Tracks
8 Tracks
| Track A: IT Operations Track | IT infrastructure and operations management professionals have never been under so much pressure — from providing 24/7 availability and high quality of service, while at the same time reducing cost; to managing constant change from internal and external sources; to aligning IT services with the business requirements; to understanding risk profiles against potential rewards; and to implementing business practices through process definition and maturity, such that they can make business-level decisions on IT service pricing, packaging, sourcing and other trade-offs. At the same time, new architectures are emerging that have the potential to drastically disrupt and alter IT processes. While the disruption could eventually result in positive outcomes, without planning, it could also result in chaos. This track focuses on IT operations management trends and disruptions with a heightened focus on process improvement – both short and long-term. We will provide practical, prescriptive advice on “how to” achieve excellence and contribute business value. | A |
| Track B: Virtualization Track | Virtualization is much more than a technology – it is a fundamental change in much of your IT thinking. Through 2012 it may be the most impactful development, affecting how organizations plan, buy, deploy, manage and charge for IT services. Virtualization is not one thing, it is many sometimes different technologies impacting storage, servers, applications, networks and desktops. Many organizations have moved past the initial stages of an x86 virtualization strategy so much of our tactical focus will be on what happens next. We will analyze the risk and rewards in next-generation virtualization technologies – and how to avoid creating new problems down the road. Along with examining the newest technologies we look at the management challenges virtualization brings with it in areas such as operations, disaster recovery, and its impact on storage. | B |
| Track C: IT Modernization & Consolidation | Critical factors are converging to make IT modernization a high priority, including pressure to optimize costs, looming skill gaps and the need to be more agile. Layered into this for many organizations are the energy-intensive aspects of I&O and pressure to lower the environmental impact. Yet IT modernization is more than just the continual need to upgrade and refresh – it involves a strategic and systematic approach to an evolution supportive of business processes. Often, organizations have to upgrade, migrate or pick a new solution on a timeline of their vendors’ choosing. Silo’d modernization projects often uncover other dependencies that create bottlenecks, even derail projects or incur increased costs. Making smart modernization choices is one thing, and implementing them well is another. Anticipated rapid technology advancements in servers and storage technologies and an aging data center facilities infrastructure will only exacerbate the challenges. This track will help organizations prioritize their IT modernization projects and deal with specific challenges | C |
| Track D: Networking & Communications | Enterprises are implementing a growing range of communication channels that include instant messaging, presence, conferencing and video. But with technologies, vendor offerings and user demands constantly shifting, it can be difficult to maintain the course. And, as always, quantifying the ROI on better collaboration can be challenging, but the benefits are real. | D |
| Track E: Cost Optimization in Infrastructure & Operations – Thriving During Difficult Times | This track focuses on how I&O should be thinking about costs in this uncertain economic climate. Many organizations are looking at ways to reduce spending in 2009, and we will highlight new and steadfast techniques to save money that should be on every I&O checklist, areas to focus on if the economic situation deteriorates further, as well as to identify possible unintended consequences of sharp cuts. But cost optimization is not simply about cost reduction. We will also identify ways to drive new value out of new and existing processes and technologies, to balance opportunities for growth with cost-cutting, to lead your I&O organization in lean times, and how to prepare for an eventual economic recovery. | E |
| Keynotes | K | |
| Solution Provider Sessions | SPS | |
| Tutorials | T | |
