FASTforward '07 to Demonstrate How Search is the Key Enabler of Enterprise 2.0

04/01/2007 - 16:36

Fast Search & Transfer(TM) (OSEAX: FAST.OL) (FAST(TM)), the
leading developer of search technologies, today unveiled the
preliminary list of speakers and topics for its sell-out conference,
FASTforward '07, the Business and Technology Conference for
Innovative, Search-Powered Enterprise 2.0 Applications. In just its
second year, FASTforward has established itself as the world's largest
and most important conference focused on the far-reaching impact of
search. This year's conference will host more than 1000 attendees
including prominent Global 1000 CEOs and CIOs from more than 30
countries.

FASTforward '07 is being held at the San Diego Marriot Hotel and
Marina, February 7 - 9, 2007 and features nearly 50 panel discussions,
hosted conversations and live demonstrations. FASTforward has become
the gathering place for business leaders using search technology to
disrupt business, bringing together a community of innovators to
discuss and debate the most important issues and strategies driving
Enterprise 2.0. This year's theme, "Innovate, Accelerate and
Dominate," addresses how organizations can use search-driven
applications to create new business models and revenue opportunities -
reshaping the business landscape.

Evolving business models and innovative technologies are causing
widespread disruptions for businesses across the globe. Retailers are
struggling with delivering a consistent multi-channel experience with
contextually relevant advertising. Media companies are morphing from
content production to user consumption models while carefully
considering search-based strategies to reclaim their content,
communities and ad revenue instead of partnering with Google. Telcos
are under siege from VoIP and bandwidth-hungry content companies
offering free, ad-based services. From start-ups to established
businesses, forward-thinking organizations are leveraging search to
find revolutionary new ways to monetize Web content, marginalize
competitors, radically reduce IT costs and uncover new, expansive ways
to support intelligent decision making.

This year's conference sessions will also delve into why search is
at the core of the "2.0's" - Web 2.0, Enterprise 2.0, BI 2.0 - and
will feature animated debate among industry luminaries about what will
come next.

Keynote addresses at FASTforward '07 will be delivered by a
world-class lineup of speakers including:

-- Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief, Wired, author of The Long
Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More

-- John Battelle, founder and chairman, Federated Media
Publishing, author of THE SEARCH

-- Matthew Brown, senior analyst, Forrester Research

-- Jacques Bughin, partner, McKinsey & Company

-- William Inmon, published author and universally recognized as
the father of the data warehouse

-- Ray Lane, partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, former
COO of Oracle

-- Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO, O'Reilly Media, Inc.

-- Michael Schrage, co-director, MIT Media Lab's E-Markets
Initiative

-- Henry Birdseye Weil, senior lecturer, MIT Sloan School of
Management

FAST has also launched a companion blog to FASTforward '07 where
some of the sharpest minds in the enterprise software applications
world are squaring off in spirited and engaging discussion.
FASTforward blog is live today at: http://www.fastfowardblog.com.

"This year's event promises to be a hit as FAST is honored to call
some of the most well-known names in all of technology our guests,"
said John M. Lervik, CEO of FAST. "FAST customers are leading the
search revolution and FASTforward '07 will demonstrate how search is
the key technology that is currently changing and will continue to
change the way we live our lives and conduct our businesses."

For more detailed information on the conference agenda or to
register, please visit http://www.fastforward07.com.

About FASTforward '07

FASTforward '07, February 7-9, 2007 in San Diego, will feature a
lively, fast-paced cross-section of keynote-level talks, issue-driven
panels, and industry expert presentations that explore how companies
are developing and implementing a new wave of enterprise class
applications. The breakout sessions feature business and technology
case studies and presentations, moderated by industry experts on a
wide range of topics. Speakers include Chris Anderson, Ray Lane, John
Battelle, Tim O'Reilly, Andrew McAfee, Bill Inmon, and many others.

About FAST

FAST creates the real-time search and business intelligence
solutions that are behind the scenes at the world's best known
companies with the most demanding information challenges. FAST's
flexible and scalable integrated technology platform and personalized
portal connects users, regardless of medium, to the relevant
information they need.

FAST is headquartered in Norway and is publicly traded under the
ticker symbol 'FAST' on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The FAST Group
operates globally with presence in Europe, the United States, Asia,
Australia, the Americas, and the Middle East. For further information
about FAST, please visit www.fastsearch.com.