Blue-chip IT companies focus on Wales at TW05

Technology Wales 2005, the largest IT event in Wales, is to host several high-profile speakers on 13th May at the Cardiff International Arena. If you want to hear from world leading organizations such as Microsoft, IBM or Capgemini, you’d better hurry because there are only a few places left.

TW05 will start with the Breakfast seminar at 7.30 am sponsored by the Welsh Language Board. Guest speakers will include John Coulthard, head of small business at Microsoft UK and Michael Eaton, director of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Broadband Wales initiative.

They will discuss how business practices can be improved by embracing the newest and latest technology available. John Coulthard will focus on excellence in IT services and what Microsoft and its partners are able to do today for small businesses in Wales.

John will explain the services and solutions that Microsoft offers to meet its customers’ requirements. Windows Server 2003 (Enterprise Edition), Share Point Portal Server 2003 and Internet Security & Acceleration Server 2004 (Standard Edition) will be among the products mentioned.

Share Point Portal Server 2003 enables enterprises to develop an intelligent portal that seamlessly connects users, teams and knowledge, so that people can take advantage of relevant information across business processes to help them work more efficiently.

Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 is a next-generation application-layer firewall, VPN, and Web cache solution. It enables businesses to make the most of existing IT investments by improving network security and performance.

Other highly anticipated presentations at TW05 are those to be given by Andy Mulholland, Global Chief Technology Officer for Capgemini, and Bob Betts, Small and Medium Business Director, IBM, at the Lunch seminar, sponsored by @Wales, the WDA’s digital media incubation initiative. Andy Mulholland will discuss ‘manufacturing knowledge’, while Bob Betts will outline IBM’s vision for the future of business and computing.

Andy comments: "The environment is the key for the production of anything of value, so when low cost economies are manufacturing goods, and automation renders the cost per job untenable to develop in higher cost economies, what’s the alternative? Manufacturing knowledge; one of the three value propositions identified by Yale and demonstrated by various examples."

Capgemini will also sponsor the TW05 Careers Pavilion, which will offer companies with technology and IT based vacancies the opportunity to source new employees at the event.

Bob Betts will highlight how Welsh businesses can focus on their core competencies and on a network of specialist partners, while leveraging key technologies, in order to enhance their flexibility and provide a winning combination in the increasingly competitive international market. He will further discuss IBM’s services and solutions which are designed and priced specifically for small and medium businesses, through an established and dedicated sales team, specialist and business partner community.

Bob says: "This year IBM has seen new landmarks in IBM's involvement in Wales. Working closely with the University of Swansea and local businesses, IBM has helped establish a hotbed of business and technical innovation."

Trisha Howard, managing director of TW05 organizer TH Events Ltd., says: "As TW05 is the largest IT event in Wales, people can only expect excellence. And that’s what we intend to achieve with the presence of high-profile speakers. We hope our guests will draw on the Microsoft, IBM, Capgemini and Broadband Wales presentations and expertise to make their business even more efficient."

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Notes to editors

TW05 takes place at the Cardiff International Arena on Friday, 13 May 2005.
Technology Wales is organized by Them Ltd, based in Cwmbran, South Wales.

TW05 features 3 exhibition areas, each dedicated to different aspects of business and technology, (a careers pavilion, A Technology Demo area and a Funding/Business Support Area) and a day-long seminar programme split across a number of streams, focusing on SME technology investment, business development, finance, training, and various technology solutions.

Speakers on the day will include:
 
• Michael Eaton, Director of the Welsh Assembly Government's Broadband Wales initiative,
• Dr. Peter Waggett, IMB UK Emerging Technology Programme Leader
• Linda Young, SME Director, IBM Wales.
• John Coulthard, Head of Small Business, Microsoft.
• Andy Mulholland, Global CTO, Capgemini
• Richard Baker, Managing Director of Sequence,
• Peter Harman, Deputy Chief Executive of UK Business Incubation, and
• Dr. Colin Lucas of Xenos, the Welsh business angels network.
 
The gala dinner and awards ceremony will also be held at the CIA, hosted by the BBC's news anchor, Huw Edwards.

The awards categories are: Best Use of Technology in the Public Sector; Best Use of Technology in Business; Best Use of Technology in Education and Training; Best New Start-up using Technology; Welsh Technologist of the Year (new); New Media Solution of the Year(new); Web Designer of the Year; Best Use of Technology in Promoting Access (new); Entrepreneur of the Year Utilising Technology; The Automotive Industry Award; and The Wales Technium Challenge.

Exhibitors and sponsors include: NESTA, BT, Capgemini, O2, HSBC, LogicaCMG, the @Wales Digital Media Initiative, Net Regs, the Welsh Automotive Forum, Wales Trade International, The Welsh Assembly Government, Mistral, WDA, Hugh James Solicitors and Morgan Cole.

For interview requests, logos or images, contact:

Beverly Francis
Tel: 01633 876 204
E-mail: bfrancis@themltd.co.uk?