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CIF announce Knowledge Network Theatre speaker line up for Cloud Expo Europe 2013

Cloud
Industry experts to be brought together in the CIF theatre to share insight, practical advice and education for Cloud Service Providers in the current Cloud market.

The Cloud Industry Forum is pleased to announce the speaker line up contributing to the two-day event at their Knowledge Network theatre at Cloud Expo Europe, educating both Cloud Service Providers and end users on their journey to the Cloud.

The CIF theatre at the show has been designed as a comprehensive and independent education programme under the title of “The Knowledge Network”. Including practical industry case studies, the latest market research and shared knowledge from a variety of CIF endorsed industry spokespeople. Alongside, there will practical guidance to those endeavouring to gain certification to the Cloud Industry Forum’s CSP Code of Practice programme.

The list of the topics that will be covered and the names of the speakers delivering each Cloud Industry Forum workshop are as follows:

Research keynote: Practical considerations in Cloud adoptions – Andy Burton, Chairman, Cloud Industry Forum

A global perspective on the impact of cloud services on the deployment of IT - Peter King, Hosting & SMB Cloud Services Director, Microsoft UK

The Value of Cloud Service Provider Certification: Confidence in who to trust - Jessica Barry, APM Group and Dave Terrar, CIF CoP Governance Board

Building trust in a cloud marketplace - Oscar Orean, Technical Manager, Databarracks

Expert Panel: What should a model CSP contract cover? - Moderated by: Conor Ward, Partner, Hogan Lovells (& Chair of CIF Legal Group)

The Modern Approach to Cloud Operations: enabling Smarter IT practices Antonio Piraino, CTO ScienceLogic & Peter Rossi, Head of Orchestration at Skyscape Cloud Services

Panel Session: Moving Infrastructure to a Platform as a Service - Moderator: Olivier Maes, Citrix

An SMB perspective on cutting operating costs and removing on-site IT - Gary Williams, Ops Director, Vadarmoss

Building the Business Case to Adopt Cloud - Andy Barrow, Technical Director, ANS

The role of Cloud within your business strategy - James Henigan, IT Services Director, Rise

Keynote: The Cloud Outlook for the Channel - Drivers for business growth - Andy Burton, Chairman, Cloud Industry Forum & Jerry Crossfield, MSP Leader, IBM UK & Ireland

Hybrid Cloud, Embracing Cloud, ensuring governance and control - Chris de Vere, VM Ware

Driving Value Management of Software across On-Premise and Cloud Services - Martin Prendergast, CEO, Concorde Solutions

Real World Stories – Practical advice on implementing Cloud alongside On-premise IT - Jonathon Berg, Director, Paradise Computing

Expert Panel: The facts about storing and managing Data in the cloud - Practical Journeys to cloud adoption

Practical Journeys to cloud adoption - Martin O’Donnell. Director Cloud & Hosted Services, Phoenix

How to deliver you bespoke applications in the cloud - Charles Black, CEO, Nasstar plc

An end user perspective in sourcing a trustworthy Cloud Service Provider - J F Kennedy, Wildbore and Gibbons

G-Cloud Government Cloud Delivers Security, Savings and Sustainability - Ronald Duncan, Chairman, @UK Plc

Is IT transformation really possible through Cloud Services? And what can it look like? - David Smart, CEO, Softwerx

As part of the opening address at the two-day event, Andy Burton, Chairman of CIF, and CEO of Fasthosts, will unveil the findings of the latest CIF research based upon a three year study. Burton comments:

“Cloud has moved on from the initial hype of a few years ago and has settled into an established industry groove in its own right. However, our findings still demonstrate there continues to be elements of mistrust and confusion around adoption as part of the valid business model. Particularly fears around data security and protection continue to manifest despite advances in education and growth in adoption across the business spectrum and as such we are delighted to partner with Cloud Expo Europe to bring together a great cross section of industry experts to demystify key subjects and promote cloud adoption.

Now more than ever, the challenge for the CIO is to deliver flexible, affordable IT within practical governance model that ensures achievement of business objectives whilst mitigating corporate risk. Through the knowledge of our experts complimented by tangible case studies we will enable knowledge transfer and education on key considerations CxOs need to be aware of. As part of the overall event we will also take the opportunity to share the CIF Cloud Service Provider Code of Practice certification process and demonstrate its value through end user case studies.”

Maggie Meer, event organiser, Cloud Expo Europe 2013, concluded: “We are delighted to welcome back the Cloud Industry Forum back for the second year running to share their knowledge and information on business models and technology issues as well as guidance for end user organisations looking to migrate to the Cloud.”