posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 4:37 PM by NenoLoje

Review of Microsoft IT Forum 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Microsoft IT Forum 2004 just closed its doors and so it's time to review the past week.

Bill Gates' "Magic of Software" Keynote

To create a magic atmosphere, Russ Stevens - a magician - was invited to surprise the audience with his tricks during his show. But the big hit was that all attendees got a "special" deck of cards and a DVD with instructions on some amazing tricks... I think I'll start practicing today...

The opening keynote started out with Jean-Philippe Courtois - Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA):

In his speech at IT-Forum 2004, Bill Gates...

  • ... called 2005 "a very big year" and "the arrival of 64-bit"
  • ... mentioned there will be releases of the following products in 2005:

Windows Server 2003 64-bit Edition
Windows Server 2003 R2
Visual Studio 2005
SQL Server 2005
System Center 2005
BizTalk Server
HostIntegration Server
Commerce Server

Mr. Gates: [...] "Another major issue for identity systems is, of course, the weakness of the password. Passwords have been the primary way that people identify who they are. Unfortunately, for the type of critical information on these systems and the regulations that ask that these systems be secure, whether it is health data, financial data or customer access to customer records where only certain people should have that information, we are not going to be able to simply rely on passwords. Therefore, moving to biometric identification and particularly in moving to smart cards, is a way that is coming. This is something that has been talked about for several years, but now we finally see the leading edge customers taking that step.

We have many partners that are helping to push this forward. One of the key elements for us is to have a smart card that really connects up in the best possible way to the Microsoft platform. Therefore, I am announcing today a .NET based smart card. We have a key partner here, Axalto. They have done a super job on this. In fact, Microsoft itself will be using their smart cards internally and in all of our access to our premises. Each employee will have a smart card and will use the same smart card to get in and out of the buildings as we use to connect up to our machines. Therefore, we are requiring smart card use for any remote connections to our systems. Over time, we will completely replace passwords, where even the internal access will be done through this smart card. By having the .NET capability there, we think that allows you to bring different logic and different information down onto the card itself, using the same development tools used for everything else. Hence, we have a richness and a continuity there to the platform that only exists in that .NET environment. We are very excited to see our smart cards moving into the mainstream and connecting up to our infrastructure." [...]
(Excepts from official transcript)

Security Keynote

The Keynote No 2 was held by Scott Charney - the Chief Trustworthy Computing Strategist of Microsoft. He gave an interesting speech about "The Guding Principles of Trustworthy Computing in a Dangerous World".

Panel Discussions

There were a few panels which invited to ask Microsoft experts (by either entering the questions before the event on the attendee website or directly asking during the discussions).

Partners everywhere

As usually there was a big exhibition area which also hostet the following areas:

  • Microsoft Ask the Experts
  • Microsoft Leaning Center & Bookshop
  • Microsoft Operations Manager Partner Pavilion
  • Microsoft Office System Partner Zone
  • Microsoft Storage Partner Pavilion
  • SMS Alliance Zone

MOM to go

Every attendee got a MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition in the original box.

Congratulations to the IT guys. My wireless LAN worked almost all the time...

IT Forum Party

I let the photos talk for themselves.

Look at the following fantastic line up:
  • Roger Taylor & Spike Edney - Queen 
    Hits include Radio Gaga

  • Midge Ure - Ultravox & Musical Director of Live Aid
    Hits include Vienna, Dancing with Tears in my Eyes and from his Thin Lizzy lead guitarist days – The Boys are Back in Town

  • Madeline Bell - Blue Mink

  • Graham Gouldman - 10CC
    Hits include Dreadlock Holiday, Also wrote & performs Bus Stop, The Hollies & For Your Love, Yardbirds

  • Chris Thompson - Manfred Mann Earth Band
    Hits include Davy's on the Road Again and Blinded by the Light

  • Fabba Girls - Abba Tribute Band

Outlook

You weren't at the IT Forum and ask yourself if you missed anything? You certainly did.

Make sure to check out my IT Forum gallery or Hilmar's Blog for more exciting photos.

The IT Forum 2005 will be at a much warmer place: in Barcelona, Spain!

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