Microsoft and Hitachi Data Systems Executives to be Featured Speakers

Orange, Calif.– AFCOM, the leading association supporting the data center industry, announced that Michael Manos, senior director of data center services for Microsoft Corp., and Hubert Yoshida, vice president and CTO of Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), will deliver consecutive keynote speeches at Data Center World on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. respectively. 

Data Center World will take place March 30-April 3 at the MGM Grand and Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas.

Mr. Manos, who is responsible for the worldwide operations and construction efforts of all Internet and enterprise data centers for Microsoft, will address “The Changing Face of the Data Center.” He will discuss the management, measurement and operation pitfalls data center professionals are likely to face in the coming years. Additionally, he will explore the impact of new technology, coming regulatory reporting—of energy efficiency and carbon footprints—and overall operations for the data center industry.

Following a brief recess, Mr. Yoshida will present “Sustainable Data Storage is More Than Green Technology.”  In his address, he will discuss the importance of sustainable data storage, the disconnect with “green technology,” and the best practices required to ultimately contribute to the bottom line.  At HDS, Mr. Yoshida is responsible for defining the company’s technical direction and currently leads efforts to help customers satisfy compliance, governance and operation risk issues.

Wholly owned and operated by AFCOM, Data Center World occurs biannually and is lauded as a premier networking and educational conference for data center professionals.  Data Center World averages upwards of 1,100 attendees, and has been recognized by Tradeshow Week as one of the 50 fastest growing shows in the U.S.

About AFCOM:
AFCOM (www.afcom.com) is a leading association supporting the educational and professional development needs of data center professionals around the globe.  Established in 1980, AFCOM currently boasts more than 3,700 members and 26 chapters worldwide, and provides data center professionals with unique networking opportunities and educational forums and resources through its annual Data Center World® Conferences, published magazines, regional chapters, research and hotline services, and industry alliances.