Citrix is to host an international conference focusing on business access software and access portal technology in Midrand in July. Previously known as the SimpilicITy conference, the event is now hosted solely by Citrix under the name "Citrix iForum 2002 Africa".
Chris Norton, Citrix channels manager for SA, says the event, to be held at Vodaworld on 23 July, will focus on the increasingly virtual nature of today`s business landscape. "Employees now require access to business applications and information wherever they are," says Norton. "Citrix iForum will aim to provide in-depth technical focus, demonstrating how specific technical issues can be overcome and illustrate the benefits of using Citrix technology."
[VIDEO]Norton says Citrix has taken ownership of the event because of the company`s growth in the South African market. "Previously the event was held in conjunction with Citrix`s distribution partners. With the growth of server-based computing in SA and the opening of a Citrix office two years ago, we have seen huge growth in the market and interest in Citrix`s technology and solutions. It made sense for us to include the event in SA as part of our worldwide series of customer conferences, known as Citrix iForum.
"Global business trends are for companies to centralise the provisioning and support of remote locations, while also reducing costs and increasing security," says Norton. SA is fast following this trend, he says. "However, there are challenges involved. Connecting remote branch offices, delivering real-time access to a mobile workforce - especially to business-critical data and full-function applications - and the deployment of changing application sets are among the key challenges.
[VIDEO]"Citrix`s scalable server-based architecture allows instant-on delivery of full-featured enterprise applications, which means provisioning that once took weeks can now be completed in minutes."
Norton points out that companies also have to be able to bring new applications online in minutes, rather than months. "Accelerating deployment, consolidating and securing key corporate data, and reducing the resources required to implement and manage a full range of business applications - from ERP [enterprise resource planning] and CRM [customer relationship management] to office productivity software - is a key requirement of businesses today. With the server-based model, updates to client code occur centrally, reducing the impact on users and IT staff."
The conference, covering 15 tracks, will feature keynote addresses from senior Citrix executives, including David AG Jones, senior VP corporate marketing and development; Lewis Gee, regional sales director of UK, Ireland, SA; John-Marc Clark, worldwide director, analyst relations and market research; David Austin, manager of field product marketing in Northern Europe; and Nick Black, systems engineer at Citrix SA.
[VIDEO]It will deliver a real-life case study approach, with interactive technical debates and solutions presented by industry players. Themes to be covered include: "Technology in Focus" - looking at the best ways to deliver applications and content to users anywhere; "Putting Technology into Practice" - getting the essential information needed to design, build, integrate and manage the virtual workplace; and "Real World Business Solutions" - how to succeed in today`s digital economy.
The event is aimed at CIOs, senior IT strategists, IT management and systems engineers.
With over 150 000 customers worldwide and with more than 30 million Citrix-enabled devices in use today, Citrix is a leader in virtual workplace software and services. Citrix addresses key business challenges centring on the need for fast, simple, secure information access that workers need to be productive - regardless of their location, network connection, client hardware or software platform.
Citrix application serving and access portal products and services permit organisations to centrally manage and support applications and to integrate them, along with other business information, into a virtual workplace that offers seamless connectivity and a consistent user experience across the Internet, intranets, extranets, WANs, LANs and wireless networks. Citrix says its solutions deliver cost-efficiency, productivity, business continuity, user mobility and enhanced e-business opportunities.
The Citrix iForum 2002 Africa conference will feature an exhibition area and will include industry vendors that provide products and services in the application and information serving market.
For free registration, go to www.citrixiforumafrica.co.za, or contact Audry at Professional Events Co-ordinators on (011) 452-4693 or events@pec.org.za.
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