What to expect from IFS Unleashed 2024
The Computer Weekly Developer Network team is off to IFS Unleashed, held in Orlando, Florida from 14-18 October 2024.
Held at the Orlando World Center Marriot, the company says that IFS Unleashed brings together the most innovative and forward-thinking business leaders from across the world, attracting thousands of users, technology leaders and C-level executives.
IFS is known for enterprise cloud and industrial AI software for hardcore industries with heavy asset and service needs.
Significantly for this event, new CEO Mark Moffat will take the stage to deliver the opening keynote. Moffat is expected to talk about IFS’s growth trajectory and how it is founded on its passion for helping customers realise value from technology and why Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to this within an industrial setting.
The age of industrial AI
The company’s core event details note: with AI at the forefront of modern innovation, IFS invites software application development engineers at all levels and the full spectrum of IT and business management executives, IT managers users and others to experience and explore what’s possible when embracing AI’s transformative power.
The event promises to provide three days of expert showcases spanning IFS software and services. There will be sessions devoted to showcasing new product releases, new features and keynotes, plus an exhibition of focused on industry zones showing the impact of industrial AI.
“Join us at IFS Unleashed, where renowned MIT CISR research scientists will lead workshops designed to empower you in spearheading AI-supported digital transformation initiatives within your organisation. Propel your business into the future of AI,” reads the show literature.
Guest speakers include Mohamed Kande, US consulting solutions leader & global advisory leader & PWC global network chairman elect; and Peter Weill, MIT senior research scientist and chairman, MIT CISR.
The ‘inspirational’ keynote will be delivered by Gary Player, World Golf Hall of Fame player.
AI readiness workshops
This year featuring an AI readiness workshop, IFS says this session will explore what’s next for those who completed the AI readiness assessment. Presenters will offer findings from AI scaling research, including the management of large numbers of AI models and model interdependencies. Participants will consider how to build their firm’s AI capabilities and will examine what scaling AI means for the IT unit, data science talent and firm investments.
“This year’s IFS Unleashed promises to be among the most engaging, thought-provoking and insightful enterprise technology events staged this year – and this is in no small part down to the prime mover shift IFS has made in terms of enabling industrial AI to come to the fore in organisations across our key vertical markets,” said IFS CMO Oliver Pilgerstorfer. “We have so much to share around the power of IFS.ai – attendees can expect to see this in action, with real-life demos and experiences shared by customers who have been in the process of embarking on their AI journey. We have an amazing line up of speakers and sessions, with the goal to arm every attendee with the knowledge, tools and confidence to return to their business and pioneer change using ‘Industrial AI’ today.”
Speakers from IFS include Mark Moffat CEO, Darren Roos, chair of the board; Cathie Hall, CCO; Caitlin Keam, senior director for sustainability applications; Bianca Nobilo, head of external affairs; plus of course Christian Pedersen in his role as chief product officer.
“Something that’s truly special at this year’s event is the IFS AI Readiness Program that comprises an AI readiness assessment and an opportunity to earn an MIT CISR participation badge,” added Pilgerstorfer.
IFS acquisitions
Now sitting on a carefully (IFS would say ‘strategically’) expanded platform of tools and services, the company has made some key acquisitions since its last user conference some 18-months ago:
- IFS acquired Poka, Inc. (Poka) back in June 2023 a Quebec-based provider of connected worker software.
- IFS announced its intent to acquire Copperleaf, provider of AI-powered enterprise Asset Investment Planning and Management software, in June 2024
- IFS acquired EmpowerMX, a provider of AI-powered airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) technology, in July 2024
NOTE: Attendees (and press) can expect sessions covering connected worker technology as it is now symbiotically deployed, extended and enhanced in their new position within the total IFS platform.
Customer speakers include executives from Exelon, Tomra, Babcok International, Jotun, Nestle, SPIE, Doppelmayr, Joby Aviation, Mars, KLN, and Leclerc.
IFS, only more so…
Overall, this sounds like the IFS we already knew, only more so… with additional industrial AI on board as well.
Plus, there’s a tailgate party too – oh go on then.
The event hashtag is #IFSUnleashed and the company drives its socials channels its #MomentOfService tag as well.
