IMAGINE SUMMIT Europe in Chantilly, France was a smashing success. Over 200 exhibitors and customers took part in the two-day summit. From learning labs to keynotes on the main stage to hands-on demos, Axway pulled out all the stops to make the event a memorable one.
IMAGINE SUMMIT Europe, Thursday
IMAGINE SUMMIT Europe kickstarted with concurrent learning labs that included a diverse array of break-out sessions. First, Axway’s German API expert, Christoph Wiechmann, spoke about the importance of streamlining API and Microservices workflow. Christoph discussed why companies are adopting microservices architecture and the value to the customer of having API Management self-service capabilities.
Next, Patrick Guevara, Axway’s French B2B/EDI expert, hosted a learning lab session on B2B/EDI Integration and B2B Monitoring, detailing the three levels needed for integration.
Then, in the general session, Jay Morris introduced Axway CEO, Patrick Donovan. Patrick took the stage to announce and showcase the hybrid integration platform AMPLIFY™! “One platform, one experience, multiple integration patterns.”
Patrick further discussed the future investments at Axway and the big announcement for the day was the acquisition of Streamdata.io. This acquisition will bring great value to Axway’s portfolio and API capabilities.
Read more about Axway’s acquisition of Streamdata.io.
Following Patrick, Roland Royer, Chief Customer Officer, detailed the story of one of our customers and how Axway listened to their needs to innovate for their company. Roland discussed the two things Axway learned from this valuable relationship: the need for relevant investment in technology and to build relationships with your client.
Distinguished VP Analyst from Gartner, Massimo Pezzini also participated as a featured speaker at the Event.
Later, at the plenary session, Scott Hausmann, EVP Strategy and Corporate Development, along with Meetesh Patel, Senior Director, Technical Success spoke about what Axway AMPLIFY means to you. Scott discussed how people are building platforms to achieve their different needs through technology. Meetesh further elaborated on the key functions launching in Q1 from expanding iPaaS capabilities, ability to orchestrate and support API traffic, as well as more self-service capabilities and faster delivery.
Next, Daniel Lê, Business Expert API Hub at Commerzbank and Philipp Schwaab, Product Owner API Hub, VP Project Engineer at Commerzbank spoke about how Axway helped Commerzbank in its journey to digital transformation.
At 7 pm, it was time to depart for the Chantilly Stables at the Musée du Cheval. An extraordinary horse show presentation was provided and wowed everyone in the musée. Then it was time to get the party started with dinner and music, along with card shows from table to table. Guest mingled and thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience in a historic setting in Chantilly.
Day two: Friday in Chantilly
On the last day of the IMAGINE SUMMIT Europe, Mehdi Medjaoui, author of Continuous API Management and Founder of APIdays conferences gave they keynote about APIs in the enterprise: past, present and future. Mehdi spoke about how some companies have been extremely successful and have revolutionized their industry with a business model based on APIs.
Later, Xavier Simonin, Director of Strategy and Marketing Communications, Center of Enterprise at Sopra Steria spoke about how to approach the open business value, stating, “Data in one database is not a good solution. We need to open up customers to a wider ecosystem.” By building your ecosystem for the future, you establish value in the system to transform and innovate, and further empower your employees and customers for success.
Next up, Dimitrios Angelou, Business Director International Institutions at Unisys spoke about IT Modernization—running a very large Managed File Transfer (MFT) infrastructure in the Cloud. He spoke about the mission of CTS (Common Transmission System) which is the standard of exchanges information used to counter tax invasion. CTS needed to facilitate accessible participation with the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (AEOI). MFT provided the solution. They were able to improve confidentiality and achieve secure bilateral exchanges for tax information.
In the Breakout Sessions, IT Modernization: MFT best practices panel of Pierre Mislin, Technical Success MFT, Antoine Dutranois, Director, Integration BU at ADELIUS and Toan Nguyen, Integration Architect at Sodexo Belgium spoke about transferring numerous files and why people are moving towards MFT solutions. The panel discussed how customers “have new needs and you have to be aligned with the business model.”
Later, Jim Sullivan, Syncplicity EMEA Customer Success Manager spoke about file sharing and how to keep governance on your documents. Jim stated that with “HIP, you have full coverage with MFT solution challenges.” MFT serves both internal and external uses, bringing new syncing functionality between all devices, allowing for office access.
For the final presentation, I attended the breakout on AMPLIFY API and Microservices management. Laura Heritage, Senior Director, Product Line Manager discussed in detail how APIs are everywhere and there’s a need for automation. With issues like Shadow IT is appearing on the scene, HIP helps as an “integration enabler.”
Laura discussed that thanks to the extensive capabilities of AMPLIFY, you get enhanced security and compliance, along with an improved API consumer experience. Laura talked about the “new unified AMPLIFY Catalog” that provides controlled access to all endpoints. Thanks to API Management and its extensive capabilities, customers can have a better user experience.
After all the presentations were completed, it was time to come to a wrap for IMAGINE SUMMIT Europe. Everyone said their good-byes and headed home. So much knowledge and insights were gained and a magnificent experience all around was had by all who attended.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. IMAGINE SUMMIT continues next in Singapore. Join us for IMAGINE SUMMIT APAC May 23-24 at Sentosa Island, Singapore.
Register for IMAGINE SUMMIT APAC.
Read all about the IMAGINE SUMMIT Americas in this wrap-up article.