Technology Analysis. Alan is a recognized authority in three diverse technology areas: software development, enterprise networking and computer security.

In the software development space, his current focus is on middleware, component-based development, modern server operating systems productivity tools and integrated development environment, quality assurance, user-interface design, Internet development standards, programming languages, multi-core/multithreading systems and AI-based systems. 

For enterprise networking, Alan closely follows the fields of storage (including storage-area networks and network-attached storage), servers, service-level management, operating systems, high-speed IP and related protocols, Internet appliances, enterprise wireless, 10-Gig Ethernet, and optical networking.

Within computer security, coverage areas  include secure private communications over public networks (such as VPNs), encryption/cryptography and biometrics. Alan also tracks the technology behind viruses, hacks and other malicious network-based activity.

Consulting. Alan has provided editorial consulting for a number of management consulting and publishing companies, including Andersen Consulting, PricewaterhouseCoopers, International Data Group, Interex, and CMP/Miller Freeman. From the publishing side, the consulting has involved acquisitions, launches, staff training, and repositionings of both print and on-line properties.

Labs-Based Testing. Alan has been involved in the creation and operation of several IT test labs. In the late 1980s, he designed and implemented the CD-ROM Test Lab and the Portable Computer Test Lab, both for International Data Group. In 1993, he built a test lab for Cadence Magazine, and from 1996-1998 enhanced and upgraded the LAN Lab.

Currently, Alan is a Senior Contributing Editor to InfoWorld and the InfoWorld Test Center -- a relationship that goes back to the late 1980s.

Camden Associates operates its own test facilities, configured with state-of-the-art hardware, operating systems, applications, software development, security, and networking infrastructure comparable to what would be found in a cutting-edge heterogeneous mid-sized enterprise.

Technical Publishing. Alan has been a technical writer since 1984, and a chief editor since 1990. During that time, he has worked for more than 20 publications at four publishing companies: Camden Communications Inc. (1984-1987), IDG Communications Inc. (1987-1990), Miller Freeman Inc. (1990-1998) and BZ Media LLC (1999-present).

As Editorial Director at Miller Freeman, he managed the acquisition, integration, and award-winning redesign of Cadence Magazine; the renaming and repositioning of LAN Magazine, now Network Magazine; and the launches of OS/2 Magazine, 3D Design, Communication Systems Design, AutoCAD Tech Journal, as well as several conferences and trade shows.

Today, he's co-founder of BZ Media and editorial director of SD Times. He was also the founding Editor and Editorial Director of Software Test & Performance, now published by Redwood Collaborative Media.

He has spoken at a veritable plethora of technology events, including Comdex, Comdex, Networld+Interop, NetEvents, PC Expo, Autodesk University, CD-ROM Expo, Microsoft CD-ROM Conference, OS/2 World Conference and Exhibition, Software Development, IBM Technical Interchange, JavaOne, Portable Computing and Communications, IJCNN (International Joint Conference on Neural Networks) and AAAI (American Association of Artificial Intelligence), Microsoft TechEd, JavaOne, EclipseCon and many others.

For most of the 1990s, Alan lectured at the Folio: publishing-management conferences on the topics of magazine editorial management and editorial ethics in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Show Management. Alan has been involved with the launches of several trade shows, including IDG's Portable Computing and Communications and CD-ROM Expo. At Miller Freeman, he served as content visionary and initial Conference Chairman for Autodesk University and the OS/2 World Conference and Exhibition. Recently, he served on the advisory board for PC Expo.

At BZ Media, Alan is conference chairman of EclipseWorld, and was the founding conference chairman of its Software Test & Performance Conference and FutureTest Conference, now produced by Redwood Collaborative Media.

Training. Alan has offered technology training since the late 1970s, and has provided publishing training since 1988, both independently and through the Folio: conferences.

Recognition. Over the years, publications under Alan's editorial management have won many respected content and design awards.

Those awards include three Maggies from the Western Publications Association: "Most Improved Publication, Trade, Circulation Over 50,000," in 1999 for Network Magazine; "Best New Publication, Trade" in 1996 for 3D Design; and "Most Improved Publication, Trade, Circulation Over 50,000" in 1994 for Cadence Magazine.

The Fall/Winter 2001 edition of Min Magazine recognized SD Times for General Excellence, citing its editorial quality. Previously, the Winter 2000 issue of Min Magazine named Alan one of two "Editors to Watch" in the B-to-B market.