Overview

Cloud computing doesn't just change the way we do business. It changes business.

Cloud computing changes the way businesses manage IT.
Explore what it can do for your bottomline.

Cloud computing lets companies adopt new business models, expand fast, and ensure seamless business compatibility - all while greatly reducing costs by generating new, and greater efficiencies. It officially moved beyond hype when it was identified as one of 2010's Top 10 IT trends by Gartner.

By leveraging on the power of Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Cloud computing greatly simplifies the processes involved in managing complex, customised, expensive IT infrastructures and solutions.

Though enterprise-level adoption of cloud computing has been growing steadily, many companies still have concerns about the viability of cloud computing, and its suitability for their organisations. These concerns include, amongst others, security, availability of service, and vendor availability and maturity.

Join us at the Cloud Summit, and hear from our distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders on the trends, opportunities and challenges you'll face with cloud computing. Discover how you can profit from the cloud services revolution while mitigating any potential risks, by learning from real-life stories that unravel the myths, the reality, the strategies, and the execution involved in cloud computing.

AUSTRALIA

Gartner on Cloud Computing

Worldwide cloud services revenue will reach $68.3 billion in 2010, a 16.6 percent increase from 2009 revenue of $58.6 billion. By 2014, this figure is expected to reach $148.8 billion.
Enterprises are likely to spend $112 billion cumulatively on software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) in the course of the next 5 years.
The core ideas at the heart of cloud computing - such as pay for use, multi-tenancy and external services are resonating ever so strongly amongst users. Delivery of functionality less expensively and with more agility is a key driver of this adoption.

Cloud Summit Videos & Presentations

Here are the videos of the Cloud summit sessions and track with corresponding presentations for download.

More content to be added in the next couple of days.

Breakfast session and keynote address

Cloud Computing - defining the business of IT and why CXOs should care

The concept of cloud computing continues to gain much exposure and interest globally. Many organizations are considering how and why they should adopt cloud principles. CXOs and senior business executives need to understand Cloud, and what directions their IT executives are planning to take.

This session will provide the insights and knowledge to help you understand what cloud is today and how it is evolving what are the risks & benefits of cloud computing specific research & examples on business impact of cloud and why you Mr CXO - need to be involved what your peers, your direct reports and your customers are doing and thinking about the cloud.

Speaker: Brian Prentice, Gartner and Microsoft

Cloud computing: myths, challenges, opportunities and realities – taking control of your Cloud strategy

Business leaders are increasingly looking to IT as a means to differentiate business offerings and service delivery. The concept of cloud computing continues to gain much exposure and interest globally with CEO level interest increasing. Thus, many CIO’s and IT managers are considering how they should deploy cloud. This session will provide the insights and knowledge to help you understand the impact on IT and traditional partnerships.

What our customers tell us are their biggest fears, risks & challenges about Cloud how cloud is evolving and steps you need to take in order to avoid failure. Different cloud models – private versus public or a hybrid solution? Best practices on vendor selection criteria – risks & rewards of vendor lock in.

Speaker: Brian Prentice, Gartner

The Cloud is transformational, and it is now

The Cloud transforms how you run your businesses allowing you to focus on what matters most: growth. Microsoft elaborates on how cloud is shaping our vision for enterprise computing and the innovation we’re delivering in infrastructure, platform and software as a service. Executives at some of Australia’s iconic brands such as Computershare and MYOB talk about how they’re reshaping technology for the cloud to deliver better customer service, lower costs and new business models.

Speaker: Microsoft Australia, MYOB, Compurshare

Infrastructure as a service

Session 1: Practical steps to building the private cloud

Understand the infrastructure and management considerations to implement a private cloud infrastructure.

Session 2: From Infrastructure to Applications

Learn how Microsoft and HP are delivering solutions which simplify the delivery of private cloud solutions.

Session 3: Managing the Private and Public Cloud

As infrastructure delivery changes shape, learn how service levels are being redefined and delivered for the cloud.

Platform as a Service

Session 1: Developing Applications on a Cloud platform

Understand the infrastructure and management considerations to implement a private cloud infrastructure.

Session 2: New opportunities for your data in the Cloud

Learn how Microsoft and HP are delivering solutions which simplify the delivery of private cloud solutions.

Session 3: Extend the scale and reach of your On-Premises Applications

As infrastructure delivery changes shape, learn how service levels are being redefined and delivered for the cloud.

Software as a Service – BPOS + CRM

Track 1 – BPOS: Grow your business with enterprise-class collaboration and productivity tools as cloud services

Learn how cloud services can make greater productivity possible with enterprise applications you already know and assets you have today with lower and more predictable costs.

Track 2 – CRM: Why your customer management strategy hinges on the cloud

Explore customer excellence and what you need to connect with your customers quickly using cloud computing. Learn about optimising the customer experience with enterprise class CRM as a cloud service.

Speakers

Hear from industry experts and thought leaders from Gartner and leading Austalian Firms. Join them as they explore the power of Cloud Computing.

Brian Prentice, Research VP, Gartner

Brian Prentice is a research vice president in the Application Strategy and Governance team. He works across several of Gartner's research key initiatives, including Application Overhaul, Cloud Computing, Social Software, and Emerging Trends and Technologies. He has put particular emphasis on helping clients gain value from open-source software and to establish strategies to simplify complex applications. Mr. Prentice is also a frequent and respected contributor to Gartner's Blogger Network.
Dominic O’Hanlon, Chief Strategy Officer, MYOB

Dominic O’Hanlon is Chief Strategy Officer of Australia’s largest software company, MYOB, MYOB’s products and services are used by over 1 million businesses and over 10,000 accountants in ANZ alone. In his role as CSO Dominic is responsible for the creation, communication, and execution of MYOB's most important strategic initiatives. Foremost amongst these in MYOB’s investment in the Microsoft Azure platform. Over the next three years, MYOB has committed to spending AU$90 million on research and development, helping businesses to move online and providing significant cloud-based collaboration services.
Peter Reid, Architect: Technology Services, Computershare

Peter is an Architect for Computershare based in Melbourne focused on Internet technologies. Peter has been working with cutting edge technologies to provide cost effective solutions to real world problems faced in the finance industry for more years than he hasn't. He has a keen interest in economics, green technology and the limitless opportunity provided by cloud computing.
Gianpaolo Carraro, Director, Developer and Platform Evangelism, Microsoft

Gianpaolo Carraro is the Director of the Developer and Platform Evangelism group. In his role, Gianpaolo leads a team of technology evangelists, social marketers, strategy advisors and sales professionals. His team responsibilities include: developer, student and entrepreneur community engagement, early adoption programs, nurturing and growing the Australian software economy around the Microsoft cloud, web and phone platforms as well as Visual Studio tools revenue.

Before joining Microsoft Australia’s team, Gianpaolo spent 5 years at Microsoft corporate, leading the cloud architecture strategy team.

Prior to Microsoft, Gianpaolo was Founder and CEO of a venture backed Software as a Service startup.
Larry Gregory, Evangelism Manager, Microsoft

Larry Gregory manages Customer and Partner Evangelism for Microsoft Australia. This group of advisors and architects help software companies and enterprise customers deliver compelling solutions using Microsoft technologies.

In prior Microsoft roles, Larry was Senior Director of US Partner Evangelism, Evangelism Manager for the Emerging Business Team, and held numerous technology advisor roles in the Enterprise division. Prior to Microsoft, Larry worked for Andersen Consulting as a Senior Consultant.

Larry holds BS and MBA degrees from the University of Connecticut.
Cameron McFie, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Emantra

Cameron McFie B.IT MCSE is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of the Brisbane-based hosting company Emantra. He is a senior infrastructure engineer and solutions architect with over 16 years technical experience in large organisations including Computer Sciences Corporation, BHP IT, WebCentral and Queensland Government. Cameron has focussed Emantra's growth over its five year life towards innovative Microsoft solutions at the high-end of the corporate and government market. During this time, Emantra is proud to have won two Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards in our specialist competencies.

Partners

We've partnered with these great folks to give you the power to be inclusive. To be expansive. To harness Cloud Computing.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

HP is a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world. They explore how technology and services can help people and companies address their problems and challenges, and realize their possibilities, aspirations and dreams. They apply new thinking and ideas to create more simple, valuable and trusted experiences with technology, continuously improving the way our customers live and work.
Intel Corporation

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products, and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Founded in 1968 to build semiconductor memory products, Intel introduced the world's first microprocessor in 1971.
Intel seeks to delight its customers, employees, and shareholders by relentlessly delivering the platform and technology advancements that become essential to work and life