The Network Products Guide editorial team followed conscientious research methodology to select pioneers in the technology industry from a pool of over 600 companies and sort-listed 83 Hot Companies finalists. The nominees were strictly evaluated using the 4P criteria (People, Products, Performance and Potential).

CEOs and senior executives then presented to a live audience at the Technosium Executive Alliance Forum in San Francisco and received feedback from attendees that included industry executives and end-user community comprising of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).

Chris Vein, City CIO and Executive Director, Department of Technology at City and County of San Francisco was a keynote speaker at this forum. Chris is known for recognizing the challenges that the City and County of San Francisco face and coming up with a strategy to address the issues and hopefully build the consensus to resolve them. The Technosium forum also included current topic panels represented by leading technology vendors, CIOs and CISOs. Cisco Systems, Inc. supported the Technosium forum by presenting on strategic alliances and being part of industry panels.

The coveted 2009 Hot Companies analysis encompasses companies in all areas of information technologies including security, wireless, storage, networking, software and communications. The Hot Companies 2009 evaluation process also assessed candidates for entrepreneurial spirit, seasoned executives with relevant experience, clear understanding of the segment of IT market they are currently active and plan to stay active in, products and solutions that are positioned to take advantage of the emerging market opportunities, well developed revenue-growth model and clearly planned expansion strategies.