Innovation Awards - Judging

Deni Connor founded SSG-NOW in 2007. She is a well-known storage expert, who was previously a reporter for IDG’s Network World. In addition, she worked in marketing and editorial positions for Novell, IBM, Control Data, Radix International, Thomas-Conrad and LAN Times and Networking Solutions magazine. While she has written for Data Communications, Byte, Datamation, the Computer Shopper and Storage Magazine, now she writes primarily for InformationWeek. She has also written four books on computer networking and data communications. Deni holds a B.A. degree in Fine Arts and Biology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Benjamin Woo, Program Vice President of IDC's Worldwide Storage Systems Research, leads a team of analysts responsible for advising clients on the evolution and trends related to data storage systems; the impact storage systems have on adjacent technologies including servers, software, cloud and virtualization; and best practices in go-to-market strategies related to the storage industry. In addition to authoring thoughtful and provocative insight on the storage industry, Mr. Woo frequently speaks at IDC, industry and customer events worldwide and is frequently quoted in the leading business and technology press. Having devoted his career to the data storage industry, Mr. Woo uses this diverse set of skills, knowledge and experience to provide in-depth market analysis, research, and consulting on key aspects of the storage systems marketplace to both vendors and buyers of technology. Additionally, Mr. Woo advises Wall Street clients and other stakeholders interested in the storage industry.

A self-confessed "closet geek", Mr. Woo is uniquely able to articulate business values from complex technologies and conversely, communicate technically, the shifting challenges faced by organizations today. Additionally, Mr. Woo has served on a number of advisory councils of leading storage manufacturers advising them on strategies and direction relating to the industry.

Prior to joining IDC, Mr. Woo served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at a national provider of technology solutions and services, where he was responsible for the dramatic growth and expansion of the company. Mr. Woo has served in several key sales and management roles at Network Appliance, Inc. and MTI Technology Corporation. He started his career in Sydney, Australia where he delivered one of the very first keynote speeches on the then nascent data storage technology we now know as RAID.Mr. Woo graduated from the University of New South Wales, Australia, with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree majoring in Accounting, Banking and Finance.

Vijay Ramachandran is an award-winning journalist and a member of the start-up team that launched the Indian operations of IDG, the world’s largest technology media organization. He helps strategically guide the publications, Web sites, and events of IDG Media. Over the past 21 years, Vijay has worked with a variety of publications, from a mainstream, multiedition daily newspaper to an IT portal to a super niched biotechnology publication. During this time, Vijay has gained extensive experience in covering business and IT leadership and the business of technology, in addition to building strong relationships with CIOs and business leaders. In 2001, Vijay won India’s highest honor for technology journalists, the Polestar Award, for his investigation into Pakistan-based hacker groups.

Carsten Knop is a senior business editor of the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), based in the Frankfurt headquarters and in charge of the companies section of his paper. His special focus is on IT hardware and software companies. He contributes editorials and feature stories. In previous assignments with FAZ, Carsten was based in San Francisco (2001–2003); New York City (1999 –2001); and Düsseldorf, Germany (1996–1999). He was born in Dortmund, Germany, and educated at the University of Münster, Germany. He earned a degree in economics in 1993 and joined FAZ in that same year