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Photos: iTnews Executive Summit, Melbourne

Australia's technology knowledge network rolls into Melbourne.

on Mar 21 2012 5:22AM

CIOs, IT manager and members of the telco service provider community joined iTnews editor Brett Winterford at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt for a half-day Executive Summit on March.

Fortescue Metals CIO Vito Forte took to the floor as the event's keynote speaker, detailing the technology challenge set by FMG's ambitious export targets.

Fortescue Metals CIO Vito Forte: “Our competitors tell us we’re crazy, it can never happen, we can never do it. There is a lot of motivation internally from people like financial analysts telling us we can’t do things. I don’t know about you but that’s a great motivator to do things.”

Forte's présentation was, at times, confrontational. He predicted, for example, the death of the SysAdmin. "Those days are long gone," he said, challenging IT to "get out of the way" of the business rather than choking it in bureaucracy.

Forte's présentation set a new standard for IT conferences. He was dynamic - managing to be both entertaining, confrontational and always insightful. iTnews editor Brett Winterford joked after the presentation that if CommBank CIO Michael Harte was the "celebrity" CIO, Forte was the "rock star".

Forte's présentation got the delegates talking.

Delegates sought feedback on how Forte would deal with the "one percent" of staff that resist change.

Forte told delegates that IT staff will respond positively to change, provided their leaders can clearly articulate a vision.

Denis Curran, head of strategy and innovation at the National Australia Bank, takes to the stage to talk about end-user efforts to drive cloud computing standards.

Ego Pharmaceutical IT manager David Slattery.

Curran expressed some frustration that one of Australia's largest technology consulting firms had no knowledge of the Open Data Center Alliance, Oasis, TMForum and several other standards efforts.

Delegates were told that participation in standards bodies began with adoption and trial of new standards, but it can also be viewed as a way to advance the career or reward promising IT staff.

HP's Keith Downs looks on at iTnews Executive Summit in Melbourne.

Tony Cross, Executive General Manager, Network Architecture and Technology, NBN Co, takes the stage at the iTnews Executive Summit in Melbourne.

NBN Co's Tony Cross describes how the faster upload speeds available on a fibre-based NBN will advance consumer and business participation in cloud computing.

NBN Co's Tony Cross highlighted the aggressive upgrade path for GPON, but said the wholesale telco might not necessarily adopt every new speed and feed available.

NBN Co's Tony Cross describes how users will either pay much the same, a little less, or a little more for broadband under the NBN, but can be assured of a far superior service.

Optus' general manager of cloud services Liam Fraser took the 'graveyard shift' to introduce the final topic at the event, the cultural change required within organisations adopting cloud computing.

PivotNine's Justin Warren joined speakers on stage to discuss the consultative role IT leaders need to play in the modern era.

Fortescue Metals CIO Vito Forte makes no apologies for his firebrand approach to managing change.

Optus' Liam Fraser, flanked by NAB head of innovation and strategy Denis Curran, answer questions on how to better align IT with the business.

Speakers still managed to find some humour in the topic.

The iTnews Executive Summit provided a networking opportunity for CIO and IT Manager delegates.

Delegates from the telco community get animated in post-summit discussions.

Speakers are sought out for advice.

HP's Keith Downs in discussion with PivotNine's Justin Warren.

Fortescue CIO Vito Forte gives iTnews Editor Brett Winterford a few tips on presentation skills!

Fortescue Metals CIO Vito Forte sets the agenda, laying down challenges to both his buy-side peers and his sell-side business partners.

NAB's head of strategy and innovation Denis Curran discusses cultural change in the context of a large IT user.

Management consultant and iTnews contributor Justin Warren describes his efforts to bridge the gap between business and IT.

NBN Co networks guru Tony Cross discussed how the telco was managing to attract and retain talent during its ramp up.

HP Networking country manager Angela Hughes weighs into the debate.

HP Networking's enterprise sales lead Keith Downs posed some challenging questions around whether an over-reliance on vendor-specific certifications had made IT staff resistant to change.

iTnews would like to thank HP and Intel for their sponsorship of the Executive Summit Series.

CIOs, IT manager and members of the telco service provider community joined iTnews editor Brett Winterford at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt for a half-day Executive Summit on March.

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