SaaScon Gains Momentum As Platinum Sponsorship Opportunities Sell-Out

Business Wire, Feb 21, 2007

Industry leaders including Akamai, Entellium, IBM and others set to participate in the premier event for the software as a service industry

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events, in partnership with IDG's Computerworld, "The Voice of IT Management" and premier media sponsor for the event, today announced that Platinum Sponsorship opportunities for this year's event have sold out, signifying continued momentum in the adoption and deployment of SaaS solutions. Platinum Sponsors include Akamai, Business Objects, EMC, Entellium, IBM and Symantec. In addition, the conference has already signed-on more than 30 exhibitors, a significant increase in the number of exhibitors signed-on during the same time period for last year's inaugural event. SaaScon is scheduled to take place April 17-18, 2007 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.

SaaScon is considered the central gathering place for the software as a service industry, and the one venue that provides a practical snapshot of how to accomplish SaaS implementations now while offering a glimpse of the future. The conference will offer real-world case study examples and strategies of SaaS deployments across a broad spectrum of industries, presented by small to medium size business and enterprise level end-users who have successfully implemented SaaS solutions.

"The growing adoption of the SaaS model is a significant endorsement for the future of hosted services and service-oriented architecture for delivering scalable and flexible IT functionality, key elements for driving technology innovation," said Dave Mitchell, director of strategy, Software as a Service, IBM. "IBM is dedicated to delivering resources to help software companies succeed. We're collaborating with them through each stage of the process from understanding the business benefits and technology options of transitioning to a SaaS model to marketing support to capitalize on the growth opportunity. SaaScon provides an ideal venue for us to do that."

"We look forward to SaaScon as a great opportunity to join with other industry leaders to learn, share insights, ideas and help shape the future," said Paul Johnston, Entellium CEO and president. "Software as a Service is becoming a widely accepted delivery platform for software, but there is still plenty of room for innovation. At Entellium we are committed to continual learning, creativity and customer-driven design innovation and we're looking forward to sharing our vision for what's next."

Exhibitors to date include:

* Adaptive Planning

* Akamai Technologies, Inc.

* Apprenda

* Appstream, Inc.

* Apptix

* Aria Systems

* Availigent

* Business Objects

* Carnegie Mellon

* Cast Iron Systems

* EMC

* Entellium

* Fischer International

* Formotus

* Hosting.com

* IBM

* Informatica Corp.

* Intel Corporation

* Kazoo Software

* Klir Technologies

* Learn.com

* LeCayla Tech

* NetDocuments

* OpSource, Inc.

* Pervasive Software

* QBos

* Rightnow Technologies

* SaaS.com

* Savvis

* Sonata Software

* Success Factors

* SugarCRM

* Watson SCS

* Webalo, Inc.

* Zoho

For more information about SaaScon, or to register for the event, please visit www.saascon.com.

About SaaScon

SaaScon is the premier event for business and IT professional seeking to dramatically lower capital expenses, produce recurring revenue and streamline product delivery and support through the Software as a Service model. SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a web-based service, removing the need for organizations to handle the installation, set-up and maintenance while significantly reducing costs. For information or to register for the event, visit the SaaScon Web site at www.saascon.com. For exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Giovanni Stein at 508-424-4864 or giovanni_stein@idg.com.

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces tradeshows and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Entertainment For All[TM] (E For All[TM]), Macworld Conference & Expo[R], Next Generation Data Center[TM], LinuxWorld Conference & Expo[R], LinuxWorld[R] OpenSolutions Summit[TM], and SaaScon[TM]. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's online network includes more than 400 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and gaming worldwide. IDG is a leading producer of more than 170 technology-related events including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 850 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately-held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.