The complete guide to finding #CloudMinds at IBM InterConnect
Every year, tens of thousands of IBM customers, business partners and industry experts descend on Las Vegas for the company’s InterConnect conference. This year is no exception, and the #CloudMinds group will be out in full force, sharing their thoughts on the trends and technologies that are shaping the marketplace.
#CloudMinds, as I previously explained here on the blog, is a vibrant and loyal group of more than 200 experts, pulling key individuals from the full set of ecosystem constituents. They often convene as the industry’s brightest minds, discuss its most pressing issues and work together toward solutions.
The group includes business and technology thought leaders, cloud & mobile SMEs, start-ups and entrepreneurs, VCs, business partners and developer communities. We encourage our #CloudMinds to continue to engage across digital platforms to continue the conversation and drive meaningful change within the industry.
We’ll be holding a huddle on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and I’ll be sharing some of the insights from that event here on the blog.
Those heading to InterConnect can anticipate some new features at this year’s conference.
First, expect to see a greater emphasis on open technology. For the first time ever at InterConnect, there’s an Open Cloud Architecture track. We’ll also be hosting the Open Technology Summit on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. at Mandalay Bay’s Oceanside C room. (Register Today!)
You can watch a livestream of the OTS here:
#CloudMinds veteran and Cloud Foundry executive director and CEO Sam Ramji (@Sramji) is among our impressive lineup of OTS speakers. Ramji joined us earlier this week for a chat to preview the event and discuss what he plans to cover in his lightning talk.
Another pair of #CloudMinds veterans, Sarah Cooper (@SMC_on_IoT) and Andrew Hately (@cloudtroll), will be leading a joint session titled, “Open IoT: Success at the Cloud Edge,” on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 2:30 p.m. — 3:30 Mandalay Bay, South Seas C. Cooper and Hately joined me on a podcast last week to chat about the intersection of open technology and IoT and to preview their session:
For your convenience, we’ve created this handy calendar to help you keep track of these sessions:
You can find full details of all our #CloudMinds sessions below:
SUNDAY:
Open Technology Summit (CLD-7144)
Sun. 2/21, 4–7 p.m., Mandalay Bay, Oceanside C
Mobile, cloud and big data analytics are three trends that are changing the way that we interact with our customers, business partners and colleagues. Capturing the value from these interactions requires rapid innovation, interoperability and scalability enabled by an open technologies approach. At this Open Tech Summit, leaders from IBM and from the most innovative, game-changing open technology communities including OpenStack, Cloud Foundry, Open Container Initiative, Node.js and more, will share their perspectives on the benefits of an open approach to your organization. Come join us for this relaxed but informative event. The bar will open early and allow you time to network and engage directly with the experts.
Speakers: Robert LeBlanc (@RJLcan), IBM; Kim Bannerman (@KMBannerman), IBM; Al Sadowski (@alsadowski), 451 Research; Jason McGee, IBM (@JRMcGee); David Lindquist (@D_Lindquist), IBM; John Ponzo (@John_Ponzo), IBM; Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Jonathan Bryce (@JBryce), OpenStack Foundation; Tony Tam (@fehguy), SmartBear; Dr. Angel Diaz (@AngelLuisDiaz), IBM; Jerry Cuomo (@JerryCuom0), IBM; Susan Malaika (@sumalaika), IBM; Rachel Reinitz (@rreinitz), IBM; Bert Belder (@piscisaureus), StrongLoop; Aaron Katz, Elastic
Register here: http://bit.ly/IBMOTS
MONDAY:
Cloud Open by Design: Fueling Client Innovation with Open Technologies (CSD-6376)
Mon. 2/22, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Mandalay Bay, Ballroom A
To maximize business value, hybrid clouds must enable portable, interoperable solutions. IBM is accelerating innovation with dynamic clouds built on open technologies. In this session, you’ll learn about the benefits of open technologies and how IBM’s leadership is accelerating key open source communities. Todd Moore, IBM VP Open Technology, presents a roadmap to innovations being delivered by IBM and open communities such as OpenStack and Cloud Foundry. Learn how IBM’s leadership in open technology and an Open by Design cloud portfolio delivers value to clients.
Speaker: Todd Moore (@tmmoore_1), IBM
Cloud Foundry: The Secret Sauce in IBM Bluemix (COC-4664)
Monday 2/22, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
You probably know that Bluemix is IBM’s premier Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering, allowing developers to create, develop and manage applications in the Cloud. But did you know that Bluemix’ secret sauce is the open source PaaS project called Cloud Foundry? IBM technical executives Bala Rajaraman (#CloudMinds), Brian Martin and Michael Behrendt will provide a technical tour of Bluemix with a focus on how IBM builds and runs Cloud Foundry, as well as the resulting contributions back to the Cloud Foundry community code base. Together with guest speaker and #CloudMinds veteran Sam Ramji, CEO of Cloud Foundry Foundation, this team will share the key focus areas of Cloud Foundry going forward based on IBM development experiences and contributions.
Speakers: Michael Behrendt (@michael_beh), IBM; Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Bala Rajaraman (@bala_rajaraman), IBM; Brian K. Martin (@BKMartin), IBM
Is This a Golden Age for Collaboration? (COC-4645)
Monday 2/22, 12–1 p.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
We have seen an extraordinary growth in the number and range of foundations and initiatives backed by the Linux Foundation over the past year or so under their collaborative projects umbrella. What lessons can these projects learn from the experience of the OpenStack Foundation, which has been with us since 2012. How is the broader community benefiting from their work, and should we try to keep them aligned or let them each run their own course? What is the end-user or enterprise perspective? Is this truly a golden age for collaboration — or a vendor-inspired train wreck?! Join #CloudMinds veterans Sam Ramji (Cloud Foundry), Tim Crawford (AVOA) and Duncan Johnston-Watt (Cloudsoft) as they discuss this hot topic.
Speakers: Duncan Johnston-Watt (@Duncanjw), CloudSoft Corp.; Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Tim Crawford (@tcrawford), AVOA; Monty Taylor (@e_monty), IBM
Open Cloud Technology Demystified: Open Source Leaders Tell All (COC-3149)
Mon. 2/22, 3 p.m. — 4 p.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
You’ve heard that OpenStack’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service and Cloud Foundry’s Platform-as-a-Service open source offerings form the powerful foundation of an Open Cloud Architecture that drives rapid innovation in the cloud — but how does this all work together? Hear from Jonathan Bryce, Executive Director of the OpenStack Foundation and Sam Ramji, CEO of Cloud Foundry as they talk about the growth of their respective organizations and the impact of these open technologies on accelerating cloud computing. Todd Moore, Board of Directors, Cloud Native Computing Foundation, brings the full story together by articulating how these powerful technologies combine to form the foundation of IBM’s Open Cloud offerings.
Speakers: Todd Moore (@tmmoore_1), IBM; Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Jonathan Bryce (@JBryce), OpenStack Foundation
Open Cloud Technologies: Stump the Experts (COC-3852)
Mon. 2/22, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
Have a specific question or two about open cloud technologies you’d like answered? Wish you could engage an expert in an informal, informative and interactive discussion? Here’s your chance! Join a panel of IBM and external open technology experts — plus a few of our very own #CloudMinds — in an open, no-holds-barred discussion about anything and everything “open.” No presentations. No long talks. No demos. Just straightforward Q&A.
Speakers: Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Jonathan Bryce (@JBryce), OpenStack Foundation; Jesse Proudman (@BlueBoxJesse), IBM; Christopher Ferris (@christo4ferris), IBM
Improve Customer Satisfaction with Cognitive Insights through DevOps (CCD-6564)
Mon. 2/22, 6:30–6:50 p.m., Cloud Engagement Center
Today’s consumer-centric landscape is driving businesses to be more creative in improving customer satisfaction. Join two former #CloudMinds hosts and experience how IBM Bluemix services can foster an innovative approach to gaining cognitive insights into proactively resolving customer issues. See how using IBM Watson Text to Speech and Text Tone Analyzer services combined with microservices running on containers can yield surprising results.
Speakers: Dan Berg (@dancberg), IBM; Jason McGee (@JRMcGee), IBM
TUESDAY:
Open Cloud Architecture: Think You Can Out Innovate the Best of the Rest? (COC-3188)
Tues. 2/23, 8:30–9:30 a.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
The momentum of open source projects across cloud, mobile and data has accelerated beyond the wildest expectations of just about everyone. Many key lynchpin open source technology initiatives have changed the game for vendors and users like never before, and are accelerating innovation and disrupting traditional business models. This talk from two former #CloudMinds hosts will offer a retrospective on the evolution of open source from its early years to today’s new model of “code, community and culture” that brings together users and developers to accelerate innovation. The discussion will also cover the details of IBM’s “Open by Design” strategy for its next-generation platforms around cloud, mobile and analytics.
Speakers: Bala Rajaraman (@bala_rajaraman), IBM; Christopher Ferris (@christo4ferris), IBM
Cloudsoft AMP — Model, Monitor and Manage Your Applications on IBM’s Blue Box Cloud (COC-7169)
Tue. 2/23, 12:30–12:50 p.m., Expo Theater
The Cloudsoft Application Management Platform (AMP) is built on the top-level Apache Brooklyn open source project. Cloudsoft AMP lets you model applications and capture their operational best practices in open standard blueprints that can be deployed, monitored and managed on any cloud. It integrates with Cloud Foundry, enabling developers to reach back and integrate with enterprise services while exploiting cloud-first platforms whenever possible. In this presentation, #CloudMinds regular Duncan Johnston-Watt and Alex Heneveld will showcase Cloudsoft AMP deploying and managing the Basho Data Platform on IBM’s Blue Box cloud running in its San Jose and London SoftLayer data centers.
Speakers: Duncan Johnston-Watt (@Duncanjw), CloudSoft Corp.; Alex Heneveld (@ahtweetin), Cloudsoft Corporation
Tues. 2/23, 1:15–2:15 p.m., Mandalay Bay, Breakers L
OpenStack is an open source cloud project that is the core of IBM’s Blue Box offering and a key component of IBM’s Blue Box and SoftLayer cloud combination for providing clients global access to an open hybrid cloud framework that is quickly deployable. OpenStack enables clients to design, build, test, and deploy applications with flexibility and interoperability across cloud models — all while avoiding vendor lock-in. In this presentation, IBM OpenStack core contributors provide an overview of OpenStack, its architecture and components, and also present IBM’s contributions to OpenStack to enable it to be used by enterprise customers and improve its ability for use as a public cloud. We close with a discussion of Blue Box customer use cases.
Speakers: Duncan Johnston-Watt (@Duncanjw), CloudSoft Corp.; Brad Tool (@BradTopol), IBM; Hernan Alvarez (@HERNANDOstax), Blue Box
Unlock the Cloud: A Disruptive Conversation about The Future
Tue., 2/23, 2:30-3:00 p.m., The Great Lawn in The Park — 2nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Join us on the Great Lawn for a lively discussion on the future of cloud. An expert panel hosted by Constellation Research analyst Ray Wang will give their thoughts on how hybrid cloud, security, mobile & cognitive will all directly impact — and be impacted by — the cloud of the future.
Speakers:
Host: Ray Wang, Principal Analyst, Founder, and Chairman, Constellation Research @rwang0
Bill Clerico, Cloud Solution Architect, IBM Cloud Advisor @bclerico
Tim M. Crawford, CIO Strategic Advisor, Avoa @tcrawford
Giovanni Pacifici, VP Cloud Platform and Services, IBM Research @theothergio
Stormy Peters, VP of Technical Evangelism, Cloud Foundry @Storming
Open Source IoT Solution: SPARK, MARCQS and Basho on IBM Cloud via developerWorks (COC-7273)
Tue. 2/23, 2:30–2:50 p.m., IBM Cloud Booth, EXPO
During the conference, stop by the IBM Cloud booth where you can participate in numerous deep dive demos that highlight what’s new in open technology. You’ll have the opportunity to ask the experts any question you may have related to how open tech impacts your cloud environment. Also while inside the Cloud booth, experts in Open Tech will have several Engagement Center sessions, including this one, featuring #CloudMinds veteran Dave McCrory.
Speakers: Jeff Borek (@jeffborek), IBM; Dave McCrory (@mccrory), Basho Technologies
Open IoT: Success at the Cloud Edge (IND-4647)
Tue. 2/23, 2:30–3:20 p.m., Mandalay Bay, South Seas C
Market researchers at IDC expect the Internet of Things (IoT) market to hit $1.7 trillion with 29.5 billion connected devices by 2020. Sure, we’re a few years away. But from a technology standpoint, we’re not quite where we need to be. One key to making it happen is open technology. Those 29.5 billion devices can’t just talk to themselves — they’ll need to be able to communicate with each other. And it’s not just the devices themselves. Businesses will need to analyze the huge amounts of data that come in from connected cars, appliances and wearables. This starts with an open ecosystem.
Speakers: Andrew Hately, IBM (@cloudtroll); Sarah Cooper (@SMC_on_IoT), M2Mi
You Are Not Hyperscale and That’s Okay (COC-2280)
Tues. 2/23, 4–5 p.m., Breakers L
“Someday, walls will be here.” Les Nessman of the 1970s TV show “WKRP in Cincinnati” fantasized that someday his open floor plan desk would be surrounded by walls, elevating his status. Everyone knew it would never happen, but they humored Les’ delusion. Your data center is kinda like this. Rather than living in a hyperscale delusion, embrace the reality that you will never run infrastructure at this scale, not even by half. And even if you could, it’s equally unlikely that your bosses will get on board with the Draconian ops philosophy that underpins hyperscale. If you’re interested in talking about real, actionable lessons from hyperscale that you can apply without pouring new concrete, then attend this session with #CloudMinds veteran Jesse Proudman.
Speaker: Jesse Proudman (@BlueBoxJesse), IBM
DevOps: From Buzzwords to Bingo! (DDD-4627)
Tue. 2/23, 4–5 p.m., Mandalay Bay Ballroom K
There’s a perception among the developer community that if your team moves to DevOps, it will speed software delivery and provide a higher-quality product. While this is true in many cases, you can’t just snap your fingers, say, “We’re doing DevOps,” and expect results. The truth is, DevOps is often easier to implement in a startup environment where teams can easily adjust on the fly. DevOps can be an effective tool in the enterprise, but certain challenges must be addressed and some of those lumbering processes may need a good ol’ fashioned kick to the curb. Join a pair of #CloudMinds veterans for a dialogue on myths and truths about DevOps.
Speakers: Dan Berg (@dancberg), IBM; Sarah Novotny (@sarahnovotny), Google
Banking’s Do or Die: The Right Digital Strategy (MNB-7306)
Tue. 2/23, 5:30pm — 5:50 p.m., Mandalay Bay Solution EXPO Cloud/Mobile EXPO Theater
The Financial Times once wrote that “getting digital banking right is a case of do-or-die,” and this is why Tangerine Bank is “do’ing” while incumbent banks continue to die. As a digital bank, Tangerine Bank has a strategy that focuses on providing the best customer experience across all channels. In this talk, #CloudMinds veteran Jay Mehta of Tangerine Bank, along with IBM Distinguished Engineer for MobileFirst Roland Barcia, will reflect on how to use technologies like IBM MobileFirst, APIs and Bluemix Garage to drive innovation, development and deployment.
Speakers: Roland Barcia, IBM (@rbarcia); Jay Mehta (@j4mm), Tangerine Bank
WEDNESDAY:
Innovate like a startup, scale like an enterprise (CLD-7064)
Wed. 2/24, 8:30–9:30 a.m., General Session Keynote, Main Stage
It’s what keeps your CEO awake at night — your industry getting disrupted by a competitor you can’t see today. The winners are quick to adapt, fast to innovate. But how do you act like a startup — nimble, energetic and creative — at enterprise scale. DevOps, fused with open technologies, hybrid cloud and design thinking, can close the gap by helping build an enterprise competency for delivering continuous innovation. Join us as industry leaders describe how they’re transforming their organizations to win. An innovation culture that addresses two-speed IT. Blow-your-ears-back improvements in cycle time, cost and quality. Experimentation, feedback loops and A/B testing. And deploying updates to production — tens of times a day. Don’t miss it.
Speakers: David Lindquist (@D_Lindquist), IBM; Tapabrata Pal (@TopoPal), Capital One; Sam Ramji (@Sramji), Cloud Foundry Foundation; Gene Kim (@realgenekim), IT Revolution; Dr. Angel Diaz (@AngelLuisDiaz), IBM; John LaFreniere, Hertz
A Technical Introduction to Cloud Foundry (COC-3437)
Wed. 2/24, 10–11 a.m., Breakers L
Cloud Foundry is one of the open source cloud projects at the heart of IBM Bluemix. It enables the rapid deployment, scaling, and management of modern, cloud-first applications and microservices. In this talk, #CloudMinds veteran Stormy Peters will provide an overview of the Cloud Foundry architecture and dive into some of the details of the elastic runtime, routing, logging, and service management components.
Speaker: Stormy Peters (@storming), Cloud Foundry
Click here to add these #CloudMinds sessions to your Google calendar.
