Bechtle Competence Center Day 2011 a great success.

• Private cloud on display
• New record: 1,750 visitors
• Outsourcing and collaboration in demand

Neckarsulm, 24 March 2011 – For the seventh time, the Bechtle Competence Center Day (CC Day), Bechtle's technology fair, took place. The event ran from 21 to 23 March 2011 at the company headquarters in Neckarsulm. Over the course of the three-day event more than 1,750 professionals representing IT manufacturers, Bechtle customers, employees and partners took part in the event, which featured presentations on the latest trends and solutions in IT.

The main topic of this year's Bechtle CC Day was cloud computing. Other topics covered included network collaboration, unified communications, IT security, virtualisation and storage strategies. “At Bechtle we see ourselves as mentors entrusted with the task of bringing the benefits of private cloud computing to our customers. Our mission is to harness the enormous potential embedded in the cloud and transform it into tangible benefits for our customers. At the end of the day the customer should have a secure solution out of the cloud that he can profit from in his daily business”, explained Gerhard Marz. The head of the public sector division at Bechtle was noticeably pleased with the development of the CC Days: “There is no other event that offers a comparable in-depth, practical look at the latest advancements in IT technology compressed into this size.The event is very well received by our customers.”Compared to last year's CC Days, which also had a great turn-out, the number of visitors climbed this year by another 150 attendants.

Private cloud in the safe.

The most popular showcase at the CC Days was the micro computer centre, a joint project by Bechtle and the system provider Rittal. Fail-safe, tamper-safe, fire-safe and waterproof, and with its own climate control, the compact computer centre is ideal for SMEs that require lots of performance in minimal quarters. It gives customers an out-of-the-box cloud solution with nothing more than a single order number. Customers are particularly impressed by the combination of efficiency, security and flexibility that the micro computer centre offers, to go along with its compact size.

Via telepresence in Neckarsulm.

Complementing the 41 exhibition stands with live demonstrations and the over 50 keynotes were panel discussions on virtualisation and networking solutions. The discussion on the future of the workplace, in particular, was followed with keen interest. Live via telepresence, the panel was joined by Michael Ganser, the senior vice president of DACH and head of the corporate customers division Cisco Europe, to discuss the topic “Networking – communication and mobility without limits”.

Solutions sought.

Another topic of great interest among the customers, in addition to the major IT topics, was the integration of iPhone and iPad into the company network infrastructure. Also savings potential through collaboration solutions, in particular the use of video conferencing and telepresence tools, were on the minds of the IT managers from both business and public sector customers. A significant number of visitors also gathered around the Bechtle experts to gain valuable information on outsourcing.

Michael Guschlbauer, COO of IT system houses & managed services of Bechtle AG:

“The CC Days 2011 showed, in impressive fashion, just what modern IT is capable of. Customers were treated to an in-depth look at individual products and comprehensive, out-of-the-box solutions. The sheer variety of what is offered, together with intensive consultation by our sales specialists, is in my opinion the key to the success of the CC Days event.”

Gerhard Marz, head of the public sector division of Bechtle AG:

“The CC Days provides us with the opportunity to show our competence, as well as the technology that our partners have been able to successfully establish on the market. The CC Days event is all about providing state-of-the-art, hands-on information."

Andreas Wilker, managing director of IT System House Neckarsulm:

“The CC Days was a success in bringing cloud computing to our customers. Particularly noteworthy was the reception of the micro computer centre for SME and the HP System Blade Matrix for large corporations.”

Telepresence: From Zurich in Neckarsulm.

Video conferencing connects people, reduces travel expenses and limits environmental impact.

Panel discussion on “the future of the workplace” / joined via Webcam by Cisco Europe director Michael Ganser.

Networking at Bechtle CC Day 2011.