
	LOCATION TECHNOLOGY & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

We recently asked Joe Francica of Directions Magazine some questions regarding the upcoming Location Technology and Business Intelligence Conference.

MP2Kmag: Describe briefly the Location Technology and Business Intelligence conference.

JRF: The purpose of this executive symposium is to develop a better understanding, through the presentation of case studies, of how some companies have benefited from information systems, business intelligence, and database technology that support geographically referenced data. Our closing session is one that will discuss the challenges and ideas for enterprise deployment and interoperability of location technology, and the cost-benefits of developing databases that are spatially enabled. Led by Henry Morris, a Group VP at IDC, that final session will have representatives from Siebel Systems, SAS, Information Builders, and Business Objects in addition to key location technology providers like ESRI, Microsoft, and Oracle. No other technology conference has had these companies in the same room at the same time. It will be a great session.

MP2Kmag: As Direction's first conference, what challenges do you face?

JRF: The challenge is to gain immediate credibility with sponsors. This is often a Catch 22 situation since the conference has never before been held. So, we demonstrated by way of a unique statement of goals and objectives, plus some personal selling, and an unusual perspective on how topics should be presented in each plenary that this conference would be different. The format is somewhat different as well with speakers giving case studies, and then having technology providers respond with a panel discussion. Then, we had to sell attendees to invest time and money into coming. The results will not be known until May 10th. But the combination of companies from GIS, location determination technology, and business intelligence, who are sponsors, plus those companies who signed on to present case studies, makes this a truly worthwhile event. All you have to do is look at the agenda.

MP2Kmag: Do you see this as the successor to the Business Geographics conference?

JRF: Maybe. But we're in a different point on the technology adoption curve. That's what makes it different. Back in 1993 when the Business Geographics conference started, it was a milestone event. Software companies finally met demographic and geographic data providers and the next few years after that experienced a boom in the market. The same is true now as we enter a new era where companies are looking to leverage location technology in many different facets of their business to gain market intelligence and thus a strategic advantage. We're in a global economy and companies need a global perspective: international data, mobile workforces, enterprise interoperability across IT platforms and applications. Location is a major component of a company's assets; they need to start leveraging the assets better. That's where this conference will be focusing its attention. The CIO needs to be more aware of how location technology can be useful within major enterprise applications. We think this forum presents an opportunity for that discussion to take place.

An Executive Symposium About
Expanding the Role of Location Technology in Business

The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
May 10-11, 2004

The Wharton School and Directions Magazine invite you to attend an executive symposium convened to discuss the applications of location technology and business intelligence. The conference will feature a single track with panelists from both industry and the technology community to focus on the competitive advantages afforded by location-based intelligence and geographic information.

Register Now