From hosting our first-ever Supplier Workshop in Toronto, where suppliers engaged in discussions on best practices and growth strategies, to bringing together over 35 School Boards at the OAUG Conference to enhance collaboration and innovation in student information systems — OECM continues to foster meaningful connections.
Over 35 School Boards attend OAUG Conference
Over 35 School Boards attended an Ontario Aspen User Group (OAUG) Conference in Richmond Hill on February 12-14, 2025. The event was hosted by OECM and our supplier partner, Fujitsu, in partnership with Follett of Canada, the provider for the Student Information System (SIS) and Related Services Agreement.
This two-day Conference was designed to enhance School Boards’ use of the Aspen Student Information System, while providing a strategic platform for collaboration, innovation, and shared learning. Beyond the structured sessions, the sessions were also about building connections—connections that spark new ideas, forge stronger partnerships and enable us to collectively address the challenges of an evolving education system.
The event also echoes OECM’s deep commitment to supporting collaboration by bringing together customers and suppliers in meaningful ways that go beyond the transactional. Click here for a few pictures from the event!
The event was emceed by OECM’s Director, Supplier Relationship Management, Tibor Galambos with opening remarks by Khusen Shukurov, OECM’s Vice President of Operations, followed by remarks by James Proulx, Executive Officer, IT and Digital Transformation, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and Chris Mchaud, Head of Information Technology Department, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB).
Several morning breakout sessions were held about practical scheduling concepts, data dictionary management, the Aspen Import Tool, along with scheduling, security and conduct management. The afternoon sessions discussed attendance management and use of the Workflow Design Tool.
In the afternoon, James Monti offered a Keynote presentation about Leveraging Aspen to Support Data Driven Decision Making, followed by a panel discussion with Monti and David Gray, Senior Product Manager of Follett Software addressing common questions users have when using the Aspen platform.
Day 1 wrapped up with closing remarks by Steve Klimczuk, Senior Manager-Information Technology Services, District School Board of Niagara.
Day 2 entailed continued breakout sessions on topics such as scheduled jobs and customizing templates, followed by a Follett Roadmap session by David Gray, with closing remarks by William Zizek, Director, Public Sector, Ontario, Fujitsu.
Special thanks to all SMC and EOC members, along with Chris Freure, of ECNO for their valuable planning and ongoing commitment to supporting School Boards with their use of Aspen.
Contact our Dedicated Customer Support Team or click here for more information on the Student Information System (SIS) and Related Services Agreement.
OECM Hosts First Supplier Workshop to Foster Collaboration and Growth
OECM hosted its inaugural Supplier Workshop on October 30, 2024, at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, bringing together suppliers from various sectors to foster collaboration and explore growth opportunities. The event, themed “Driving Business Growth Through Collaboration,” aimed to engage suppliers and OECM stakeholders in meaningful dialogue about emerging procurement strategies and the future of supplier relationships.
The day began with breakfast, followed by an official welcome from Khusen Shukurov, OECM’s Vice President of Operations, and Barry Taylor, Co-Chair and Director of Pricing at Swish Maintenance Ltd. Dr. F. Haider Alvi, Chair of OECM’s Board of Directors, and Jim Hadjiyianni, President and CEO of OECM, provided opening remarks, setting the tone for a day filled with valuable insights and strategic discussions.
The keynote address, “Understanding ESG Through Your Customer’s Eyes,” was delivered by Tim Reeve, President of Reeve Consulting. His session focused on the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in procurement, equipping attendees with a customer-centric approach to sustainability in their business practices.
Jim Hadjiyianni then presented OECM’s strategic plan, outlining its vision, key priorities and commitment to providing robust support for suppliers. This session highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering supplier success, including OECM’s Supplier Relationship Program (SRP), Supplier Partner Council (SPC), and Supplier Success Program (SSP).
Following a refreshment break, OECM’s Supplier Relationship Management team, led by Senior Supplier Relationship Managers, Jay Chan, Justin Sin, and Mie Okawa, provided an in-depth overview of the strategic initiatives designed to support and engage the supplier community. Their presentation emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between OECM and its suppliers to drive mutual growth.
The event also featured a “Compliant and Successful Bidding Strategies and Best Practices” session led by Slavi Nalbantov and Aila You, Senior Managers of Strategic Sourcing at OECM. They shared valuable insights into how suppliers can refine their bidding strategies and increase their chances of success in OECM’s competitive procurement environment.
After a networking lunch, attendees participated in engaging table discussions and presentations, diving into topics such as effective customer engagement, communication, and marketing strategies led by Shelly Ann Henry, Director of Customer Relationship Management, and Kimberly Humphreys, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications at OECM. These sessions provided valuable tools for suppliers to communicate their value propositions and grow their businesses effectively.
The afternoon culminated in a session on unlocking growth opportunities outside the education sector, presented by Patrice Likamshum, Director of Business Development at OECM. The session explored new avenues for suppliers to expand their market reach.
A key highlight of the day was the Supplier Panel Discussion, “Leveraging Innovation and Collaboration to Drive Success in the Public Sector,” moderated by Barry Taylor. Panelists included Jamil Dibe of Staples Professional, Simon Murphy of Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd., and Tammy Ward of Roth IAMS Ltd. They shared their experiences and insights on how innovation and collaboration can help suppliers succeed in the public sector procurement landscape.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Jim Hadjiyianni, followed by a post-event networking session, where attendees could further connect and discuss the day’s takeaways.
The OECM Supplier Workshop was a resounding success, offering valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. OECM looks forward to hosting future events that support supplier growth and foster strong, sustainable partnerships in the procurement sector.
