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****************** AT THE CENTER ******************
************* The electronic newsletter of the ***********
*********** Silicon Valley World Internet Center **********
************** Tuesday, December 18, 2001 ***********

 

The Silicon Valley World Internet Center thanks its Sponsors for their continuing support:

EXECUTIVE SPONSORS

* Amdocs, Inc http://www.amdocs.com
* Cable & Wireless http://www.cw.com
* Deutsche Telekom http://www.dtag.de/english/index.htm
* Fujitsu http://www.fujitsu.com
* IBM Corporation http://www.ibm.com
* SAP http://www.mysap.com
* Sun Microsystems http://www.sun.com

KNOWLEDGE NETWORK PARTNERS

* Halleck, Inc. http://www.halleck.com
* High Performance Resources http://www.hpresources.com
* IC Growth, Inc. http://www.icgrowth.com
* Inclusion Inc. http://www.inclusion.net
* Internet Wire http://www.internetwire.com

Check out Center's Web site: http://www.worldinternetcenter.com

Past copies of newsletters and directions to the Center are available on the Web site.

All programs are held at the Center unless otherwise noted.

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***SUMMARY: SYMPOSIUM: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2001
"Data-to-Cash (D2C): Business Opportunities Emerging From an Ocean of Data"
Summary below.

***SUMMARY: LAST PUB OF 2001: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001
"Winter Gala: Powering into 2002: Strategies for eSuccess in the New Year!"
Summary below.

***CHALLENGE-THE-EXPERT: TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2002
"IBM's Portal Strategy: Portal Website Directions & Partnering Opportunities"
By Mr. Larry Bowden, Vice President, e-Portal Solutions, IBM Corporation
Open to the Public. $20 fee.
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Beverage and light food will be served.
Registration highly recommended due to limited seating.
See below.

***PUB: THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002
"Launch Into The New Year!: New Look, New Directions, New Opportunities"
By Dr. Susan Duggan, Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Valley World Internet Center
Open to the Public. No fee.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pub Talk at 6:00 p.m.

***EXECUTIVE SEMINAR: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2002
"Converting Brand Equity into Shareholder Value"
Part of a Seminar Series on "Growing Intellectual Capital Assets---A Revolution in Management"
By Mr. Don Presson, President, IC Growth, Inc. &
By Mr. Ross Halleck, Chief Executive Officer, Halleck, Inc.
Invitation-only. No fee. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.


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***SUMMARY: SYMPOSIUM: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2001
"Data-to-Cash (D2C): Business Opportunities Emerging From an Ocean of Data"

SUMMARY:

The Center held a Symposium on December 11 to discuss the factors influencing the ability of companies and organizations to turn data into information that can then be used as the knowledge for structuring business decisions - turning data into cash (D2C). Following a presentation by SAP, twenty-three participants discussed the current state of data-to-information processes in business, what state business would like to achieve, and the challenges to doing so, as well as possible tools and solutions for those challenges.

SAPMarkets' Kay van de Loo and SAP Labs' Dr. Hartmut Vogler presented two real-world business scenarios. The first depicted how data is currently used to inform business decisions, and the second speculated on how intelligent software agents could help with data gathering as well as in turn data into valuable information. Besides SAP, participating in the program were representatives from Artloop, Bodha, DisCopyLabs (DCL), Dejima, iSpheres, KnowNow, Lake Forest Venture Management, Littera, Monterey Network Center, Pacific Cartage & Warehousing, Stanford SkolarMD, Stanford University, Tony Grant Solutions Sales Consulting, VerticalNet, WebV2, Whizbang!Labs and WISengine.

The Center would like to thank all the participants who contributed to a successful Symposium! Below is a brief summary of the challenges identified during the Symposium, including next steps. The full summary will be able on the Center's Web site shortly.

CHALLENGES

Some of the main challenges identified by the group included:

• The heterogeneous landscape - a major factor that keeps companies/organizations from being able to access and use data
• Integration of data from such disparate sources as EDI and the Internet in order to best serve the plethora of businesses which are not yet Internet savvy in their processes
• Cost/benefit analysis of turning data into information; Turning information into knowledge is currently a very expensive proposition
• It is time intensive to look at data and information, evaluate its relevancy and accuracy and report it out as knowledge
• Current weak points in data-to-decision processes include lack of centralization of knowledge; lack of identification of the location of data; lack of identification of the keepers of data and knowledge, such as retired employees; corporate ownership of data as exemplified by firewalls; the need for resource discovery; the lack of analysis of the quality of decisions based on the data-information-knowledge processes; and, finally, the need to lower the cost of converting data to information.

Other challenges identified by the group:

DATA

• Data compatibility
• Data mining
• Normalizing data definitions, especially when the same terms are used for different meanings
• No incentive, time or reword for expert data creators to publish and/or explain their data to others
• Manage the dynamics of change from the input
• Ability to rapidly absorb & transfer data to knowledge
• Data resource publication and discovery
• Lack of standards
• Lack of skill or interest in collaborating data in a manner that it is valuable information to someone other than oneself
• Same data referring to different information
• Change management - new data formats break traditional client-server / DOOP models
• EDI versus the Internet for data transmission
• Closed systems and non-accessible data
• Model Mismatch - Data to Information to Knowledge
• Interpersonal communication facilitation
• Data location - How do data keepers communicate?
• Finding and storing the data - Where is it? We don't collect it in one big place
• Normalization of data

INFORMATION

• Lowering the cost of developing code that tests articulated scenarios
• Existence of data that is required to derive meaningful insights
• Cost of integrating information from different applications
• Information integration
• Cost to convert data to information - Procurement base of large history of information; Details for components to ease quoting future buy
• Ease of access to information
• How much can be automated to lower the cost of data cleansing, normalization and integration
• Integrate information from diverse sources with different terms
and schemas
• Cost of data to information
• How to get information in near real time without regular polling of the applications where they live
• Data normalization and integration from any number of sources
• Easy, adaptable way to specify information extraction criteria to machines
• Managing overlap around different domains
• Differing taxonomies to represent similar concepts and/or items
• How to integrate feedback!

KNOWLEDGE

• Ontology management
• Developing Joint ontologies (schemas)
• Apply knowledge to the RIGHT data to connect it into information
• Lower the cost of developing code that tests articulated scenarios
• Identification of the high-value (high risk) problems to solve?
• Identify how a human being would solve a given problem and try to capture that process
• Identify the most important (valuable) criteria and solutions - Speed? Quality? Cost?
• Moving away from the relational data base (Sounds like "data" but allows easier associations)
• Interpretation of knowledge
• Publishing standards, taxonomies and access methods
• Centralizing repositories
• Privacy - How to flexibly share only the right level of data, information and knowledge among partners
• Modeling - How to gather data in order to answer a question one does not know

NEXT STEPS/FURTHER TOPICS

Participants felt that the next steps in analyzing the data-to-decision process would be to examine:

• Where and when real-time information is critical
• Some real life examples
• The role of intelligent agents
• The cost of decision-making
• Business models for sharing data
• Information-integration architecture
• How to get knowledge published and how to empower the employee to do so
• Human aspects such as change management and culture
• Evolution of the problematic, who actually needs it and what is the business value

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Follow-up programs on this topic will take place in 2002. For inquiries on this program as well as future programs on this topic can be sent to:

Dr. Venilde Jeronimo
Director of Programs
mailto:venilde@worldinternetcenter.com

For inquiries on the complete summary, contact:

Ms. Susan Barich
Director of Communications
mailto:barich@worldinternetcenter.com


****************************************
***SUMMARY: LAST PUB OF 2001: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001
"Winter Gala: Powering into 2002: Strategies for eSuccess in the New Year!"

SUMMARY:

130 executives, technologists, venture capitalists, and others celebrated the holidays at this last Pub of the year with Center staff and sponsors! Sponsors of the Center gave brief comments at 6:00 p.m. on their thoughts around the key strategies to bring success to your business in 2002. The Center would like to thank the following individuals who represented Center Sponsors and gave brief remarks:

Mr. Ronald Alepin
General Manager
Enterprise Products
Fujitsu Software

Mr. Bruce Baikie
iDC Business Group Manager
Network Service Provider Division
Sun Microsystems

Dr. Lutz Heuser
Vice President & Chief Development Architect
Corporate Research
SAP AG

Mr. Wes Hom
Vice President
Market Development Venture Capital Relations Group
Corporate Strategy
IBM Corporation

Dr. Peter Leipold
CEO
T-Nova (Deutsche Telekom)

Mr. Kelvin Rowlette
Vice President
Marketing
Solect (An Amdocs Company)

Upon entrance to the gala, attendees were asked to identify a key factor that would most contribute to "eSuccess" in 2002. Their answers are below.

On behalf of the Center staff and its Sponsors, we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

LIST OF KEY FACTORS FOR eSUCCESS IN 2002

• Sense of security, physical and financial
• Real business models that use the new medium in new ways
• Money
• Hard work and ingenuity
• FCC approval of UWB
• Rise of the worker! Fall of the execs!
• Political climate
• Peace, if it happens; Good management and marketing; Customer financing
• World economy
• People spending money
• Killer applications
• Recognition for those who strive for the best
• Simplifying it so it is more accessible to middle-size businesses
• Stability and improvements in telecommunications infrastructure
• More networking events
• Luck
• HR and globalization
• Practical CRM
• Better understanding of the Web and business
• Love
• NGI applications or wireless services
• Spherical economics
• Web services
• Marketechture
• Courage
• Success of open source; Education & prosperity for the whole world
• Attitude
• Security integration
• The Web will become more reliable and more integrated
• Luck
• Customer satisfaction
• Security
• Service - Apply what we learned from business to the world of non-profit
• Well-planned market strategy
• World peace
• Get ready for the next wave of "e." Forget your tired old preconceptions and get busy!
• Agility
• Voice technology
• Humanity, partnership & capitalism
• VCs must get past their fear!
• Improved commerce & economy
• JAVA
• Caring
• Voice Technology
• Practical build up of technological synergies and bold business decisions
• Future e-Bubble in 2002 and beyond
• Better software
• Smart ideas
• Human and technology factors
• Business managers becoming visionary decisive leaders
• Funding
• Debt relief for the 3rd World
• Realistic expectations
• Web services
• Emergency communications
• Human and technology
• Integration and funding
• A court order that Windows 3.2 and all Microsoft products be made modular and cross-platform
• Opportunity
• Network security
• Revenue
• Broadband
• User involvement
• Funding
• Attention to the bottom line
• Less greed
• Global participation
• Human attitude change
• Collapse of Microsoft
• Confidence and determination
• Web services
• Strategic alliances
• CVenture dollars
• Marriage between technologies and the real users; Human-computer interaction
• An improved economy
• Break up Microsoft
• Voice interface
• Optimism & technology
• VCs need to be smarter


****************************************
***CHALLENGE-THE-EXPERT: TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2002
"IBM's Portal Strategy: Portal Website Directions & Partnering Opportunities"
By Mr. Larry Bowden, Vice President, e-Portal Solutions, IBM Corporation
Open to the Public. $20 fee.
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Beverage and light food will be served.
Registration highly recommended due to limited seating.
See below.

At this program, Challenge-the-Expert, come hear about IBM's portal strategy during the first hour from Mr. Bowden. Audience participants, during the second hour, will have the opportunity to interact with Mr. Bowden and question him on how IBM can assist your company with its Web site and portal needs. Partnering opportunities with IBM will also be highlighted during the evening.

ABOUT LARRY BOWDEN

Larry Bowden is Vice President, e-Portal Solutions, IBM Corporation, where he is responsible for leading IBM's Portal strategy, development, marketing, partnerships, and services. Prior to taking on his current role, Mr. Bowden was director of development for IBM Content Management products at Santa Teresa Laboratories where he directed a virtual development laboratory distributed across several large and small development sites and a significant work from home population. Previously, he was IBM Director of Marketing for Data Management where he focused on launching IBM Business Intelligence, Document Management, and DB2 Universal Database initiatives.

A native of California, Mr. Bowden first began working for IBM in San Jose as a Co-Op out of high school and was hired into IBM Research after benefiting from the IBM education programs to acquire his college training while working full time for IBM. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Denver. He currently works out of the Silicon Valley area in the IBM Santa Teresa facility.

ABOUT IBM

IBM (http://www.ibm.com) strives to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices, and microelectronics. IBM's worldwide network of solutions and service professionals translate these advanced technologies into business value for its customers.

REGISTRATION

Due to limited seating, registration is highly recommended. Send your name, title, company name, and email address to:

Ms. Susan Barich
Director of Communications
mailto:barich@worldinternetcenter.com


****************************************
***PUB: THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002
"Launch Into The New Year!: New Look, New Directions, New Opportunities"
By Dr. Susan Duggan, Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Valley World Internet Center
Open to the Public. No fee.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pub Talk at 6:00 p.m.

Come join the Center as it launches into the New Year with a new look, new offerings to business clients, and new directions for collaboration. The Center powers into 2002 welcoming its Executive Sponsors, potential partners, and clients to a special "Pub" evening. This is a great time to become acquainted with the powerful Knowledge Network behind the Center. Innovative small technology companies join in with medium and large producers of technology to launch the new year of productive knowledge exchange around eBusiness, Internet infrastructure, and mobile communications. Come meet the partners of the Center, including the Center's newest Knowledge Network Partner, Halleck, Inc.


****************************************
***EXECUTIVE SEMINAR: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2002
"Converting Brand Equity into Shareholder Value"
Part of a Seminar Series on "Growing Intellectual Capital Assets---A Revolution in Management"
By Mr. Don Presson, President, IC Growth, Inc. &
By Mr. Ross Halleck, Chief Executive Officer, Halleck, Inc.
Invitation-only. No fee. 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Value today is created primarily from the growth of an organization's intellectual capital assets (ICAs). Yet, management methodologies around ICAs have evolved slowly. In conjunction with IC Growth, the Center is offering a Seminar Series "Growing Intellectual Capital Assets---A Revolution in Management," focused on converting ICAs to shareholder value. The Seminar Series will cover intellectual capital assets, including intellectual property, customer capital, organizational capital, and branding.

The first Seminar on January 22 focuses on branding as an intellectual capital asset. It will be presented by Halleck Inc., Silicon Valley's preeminent creative services agency that works with companies to build lasting brand relationships with their customers, along with I.C. Growth.

DESCRIPTION

In the latter part of the last century, intangible assets became responsible for creating more value than tangible assets in the overall economy. During the Dot.com era, however, "Brand Building" developed an unfortunate association with "Burn Rate." In truth, when considering real companies that provide real value to their constituents, brand equity can be demonstrated to enhance shareholder value measurably.

Brand is ultimately the price someone is willing to pay for a good or service over and above the price with no brand. Every organization, from its initial beginnings to a mature multi-billion dollar enterprise, must develop a brand strategy.

BENEFITS FROM PARTICIPATION

Key benefits of this seminar include:

• How a Brand Strategy is instrumental to managing intangible assets;

• How Brand Strategy can be converted into an intellectual capital asset called brand equity; and

• How to grow brand equity and measure its impact on shareholder value.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

This invitation-only seminar is intended for senior executives in both management and marketing who are responsible for delivering increasing value to their shareholders, employees, and customers. For further information on this program, contact:

Dr. Venilde Jeronimo
Director of Programs
E: mailto:venilde@worldinternetcenter.com


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***JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY PUB
Come join us for our weekly Pub every Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The Pub Talk begins at 6 p.m. The Pub gathers 80-100 mid- to high-level executives every week and, as always, is a great place to come and meet people from the Silicon Valley and all over the world. Representatives from small start-ups and major companies to venture capital and academic join in the exchange at the Center's Pub. It's...

--- The best reason to take off work early on Thursdays ---

For directions, please visit http://www.worldinternetcenter.com and click on directions.

The dress is casual and there is no fee to attend. Just bring your good ideas!

Companies with an interest in giving a Pub Talk should contact
Venilde Jeronimo, the Center's Director of Programs (mailto:venilde@worldinternetcenter.com).

For inquiries about upcoming Center programs, send an email to mailto:venilde@worldinternetcenter.com

To unsubscribe from this eNewsletter, contact Ms. Glenda Garcia at mailto:garcia@worldinternetcenter.com