Interop Mumbai makes a big splash
Interop Mumbai, which promised to set new benchmarks in the IT events landscape, lived up to its promise in every way. The event offered solution-rich exhibit floor, technical workshops and live technology demonstrations from leading vendors in addition to offering answers to a lot of technology-related questions.
Held at the Bombay Exhibition Center, from October 7-9, 2009, Interop Mumbai had 74 exhibitors and 120 speakers across 24 sessions which were attended by more than 500 delegates.
Focus on innovation
Interop Mumbai conference set off to an innovative start, with Wim Elfrink, Chief Globalisation Officer and EVP, Cisco Services, offering an interesting perspective on how the Internet will transform the way we work.
Elfrink said the Internet has reached the stage of large scale industrialization. The focus of his keynote was on how new technologies can improve the standard of living of citizens around the world. “If the governments of today plan well and intelligently use the Internet they can significantly transform the quality of lives of its citizens. Technology can transform healthcare, transportation and education. I believe that just like enterprises, cities must also have CIOs,” he added.
Walking his talk, Elfrink demonstrated, using Cisco TelePresence, how a citizen can avail different e-government services from the comfort of his home. As an amazed audience watched, Elfrink promptly attached an IP-based blood pressure device to measure his blood pressure. His doctor, sitting in Bengaluru, analyzed the readings of his blood pressure and promptly gave Elfrink appropriate medical advice.
Elfrink made his next video call to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Bengaluru, as his driving license was past its expiry date. Once the call was connected, the operator at the RTO asked Elfrink to stand in front of his camera. Within minutes, the RTO issued Elfrink a new driving license after looking at the medical report previously taken by his doctor. He also gave a demonstration of how TelePresence can revolutionize tele-education.
Cloud computing: Hype or reality?
Is the cloud for real? BV Jagadeesh, Chairman, Netmagic Solutions, answered this emerging question in his keynote address. His answer was an emphatic yes in favor of cloud computing.
Jagadeesh alluded to changes in software delivery models, notably SaaS. “The way cloud computing will pan out is that organizations will manage parts of their business critical infrastructure internally and use cloud services for the rest. Capacity planning is one factor that is driving virtualization, which in turn will drive the adoption of cloud computing,” he added.
Jagadeesh further added, “The combination of the private and public cloud can reduce costs, introduce efficiencies and help CIOs monitor unused capacity thereby helping them run their data centers much more efficiently. I believe the cloud is for real and the public cloud usage will not be limited to SMBs. Eventually the Fortune 500 companies will use the public cloud.”
Akash Saraf, Managing Director and CEO, Zenith Infotech presented a keynote on ‘How cloud computing technology will completely change the data center.’ Saraf shared his company’s R&D experience in cloud computing and expressed that cloud computing is that disruptive technology which will change the way technologies are bought and sold.
How secure is the future?
Interop also witnessed security experts emphasizing that the new age threats represent new opportunities for solution providers. Both, experts and vendors described several new threats and offered preventive solutions for them.
Ajit Shelat, President and CEO, Nevis Networks emphasized on agent-based security as a solution to counter internal and external threats, while Govind Ramamurthy, CEO and Managing Director, MicroWorld stressed on the threats associated with sharing data via USB devices across an enterprise network.
Captain Raghu Raman, CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group presented a key note on ‘Building a thriving business network through cohesive security management’. Raman’s keynote chronicled the upheavals caused by economic conditions and postulated a framework designed to sensitize employees and third parties in improving the risk posture of their organizations.
The first edition of Interop Mumbai was a major hit and promises to be even bigger and better next year. |