Opening Remarks:

Scot Finnie, Editor in Chief, Computerworld

Strategic Virtualization — "Think Big to Create an Adaptive Enterprise"

Virtualization has become a "hot topic" in IT circles. The question becomes, does the hype come anywhere close to reflecting the reality? Hear the stunning reality at Amerisure Insurance (a 95 year old mutual insurance company providing worker compensation insurance with 9 regional core service centers) and how this organization took the "Think Big" approach and has successfully made the complete Strategic Virtualization transformation (implemented and functioning in production for over two years). The presentation will cover the approach they took to overcome technological and "cultural" issues, highlight critical elements along the "roadmap" to success and hear their Enterprise Architect's discuss the "must do's", the "avoid at all cost" and "better than anticipated" from the perspective of experience.
Jack Wilson, Enterprise Architect, Amerisure Insurance

The What, Where and Why of Virtualization

Based on the results of 161 interviews with server decision makers from Fortune 1000 and mid-size enterprises, this presentation will delve into the what, where and why of virtualization answering such questions as: What are your peers doing and how does your organization's plan stack up against theirs? Where is Virtualization headed in the near future? Why has 2-socket quad core is the hardware configuration "sweet spot" for hosting server virtualization?

Presentation by Bob Gill, Managing Director of Server Research

Getting Started with Server Virtualization

This addresses the planning and preparatory steps to implementing server virtualization: workload considerations, choosing the virtualization platform, underlying hardware configuration, storage and networking, proof-of-concept creation, getting management buy-in and support, the process and tools for making the move and other factors that lead to P2V success or failure.

Patrick Thibodeau, Senior Editor, Computerworld
Rick J. Scherer, Systems Administrator, San Diego Data Processing Corporation (A not-for-profit, government data center provider)
Ray Pawlikowski, CEO, HotSchedules
Matthew Woodings, CTO, HotSchedules

Networking Break - visit the expo floor, media library and the chat lounge.

Virtualization Gotchas

What are the issues that come up in the planning, deployment and application of virtualization and virtual infrastructure and how can you avoid them? Experts weigh in with their real-world experiences and offer suggestions for a smooth transition.

Moderator: Robert L. Mitchell, National Correspondent, Computerworld
Panelists: Dan Blanchard, VP of Enterprise Operations, Marriott International
Jay Corn, Senior Manager, Accenture
Paul Poppleton, Senior Staff Engineer, Qualcomm

Break Out Session (presented by Gold Sponsor)

Case Study: Kroll Factual Data

In this session, Kroll Factual Data will provide a deep overview of their virtual infrastructure. You will learn how these organizations selected the appropriate products, designed their system architecture, planned their deployment, migrated workload, and built a scalable and continuously monitored infrastructure.
Christopher M. Steffen, Principal Technical Architect, Kroll Factual Data

Networking Break - visit the expo floor, media library and the chat lounge.

Controlling Virtualization Security Risks: Tips from the Experts (sponsored by Tripwire)

Hear two security experts, Gene Kim from Tripwire and Mike Poor from Intelguardians, discuss virtualization security risks, as well as how to mitigate them. Topics addressed in this webcast will focus on VMware ESX, but can be used in any virtual computing environments.

The need for increased computing agility, coupled with the increasing cost and complexity of IT systems, have driven the rapid adoption of virtualization technologies. While virtualization has operational and economic rewards, the reality is that when information security controls are improperly implemented or neglected in virtualized environments, real security risks and exposures can be created faster than ever. The good news is that information security can take some practical steps right away to limit operational and security risks.

Mike Poor, Founder and Senior Security Analyst, Intelguardians
Gene Kim, CTO and Founder, Tripwire