February 21, 2003
Top executives discuss opportunities, challenges of e-business
The push to digitize the workplace is changing the strategies behind how successful businesses strengthen security issues, revolutionize corporate travel and advance customer relationship management initiatives.
The future of e-business in these three arenas is of particular concern during an environment of global economic challenges and is the focus of “Northwest eBusiness 2003: Opportunities, Challenges and Best Practices,” says Keith Everett, executive director of the University of Washington Business School’s Program in E-Business.
“Company investments in targeted e-business solutions are continuing, despite the stresses and uncertainties during these economically volatile times,” says Everett. “Business executives have become more disciplined about e-business initiatives and are paying more attention to real value creation.”
“Northwest eBusiness 2003” is the third annual executive conference sponsored by the Business School with support from some of the region’s leading corporations. This year’s conference will be held Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Seattle’s waterfront at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way.
“The speakers for this year’s event are nationally prominent and influential executives who have firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges of emerging information technologies and their potential for changing the competitive landscape,” Everett says.
Ralph Senst, vice president of dynamic workplace solutions, IBM global services, will open the conference by discussing how Web-based information systems improve employee productivity in complex organizations.
At 2:30 p.m., Scott Charney, chief security strategist for Microsoft Corp. and former head of computer crime for the Department of Justice, will speak about Microsoft’s “Trustworthy Computing” initiative, a long-term plan to create secure products and services through the use of appropriate policies and fail-safe technologies.
“Microsoft is committed to working with institutions like the University of Washington to make sure they have the resources, time and information to infuse Trustworthy Computing concepts into education, resulting in graduates who are much more adept at understanding and creating a more secure computing environment,” says Charney.
Other featured speakers include Larry Witherspoon, vice president of technology and services for the Seattle Mariners; Brent Frei, president and chief executive officer of Onyx Software Corporation; John Parkinson, chief technology officer of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young USA; and Scott Carson, president of Connexion by Boeing.
Additional topics for discussion include mobile e-business solutions, business-to-business alliances, e-business risk assessment, and Web-based human resources strategy.
For a complete conference schedule visit http://www.ebiz.washington.edu/nwebiz/ or call (206) 616-3807.
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For more information contact nwebiz@u.washington.edu; or Everett at(206) 616-9565 or keverett@u.washington.edu.
