The talk

Mike Fisher and Marty Abbott, partners at AKF Partners and co-authors of the book The Art of Scalability (ISBN: 0137030428, published by Addison-Wesley 2009), present the path toward ensuring high availability and scalability for web applications.  Their newest book, Scalability Rules (ISBN: 0321753887, published by Addison-Wesley 2011), abstracts 50 practical rules of scalability into easily understood numbered principles with supporting information. Its direct approach makes it simple and easy to reference in formal meetings and informal discussions.  

In this presentation, Mike and Marty will cover six rules to help jumpstart technologists on their journey to high availability and scalability of web applications.  These rules range from how to avoid the multiplicative effect of failure to how to make the most of caching.  The presentation will include details for each rule including the purpose of the rule, how to use the rule, why to consider it, and when to implement the rule.

Bios

Michael Fisher is an inventor, entrepreneur and veteran software and technology executive with experience in both Fortune 500 and startup companies. Prior to co-founding AKF Partners, Michael spent two years as the Chief Technology Officer of Quigo, a startup internet advertising company that was acquired by AOL in 2007.

Prior to Quigo, Michael served as Vice President, Engineering & Architecture for PayPal, Inc. an eBay company. Prior to joining PayPal, Michael spent seven years at General Electric helping to develop the company’s technology strategy and processes. Michael served six years as a Captain and pilot in the US Army.

His education includes a BS in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy, an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management, and an MS in Information Systems from Hawaii-Pacific University. Michael is currently pursuing a PhD in Management at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. His research paper on the viral growth of digital service platforms has been accepted to the 2011 Academy of Management Conference.

Michael’s issued and pending patents include video content association and the automated aesthetic optimization of content, products, and advertising. Michael is a certified Six-Sigma Master Black Belt, serves on the Board of Directors for ShareThis, Distributed Energy Management, and JDRF NEO. He is an advisor to FameBall, Lot18, LocalYokel Media, and Zirmed.

Marty Abott is an inventor, entrepreneur, technologist and business leader with executive experience in both Fortune 500 and startup companies. He was formerly the COO of Quigo, an advertising technology startup sold to AOL, where he was responsible for product strategy, product management, technology and client services.

Prior to Quigo, Marty spent nearly 6 years at eBay, most recently as the SVP of Technology/CTO during which time he was also a member of eBay’s executive staff.

Before eBay, Marty held domestic and international engineering, management and executive positions at Gateway and Motorola. Marty spent a total of 12 years on active and reserve duty as an officer in the US Army.

Marty has an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida, a BS in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program (Program for Management Development). Marty is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Management degree from Case Western Reserve University. He is researching executive team conflict within startups.

Marty serves on the Boards of Directors for Onforce, Bullhorn and LodgeNet Interactive (NASD: LNET) and is on the advisory boards at Rearden Commerce, Goldmail and LiveOps.

Marty’s issued and pending patents range from authentication of electronic documents to the automated optimization of content, products and advertising based on aesthetic attributes. Marty is also the recipient of the highest award given by the Director of the USSS to non Secret Service employees.

This event is sponsored by our friends at Brooklyn Brewery.