Parallels Summit 2012: Focusing on Profiting from the Cloud

The VAR Guy is headed to the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Fla., for Parallels Summit 2012. This year’s event by the prolific virtualization and cloud company will be focused primarily on profiting from the cloud. Read on to find out where our resident blogger will be when he’s not waiting in line for a ride at Space Mountain …

Here are some of the highlights The VAR Guy plans to focus on Feb. 14-16 at Parallels Summit 2012:

• Guy Kawasaki: No, that’s not a typo. It’s the Guy Kawasaki, once the “chief evangelist” for Apple. Kawasaki will offer up life experiences, a few secrets on customer “enchantment” and advice on deepening customer relationships and building out business. The VAR Guy has to admit, he’s a bit excited, considering Kawasaki’s legacy at Apple — but our resident blogger doesn’t expect Kawasaki to talk about Apple.
• Parallels CEO Birger Steen: Steen plans to focus on how the SMB is one of the leading consumers of cloud services and technology. Naturally, Steen believes Parallels can offer cloud technology that not only will appeal to the SMB but also represent a huge opportunity for VARs looking to jump into a “trillion-dollar battle” of cloud-based IT spending.
• Big Focus on SMB: The VAR Guy doesn’t underestimate the SMB space, and neither does Parallels. The majority of breakout sessions and speakers will be focused on building services that make sense for SMBs, but also cater to the evolving needs of an SMB business as it grows. Topics will include “consumption” of the cloud, cloud hosting techniques, cloud security, best practices, and of course, the all-important bottom line of buying, hosting and providing said services.
• Virtualization: Where would Parallels be if it didn’t focus on virtualization? Smaller presentations will focus on desktop-as-a-service technology, building out virtualization infrastructure and even highlights on mobility trends.

Have an idea of your own for The VAR Guy? Our resident blogger welcomes your insights and questions for the upcoming event. Be sure to check back in with The VAR Guy, soon. He starts soaking up the rays on Feb 14.