Dynamic, Educational Content Drives Record IT End-User Registration at Storage Networking World Fall 2002.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Storage Networking World Fall 2002

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2002

1,000-Plus Storage Buyers and Influencers -- Over 700 of Them IT Users

-- Validate SNW as World's Leading Storage Networking Conference

IDG's Computerworld, in partnership with the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), today announced record participation in Storage Networking World (SNW) Fall, the foremost educational forum for the storage industry, being held this week at the Renaissance Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla.

On the strength of its dynamic line-up of conference sessions and speakers, SNW Fall drew more than 1,000 storage buyers and influencers, including more than 700 storage technology end-users ranging from decision-making systems and networking administrators to enterprise CIOs. These results affirm SNW's dominant position as the world's leading storage networking event series as well as the continued vitality of the storage industry.

"The amount of information under management has exponentially increased for almost all companies, so that organizations can end up spending a disproportionate amount of their overall IT budget on storage - managing information rather than using information," said Fran Dramis, CIO and chief e-commerce and security officer at BellSouth. "End-users at Storage Networking World are learning how to maximize storage investments and understand how to efficiently and effectively manage storage."

The record number of end-users attending SNW represent large enterprises and wield significant purchasing power. "According to an audience poll, 48% of attendees represent companies with more than 5,000 employees, while 27% oversee an annual IT budget of at least $100 million," said Ron Milton, senior vice president for Computerworld. "Nearly 30% of delegates note that more than a quarter of their budgets are dedicated to storage. The on-site polls also reveal that 36% of the audience has a storage capacity of 25 terabytes or more."

Nearly 60% of the audience polled on-site responded that their attendance at SNW is driven by the need "to be educated, stay up to date, and learn about successful deployment." Among the 88 educational sessions, including SNIA designed and delivered tutorials, expert panels and case studies from end-users, Brian Cobb, vice president, systems engineering at Fannie Mae, delivered a hands-on, how-to guide for developing a robust storage area network (SAN) architecture and infrastructure. "As data volume continues to increase, storage remains a key area throughout IT," Cobb said. "Storage Networking World is a great way to stay in touch with developments of the industry's proven, stable technology while learning more about successful applications."

"Having attended all of the European versions of SNW - Storage Networking World-EuroStorage - I was most attracted by the educational value so obvious from the SNW Orlando agenda. As an IT leader of a Swiss bank, I acquired storage solution tips in key areas such as implementation, security, continuity, and interoperability that will certainly make my trip worthwhile," commented Charles Inches, IT director, Corner Banca, Switzerland.

Newly elected SNIA Chairman, Board of Directors, Sheila Childs, noted, "The SNIA could not be more pleased with the outcome of this, our seventh, SNW in partnership with Computerworld. Together we have delivered an agenda that addresses both the pressing demands of storage solution-seeking users and the key mission of the SNIA relating to interoperability, standards and industry education."

"While the total number of end-users is a noteworthy achievement, it does not tell the entire story of SNW Fall's success," said Leo Leger, vice president of strategic initiatives for Computerworld. "By designing a program that stresses education, we've been able to attract end-users who represent leading companies, are responsible for large IT budgets and are the driving force behind the storage networking industry. The quality composition of SNW's audience is the true standard for a successful conference."

About Computerworld

Computerworld is the only integrated media company focused exclusively on the information needs of IT Leaders - those who manage and implement technology in Global 2000 organizations. The company's flagship weekly newspaper - along with its Computerworld.com Web site and conference series for IT Leaders - form the U.S.-based hub of the world's largest worldwide IT media network. Publishing since 1967, Computerworld has been recognized numerous times by Folio: Magazine and the Computer Press Association as the best computer newspaper, and was named to the "Media Power 50" in 2002 by Crain Communications' BtoB Magazine. Winner of more than 70 print and online editorial awards since 1998, Computerworld has a newspaper circulation of 202,000, a total print audience of 1,846,000 (according to IntelliQuest CIMS v.9.0), and an online audience of 800,000 unique monthly visitors (according to DoubleClick). Breaking news and resources for IT leaders are available at www.computerworld.com.

Computerworld is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events worldwide, and IDG's research company, IDC, provides global market intelligence and advice through 51 offices in 43 countries. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

About the Storage Networking Industry Association

SNIA is a not-for-profit organization, made up of more than 200 companies and individuals spanning the entire storage and networking industry from manufacturers and developers to end users. The members of the SNIA share a common goal to "set the pace of the industry" by ensuring that storage networks become more efficient, complete and trusted solutions across the IT community. To this end, SNIA is uniquely committed to delivering standards, education, and services that will propel storage networking solutions into the broader market. SNIA currently has multiple technical efforts under way. For membership inquiries, or to participate in working groups, please visit the SNIA Web site at www.snia.org.