Network World Live Takes IT Roadmap Conference Series to Dallas; Networking Pros to Share and Analyze Enterprise IT Strategies.

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. -- The third stop in Network World Live's new IT Roadmap conference and expo series will be Dallas on September 13. The conference will explore the seven topic areas identified as the highest priorities to network IT decision-makers as they plan improvements and allocate IT budgets for their companies. Those topics are: Application & Content Security; Data Centers; Enterprise Mobility; Network Management; Storage & Data Compliance; VoIP, Convergence & Collaboration; and Network & Application Acceleration.

Bringing together analysts, Network World journalists, top vendors, and 500 qualified networking professionals from mid to large end-user enterprise companies, the series packs real-world issues analysis, vendor solutions, and tested strategies into a meaningful event for networking professionals. This one-day conference will take place September 13, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, Texas.

"Today's IT executives not only need to know about compelling new technologies and practices, but how these pieces fit together to create an architecture that helps drive business," said John Gallant, president and editorial director of Network World. "This is what the IT Roadmap series is all about: hands-on strategies and tested solutions that attendees can directly apply to their organizations."

Gallant's opening keynote address, entitled "Navigating the Road Ahead: the New IT Imperatives," will outline the factors shaping the future of IT and the changing roles of IT professionals. The keynote will be followed by a panel of IT All-Stars sharing their expertise and insights with Beth Schultz, editor of Network World's Signature Series. Network World IT All-Stars, chosen for their exceptional use of technology within a key industry segment, will share their strategies and real-world case histories with IT Roadmap attendees. Featured All-Stars include Bobby Badugu of Gold's Gym International, Greg Britz of BNSF Railways, Phil Keith of Sabre Holdings, and Kurt Page of American National Bank.

Highly Focused Tech Tracks

Following the keynote and All Star panel, IT Roadmap: Dallas attendees will divide themselves into four morning and three afternoon information-packed tracks, each focused on a key topic in information technology.

--Application and Content Security

Enabling Effective Security in a Risky World: Issues, Strategies, Best Practices

Summary: As security becomes about more than just keeping intruders out, enterprises are also looking to ensure their proprietary information remains safe. This session looks at regulatory and corporate compliance and intellectual property protection, as well as automated encryption and archiving of sensitive information.

--Wireless LANs and Enterprise Mobility

Mobilizing Everyone: Enterprise WLANs and Emerging Mobile Broadband Systems

Summary: Enterprises of all types and sizes are now taking advantage of advances in mobile computing and communications, and especially the broad range of wireless tools now available. This session will bring the entire spectrum of wireless networking into focus, with a discussion of the key topics that are making a difference in responsiveness, customer service, productivity, and even the bottom line.

--Network Management

The Link between an Agile Enterprise and Network Management

Summary: Companies are looking to innovative technologies that manage applications, performance, security, Web services, compliance, and more. This session focuses on configuration and patch management issues, business-services management, and IT Infrastructure Libraries.

--The New Data Center

One Size Fits None: Designing, Deploying, and Managing Next-Generation Data Centers

Summary: In the 21st-century data center, shared resources replace fixed technology "silos." Capacity expands dynamically to accommodate demand. And users experience real-time responsiveness regardless of where they are on the globe. This session focuses on effectively designing, deploying, and managing next-generation data centers.

--Storage and Data Compliance

Information Stewardship: Holistic Data Management in the Enterprise

Summary: At the heart of the enterprise is the data; how it's managed and stored can make or break a company. This is particularly true when it comes to corporate and regulatory compliance. This session looks at familiar and essential tasks, such as backup and recovery and information life-cycle management, as well as new approaches to storage and data compliance, such as wide-area file services, continuous data protection and data replication.

--VoIP, Convergence and Collaboration

Convergence and Collaboration: The Next-Generation Network Paradigm

Summary: The attraction of VoIP is its potential to reduce costs and boost productivity. But building the VoIP infrastructure is just the beginning; it must be managed and secured. Tools that allow for real-time collaboration and other applications promise to deliver significant benefits as well. This session will look to the future, covering emerging technologies such as Voice over WiFi, which are sure to factor prominently into IT roadmaps.

--Network and Application Acceleration

Making Sense of Network and Application Acceleration

Summary: This track will review the different approaches to boosting network and application performance and will analyze the applicability of each approach. The session will also describe a number of the leading products in this area and will discuss how these products have been used to enhance network and application performance.

About the IT Roadmap Series

The IT Roadmap series encompasses insight from Network World's top editorial team, perspectives from respected industry analysts, valuable case studies from IT buyers and presentations from the top technology solutions providers. Each IT Roadmap conference explores key topic areas identified as the highest priorities to network IT decision-makers as they plan improvements and allocate IT budgets for their companies. Each conference also features a private IT Expo of vendors offering best-of-breed technologies, allowing attendees to source, compare, and evaluate innovative solutions and potential new partners. Taking place quarterly in major cities across the U.S., the IT Roadmap series will next take place in Dallas on September 13, followed by IT Roadmap: San Francisco on November 30. Free to qualified applicants, potential IT Roadmap: Dallas attendees can sign up here: http://www.networkworld.com/events/itroadmapdall06/index.html

IT Roadmap: Dallas Sponsors and Partners

Platinum sponsors are American Power Conversion, Corp. (APC), AT&T, Blue Coat Systems, Brocade Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., Citrix Systems, Inc., Dell, Inc., Fiberlink Communications, Fluke Networks, Foundry Networks, Ipswitch, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., NetScout Systems, Inc., Optinuity, Inc., Packeteer, Inc., ShoreTel Inc., Symantec, and Time Warner Cable Business Class. Gold sponsors are Akamai Technologies, Application Security, Inc., Clearswift Corporation, Expand Networks, Extreme Networks, Inc., F5 Networks, Finjan Inc., Gigamon Systems, Global Knowledge, Internet Security Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies, MicroWorks Computer Center, Mimosa Systems, Mitel, MRV Communications, Inc., n3k Informatik, Inc., Netli, NetQoS Inc., Neverfail, Inc., Nimsoft Inc., Persystent Technologies, Positive Networks, RealOps, Inc., Riverbed Technology, ScanSafe Inc., ScienceLogic, SecureWave, Shunra, Silver Peak, Skybox Security, Inc., SonicWALL, Inc., Trapeze Networks, Webroot Software, Inc. and Xirrus, Inc. Conference partners are the Texas council of AeANet, The DallasBlue Business Network, and The Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

About Network World

Network World, Inc., the Leader in Network Knowledge, empowers Network IT Executives through education, information and community. Network World, an IDG company, is the leading provider of news, analysis, reviews, events and education on information technology. Network World publishes the leading newsweekly, Network World, hosts the most active online community (www.networkworld.com), and produces educational seminars and events worldwide. Network World's portfolio of strategic marketing programs provides marketing and agency professionals with the tools to generate high-quality leads, optimize marketing campaigns, and create new revenue opportunities. Additionally, Network World is the event organizer of DEMO and DEMOfall, the leading events for new technology innovation.

About IDG

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's online network includes more than 400 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and gaming worldwide. IDG is a leading producer of more than 170 technology-related events including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 850 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.

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