Z-Axis® User Conference 2006

TUCSON -- January 2006 -- The 4th annual Z-Axis User Conference was another highly-valued and enjoyable event. This event was co-hosted by Herman Miller, Inc. and Computer Human Interaction, LLC, the Seattle-based software company that has partnered with Herman Miller to create and enhance Z-Axis. It was held in Tucson, Arizona January 10 - 12, 2006 and attended by over 70 dealer personnel, end customers, Computer Human Interaction hosts, and Herman Miller hosts.

Analysis of the conference evaluations finds the overall conference rating at 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being considered “excellent”. We also received a large number of ideas and suggestions to consider for future releases of Z-Axis – over 200! Attendees from prior conferences also saw many ideas previously submitted by users have now been implemented in recent versions of Z-Axis.

Highlights from the conference included sharing of experiences and information, sessions highlighting new Z-Axis features with hands-on exercises, user presentations, breakout lunch sessions where specific topics were discussed, and the sharing of enhancement ideas – not to mention the world-class resort and fabulous weather.

Pre-Conference Training

This was the second year that we offered a Pre-Conference Training day. It was held on January 10 with sold-out attendance. Several attendees mentioned they were able to gain so much more out of the conference presentations because of the pre-conference day of training.

Feature Sessions

These types of sessions are led by a Z-Axis expert. The expert demonstrates the Z-Axis feature. Then the attendees have a chance to perform the feature on their own. After completing the hands-on exercise, there is a short breakout time for gathering enhancement ideas on the feature topic.

Info Sessions

These types of sessions are led by a Z-Axis expert. A variety of topics were presented including training, big picture overview, CAD Pack (for AutoCAD), Typicals Library, along with Tips & Tricks.

User Presentations

Each year several Z-Axis users volunteer to present at the User Conference. These sessions are identified by attendees as some of the most helpful sessions during the conference.

Jay Brady, Account Executive from OFI Contract Interiors in Springfield, Massachusetts led us through a series of questions that are helpful to ask clients prior to doing a proposed office furniture layout with Z-Axis.

Shea McClanahan, Account Manager from Herman Miller Workplace Resource in Austin, Texas led us through the proven Z-Axis featured Sales process that he uses that also relies on Design to complete the layouts for customers.

Greg Moore, Senior Sales Consultant from mbi systems in Seattle, Washington led us through the ways that he uses Z-Axis as the cornerstone of his exceptionally successful sales and design process. He also showed us the Generate JPG feature of Z-Axis along with the save to clipboard option and pasted it into a Word document.

Bob Thomson, Account Development Manager, with Herman Miller for Healthcare in Southern California showed us his beginning skills and success with using Z-Axis with healthcare customers. The Ethospace Nurses’ Station project he created in Z-Axis was simple but effective - he won the business.

Monica Boucek, Government Sales Consultant, with Business Interiors Northwest in Seattle, Washington showed us how she uses Z-Axis in support of doing business with governmental agencies. Her team uses Z-Axis to win business due to speed, accuracy, and clarity of the 3D layouts.

Homework/Competition

For the 2nd year, we asked all participants to consider participating in a homework competition. They were asked to do a Z-Axis design that was original, creative, had a good mix of systems furniture, freestanding furniture, and props. We had over 10 people submitting entries in hopes of taking home a miniature Modern Classic. The winners were: 1st place was earned by Andrew Parker from CRI in San Francisco; 2nd place went to Judy Wentzel from OfficeWorks located in Indiana; and 3rd place was awarded to Loretta Adema from Pivot Interiors in Northern California.

Summary

All participants derived great value from participating in the 2006 Z-Axis User Conference. They shared the significant ways Z-Axis has contributed to their personal and company’s success in serving customers. We look forward to continuing to enhance Z-Axis to continue the wonderful and fruitful work that has come from Z-Axis since its inception 15 years ago. Based on all of the input for ideas, we will have our development team very busy trying to fulfill the priorities from Herman Miller along with the requests from Z-Axis users. More details and downloadable files are available via the kiosk.hermanmiller.com website. For more information, contact Herman Miller’s Sales Technology Support line at 800-833-3330.

Z-Axis User Conference 2007

If past Z-Axis conferences are any indication of the future, next year’s conference already promises to be valuable and enjoyable. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.