Phorum 2012 Cloud Computing Conference promises to shake up Philly Cloud scene

Tom Paine




Philadelphia has many excellent tech events and conferences that serve different constituencies. Chariot Solutions' annual Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise conference (already sold out this year), for example, is focused more on the developer commmunity. But there has been for some time the lack of a premier event geared towards enterprise executives and CIOs/CTOs emphasizing business solutions that is national in scope yet distinctly Philadelphian in its focus.

Also, the rise of cloud-based technologies and Software as a Service (SaaS) has undeniably become a tidal wave transforming the enterprise IT landscape, not only by improving cost effectiveness but also by adding new capabilities and flexibility. I recently highlighted parts of the local Salesforce.com ecosystem; in addition legacy vendors such as SunGard Availability Services and Unisys have ambitious strategies and architectures for the Cloud. Newer companies such as Dell Boomi and Xtium, and numerous other smaller startups, have great potential. Also, SAP AG is becoming a major Cloud vendor through its recently completed acquisition of SuccessFactors as well as its internally developed platforms.

Sensing a need that was not being served, Bob Moul, formerly GM of Dell Boomi and now President of Philly Startup Leaders (who also recently became Chairman & CEO of Philly-based mobile developer appRennaisance), and Charles Robins, Managing Director of Philadelphia-based investment bank Fairmount Partners, got together at the encouragement of PACT (the Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies) to put together a world class event for Philadelphia focusing on cloud technologies for the enterprise. The result is PACT's Phorum 2012 Cloud Computing Conference, to be held on March 28 at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Moul said in a phone interview with Philly Tech News that Phorum is not intended so much for developers but more for enterprise general managers and IT execs. Although leaders from different businesses will give presentations, the atmosphere will not be one of sales-oriented pitches but rather informative and educational content, providing perspectives on the types of solutions available through the Cloud and some of the obstacles that might be encountered in implementing them. The goal is to achieve an environment similar to a Gartner or Forrester conference. And while the event may be national in stature, Moul emphasizes that the program is specifically designed for the Philadelphia business & tech community. Phorum is also trying to shake up the "east coast suit and tie banker / lawyer stereotype" with a more informal and trendy atmosphere.

The keynote speaker will be Nicholas Carr, a provocative commentator and sometimes skeptic on technology issues whose books include The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains (a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist) and The Big Switch: Rewiring the World, from Edison to Google (2008). He also writes the blog Rough Type. Other speakers include Peter Coffee, VP and Head of Platform Research for Salesforce.com, James Staten, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, and John Treadway, North American practice director for cloud and data center transformation at Unisys. All are prominent Cloud Computing experts.

The afternoon will feature panel discussions along two tracks: New Enterprise Models, and Mobility. Another major aspect of Phorum will be the Demo Pit, which will feature 12 mostly local early stage ventures demonstrating cloud offerings. You can see who they are here.

The event will close with "A Call to Action" featuring Salesforce's Peter Coffee and the announcement of the Demo Pit “Best in Show” finalists. A Cocktail Reception & Networking Event will follow with what is promised to be "great live music".

In addition to PACT, sponsors include Dell and Fairmount Partners. Some other sponsorship opportunities may still be available. The price is $250 for PACT members and $350 for non-members, or $50 and $75 for the reception only. You can register for the event here.

The Phorum Conference is intended to be an annual event, though it may focus on different topics in future years. You can follow information about Phorum on its LinkedIn page.



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