(NOTE: for information about the upcoming empolis Executive Forum 2008, click here - German only!)
"It was such a pleasure to participate two full days at empolis' fourth Executive Forum. It was a pleasure, not only because of the wonderful ambience but most of all because you succeeded in combining a whole selection of intellectually challenging presentations into one attractive programme. For this in particular I would like to thank you. The exchange with speakers, your colleagues and some of the guests was very inspiring and productive" comments Dieter Hofmann, Online-Congress AG.
150 attendees were enthused about the interesting, varied and ambitious programme in the exclusive setting of the Bertelsmann Residence in Berlin on Thursday and Friday of last week.
"I would like to congratulate you on the fantastic empolis event in the Bertelsmann residence. It was a great success. I enjoyed being a part of it very much. The conversations I have had have resulted in new experiences and deeper understanding in subjects we are currently working on. In addition, I was able to make new acquaintances and refresh and deepen existing contacts", says Dr Frank Meik, MW Verlag Berlin-München.
Under the motto "Future Needs Experience - Managing the Change" guests received information on innovative solutions in information logistics and semantic technologies.
Facing a fully packed audience, Prof Dr Lutz Heuser, Vice President SAP Research, explained in his keynote the "Internet of Services" the necessity to develop technical and application-oriented key technologies and standards to develop new products, tools, services, and business models in the world wide web. The objective to better use and exploit knowledge on the internet is pursued in particular by the research programme THESEUS, one of the key building blocks of the innovation programme of the German government, coordinated by empolis and comprising 27 research facilities, universities and companies with project plans.
Well-known speakers from the industry such as Gerhard Konzelmann of Robert Bosch GmbH ("Using a Content Management System for Creating Error Search Manuals"), Dr Michael Reif of HUK-COBURG ("HUK-COBURG's Information Portal"), Gerhard Kreß, Siemens IT Solutions and Services ("Integrated Knowledge Management - Core Competency at the Service Desk") and Kurt Ramin, XBRL International Steering Committee at the International Accounting Standards Board ("The Changing Face of Business Reporting - XBRL and IFRS working together") all shared their experiences in an impressive way and for the benefit of the audience.
The attendees used the breaks for in-depth discussions ensuing from the things heard resulting in an intensive exchange of knowledge. During the Break-Out-Sessions Information Management and Service Management these discussions were carried on and deepened in workshop style.
Prof Dr Wolfgang Wahlster, CEO of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) presented "Internet of Things - On the Path to a Digital Product Memory", a fascinating account about how in the future computers will have to adapt to human communication, instead of the other way around. He supported his presentation with numerous application examples and latest research results. To talk to things and to let things talk to us has been a dream of humankind for centuries - which now is getting ever closer to coming true due to the tremendous progress made in Artificial Intelligence.
For example, a virtual sales assistant advises the customer in a supermarket. The customer receives not just specific information on allergens contained in the products and suitable special offers but also current product comparisons displayed directly onto his cart display. Each product has a digital product memory, which for example shows when and where a tomato was harvested, how long it was chilled. Thanks to the RFID technology it is possible to develop "talking products", which respond to the customer's questions in a spoken dialogue. With a navigation system attached to the shopping cart, the customer is quickly led to the products of his choice.
The impressive DFKI exhibits, the Virtual Constructor and the Digital Wine Advisor were "hands-on research" and appreciated by all present.
Prof Dr Hans-Joachim Grallert, Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institute, reported about remarkable "Innovations for the Digital Future" in the field of modern communication systems as well as in the areas of digital media and services. He showed, for example, how the future of digital cinema and camera technology will look like with CineVision 2006 in CinemaXX on Potsdamer Platz, Berlin: the audience of the world championship game Germany v. Poland was convinced by the brilliance, colour depth and clarity of high resolution photos in high definition (1920 x 1080 pixel) 4k (4096 x 2160 pixel) and 5k (5000 x 1480 pixel).
Guest were invited to test the exhibits of the Heinrich-Hertz-Institute to their heart's desire and they made good use of this opportunity: the iPoint Explorer, the 3D Kiosk and Handy TV give us an idea about what is to come: I am in an unknown city and I do not know my way around. Where am I and where are the sights that interest me and how do I get there? The iPoint Explorer is an interactive albeit contact-free information system which helps to answer questions like these! The 3D Kiosk with virtual touch screen fascinates the viewer who can see three dimensional objects floating in front of the display with his mere eyes and move them just with his hand. This user friendly interaction works with a videobased system that recognises gestures. Making phone calls, surfing the web, playing music or videos, making digital photos - there is almost nothing that cannot be handled by a mobile phone. An additional application, TV on mobile phone or PDA was also on display.
The second day was introduced by Herbert Lutterbach, CBC Cologne Broadcasting Center, with his informative keynote "RTL Television: Development and New Challenges". He reported about the impressive history of the channel, which again in the year 2006 was a clear number 1 among 14 to 49 year olds with its mix of fiction, shows, news and sport. He continued to explain how the media industry has to face new challenges in the areas of distribution, digitalisation, user behaviour, and regarding traditional competition as well as new players in the market.
A further highlight of the event was the satirical, philosophical presentation by Prof Dr Gunter Dueck, Chief Technologist at IBM Germany. His take on the subject "Innovation - How Will We Manage Since We Learned Only How to Save Money?" captivated and highly amused his audience with a unique mix of computer sciences, satire, philosophy and psychology. His presentation resulted in many laughs and allowed for a flow of ideas and solutions for every day life both in business and private life.
Each one in attendance will receive a CD-ROM with all of the presentations, photos and information shortly.
We would like to thank all the speakers and guests and are looking forward to a continuation in May 2008 in Berlin!
