Announcing Semantic Tech & Business Conference - San Francisco 2012

Semantic Tech & Business Conference is returning to San Francisco in June! Join us from June 3-7 for complete coverage of Big Data, Linked Data, Extreme Information Management, and Semantic Web. From breakthrough approaches to solving business problems to the big data implications of fast–evolving technologies, SemTechBiz provides you with an unparalleled interactive experience and delivers tangible business value. We're offering a special early rate when you register by February 17. Sign up now!

Want to have a peek into the semantic applications that can result when the cloud and Linked -Data-as-a-service join up? Start with a trip here, where you’ll find the SemTech Berlin 2012 Conference Explorer (among other event explorers). It lets attendees browse through conference metadata – and more – to help them plan for next week’s event.

The application was built with fluid Operations’ Information Workbench, which is a platform for building self-service Linked Data cloud apps; the company also provides the eCloudManager Product Suite, for public and private cloud management. With Information Workbench, users can get over some of the challenges of making Linked Data useable, such as automatically discovering and integrating data sources, dealing with heterogeneity in data sets and access, and planning end-user oriented interfaces and interaction paradigms, says Peter Haase,  a senior architect at fluid Operations, who will be speaking about Linked Data-as-a-service at SemTech Berlin.

Read more

I often read blogs and watch conference presentations extolling the virtues and benefits of adopting Semantic Web and Linked Data techniques & technologies. It makes me wonder how those new to the field ever get through the blizzard of acronyms and techno-speak, to understand what is being promoted and how it might be relevant to them and their business.  In this post I will attempt to demystify and identify the core benefits of Linked Data without burying you in LD-speak!

Let me start with the web itself.  Imagine if you will that you have just returned from desert island exile for the last decade and a half. You are introduced to the web and start using Google searching to find out what this web thing is all about. You are assailed with an overwhelming array of acronyms terms and concepts – Ajax, Javascript, HTML, CSS, HTTP, XML, DOM, URL, Flash, RDFa, JSON, Microformats, SEO – argh! where do you begin?  However after some digging it becomes clear that there is a blindingly simple concept at the core that only uses three of them: HTML – a simple markup language to describe how a web page should be laid out, URL – a globally unique way to address a page on the Internet, HTTP – a simple way to request and receive a page across the Internet. Read more

Richard Wallis is founder of Data Liberate.  A Technology Evangelist and Consultant,  he is at the forefront in promoting, explaining, and applying new and emerging Web and Semantic Web technologies in the wider information domain.  Richard is well known on the conference platform in the Semantic Web, Library, and Information Management sectors.  He is also an active blogger and regular podcaster.

2012 will be the year that Semantic Web and Linked Data technologies could go mainstream, but yet will get talked about less.  I believe this is inevitable, for a technology that is about to turn the corner, or kick up the adoption curve – choose your favourite phrase.  Like the Web itself, already adopted by technology laggards, and now recognised only as a service that facilitates being ‘in Facebook’ or streaming movies to your tablet.

To support this theory, it is interesting look at some of the recent moves taking place in my own backyard, the UK.   A couple of significant ones are coming out of the Talis stable.  Talis have been at the leading edge of Semantic Web development for much of the last decade, with a reputation for promoting the practical benefits of applying Linked Data techniques and technologies, whilst evolving their cloud-based Linked Data platform to deliver and demonstrate these benefits in their own products and services. Read more

Oleg Shilovitsky, CEO, Inforbix recently commented on the exciting events that will be happening this year in the Semantic Web world, commenting, “One of the events I’m afraid I may miss is the upcoming SEMTECHBIZ in Berlin this February. I was catching online program and session information for the conference. One of the sessions caught my attention: The simple power of the link. Richard Wallis, technology evangelist of Kasabi will be talking about the power of linked data and some examples of implementations.” Read more

The Semantic Technology and Business Conference (#SemTechBiz) heads next to Berlin, Germany, just one month from now and kicks off with an Opening Keynote by Bart van Leeuwen about his work at the intersection of his two chosen occupations — Software Architect and Firefighter.

Featured Session

Realtime Emergency Response Using Semantic Web Technology with Bart van Leeuwen, Architect/Firefighter – Netage.nl

van Leeuwen will be presenting Netage.nl’s unique approach to fighting fires with linked data. As of this writing, fourteen fire stations in Amsterdam and Amstelland use Netage.nl’s real-time linked data solution on a daily basis in order to more efficiently and effectively respond to emergency situations. In this case study, van Leeuwen will explain the technology and infrastructure used in this semantic solution and the results of the project to date.

SemTechBiz Berlin will be held February 6-7, 2012 at the Seminaris Campus Hotel. Packed with case studies and real-world perspectives, SemTechBiz Berlin offers two comprehensive days of fresh insight and immersive learning from global experts in technology, financial services, insurance, healthcare, publishing, government, automotive and enterprise data.

The highly anticipated conference will feature an array of speakers at the forefront of semantic web technologies in business applications. These speakers will discuss how semantic technologies are being used in organizations today to make money, save money, leverage existing resources, and solve problems in innovative ways.

Space is still available for SemTechBiz Berlin. Register here today to secure your spot. A variety of registration options are available to suit different budgets and discounts are available for groups of three or more as well as students/academics.

Who Should Attend?

SemTechBiz Berlin attendees will include forward-thinking technology and business leaders representing the entire marketplace. Individuals and groups who will benefit from attending include:

Developers Researchers Startups Marketers Government Agencies Data Specialists Information Architects

Venture Capitalists & Investors IT/Software Managers Computer Scientists Taxonomists Semantic Web Job Seekers Publishers & Content Providers Anyone Evaluating Semantic Technology Solutions

SemTechBiz is returning to San Francisco on June 3-7, and once again we plan to make it the biggest and most comprehensive educational conference on the business of semantic technologies. And that’s exactly where we are asking you to contribute please – by sharing the practical experience you have gained in your own semantic projects.

We’re looking for case studies big and small – whether you’re building the semantic infrastructure of the future, like the DoD Enterprise Web, or you’ve done semantic annotation on a local business web site, like Plush Beauty Bar. They’re all relevant, because the curiosity of the audience is so rich and diverse.

The Call for Presentations ends on January 16, 2012, so get your abstract together ASAP. All the information you need, and the links to submit your presentation proposal, are HERE.

Conference registration is also open. Register by February 17 and save with substantial early bird discounts.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Tony@SemanticWeb.com

Thanks,

Tony Shaw

We are pleased to announce the preliminary program for SemTechBiz – Berlin, the latest in our growing series of regional Semantic Technology and Business Conferences. The conference will take place on 6-7 February, 2012 and like the recent regional events in London and Washington DC, this event is designed to be smaller and more focused than the large, annual SemTechBiz – San Francisco Conference. The Berlin program boasts two days of sessions aimed at showing how Semantic Technologies are being used today to help companies make money, save money, and solve business problems. There are sessions aimed at both technical and non-technical attendees.

In coming weeks, we will feature some of the presenters and companies here at SemanticWeb.com. In the meantime, the full program can be viewed here.  (Please note: there are some gaps in the program while we confirm the last few speakers.)

Registration

Significant registration discounts are available to those who register and pay prior to 13 January 2012.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Companies in the USA should contact Frank Fazio at eventsales@mediabistro.com or +1.203.662.2887 for available opportunities.

Companies in Europe should contact Claudia Pacheco at claudia.pacheco@risingmedia.de or +49 89 7670 4459 for available opportunities.