Computer Aid (http://www.compaid.com) and the IT Metrics and Productivity Institute (http://www.Itmpi.org) are sponsoring The 2007 Software Best Practices Conference in Chicago on Thursday October 18^th at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event will be a full-day, catered affair with breakfast and lunch included. Breakfast starts at 8:30 am. Presentations will begin at 9 am.

Passes to this event are valued at $695. ITMPI is offering Chicago-SPIN members a $195 discount rate. To register, go to http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=125387. Enter the number of passes you need in the SPIN member section at the bottom of the page.  Enter the promotional code of CSPIN-GAL in the Complimentary Pass section of the next page.

Feature presenters include:

* Capers Jones, noted author and Chief Scientist Emeritus of Software Productivity Research

* Dr. Vic Basili, Director, Fraunhofer Center, Univ. of Maryland

* David Garmus, former President of the International Function Point User's Group (IFPUG) and author of "Function Point Analysis,"

* Robert Lawhorn, Chief Technology Officer of CAI

* Dr. Larry Dribin, Principle of the Pearl Street Group

Topics covered will include:

* Practical Uses for Process Improvement Measurement

* Productivity Evaluation: Establishing a Performance Baseline

* Transforming IT Management to Achieve Dramatic Business Success

* Establishing a Software Measurement Program

* Achieving Excellence in Software Engineering

At the conclusion of conference, CAI and C-SPIN will host a "Meet the Speakers" event. Please plan on attending and discussing the day's happenings with your peers and speakers.

Go to http://www.itmpi.org/events to learn more about this conference. Please note that consulting or staffing organizations cannot be accommodated for this conference. In addition the sponsor reserves the right to approve final acceptance of all attendees.

CAI is an IT services firm that specializes in helping its clients focus on the right activities in the IT function to achieve double-digit productivity gains in 9 to 12 months. Through its field proven processes and industry leading tools they help IT organizations focus on delivering solutions to the business while improving the overall support effort. Since 1981, they have successfully enabled Fortune 1000 companies like FedEx, Rohm & Haas, Johnson Controls, and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to improve the effectiveness of their IT organization.

The IT Metrics and Productivity Institute (ITMPI) is an organization founded by Computer Aid, Inc (CAI) to improve the practice and management of software development and maintenance. The ITMPI seeks to accomplish its mission through the promotion of best practices in the areas of Software Process, Software Metrics, Software Estimation, and IT Governance.

We hope to see you at the conference! If you can't make it - please consider attending a future event. If you have any questions about the event or would like additional information, please contact Dan Galardini at Dan_Galardini@notes.compaid.com.