National Institute of Standards and Technology, Bldg. 101, Rm. A430, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

A -- WORKSHOP SOL Q- POC Customer Representative 1-800-287-3863 Advanced Technology Program: OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION NETWORKS Focused Program Development Workshop. April 11-12, 1995, Workshop Objective: Recent market surveys and studies indicate that operating and managing information networks imposes staggeringly high costs on the U.S. economy. Not only do these costs burden our current information infrastructure, they may well prevent the mass deployment of new information goods and services. The objective of this workshop is to discuss the development of an ATP focused program in the area of operations and management. Program idea papers from industry indicate that technical barriers exist in a wide variety of environments, from today's local area networks to emerging large-scale, heterogeneous networks with policy-driven management constraints involving multiple administrative domains. As these networks increasingly become enterprise-critical, there is an emphasis on reliable operation and high availability for the entire network, including the interconnected computers and the applications that provide the services. The program idea papers also emphasize the importance of accommodating emerging genres of applications based on multimedia with hard real-time performance requirements. Discussion at the workshop will help establish and validate the technical and business goals, vision, plan, and rationale for an ATP focused program. The workshop is an opportunity for business and technical decision makers to discuss business models and technical innovation in the area of operation and management of information networks. It will provide a forum for the discussion of issues that the community needs to address to accelerate the availability of interoperable products in areas such as information systems management, node management, and management of application level end-to-end quality of service. Background: This workshop builds on momentum established during the first workshop on Networking, Telecommunications and Information Technology held August 30-31, 1994, at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD. Over 90 program ideas on these subjects were received before the workshop and over 370 people attended. As a result of this workshop, three major potential ATP focused programs were identified: Digital Video in Information Networks, Operations and Management of Information Networks, and User Accessibility and Network Usability. A focused program in Digital Video for Information Networks was announced December 2, 1994. This present workshop provides industry the opportunity to participate in the development of a focused program for Operations and Management of Information Networks. Criteria for a Focused Program: Discussions will be structured around the following criteria, which are used to select ATP programs: Potential benefit to the US economy: The focused program must demonstrate that success would enable credible pathways to increased economic growth, that the affected economic sectors are important, and that the probability of commercialization of the technology is high. Good technical ideas: The focused program must clearly identify technical barriers and demonstrate that there are a sufficient number of technical ideas to overcome these barriers and generate the quality proposals needed to provide reasonable confidence in the success of the proposed program. Strong industry commitment: The ATP needs evidence of intention to participate in the program, provide cost-shared funds, and commercialize the results. Why ATP: ATP funding must make a significant difference in the likelihood of overcoming technical barriers that would otherwise prevent realization of the full potential economic benefit to the U.S. Who Should Attend: This workshop is directed toward business and technical decision makers who: (1) are familiar with the business aspects of providing or consuming products and services in the area of operations and management of information networks; or (2) are familiar with the technical barriers associated with such products and services. Preliminary Agenda: Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. on April 11, and the workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. Overview of the Advanced Technology Program. Industry presentations addressing the benefit to the U.S. ecomony, industry commitment, and why ATP cost-sharing is needed. Development of a focused program in operations and management, including identification of program goals. Industry presentations that develop the business case, identify key technical barriers and good technical ideas, and discuss program scope. Contact Information for the ATP: For a copy of the ATP Guide For Program Ideas and general ATP information, contact the ATP Office by phone: (800) ATP-FUND or (800)287-3863; e-mail: atp@micf.nist.gov; fax: (301) 926-9524; or view http//www.nist.gov. For additional technical information contact, Michael Ransom, (301) 975-3635 or Dan Stokesberry, (301) 975-3605. Registration: Attendees are asked to register by Monday, March 27. The registration fee is $100. Registration includes workshop materials, coffee breaks, lunches, and a dinner as part of the Monday evening working session and birds-of-a-feather meetings. Request for cancellation or refund must also be submitted, in writing, to Tammie Grice by March 27. For additional registration information, please call Tammie Grice at (301) 975-3883. Accommodations: A block of rooms has been reserved for workshop participants at the Gaithersburg Hilton, (301) 977-8900. The rate is $75, single or double, plus 12% tax. To reserve a room, please call the Hilton no later than March 27, 1995, and specify the ATP Information Network Workshop. To reach the Hilton from Washington, D.C.: On northbound I-270, take Exit 11, Rt. 124 East, Montgomery Village Avenue. At the second traffic light, bear right onto Rt. 355 (Frederick Avenue). Turn right at the first traffic light onto Perry Parkway. The hotel will be on your right. Driving Instructions to NIST: From Washington, D.C.: On northbound I-270, take Exit 10, Rt. 117 West, Clopper Road. At the first traffic light on Clopper Road, turn left onto the NIST grounds. Signs will direct you to visitor parking in front of the Administration Building. (0068)

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