Learning

Introduction

aQute has helped many large and small companies learning OSGi, Java, Object Oriented technologies, software configuration management, and other software techniques. Customers are Deutsche Telekom, Intel, IBM, Ericsson, Nokia, and many others. See the Testimonials for some reviews.

The software industry requires an on-going learning process that never stops. New technologies and methodologies are introduced on a regular basis. Getting assistance with the learning process can greatly reduce the time to acquire the required knowledge, as well as limit the risks of applying technologies that are not well understood. Unfortunately, the most important decisions are taken during design, when knowledge experience is low.

There are many ways learning assistance can be provided depending on needs and budget. The most intense way is to provide mentoring. The lowest cost has a workshop or tutorial on an event.

Mentoring

Mentoring has the advantage that real projects can be used to hlp people acquire the required knowledge. This is more effective for the participants because the group works on real problems. The guidance of the mentor ensure that the project stays on track.

However, mentoring is usually intense; it requires a number of days per week in the first months of a project and later one or two days every other week. Mail and other groupware tools can be used to reduce the cost without jeopardizing the effectiveness.

Mentoring can be highly effective because it gives usinsight in the working of the company and we can use this information to adapt the training and support to the needs of the company. Our extensive network can often be leveraged to cooperate with other companies when necessary. The insights that are obtained can also be presented to management to improve the company's software processes.

Courses

aQute has given many different courses in Smalltalk, C++, Java, OSGi, XML, Object oriented programming, Windows, and more. If you are starting a new project than a custom designed course can save a significant amount of money over the course of a project. Courses can be delivered during a one or two day workshop or over a longer time depending on your needs.

Workshops

We try to give many workshops and tutorials on many conferences. Attending these is often the lowest cost way to get experience in a specific subject if less than 3 people need training. However, if you have a larger group, workshops can be organized on site cost effectively. This will further give the benefit of customizing the workshop.

Master classes

Experienced developers do not often go to tutorials or workshops because they are too basic. We therefore sometimes organize master classes. A master class is chaired by an expert but requires the participants to be well versed in the subject matter as well. Master classes can be extremely interesting because really complicated problems can be discussed. The fact that all participants are well versed in the subject matter means that much will be learned from the other participants as well.

DesignFest

DesignFest was introduced at the OOPSLA in 95 by Ralph Johnson. I helped to organize the DesignFest for a long time, and several times as chair. DesignFest's let a group of people come up with an analysis and design in a very constrained time. They are an extremely effective way to teach design techniques. And it is fun as well.

I want one!

If you are interested in any of the above traning methods, please, do not hesitate to contact us. Sometimes it is possible to combine requests from several companies into one event. You can reach us on +3346754267, or mail to Peter Kriens.