Multi-faceted TECHXNY Show Opens Next Tuesday

When the multi-faceted TECHXNY show gets under way in New York City, next week, at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (Oct. 5 to 7), consumers and IT professionals alike will be able to delve into issues currently challenging IT managers--outsourcing, networking, and data storage, for example--as well confront the looming impact on IT of converging technologies.

"The show is very broad," said Christina Condos, the TECHXNY show director. "We think we've got our finger on the pulse of IT professionals and business professionals--and also the channel."

The show features a range of events, from educational sessions on Windows, security, networking, advanced data storage techniques, and disaster recovery, to exhibits that include an outsourcing pavilion and demos of new products and services.

"The consumer stuff is aimed at the digital home--how it is an extension of the office," Condos said. "There will be assistance on making your home a more efficient workplace." Condos noted that the show's consumer track is not strictly aimed at consumer devices, but rather attempts to demonstrate how consumer-oriented products are working their way into traditional IT territory.

As an example, she pointed to "The World of AVolution" pavilion, which is dedicated to audiovisual (AV) products, such as videoconferencing and advanced audio and wireless services that are used in IT environments. Sponsored by the InfoComm/International Communications Industries Association (ICIA) and several ICIA member companies, the pavilion will showcase scores of AV products in live demos of integration, conferencing, boardroom, and theater situations. Parks Associates will lead show attendees through sessions aimed at making home offices more efficient.Two prominent industry executives will deliver keynote addresses at TECHXNY. At 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, Kenneth D. Cron, interim CEO of Computer Associates, will speak on "The Challenge for a New Era: Managing IT to Drive Business Success."

At 11 a. m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, Kevin Gilroy, Hewlett-Packard senior vice president and general manager, will discuss "The Role of IT Vendors and the Channel in Empowering SMBs to Solve Business Problems." HP is expected to make a major announcement at the show.

Throughout the show, a series of case studies will be presented beginning Tuesday, with a Digital Media Session on home networking hosted by IBM's Gail Whipple, who is vice president of the firm's Global Digital Media unit. Later that day, HP will discuss the expanding role of digital color in SMB offices. On Wednesday, Parks Associates and IBM will present sessions on home digital services, while the Quantum Corp. will discuss the value of tape storage in preserving images. Thursday's Case Studies sessions will address "Broadband Solutions Inside and Outside the Home."

The hot issue of outsourcing--including onshore, near-shore, and offshore--will get a thorough airing at the "Outsource World" event within TECHXNY. An offshore pavilion will be set up with exhibits from Argentina, China, the Czech Republic, Dubai, India, the Philippines, and the Managed Services Provider Alliance. These "Outsource World" events will present four main areas: IT services, human-resources services, call-center services, and business-process outsourcing (BPO.) An invitation-only event, the BPO event, according to Condos, will present the pros and cons of the long-term contracting of businesses processes to outsourcing providers. "It's very focused and targeted," she said. "It's mostly for high-level CIO types."

Several firms are expected to use TECHXNY to launch new products and services. Condos noted that because New York City is a major media center, she expects more than 1100 journalists from a broad spectrum to attend press conferences and demos. Special events will be conducted on Microsoft's foray into television, eBay's role for small and medium businesses, and new developments involving palmOne applications.0