Internet bridges global industries

Each day, Wharton students are online to check their e-mail or to do research for yet another management paper. And Friday, Wharton held its seventh annual technology conference at the Philadelphia Convention Center in order to emphasize new uses of technology, especially the Internet. This year's conference focused on the theme of "Expanding Business Horizons" through the use of technology and enabled attendees, according to the conference organizers, to engage in "dialogue, debate and active learning" throughout the day. "Active learning" was at the forefront, with three keynote speakers and eight different panels ranging from finance and entrepreneurship to business strategy and emerging technologies. This year's conference, according to conference co-chairman and Wharton graduate student Vijay Krishnaswamy, proved to be a "phenomenal success. Attendance was 80 percent more than last year's conference, making it one of the top attended conferences at Wharton this year." Co-chairman and Wharton graduate student Kyle Beaird added that "technology has really been beaten up the past couple years, but with 450 people attending the conference, there's [definitely] something that people are interested in." The conference was attended equally by students and professionals from all over the country. According to Rom n Cepeda, a Wharton graduate student and conference co-chairman, "I spoke with a group of students who had traveled all the way from the University of Maryland to attend the conference." Steven Skorka, Global Business Technology Vice President for Pfizer, was one of the conference's keynote speakers, and he discussed how technology is transforming the scope of the pharmaceutical industry. According to Skorka, it is helpful for Wharton students interested in going into the field of technology or healthcare to learn about the impact of technology on the pharmaceutical industry, as the industry "helps save lives and plays a major role in the community." Skorka's speech focused on how technology trends have had an impact on physicians, patients and pharmaceutical companies. Skorka explained that "the ability [for pharmaceutical sales representatives] to get in and talk to doctors is extremely challenging." Consequently, technology has become a key venue for communicating with doctors. He explained that almost all physicians are now online -- the Internet has helped doctors "better diagnose patients, understand how to treat patients and even find newer types of treatments for patients through pharmaceutical company Web sites." Additionally, as a result of the Internet and technology, there is an increase in the number of patients who are categorized as "in control" of their medical conditions rather than simply accepting of their diagnoses. In a recent study, Skorka said, more than 90 percent of patients said that information they find on the Internet has had an impact on their knowledge of their medical condition, and 80 percent say they have now become more active in their medical care. Skorka also described the pharmaceutical industry's use of new technology. Through the creation of databases, such as the one created by Pfizer's Global Medical Information Group, pharmaceutical companies can respond to a doctor's needs in under 24 hours. Overall, Skorka's speech connected to the theme of the conference, indicative of a global relevance of technology, no matter the field in which one may be interested. Cepeda said he hoped to try "to get more of the Wharton community involved with future technology conferences." He also wants to put more "undergrads in bigger positions of leadership in organizing the conference."

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