The pressures and opportunities in today's information technology (IT) arena are enormous. New technologies and challenges such as Year 2000, data warehousing, network computing, electronic commerce, SAP's R/3 and Microsoft's NT offer tremendous potential -- but also present strategic challenges to today's AS/400 enterprises.

There are many conferences available to educate AS/400 users on the "how-to's" of the AS/400. There are also many sources of industry hype -- both from vendors and from the trade press. What is needed is an independent conference of experts to discuss not only the "how-to's" but also the "should you's," providing an impartial and pragmatic analysis of IBM strategies, AS/400 futures, industry technology directions, and comparative analysis of AS/400 with alternative products -- information that you need to make successful strategic decisions.

Gartner Group and DCI present the first conference of its kind to answer these strategic questions and provide insightful, actionable advice. Gartner Group is the world's largest independent supplier of IT analysis. With more than 400 experts in all areas of the IT industry, Gartner Group provides 7,400 clients with up-to-date strategic information every day, including 700 AS/400 enterprises worldwide.

The AS/400 Environment: Opportunities, Risks & Strategies conference gives both business and technology executives the ammunition needed to develop and implement effective strategies regarding their AS/400 technologies -- and an understanding of the alternatives available to them. There is no better source in the industry today for strategic advice for AS/400 users.

Breadth Four tracks covering executive issues, data warehouse strategies, application strategies, and network computing strategies

Depth 30 sessions covering the most critical strategic issues facing AS/400 users delivered by the leading experts, technologists, executives and users in the AS/400 marketplace

Professional Networking The AS/400 Environment: Opportunities, Risks & Strategies conference provides a once-a-year networking opportunity with peers, experts, technology leaders and executives from leading companies

Objectivity Unlike other conferences for AS/400 users, The AS/400 Environment: Opportunities, Risks & Strategies conference does not rely on vendor marketeers for content — rather, it relies on Gartner Group's reputation for expertise, insight and actionable advice

• Receive expert advice in the areas of data warehousing, network computing, Windows integration and packaged applications.
• Learn the strategies and prospects of companies such as Microsoft, IBM, J D Edwards and SAP -- and successful, negotiation strategies for each.
• Obtain pragmatic advice about the realities of AS/400 vs. Unix vs. NT in commercial environments, and expectations for the future.
• Receive a detailed analysis of DB2/400, the Integrated PC Server, and both current and future technologies available for AS/400 and other systems.
• Obtain an understanding of information technology today and for the next five years delivered by the leading experts in the IT industry in over 30 sessions.
• Gain knowledge that will maximize your strategic decisions regarding IT investments in AS/400 and other technologies.

• CIOs, IS managers and directors, IT decision-makers in companies with AS/400 infrastructures who seek to optimize their strategic decisions revolving around the AS/400.
• Technologists and strategists for AS/400 solution providers (software, hardware, services) responsible for future investments in AS/400-based solutions.
• Lead architects and lead developers for companies with AS/400 infrastructures (database strategists, application architects, networking architects) responsible for optimizing technology architectures and leveraging new technologies.