Interop New York: The Ultimate A-To- Z Guide

Application Delivery
The Application Delivery Track, chaired by Jim Metzler, VP of consulting firm Ashton, Metzler and Associates, focuses on how IT organizations can improve application performance and reliability, and how business applications can be rolled out more efficiently and effectively.

The track kicks off Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with a panel discussion on managing and controlling application performance. Other panels on the track include "Optimizing the Performance of Enterprise Applications," also on Wednesday, a Thursday session on "Optimizing Application Delivery to Branch Offices" and a session on "The Future of Application Delivery," on Friday at 10:15 a.m.

bMighty.com SMB Theater And Pavilion

Interop isn't only about big IT at big companies. The bMighty.com SMB Theater and Pavilion will feature ongoing exhibits and presentations aimed at helping small- and mid-sized businesses leverage information technology in order to run more efficiently, operate internationally, and present a larger face to the world.

Located inside the exhibition hall, the theater will feature presentations from editorial experts and vendors that offer IT systems for SMBs. On Wednesday, Spiceworks leads a discussion on IT best practices for SMBs, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, during happy hour.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is one of the tech industry's hottest buzzwords for 2008. But what's real and what's hype? Is this just time-sharing 2.0? Learn to sort the facts from fiction at the cloud computing track, starting on Wednesday at 1:30 with a session called "The Taxonomy of On-Demand Computing."

The Cloud Computing track is led by Alistair Croll, principal analyst at consulting firm BitCurrent. Other sessions include "Cloud SLA's," which examines the roll that service level agreements should play in cloud environments, "Running Clouds; What The Big Guys Know," at which experts from Amazon, Rackspace and others will share lessons learned, and "The Big Migration: Moving the Data Center to On-Demand," which looks at how organizations can move from traditional IT setups to cloud scenarios.

Data Center Management
These are truly challenging times for data center managers. Users want always-on availability, CFO's want to cut energy bills, and proliferating business apps require more processing power, but space is a finite commodity.

To help attendees navigate these and other challenges, Nemertes Research founding partner Andreas Antonopoulos leads a Data Center track featuring several panels devoted to key issues that datacenter managers must deal with. It kicks of Wednesday at 1:30 with an overview on "Data Center Trends and Strategies." Other sessions in the track look at the impact of the green movement on data center operations, the future of unified data center networks, and what cloud computing means for the data center.

Enterprise 2.0
Social networking tools aren't just for the kids anymore. Businesses are deploying blogs, wikis, IM and other technologies to ease communication, promote collaboration and create a more productive workplace. Interop's Enterprise 2.0 track, led by TechWeb general manager Steve Wylie, starts Wednesday at 2:45 with a session called "Social Software Tools: A Critical Evaluation."

Also check out "The ROI for Social Networking," which explains how to measure the payback on your Web 2.0 investment, and "Next Generation Search: Social Bookmarking and Tagging" -- a discussion on the benefits, and pitfalls, of these new methods for knowledge sharing.

Food
You can't make your way around hundreds of exhibit booths and dozens of conference sessions on an empty stomach. Fortunately, there's no lack of options at the Javits center and its immediate surroundings. The convention center itself boasts a food court on the main level and an upstairs lounge.

For heartier fare, Manhattan's West Side is home to a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes that range from casual to high end. Steak lovers should check out Uncle Jack's, on 9th Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets. This old school establishment claims New York's finest Kobe beef and fresh lobster. Seafood fans may want to troll over to Blue Point, on 9th Ave at 46th Street. Citysearch New York says "you will feel like you're on a vacation near the beach."

West 34th Street, a short walk from Javits, is home to numerous diners and chain restaurants for those in a hurry or not on an expense account.

Green Computing

Going green doesn't just help the environment -- it can boost the bottom line. New energy-saving technologies are helping businesses reduce cooling costs in the data center and other parts of the enterprise. Join Nemertes Research president Johna Till Johnson on Wednesday, at 11:00, for a session called "Efficient and Green IT -- A Cost Model Analysis." Johnson will examine the TCO/ROI implications of green IT.

Three other sessions round out the Green Computing track: "Is Green About Ecology Or Economy?," on Wednesday at 2:45, "Green Storage," on Thursday at 10:15, and "Green PCs -- Power Conservation is Not Just for Servers," at 3:15 on Thursday.

Heymann, Lenny

Interop general manager Lenny Heymann is responsible for setting Interop's global strategy and managing all educational programs. He also oversees several other brands within CMP's event portfolio, including Black Hat and CSI.

Heymann's says Interop combines both broad appeal for business generalists who need a working knowledge of IT, while also offering deeper analyses for tech pros. With a show this broad, "it's important to come well prepared," advises Heymann. "You should walk in with an agenda and start with what your business cares about most."

This year's hot topics include cloud computing, mobility and networking, says Heymann.

Prior to this position, Heymann was vice president of content for Interop, and has spent 11 years producing events. Earlier in his career, Heymann spent 10 years as a reporter and editor covering the computer and communications industries for such publications as Electronic News, CommunicationsWeek, MacWeek and LAN Times, where he was editor-in-chief.

IT Automation

Automating key IT tasks, such as application deployment and network monitoring, can help reduce costs and underpin more efficient business processes. But how do you sort through the vast range of new automation products and technologies, and how do you ensure you're getting the most for the money? This track, led by Rick Sturm of Enterprise Management Associates, is for IT pros who want to build streamlined, automated workflows and need answers to these questions.

IT Automation track sessions start on Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m., with a session titled "Solving Critical Business and IT Problems with IT Automation." Other sessions include "Automating the Service Desk" and "Business Service Automation."

The track wraps up Thursday at 4:00 p.m. with a panel discussion on "Improving Network Performance and Efficiency with Automation." Panelists include reps from EMC, Alterpoint, NetScout, Kaseya and CA.

Javits Center

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on Manhattan's West Side, is once again home to Interop New York this year. The Convention Center is located at 34th Street and 11th Avenue, and is easily reached by car or public transportation. It's also about a ten minute walk from most Midtown hotels.

The Javits Center was designed by world-famous architect I.M Pei and was built in 1986. It hosts more than 675,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Javits Center is managed by the New York City Convention Center Operating Corporation. Keynotes

The highlight of Interop is the keynote sessions -- a chance to hear industry visionaries share their insights on business technology's future. This year, no less than five tech industry leaders will take the main stage to share thoughts on IT's hottest topics, starting Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Speakers on Wednesday include Marie Hattar, VP for network systems and security solutions at Cisco, Novell president and CEO Ronald Hovsepian and IBM Lotus general manager Bob Picciano. On Thursday at 9:00 a.m., consultant and writer Clay Shirky will deliver the closing keynote on the future of the Internet and other emerging technologies.

Las Vegas 2009

Though Interop New York is just around the corner, it's not too early to start planning for Interop Las Vegas in the spring of 2009. Once again, the conference and exhibits will be staged at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center at the south end of the Strip. Interop Las Vegas 2009 kicks off on May 17th. Given the pace of change in today's tech industry, Heymann promises that Interop Las Vegas is not simply a repeat of Interop New York. "Given how quickly things are moving, there will be a lot new to see," he says.

Mobile Internet

The ability to conduct business while on the go is a must in our real-time economy, and making productive use of the mobile Internet is essential for companies that want to do more than just survive. Led by Farpoint Group principal Craig Mathias, Interop's Mobile Internet track starts Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. with a session called "Wireless: So Much Left To Do." The session will feature analysts from Nemertes Research, Octoscope, Burton Group and Strategy Analytics, all of whom will provide expert insight into the rapidly evolving mobile market. Other sessions in this track include "Future Directions: Advanced Wireless Technologies," and "The Microbrowser Grows Up."

Networking And Services

LANs and WANs are the backbone of the enterprise, but technology and standards are changing quickly. Consultant Jim Metzler, of Ashton, Metzler & Associates, leads the Networking and Services track, which is devoted to helping attendees stay abreast of the newest developments in networking architectures. On Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. there's an "IT Roundtable," at which CIOs from Frontier Airlines, Liberty Mutual and KPMG will provide insights gained from years of managing corporate technology departments.

On Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., Metzler and vendor representatives will look at the impact of virtualization on the datacenter, in a session called "Managing Virtualization." Sessions continue Thursday and Friday. Open Platforms
Business computing is opening up. There's open source, open standards and open networks. It can all add up to an IT environment that is flexible and user-friendly, and very cost efficient. But are open platforms secure? Are they reliable? Just how "open" should open be? These and other questions will surely come up for discussion during the Open Platforms track at the Unconference -- a series of sessions where the attendees themselves set the agenda.

Unconference starts Thursday at 4:00 p.m., during the Interop attendee party.

Party
And speaking of parties, no trip to Interop would be complete without checking out the attendee party. It's a chance to meet with colleagues and business partners -- and forge new contacts -- in an informal, social setting, while putting away some snacks and adult beverages. Concurrent with Thursday's party is the Unconference -- an attendee-driven series of informal, peer-to-peer discussions on various hot topics. Also keep an eye and ear out for vendor parties and receptions.

Quittin' Time
After the sessions are over and the exhibit hall closes for the day, energized Interop attendees can continue talking tech -- or move on to sports or the stock market -- at one of the many well-known, West Side watering holes near the Javits Center. Lansdowne Road, an Irish pub at 10th Avenue and 43rd Street, offers 14 beers on tap (including Guinness, of course) and a full menu. The Bourbon Street Bar and Grille, on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, offers Cajun fare along with "the finest collection of Bourbon Whisky north of the Mississippi."

South of the conference center on 23rd Street and 10th, The Half King -- owned and operated by "Perfect Storm" author Sebastian Junger -- serves comfort food like Mac and Cheese, along with a good selection of local and imported beers.

Registration
Interop New York offers numerous options for registration, and a variety of packages. Attendees can register online or by phone at 800-745-6493 or 801-617-0355. Registration forms can also be submitted by fax to 801-617-0355. Additionally, forms can be sent by snail mail to the address on the registration page. Options range from the $2,995 (before September 5th) All Access Pass -- which includes all conference exhibits and sessions, plus a choice of CIO Bootcamp, NAC Day and Workshops -- to a $50 Expo Only pass. Security
Security is top of mind for most tech professionals -- and with good reason. Data losses cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and can even land executives at negligent companies in jail. Join Compucom chief information risk strategist John Pironti, our IT Security track chair, for several sessions on how to keep your data safe from existing and emerging threats. "We're focusing on the changing dynamics of the adversary and the attack methodology," says Pironti. "And the evolution of the tools and capabilities we're using to counteract these attacks."

Sessions start Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with "Preventing Data Leaks: How To Identify, Protect and Sustain Sensitive Data"

Telepresence and Video Conferencing
"Where's Waldo?" would have been an easier question to answer in the age of telepresence. But the array of tools needed to support true telepresence, including real-time messaging, voice, and video conferencing systems, can put a strain on even the most robust networks. Telepresence and Video Conferencing track chair John Bartlett, of NetForcast, Inc., kicks things off on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. for "Network Design for Video Conferencing and Telepresence," where attendees will to learn how to put it all together. The track also includes a session called "Video Conferencing Overview -- Where Do I Start."

Unconference
Unconference covers more than just the aforementioned open platforms. The sessions, which feature an attendee-driven format led by BitCurrent's Alistair Croll, will touch on a broad range of hot topics, including cloud computing, social networking and mobility and telepresence. To add an informal touch, the sessions will be held at the Unconference@Interop Party, on Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00.

VoIP And Unified Communications
Voice-over-Internet Protocol allows enterprises to build a cheap, reliable and flexible telecommunications infrastructure, but there are pitfalls to watch out for. Co-Chair of VoiceCon and Editor of NoJitter Eric Krapf oversees a series of panels in the VoIP and Unified Communications track that are designed to help attendees identify and avoid those risks and achieve maximum return on their VoIP investment. The track starts Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. with "The Future of the Voice Endpoint: Telephones, Softphones, and Mobiles. Wireless
Wireless and mobile technologies, such as Wi-Fi and WiMAX, promise a truly untethered workplace and maximum flexibility for road warriors. But how do you choose the right technologies for your environment? How do you avoid instant obsolescence and buyer's remorse, given the pace of innovation in this field? Interop attendees that want answers to these questions can join Farpoint Group principal Craig Mathias as he leads our Wireless Technology track, which starts Wednesday at 11:10 with "Wireless: So Much To Do."

"The wireless track covers all of the issues and opportunities in mobile and wireless important to the enterprise," says Mathias. "There's also a track for developers with technical information on the key platforms and, in every session, time for questions," he adds.

X-Rated
Though New York is no longer the den of iniquity that it used to be -- the once infamous Times Square is now host to a Disney Store and theme restaurants -- the city still offers some upscale, adult-themed activities for those in search of such diversions. Best bet near the Javits Center: The Penthouse Executive Club at 45th and 11th. The club features 10,000 square feet of adult entertainment and is also home to the highly rated Roberts Steakhouse, which promises dry-aged steaks, cut to order.

Yankees
Want a last chance to see a ballgame at historic Yankee Stadium, which closes after the 2008 MLB season? The New York Yankees are conveniently in town during Interop to play the Chicago White Sox for a three-game set starting September 15th. The easiest way to get to the stadium is to take the Number 4 subway from Grand Central Station and exit at 161 Street and River Avenue. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Most games are sold out, but tickets can be found on StubHub.

Zen
That peaceful, easy feeling you get after checking out hundreds of exhibits and dozens of seminars and panel discussions at Interop New York, one of the country's largest, most comprehensive business technology shows, knowing that -- for the next six months, at least -- you're on top of all of the tech industry's latest trends and technologies. "You'll have seen a holistic view of the IT world," says Heymann.