Tekrati Hosts Panel With Enderle Group, IDC and Ventana Research Analysts at Software Business 2004; One-on-one Analyst Briefings Available for Conference Attendees

Business Wire, Sept 17, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tekrati(TM) Industry Analyst Reporter and Webcom Communications Corporation announced today that three leading industry analysts will address how Open Source software, outsourcing, licensing, alliances and other software industry mega trends will transform software business strategies and competition over the next year. The interactive keynote panel will be held at the Software Business 2004 Conference (www.softwarebusinessonline.com), which runs Sept. 22-23 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport hotel. The panel discussion takes place on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 8:00 a.m.

Attendees at the "Coffee with the Analysts Roundtable: Industry Trends Re-defining the Software Business" will hear how the software industry has entered a time of profound transformation. Software executives who understand which trends to watch -- and how to adapt to them -- will make their companies stronger. The panel of industry analysts will present incisive industry insights and business implications from four different areas of expertise: Open Source software, outsourcing, alliances, business and licensing models.

"Big changes are coming in the software industry," said Barbara French, president and founder of Tekrati Industry Analyst Reporter, and moderator of the panel. "We're approaching the time when software industry trends in Open Source, outsourcing, alliances and licensing will converge and redefine successful software business strategies. This is the perfect time for software vendors to interact with these analysts. Attendees will come away with valuable insights that will be extremely important for them as they develop their strategic business plans for 2005."

The panelists are:

Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst, Enderle Group. Enderle provides regional and global companies with guidance in how to better target customer needs, create new business opportunities, anticipate technology changes, select vendors and products, and practice zero dollar marketing. He has been ranked #1 since 1995 in press coverage world wide and been covered by all the major news organizations. Currently he writes for a wide variety of publications and also does a weekly radio spot for Wall Street Journal radio on consumer technology.

Marilyn Carr, vice president of the Global Software Partnering and Alliances Research Group at IDC. Carr has overall responsibility for strategic alliance, software channels and influence research. Her primary areas of research coverage are ISV relationships and partner economics. Current focuses include the allocation of resources within the partner program portfolio and the optimal levels of investment, and the impact of ISV programs and initiatives on partner performance and contribution. She recently participated in two major ROI studies for IDC on application service providers and business analytics applications.

Mark Smith, CEO & senior vice president of research, Ventana Research. Smith is responsible for the overall direction of Ventana Research and drives the global Performance Management research agenda covering both business and technology areas. Smith defined the blueprint for Performance Management, linking business and technology. He is an expert in Business Intelligence and Business Process Management and has redefined how to leverage human capital for Workforce Performance Management.

One-on-one meetings

Industry Analyst Reporter also will assist in scheduling private, one-on-one briefings on Thursday with the panelists as well as with Brian Turchin, president, Cape Horn Strategies and Miko Matsumura, industry analyst, The Middleware Company. Analysts will be available throughout the day. Registered attendees can request the briefings to drill down on the analysts' presentations or explore related topics. Briefing requests will be accepted on a first-come basis. Registered attendees can request a 15-minute briefing onsite at the conference during the day, or request a meeting in advance.

About Enderle Group

The Enderle Group provides an unparalleled look underneath breaking technology events to identify the core reasons that buyers and builders of this technology should care. The stated goal for the firm is "to bring diverse and challenging views into technology advisory services and consulting." Built on a rapid response model and focusing on emerging personal technologies like PALM, Windows 2005, and 64-bit desktop computing; revolutionary vendors like OQO, Legend, and Clear Cube; existing vendors like Dell, HP, Microsoft, and Intel; and fascinating trends like Consumer Electronics/PC convergence, the Enderle Group remains a unique and critical resource in the personal technology market. The current technology landscape is defined by those that can see trends and move strategically in response to them, and littered by companies who were simply unable to adapt. The Enderle Group is designed to help you succeed in this rapidly changing world.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. We analyze and predict technology trends so that our clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 700 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets, and our management team is comprised of experienced and respected industry luminaries. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations. Clients access IDC's technology intelligence through individual research documents, more than 500 subscription research services, one-on-one relationships with industry experts, custom consulting engagements and world-class conferences and events. IDC is a division of International Data Group, the world's leading IT media, research, and exposition company.