Industry’s First SDN Idol@ONS to Premiere at Open Networking Summit 2013

Third Annual Event to Host Competition Showcasing the Latest SDN Products from Exhibitors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Open Networking Summits, Inc., the only nonprofit conference organization dedicated to accelerating the future of Software Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, is now accepting exhibitor entries for SDN Idol@ONS, a new product-pitch competition to be held during the event on April 16 from 7 – 8 p.m. PDT in the Santa Clara Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Santa Clara Theater. Exhibitors of ONS 2013 will have the opportunity to participate in SDN Idol@ONS to showcase new SDN products, and present why it is leading the industry.

“The goal of the 2013 Open Networking Summit is to focus on end-users, and emphasize actual deployments of OpenFlow and SDN products”

“The goal of the 2013 Open Networking Summit is to focus on end-users, and emphasize actual deployments of OpenFlow and SDN products,” said Guru Parulkar, chairman of the 2013 Summit. “SDN Idol@ONS will provide a fun and friendly competition for start-ups and established company applicants to showcase their latest implementation of OpenFlow and SDN, and highlight the success of their technology, product or service.”

How it Works

All ONS 2013 exhibitors can enter to participate in SDN Idol@ONS. Eligibility requirements can be found online, and entrants will be judged on a series of criterions including:

• Business value
• Technology value
• Novelty in the marketplace/differentiation against competition
• Advancement towards overall SDN
• The write-up and presentation given at the event.

A panel of judges with diverse backgrounds will review online written submissions prior to ONS and will narrow the contestant field to five finalists. The finalists will be given five minutes to present on-stage at the SDN Idol@ONS Showcase, and pitch their product. During their pitches, they will share why the product has the best business and technology value, highlight competitive differentiators, and explain why it advances the SDN industry. The audience will then choose their favorite SDN Idol@ONS, and final voting will be handled via SMS submission. The SDN Idol@ONS winner will be announced LIVE on Wednesday, April 17, just prior to lunch.

To Be Considered

To be considered, exhibitors will need to fill out an online submission form and provide a 500-word summary describing the SDN product, its business and technology value, competitive differentiation, and impact on the SDN marketplace. Submissions are open now and will close March 29, 2013. Finalists will be notified by April 12, 2013.For questions, please email [e-mail]

To learn more about becoming an exhibitor and participating in SDN Idol@ONS, please visit http://www.opennetsummit.org/why-exhibit.html or contact [e-mail]

For additional information on the event registration, sponsorship, and speaker line-up, visit http://opennetsummit.org.

About Open Networking Summits, Inc.:

With a mission to help the SDN revolution succeed by producing high-impact SDN event(s), Open Networking Summits, Inc. is the only nonprofit conference organization exclusively committed to bringing together thought leaders, luminaries, creators, and innovators of OpenFlow and Software Defined Networking. Founded in 2011, Open Networking Summits, Inc. produces events that attract participants from around the world. Attendees share their reasons for a change in networking; showcase technologies; and introduce products and services built using the SDN approach. Find the Open Networking Summit at www.opennetsummit.org.