Imagine being the very last demonstrator at DEMO. A tough slot to fill indeed. Virtual Iron showed a virtual computer assembly solution that allows a customer to use a graphical client to assemble on-demand server configuration in the data center. While the presenter was describing the process, his partner actually built the server, booted it up, and began running a risk analysis application written in Java and running under Linux on the remote server. Why is this a big deal? Because instead of overbuying capacity, an IT administrator can instantly add additional processors, memory, storage, or other components to the virtual computer. Performance can be improved on-demand as workloads require and can be ratcheted back down when the peak requirements have been met. My geek pick for best-in-show.

Apparently DEMO agreed as Virtual Iron was one of this year's DEMO Gods. I caught up with the Virtual Iron team last night and they told me (with justifiable pride) that they won a best-in-show award at Linux World yesterday as well.

LiveVault demonstrates their automatic, real-time data backup and recovery solution. Using an onsite backup appliance, backed up by an online mirror, redundancy and service quality are guaranteed for mission-critical data that can be controlled from a web interface. The demonstrators showed a very selective set of data picked from the backup repository that was restored from the browser without searching for a specific piece of backup media (like "tape #27). Great DEMO trick: disconnect the backup appliance which is "stolen" by a thief running through the DEMO hall who snatches the appliance from the DEMO-er's hands. Calmly, he goes to the web and restores the data from the online service. Bonus: a cameo video appearance by Monty Python alumni John Cleese portraying the director of the mythical Data Trauma Institute.

Maximizing IT investments and making sure money is not being wasted is a big challenge for the C-level executive in charge of a large, distributed organization. Blazent demonstrated a compelling audit of the software licensing practices in a sample company showing millions of dollars being wasted on software license that are not being used in the organization. The demonstrators cited a real-world example where millions of dollars was saved simply by uninstalling unused software licenses in their organization. Similar saving were achieved by identifying servers which could improve productivity by being upgraded to perform better.

Mindjet, makers of MindManager demonstrates a new integration with Salesforce.com. The Accelerator generates a "dashboard" that is generated using data imported directly from the popular online CRM system. The dashboard map allows the user to drill into data that is dynamically linked to the online database and uses color-coding on branch objects to show the status of opportunities and deals. Data entered into the MindManager map can be synchronized back to the Salesforce.com database at any time. Visualizing the status of an account makes it easy and intuitive to analyze what may be holding up a pending deal, identify next actions, and review assignments and responsibilities. A very cool integration of a powerful online sales automation tool and an excellent desktop visualization engine.

OneBiz Conductor provides a dashboard to integrate management of financial, legal, HR, CRM, and other enterprise applications using an open standards framework. In addition to providing a centralized dashboard, OneBiz Conductor facilitates data exchange between these different applications.

REALbasic 2005 allows developers to create an application that works across all popular platforms - Windows, Mac, and Linux with Java support coming soon. During the demo, REAL literally dragged and dropped a user interface together for an Amazon Search application that searches by keyword and returns results and book cover images. The application was then regenerated for both Linux and Mac OS X. Very nice. REAL cited port times ranging from six hours to 12 days for real-world applications.

Grok showed how their Highwire rapid development tools provide "a thick client user experience with thin client performance", delivering a more desktop-like experience even though the application is delivered via the web. The applications shown in the demo sure did not look like the kind of web apps we've come to expect (and to be honest, dislike). The Highwire apps had the look and feel of desktop applications and should be easier for end-users to work with.

Great skit from the makers of nTouch to open their DEMO presentation. Check out "Nora", who missed the bus at school (actually the VP of Marketing & Humility). nTouch lets the user define their locations and notify the service where they want to be called. A universal voice mail box can be accessed from every number (home, work, cell). Modes can be enabled or selected from a web interface on the PC, or from a menu on the cell phone. nTouch also provides a call screening feature to filter critical calls or select from a predefined VIP list that always passes through calls without screening. Another cool feature is a consolidated call log of all calls received at all of your phone numbers.

SmartFMS (Fixed Mobile convergence Solution) is a solution that allows telecommunications carriers to cross markets. In their demo, Outsmart showed a conventional telephone, a "soft" phone running on a laptop, a VOIP deskset, and a cellular phone. Placing a single call rings multiple devices, providing greater flexibility for the recipient. 40% of all calls are received indoors for example, where a conventional phone is available. Taking the call on that device saves minutes on the cellular calling plan and generally provides better call quality as well. Not an end-user solution but a great technology for service providers to deliver better and more flexible service.

ImpactEngine is a hosted multimedia production solution that allows an online multimedia presentation to be built in less than 10 minutes. In fact, they did it live on stage in the last four minutes of their DEMO presentation. They selected from pre-designed backgrounds, music tracks, Flash introductions, text captions, and more. Once you've made all of your selections, your multimedia file is generated. Because Impact Engine is template driven, a company can provide exactly the content elements they want their employees to use. The multimedia can be delivered over the web, as an e-mail attachment, and for offline viewing.

Demandware provides e-commerce capabilities on a pay-for-usage basis requiring no investment in technology or specialized knowledge. The Demandware hosted service allows for customizations like free shipping over a certain purchase threshold and cross-product promotion based on items in the cart. Yes, Amazon does this but now you can too. These cross-sell links are generated in a drag and drop application interface so simple "even a French guy can do it".

Disclosure: the presenter was a French guy. We're not picking on French guys.