hikari”, he told that Hikari speed is 552 km/h.
So, from Shinagawa to Yokohama only took like eight minutes or so, and it’s absolutely correct, because I did really count it, amazing!

At about 9:00 AM, we’ve already arrived in Yokohama station, thus we continued walking to the Data Centre and along the way suddenly I saw a small church stand up beautifully and whatsoever attracted me to snap a picture in front of it.

Afterwards, we kept walking for about 5 minutes or so to the data centre, and eventually arrived. However, because the confidentiality level of this place was so high we’re not allowed to bring anything inside, so I couldn’t take any pictures, too bad.
The wall has been protected by some sort of electromagnetic shield so that no interference could occur from outside to inside or vice versa. The building is also equipped with various latest technologies from top to bottom in order to secure our company data from outside threat including terrorist attack.

At this particular location we stored all of our SAP data from all over the world, including Indonesia as well, so it’s a strategic place for our company by all means.

Finally, the study session is over, and it’s really a great opportunity to have this session.

STUDY IN KAWASAKI FACTORY
Next, I’m heading to the Kawasaki factory to meet with my colleague in Technical & Engineering Department to have study session about Demand Planning and inventory Balance Control.
Before started the session, I took a snap shot in front of the infamous Sugar Cane photograph, as a reminder of the origin of UMAMI taste.

And another picture was in front of the main building of Kawasaki factory.

So to speak, we start the study session at 13:00 PM and it was a long and complicated subject, but whatsoever it’s a means to an ends for our project in Indonesia.

Eventually, the study session ended in the evening around 19:00 PM, therefore as in Japan culture, we went straight to the Chinese restaurant near Kawasaki station and have dinner with drinking session as well. One thing that was new to me was the infamous “So-Chu”, it’s a liquor similar to “Arak” in Indonesia, it taste great.

As a routine, eventually we finished the dinner and took a picture of all project members Japan – Indonesia.

Actually, afterwards, we went to another night activity, however, it’s and adult session, so I’ll see you in the Part-3.
Thank you for keep reading this blog.