About: Nicole Dufft, Managing Director of Berlecon Research GmbH, has more than 10 years of experience in analysing ICT markets. Berlecon Research is an independent analyst and consulting firm located in Berlin. The company evaluates benefits and challenges of new technologies; the analyses target the German market. Before Nicole was appointed Managing Director in July 2006, she held responsible for Berlecon's research field "Mobility and Business Communications" as a Senior Analyst. She started her professional career in the investment banking industry. From 1995 she worked as an analyst in the macro- and quantitative research department at Metzler Bank and later joined the portfolio management team at Metzler Investment GmbH. In 1998 Ms. Dufft became Senior Portfolio Manager of Metzler/Payden, LLC, where she managed the establishment of the US-German joint venture, based in Los Angeles, California. Nicole Dufft holds a degree in economics from the University of Trier and an Advanced Studies scholarship degree from The Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Dufft is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops on ICT topics, she is author of numerous research reports and frequently quoted in the media.