Microsoft unveils futuristic TechEd 2014 line-up...

Futuristic insights into cloud, mobile and advanced device interaction will be top of the agenda for the keynote speakers presenting to the more than 2,500 people at the opening event for Microsoft’s annual TechEd New Zealand IT conference in September.

Microsoft New Zealand has revealed that James Whittaker, a distinguished Microsoft Corporation Technical Evangelist, and Steven Martin, General Manager for Cloud and Enterprise at Microsoft Corporation, will headline at the TechEd 2014 opening event, to be held at Vector Arena on September 9th from 4.00pm.

Nigel Parker, Microsoft New Zealand’s Director of Developer Experience, says that the company is thrilled to have secured such high-profile influencers from within Microsoft’s global technology development network to share their vision with a New Zealand audience.

“Both James and Steven are highly respected across the US technology industry for their thought-leadership and insight into where innovation is going and how technology can complement and enhance our lives, rather than overtake it,” he says.

“I am looking forward to their presentations providing an inspiring kick-off to a celebration of our industry in an exciting new way.

"TechEd 2014 is shaping up to be the biggest and best opening in the event’s 19 year history in New Zealand.”

James Whittaker:

Since becoming the first ever computer science graduate to be hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Whittaker has worked for an impressive list of the world’s leading technology brands, including Google, IBM and Cisco to name a few.

Whittaker created a computer security start-up while teaching computer science at the Florida Institute of Technology which he eventually sold to Raytheon, a major American defense contractor. He has authored five award-winning technical books, including a bestselling series on how to break software code.

Now at Microsoft since 2012, he holds a vision for the future of technology getting smarter, with devices pushing information directly to the individual, rather than them having to search for it. For example, he sees a future where his devices such as Windows Phone and Xbox One can have a conversation and plan things around him, such as automatically recording his favourite TV programs because they know he is out for a run.

Steven Martin:

Steven Martin has held a range of high level leadership positions at Microsoft since joining the company in 2002, ranging from Azure to .NET.

He focuses on surveying real world data to identify key insights, trends and patterns that are used to direct the evolution of cloud and enterprise business strategy for Microsoft.

He says he joined Microsoft to focus on making businesses work better, and is passionate about finding ways that customers can use Microsoft technology to innovate and open up new business opportunities.