Futurum Tech Podcast

How do you know if you’re making the right IT investments for business growth? 🚀

The Main Scoop hosts Daniel Newman and Broadcom’s Greg Lotko are joined by Dr. Howard Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO of Rubin Worldwide, to look at the critical importance of technology selection in economic outcomes for businesses. Dr. Rubin explores optimizing technology investments to enhance ROI, scalability, and alignment with evolving business objectives.

Key topics include 👇

Hot IT spending trends: Including the rise of hybrid IT and the surprising cost-effectiveness of mainframes
Measuring platform value: Learn about key metrics like ROI, revenue per IT dollar, and the "Run: Change Ratio"
Optimizing your tech stack: Discover how to lower your "cost per transaction" and boost business performance

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With an observability strategy, businesses can quickly cut through the noise to see key actionable insights. In this episode of The Main Scoop, Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by Brett Dawson, Principal Mainframe OS Systems Programmer at Fidelity Investments, to discuss observability and how it fits in with AI and hybrid IT strategies.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman sit down with Dr. Gloria Chance, founder and CEO of The Mousai Group, to discuss the current posturing of DEI initiatives across the technology industry, why diverse perspectives are key for creating non-biased AI models, and the importance of belonging and inclusivity.

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In this episode of The Main Scoop, Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman sit down with Barry Wordell, Head and Global GTM for Sales and Strategy at Microsoft, to discuss the importance of leveraging both cloud and mainframe strengths for an effective hybrid strategy.

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On this episode of the Six Five Podcast Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by Astadia's Chairman and CEO Scott Silk, for a conversation on strategies for successful mainframe modernization. Astadia is at the forefront of helping organizations transition from legacy mainframe systems to modern cloud-based solutions, facilitating greater agility and efficiency.

Their discussion covers:

The current landscape of mainframe modernization and its importance for businesses.
Challenges organizations face during the transition from mainframe to cloud environments.
How Astadia's approach to mainframe modernization sets it apart from competitors.
The role of technology partnerships in enhancing modernization strategies.
Future trends in mainframe modernization and cloud adoption.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick provides a preview of his fall conference schedule, focusing on the events he will be attending, the key items he hopes to learn, and how these developments may impact the enterprise applications market. He will then move to the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of Marketing: Art & Science CMO advisor and host Lisa Martin welcomes business leader and CMO of NetApp, Gabie Boko. In their engaging conversation, Gabie shares with us her background, double clicks on what stakeholders want from B2B marketing leaders, how she's using data to pull the levers of art and science in marketing, and how NetApp marketing is leaning into generative AI.

Their discussion covers:

Gabie Boko shares her career journey, her role at NetApp, and how marketing is fully integrated into the company’s strategy.
An exploration of how NetApp uses data science in marketing, the key metrics shared with stakeholders, and how this informs the brand strategy.
A discussion of the balance between scientific and creative elements in marketing and how they have been used to rejuvenate NetApp’s brand.
The powerful impact of emerging technologies like generative AI on marketing.

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On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Steven Dickens is joined by IBM's Chris Berry, Distinguished Engineer - Processor Development, and Susan Eickhoff, Director, IBM Z Processor Development for a conversation on the latest AI acceleration innovations unveiled by IBM at the Hot Chips conference.

Their discussion covers:

The key features of IBM's new processor developments.
The impact of AI acceleration on business applications.
The role of IBM's technology in advancing computational power.
Strategies for integrating IBM's advancements into existing IT infrastructure.
Future directions for AI and processor development at IBM.

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In episode 51 of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates discuss the latest developments in the data infrastructure industry, with a focus on the Future of Memory and Storage Summit (FMS). They highlight the importance of the tech stack for AI, the challenges faced by Intel, and the growing role of companies like Palantir and Cloudera in managing and curating data for AI applications. The episode also touches on Camberley's involvement in promoting women in the tech industry through the SuperWomen of FMS initiative.

The key talking points include:

Future of Memory and Storage Summit (FMS): The summit focused on advancements in memory technology, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), CXL, and the latest PCIe standards. AI and data processing were major themes.
Intel's Challenges: Discussion on Intel's 40% stock decline year-to-date and the strategic importance of Intel's success to U.S. interests. Pat Gelsinger's turnaround efforts are compared to IBM's historic recovery.
Palantir's Growth: Palantir's significant growth in the commercial sector, with a 55% increase in commercial business and efforts to move beyond its defense industry roots.
Cloudera's Role in Data Management: Cloudera's work in managing and classifying data for AI, focusing on data governance, curation, and pipeline management.
SuperWomen of FMS: Camberley Bates' initiative to attract and retain women in the tech industry, including an annual leadership award recognizing influential women in the memory and storage field.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review the recent key 5G-related moves made by players advancing 5G readiness consisting Arrcus landing $30 million in new investment including NVIDIA, T-Mobile launching the Partner Plus channel program at reducing 5G laptop and FWA price barriers, and Ericsson providing perspective on how mobile operators can make progress in offering differentiated connectivity.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

Arrcus Lands New Investors Spotlighting NVIDIA Relation. In July, Arrcus announced a significant new investment of $30 million from Prosperity7 Ventures, NVIDIA, Lightspeed, Hitachi Ventures, Liberty Global, Clear Ventures, and General Catalyst. Arrcus’ routing and switching platform, Arrcus Connected Edge (or ACE), features a distributed microservices architecture that is flexible, high-performance, fully programmable, and hybrid cloud ready. We assess why Arrcus’ ACE networking platform, using the NVIDIA BlueField DPU, can enable customers to efficiently offload, accelerate, and isolate compute-intensive networking applications such as security and traffic engineering.

T-Mobile Focuses on Lowering 5G Laptop and FWA Barriers. T-Mobile announcing the launch of Partner Plus, a new channel subsidy program designed to reduce the initial cost of 5G laptops and enterprise-grade 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) equipment from Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson. We examine how T-Mobile’s new program can help businesses overcome cost barriers, as it has teamed up with major global distributors Ingram Micro and TD SYNNEX alongside the Cradlepoint partnership. This collaboration can enable the immediate and convenient procurement of 5G capabilities, through 5G laptops and 5G FWA solutions, at attractive price points while fulfilling the topmost security concerns of businesses through key offerings such as T-Mobile Secure Access Service Edge, the SIM-based SASE solution that uses International Mobile Subscriber Identity and International Mobile Equipment Identity for clientless authentication.

Ericsson Advocates Differentiated Connectivity. Ericsson shares its perspective on how communication service providers (CSPs) currently offer a buffet of dishes at a fixed price, but some dishes are eaten by most consumers while others are barely touched. Buffets usually mean a significant amount of food wastage. As a result, some customers experience disappointment due to the quality of food, while others consume, either more or less than what they have paid for. All in all, this is a ‘best effort’ type of restaurant, offering too much at a satisfactory quality. We explore how things are changing as 5G networks enable CSPs to offer the possibility to launch bistro versions of the restaurant, providing a menu to consumers instead. The Ericsson Mobility Report (June 2024) indicates that 5G uptake has increased and that mobile data traffic has increased by 25 percent between 2023 and 2024 providing broader opportunity for CSPs to enable businesses and developers to offer guaranteed and secure mobile connectivity, centered around the value of service differentiation, to fulfill the unique needs of customers.

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Our analytical review drilled down on:

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In this episode of Marketing Art and Science, CMO advisor and host Lisa Martin invites Dynatrace CMO Laura Heisman to discuss the real-world applications and impact of AI, generative AI, causal AI, and predictive analytics on the customer journey. Laura also shares her expertise in formulating marketing AI councils at companies like VMware and Dynatrace, and talks about the significant impact these councils are having on marketing-sourced business.

Their discussion covers:

Introduction to the CMO, her journey, and what excites her about leading marketing in the AI era.
Insight into Dynatrace’s marketing technology stack, the balance between creative ("art") and data-driven ("science") strategies, and how these elements are used to enhance revenue and personalization.
Practical uses of AI and data in marketing at Dynatrace - its AI Council - including predictive analytics and generative AI.
Exploration of how Dynatrace applies AI and data in marketing, including predictive analytics, automation, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT to differentiate and optimize marketing efforts.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, Hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman sit down with Patrick Moorhead, founder and CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy, to talk current IT investment trends across platforms and how to maximize business value through strategic investment.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the recent quarterly earnings from several enterprise application vendors and provides his take on how their results are reflective of some of the larger trends in the marketplace. Then, as always, he addresses his Rant or Rave of the week.

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In episode 50 of Infrastructure Matters, Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates discuss recent earnings reports and trends in the infrastructure sector. They focus on Amazon Web Services' (AWS) impressive growth, Commvault's strong financial performance, Intel's strategic challenges and changes, and Kyndryl's turnaround efforts. The episode also highlights recent announcements from Veeam and Splunk, and new developments from Google in AI and data management.

Key Points:

AWS Growth: AWS reported $26.3 billion in quarterly revenue, showcasing significant growth from its origins, despite a minor miss against consensus estimates.
Commvault Success: Commvault's subscription revenue rose 28% year-over-year, demonstrating the successful integration of its cloud division, Metallic, and emphasizing the importance of data protection in the hybrid cloud strategy.
Intel's Strategic Shift: Intel is undergoing significant restructuring, including a 15% workforce reduction by 2025, to focus on profitability and accelerate AI and foundry technology.
Kyndryl's Turnaround: Kyndryl's revenue has declined since its spin-off from IBM, but strategic moves in consulting and cloud partnerships aim to position the company for future growth.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens, and Krista Case discuss various topics including Krista's recent wedding, the CrowdStrike outage, and its implications on cybersecurity, Microsoft's East Coast Azure outage, and the recent earnings reports of IBM and Google Cloud. Krista emphasizes the importance of cyber resiliency and the need for a robust recovery plan. Steven and Camberley highlight the significance of multi-vendor strategies to mitigate risks and the role of regulation in addressing systemic issues in cloud services. They conclude with insights into the financial performances of IBM and Google Cloud, noting the increasing investments in AI and infrastructure.

The key talking points include:

CrowdStrike Outage: The largest outage in history due to a flawed update to CrowdStrike's Falcon solution, affecting 1% of Windows machines and highlighting the need for disaster recovery and cyber resiliency plans.
Microsoft Azure Outage: A major storage update caused a 14-hour outage in Microsoft's U.S. East Coast region, underscoring the need for multi-cloud and multi-region strategies.
Cybersecurity Market Dynamics: Discussions on the importance of dual-vendor approaches and regulatory frameworks like Europe's DORA to mitigate risks in concentrated cloud markets.
Earnings Reports: Analysis of IBM's 8% growth in mainframe revenue and Google's $10.35 billion cloud revenue, driven by AI and infrastructure investments, with a focus on expanding geos and sovereign cloud deployments.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses Salesforce’s announcement on what it says is the world’s first LLM benchmark for CRM. He discusses the elements of the benchmark, why it’s important, and assesses whether the market will start to see other benchmarks from SaaS companies or third parties begin to come to market. Then, as always, Kirkpatrick will rant or rave about an item in the market, this time focusing on the lack of transparency around the collection of driving data from automakers Hyundai, Honda, and General Motors.

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Observe, Inc CEO, Jeremy Burton, joins CMO Advisor and Host Lisa Martin on this episode of "Marketing: Art & Science". In this conversation, Jeremy shares his CEO-level perspectives and expectations of the marketing function, as he's held several signifiant CMO and CEO roles. He also discusses just how the marketing function differs at early stage companies compared to larger, public companies, and what his expectations are of marketing as a strategic business partner.

Their discussion covers:

Burton’s journey from software executive to CEO and his extensive experience in enterprise software and marketing.
The exploration of marketing strategies in early-stage companies versus large public organizations and the evolving role of CMOs.
Insights into marketing integrating the "art" and "science" of marketing to drive revenue and business impact.
Practical uses of data and AI in marketing at Observe, including examples of turning challenges into successes with tech innovations.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Guy Currier, VP & CTO of Visible Impact at The Futurum Group and Scott King, Managing Partner at Sprinter Associates for a discussion on the impacts of outsourcing skill gaps.

Our conversation covers:

Challenges and complexity, tech stack issues, and the impacts of skill gap issues
34% of organizations indicated that they would like to use managed services
How vendors enable service delivery partners and enable them

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the state of Omnichannel Communications, delving into some statistics around the current utilization of omnichannel engagement strategies and channels, discusses a survey highlighting retailers’ use of the approach and discusses the challenges that are still facing the market.

Finally, he will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and he will either champion or criticize it.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Alan Shimel, CEO and President of TechStrong Group, and Stephen Foskett, President of Tech Field Day, for a discussion on impacts of how CIOs are managing the cost of DevOps.

Our conversation covers:

Past, present, and future applications
24% of organizations have a desire to release code on an hourly basis, but yet, only 8% are able to do so.
Re-internalization of IT and managing the cost

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses two Market Insight Reports that were recently published on FuturumGroup.com, focusing on Text-to-Image Generation Technology for the Enterprise, and on Customer Data Platforms. He discusses the key issues within each market, pulls out key insights from the report, and discusses the pitfalls and challenges to enterprises seeking to implement each type of software.

Finally, he closes out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and he either champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, join Host and CMO Advisor Lisa Martin of The Futurum Group as she welcomes Jennifer Johnson, (JJ) CMO of Crowdstrike. In this engaging conversation, JJ discusses her unique journey to the CMO role, the evolution of Crowdstrike's data-driven marketing strategy, the collaborative relationship between marketing and sales, and how Crowdstrike is really leaning into Generative AI to convert prospects faster and enhance employee productivity.

Their discussion covers:

JJ shares her inspiring journey from helping to lead a family business to CMO of Crowdstrike, discussing the importance of work-life integration in a dynamic role.
How Crowdstrike transformed its MarTech strategy, deeply integrating data science and artistry to truly become a data-driven marketing organization.
The strategy JJ leverages to tightly integrate sales and marketing and drive collaboration, create individual pipelines per rep, and enable lead gen scalability at Crowdstrike.

The impressive results of Crowdstrike leaning into generative AI to transform its website, drive an increase in conversions, and dramatically enhance employee productivity.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Kirsta Macomber and Camberley Bates walk through the current perspectives of VMware transitions (or not) plus announcement from NetApp on Cloud and Druva’s offerings.

Key topics include:

NetApp announced Blue XP Workload Factory aimed at automating and managing cloud workloads like SQL, Oracle, and SAP for VMware environment.
Other announcements covered from NetApp included expansion of services with Cloud Providers, including Block Storage offerings with AWS and data protection for Azure and GenAI enablement.
GenAI highlights with NetApp Ontap leveraging capabilities like FlexClone and Snapshots for efficient data management and training.
Druva's expansion of threat hunting capabilities and the introduction of managed detection and response services within their backup environments.
The critical decisions enterprises must make regarding VMware, from potential migrations to competing platforms like Kubernetes-based solutions, and the implications for business continuity and competitive edge.
The strategic challenges enterprises face when considering VMware migrations, including the complexities of managing costs, operational impacts, and infrastructure readiness for alternative platforms.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Senior Director of Market Insights, Hybrid Platforms at Red Hat, Stuart Miniman, for a discussion on Red Hat Virtualization and AI Impacts on DevOps

Our conversation covers:

Highlights of Red Hat Summit
Impacts of Virtualization and AI on the market
Additions of Lightspeed into RHEL and OpenShift expanding on Ansible

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review the recent key 5G-related moves made by the hyperscale cloud providers including Google Cloud and Motorola announcing a new multi-year relationship to bring GenAI to Motorola phones, AWS works with SK Telecom to test outbound roaming across its global infrastructure, and Oracle debuts Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Telco Landing Zone aimed at optimizing telco workloads.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

Google Cloud and Motorola Bring GenAI to Razr Smartphones. Google Cloud and Motorola announced a new multi-year relationship to bring GenAI to Motorola phones, including the brand-new series of Razr smartphones, starting with the brand-new flagship Motorola Razr+ and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. Moto ai technology, built using Google Cloud Vertex AI, Gemini, and Imagen models, is now integrated across native smartphone applications and prioritizes bringing users an elevated smartphone experience, including the ability to complete tasks, provide relevant suggestions, summarize information, plus more. We examine why Moto ai can augment the smartphone experience by becoming context-aware, personal, and collaborative throughout the phone and ecosystem through main features such as Magic Canvas to create on-device images and Style Sync, to align the customer’s device to their personal style.

AWS Prepares Outbound Roaming Across its Global Infrastructure. AWS is hosting a network function for outbound roaming subscribers, using AWS’s global infrastructure and enabling enhanced user experience. We assess how the use of a reference architecture, including IP Exchange (IPX) connectivity options, can allow integration with existing roaming networks without changes. We review how the test results from SK Telecom’s proof-of-concept deployment of User Plane Function (UPF) and Packet Data Network Gateway User Plane (PGW-U) on AWS global Regions, help demonstrate the practicality and benefits of this approach.

OCI Telco Landing Zone Targets Accelerating Time to Value. Oracle announced the availability of OCI Telco Landing Zone, a deployment tool designed to establish a scalable and secure foundation for telco workloads. We assess why installing OCI services and telco-specific components can catalyze the setup and operation of all telco workloads, including 5G core cloud native functions (CNFs) and virtual network functions (VNFs). This can result in speeding up project timelines and time to value deployments that improve business outcomes.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Tucker Callaway, CEO of Mezmo, for a discussion on Mezmo Data Management, Observability, and getting real value out of telemetry data.

Our conversation covers:

What Mezmo Data Management is.
The fact that 52% of organizations use 6 to 15 different tools in observability.
Why DevOps or application developers are creating logging capabilities .

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, we are joined by Bertrand Cardinal, Director of Banking Solutions at Desjardins, for a conversation on empowering development teams through automation, unit testing, and collaboration. We discuss how applications are the keys to harnessing the power of the mainframe, making developers gatekeepers who must be empowered to deliver more, maximize productivity, and ensure applications deliver ongoing vitality. This developer-centric approach is crucial for leveraging the full potential of technology in banking.

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, Host and CMO Advisor Lisa Martin of The Futurum Group is joined by Boomi CMO Alison Biggan. Tune into this 30 min conversation to hear about Biggan’s journey to the C-suite, the strategic roles marketing art and data science play in Boomi's global leadership in iPaaS, and the infusion of AI and automation in Boomi marketing.

Their discussion covers:

The role of marketing in Boomi’s corporate strategy, which is focused on helping customers manage app sprawl, digital transformation initiatives, and solve integration challenges
How the Boomi MarTech stack connects people with technology, such as AI-powered chat tool Drift enabling Boomi’s sales development team to give customers a near real-time experience
Alison’s marketing breadth and depth as a operationally-focused leader

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steve Dickens and Krista Macomber check out the impact of data and the actions in terms of sovereignty, management, security all in the scope of the AI craze.

Key topics include:

The latest on data sovereignty, including where data resides and its ownership, particularly in the context of regulatory frameworks like the Digital Operational Resiliency Act (DORA) in Europe.
The meaning of Oracle's recent billion-dollar investment in Spain, and the importance of data center locations and the concentration risks.
How has data management moved with the investment in AI, or has it?
How AI has is transforming the call centers and job satisfaction, an example of the power of AI
Quick review on Fortra, penetration testing and vulnerability validation and how being used to further protect enterprises.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses his predictions about enterprise SaaS applications and the market that he made back in late 2023, including generative AI, personalization, tech stack consolidation, market consolidation, industry-specific software, and consumption pricing. He will also address the underlying elements driving each trend and discuss which companies in the market are being impacted.

Finally, he will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and he will either champion or criticize it.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Catchpoint’s Mehdi Daoudi, CEO and Brandon DeLap, Senior Solutions Engineer for a discussion on Catchpoint IPM, Internet traffic and application availability.

Our conversation covers:

What is Catchpoint and the impacts to Internet performance monitoring
What is resilience and the ability to know that you're going to have a problem and that you can recover from that problem
Modernization of applications. Moving away from control the server, to control the code

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick covers industry news from the past week, including a briefing with Cloud Eagle, a new product announcement from NetSuite, and Adobe’s terms and conditions updated. He closes out the show with a Rant focused on the declining customer experience among American consumers, as tracked by Forrester Research.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review key 5G ecosystem developments including recent deft moves by top-tier communications service providers (CSPs) such as BT Group and ServiceNow expanding their relation to vastly improve the CX and workforce experience, Vodafone Germany and FlyNex taking to the drone skies, and Altice using the Google Cloud Application Integration architecture to surmount legacy-borne complexity.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

BT Group ServiceNow Strengthen Relationship to Elevate CX. BT Group and ServiceNow expand their strategic relationship to improve customer and workforce experiences. The multi-year agreement will extend ServiceNow service management capabilities to all BT Group units to drive savings, efficiency, and improved customer experience. BT Group will also use ServiceNow Service Bridge for an automated connection between BT and its customers and plans to pilot ServiceNow’s Now Assist for Telecom Service Management (TSM) to power GenAI capabilities for internal and customer-facing teams. We delve into why this deal uplifts BT’s AI credentials and validates ServiceNow’s market momentum in the CSP space, executing on ServiceNow Chairman and CEO Bill McDermott’s vision of embedding intelligence across every workflow to accelerate the digital transformation of key customers such as BT.

Vodafone Germany and FlyNex Take to the Drone Skies. Vodafone Germany and data collection company FlyNex have launched DroNet Hub, a comprehensive online platform to help businesses plan and manage commercial drone flights. The new ‘DroNet Connect Stream’ tariff comes with a high-speed data volume of 500GB (gigabytes), optionally expandable to 1 TB (terabytes), ensures a consistent transmission of live data from the drone directly to the Hub. Data from the mobile network is also integrated, to help understand the connectivity and population density that lies ahead on a flight path. We examine why the DroNet Hub all-in-one platform, that includes planning, organizing the flight, and automated data collection and reporting, represents an innovative breakthrough in CSP support and delivery of drone services.

Altice Enlists Google Clouds Application Integration to Tame Complexity. Altice Group, through the validation process of Altice Labs, is spotlighting that the introduction of Application Integration has proven especially effective in managing the complexity of its business processes and operations consisting of a growing number of legacy components and intricate workflows overseen by an enterprise service bus. Application Integration is Google Cloud’s Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) that automates business processes by connecting any application, including home-grown and third-party SaaS, with an intuitive interface that enables the building of intricate flows, data mapping, and the streamlining of operations with pre-built tasks and triggers. We assess how the new architecture manages APIs for Altice systems including CRM, identity management, shopping carts, plus modules supporting the customer journey, billing, and usage charging as well as efficiently interworking with components for operations, OSS/BSS platforms, service quality, and call centers.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Steven Dickens, and Camberley Bates discuss their busy week attending various tech conferences. We hear highlights from HPE Discover, emphasizing HPE's advancements in AI and their collaboration with Nvidia. An inside look at Pure Accelerate 2024, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and application modernization. The episode concludes with reflections on the FinOps X conference and the growing importance of financial operations in the tech industry.

Key topics include:

HPE Discover showcased HPE's private cloud AI solutions and partnership with Nvidia.
Pure Accelerate highlighted AI, cybersecurity, and storage optimization efforts.
Pure Storage's new hardware developments include customized flash drives.
FinOps X emphasized standardizing financial operations data collection.
Google integrates AI into its FinOps tools, leveraging its Gemini technology.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, host Paul Nashawaty is joined by Jack Poller of Paradigm Technica and Mitch Ashley, analyst and founder of Techstrong Research and Chief Technology Advisor at The Futurum Group, for a discussion on the SDLC and the impacts of security as it is integrated into the pipeline.

Their discussion covers:

How security is not just security
Security as a bolt-on afterthought
Impacts to DevSecOps as it relates to the software release cycles

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review key 5G ecosystem developments including Microsoft’s dramatic scale back of Azure for Operators (AfO) unit, Nokia and Dell strengthening their alliance to help accelerate Cloud RAN deployments, and Ericsson spotlight on how private 5G (P5G) can play integral role in streamlining airport operations.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

Microsoft Conducts Azure for Operators Purge. Microsoft reportedly cut as many as 1,500 jobs at its Azure for Operators and Mission Engineering units, as the move appears to have hit hard the teams responsible for developing network functions, moving on from its 2020 acquisitions of Metaswitch and Affirmed Networks. The move indicates that Microsoft will ultimately look to sell or phase out its Metaswitch and Affirmed-originated application portfolio assets. We explore the ramifications for Microsoft's key telecom rivals such as AWS and Alianza as well as how moving Microsoft’s focus on the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) side of the business boosts the likelihood that future engagements will look to combine applications from telco specialists such as Ericsson and Nokia with the Microsoft cloud.

Nokia Dell Show AnyRAN Alliance Progress. Nokia’s AnyRAN partnership with Dell is now over a year in the making. Nokia’s anyRAN proposition is built to allow operators to flexibly deploy RAN functions using cloud-native containerized software on any cloud infrastructure including public, private or hybrid clouds. Nokia’s software-centric approach aligns with Dell's strengths in cloud data center solutions. Nokia and Dell have successfully completed an Open RAN trial with Vodafone Italy, alongside testing of the Cloud RAN management system. We assess why we see the alliance is ready to make tangible breakthroughs as the Nokia Cloud RAN solution is now ready for commercial deployments in H2 2024.

Ericsson Views P5G as Antidote to Legacy Airline Ops. For many years now, airport communications have relied heavily on legacy systems, such as Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Project 25 (P25), and Digital Mobile Radio (DMR). While these systems provide basic voice communication, their limited bandwidth renders them unsatisfactory for meeting the burgeoning demand for data and video communications across airport environments – not good. Deploying and maintaining multiple parallel networks, including Wi-Fi networks, is a costly affair. Workers carrying multiple devices for various purposes face cumbersome workflows, and siloed systems and applications lead to operational inefficiencies. We review how firms like Streamwide and Airbus are providing solutions that support the co-existence of TETRA and cellular networks in airport settings, aiding the transition to modernized communication systems. This includes private 5G networks (P5G) that can provide a unified connectivity that works across applications and with existing connectivity like Wi-Fi, promising a future where airports can operate with enhanced efficiency and flexible connectivity for a streamlined travel experience.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host David Nicholson welcomes Steen Graham, Founder at Scalers AI and Jeremy Johnson, Technical Marketing Engineer at Dell Technologies for a conversation on the democratization of AI through an industrial AI Metaverse solution.

Their discussion covers:

Insights into the creation and deployment of industrial AI Metaverse solutions.
The collaborative efforts between Scalers AI and Dell Technologies in advancing AI technologies.
The impact of AI Metaverse solutions on industry and society.
Future trends and developments in AI democratization.

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, Host and CMO Advisor Lisa Martin is joined by SingleStore CMO Madhukar Kumar. Tune into this 30 min discussion, as they explore the symbiotic value of a product-led growth (PLG) strategy on sales and marketing, the dynamic blend of creativity and analytics in marketing at SingleStore, and the influence of AI and emerging technologies on the customer experience.

Their discussion covers:

Madhukar Kumar's career journey, transitioning from a journalist to a developer to a tech CMO.
PLG strategies that tightly align sales and marketing and facilitate conversion of customers from freemium to enterprise models.
The evolving landscape of MarTech and its impact on modern marketing strategies, including the integration of creativity and analytics.
Insights into the use of AI, gen AI, and emerging technologies in marketing and their influence on the customer experience and key performance metrics.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick is joined by Robert Kramer, VP and Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, to discuss using data to enable ROI from AI deployments. The pair discuss this topic through the lens of several events they attended in recent weeks, including SAP Sapphire, Zoholics, PegaWorld iNspire, and Databricks Summit. The two conclude the show, each contributing a Rave to the Rant and Rave segment.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host David Nicholson is joined by Mohan Rokkam, Marketing and Product Manager at Dell Technologies and Steen Graham, Founder at Scalers AI's to discuss the democratization of AI in healthcare, focusing on CPU-based solutions.

Their discussion covers:

The current state and future of AI in healthcare
How Dell Technologies and Scalers AI are working towards democratizing AI
Real-world applications and impacts of CPU-based AI in the healthcare sector
Challenges and opportunities in the adoption of CPU-based AI technologies
Strategies for scaling AI solutions in healthcare environments Learn more at Dell Technologies and Scalers AI. Download our related report, AI on CPUs - A PoC for Healthcare, here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host David Nicholson is joined by Dell Technologies' Mohan Rokkam and Scalers AI's Steen Graham for a conversation on how CPU-based AI technologies are revolutionizing the retail sector.

Their discussion covers:

The current landscape of AI in the retail industry
Benefits of CPU-based AI over other AI models
Real-world applications of CPU-based AI in retail
Challenges in implementing AI at scale in retail settings
Future prospects of AI democratization in the retail sector

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by serverless product management team lead at Google, Steren Giannini, for a discussion on Google Cloud AI and the impacts on application modernization.

Our conversation covers:

The impact of Gen AI applications
Refactoring all applications to leverage AI models
Kubernetes to migrate to the Cloud, getting started with Cloud Run

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host David Nicholson welcomes Delmar Hernandez, Senior Principal Engineer at Dell Technologies and Steen Graham, Founder at Scalers AI for a conversation on the democratization of AI, focusing on the scalability and versatility of heterogeneous AI inferencing.

Their discussion covers:

The current trends and challenges in AI democratization and how companies are navigating these waters
How Dell Technologies and Scalers AI are advancing the field of AI inferencing with innovative solutions
The importance of scalable and heterogeneous AI systems in unlocking new opportunities and applications
Best practices for implementing AI technologies in various sectors
Predictions for the future of AI development and its impact on industries

Learn more at Dell Technologies and Scalers AI. Download our related report, Dell POC for Scalable and Heterogeneous Gen-AI Platform, here.

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Our discussion covers:

The current state of generative AI technology and its accessibility
Strategies for scaling out generative AI platforms to support widespread adoption
Challenges and solutions in making AI tools more available to non-experts
Insights into future directions for AI democratization and its impact on various industries
Collaboration between Dell Technologies and Scalers AI to promote AI accessibility

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, we are joined by Dell Technologies' Seamus Jones and Scalers AI's Steen Graham. Host, David Nicholson, Chief Research Officer at The Futurum Group, delves into a conversation on how these leaders are leveraging their expertise and organizational capabilities to democratize AI infrastructure.

Their discussion covers:

The current state and challenges of AI infrastructure
Strategies for making AI accessible to a broader audience
Innovative solutions from Dell Technologies and Scalers AI to support AI democratization
The impact of democratized AI on various industries
Future trends in AI infrastructure and democratization

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses recent contact center product announcements, focusing specifically on news from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center and Cisco’s Webex Contact Center. He then concludes the show with the Rant or Rave segment, focusing on a contact center snafu.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shira Rubinoff is joined by JLL's Doug Shepherd, Senior Director Offensive Security, for a conversation on the key insights and takeaways from Tanium's Converge Conference.

Their discussion covers:

The evolving landscape of cybersecurity challenges faced by organizations today
Strategic insights into offensive security measures
Best practices for organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture
The role of collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing cybersecurity defenses
Future trends and predictions in cybersecurity

Learn more at JLL.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shira Rubinoff is joined by Tanium's Melissa Bishoping, Director, Endpoint Security Research for a conversation on the latest cybersecurity trends and insights from the Tanium Converge Conference.

Their discussion covers:

The evolving landscape of endpoint security and the challenges organizations face
Key takeaways from the Tanium Converge Conference, including emerging cybersecurity technologies
Strategies for enhancing organizational security posture in the wake of increasing cyber threats
The role of endpoint management in securing the remote workforce
Insights into future cybersecurity trends and directions in endpoint security research

Learn more at Tanium.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shira Rubinoff is joined by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's Chris Haley Head of Global Platform for a conversation on the key takeaways from Tanium's Converge Conference, and how cybersecurity practices are evolving within the legal sector.

Their discussion covers:

The main themes and insights from Tanium's Converge Conference
The role of cybersecurity in modern legal practices
Challenges and solutions for implementing robust cybersecurity measures in the legal sector
The evolution of legal sector's approach to data protection and privacy
Future trends in cybersecurity within the legal industry

Learn more at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review key 5G ecosystem developments including T-Mobile’s $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular’s wireless operations, NVIDIA kicking P5G tires, AI-RAN Alliance considerations, and what Fortinet’s cybersecurity portfolio brings to wireless/mobility environments.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

T-Mobile Acquires UScellular Wireless Operations: Good News for Rural Users. T-Mobile will pay approximately $4.4 billion for the assets being acquired from UScellular in the transaction that combines cash and up to $2.0 billion in debt to be assumed by T-Mobile. Upon closing, T-Mobile’s 5G network will expand to serve UScellular customers, especially those in underserved rural areas, by moving from a roaming experience outside of the UScellular coverage areas to nationwide access. We explore why the additional capacity and coverage generated by the combination of T-Mobile/UScellular spectrum and wireless assets and capabilities can stimulate competition for wireless services across rural areas, particularly in relation to Verizon and AT&T service offerings as well as help reduce the digital divide.

Private 5G Momentum: NVIDIA Kicks Tires and AI Considerations. NVIDIA received approval from the FCC to build a private 5G SA network at its Santa Clara, CA HQ to test its implementation with unnamed O-RAN vendors. The move follows high-profile organizations such as Tesla, John Deere, Lufthansa Technik, and NEC elevating their respective private 5G (P5G) commitments as P5G installations worldwide have passed the 2K threshold. We delve into the recent progress in the P5G market and how NVIDIA’s interest in P5G coincides with its 5G ecosystem initiatives including as a major backer of the AI-RAN Alliance and the development of the Grace Hopper chip to support new AI applications at the edge plus in RAN software.

Fortinet Brings Secure by Design Assurance to Wireless. Fortinet recently spotlighted its long-standing commitment to responsible radical transparency as an early signer of the Secure by Design pledge developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA’s latest initiative strongly aligns to Fortinet’s existing product development processes already based on Secure by Design and Secure by Default principles. Fortinet is committed to adhering to robust product security scrutiny at all stages of the product development lifecycle, helping to ensure that security is designed into each product from inception all the way through to end of life, which we view as an important differentiator. We examine how the Fortinet platform combines unified SASE, security operations, and secure networking that protect the entire attack surface alongside integration ease with existing infrastructure plus our key takeaways from Fortinet’s Mobility Field Day 11 presentations.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens, Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber discuss earnings performance from a variety of companies, as well as ongoing investments in sovereign clouds.

Key Points:

Coverage of earnings performance from:
Elastic
Lenovo
MongoDB
NetApp
Pure Storage
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s expansion into Morocco

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, host Lisa Martin is joined by Trellix CMO, Ash Parikh. Tune into this 30 min discussion, as they explore the evolution of the buyer’s journey, how marketing leadership styles and strategies change based on the company’s growth status, the use of MarTech at Trellix, and uncover the intricate balance between art and science in driving revenue.

Their discussion covers:

Evolution of the CMO role and how technology has influenced the management style of modern CMOs
Marketing Management Styles: Examining Ash Parikh's approach to transforming and modernizing marketing at mid-size public and late-stage pre-IPO companies, and how management styles must adapt across different company stages.
Martech in Action: Exploring Ash Parikh's utilization of marketing technology, including AI, automation, and IoT, to create personas, launch campaigns, align sales and marketing, and drive ROI.
Emerging Tech and Future Trends: The impact of AI, gen AI, IoT, and 5G on the customer journey, as well as Ash Parikh's insights on leveraging emerging technologies for customer-oriented outcomes and influencing key metrics.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, we are joined by EY's Clare Aldegren, Global Head of Blockchain Sales and Operations for a conversation on the transformative potential of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in the banking sector. Hosted by Greg Lotko and Steven Dickens, this episode dives deep into the interplay between traditional banking systems, emerging technologies, and the digital transformation journey of the banking industry.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, hosts Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko are joined by Broadcom's Lauren Valenti, Director, Mainframe Education, Vitality Residency Program, for a conversation on the allure of the mainframe for new technologists and the critical role of workforce resiliency.

Are Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman ready to give up their Main Scoop host positions? Well ... maybe not permanently. In this unique episode, Lauren Valenti takes over as host to discuss mainframe workforce development with two up-and-coming mainframers - Adia Sakura-Lemessy and Liam Glynn. Learn about their career goals, advice for other new technologists, their pathway to the mainframe, and more.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out all our past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Main Scoop™ series.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, hosts Randy Kerns and Krista Macomber are joined by SIOS Technical Evangelist Dave Bermingham, for a conversation on the importance of high availability solutions for regulated industries such as financial services.

Their discussion covers:

The complexity and criticality of ensuring uptime for applications and data in regulated industries
Exploring high availability (HA) options for regulated industries, including financial services, with a focus on cost and performance considerations
An introduction to SIOS DataKeeper as a solution for high availability needs

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On this episode of the Infrastructure Matters, host Keith Townsend is joined by HPE's Bharath Ramesh, Global Head of AI Product for a conversation on exploring the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in the enterprise domain, with a focus on the challenges organizations face and the emergence of hybrid AI solutions as a viable approach.

Their discussion covers:

The current state of AI adoption in enterprises and the primary obstacles they encounter
The evolution and importance of hybrid AI solutions in addressing enterprise needs
Insights into how organizations can effectively navigate the integration of AI technologies
Strategies for enterprises to maximize the value of AI investments
Future trends in AI development and how they might influence enterprise strategies

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses two conferences he attended during the week, Epicor Insights and Salesforce Connections. Kirkpatrick talks about the key news from each event, new product announcements, and provides his take on each event. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, focusing on a particular galling CX experience that saw a failure with applications, training, and the ability to show empathy.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates discuss their experiences at various industry events, including Dell, IBM, Nutanix, and Lenovo earnings announcements. They highlight major announcements and key trends, particularly focusing on AI and multicloud. Dell emphasized their AI Factory and PowerStore updates, while IBM focused on hybrid cloud and AI developments through watsonx and AWS partnerships. Nutanix's collaboration with Dell and Lenovo's strong non-PC revenue growth were also discussed.

Key Points:

Dell Event Highlights: Major focus on AI, with the introduction of the AI Factory and significant updates to PowerStore.
IBM Think Conference: Emphasis on hybrid cloud and AI, featuring developments in watsonx and partnerships with AWS.
Nutanix and Dell Partnership: Integration of PowerFlex with Nutanix's AHV virtualization offering for scalable solutions.
Lenovo Earnings Report: Strong growth in non-PC revenue and expansion in data center and AI solutions.
Overall Industry Trends: Shift from AI proof-of-concepts to production deployments and infrastructure focus to support AI workloads and multicloud environments.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things across the 5G ecosystem, we review recent adjustments by key players throughout the 5G ecosystem including Verizon Business’ debut in the neutral host network segment, Dell and Ericsson commercially debuting Ericsson Cloud RAN software on Dell PowerEdge servers to spur telco cloud journeys, and how Red Hat’s open source approach is making inroads across telco hybrid cloud and Open RAN environments.

Our analytical review drilled down on:

Verizon’s First Neutral Host Deal with Cummins. Verizon created a 5G ecosystem stir in announcing its debut neutral host private 5G deal with Cummins Inc., a manufacturer of heavy-duty truck engines. Cummins is tapping Verizon as the technical lead and anchor tenant for a combo network to be deployed at its Jamestown engine plant in Lakewood, New York. Verizon will collaborate with Ericsson to implement the neutral host model using Verizon's C-band and mmWave spectrum bands, plus support for 3.5GHz CBRS connections. The move follows T-Mobile already tossing its hat into the neutral host arena with suppliers such as Celona certified on its 4G-based neutral host system within T-Mobile’s “Bring Your Own Coverage 2.0” (BYOC 2.0) program that has the property owner financing and hosting the neutral site. We delve into how the neutral host model can deliver benefits like ensuring all users, such as employees, get the same level of signal across all carriers, vital to making sure emergency calls inside or outside the facility are received as well as the prospects that other operators will warm to Verizon acting as the “neutral” anchor tenant at such sites.

Dell and Ericsson Target Stimulating Telco Cloud Journeys. At Dell Tech World 2024, Dell and Ericsson announced they have bolstered their partnership to push telco cloud transformation journeys forward. To help make this happen, the duo is commercially debuting Ericsson Cloud RAN software on Dell PowerEdge servers underpinned by continuous testing and lifecycle management plus joint services that offer telcos integrated network infrastructure support. They are working together to cultivate customized cloud network transformation journeys and provide guidance on network structures and operational frameworks that minimize the deployment risks across open, heterogeneous vendor environments. We assess the potential impact of the alliance on the 5G market including how Dell’s AI Factory solutions can ultimately play a key role in stimulating telco cloud journeys including the acceleration of Cloud RAN implementations.

Red Hat Seeks to Reduce Complexity Through Open Source Principles. Red Hat is focused on using open source principles to help telcos improve their business outcomes by reducing complexity with open source underpinning Red Hat’s pre-integrated platform approach that includes orchestrating 5G automation, hybrid cloud, AI, and edge computing capabilities. Specifically, Red Hat offers a unified cloud-native application platform that spans the telco’s network from core to edge. To that end, Red Hat has integrated Ericsson Cloud RAN with Red Hat OpenShift to provide telcos more flexibility in choosing a cloud platform. The move comes after Red Hat announced in 2023 a partnership to deliver Nokia's core network applications together with Red Hat's cloud infrastructure platforms. We assess the practical outcomes of Red Hat’s portfolio development and marketing strategy as shown by its collaboration with telco organizations such as KDDI, Telenor, Turkcell, Perfectum, and an array of others to help accelerate cloud-native network deployments within multi-vendor environments including progress working with Nokia’s anyRAN framework as well as Mavenir’s Open RAN solutions in the Vodafone Idea network.

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On this episode of the Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by AveriSource's Stephanie Walter, Head of Product for a conversation on how AveriSource is innovating in the realm of mainframe modernization.

Our discussion covers:

An overview of AveriSource as a new entrant in the mainframe modernization space
A deep dive into AveriSource's solution model and its unique approach
Innovations AveriSource is bringing to the user interface (UI) space
The role of AI in AveriSource's strategy and offerings
Key trends from clients regarding mainframe modernization and how to engage with AveriSource

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, I am joined by Infinidat’s CMO, Eric Herzog, for a lively conversation on marketing and business as a team sport, the symbiotic value of a strong sales-marketing relationship, and what Eric believes is the true art of marketing.

Our discussion covers:

An introduction to charismatic CMO Eric Herzog and how marketing is enabling Infinidat's mission to become the standard in enterprise storage
How Eric’s integrated marketing organization fits in to Infinidat’s corporate strategy
How the Infinidat customer journey progresses through its MarTech stack
The criticality of having purpose when leveraging AI

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick discusses news from the world of enterprise applications, HR, and AI. He focuses on the growing use of no-code/low-code development platforms, the focus on enterprise skills development, the use of AI guardrails within a CRM, and discusses how AI can be used to optimize digital customer experiences. He then provides a Rave during his Rant or Rave segment, praising vendors’ increasing willingness to focus on time to value as a key messaging point, eschewing the endless focus on feature sets.

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On this episode of the Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by Rocket Software's Phil Buckellew, President of Infrastructure Modernization and Neil Fowler, Senior Vice President of Hybrid Cloud Engineering to discuss the recent acquisition of AMC (formerly part of Micro Focus) and the seamless transition of mainframe modernization to cloud environments. The conversation includes insights into the future of mainframe technologies and Rocket Software's strategic direction.

Our discussion covers:

The critical importance of mainframe modernization and the new capabilities Rocket Software gains from the AMC acquisition.
An overview of the products included in the AMC acquisition and what they mean for mainframe customers.
The benefits businesses can expect when modernizing their mainframes, particularly through cloud integration.
Insight into Rocket Software's promise for modernization without disruption, and what this process entails for their customers.

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On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by Rocket Software's Milan Shetti, President and CEO, for a conversation on how Rocket Software's monumental acquisition of AMC is set to revolutionize the company's market stance by significantly enhancing its modernization suite and unlocking new avenues for cloud innovation.

Our discussion covers:

The strategic significance of acquiring AMC and its impact on Rocket Software’s position in the market.
The imperative of modernization in today's digital landscape and the necessity for companies to prioritize this transition.
The unique qualities that set Rocket Software apart in the competitive field of cloud solutions and infrastructure modernization.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by VP and Practice Lead, Bob Sutor, for discussion of the impacts of quantum computing on AI, DevOps and AppDev.

Our conversation covered:

What quantum software development is, what people use as their SDK, the platform, rise of Rust with a Python wrapper and WASM
Quantum, AI and AppDev overlap and market space, including qualification
TEV, ROI and the economic models
Why this is important, and why prospects should care
How this relates to the topics of quantum, DevOps, AI, AppDev, etc

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we review new private 5G (P5G) ecosystem advances including Cisco’s collaboration with Augmentir, Nokia, and Logicalis to boost adoption of the Cisco Mobility Services Platform across enterprises, Tesla building its P5G network at its Berlin gigafactory, and Verizon completing the first phase of certifying Nokia’s DAC for the Verizon Business Private 5G Network portfolio.

Our analytical review spotlighted:

Cisco Private 5G Ecosystem Credentials Wax. At the recent Hanover Messe 2024 global trade fair, Cisco’s Next-Gen Workforce Collaboration with Cisco Private 5G proposition stood out. We address why focusing on how Cisco understands that ecosystem-wide collaboration is needed to advance private 5G implementations. Cisco is working with Augmentir, Nokia and Logicalis in bolstering the Cisco Mobility Services Platform’s deployment flexibility though increasing the value of mobile services by making them more accessible and programmable. The platform combines Augmentir, Cisco Webex Expert on Demand, and Cisco Private 5G to redefine automation and workforce efficiency in industrial operations. The platform also reinforces Cisco’s commitment to fulfill enterprise digital transformation objectives by delivering simple, unified solutions that provide secure connectivity and supporting value-added services for people, places, and things.

Tesla Jumps on the P5G Bandwagon. Tesla indicated it had constructed a private 5G network at its gigafactory in Berlin with plans to deploy the technology worldwide. The P5G network can work indoors and outdoors with the outdoor coverage enabling Tesla to update hundreds of cars outside avoiding the need to run and power to outdoor locations. We assess why Tesla’s ongoing plans to build out P5G provides a high-profile market bump for the technology.

Verizon has completed the first phase of certification to add Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) to its list of supported offerings in private networks that use Verizon’s licensed spectrum. Upon addition to its portfolio, Nokia DAC would expand Verizon Business’ hardware and software options available to customers of Verizon Business’ Private 5G Network offering. The Nokia DAC platform will also be used to enhance indoor coverage for Verizon consumers and enterprise customers. We examine why Nokia’s DAC is well-suited to help spur adoption of private wireless connectivity and operational technology needs across industrial sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, ports, airports, utilities, mining, and agriculture.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber and Camberley Bates cover Commvault earnings, Dell’s data protection announcement, Microsoft’s Secure Feature initiative plus why Hitachi matters. Key topics include: * Commvault Earnings Discussion: Strong fiscal and quarter performance, with a 10% year-over-year revenue increase and how their shift into cyber resiliency made the difference. * Dell's Innovations in Data Protection: Dell's Data Protection Group introduced improvements with its Data Domain system and PowerProtect offerings. We cover the details and what is new. * Hitachi Vantara's Organizational Changes and New Offerings: With the GA of their VSP One Platform and the new organization including engineering, Hitachi marks a strategic refocus on data infrastructure space after a period of relative silence. We talk about the relevance and what to expect. * Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative: As part of preparing for the RSA conference, Microsoft launches the Secure Future Initiative, which focuses on integrating security deeply into its product development processes. * And what to Expect from the RSA Conference: Spoiler alert: AI plus other topics including the evolving challenges for security teams.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses Tableau Conference 2024, recent earnings news from major enterprise application vendors. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the Oracle Analyst Summit, a survey on the changing nature of service organizations from Salesforce, and brief commentary on the plethora of earnings announcements from SaaS vendors. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, I am joined by Delta Airlines’ CMO Alicia Tillman for a conversation on how modern marketing is enabling Delta to revolutionize travel globally. Together, we explore the massive impact Delta’s MarTech stack is having on the business and dive into the emerging technologies Delta is deploying that are already profoundly influencing the personalized passenger experience.

Our discussion covers:

Alicia Tillman's role as CMO of Delta Airlines and the company's recent recognition for innovation and customer experience at events like SXSW 2024.
A discussion on Delta's transformation as a digitally and culturally progressive 99-year-old organization that emphasizes how technology is enhancing passenger and employee experiences
Delta's MarTech stack and its influence on brand identity, sales pipeline optimization, and the integration of emerging technologies like AI and IoT to fuel a highly personalized passenger experience.
Insights into Delta's future, including its commitment to global connectivity and the implementation of tech-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing passenger and employee experiences while influencing key business metrics.
Fail to Fab story, Tillman describes a marketing initiative experiment campaign that did not go according to plan and how Delta marketing transformed it into a fabulous marketing win.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick is joined by Gina Whitty, Product Management, CCaaS + AI at GoTo, about the challenges faced by SMBs and mid-market companies that are trying to undergo a digital transformation, and discusses the maturity journey involved with improving CX delivery via the use of generative AI, omnichannel engagement, and automation.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we review the Q1 2024 earnings of T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T and their impact across the 5G ecosystem, BT’s partnership with Global to modernize its UK Portfolio Businesses, and Charter’s Q1 2024 earnings reflect making significant strides in residential mobile service revenue growth.

Our analytical review spotlighted:

Big 3 US Mobile Operators Hit Guidance Home Runs: T-Mobile reported Q1 2024 results, raising full year guidance and delivering breakthrough customer growth, including a higher share of postpaid phone net additions year-over-year and matching its lowest ever Q1 postpaid phone churn. Verizon spotlighted that the company is on track to meet its financial guidance and to deliver positive Consumer postpaid phone net adds for the year. AT&T stressed that the Q1 2024 results reflect continued strong growth in the company’s Mobility and Consumer Wireline connectivity businesses, which represent about 80% of its total revenues. This consistent, solid performance driven by its investment-led strategy gives AT&T confidence to re-affirm full-year consolidated financial guidance. We examine why all three major operators fulfilled their guidance, who excelled in their guidance outcomes, and the implications of the results for the entire mobile ecosystem.

BT Partners with Global to Modernize UK Portfolio Businesses. BT’s new partnership with media & entertainment group Global comes a year since BT’s former Enterprise and Global divisions came together to create one B2B unit connecting customers in the UK and internationally. As a group of standalone businesses that consume BT’s core assets and serve diverse industries, its UK Portfolio Businesses are integral to BT from the Media & Broadcast services that focus much of the UK’s digital content to the company’s directories businesses that underpin BT’s critical 999 service and credit reference agencies. We assess how BT’s agreement with Global to continue marketing and selling advertising on BT’s 1,000+ existing Street Hubs as well as convert up to 2,000 conventional BT payphones and kiosks into brand new Street Hubs will play a critical role in modernizing BT’s B2B proposition.

Charter’s Q1 2024 Reflect Residential Mobile Strides. Charter Communications Q1 2024 included revenue of $13.7 billion grew by 0.2% year-over-year, driven by residential mobile service revenue growth of 37.8% and residential Internet revenue growth of 1.9%. Also, Q1 2024 total residential and SMB mobile lines increased by 486,000. As of March 31, 2024, Charter served a total of 8.3 million mobile lines. Plus, as of March 31, 2024, Charter had a total of 32.0 million residential and SMB customer relationships, excluding mobile-only relationships. We explore why we see Charter executing on the company’s plan to evolve its network at a lower cost than its competitors to offer symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds across its entire footprint.

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Ken Williams, National Senior Manager of Partner Solutions at T-Mobile for Business, joins Ron Westfall and Krista Macomber to discuss the rapidly evolving threat landscape and steps decision makers can take to protect their organizations. They delve into why 5G connected laptops are integral to meeting mounting cybersecurity threats, particularly as remote work is increasing, and how they can empower organization to connect securely from anywhere, especially through the backing of a nationwide 5G standalone network.

Their discussion covers:

The increase in cybersecurity threats and the potential risks, impacts, and costs they can incur for businesses.
How the increase in remote work is expanding the traditional attack surface including more risks posed by public Wi-Fi
An explanation of what connected laptops are and the opportunity they represent in the market.
How connected laptops empower organizations to connect securely from anywhere, limiting their reliance on risky unknown Wi-Fi networks and eliminating the risks they pose.
The strategic value of a nationwide 5G standalone network in attaining optimized 5G connected laptop outcomes.

For more information, download our report, 5G Connected Devices: The Enduring Advantages of Superior Security, and the infographic on our website.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Krista Macomber, and Steven Dickens discuss recent developments in IT infrastructure, with a focus on security, cloud computing, and data protection. They highlight the enduring impact of strategic partnerships and investments among major companies, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity and cloud solutions in today's IT landscape. They also discuss updates from the NAB Show in Las Vegas, discussions on the significance of sovereign clouds, and the potential ramifications of recent acquisitions in the tech space.

Key Points:

Cohesity recently completed its Series F funding round, supported by major companies like IBM and NVIDIA, emphasizing the critical role of data protection in cybersecurity.
Commvault announced its acquisition of Appranix, enhancing its capabilities in recovering entire application stacks, especially for cloud-hosted applications.
Cisco introduced Hypershield, integrating AI with network management to improve security and vulnerability management.
Recent investments in sovereign clouds by Oracle, IBM, and AWS illustrate a growing trend towards localizing cloud services to meet regulatory and latency issues.
Future expectations for the industry, such as the potential IPO of Rubrik and the ongoing strategic developments in cloud and cybersecurity.

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On this episode of Marketing Art and Science, I am joined by Domino Data Lab CMO Thomas Been for a conversation on how Domino is enabling its customers to unleash the power of AI, how marketing is leveraging generative AI to facilitate the customer journey, and how its martech stack is influencing targeting, amplification, and engagement.

Our discussion covers:

How Domino Data Lab is enabling organizations to unleash the power of AI to transform leveraging marketing.
About Domino’s MarTech stack and AI integration: The CMO’s recommendations on AI (e.g., build the basics, learn your business, innovate); an overview of Domino’s Martech stack
Marketing’s influence on the customer journey from prospect to advocate, emphasizing use case discovery and valuable content creation
Fail to Fab: An example of turning a marketing failure into a success using technology and generative AI

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we look at the recent high impact telco cloud, multi-access edge computing (MEC), and APIs moves. The major cloud, edge, and API developments include the progress of Azure Private MEC in supporting manufacturer private 5G network implementations, VMware Telco Cloud Platform Release 4.0 using a horizontal infrastructure approach to ease VNF and CNF deployment and administration, VMware Telco Cloud Platform RAN assisting the optimization of disaggregated RAN functions and CNF management, as well as how the Vonage Singtel partnership is uplifting network, edge, and communications API prospects.

Our analytical review focused on:

Azure Private MEC Proving Manufacturing Prowess. Microsoft Azure private MEC targets the streamlining and acceleration of private 5G (P5G) networks on the Azure cloud platform by providing a fully managed solution that can allow, for example, manufacturers to deploy and operate their own P5G networks with full control over their data and applications. We delve into how Azure private MEC and its ecosystem partners are helping manufacturers use 5G for improved outcomes with Pegatron, an electronics manufacturer of laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles, creating its own private 5G network to covers its entire factory and Weavix, through the company’s Internet of Workers platform, is equipping front line workers with wearable technologies and solutions to improve performance and safety.

VMware Ups Telco Cloud Proposition. VMware Telco Cloud Platform Release 4.0 focuses on solidifying numerous capabilities into a unified platform that can give telcos the flexibility to modernize their network according to their business objectives particularly through the implementation of requisite automation and assurance capabilities. We discuss how the rigors of designing and managing services combined with the intricacies of coordinating virtual network functions (VNFs) and cloud-native network functions (CNFs) demands a horizontal infrastructure that can support the deployment and administration of VNFs and CNFs with consistency, efficiency, and automation.

VMware Telco Cloud Platform RAN Underlines Disaggregation Benefits. VMware Telco Cloud Platform RAN delivers a horizontal platform optimized for running virtualized baseband functions or virtualized distributed units (vDUs) and virtualized central units (vCUs) from various vendors while meeting the stringent performance and latency requirements of a radio access network (RAN). The use of a horizontally consistent architecture that supports cloud-native principles can cultivate the build-out of logical end-to-end networks tailored to different 5G services. We explore why disaggregated RAN functions can be instantiated on a horizontal platform and deployed at the locations that best serve their functional purposes. Plus, how CNFs can be managed efficiently at scale and readily modified to turn business objectives into productive outcomes.

Vonage and Singtel Uplift API Prospects. Vonage, part of Ericsson, is partnering with Singtel to integrate Vonage’s API platform with Singtel’s orchestration platform Paragon with the goal of bolstering innovation opportunities for enterprises and telcos through access to a global ecosystem of communications, network, and edge APIs. Paragon-enabled telcos from Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Taiwan, and Indonesia will be able to integrate Vonage and Paragon APIs into a globally unified telco and edge API library as well as worldwide independent software vendors (ISVs), enterprises and developers can look to use the APIs to deliver digital services at greater speed and scale over hybrid networks, hybrid edge, and public cloud infrastructures across multiple markets. We assess why this partnership can be a harbinger to answering why this time is looking different when it comes to APIs playing an integral role in driving innovation and major benefits, such as 5G service monetization and energy efficiency gains, across telco environments.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the news coming out of the Zendesk and Avaya Analyst Days, focusing on new product enhancements around AI, corporate strategy, and automation. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Chronosphere’s CEO, Martin Mao, for discussion of the partnership with CrowdStrike and the recent acquisition of Calyptia.

Our discussion covers:

Chronosphere recently unveiled “Logs powered by CrowdStrike,” a comprehensive log storage and visualization solution, and how embedding CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale within Chronosphere’s cloud-native observability platform helps clients
Chronosphere’s recently acquisition of Calyptia, founded by the original creators of the Fluent Ecosystem
What’s next for Chronosphere, and the next sets of advancements in the observability and security space
Cloud native coming off Kubecon

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the news coming out of Google Cloud Next, focusing on new product enhancements around AI, Workspace, and security. He also discusses other enterprise application vendors that made significant announcements this week, and then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we review the major mobile ecosystem moves to make AI open, responsible, and transparent including Intel’s Enterprise AI proposition emphasizing open industry software for developer productivity, Qualcomm’s Responsible AI vision focus on privacy and security, and Nokia using Transparent AI across its audio portfolio development.

Our analytical review spotlighted:

Intel Enterprise AI Strategy Emphasizes Openness. At Intel Vision 2024 Intel sharpened its Enterprise AI proposition across critical sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and healthcare as they are rapidly seeking to broaden accessibility to AI and transitioning generative AI (GenAI) projects from experimental phases to full-scale implementation. We delve into why the Gaudi 3 AI accelerator launch underpins Intel’s vison by bringing together AI-dedicated compute engine, memory boost for LLM capacity requirements, efficient scaling for enterprise GenAI, open industry software for developer productivity, and Gaudi 3 PCIe capabilities as well as Bharti Airtel’s selection of Intel’s AI technology for enhancing its telecom data to improve customer experience and Infosys collaborating to bring Intel technologies to Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms that seek to accelerate business value using GenAI technologies.

Qualcomm Emphasizes Privacy and Security in Responsible AI Vision. Qualcomm, in a recent blog by Durga Malladi, SVP & GM, Technology Planning & Edge Solutions, detailed its vision for shaping the future of AI responsibly by spotlighting that one of the core principles of responsible AI is privacy and security. This is especially pertinent as AI systems collect and analyze vast amounts of data to protect individuals' privacy rights and ensure the security of sensitive information. We assess why Qualcomm, by promoting transparency, is effectively targeting the fostering of trust that can enable users to make informed decisions about AI technologies, ensuring that they align with their values and expectations.

Nokia Attains Audio Portfolio Gains Through Transparent AI. Nokia’s applications of transparent AI in audio product development, such as OZO Audio and Immersive Voice, plays an integral role in providing mobile device owners with sounds of immersion, clarity and focus. This level of quality requires extensive exploration, analysis and testing at every step of the development process. Many of the smart features of these audio solutions, such as applying noise reduction, are developed by training algorithms. We delve into how Nokia’s research and engineering team running audio data through machine-learning (ML) models, can analyze the output and tweak the algorithms until the team gets the desired result for its product. This includes using Simple Linux Utility for Resource Management (SLURM). a cluster-management, resource-allocation and job-scheduling system that shows which user ran a specific job and with what resources, together with the container system Apptainer, allows Nokia to transfer its code transparently between various allocated resources in the company’s datacenter.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber cover event highlights from Google Cloud Next, The Mainframe Summit and Security Field Day.

The discussion covers:

Highlights from Google Cloud Next including Google's AI stack and how Google is accelerating execution to capitalize on the market opportunity.
Krista covered Tech Field Day’s Security Field Day where presenting were Aryaka Networks, Zerto (now part of HPE), Palo Alto Networks, and Index Engines,
Security Field Focus on data security, resilience from ransomware, and actionable insights for security teams.
From surviving earthquakes to thriving amidst M&A buzz, the mainframe industry is more dynamic than ever all covering in The Mainframe Summit
Plus more M&A activity in the mainframe space is notable, with acquisitions such as BMC acquiring Model9 and Astadia being bought by Amdocs, indicating a dynamic market landscape.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Dell Technologies’ John Boyle, Director, Platform Strategy, and Amy Price, Senior Manager, Portfolio Evangelist to discuss Dell’s recent study and research report, done in partnership with The Futurum Group, on-device trust and hardware-assisted security.

Their discussion covers:

How security approaches and priorities have shifted since pre-pandemic times
What is driving a deepened focus on hardware security
Differentiations in Dell’s approach to security from other PC manufacturers today
The concept of “secure-by-design” from Dell’s perspective
The added perspective on the software side of security, threat-detection, and managing the internal issues contributing to risk factors

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by The Futurum Group’s Stephen Foskett and Keith Townsend, for a conversation on the impact of AI and Generative AI on DevOps, application modernization, and innovative development methodologies.

The discussion covers:

How the integration of AI, including Generative AI (GenAI), has impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of DevOps practices within modern software development lifecycles
Specific examples where AI technologies have enhanced or optimized DevOps processes such as continuous integration, continuous deployment, and automated testing
The challenges when implementing AI/GenAI within DevOps frameworks, and how can organizations address issues related to transparency, accountability, and bias in AI-driven decision-making
Ways that AI contributes to the evolution of DevOps culture, collaboration, and cross-functional team dynamics, particularly in environments focused on agility and innovation
How AI-powered analytics and predictive capabilities influence decision-making processes in DevOps, including resource allocation, risk management, and performance optimization across development, testing, and deployment pipelines

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, host Daniel Newman is joined by Hammerspace's David Flynn, Founder and CEO, for a conversation on the cutting edge of AI and storage technologies.

Our discussion covers:

The background of David Flynn's role and the revolutionary technology developed at Fusion-IO
The major challenges Enterprise organizations face with their Infrastructure as they embark on AI projects
Insights Enterprises can glean from Hyperscalers for their AI architectures
The significance of open source in the realm of AI
The critical roles of Hyperscale NAS and Data Orchestration within AI architectures

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In this episode of The Futurum Tech Webcast, Saso Ivanovski, CTO of Semos Cloud joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications at The Futurum Group to discuss the technological advances in HR Tech and the evolution of employee experience. The pair also cover issues around HR tech integration, data security, and privacy, and unravel the significance of Culture Intelligence in shaping the future of HR landscapes.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we review indicators of improving 5G prospects in 2024 across key areas such as Samsung’s surging Q1 2024 financial results amid AI’s rising tide, growing worldwide 5G connections plus eSIM expansion, the FCC proposing revival of the $9 billion 5G Fund for Rural America, and T-Mobile’s creative new Blink Smart Home bundle package.

Our analytical review spotlighted:

Samsung Surging: Indicating Bumper Q1 2024 Results. Samsung is reporting that its operating profit would reach about 6.6 trillion Korean won ($4.9 billion) in Q1 2024, up from 64 billion won ($473 million) a year earlier, following a challenging 2023 pockmarked by diminished demand for consumer electronics. This represents nearly a tenfold increase year-over-year and appreciably above consensus estimates of 5.4 trillion won ($3.9 billion), according to FactSet. It would also be Samsung’s highest operating profit since Q3 2022. We examine why this is good news for the mobile ecosystem, especially 5G, aligning with the AI-fueled surge in the financial performance of key players such as NVIDIA, Super Micro, SK Hynix, and Micron amid key drivers such as 5G accounting for as many as 1.2 billion connections by 2025 and around 1 billion eSIM smartphone connections globally by the end of 2025 (according to GSMA Intelligence).

FCC Proposing $9 Billion 5G Fund Revival. The FCC is proposing rules that would revive the 5G Fund for Rural America, allocating up to $9 billion for its initial phase. Funding sources for the program typically come from a combination of government appropriations, revenue generated from spectrum license auctions, and contributions from telecommunications companies participating in the program. We explore how relaunching a program originally adopted in 2020, makes more sense not that the FCC has better mapping to get 5G to areas it believes won’t receive the service without subsidization as well as inputs from the CTIA and the Rural Wireless Association (RWA) that can help optimize the potential 5G funding allocations.

T-Mobile’s Creative New Blink Smart Home Package. T-Mobile is offering a new bundle that enables customers to switch to 5G Home Internet or Small Business Internet and get a free Blink smart home package, including the Blink Outdoor 4 two-camera system and Blink Mini Pan-Tilt camera (a $229.97 value) for a limited time. We address the key selling point of simplified installation where people can go from unboxing to browsing in 15 minutes or less, no professional installation or wasting hours waiting for an appointment window required and how these types of creative bundling packages can help stimulate 5G service adoption.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens with Krista Macomber and Camberley Bates cover the a peak at the 60th birthday party for the Mainframe, Rubrik’s IPO and AI tech from AWS to memory and CXL technology.

Key moments from the conversation include:

The Mainframe turns sixty, and Steve and Camberley look back and forward on the amazing endurance plus the new adoption of the mainframe.
The Infrastructure Matters team lends a view into the recent Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, and what is evolving within AI and computer vision technology and where to expect Amazon to go next.
AI was the top conversation at MemCon 2024 where the importance of memory technologies like HBM and CXL are addressing performance bottlenecks in high-performance computing and AI.
How we will see data storage and other technologies gain traction as the new AI gains hold in everyday life.
Rubrik's IPO announcement prompts discussion on its financials, its acquisitions, and the broader trend of data protection companies pivoting towards cybersecurity amidst growing cyber threats.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the news coming out of NetSuite’s SuiteConnectNY event, focusing on new product enhancements around AI, and a new connector used to link multiple instances of the product. He also discusses several retail case studies, and then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Plainsight’s CEO, Kit Merker, for discussion of the impacts of AI and Generative AI on application modernization, and innovative development methodologies for overall business goals.

Our conversation covers:

How Plainsight's integration of visual AI and data science distinguish its approach in the competitive Computer Vision market
In what specific ways Plainsight addresses the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving landscape of Computer Vision technology
How Plainsight prioritize customers' end-to-end business processes to ensure the success of their Computer Vision initiatives
The evidence or examples demonstrate Plainsight's commitment to customer satisfaction and how has it contributed to the company's achievements in the field of Computer Vision

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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The integrity of both the mainframe platform and the people within the ecosystem have kept the world's economy humming for 60 years. But don't just take it from our hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman! This special anniversary episode spotlights the mainframe community, what they love about the platform, their favorite technological advancements, and why the mainframe is critical to our everyday lives.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick is joined by Robert Kramer, vice president and principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, to discuss the announcements from Adobe Summit. The pair discusses the news coming out of the show, the state of SaaS applications, data management and governance, and the challenges faced by Adobe and others with incorporating and managing AI. The pair then close out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where they each champion and criticize something from the enterprise software and CX market.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we look at the recent key AI RAN and telco AI moves, especially alliance formations unveiled before and during Mobile World Congress 2024. The major AI RAN and Telco AI developments include the near-term and long-term ecosystem impact of the AI-RAN Alliance launch, HEAVY.AI’s progress in the key GenAI areas of accuracy and speed, the official debut of the Global Telco AI Alliance (GTAA), and the AI Alliance’s focus on responsible AI.

Our analytical review focused on:

AI-RAN Alliance Debuts: How Substantive? The AI-RAN Alliance debuted at MWC 2024, a new collaborative initiative aimed at integrating AI into cellular technology to further advance RAN technology and mobile networks. The alliance’s founding members include AWS, Arm, DeepSig, Ericsson, Microsoft, Nokia, Northeastern University, NVIDIA, Samsung Electronics, SoftBank and T-Mobile. The group’s mission is to enhance mobile network efficiency, reduce power consumption, and retrofit existing infrastructure, setting the stage for potentially unlocking new economic opportunities for telecommunications companies with AI, facilitated by 5G and further out 6G. We examine how network operators in the alliance are set to spearhead the testing and implementation of these evolving technologies developed through the collective research efforts of the member companies and universities and ecosystem prospects for AI RAN for both near-term and long-term.

HEAVY.AI Showing Accuracy and Speed Breakthroughs. HEAVY.AI announced HeavyIQ designed to bring LLM capabilities to the GPU-accelerated HEAVY.AI analytics platform, with the goal of enabling organizations to interact with their data through conversational analytics. Users can explore their data with natural language questions and generate advanced visualizations of that data. This streamlined process could reduce the friction of traditional business analytics, allowing more users to swiftly uncover insights. With HeavyIQ, HEAVY.AI has taken an open-source LLM foundation model and extensively trained it to perform core analytics tasks, including analyzing massive geospatial and temporal data sets. The technology employs LLM in conjunction with retrieval augmented generation (RAG) capabilities to take a user’s text input, automatically convert it into a SQL query, and can both visualize and return natural language summaries of results. We review why HEAVY.AI is providing benefits in areas such as accuracy. Trained with over 60,000 custom training pairs, benchmarks show HeavyIQ to be more accurate than GPT-4, with 90%+ accuracy on common text-to-SQL benchmarks, compared to 85% with GPT-4. For speed, HeavyIQ leverages optimized and fine-tuned smaller models that take advantage of the latest NVIDIA GPU hardware innovations to deliver responses up to 10x faster than GPT-4.

Global Telco AI Alliance Officially Takes Off. Deutsche Telekom, e& Group, Singtel, SoftBank and SK Telecom officially launched the Global Telco AI Alliance (GTAA), following its pre-announcement in July 2023. The telcos also announced plans to establish a joint venture, through which the companies plan to develop LLMs specifically tailored for the requirements of telecommunications companies. The LLMs will be designed to help telcos improve their customer interactions through digital assistants and chatbots. We explore why it is important to the mobile ecosystem for the JV to develop multilingual LLMs optimized for languages including Korean, English, German, Arabic and Japanese, with plans for additional languages to be agreed among the founding members and advancing telco specific LLMs that align to the telecommunications domain and can prove better at understanding user intent.

AI Alliance Prioritizes Responsible AI. In December 2023, IBM and Meta launched the AI Alliance in collaboration with over 50 founding members and collaborators. The AI Alliance is focused on cultivating an open community and enabling developers and researchers to accelerate responsible innovation in AI while ensuring scientific rigor, trust, safety, and economic competitiveness. By bringing together developers, academics, scientists, and other innovators, the alliance looks to pool resources and knowledge to address safety issues. We assess why the AI Alliance is integral to fulfilling ecosystem-wide objectives including deploying benchmarks and evaluation tools and standards to enable the responsible development and use of AI systems (i.e., Responsible AI). This includes supporting AI skills building and exploratory research.

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by Kalyan Veeramachaneni, Co-founder and CEO of DataCebo to discuss access to synthetic data for generative AI models.

Our conversation also covered:

Beyond LLMs: Generative AI models for data locked up in the enterprise warehouses
Synthetic data use cases that can bring productivity gains
Scalable approach to adopting synthetic data within an enterprise
Synthetic data use cases that can alleviate data availability problems

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we review the early market inroads and impact that Telco GenAI is delivering. The major takeaways consist of BT Group using Amazon Q’s coding companion, Amazon Code Whisperer, to provide GenAI coding assistance to its software engineers, Amazon and Microsoft combining Amdocs amAIz platform and Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to bring verticalized GenAI to telcos, and the debut of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF system that integrates a dedicated 5G AI Processor and 5G-Advanced-ready architecture to achieve key breakthroughs across NB-NTN satellite communications, 6-antenna architecture for smartphones, 6X carrier aggregation, and AI-based mmWave range extension for FWA CPE.

Our analytical review spotlighted:

Amazon CodeWhisperer Shows BT Group Early Benefits. At MWC24, BT Group announced that it deployed Amazon Q’s coding companion (Amazon CodeWhisperer) to provide generative AI coding assistance to its software engineers. Specifically, Amazon CodeWhisperer generates code suggestions ranging from snippets to full functions in real time in the customer Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The solution is already providing 15-20 suggestions of code per active user per day for BT Group, with an acceptance rate of 37% by its software engineers who are using the platform. We see this as an encouraging example of the value, efficiency, and support generative AI can offer to a communication service provider (CSP) organization.

Amdocs and Microsoft Ready GenAI Specifically for CSPs. Amdocs expanded its strategic alliance with Microsoft to further bring verticalized GenAI capabilities to the telecommunications industry, combining Amdocs amAIz platform and Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service. The duo has established a dedicated lab and center of excellence to further productize GenAI capabilities with the goal of accelerating adoption of GenAI technologies for CSPs. The collaboration is designed to bolster business outcomes by combining deep expertise in the communications industry with GenAI technology and industry verticalization that can produce carrier-grade business outcomes. Amdocs has built Customer Engagement Platform, which includes multiple copilot products, including sales, order enrichment, care, proposals, and other key functions, like configure price quote (CPQ), which we view as integral to providing an interconnected GenAI-infused experience across the entire CSP organization.

Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 Ties Together AI and 5G Progress. During MWC24, Qualcomm unveiled its new Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System. The offering features new AI innovations based on a dedicated tensor accelerator to improve data speeds, latency, quality of service (QoS), coverage, location accuracy, spectrum efficiency, power efficiency, and multi-antenna management. it integrates a dedicated 5G AI Processor and 5G-Advanced-ready architecture to achieve what we see as several important industry milestones, including the first 5G modem with fully integrated NB-NTN satellite communications support, 6-antenna architecture for smartphones, 6X carrier aggregation, and AI-based mmWave range extension for fixed wireless access CPE.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses several new generative AI-focused product announcements and enhancements focused on contact centers and service applications, including those from Five9, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and SAP Concur. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the enterprise software market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by Anthony Anter, Technology Solutions Director and Tim Ceradsky, Director of Software Consulting for BMC Software. The discussion focuses on the strategic importance of weaving operational resilience into the fabric of the mainframe development lifecycle through the CI/CD pipeline.

Their discussion covers:

Key steps in the CI/CD pipeline to enhance mainframe system resilience
Tailoring automated testing suites for mainframe environments within the CI/CD pipeline
Optimized deployment strategies for mainframe operations resilienceImplementing rigorous monitoring protocols to bolster mainframe operational resilience
The crucial role of collaboration between development and operations teams in integrating resilience measures

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On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Camberley Bates is joined by NetApp's Eric Han and Shiva Subramanyam, for an insightful conversation on the new architecture and integration of NetApp's Astra and its implications in the world of Kubernetes for advanced data management.

Our discussion covers:

The origins and development of Astra by NetApp
How Astra is being used to advance data management with Kubernetes
The architecture of Astra, and its design for Kubernetes-native, including CRDs, least privilege access, and self-contained backups
Real-world customer use cases in the Kubernetes space, demonstrating the demand for advanced data management capabilities

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On this episode of DevOps Dialogues: Insights & Innovations, I am joined by The Futurum Group’s CEO, Daniel Newman for a conversation on exploring the intersection of DevOps, application modernization, and innovative development methodologies.

Our conversation covers:

Why The Futurum Group is investing in this new DevOps, Application Development and Modernization practice
The market trends that are sparking interest in this new practice area
What is top of mind for DevOps and how this practice can help

These topics reflect ongoing discussions, challenges, and innovations within the DevOps community.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we look at the top cloud and telco takeaways from conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways consist of Red Hat and Tech Mahindra boosting their hybrid cloud collaboration, Red Hat and NTT working with Fujitsu and NVIDIA to ready IOWN environments for real-time edge AI data analytics, Indonesia’s Telkomsel selecting Google Cloud to integrate GenAI for augmenting its operations and product offerings, VMware focusing on assuring the DISH Wireless Open RAN build in the US, and TELUS using HPE servers to complete its Open RAN mission in Canada.

Our analytical review focused on:

Red Hat and Tech Mahindra Uplift Hybrid Cloud Capabilities. Red Hat and Tech Mahindra announced a collaboration aimed at making it easier for telecommunication service providers to accelerate and manage 5G adoption and deployments across the hybrid cloud. Tech Mahindra’s Multi-mode Companion Cloud with Red Hat OpenShift running on AWS can support multiple network use cases, spanning RAN, edge computing, transport and 5G core, to extend capabilities across hybrid cloud environments with integrated automation and orchestration capabilities. We delve into why Red Hat OpenShift provides the infrastructure and application layer key to supporting operations at scale across any cloud environment, with Tech Mahindra’s netOps.ai offering a unified view to manage infrastructure and automate applications with low touch provisioning. Plus, we look at how Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes enables full cloud lifecycle management to automate Day 0 and Day 1 configurations and orchestrate workloads across Red Hat OpenShift clusters on-premises and on AWS.

Red Hat and NTT Show IOWN Ready for Real-time Edge AI Data Analysis. As part of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (or IOWN) initiative, Red Hat and NTT in collaboration with NVIDIA and Fujitsu, have jointly developed a solution targeted at enhancing and extending the potential for real-time AI data analysis at the edge. Using technologies developed by the IOWN Global Forum and built on the foundation of Red Hat OpenShift this solution has received an IOWN Global Forum's Proof of Concept (PoC) recognition for its real world viability and use cases. The PoC evaluated a real-time AI analysis platform4 with Yokosuka City as the sensor installation base and Musashino City as the remote data center, both connected through the IOWN All-Photonics Network. We assess why this is a breakthrough for AI edge applications since even when many cameras were accommodated, the latency required to aggregate sensor data for AI analysis was reduced by 60% compared to conventional AI inference workloads.

Telkomsel Selects Google Cloud to Boost Operations and Products with GenAI. Telkomsel announced a strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to integrate enterprise-grade generative AI (gen AI) into its operations and core product offerings for consumers and businesses. This latest collaboration builds on Telkomsel’s ongoing use of Google's AI-powered advertising tools, such as Performance Max, with the aim of transforming its employee and customer interactions, augmenting overall user satisfaction, and improving business outcomes. Moreover, Nokia is running AVA Data Suite on Google Cloud to facilitate AI/ML development. We examine why such moves are further validating the overall Google Cloud for Telecommunications proposition.

VMware Looks to Assure DISH Wireless Open RAN Build. At MWC24, VMware, recently acquired by Broadcom Inc, unveiled that DISH Wireless has deployed VMware Telco Cloud Service Assurance across the Boost Wireless Network in a pilot production environment to deliver real-time network monitoring, assurance and automation, with the goal of providing a better 5G network and subscriber experience. We assess why the VMware Telco Cloud Service Assurance remote data collector service allows DISH Wireless the Network Operations Center (NOC) team to collect and analyze data from 20,000-plus cell sites. From our view, this is a critically important development for DISH Wireless to efficiently assure and scale its breakthrough Open RAN 5G network that is getting closer to offering more than 240 million Americans access to the latest in 5G connectivity technology and innovation.

TELUS Enlists HPE Servers to Complete Open RAN Mission. During MWC24, HPE announced it is working with TELUS, which is building Canada’s first 5G Open RAN, by providing infrastructure across 3,000 sites. Once completed, the new TELUS Open RAN 5G network can provide instantaneously responsive connectivity which can enhance the customer experience with faster connectivity and mobile access. We examine why HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen11 servers, designed specifically for telco workloads, are ready to provide an open and flexible, virtualized foundation to deliver next-generation cellular connectivity to urban and rural Canadians. The servers provide Open RAN infrastructure to assist TELUS with the interoperability it needs by providing the foundation for DU implementations, which are responsible for preparing data for transmission across the 5G network.

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On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by BMC's Chad Reiber, Solution Engineer, and Tim Ceradsky, Director of Software Consulting, for a conversation on how modern enterprises can ensure operational resilience in the hybrid cloud environment, especially when dealing with mainframe data.

Our discussion covers:

The concept of operational resilience in the context of mainframe data within a hybrid cloud environment.
The importance of immutable copies of mainframe data for ensuring operational resilience, and how they differ from traditional backup methods.
The key benefits of strategically placing immutable copies of mainframe data across the hybrid cloud infrastructure to mitigate risks.
Common challenges organizations face when implementing and managing immutable copies of mainframe data in the hybrid cloud.
Strategies for leveraging immutable copies of mainframe data to enhance data availability and expedite recovery processes in hybrid cloud environments.

Learn more at BMC.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the use of generative AI to improve efficiency within the flow of work in the healthcare space. He also provides examples from other industries, and discusses an interesting announcement about an application that can be used to track the spending of generative AI. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the enterprise software market, and either champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss the latest in Cybersecurity and AI with Microsoft Copilot for Security, as well as news from IBM, BMC and Liqid.

Insights from Microsoft Secure and the launch of Copilot for Security
BMC office visit and discussion on artificial intelligence
IBM’s updated FlashCore Module and Storage Defender offerings
Liqid’s new CEO and collaboration with GPU and CPU vendors

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An Assessment of The Key MWC24 Takeaways in Open RAN Highlighted by Ericsson Cloud RAN, Nokia anyRAN, Energy Efficiency Moves, and Mavenir/Intel Innovations

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top Open RAN takeaways from my conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways consist of Ericsson Cloud RAN portfolio advances, Nokia’s anyRAN market readiness including anyRAN for enterprise partnerships with Cisco, HPE, and Microsoft, as well as Mavenir’s latest collaboration with Intel to assure Open vRAN innovation and progress.

Our analytical review focused on:

Ericsson Cloud RAN Meeting Topmost CSP Priorities. Ericsson’s Cloud RAN portfolio is aiding communications service providers (CSPs) in fulfilling their need for increased capacity and exponential increases in data traffic with solutions that make the best use of the available resources – essentially continuing to do more with less. Ericsson has long been focused on energy efficiency and it is a core element of the company’s strategy exemplified by its strategic objective is to be Net Zero across its value chain by 2040. I delve into how Ericsson’s portfolio development focus enables its radios to be optimized for performance, energy usage and embodied carbon emissions, regardless of whether they are deployed in an integrated or Cloud RAN setting. Ericsson’s newest radios are its most energy-efficient yet, offering 39 percent energy savings compared to previous hardware generations as per the company’s Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Report for 2022 This includes how Ericsson is working closely within the Cloud RAN ecosystem and a variety of software and hardware partners such as Intel and AMD (CPU providers) Red Hat (containers-as-a-service, or CaaS), HPE and Dell (servers), to ultimately bring new Cloud RAN innovations, especially for energy efficiency, to market.

Nokia anyRAN Ready for Most Any 5G Demand. Nokia unveiled its Cloud RAN solution will be available commercially in 2024 following the successful completion of multiple trials worldwide with hardware vendors, webscale companies, and chipset manufacturers. Nokia's anyRAN approach can enable a fast transition to hybrid environments of Cloud RAN and purpose-built RAN, ensuring consistent performance and interoperability with common software and In-Line acceleration architecture. Nokia also announced the launch of anyRAN for enterprise in partnership with Cisco, HPE and Microsoft that will see the companies offer private wireless solutions to enterprise customers. Nokia’s anyRAN for enterprise offers more choice and flexibility for enterprises through collaboration with system integrators and cloud core solution providers alongside providing Nokia’s AirScale radio access portfolio to suit their specific requirements. By pre-packaging these solutions together, CSPs and enterprises can benefit from a faster deployment due to extensive interoperability testing with core suppliers. I evaluate why these collaborations enable Nokia to support core vendors’ networks and their ecosystems as well as provide access to new segments and markets, accelerating the adoption of 5G in the enterprise sector and boosting industries in their digital transformation.

Cloud RAN Must Align with Ecosystem-wide Sustainability Goals. The energy efficiency progress in Cloud RAN needs to align with the energy consumption of overall wireless systems and the digital ecosystem. Fundamentally, the more wireless electronic devices are put in use, the more energy will be consumed. In sum, 5G will exponentially increase energy usage. For instance, The Small Cell Forum predicts the installed base of small cells to reach 70.2 million in 2025 and the total installed base of 5G or multimode small cells in 2025 to be 13.1 million. Plus, a 2023 study on energy use from 5G networks in China indicates that a carbon efficiency trap of 5G mobile networks is leading to additional carbon emissions of 23.82 ± 1.07 metric tons in China, caused by the spatiotemporal misalignment between cellular traffic and energy consumption in mobile networks. I assess why Ericsson’s Breaking the Energy Curve report further reinforces that the power consumption costs of the world’s cellular networks will be more than the previously estimated at $25 billion and CSPs should brace for higher costs. As a result, 5G on its own will not provide enough to substantially reduce energy consumption for entire mobile networks, likely requiring outside the box innovations.

Mavenir Teams with Intel to Give vRAN a Boost. At MWC24, Mavenir announced the availability of its Open vRAN solution powered by 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel vRAN Boost – designed to deliver a cloud-native, high-performance, and energy-efficient solution for latency-sensitive and compute-intensive mobile network applications. The move to Intel’s recent processors for vRAN marks the latest solution optimization for Mavenir, which I see has been helping to drive Open RAN momentum through three generations of Intel Xeon Scalable processors. I examine why Mavenir’s suite of performance, functionality, and integrated AI and ML applications for the next generation 4G and 5G networks alongside building a close and long-standing technology collaboration with Intel - underpinned by Intel’s processors – is enabling the development of more efficient and cost-effective RANs.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters – Insider Edition, host Steven Dickens is joined by Ed Airey, VP of Marketing at AveriSource for a conversation on how AveriSource is helping organizations gain more insights and knowledge about their applications, empowering them to be able to modernize.

Key topics include:

An introduction from Ed Airey on his role at AveriSource
An overview of AveriSource and the AveriSource platform which consists of five main products: Scan, Inventory, Discover, Analyze, and Transform, to help with application understanding and modernization
The importance for organizations to understand their applications
The role of AI in modernization

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group's CEO and Chief Analyst, Daniel Newman, sits down with Michael Swan, VP of HPE Integration, and Jolanta Kisiel, Director of Global Accounts Segment Strategy at HPE Financial Services, to discuss how adopting a new mindset focused on IT asset lifecycle stages may be the key to accelerating success.

Their conversation covers:

Insights into the current pressures on IT organizations surrounding strategies in managing IT asset lifecycles
What makes HPE Financial Services unique, and their approach to the IT asset lifecycle
How customers are managing existing infrastructure amidst all the change and in the face of innovation, including balancing competing internal priorities
How organizations can expand their sustainability practices and the benefits of doing so, given a recent IDC study showed sustainability is a top 3 decision criteria for 67% of customers when selecting a technology provider

To learn more about HPE Financial Services, and uncovering new IT asset strategies, visit the company’s website and download our series of briefs: Uncovering New IT Asset Strategies Hiding in Plain Sight, Building Economic Agility Through All Stages of Tech Lifecycles, Aligning Business Goals with Tech Lifecycles to Accelerate Innovation, and Adapting Tech Lifecycles to Support Sustainability Goals.

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Join us as we examine the ongoing journey of innovation, through an insightful look at some iconic products and services, their impressive origins, and today’s rapid advancements. In this episode of The Main Scoop™ co-hosts Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko, along with special guest Paulo Carvao, discuss the evolution of modern technologies, keeping pace with customer needs, and the importance of critical thinking to guide the ethical use of data.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the opportunities for SaaS vendors in the mid-market space, delving into key market trends, differences between the enterprise, SMB, and mid-market, and opportunities for vendors seeking to participate in this market. Then, Kirkpatrick will close the show with the Rant or Rave segment.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber share their Mainframe perspectives, along with insights on the latest announcements from NetApp and SK Hynix.

Key topics include:

A look at the recent SHARE event in Orlando, Florida and what’s new in the Mainframe space
Broadcom’s announcement around their Watchtower capability
The latest announcements from NetApp, including their autonomous ransomware protection (ARP) feature and how AI and ML are driving attack detection capabilities
SK Hynix’s $1B memory investment
Nutanix’s announcement around D2iQ’s Kubernetes Platform (DKP)

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top 5G semiconductor and device takeaways from our conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways we had included Micron’s UFS and memory portfolio innovations with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series showcasing new GenAI capabilities, Lenovo’s Integrated Edge AI Solution for Telco collaborations with Telefonica and Orange, Lenovo’s new ThinkPad and ThinkBook devices including transparent displays, new Mediatek Dimensity 9300 GenAI features, and Qualcomm’s portfolio-wide breakthroughs across AI, 5G, and Wi-Fi.

Our analytical review focused on:

Micron Delivers UFS, Memory Advances: Spurs Samsung Galaxy 24 AI Innovation. Micron announced that it is delivering qualification samples of an enhanced version of its Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 4.0 mobile solution with breakthrough proprietary firmware features delivered in an ultra-compact UFS package at 9x13 millimeters (mm). Built on its 232-layer 3D NAND and offering up to 1 terabyte (TB) capacity, the UFS 4.0 solution provides advances in performance that can enable faster and more responsive experiences on flagship smartphones. Samsung is now incorporating Micron’s low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory and UFS 4.0 mobile flash storage into select devices in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which is introducing AI to mobile users worldwide. The Galaxy S24 series is underpinned by Samsung’s suite of generative AI tools, Galaxy AI, which helps amplify experiences from enabling barrier-free communication to maximizing creative freedom. We assess how Micron’s LPDDR5X is a mobile-optimized memory distinguished by offering the advanced capabilities of the 1β (1-beta) process node, while Micron’s UFS 4.0 offers the performance and power needed to store growing amounts of data in today’s AI-driven smartphones.

Lenovo Readies Telcos for Edge AI Renaissance. To support the massive amount of computing moving to the edge, the company is offering Lenovo Integrated Edge AI Solutions for Telco with Lenovo’s ecosystem of partners. Highlights include new multi-cloud edge computing architecture with Telefonica tackles mission critical applications for smart cities, making it simple to leverage data throughout city streets in a wide array of AI use cases, including using video analytics and computer vision to identify smoke and fire, support public safety and improve emergency response times. We delve into how Telefonica leveraging its own Telco Cloud with the range of Lenovo ThinkEdge servers and Motorola’s push-to-talk technology, and is demonstrating through a proof of concept the capabilities of multi-cloud at the edge, AI, and computer vision to alert public safety officials of danger. The new solution orchestrates the entire edge-to-cloud ecosystem, weaving infrastructure, connectivity, and applications together to support public safety and enhance emergency response with real-time AI.

Plus, at MWC24, Lenovo unveiled and expanded the joint innovation partnership for telecom and cloud services to help Orange Group bring high performance and energy efficiency to telco clients worldwide. We appraise why the alliance can deliver telecom advancement, since Orange and Lenovo are also extending the partnership for three more years and launched a shared Sylva project validation center, addressing telco and edge use cases. The program will cover areas critical for evolving telecommunications infrastructure, including supporting operational efficiency, automation, and new open radio access.

Lenovo Transparently Energizes ThinkBook and ThinkPad Portfolio. On the device side, Lenovo launched brand new ThinkPad and ThinkBook business laptops – unveiling AI features that enhance productivity and efficiency – with performance enhancements and multi-mode versatility. Additionally, Lenovo introduced a selection of accessories designed to boost mobile productivity, including the ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 portable display, a USB-C Slim Travel Dock for comprehensive docking on-the-go, and a redesigned ThinkPad Executive 16-inch Backpack that allows for easy carrying of a mobile office. Rounding out the new hardware announcements are new software solutions, including Lenovo Identity Advisor, a digital identity monitoring tool and Smart Connect, a software that unlocks multi-device synergies. Finally, we review Lenovo showcasing a futuristic proof of concept laptop – the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept – which features the industry’s first laptop with a 17.3-inch Micro-LED transparent display, providing a fully borderless and see-through display experience.

Mediatek Density 9300 GenAI: New Capabilities. MediaTek is a global fabless semiconductor firm supporting more than two billion connected edge devices every year, who showcased a series of new Generative AI demos, all of which are using the latest generation of APU hardware featured in the Dimensity 9300 flagship smartphone SoC. The new solution highlights several key Generative AI technologies enabled by MediaTek, including multiple new applications running entirely on-device. We examine the solution’s new capabilities such as SDXL Turbo, a text-to-image Stable Diffusion engine that dynamically generates images in real-time, based on user-provided prompts as well as Video Diffusion Generation, which enables fast video diffusion generation, capable of a range of animation styles.

Qualcomm Breaks Ground Across AI, 5G, and Wi-Fi. We saw Qualcomm demonstrating groundbreaking advancements in AI, 5G, and Wi-Fi that can spearhead a new era of intelligent computing everywhere, infusing AI throughout industries, devices, and consumer experiences. By unleashing the potential of AI, the fusion of on-device computing prowess and improved connectivity can empower businesses and individuals to unlock new use cases and applications. At MWC24, Qualcomm showcased on-device AI, intelligent computing, and wireless connectivity products and milestones, poised to accelerate digital transformation, drive a new wave of economic growth, and bring the convergence of AI and connectivity to new regions. We consider why Generative AI is expected to have a broad impact across industries, with estimates that it could add the equivalent of $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion to the world economy by 2040.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick speaks with Kathryn Murphy, Senior VP Product & Design at Twilio, who will discuss customer experience, and in particular, the importance of personalization. The two will also cover the state of artificial intelligence, and how it can best be leveraged not just for personalization, but for smoothing out the customer journey and, in some cases, the employee journey as well.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the benefits and challenges of using text-to-image tools powered by generative AI in an enterprise setting. He delves into the various tools that are available, the need for strong guardrails to protect against misuse, toxicity, and bias, and the challenge of making sure that models and guardrails reflect the real world. Kirkpatrick will also highlight a few notable news items from the enterprise application space, and, as always, will close the show with the Rant or Rave segment.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber review the news coming out of Mobile World Congress, Cohesity Gaia and trending from recent earnings releases.

Key topics include:

A review of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona covering teleco and broad technology trends such as 5G, edge computing, and private 5G networking.
Industry leaders such as HPE and Lenovo and a shift towards open-source processes in the network core, with vendors providing server infrastructure and software stacks for edge and private network deployments.
What is happening with private 5G networks in terms of security concerns and opportunities reflecting on the T-Mobile reporting and other offerings.
Cohesity's new AI assistant, Gaia, and its potential to enhance data management and analysis capabilities within secondary data infrastructures.
What we learn from the financial earnings releases from companies like HPE, NetApp, Dell, and Elastic and the growth of AI-optimized technology plus shifts towards consumption models.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, about the evolution of workplace collaboration, focusing on the integration of multi-camera solutions in high-impact rooms to enhance communication and remote participation.

Their discussion covers:

The shift from 'hybrid work' to what is now considered 'modern work' and its encompassing definition that spans enterprises, education, and government institutions.
The critical importance of audio and video quality in meetings, where 80% include a virtual participant, highlighting the need for technology that facilitates clear and engaging remote collaboration.
The challenges and solutions for outfitting various high-impact spaces, factoring in room architecture, meeting types, and the strategic placement of technology to ensure inclusivity.
Crestron’s multi-camera solutions, such as Automate VX, which cater to a spectrum of meeting scenarios, from one-touch experiences to those requiring high-impact, dynamic presentations.

As mentioned in this webcast, you can read more about the research behind this discussion and the Crestron multi-camera options in the Research Brief titled, “Revolutionizing Conference Spaces: Embracing Multi-Camera Solutions for High-Impact Spaces.”

You can hear more on this and other relevant hybrid work topics at Crestron’s Modern Work Summit taking place March 19th, in Orlando, FL.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director, Keith Kirkpatrick, discusses how enterprise software can be leveraged to balance product demand against CX, using the current challenges in the airline space around carry-on baggage. He delves into the challenge of balancing a wide range of customer preferences and behaviors around a single product or service, and discusses how CX software and systems can be used to address these challenges while improving the CX for customers and maintaining revenue streams. He then closes the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I am joined by Juniper Networks’ CEO, Rami Rahim, for a conversation on the transformative power of AI-native networking and how Juniper is leading the charge in making every connection count.

Our discussion covers:

The current state of Juniper Networks amidst its evolution and the expansion into AI-native networking.
Insights into Juniper’s strategic direction, focusing on leveraging AI for networking and networking for AI.
The impact of AI-native networking on customer experience and operational efficiency, with real-world success stories.
A deep dive into Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform and its expected influence on the networking industry.
The future of networking and AI’s role in shaping it, according to Juniper’s vision and recent innovations.
Rami Rahim’s personal journey with Juniper and his perspective on the AI revolution.
An exclusive look into the upcoming merger with HPE and the potential it holds for Juniper Networks.

Learn more about Juniper AI-Native Networking on the company's website.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens, and Krista Macomber discuss recent developments in the tech industry, including Palo Alto's earnings revision, IBM's security report, Lenovo's earnings, and Hammerspace's new Hyperscale NAS release. They delve into the implications of these developments for cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI.

Key points discussed include:

Palo Alto Networks lowers earnings expectations, causing a stir in tech and financial markets. Stock value increased due to cybersecurity focus. Shifting towards a platform approach may lead to short-term pricing sacrifices but is a wise long-term move.
The X-Force Threat Intelligence Report by IBM reveals cybersecurity trends, with a focus on cybercriminals exploiting user identity. Attacks on critical infrastructure are a concern, emphasizing the need to prioritize cybersecurity basics like patching and multifactor authentication. The report suggests that attacks on AI yield limited returns, indicating that AI in security is growing but not yet a primary target for cybercriminals.
Lenovo reported a record PC market share and year-on-year growth, with 42% of revenue from non-PC sources. They have a strong presence in the cloud, collaborate with Digital Realty for AI in data centers, and released Hammerspace's Hyperscale NAS which addresses high-performance data storage in AI environments.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Joel Murray, Logitech's expert on advanced video conferencing solutions. They delve into the intricacies of Logitech's Rally portfolio, exploring how it addresses the pressing challenges IT departments face in managing complex conference room environments and maintaining high uptime.

Their discussion covers:

Taking a strategic approach to achieving scalability and affordability in video conferencing solutions.
The importance of user experience in technology adoption and the intelligent software solutions provided by Logitech.
Logitech's commitment to sustainability and the impact on total cost of ownership.
The integration of Logitech Sync and Select Services to streamline IT management and enhance user support.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick will provide a preview of his Market Insight Report around field service applications, the mobile and frontline-service based applications used to further drive efficiency and better CX through both B2B and B2C customer interactions. Kirkpatrick will then close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where he picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Krista Macomber, alongside her co-hosts Camberley Bates and Steve Dickens review Broadcom’s Analyst Event with the CEO of Broadcom Hock Tan and the VMware executive team. The crew reviewed the implications for Broadcom’s strategy and their expected R&D investments. Camberley discussed the latest in Dell’s Partner Program for fiscal year 2025 and where their APEX services are headed with the partners. Plus the Teradata progress with Vantage and implications of their earnings report.

Key points discussed include:

Coverage on Broadcom’s hosted a virtual analyst meeting keynoted by Hock Tan, emphasizing strategic focus and investments
VMware's partnership with Google on subscription licensing and portability aims to simplify and enhance offerings
Dell’s partner programs and changes in business models for partners, particularly in the context of Dell's APEX partner program adjustments
The importance of customer adoption, technology execution, and embracing AI in companies' strategies, specifically focusing on Teradata's transition to Vantage and the integration of AI into their analytics offerings
Teradata’s pivot to the cloud with Vantage, boasting a 48% increase in cloud annual recurring revenue

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Alliance Developments Including Dell Nokia P5G Use Case Focus, Intel Enlisting P5G Partners, and Vonage AWS Network API Push

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, we look at the major 5G ecosystem moves and what’s going on that caught my eye in the lead up to Mobile World Congress 2024. Key alliance developments include Dell and Nokia teaming up to advance private 5G network use cases and network cloud transformation, Intel enlisting an array of major partners, such as Cisco, NTT Data, AWS, Ericsson, and , to accelerated private 5G network adoption by businesses, and Ericsson’s Vonage and AWS bringing together Vonage’s platform - based on communications Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and network APIs - Ericsson’s 5G network capabilities and AWS services to catalyze the availability of new solutions to millions of AWS developers through AWS Marketplace.

My analytical review highlighted:

Dell and Nokia Commit to Advancing Network Cloud Transformation and P5G Use Cases. Dell Technologies and Nokia announced the extension of a strategic partnership to use each company’s expertise and solutions, including infrastructure solutions from Dell and private wireless connectivity from Nokia, to advance open network architectures in the telecom ecosystem and private 5G use cases among businesses. As part of the agreement, Nokia will adopt Dell as its preferred infrastructure partner for existing Nokia AirFrame customers, offering Dell’s technology as the infrastructure of choice for telecom cloud deployments. I delve into why the extend alliance is a sales and marketing boost for both companies as Dell gains valuable mind share and presence during the early stages of private 5G adoption and Nokia taps into Dell’s extensive hybrid cloud channels as Nokia Digital Automation Cloud private wireless solution becomes Dell’s preferred private wireless platform for enterprise customers’ edge use cases.

Intel Ready to Power Private 5G with Partners. Intel is teaming with partners to further enable and grow the private network market. Intel-powered private 5G solutions are deployed globally with major partners such as Cisco, NTT Data, AWS, Ericsson, and Nokia. Key partnerships include Cisco and NTT Data collaborating to transform RAI Amsterdam into the first smart venue in Europe, Aramco Digital, part of the world’s largest energy company Aramco, in collaboration with Intel, is developing private 5G for the industrial sector, powered by Intel-based open RAN technology, and the addition of Amdocs as a system integrator for the Integrated Private Wireless (IPW) on AWS program. Through the program, AWS customers can access Amdocs Mobile Private Network (MPN) services, and the infrastructure, built on AWS Outposts servers, which is powered by Intel Xeon processors. I examine why Private 5G networks are in high demand in 2024 and how Intel and partners are well-positioned as enterprises look for scalable compute solutions to power the next wave of AI applications running at the edge that drive their digital transformation missions and improvement of business outcomes.

Ericsson and AWS Ready to Unleash Communications and Network APIs. The collaboration between Ericsson-owned Vonage and Amazon Web Services (AWS) will bring together Vonage’s platform - based on communications APIs and network APIs - Ericsson’s 5G network capabilities and AWS services. The collaboration aims to accelerate the availability of new solutions to millions of AWS developers through AWS Marketplace. I assess why network APIs are essential for exposing new capabilities from within the 5G network that have never been available before, allowing existing applications to be enhanced with network information and enabling the development of a new class of applications. The alliance also aligns with the recently released Ericsson Mobility Report Business Review 2024 that cites programmable networks (network APIs) as integral to driving innovation and ecosystem growth by offering access to new value opportunities, allowing application developers to innovate on a large scale.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging generative AI trend – the launch of Google Gemini Advanced, Google’s counter to Microsoft Copilot.

First Microsoft’s Copilot, now Google Gemini Advanced. In the span of just a few months, sophisticated generative AI assistants have been made available to the mass market, and there are more to come. In the big picture, there are different drivers for each of the tech giants.

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Developments Including On-Device AI Progress, Voice and Gesture Innovations, and Foldable Screens Unfolding Across the Ecosystem

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top unfolding 5G innovations that caught our eye in the lead up to Mobile World Congress 2024. Key unfolding innovations that we addressed included why 2024 is poised as the year that on-device AI will begin to reset expectations for everyday tech products’ features, capabilities, and user experience (UX), voice and gesture recognition innovations redefining the AR and smart glasses categories, and foldable screens ready to proliferate across the entire device space.

Our analytical review focused on:

On-Device AI Ready for 2024 Breakout. 2024 is poised as the year that on-device AI will begin to reset expectations for everyday tech products’ features, capabilities, and UX. Powerful AI features are making their way to premium handsets, and that trend will continue to dominate the smartphone competitive landscape in 2024. The premium handset segment will push the boundaries of what is possible in pocket-sized form factors. We see that Qualcomm is especially well-positioned to lead the way with its next iteration of the Snapdragon 8 series SOC, presumably the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, in the Android space. And while Apple has been slower to bring advanced AI features to its iPhone product, 2024 will likely mark the beginning of a more concerted effort to do so. We delve into why we fully expect that semiconductor vendors and their OEM partners to scale on-device generative AI capabilities to as many use cases and form factors as they can.

Voice and Gesture Recognition Set to Redefine AR and Smart Glasses. 2024 is also gearing up to be the year that voice and gesture recognition redefine extended reality (XR) and smart glasses UI. Voice recognition and voice-activated commands have been an indispensable UI layer for smart speakers, smart TVs, mobile devices, smart watches, and hands-free automotive solutions over the course of the past few years, but the successful integration of voice-activated commands to smart glasses in 2023 signaled a paradigm shift in how platform vendors and XR OEMs can approach the challenge of developing instinctive, natural, organic UIs into their breadth of XR solutions. We examine why combining voice recognition, eye tracking, and gesture recognition to XR headsets and glasses will also make every segment in the category a lot simpler for OEMs to design products for by using fewer moving parts and can mean fewer points of failure, more streamlined form factors, as well as more elegant, intuitive, usable UX and operating systems.

Foldable Screens Set to Proliferate Across Device Realm. Watching foldable touchscreen technology struggle to achieve any kind of enduring scale in the device market has been a bit of a head-scratcher these past few years, but 2023 turned out to be a bit of an inflection point for the technology. Now we see that foldable screens are proliferating across device categories and becoming a competitive must-have for device OEMs, it feels like the technology has matured beyond the early adopter consumer segment. We explore how the adoption of the technology by some of the world’s largest device OEMs has helped shift those perceptions and that competition is heating up in 2024 between Motorola, Samsung, Google, Oppo, and OnePlus in the mobile handset segment, although no Apple foldable yet, while HP, Lenovo, and Asus have begun bringing the technology to the PC market.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick provides a recap of key takeaways from Zoho Day 2024, the SaaS company’s annual analyst meeting. He then closes out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber discuss Cohesity, Veritas and more on changes in the cybersecurity market. Their discussion covers:

Cohesity’s planned acquisition of Veritas NetBackup, NetBackup appliances and Alta Software-as-a-Service Top of Form
Updates on Cybersecurity Policy, including insights from Krista’s participation in a MarketScale Experts Talk
Cisco’s and Hitachi’s relationship
Infleqtion’s quantum computing

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With a little imagination, the possibilities for monetizing data are endless. In this episode of The Main Scoop™, hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by Doug Laney, fellow at West Monroe and author of the best-selling books Infonomics and Data Juice, to explore unique strategies for - and real examples of - collateralizing data assets.

Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information as an Asset for Competitive Advantage

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging generative AI trend – AI Observability and Policy Management.

Organizations want to develop in-house generative AI capabilities making centralized generative AI command and control products very desirable. Cisco Outshift drops a comprehensive, product-agnostic solution in Motific. What will the impact of Motific and other similar products for AI observability and policy management be?

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens, alongside esteemed guests Stephen Foskett and Keith Townsend and co-host Camberley Bates, navigates the evolving landscape of IT infrastructure, focusing on innovation and challenges in the field. Recorded during Cloud Field Day, this dialogue sheds light on emerging technologies and the dynamics of industry collaboration. The conversation delves into the specifics of three companies - SoftIron, NeuroBlade, and Platform9 - highlighting their unique contributions to the IT infrastructure domain.

Key points discussed include:

SoftIron's innovative approach to hyper-converged infrastructure, emphasizing its scalability and security. The company's dedication to rethinking infrastructure from the silicon level up to the software stack, aiming for a comprehensive re-engineering for specific market needs.
NeuroBlade's development of a SQL processing unit designed to significantly accelerate SQL queries. This technology promises to address the challenges of data processing speed and efficiency, potentially transforming data analytics and database management.
Platform9's managed Kubernetes service and its attempt to enhance resource utilization in cloud environments. The focus is on their efforts to tackle the perennial problem of resource over-provisioning and inefficient use, aiming for a more cost-effective and efficient deployment model.
Insights into the purpose and impact of Tech Field Day as a platform for dialogue between vendors and influential IT professionals. The event serves as a critical venue for sharing advancements and discussing the practical implications of new technologies in the field.

This episode not only explores the technical intricacies of these companies but also reflects on the broader implications of their technologies on the IT infrastructure sector. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Infrastructure Matters offers a deep dive into the future of technology infrastructure, emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and security.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Doug Merritt, Chairman, CEO and President at Aviatrix for a conversation on secure cloud networking, what the market for it is looking like, and the impacts of AI.

Their discussion covers:

An overview of the convergence of cloud networking
Overall market growth for cloud networking
What role AI is playing in cloud networking
The importance of security in cloud networking

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick explores the recent developments in the enterprise application space, focusing on recent earnings announcements, and their impact on the market. He’ll also delve into the issue of enterprise application usability, and then close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

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On this special episode, host Daniel Newman speaks with cybersecurity expert, awarded thought leader, and newest member of The Futurum Group team, Shira Rubinoff. They discuss The Futurum Group’s newly launched cyber practice, Cybersphere, which will integrate Shira’s multi-million dollar assets including podcasts, speakerships, advisory and literature.

They also cover:

The current state of the cybersecurity industry and why cybersecurity is more important now than ever before
What customers can expect from Cybersphere including market intelligence, advisory, lab testing, and more
Events that are on the horizon for Shira and The Futurum Group team.

If you’d like to learn more about Cybersphere or Shira Rubinoff, please check out our press release announcement.

Be sure to subscribe to The Futurum Tech Webcast, so you never miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive, Industrial and Cloud for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. They discuss Qualcomm’s automotive announcements that were made at CES 2024.

Their discussion also covers:

An overview of Qualcomm’s automotive business at CES
The technology drivers that are creating momentum for Qualcomm’s growth in the automotive sector
How GenAI is finding its way into the digital cockpit

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Developments Including GSMA IBM Telco AI Collaboration, Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform, and Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency.

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top 5G innovations and what’s going on that caught my eye in the lead up to MWC24. Key AI and GenAI developments that stand out include the GSMA and IBM collaborating to advance AI skills and adoption using IBM’s watsonx platform and training programs, Juniper launches its AI-Native Networking Platform built to optimize AI in assuring comprehensive, enhanced operator and end-user experiences, and Nokia’s AVA Energy Efficiency solution targeted at ensuring operators fulfill their strategic sustainability goals.

My analytical review spotlighted:

GSMA and IBM Pair Up to Boost Telco AI Skills. The GSMA and IBM unveiled a new collaboration to support the adoption and skills of AI in the telecom industry through the launch of GSMA Advance's AI Training program and the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program. The AI training program, the first in a new series of courses by GSMA Advance, seeks to prepare telco decision makers for the AI-era and bridge skills gaps in the telecom industry, by equipping members with skills and knowledge to help leverage Gen AI technologies using watsonx, IBM's AI and data platform with AI assistants. The training program will span a wide range of topics, from fundamental AI principles to specialized Gen AI applications in telecoms. I examine how the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program, by providing GSMA members with access to IBM's watsonx platform, can aid telecom decision makers in diligently exploring industry-specific use cases of Generative AI, including those serving the world's least connected communities, as well as ensuring that risk management is foundational and critical to operationalizing AI.

Juniper Unveils AI-Native Networking Platform. Juniper announced its AI-Native Networking Platform, purpose-built to leverage AI to deliver end-to-end operator and end-user experiences. Juniper promotes that it is trained on seven years of insights and data science development. Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform is designed to unify all campus, branch and data center networking solutions with a common AI engine and Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (or VNA). This can enable end-to-end AI for IT Operations (or AIOps) to be used for deep insight, automated troubleshooting and end-to-end networking assurance. I assess why the new Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform can elevate telco AI strategic objectives by enabling IT teams to transition from maintaining basic network connectivity to delivering secure end-to-end experiences for customers and partners that boost business outcomes.

Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency Uses AI/ML to Advance Telco Sustainability. Nokia’s Telco AI initiative’s aimed at supporting the fulfillment of telco sustainability objectives through its Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency AI solution designed to help operators reduce CO2 emissions and network energy costs. Operators want to meet environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) goals by optimizing their 5G networks. I expect that operators and their supply chain and value chain partners can commit to proactively addressing the sustainability challenge our society faces. Nokia is collaborating with key partners such as China Mobile in using the TM Forum’s Autonomous Networks technology and AI/ML intelligence as well as the Green 5G project to help define a unified energy efficiency standard and delivery methodology. I assess why China Mobile selection of Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency to help reduce energy consumption and control costs without compromising the customer experience is an exemplar on how AI/ML can be enlisted to help mobile operators to fulfill their long-term sustainability goals.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss a generative AI case study– Amazon Pharmacy.

Gen AI has overrun the planet in concept, but the fact is the practical use of generative AI is nascent. Amazon’s Pharmacy case study is an important one that reveals lessons enterprises should learn and a blueprint they should follow in their journeys to unlocking the value of generative AI.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Mark Ewing, Product Management Director at Google Workspace, focusing on the innovative strides Google is making with Duet AI and Meet Hardware to revolutionize video conferencing and collaboration solutions.

Their discussion covers:

The transformative impact of Duet AI on meeting experiences, streamlining note-taking, and breaking down language barriers.
The integration of AI in conference rooms through Meet Hardware, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness regardless of the meeting location.
The introduction of dynamic layouts and tiles in Google Meet, creating visually appealing and contextually aware meeting views.
Expansion strategies of Google Workspace, highlighting new partnerships and product introductions, like Google Meet on Logitech Android appliances and collaborations with whiteboard providers.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Brit Frandsen, Director Portfolio Management at EPOS, about the transformative impact of high-quality audio solutions in modern hybrid work environments. They delve into EPOS's latest BrainAdapt technology and introduce the recently announced IMPACT 700 and 800 series headsets designed to enhance cognitive function and workplace productivity.

Their discussion covers:

The critical role of advanced audio solutions in the evolving open and hybrid office spaces.
How poor audio quality affects productivity and the cognitive load of professionals.
EPOS's BrainAdapt technology and its benefits validated by the Centre for Applied Audiology Research.
The launch of EPOS's IMPACT 700 and 800 series headsets and their contribution to workplace efficiency and compatibility with various platforms.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Olly Henderson, Head of Portfolio and Commercialization at Jabra, about the launch of Jabra+ for next-generation meeting room and video device management, trends in hybrid working, and the introduction of AI-powered features in Jabra’s PanaCast video solutions to enhance productivity and collaboration in the workplace.

Their discussion covers:

The unveiling of Jabra+, a unified platform that simplifies the management of Jabra’s PanaCast video solutions and caters to the needs of IT administrators by providing a secure, intuitive, and comprehensive device management experience.
Insights into the evolving landscape of hybrid working, highlighting the increased reliance on video conferencing and the challenges it presents for IT managers, as well as the growing demand for technologies that facilitate productive and inclusive meetings.
The introduction of new AI-driven features in Jabra’s PanaCast 50, including Intelligent Meeting Space and Microsoft Intelligent Speaker, designed to enhance meeting efficiency and ensure a focused and distraction-free environment.
The immediate availability of these innovative features and their live demonstration at Jabra’s booth at ISE, emphasizing their potential to improve collaboration and productivity in the hybrid workplace significantly.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Jose Rivas, Vice President of Global Sales at Shure Incorporated, about Shure's commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions in the AV industry. They discuss Shure's new Global Sales Structure, groundbreaking product launches including the MXW neXt 2 and MXA901, and the company's forward-thinking approach towards integrating AI into their product line to meet the evolving needs of the market.

Their discussion covers:

The transformative impact of Shure's new Global Sales Structure in enhancing customer connectivity.
Introduction and features of Shure's latest product launches, including the MXW neXt 2 and MXA901, and a sneak peek into Shure Cloud.
The significance of Shure's partnership with the Q-SYS Technology Partner Program and how it aligns with their vision for the future.
Shure's strategic incorporation of AI in product development to set new standards in ease of use, installation, and software advancement in the AV industry.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick explores Cisco’s 2024 Data Privacy Survey, and focuses on the divergent perspectives on data privacy between organizational privacy respondents and consumers. He specifically focuses on the elements that engender trust around consumer data, the steps taken by organizations regarding their use of AI, areas of concern around generative AI, and the controls that are being put into place around generative AI.

Finally, he will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

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On this episode of the Experience Unveiled I am joined by Beekeeper CEO Cristian Grossmann to discuss how to best support frontline workers as well as some new frontline-focused research recently published by Beekeeper.

Our discussion covers:

An overview of Beekeeper and how it fits into the employee experience technology ecosystem
The idea of disconnection with frontline workers and the ramifications this can have. We also chat about the perception disconnect between workers and managers
What is causing stress for frontline workers and their managers
The solutions and strategies that companies should be looking at to help support a better frontline employee experience
Data as a driver to understanding a frontline workforce and prioritizing action
Research findings from the Frontline Pulse Report 2024

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber are joined by Paul Nashawaty, Practice Leader, to discuss cybersecurity research, IBM earnings and the recent acquisition of VMware by Broadcom.

The conversation covers:

Recent research fielded by The Futurum Group, in collaboration with Commvault, showed increasing collaboration between IT and Security teams, as well as the growing issue of data and data protection fragmentation
IBM financial earnings
VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Innovation Developments Including DTaaS’ Growing Readiness, Multi-G Progress, and Wind River’s Role in NTT DOCOMO vRAN Launch.

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top 5G innovations and what’s going on that caught my eye in the lead up to MWC24. Key innovation developments include DTaaS making strides in China that indicate readiness for 5G deployments on a global scale, the Multi-G initiative’s major industry support from key 5G value chain players such as Cohere, Intel, Juniper, VMware, and Mavenir, including top-tier operators Vodafone, Bell, and Telstra, and Wind River’s pivotal role in the launch of NTT DOCOMO’s first vRAN commercial service.

My analytical review spotlighted:

DTaaS Ready for 5G Prime Time. Digital Twins as a service (or DTaaS) is emerging as a technology that can drive ecosystem-wide 5G innovation, since it can eliminate the need for users to deploy a local digital twin network system, thereby reducing system overhead and maintenance costs in 5G-related R&D. DTaaS built-in benefits include usability, sharing, flexibility, stability, security, and cost-effectiveness that can accelerate wireless network technologies and application innovation such as greater network self-intelligence, service quality improvement, and energy efficiency enhancements. In a Q4 2023 white paper, ZTE proposed a double closed-loop DTaaS architecture, including physical networks, digital twin networks and use cases. Double closed-loop refers to the twin closed-loop and the virtual reality closed-loop during the operation of the network. I examine why DTaaS can power 5G innovation in 2024 as it has already found its application in several regions of China, including port and high-speed railway use cases that use the technology to enhance network planning efficiency and cost optimization.

Cohere, Intel, Juniper, VMware, and Mavenir Fire up Multi-G Initiative. In Q2 2023, Cohere Technologies, Intel, Juniper Networks, Mavenir and VMware embarked on a collaboration to develop the industry’s first framework for a multi-generational (Multi-G), software-based Open RAN architecture. The Multi-G initiative would define frameworks, interfaces, interoperability testing, and evaluation criteria that would provide the interfaces to support full coexistence of 4G, 5G, and future waveforms. Intel’s FlexRAN platform is used by most current vRAN deployments; Mavenir has a strong presence in providing open RAN equipment and software; and Juniper Networks and VMware are both contributing their work with RIC development. Cohere’s contribution is through its Universal Spectrum Multiplier software that can be integrated by RAN vendors or as an app into a telco cloud platform. I review why I see the initiative can ensure network programmable all the way from layer one to the highest layers of the mobile architecture. Plus, why it’s a positive indicator that major operators such as Vodafone, Bell, and Telstra are already on-board to help advance performance and capacity benefits for all existing cellular networks as well as assisting the publication of the critical E2 interfaces into the relevant O-RAN Alliance and TIP Working Groups.

Wind River Studio Cloud Platform. Wind River delivers software for mission-critical intelligent systems, including Wind River Studio which is being used by NTT DOCOMO for its 5G virtualized network, which started commercial deployment in Japan during Q3 2023. For the launch of NTT DOCOMO’s first vRAN commercial service, Wind River Studio Cloud Platform was integrated with Fujitsu’s vCU and vDU along with the latest NVIDIA-converged accelerator. I assess how Studio Cloud Platform provides a fully cloud-native, Kubernetes- and container-based architecture, based on open-source software, for the development, deployment, operations, and servicing of NTT DOCOMO’s distributed edge networks at scale.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss two emerging Gen AI trends: Microsoft Copilot’s AI revenue potential and LLM research. We also celebrate our latest Adults In the Generative AI Rumpus Room.

The discussion covers:

With the most used enterprise software and operating system in the world, Microsoft placed a significant bet on AI with the introduction of Copilot to enterprise users in September 2023. Now Microsoft has unleashed Copilot, making it available to nearly every 365 user. What will the impact be? Is Microsoft poised to generate material revenues from AI in 2024?
LLMs are evolving at lightning speed, in part due to a copious amount of academic research and what it means for the market.
More Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room: Non-profit Fairly Trained, Google Research.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates cover the latest from the NRF 2024 in NYC, perspectives from the MountainWest CyberSecurity Taskforce plus announcements from Hitachi Vantara, Hammerspace and Seagate.

Their conversation covers:

The trends from the last 9 months in CyberSecurity, how the bad actors are approaching multifactor authentication and new phishing attacks
Insights from the Mountain West Cybersecurity Task Force
A review of the National Retail Federation's Big Show and highlighting the use of AI and technology in the retail sector, including edge computing and AI-powered image sensing for inventory management
Management changes at Hitachi, including Octavian Tanase joining as the Chief Product Officer and the company's focus on data management and AI technology
Announcements from Seagate's HAMR HDD technology and tape integration by Hammerspace for long-term data management and archiving

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director, Keith Kirkpatrick, provides a wrap of the National Retail Federation’s 2024 Retail Big Show. Kirkpatrick discusses the key trends, notable vendors and announcements, and the key challenges ahead for both retailers and vendors in 2024.

Finally, he will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Ecosystem Developments Including 5G Sustainability Market Shapers, Top Sustainability Suppliers, and Vodafone Microsoft GenAI Alliance

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye including a review of the top market shapers in the 5G sustainability realm, why we see Ciena, Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper, and Nokia offer the mobile network portfolios that fulfill the topmost 5G sustainability objectives, and how the new Vodafone Microsoft alliance focused on generative AI, cloud, and digital services can improve Vodafone’s customer experience and sustainability profile.

Our conversation focused on:

5G Sustainability Market Shapers. 5G network equipment providers (NEPs) are prioritizing the fulfillment of their organization-wide sustainability goals. NEPs are making tangible, measurable progress, including attaining science-based targets (SBTs) and developing ways to reduce waste and responsibly managing the lifecycle of their products. We assess how mobile ecosystem suppliers are embedding energy efficiency advances in product design and portfolio development across silicon, software, and systems from inception and throughout the entire lifecycle management in full alignment with energy orchestration and green operations.

Ring of Honor: Top 5G Sustainability NEPs. We identified and reviewed what we believe are the top five network equipment provider 5G sustainability portfolios across the mobile ecosystem today, noting why the players are selected based on our analytical perspective, their ability meeting the top sustainability strategy goals and capabilities, as well as their ecosystem-wide influence in powering ecosystem cooperation and support. The top players who made our Ring of Honor include Ciena, Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper, and Nokia.

Vodafone and Microsoft - New Ten-Year Alliance Spotlights GenAI: Vodafone and Microsoft formed a ten-year strategic alliance with the topmost objectives of transforming Vodafone’s customer experience using Microsoft’s generative AI acumen, hyperscale Vodafone’s managed IoT connectivity platform, develop new digital and financial services for businesses - especially small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe and Africa - and overhaul Vodafone’s global data center cloud strategy. Vodafone will invest $1.5 billion over the next 10 years in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in concurrence with Microsoft. We examine why the new Vodafone and Microsoft alliance can broaden their channel influence across the digital ecosystems of Europe and Africa, especially across the opportunity-rich SME realm by using generative AI and hybrid cloud flexibility to uplift the customer experience and improve energy efficiency and sustainability performance across mobile networks, especially within data center environments. Now the partnership can demonstrate the full ecosystem benefits that are emerging from tighter collaboration between telcos and hyperscalers.

Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.

Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging Gen AI trend: Lawsuits and Probes, How OpenAI & Microsoft Are Impacting the Trajectory of AI

The discussion covers:

OpenAI and Microsoft seem to be at the center of discussions about AI monopolies and copyright fights. Last week the EU said they are considering opening an investigation into whether OpenAI and Microsoft’s partnership agreement is a potential monopoly. Separately, The New York Times sued the pair claiming copyright infringement when ChatGPT was trained on NYT content. I’ll discuss why I think the EU investigation will go nowhere and conversely, why the NYT suit is critical to better LLM outcomes.

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On this episode of the Tech and Trends Podcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Alexandre Audoin, EVP, Head of Automotive from Capgemini at CES 2024 for a conversation on the tech trends in the automotive industry, focusing on autonomous driving and new customer experiences (CX).

Their discussion covers:

A brief introduction from Alexandre Audoin, his thoughts on the automotive industry, and a few tech trends he noticed at CES
An overview of autonomous driving and where does AI come into play
What automotive OEMs are focusing on to provide a better customer experience
As vehicles become more high tech, what are other important considerations such as affordability, sustainability, and regulations

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On this episode of The View from Davos, The Futurum Group’s Daniel Newman is joined by IBM’s Chairman and CEO, Arvind Krisha, for a conversation on how the topic of ethical AI is being discussed at Davos, the role of the government with AI, and the future of automation.

What IBM is focused on and discussing at the World Economic Forum
The role of government in the ethical deployment of AI and IBM’s approach to governance in their solutions
How AI can be leveraged towards increased sustainability
What opportunities AI brings to the future of automation

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In this episode Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens, Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber cover Google's egress fee drop as a potential trendsetter for other cloud providers, making repatriation and hybrid workloads more attractive. Additionally, they provide their key predictions for 2024, including:

Repatriation: Increased focus on workload placement based on cost and security, with egress fees playing a smaller role.
Cybersecurity: Remains a top priority, with AI playing a bigger role in detection and response.
AI adoption: Increased use of AI in data protection and security, particularly for training and automated responses.
Mergers and Acquisitions: Expect more major deals, impacting the vendor landscape and channel partners.
Generative AI: Growing concern about data security and protection implications, requiring best practices and processes.
Mainframe 60th anniversary: Potential influx of activity and press attention to the space, possibly with M&A and new announcements.
Data storage trends: Adoption of QLC SSDs, emergence of HTDs, and security built into primary storage.
Data protection and security: Continued focus on data privacy, quantum-resistant encryption, and cyber resiliency.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye at CES 2024 such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis innovations and Stellantis, Blackberry, and AWS collaboration focused on advancing virtual cockpit development.

Our conversation spotlighted:

Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis Innovations. Qualcomm spotlighted the company’s ecosystem-wide momentum and vital position as a key partner of the automotive industry, demonstrating maturity, breadth, and breakthrough innovations across its Snapdragon Digital Chassis portfolio. This includes Snapdragon Digital Chassis’ ongoing market momentum with a full suite of products for Gen AI-enabled digital cockpits, connected car technologies, connected services, advanced driver assistance, and automated driving systems. We examine why we see Qualcomm meeting the growing demand for programmable and highly customizable solutions firmly backed by a diverse software and OS ecosystem that support all tiers of mobility platforms, including the fact that more than 350 million vehicles are on the road today using Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions.

Qualcomm Underscores Variety of New Snapdragon Automotive Capabilities. Qualcomm promoted its Snapdragon Ride Platform which is comprised of the company’s scalable and customizable automated driving system-on-chip (SoC) family that is designed to help global automakers and Tier-1 suppliers build efficient automated driving (AD) solutions now enhanced by a comprehensive and scalable AD stack and perception solution, targeting Active Safety to L2+/L3 functions. Plus, Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC, Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud, and Snapdragon Digital Chassis SoCs for Two-wheelers further illuminated Qualcomm’s portfolio acumen. We delve into why we view the entire set of Snapdragon automotive-related updates as fortifying Qualcomm’s ability to directly influence the industry’s rapid evolution to software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures.

Stellantis, BlackBerry, and AWS Team Up for Virtual Cockpits. Stellantis, BlackBerry QNX, and AWS have teamed up to unveil the trio’s virtual cockpit for automobiles. Part of the group's Virtual Engineering Workbench (VEW), the platform is designed to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge car technology to customers. The key to this acceleration lies in the utilization of QNX Hypervisor in the cloud from BlackBerry, which functions as a virtual lab for developing car controls and systems. We assess why the platform’s ability to create realistic versions of car controls and systems, emulating the behavior of a real car without needing to make disruptive changes to the main software, can significantly decrease development cycles from months to as a little as 24 hours, further fueling SDV innovation.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Peter van der Putten, Lead Scientist & Director of Pega’s AI Lab at Pegasystems for a conversation on AI in 2024, including insights on ethics, governance and the hype around generative AI.

Their discussion covers:

The concept of right-brain AI versus left-brain AI and what that means in terms of strategy and use cases
The balance between the two that businesses need to achieve success
Top AI trends that Peter thinks we’ll see more of in 2024
Whether the hype around generative AI is overshadowing the actual business value of the technology
How ethics will continue to be a part of the conversation and Pega’s approach to ethical AI

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group’s Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the upcoming year in enterprise-focused SaaS applications, focusing on six trends that he expects will come to fruition in 2024. He also addresses the underlying elements that are driving each trend, and discusses which companies in the market may be impacted.

Finally, he closes out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and will either champion or criticize it.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Christophe Van de Weyer, CEO at Telesign for a conversation on the future of digital identity, trust, and AI.

Their discussion covers:

Recent findings from The Telesign Trust Index, which surveys American consumers about expectations around digital trust
Recommendations on what enterprises can do in light of the survey’s results
Telesign’s position on authentication approaches that go beyond SMS, and how Telesign is supporting more authentication channels, including passwordless solutions
What Telesign sees as the role of AI in rooting out fraud
The future state of protecting digital identity as Telesign would like to see it

For more information on Telesign’s Trust Index and their long history of partnering with enterprises to help them not only protect themselves but to build trust with their customers, visit the company’s website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Rich Waldron, CEO and Co-Founder of Tray.io for a conversation on the company’s mission to deliver the intelligent autonomous enterprise, enabling organizations to composedly, collaboratively, and continuously transform every business process using AI to achieve breakthrough agility and unlock hyper efficient growth.

Their discussion covers:

An inside look at Tray.io’s mission and the challenges that enterprises face when deploying new technologies and integrating them into their current and legacy systems that they depend on every day to run their business
What Tray.io sees as the key to successful AI implementation
How Tray.io is approaching intelligent transformation for enterprises, enabling developers, technologists, and teams to collaboratively compose and deliver using AI

To learn more about Tray's perspective on AI and to download The Futurum Group's research report on composable development, click here.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging Gen AI trend: Watermarking & other strategies for licensing AI training data & combating malicious AI generated content.

As we move into year two of Generative AI, some themes have emerged in terms of the downsides to the technology.

Two of the biggest downsides have been:

Combating malicious or misleading AI-generated content, and
Copyright/IP rights for both non AI generated and AI generated content

Initiatives by Google, Fox-Polygon, the Content Authenticity Initiative and academic researchers focused primarily on digital watermarking are the latest and most prominent attempts to address these issues. What will the impact of this trend be to enabling or stifling gen AI be?

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Ecosystem Developments with a Focus on the HPE $14 Billion Acquisition of Juniper and Its Ecosystem-wide Impact

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Steven Dickens, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye with a laser focus on HPE’s game changing $14 billion acquisition of Juniper and why it represents an important inflection point in the industry that can redefine how the 5G ecosystem connects, protects, and analyzes data.

Their conversation focused on:

Overall 5G Ecosystem Impact. The Juniper acquisition is expected to double HPE’s networking business, creating a new more formidable networking player with a broader, diversified portfolio that can present customers and partners with a compelling choice to drive business value. The explosion of AI and hybrid cloud-driven business is accelerating demand for secure, unified technology solutions that connect, protect, and analyze the data of organizations from edge to cloud. They assess why they see that combining HPE and Juniper’s complementary portfolios can further energize HPE’s edge-to-cloud strategy with an ability to lead in an AI-native environment based on a foundational cloud-native architecture. Together, HPE and Juniper can provide customers of all sizes with a complete, secure portfolio that enables the networking architecture necessary to manage and simplify their expanding and increasingly intricate connectivity needs, including certainly 5G.

5G CSP Impact. With the deal, HPE and Juniper anticipate that the benefits extend equally to both communication service provider (CSP) and cloud provide customers, which are very core to Juniper’s existing business. Across the CSP ecosystem organizations are building data centers – distributed data centers, centralized data centers. As a result, HPE can build comprehensive data center solutions with complete automation and AI capabilities, extending throughout the CSP segment. For example, we examine how Juniper’s RIC and HPE RAN Automation software can bring intelligence and programmability to RAN by enabling third-party applications that can improve service experience, reduce costs, and deliver new business models, especially AI-infused ones. Also, they review how HPE GreenLake and the Juniper Cloud Metro multiservice architecture can deliver assured user experiences across distributed cloud services. Using network slicing, service-aware technologies, and cloud-scale capabilities, CSPs can become better able fulfill user expectations for every service while eliminating the costs and complexity of siloed metro operations.

5G Enterprise Impact: The HPE Aruba and Juniper’s Juniper Access Points alongside Juniper Mist Cloud and Mist AI are already widely deployed throughout global Wi-Fi implementations. Plus, with Athonet private wireless assets, HPE and Juniper are strongly positioned to bring private 5G and Wi-Fi together to augment and innovate enterprise connectivity including using HPE GreenLake’s edge compute and security/SASE portfolio assets. They explore why HPE attains the portfolio foundation to strongly influence 5G enterprise evolution, including driving private 5G and WiFi services and capabilities, as well as mixed network scenarios, according to enterprise customer priorities.

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters, host Camberley Bates is joined by Randy Kerns for a look back at 50 years in the data infrastructure business. Randy Kerns started in this industry 50+ years ago and spent time developing systems at IBM, StorageTek, Tandem, Fujitsu, Sun Microsystems and at ProStor. He has mentored many engineers and analysts, plus helped marketing and sales muddle through messaging and positioning, helping to launch and position successful companies. We walk through what 50 years of changes have looked like, where we are going and hear some advice for the information architects of today.

Topics include:

Why 50 years in the data storage industry?
What were the key shifts and changes in the industry during Randy’s career?
How do current industry shifts affect data and information architects, and what advice does Randy have for them to stay relevant?
What do you expect the impact of AI to be on IT organizations?
And – come and join us and learn more at the upcoming Information and Data Management Strategies class, April 16 – 17 in Boulder Colorado!

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Tom Godden, Director, AWS Enterprise Strategy for a conversation on the notion that cloud infrastructure is a commodity, the key considerations decision makers should have when choosing a cloud provider for their application, and how AWS has differentiated their capabilities and offerings for the unique needs of their customers.

Their discussion covers:

What is currently top of mind for AWS’s customers regarding the applications that support their businesses
Why your cloud infrastructure choices matter and how AWS’s investments in core infrastructure help address customer challenges
How AWS’s managed services such as serverless can help customers accelerate time to market, reduce TCO and iterate quickly
How AWS helps customers with their generative AI strategy to transform their applications
The key considerations for decision makers, including AWS’s services, tools, and resources available for builders

For more information, watch the keynotes from AWS re:Invent 2023, visit the AWS for Every Application webpage, and explore AWS training and certification programs on the company’s website.

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An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Ecosystem Developments including Open RAN Prospects, Smartphone’s New Lead Role in Mobile Shopping, and 6CA Progress

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R. Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye including the 2023 Open RAN winners and delve into 2024 prospects including Vodafone and DT’s plans, Adobe Analytics declaring smartphones the new champion of mobile shopping in the holiday 2023 season, and T-Mobile, Ericsson, and Qualcomm kicking 2024 off with a breakthrough six-carrier aggregation (6CA) test that can deliver improved performance and spectral efficiency across the T-Mobile network in providing a greater 5G user experience.

Their conversation focused on:

Open RAN Ends 2023 with a Flourish. Open RAN is still percolating as it makes progress across the 5G ecosystem, picking up pace in North American and Europe in 2023, and indications are that we should see further deployments of the technology in 2024. In December 2023, AT&T and Ericsson wowed the market with their $14 billion, 5-year Open RAN deal. Notably, Vodafone has been one of the more active operator advocates of Open RAN to date with more to come as the operator confirmed that it is on track with its goal to deploy 2,500 open RAN sites. DT said it plans to operate more than 3,000 O-RAN-compatible antenna sites by the end of 2026. We assess how Open RAN’s mobile ecosystem progress in 2023 and sets the table for tangible gains in 2024 and beyond.

Adobe Analytics: Smartphones Lead 2023 Holiday Online Shopping. Adobe Analytics came out with a most interesting take on mobile shopping during the holiday season of 2023. Driven by people shopping on their smartphones, online holiday spending reached a record $221.1 billion over the 2023 holiday season. Mobile shopping surpassed desktop shopping for the first time as spending increased 4.9% from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, compared to the same time last year. Abode Analytics indicated that 51.1% of shoppers confirmed their deals through the smartphone, setting the pace for online purchases. Mobile made up 47.1% of holiday sales in 2022. We explore why the breakthrough of smartphone online shopping represents an event horizon for why retailers need to give top priority to optimizing the smartphone shopping experience.

T-Mobile Pushes Speed Limits with Breakthrough 6CA Test: T-Mobile unveiled its first six-carrier aggregation (6CA), also described as six-component carrier aggregation (6CC), call using sub-6 GHz spectrum on its live production 5G network, describing it as a world first. Collaborating with Ericsson and Qualcomm, T-Mobile reached remarkable speeds above 3.6 Gbps in the test – fast enough, for instance, to download a two-hour HD movie in less than 7 seconds. This follows on T-Mobile announcing in May of 2023 that it was rolling out four component-carrier aggregation across its 5G Standalone network, which it stressed can achieve peak speeds of 3.3 Gbps. We assess why the 6CA milestone can deliver improved performance and spectral efficiency across the T-Mobile network in providing a greater 5G user experience.

Open RAN, RAN, 5G, 5G SA, 5G Advanced, cloud O-RAN, smartphone, analytics, mobile shopping, 6CA, 6CC, carrier aggregation, Vodafone, Ericsson, AT&T, Nokia, Adobe, T-Mobile, Qualcomm, Deutsche Telekom AG (DT), 1&1

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Randy Herold, Chief Information Security Officer & Chief Privacy Officer, ManpowerGroup for a conversation on unifying security and observability and how ManpowerGroup is approaching cyber resilience with Splunk.

Their discussion covers:

ManpowerGroup’s story as a people-driven staffing company that puts over 600,000 associates to work each day
Why cyber resilience is important, what being resilient means for ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup’s journey with Splunk in unifying IT/DevOps teams and Security teams
What’s next on the horizon and the role of AI in maturing cybersecurity practices across industries

#Splunk, #ManpowerGroup, #AI, #Observability, #Security, #HR, #CyberResilience, #RandyHerold, #danielnewman, #thefuturumgroup, #futurum

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss my picks for 2023 AI Product of the Year, AI Company of the Year

2023 AI Product of the Year, AI Company of the Year: In this time of AI disruption, who has shined? In my view, it was those which are building and delivering pragmatic, enterprise-grade solutions. Those who have been invested in and have understood AI for some time. Those who have clear visions and goals for end results. They are AI innovators. With that in mind I developed a list of companies and products that I felt were the AI innovation leaders of 2023.

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In this episode of The Main Scoop™, hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman discuss the importance of observability and generative AI strategies in operations with Cory Minton, Field CTO - Americas at Splunk.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Steven Dickens speaks with IBM’s Ryan Yackel, GTM PM and Growth Leader, IBM Databand, about the evolving landscape of data management and AI. They discuss the recent acquisition of Databand by IBM, highlighting Databand's role in data observability within the modern data stack. Yackel explains how data observability is becoming increasingly important due to the challenges faced by data engineering teams and the proliferation of diverse tool stacks. He also delves into how data observability complements data governance, emphasizing its role in improving detection, resolution times, and data SLAs.

Their discussion covers:

IBM's acquisition of Databand and its integration into IBM's data fabric team
That data observability is identified as a critical trend due to the increasing demands on data engineering teams and the complexity of tool stacks
How data observability enhances data governance, reliability, and quality within organizational data strategies
The intersection of data management practices with AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of quality and governance in AI strategies

To learn more, and to download The Futurum Group’s white paper done in partnership with IBM, visit the company’s website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, I am joined by Rubrik’s Anneka Gupta, Chief Product Officer for a conversation on the need for organizations to establish cyber resilience and the role of AI in cyber resiliency.

Our discussion covers:

The need for organizations to establish cyber resilience and how Rubrik defines cyber resilience and the role AI plays in cyber resilience
Key data points around data growth and security from the most recent Rubrik Zero Labs “State of Data Security” report, and how AI has contributed to the rapid increase in data growth
Rubrik’s new AI companion, Ruby, and how it can help their customers improve cyber resilience
Other ways Rubrik is utilizing generative AI, including integrations with Microsoft and VMware

Get Rubrik Zero Lab’s “State of Data Security” report here and to learn more about how to become cyber resilient, register for the Rubrik Zero Labs Summit: The Journey to Secure an Uncertain Future webinar here.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss the Best of the Generative AI Rumpus Room in 2023 – the top adult initiatives, trends and companies for the year.

Generative AI has spawned incredible innovation and along with it a mutating market ecosystem. It has also caused a copious amount of FOMO, missteps, and false starts. It is a rumpus room with a lot of “kids” going wild. The rumpus room needs adults. Guidance through the generative AI minefield will come from thoughtful organizations who do not panic, who understand the fundamentals of AI, and who manage risk. These organizations are what we at The Futurum Group call Adults In The AI Rumpus Room. Since August 21, The Futurum Group has published 10 Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room notes, highlighting 30 different adult initiatives from a total of 21 different companies.

Host Mark Beccue draws some conclusions from that body of work to deliver what we see as the best of the Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room for 2023, including:

Top “adult” initiatives: Initiatives that had the greatest impact in providing adult leadership in generative AI in 2023.
Top “adult” trends: In reviewing the collective initiatives, what trends emerged in 2023?
Top adults: Which companies were the most “adult” in 2023, based on the number of initiatives?

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Ahgora’s Thiago Quadros, CTO, and Angelo Frigeri, Data Team Lead, join host Keith Kirkpatrick Research Director, Enterprise Applications at The Futurum Group, to discuss the benefits of applying analytics and AI to human resources data, the potential impact of AI on work and workers, and the need for transparency around how AI is used to guide decision making around HR and people management. Learn more about Ahgora on the company’s website.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick is joined by Craig Durr, Research Director, Collaboration, and Sherril Hanson, Senior Analyst, CX, both with The Futurum Group. The trio will discuss the key developments in the market over the past year, covering SaaS, customer experience, and collaboration technologies, and discuss how the three areas continue to converge. They will also discuss the key underlying technologies in use, pricing models, and provide their assessment of key market trends.

Finally, the group will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and asks his two guests to either champion or criticize it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber summarize the key trends going into 2024 and what is top of mind for the CIOs.

We highlight two critical CIO imperatives, staffing and security, what investments are being made and their importance in light of new technologies, such as AI.
We cover the challenges facing staffing, especially in light of AI engineering and Platform Engineering plus the continued support of hybrid IT environments.
Security will continue to be a major concern, and expect continued investment in observability and AI technologies
We will see investments in infrastructure with a focus on AI-driven operations and observability to address the growing complexity of managing various platforms.
We cover the trends in data for AI and the need for effective data pipelines and data curation.
We discussed the impact of sustainability and if current requirements will have a role in infrastructure investments.
And finally we cover the latest in PCAI coming off the announcement from Intel AI Everywhere announcements.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we will discuss the latest developments in enterprise AI, & the top 7 AI trends for 2024.

After the year AI had in 2023, what could possibly be next? I will give you a hint, AI won’t slow down much in 2024. There are seven key trends I think will impact the adoption of AI in 2024. I walk through what those trends are and why they are so important.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Todd R. Weiss for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye including the massive Ericsson AT&T $14.5 billion Open RAN deal and its implications for the North American and global 5G ecosystems, Nokia replacing Huawei as DT’s primary Open RAN supplier, and Germany’s 1&1 collaborating with Rakuten Symphony and Mavenir to operate Europe’s first fully virtualized 5G network based on Open RAN technology.

Their conversation focused on:

Ericsson AT&T $14.5B Deal Rockets Open RAN
Nokia Scores DT Open RAN Gig
1&1 Enlists Rakuten Symphony and Mavenir for Open RAN Push

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On this episode of Experience Unveiled, The Futurum Group's Sherril Hanson is joined by Workhuman President Tom Libretto for a conversation on employee experience and the ROI of employee rewards and recognition.

Our discussion covers:

The journey that employee experience has taken over the past few years
Data tied to the benefits of reward and recognition, not just for employees but for a company’s bottom line
What makes for a great rewards and recognition program and where do companies often fall short?
The Workhuman ROI guarantee

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates discuss AI GPUs and ransomware detection.

Key topics covered include:

Insights from Marvell’s Analyst Day:

Focus shift from commercial to enterprise and hyperscale markets.
Growth driven by networking for AI workloads (800 PAM4) and custom compute for hyperscalers.
Highlighting the complexity of AI datacenters and their similarities to custom car environments.

Discussion of Custom Silicon:

Competition heating up with announcements from Google (TPU v5p), AMD (MI300X), and others.
Public cloud options like AWS Graviton and Inferentia offering more choice.
Potential for on-prem deployments alongside cloud adoption.

Upcoming Report on Ransomware Scanning and Analytics:

Integrating scanning and detection within data protection tools.
Identifying ransomware based on file signatures and anomaly detection.
Machine learning and AI playing a crucial role in future development.

Broadcom and VMware:

Broadcom spinning off Carbon Black and End-User Computing (Horizon) business.
Focus on VCF (VMware Cloud Foundation) technology.

OpenText and Rocket Software:

OpenText selling AMC business (mainframe modernization) to Rocket.
Debt reduction and strategic focus for OpenText.
Growth and customer optionality for Rocket.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Ron Westfall welcomes Sandeep Bharathi, Chief Development Officer at Marvell Technology for a conversation on AI and the impact that it's having on the semiconductor industry as well as portfolio development, during Marvell’s Industry Analyst Day Event.

Their discussion covers:

The impact that AI will have on semiconductor technology and the market moving forward from Marvell’s perspective
How Moore’s Law is changing and how Marvell has shifted its technology and IP strategy to address this change
Advanced connectivity IP and technologies that Marvell is working on in their applications
What areas Marvell is investing in moving forward

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Loi Nguyen, PhD, EVP Optical & Copper Connectivity at Marvell Technology for a conversation on how Marvell’s Optical business has changed under the influence of AI, including bandwidth, power and the key technologies enabling these shifts.

Their discussion covers:

The evolution of Marvell’s Optical business, with the increased networking demands of AI
How optical modules have developed in terms of bandwidth and power
The infrastructure needs of inference, within data centers and beyond
Silicon photonics: what they are and why they are important

#marvell, #marvelltechnology, #opticalnetworking, #infrastructure, #siliconphotonics, #DCI, #datacenter, #loinguyen, #marvelliaday, #danielnewman, #thefuturumgroup, #futurum

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Raghib Hussain, President, Products & Technologies at Marvell Technology for a conversation on generative AI, accelerated infrastructure, and the evolution of data center architecture during Marvell’s Industry Analyst Day Event.

Their discussion covers:

Marvell’s perspective on generative AI and what it means for data centers
Insights on accelerated infrastructure: what it means and what it is
The differences between the architecture of traditional data centers and AI data centers
What Marvell is doing to enable the move to accelerated infrastructure

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Alteryx CIO Trevor Schulze for a conversation on the evolving landscape of IT decision-making, the importance of data analytics in modern IT strategy, and how IT leaders can “future-proof” their strategies by leveraging them.

Their discussion covers:

The role of AI in the shifting role of the CIO and what IT leaders should consider around AI when making technology decisions
The importance of data analytics in shaping the decisions made by IT leaders and contributing to overall business success
Some top predictions for the future of IT decision-making, especially concerning the increasing emphasis on predictive analytics, the integration of AI, and the democratization of data

Insights on how IT leaders can “future-proof” their strategies by leveraging data analytics and what specific approaches can enhance these strategies for success

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we will take a deeper look at a key trend in generative AI – the continued emergence of on-device AI, with special guest Olivier Blanchard, Senior Analyst and Research Director at The Futurum Group.

The discussion covers:

Key Trends in Generative AI: The installed base of smartphones and PCs is about 6.42 billion – 4.45 billion smartphones, 1.97 billion laptops, tablets and desktop PCs. This is a massive market opportunity to leverage generative AI applications. But there are challenges, including limitations to local processing, battery power and connectivity. Mark walks through some of the challenges and opportunities with my colleague, Olivier Blanchard, Senior Analyst and Research Director at The Futurum Group, whose practice area includes devices.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick is joined by Mark Beccue, Research Director, AI, with The Futurum Group, to discuss the trends in Software-as-a-Service pricing, focusing specifically on enterprise applications that are or are in the process of incorporating some type of analytics-based, predictive, or generative AI. They will cover common pricing models and approaches in use today, discuss the impact AI has on software delivery economics, and will assess how advances in the training of AI models may change the calculus around AI pricing.

Finally, the pair will close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and asks Beccue to either champion or criticize it.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye including HP’s Q4 results hinting at PC market recovery, the impact of Intel’s Core Ultra debut on AI PC expansion, T-Mobile’s 5G secure laptop data plan push, and Qualcomm’s AI portfolio diversification gains from its Cloud AI 100 Ultra launch.

Our conversation focused on:

HP Q4 2023 Points to PC Market Rebound
Intel Core Ultra NPU Targets AI PCs
T-Mobile Shows 5G Secure Laptops Key to Security
Qualcomm Diversifies AI Portfolio with Cloud AI 100 Ultra Debut

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The term "hybrid cloud" has been around for years now—but how is it still impacting today's IT ecosystem? In this episode of The Main Scoop™, Barry Baker, COO of IBM Infrastructure, unpacks the term and explores how important trends and advances, like generative AI and sustainability, fit into the future of this hybrid multicloud world with our hosts Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko. It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out all our past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Main Scoop™ series.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Krista Macomber, Camberley Bates, and Steven Dickens discuss key takeaways from AWS re:Invent 2023, including the cloud juggernaut’s pragmatic approach to cloud computing, focusing on AI, hybrid solutions, and cost optimization. It is also investing heavily in new features and services, and partnering with other companies to expand their reach.

Key themes include:

Gen AI: AWS made a big push towards AI with announcements like Q, a helpful service for developers and cloud admins, custom silicon updates for Graviton and Trainium, and a focus on the AI layered cake.
Hybrid is here: AWS acknowledged the hybrid cloud reality with announcements like S3 Express One Zone, an S3 offering for high performance computing, and AWSM2, a managed mainframe migration service.
Cost optimization: With the economic headwinds, AWS emphasized cost optimization with announcements like the DB2 offering on AWS, which allows customers to run their legacy workloads in the cloud.

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An Assessment of Key Developments Across the 5G-IoT Ecosystem Including T-Mobile Verizon Spur FWA, New Nokia FastMile Products, and Ericsson FWA Tariff Views

Our conversation focused on:

US 5G FWA Horse Race Heats Up. T-Mobile is the fastest-growing internet provider in the U.S., a trend that started almost two years ago. Both T-Mobile and Verizon have managed to make FWA-based home internet service an easy installation, and the bundle proposition is vital because most of these subscribers have the service bundled with their mobile cellular offering. Combined, T-Mobile and Verizon added about 940,000 FWA/5G home internet subscribers in Q3 2023. We delve into why both mobile operators are making deep strides with their FWA service offerings and why FWA is altering the overall broadband services competitive landscape.

Nokia FastMile Addresses 5G FWA Scaling Challenges. According to GSMA Intelligence, over 90 fixed broadband service providers across 48 countries have already launched 5G FWA services. However, as FWA service uptake begins to top 15%, user experience can diminish across the board, given that existing mobile users and FWA subscribers are competing for the same limited resources. To solve this capacity challenge and boost 5G FWA deployments, Nokia has introduced next generation 5G fixed wireless broadband devices to its FastMile product portfolio. Latest in this portfolio is the Nokia FastMile 5G Receiver (5G26-A) and the Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway 7. We review the Nokia’s FastMile portfolio and why we see it meeting the challenges of scaling FWA including addressing digital divide concerns.

Ericsson FWA Tariff Recommendations. According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report June 2023, over one-quarter of FWA service providers now offer speed-based tariff plans (also referred to as quality of service, or QoS). The remaining three-quarters are still best-effort, with volume-based tariff plans (buckets of GB per month). Ericsson is recommending the adoption of speed-based tariffs, emphasizing the appeal of presenting 'up-to' speed values in contracts. We examine why this approach allies with subscribers being more drawn to plans that clearly define potential speeds, aligning with consumer expectations and building trust.

We discuss the prospects for the LLM intended to help telcos worldwide, including in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, to develop GenAI services, such as “AI agents”, flexibly and according to their respective environment.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Steven Dickens welcomes Rocket Software’s Phil Buckellew, President, Infrastructure Modernization Business Unit, for a conversation on the company’s announcement that it plans to acquire OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business, the strategy behind the move, and the implications for the mainframe modernization landscape.

Their discussion covers:

The announcement that Rocket Software plans to acquire OpenText’s Application Modernization and Connectivity Business, and the strategy behind it
Why Rocket Software is a good home for the Micro Focus team
How this may change the company’s scale and optionality for clients who want to modernize their mainframe
How clients should think about this acquisition, the implications for Rocket, and more widely, the mainframe modernization landscape

Learn more about Mainframe Modernization on Rocket Software’s website.

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In this Futurum Tech Webcast, host Steven Dickens interviews Parv Aggarwal on the Diaspora Bank Project, discussing integrating Ripple's CBDC platform into the project's initiatives. Aggarwal explains how they aim to connect the African diaspora with the continent, particularly through remittances. The project emphasizes the potential of CBDCs to streamline payments and enable investment vehicles for the diaspora, reducing the friction and high fees associated with traditional remittance methods. The discussion also covers how the project leverages the XRP ledger for efficient cross-border payments and financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas.

Their discussion covers:

How the Diaspora Bank Project aims to redirect remittance fees into investments in Africa.
How CBDCs provide a seamless payment rail and enable multi-platform functionalities.
How the project uses the XRP ledger for low-fee cross-border remittances and investments.
The focus on financial inclusion and economic development through the Diaspora Bank Project.

Learn more about Ripple on the company's website and the Diaspora Bank Project entry on Devpost.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Steven Dickens welcomes Kennedy Ng’ang’a, founder and CEO of Nairobi-based tech company, Shamba, about leveraging Ripple's CBDC platform for ecological data integration on blockchain. Shamba focuses on providing crucial ecological data, such as vegetation coverage and rainfall, to drive parametric insurance solutions. Shamba’s solution utilizes the Ripple CBDC platform to create B2B solutions for institutions like banks and insurance companies, which are traditionally averse to other forms of cryptocurrency. The discussion highlights the use of CBDCs in humanitarian and environmental projects, detailing how the company uses satellite data to inform insurance decisions and trigger smart contract events for direct payments to affected parties.

Their discussion covers:

How Shamba provides ecological data to the blockchain for parametric insurance.
Using the Ripple CBDC platform for B2B solutions in insurance and banking.
How CBDCs are leveraged for Web3 applications in humanitarian and environmental projects.
How the Shamba Oracle is utilized to trigger payments based on ecological risks.

Learn more about Ripple on the company's website and Shamba’s entry on Devpost.

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In this Futurum Tech Webcast, Steven Dickens and Orang Dialameh discuss ExtoLabs' role in advancing digital payments and CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) initiatives. Dialameh, CEO and co-founder of ExtoLabs, explains how their technology addresses the friction in digital payments, particularly in emerging markets. The discussion delves into the technicalities of integrating XRP ledger for secure, low-cost transactions and the nuances of maintaining privacy and KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance in digital currencies.

Their discussion covers:

ExtoLabs' focus on reducing friction in digital payments, highlighting the challenges in both mature and emerging markets.
The use of Bluetooth technology for offline transactions and the adaptation of the XRP ledger for secure, rapid transactions.
The importance of privacy in CBDC systems, ensuring anonymity for users while maintaining KYC standards.
The potential of distributed ledgers in addressing data privacy issues and their application in both CBDC and e-money solutions.

Learn more about Ripple on the company's website and ExtoLabs' entry on Devpost.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Steven Dickens converses with Francesco Piccoli, Senior Director at AnChain.AI, about the company’s involvement in Ripple's CBDC Innovate 2023 competition. They discuss AnChain.AI's security and risk management role, offering compliance and anti-money laundering services to various sectors, including crypto companies, financial institutions, and governments. They also dive into how AnChain's AI-driven analytics enhance blockchain data understanding and contribute to AML practices, regulatory efforts, and hacking investigations. The discussion also touches on the challenges of blockchain security and AnChain's efforts to apply traditional cybersecurity best practices to the digital asset space.

Their discussion covers:

An overview of AnChain.AI, a company that specializes in security and risk management, particularly in compliance and anti-money laundering for digital assets.
How AnChain.AI uses AI to analyze blockchain data, aiding in risk assessment and understanding smart contracts.
How AnChain.AI's AI algorithms streamline investigations, quickly tracing digital asset movements in cases of hacks or fraud.
AnChain.AI’s focus on improving cybersecurity in the blockchain industry, applying standards like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to enhance digital asset security.

Learn more about Ripple on the company's website and AnChain's entry on Devpost.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Steven Dickens is joined by Brendan Grady, GM, Analytics Business Unit at Qlik for a conversation on how Qlik’s partnership with AWS provides customers with end-to-end data integration and analytics solutions for AWS and empowers users at any skill level to modernize with AI.

Their discussion covers:

A look at Qlik’s partnership with AWS, and what they’re bringing to the table for customers bringing their data and workloads to AWS
How Qlik is helping customers manage their data and modernize with AI
What Qlik considers the top five missteps that undermine AI readiness and success
Key takeaways businesses should be thinking about when implementing AI

You can learn more about Qlik’s data integration solutions and analytics platform on the company’s website.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Serrala’s Rob Jackson, Principal Solutions Architect, and Jason Boyer, Jason Boyle, Chief Customer Success Officer at Neev, join host Keith Kirkpatrick Research Director, Enterprise Applications at The Futurum Group, to discuss the steps organizations should take to migrate their data to SAP’s S/4HANA. The conversation focused specifically on developing a strategy based on whether a greenfield or brownfield migration is being conducted, the use of migration program checklists and data archiving strategies, and discussion on the available tools from Serrala to handle data archiving and migration.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Philipp Robbes, Sales Manager with Centric, joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about human resources processes, focusing specifically on the changing landscape of the human resources function over time, and the increasing need to fully digitize HR document processes. We also discussed how Centric solutions can be used to augment platforms such as SAP SuccessFactors to deliver a comprehensive digitization solution for all types of critical HR documents.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Steven Dickens and Camberely Bates discuss AI systems and data protection market development, announcements, and insights from a number of recent vendor and industry events, including:

Microsoft’s two new custom silicon chips designed for AI and general-purpose workloads, announced at Microsoft Ignite.
Developments in the AI space, including considerations for workload placement and how AI-backed chatbots can streamline daily tasks for IT Operations.
Perspective from the SuperComputing ’23 show in Denver, CO, including storage vendor portfolio developments for HPC.
Updates on Veeam’s competitive position and strategic development coming out of its Analyst Summit in Seattle, WA.
A preview of AWS reInforce.

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On this episode of the Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Steven Dickens is joined by Neil Fowler, SVP Engineer for the Application Modernization and Connectivity Product Group at OpenText for a conversation on OpenText’s partnership with AWS and how OpenText is helping with mainframe modernization.

Their discussion covers:

An introduction from Neil Fowler as Lead Engineer for the Application Modernization and Connectivity Product Group at OpenText and a background on OpenText
The role OpenText plays in mainframe modernization
OpenText’s partnership with AWS and their purpose at AWS re:Invent
Fowler’s outlook on these mainframe services platform as they mature

You can learn more about OpenText’s Application Modernization, on the OpenText website.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Camberley Bates is joined by Simon Jelley, GM, Data Protection as a Service and Chris Wiborg, VP Product and Solutions Marketing at Veritas for a conversation on how to ensure that your cloud applications are resilient and your data is protected and recoverable.

Their discussion covers:

A background on why data recovery so difficult and complex
Veritas’ strategy to assist customers to combat ransomware with data protection, compliance, and governance, and new technologies like AI/ML
Why cybersecurity is a team sport and how Veritas is partnering with various players in the cybersecurity space to provide the best solutions for their customers
An overview on Veritas’ testing capability, REDlab, a lab with real malware, and other areas Veritas has been focusing on like Cloud Scale

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters – Insider Edition, Krista Macomber and Randy Kerns are joined by Jim McGann, Index Engines’ Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, for a conversation focusing on the topic of the convergence of cyber security and storage.

Specifically, their discussion covers:

Critical capabilities of cybersecure storage systems, including immutability
The Index Engines – Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery solution, which The Futurum Group audited
New approaches and technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), that bad actors have been using to ramp up their game when it comes to attacking organizations, and how to keep up

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R. Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye including Netcracker introducing its Telco GenAI offerings, Amdocs NVIDIA working together to customize enterprise-grade LLMs running on NVIDIA accelerated computing as part of the Amdocs amAIz framework, and SK Telecom (SKT) and Deutsche Telekom (DT) have agreed to create a telco-specific large language model (LLM), which aims to make generative AI (GenAI) developments easier and quicker for operators.

Their conversation focused on:

Netcracker Debuts Telco GenAI Solution
Amdocs and NVIDIA Ready to Propel Telco GenAI Use Cases
SKT and DT Look to Create Telco-specific LLM

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, at The Futurum Group, discusses the topic of tech stack sprawl, focusing specifically on the proliferation of multiple enterprise applications within an organization. He covers the conditions that lead to sprawl, the risks and drawbacks of acquiring and implementing a wide range of applications, and highlights the offerings from vendors that are designed to reduce or eliminate sprawl.

He also covers some recent news and newsmakers in the customer experience software market. Finally, he’ll close out the show with the “Rant or Rave” segment, where he picks one item in the market, and he’ll either champion or criticize it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters – Insider Edition, Randy Kerns is joined by Brian Pawlowski, Chief Development Officer at Quantum, for a conversation on Quantum’s Myriad solution and how it is uniquely offering solutions to customer data challenges.

Their discussion covers:

Quantum’s view on the current market and how storage and application have evolved, including customer use cases
The challenges facing customers within storage and data management systems, today
Quantum’s current product portfolio, including how their latest solution, Myriad, fits into their portfolio
How Myriad offers unique solutions to help solve data challenges, and where Quantum plans to take Myriad next

Learn more about Myriad Software-Defined All-Flash Storage Platform for the Enterprise on the Quantum website.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, recorded at KubeCon 2023 in Chicago, hosts Steven Dickens and Camberely Bates discuss the latest trends and announcements in the world of Kubernetes and cloud-native technologies. They delve into the growth in KubeCon attendance, the increasing adoption of Kubernetes in enterprise environments, and the focus on platform engineering. Their conversation includes insights into various vendor announcements, including NetApp's Astra Control and Red Hat's new features, as well as a broader discussion on the maturation of the Kubernetes ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of security, resilience, and complexity in modern IT infrastructure.

Key points from their discussion:

KubeCon showcases significant growth and increasing enterprise adoption of Kubernetes.
Vendors like NetApp and Red Hat announce new features and capabilities.
Observability and security emerge as key themes in Kubernetes ecosystem development.
The shift towards curated and opinionated Kubernetes stacks for easier management and better security.

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An Assessment of Key Eco-Initiatives across the 5G-IoT Ecosystem Including Rogers Smart Energy Managementsolution, AT&T’s CCI, and Orange’s Sophie Germain

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall is joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R. Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye including Rogers Business using IoT to bolster customer sustainability missions on a strategic level, AT&T highlighting the impact of connectivity and the role of its Connected Climate Initiative (CCI) on climate tech innovation, and Orange launching the Sophie Germain vessel to advance sustainable and efficient global connectivity.

Their conversation focused on:

Roger Business IoT Supports Three-Ways to Boost Operations Sustainability.
AT&T Spotlights Connectivity Impact on Climate Tech Innovation.
Orange Launches New Sophie Germain Vessel to Advance Sustainable Global Connectivity.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we explore what’s going on with AI chips, the pros and cons to RAG and fine-tuning to make LLMs better and how the Allen Institute for AI has dropped a tool which makes them an Adult in the AI Rumpus Room

The discussion covers:

Key Trends in Generative AI:
New chips, NVIDIA’s GH200 Grace Hopper, Microsoft’s Azure Maia AI Accelerator and Intel’s Gaudi 2 are showing the potential for significant gains in performance and efficiency, which means lower AI compute costs.
Practices for making AI models better – RAG is the new rage, but fine-tuning gets a boost from SLoRA. Vectara’s hallucination measuring tool, Hugging Face’s LLMs as a Judge
Adults in the AI Rumpus Room: The Allen Institute for AI (AI2) recently published research that lays out the challenges of having bad data sets feed AI models. They have developed a framework to address it called What’s In My Big Data? (WIMBD)

Watch the video below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you never miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Experience Unveiled I am joined by SAP SuccessFactors Chief Scientist, Dr. Autumn Krauss for a conversation on employee experience, including how the view of EX has evolved and thoughts on its evolution.

Our discussion covers:

How the SAP SuccessFactors Growth & Insights team supports growth opportunities for SAP SuccessFactors
How SAP SuccessFactors is reimagining the learning experience for employees
How employee experience has evolved over time and what prompted the evolution
Employee experience in 2023 and what’s next

For more information, visit the SAP Growth and Insights HR Research Library, referenced in this episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, I am joined by Rubrik’s Steve Stone, Head of Rubrik Zero Labs for a conversation on data security, understanding what role AI plays in data protection, and the importance of data visibility.

Our discussion covers:

An introduction from Steve Stone as Head of Rubrik Zero Labs and a brief background on how Rubrik Zero Labs came to be
The role AI plays in data growth
How organizations are keeping up with data protection and the importance of data visibility
Key strategies and recommendations cybersecurity leaders can take from Rubrik Zero Labs’ new report

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we explore why Qualcomm could be the key to on-device AI and how Microsoft, which has developed best practices-level AI safety policies and a separately an insightful blueprint for approaching enterprise AI, continues to show they are an Adult in the AI Rumpus Room

The discussion covers:

Adults in the AI Rumpus Room: In two separate initiatives, Microsoft continues to show their leadership in the responsible use of AI. Microsoft has developed best practices-level AI safety policies and a separately an insightful blueprint for approaching enterprise AI. Download Microsoft’s Building a Foundation for AI Success: A Leader’s Guide
A company we like doing AI: Qualcomm has just flexed some significant compute muscle and could be poised to be a key player in making on-device AI a massive success.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, I am joined by Eric Herzog, CMO for Infinidat for a conversation on Infinidat’s new solutions and other recent announcements.

Our discussion covers:

A look into Infinidat’s SSA Express Software’s extended capabilities
How Infinidat has doubled the capacity of SSA II
The real magic behind the InfuzeOS operating system
A deep dive into how Infinidat is helping customers of all sizes meet their capacity needs.

To learn more about the latest announcements, check out the press release here.

Watch the video below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you never miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Sameer Verma, Head of Product at Microsoft for a conversation on the launch of new Copilot and demand planning capabilities in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. They discuss how organizations can empower their employees with natural language-based conversational help, enhanced inventory visibilities, and improved accuracy, all with a more flexible, simplified, and intuitive user experience.

Their discussion covers:

The current state of supply chains in a post-covid world and how the new state of work impacts how companies transform their supply chains to meet customers' needs and keep employees happy
Microsoft’s lessons from investments made in the past year and what future investments in Copilot might bring
An overview of the new demand planning capabilities and the role of Copilot within Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
How companies with “best-of-breed” demand planning systems today can benefit from the new demand planning capabilities in Dynamics 365

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Mandar Paralkar, Global VP, Life Sciences & Healthcare at SAP and Sandra Garitonandia, Industry Principal for Life Sciences at Vistex EMEA, for a conversation on digital transformation and the role of technology in navigating the future of Life Sciences and Healthcare.

Their discussion covers:

The key areas within life sciences companies where digital transformation is a priority, and why these areas are being targeted for transformation
Successful approaches, strategies, and best practices that Life Sciences companies are adopting to optimize their revenue streams
The impact of the size of a company, in terms of revenue and number of employees, on the approach to digital transformation
How technology partners, like SAP and Vistex, are supporting life sciences organizations in their digital transformation journeys
Insights into how digital transformation is helping life sciences organizations meet sustainability goals, especially in terms of reducing environmental impact

Learn more about SAP and Vistex innovative solutions for the life science industry here.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Steven Dickens welcomes Neil Fowler, SVP, Software Engineering Development at OpenText, to explore the challenges and opportunities in modernizing mainframe systems. They emphasize the importance of flexibility and choice in the modernization journey, catering to an organization's specific needs and objectives. The conversation touches on the significance of application modernization, the role of skills in this transformation, and the real-world success stories of organizations like AG Insurance. Overall, the paper they discuss provides a comprehensive overview and practical insights for those considering mainframe modernization.

Their discussion covers:

The multifaceted journey of Mainframe modernization, with flexibility and choice being crucial factors
How application modernization plays a pivotal role in adapting mainframe systems to meet evolving business needs
Why addressing the skills gap in mainframe development is essential, and the significant opportunity for the next generation of developers
Real-world case studies, such as AG Insurance in Belgium, highlighting the benefits and challenges of modernization, providing valuable insights for organizations embarking on a similar path

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, we focus on what is driving the swift worldwide expansion of 5G services and what next steps are critical for the 5G ecosystem to fulfill its overall potential. We identify the key steps as including understanding 5G Advanced and why it defines the next major phase of 5G, why accelerating the transition to the 5G Standalone (SA) network architecture is essential, and the impact of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and edge computing on significantly improving 5G capabilities.

Joining host Ron Westfall is Durga Malladi, SVP & GM, Technology Planning & Edge Solutions, Qualcomm. Their conversation examines the following key topics:

Why CSPs need to accelerate their transition to 5G SA network architectures to assure that the mobile ecosystem is fully prepared for 5G Advanced.
How 5G SA enables new differentiated services that can generate revenue streams through capabilities such as network slicing and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) as well as realizing major cost savings by moving away from maintaining 5G and LTE/4G core networks.
Only devices in 5G SA mode support new performance enhancements such as power saving features and spectrum aggregation.
Where 5G SA is already delivering benefits to CSP networks in key markets such as China and India (Jio).
The impact of today’s disruptive technologies, such as AI/ML and edge computing, on driving 5G connectivity improvements in key areas such as better speeds, location accuracy, coverage, link robustness, and mobility.
How the 5G network can play a vital role in assuring that CSPs meet their sustainability and ESG objectives.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Steven Dickens welcomes Nick Delis, Senior Vice President - International and Strategic Sales for Five9, to discuss trends in Customer Experience (CX) including the adoption of AI and automation. While AI is a buzzword worldwide, its implementation differs by region. Delis stresses the importance of empathy in customer interactions and how technology, like generative AI, can enhance human conversations. The conversation also touches on the advantages of nimble, cloud-native companies over legacy players and the need for consolidation of data for better personalization.

Their discussion covers:

Key trends such as AI and automation in global CX, and how adoption rates vary
How different regions are at different stages of adopting technology, with some transitioning to cloud solutions and others embracing AI for self-service
Empathy remaining crucial in customer interactions, with technology like generative AI enhancing human conversations
How nimble, cloud-native companies have an advantage over legacy players in adopting new technology and that consolidation of data is essential for better personalization in CX
A look at the anticipated trends in 2024, including interactive virtual agents, agent empowerment, and advanced AI tools for data analysis to provide personalized experiences

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber discuss recent developments in the tech industry, focusing on Commvault's earnings and strategic business movements, especially regarding their SaaS division, Metallic. They highlight Metallic's impressive 77% year-over-year growth, signaling strong market demand for cloud-based services. The conversation also touches on Nutanix's evolution and their strategy to increase their market presence against VMware, including a new partnership with Cisco and developments in container infrastructure and data services. Lastly, they cover Catalogic's new self-hosted option for CloudCasa, offering more flexibility for industries with stringent data privacy and sovereignty requirements.

Key highlights include:

Commvault's SaaS division, Metallic, showed a 77% increase in revenue, indicating a robust demand for cloud services.
Nutanix is positioning itself to challenge VMware more directly, with a focus on hyperconverged and hybrid cloud infrastructure, as well as container infrastructure.
Catalogic announced a self-hosted option for CloudCasa, catering to industries that cannot fully utilize public cloud offerings due to data privacy and sovereignty laws.
AWS's EC2 Capacity Blocks model provides a flexible and efficient means for businesses to access high-performance GPUs, especially beneficial for short-term, intensive AI and ML projects.

You can watch the video of our conversation below, and be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Camberley Bates is joined by Nutanix’s Aaron Delp, Cloud Native & AI Marketing and Luke Congdon, Sr. Director Product Management during KubeCon Chicago for a conversation on how Nutanix is delivering simplified Kubernetes and AI-anywhere solutions with Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box.

Their discussion covers:

What Nutanix has done to bring its solutions to the Kubernetes market
How the Nutanix Cloud Platform simplifies operations for cloud-native and AI applications, supporting most of the major Kubernetes distributions
A closer look at Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box, and how it encourages customers to bring their own model and their own data to create generative AI applications
How Nutanix’s AI solutions approach data privacy as a driver of on-premise AI deployments

You can learn more about Nutanix Cloud Native Solutions or Nutanix AI Solutions, on the Nunatix website.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R. Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye consisting of new progress across the 5G and IoT ecosystem, including Nokia’s new Global Traffic 2030 report and Technology Strategy 2030 vision, Juniper Networks’ O-RAN SMO and partnership moves, and Cisco’s IoT cybersecurity stand.

Highlights include:

Nokia 2030 Vision
Juniper O-RAN SMO Aimed at Solving 5G Complexity
Cisco’s Proactive Stance on Labels for Consumer IoT Devices

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Leading businesses know connecting with customers is more than delivering products, services, and technology. It's about nurturing and growing relationships by consistently delivering experiences that meet or exceed customer expectations. Tune in for this episode of The Main Scoop™ to hear from Iain McCorquodale, Global Head of Core Solutions at NatWest, as he joins Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko to discuss how Natwest approaches relationship banking to increase customer loyalty and create a competitive advantage.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Sherril Hanson, Senior Analyst at The Futurum Group, joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about leveraging technology platforms to deliver excellent customer experiences, focusing specifically on contact center as-a-service offerings, the importance of omnichannel engagement capabilities, mobile applications, and generative AI.

We’ll also cover some recent news and newsmakers in the customer experience software market. Finally, we’ll close out the show with our “Rant or Rave” segment, where we pick one item in the market, and we’ll either champion or criticize it.

You can watch the video here and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you’ve not yet done so.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes IBM’s Roger Premo, General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Ventures for a conversation on the company's launch of the IBM Enterprise AI Venture fund.

Their discussion covers:

The importance of the current moment in time with regard to AI
An overview of IBM Ventures and how the company has prioritized investments in AI and generative AI
The launch of the IBM Enterprise AI Venture Fund – a $500M fund the company plans to invest in a range of AI companies
IBM’s investment strategy for the fund, how it partners with companies, and how this fund will help build its communities

For more information, visit the IBM Ventures site here, and see the full press release on the IBM website.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber provide an earnings and events season recap and discuss various topics related to the IT landscape. Key highlights include:

Major announcements and data in the hybrid cloud
NetApp’s Insight event in Las Vegas and announcements on AI, data security, and modern data architecture
Lenovo Tech World and the focus on AI and edge devices
Review of recent earnings reports from AWS, Google, and Microsoft, highlighting the growth in cloud services
Plus a deep dive into data in a hybrid cloud environment, emphasizing the importance of data preparation and curation for AI applications.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Krista Macomber, Senior Analyst at The Futurum Group, joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about enterprise cybersecurity, focusing on the current threats to organizations, how AI is changing the threat landscape, and best practices for organizations to harden their defenses. We’ll also cover some recent news and newsmakers in the enterprise software market. Finally, we’ll close out the show with our “Rant or Rave” segment, where we pick one item in the market, and we’ll either champion or criticize it.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss various topics related to the IT landscape. Key highlights include:

Veeam's announcement of the second half of the 2023 update to the Veeam data platform, which includes new features such as machine learning-based anomaly detection for ransomware recovery.
Druva's announcement of a natural language chatbot-type feature for its data protection platform.
SiFive's launch of a new risk five set of processes, the P870 and the X390, really focusing in on AR/VR, what's going on with high capacity AI.
Qualcomm's announcement of new RISC-V chips.
Qualinx's Series A raise to bring new custom silicon to market.
Potential industries and use cases for custom silicon in the future, such as autonomous vehicles, edge AI, and smart retail.

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In this Futurum Tech Webcast sponsored by HPE, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss their collaborative research brief on HPE's compute resources, specifically focusing on the ProLiant server line. They examine the challenges facing IT teams, such as staffing limitations and growing cybersecurity threats, and discuss how HPE's solutions, including their 11th generation ProLiant servers and GreenLake for compute, aim to tackle these issues. Steven and Krista highlight the importance of staying current in hardware to maximize operational performance and security, and emphasize the flexibility offered by HPE's consumption-based models to meet varying needs, such as AI and data-intensive workloads. They conclude by recommending immediate action for updating server infrastructure to benefit from these advancements.

Their discussion covers:

Critical challenges like staffing, cyber threats, and infrastructure sprawl faced by IT teams
The importance of HPE's GreenLake for compute and 11th gen ProLiant servers in addressing these challenges
The flexibility of HPE's solutions for varying workload requirements, including AI and data-intensive tasks
The necessity for immediate action to update server infrastructure for enhanced security, operational efficiency, and cost management is highlighted

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Olivier Blanchard for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye.

Their conversation focused on:

Qualcomm Unleashes Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Qualcomm Debuts Snapdragon X Elite
Motorola Transforming Adaptive Display Devices

Join the conversation as we assess the new offerings from the Snapdragon Summit, including Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Snapdragon X Elite, and Motorola Showcasing Adaptive Display Tech.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Todd R. Weiss for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye. Their conversation focused on:

AT&T Delivers Solid Q3 2023. AT&T delivered strong results in the third quarter of 2023 with solid 5G and fiber subscriber growth. The company also posted healthy year-over-year (YoY) increases in service and broadband revenues, driving higher profitability. Key highlights include AT&T reporting revenues of $30.4 billion, up 1% YoY. This increase primarily reflects higher Mobility, Mexico, and Consumer Wireline revenues, partly offset by lower Business Wireline revenues. Notably, AT&T’s mid-band 5G spectrum now covers more than 190 million people, on track to reach 200 million people or more with mid-band 5G by year-end. They analyze why they see AT&T establishing the foundation for durable, long-term growth due to key factors such as delivering 468,000 postpaid phone net adds with continued strong ARPU growth and historically low levels of churn. Plus, AT&T’s mobility service revenues were up 3.7%, achieving the company’s best-ever Mobility operating income.

Vodafone and Snam Expand Collaboration. Vodafone, specifically Vodafone Italia, is expanding its collaboration with Snam, Europe’s leader in natural gas. The duo is working to develop the first hybrid 5G mobile private network (MPN) in the natural gas sector, bringing more reliable and secure connectivity to 23 of Snam’s plants. According to Vodafone, the hybrid infrastructure will improve 4G and 5G coverage within the facilities, but also for the local population via the surrounding public network. We examine how the alliance is combining the benefits of public 5G and private 5G that seek to guarantee high levels of performance, availability and reliability and shows that Vodafone’s 5G network infrastructure is essential to delivering the ultra-broadband, low latency, security, and the ability to collect an exceptional amount of data across the Snam energy network footprint.

T-Mobile Sustains 5G Pacesetting in Q3 2023. T-Mobile reported third quarter (Q3) 2023 results, raising 2023 guidance again. Service revenue of $15.9 billion grew 4% year-over-year (YoY), including Postpaid service revenue of $12.3 billion, which grew 6% YoY. In Q3 2023, T-Mobile delivered breakthrough postpaid account and customer net additions as well as record low postpaid phone churn, which provided the basis for the company to claim industry-leading service revenue and postpaid service revenue. They discuss how they expect T-Mobile to attain its latest raise in 2023 guidance as the company is consistently outperforming its key rivals across the topmost mobile network service categories, consisting of financial, technical, and customer attraction and retention milestones, and why it is the 5G service provider pacesetter by executing relentlessly on its portfolio development objectives and market vision.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes HPE’s Frances Guida, Director, HPE Compute Workload Solutions for a conversation on how HPE is helping customers navigate their AI journey, AI inferencing, and bringing its expertise to empower AI adoption for businesses.

Their discussion covers:

Why AI adoption is so “hot” at present and how HPE’s customers are approaching adoption
A deeper dive into AI Inferencing as “the last mile for AI” and the real-world use cases for AI inference
The top challenges for customers at this critical junction and how HPE is helping customers navigate this journey
How HPE is bringing its own IP and expertise to bear for customers

See our related report: Operationalizing Generative AI: Making It Your Own, Creating Corporate Value.

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Clint Wheelock joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about the use of low-code/no-code development platforms within the enterprise environment. We will discuss the types of platforms available, the benefit and pitfalls of using them for enterprise development tasks, and discuss a few of the leading vendors offering these tools. We’ll also cover some recent news and newsmakers in the enterprise software market. Finally, we’ll close out the show with our “Rant or Rave” segment, where we pick one item in the market, and we’ll either champion or criticize it.

You can watch the video here and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you’ve not yet done so.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, guest host Randy Kerns, Senior Strategist with The Futurum Group, joins Krista Macomber for a discussion of recent news, upcoming shows, and how to most cost-effectively use cloud infrastructure based on deep economic analysis and engagements with IT practitioners. Key highlights include:

The launch of Pure Protect DRaaS by Pure Storage and the solution’s value, including speeding time-to-recovery and reducing data loss following a ransomware attack.
A preview of upcoming shows that The Futurum Group will be attending, including NetApp Insight, Veeam Analyst Summit and Supercomputing Conference 2023.
A deep dive discussion into minimizing TCO and optimizing cost economics in the cloud.

Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, we examine a key trend, the emergence of enterprise-grade generative AI SaaS applications and why Adobe provides a blueprint to enterprises for AI success.

The discussion covers:

The key Generative AI trends – the emergence of AI-powered applications. Using OpenText’s Aviators and Adobe Firefly as examples, a look at why SaaS applications with embedded AI will be a critical element of enterprise AI market adoption.

A company we like doing AI. Adobe’s Firefly is the most successful generative AI product ever launched. Enterprises looking to operationalize AI can learn from Adobe’s approach. We look at three key lessons to learn from Firefly’s success.

#thefuturumgroup, #theaimoment, #generativeAI, #LLMs, #AIfoundationmodels, #foundationmodels, #responsibleAI, #ethicalAI, #trustedAI, #AdobeFirefly, #OpenTextAviator, #SaaS, #imagegeneration, #codedevelopment, #adobefirefly, #adobefireflyimage2model, #adobefireflyvectormodel, #adobefireflydesignmodel, #OpenTextCloudEditions, #opentext, #ai, #markbeccue

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Mike Whitmire, CEO and Co-Founder of FloQast joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about workplace trends, focusing specifically on the accounting industry, and the frustrations that many accountants struggle with, day-in and day-out, and what that means for today’s organizations and the future of the accounting profession. They also discuss how technology can be the catalyst for ensuring that the accountants of today are able to continue to do meaningful work, while also properly positioning the industry to continue to attract bright and innovative workers for years to come.

You can watch the video here and subscribe to our YouTube channel if you’ve not yet done so.

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An Assessment of Key 5G Ecosystem Developments Including the Google Pixel 8 Launch, Intel Enters the AI PC Race, and the 5G Americas Forum and NTN Updates

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem implications, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye.

Our conversation focused on:

T-Mobile is Offering Free Google Pixel 8 Products. Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 are now available on the T-Mobile network as T-Mobile is taking orders online and in stores. We evaluate the market impact of T-Mobile promoting the performance gains that Google’s new devices can attain through T-Mobile's 5G standalone four-carrier aggregation capabilities. Plus, we review some basic specs and the capabilities of the new Google Pixel products in comparison to alternative smartphones and smartwatches.

Intel Enters AI PC Race with NPU-powered Core Ultra Processor. Intel unveiled an array of technologies to bring AI everywhere and make it more accessible across all workloads, from client and edge to network and cloud, at its third annual Innovation event. Intel seeks to foment the new AI PC experience through its upcoming Intel Core Ultra processors (available December 14), code-named Meteor Lake, featuring Intel’s first integrated neural processing unit (NPU) for power-efficient AI acceleration and local inference on the PC. We examine the impact of the launch including use of the Intel 4 process technology in helping to deliver significant power-efficient performance improvements and bringing discrete-level graphics performance with onboard Intel Arc graphics.

5G Americas Industry Analyst Forum. 5G Americas recently hosted its Industry Analyst Forum in Dallas. The event is an opportunity to meet with its 17 member companies to discuss relevant current and upcoming technical advancements as well as participate in a variety of small roundtables discussions with member company subject matter experts. We look at key takeaways including how mobile devices have become integral to all society rendering spectrum as the new oil, identifying the enterprise vertical use cases that are generating revenue today, and new insights on non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology and capabilities.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Laura Laltrello, VP & GM, Services at Honeywell to dig into all the things in the world that are connected, that are driving intelligence, and some of these things are things that you may not know about. We discuss the power of developing a seamless integration stack–integrating all industrial and information technology that exists into a building into one seamless integration stack. We also learn how Honeywell is helping their customers navigate their ESG goals, and hear more about the company’s work in developing smart cities and the technology needed to build them.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

What we mean by “intelligent world” and how infrastructure is connected
How Honeywell is helping their customers navigate and achieve their ESG goals
The ways that seamless integration can also improve security across operations
How Honeywell technology is helping to develop smart cities, both within existing infrastructure and from the ground up
The importance of having reliable and visible data integration to ensure the best outcomes for their customers

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In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Mark Beccue, Research Director, AI, with The Futurum Group joins host Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director, Enterprise Applications, at The Futurum Group, for a conversation about the use of generative AI within enterprise platforms and applications. We’ll also cover some recent news and newsmakers in the enterprise software market. Finally, we’ll close out the show with our “Rant or Rave” segment, where we pick one item in the market, and we’ll either champion or criticize it.

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On this episode of The AI Moment, host Mark Beccue examines two trends in AI regulations and takes a look under the hood of Microsoft Copilot to understand how Microsoft is addressing built-in challenges for LLMs.

The discussion covers:

The key Generative AI trends – AI regulations. Analysis of the status and arc of the EU’s AI Act and copyright/IP issues linked to Adobe’s proposed FAIR Act.

A company we like doing AI. We take a look under the hood of Microsoft’s Copilot to understand how Microsoft is addressing the built-in challenges for LLMs. How will Copilot navigate LLM issues with accuracy, bias, privacy and hallucinations?

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, I am joined by Rubrik’s CEO, Bipul Sinha, for a conversation on cyber resilience and how organizations can achieve business resilience against cyberattacks, malicious insiders, and operational disruptions. We also explore living in the era of AI, and while advancements in AI have allowed businesses to use data in new and powerful ways, it’s also created an even greater attack surface area that must be secured.

Our discussion covers:

An overview of Rubrik and how it is solving customer challenges in cyber resilience
A high-level perspective on the evolving state of cybersecurity, including the impact of cyberattacks and their frequency, as well as AI’s impact on the industry
What cyber resilience is and why it’s important
Key findings from Rubrik’s research on the current state of cybercrimes including breaches and ransomware
The human and psychological impact that cyberattacks are taking on the people who are navigating these cyber events
The nature of what cybersecurity teams may face in the future

To learn more about how to become cyber resilient, register for the Rubrik Zero Labs Summit: The Journey to Secure an Uncertain Future here.

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On this inaugural episode of The AI Moment, I give my views on the key trends in Generative AI and identify some Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room.

The discussion covers:

Key Generative AI trends: LLM/Foundation model mania, Cottage industry to support LLMs,
Harnessing AI compute workloads and the Enterprise dilemma – DIY or not DIY?
The Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room: Anthropic, Kolena and IBM

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast - Interview Series, I am joined by Quantum Inc’s CEO, Jamie Lerner for a conversation on how Quantum is solving the challenges of data management for today’s business.

Our discussion covers:

The current macro trends in the data management and storage markets
Quantum’s current portfolio and how it solves customers’ challenges in ways that other vendors cannot, and which products are driving the most interest
Where the data management and data storage trends are going in the next 5 to 10 years
How the rise of AI is changing customer requirements for managing data
What is missing from other storage and file systems in the market and why Quantum is launching their new file and object system

Learn more about Myriad Software-Defined All-Flash Storage Platform for the Enterprise on the Quantum website.

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An Assessment of Key 5G Ecosystem Developments Including the Nokia DAC PW Compact Launch, Blackberry’s IoT IPO, and New Ericsson ConsumerLab Research

Their conversation focused on:

Nokia DAC PW Compact Debut. The launch of Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) Private Wireless (PW) Compact provides a new configuration optimized to fulfill the private wireless connectivity demands of small- and mid-sized industrial sites. We examine how the new solution bolsters Nokia’s commitment to accelerate green energy adoption, including the potential digital ecosystem impact the Nokia DAC PW Compact solution can generate by supporting up to 60 percent more energy-efficiency than Wi-Fi, resulting in a considerably lower energy footprint.

BlackBerry Spins Out IoT Business Unit for IPO. Blackberry embarked on a major overhaul of its strategic direction following the company’s “Project Imperium” review. Blackberry’s board of directors resolved to separate its Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity business units in preparation for an initial public offering (IPO) of its IoT concern next fiscal year. They consider the warrant behind the move as it further sharpens Blackberry’s primary focus on providing services in security, including managed detection and response (MDR) and critical event management, following its 2019 $1.4 billion acquisition of Cylance.

Ericsson ConsumerLab Report Highlights Differentiated 5G Connectivity Opportunities for CSPs. The Ericsson ConsumerLab satisfaction and user-loyalty-focused report, “5G Value: Turning Performance into Value”, highlights the CSP business case potential for 5G as a growing number of subscribers around the world express increased satisfaction with 5G. The comprehensive research, which reflects the views of an estimated 1.5 billion consumers globally, including about 650 million 5G customers, is part of an Ericsson research series which has tracked the evolution of the 5G consumer market since 2019. They review the impact of key takeaways such as 20% of 5G smartphone users are willing to pay premium to CSPs for differentiated QoS and 5G consumers have a threefold more likelihood of switching providers due to poor connectivity experiences as major venues like stadiums, arenas, and airports, can have on CSP decision makers and the 5G ecosystem.

#Nokia, #private5G, #cloud, #industrialsites, #SMEs, #Blackberry, #IoT, #cybersecurity, #IPO, #Ericsson, #ConsumerLab, #consumer, #QoS, #smartphone, #wifi

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes HPE’s Bryan Thompson, GreenLake Product Management and Dave Shore, North American Sales Director, Edge to Cloud Services for a conversation on how the evolution of AI and hybrid cloud impacts IT investments and the need for private cloud in every IT Leader’s cloud strategy. As the public cloud operating model has set a new standard for automation, self-service, scalability, and pay-per-use– now being replicated on-premises. With so many choices, how do you find the right cloud operating model to fit your economics?

Their discussion covers:

The current macroeconomic environment and its impact on IT strategy and spending
What to look for in a hybrid cloud operating model, both on- and off-prem
How to ensure your private cloud is modern and optimized for a data-first, AI strategy
Advice for IT Leaders as they look for effective ways to leverage AI

Watch the video below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you never miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes HPE’s Bryan Thompson, GreenLake Product Management and Equinix’s Lisa Miller, SVP Platform Alliances for a conversation on how HPE GreenLake for Private Cloud Enterprise is helping businesses solve their multi-cloud and multi-workload challenges.

Their discussion covers:

What challenges HPE’s customers face in their multi-cloud environments and with multi-workload performance needs
How HPE and Equinix are helping customer address those challenges
More on the expanded partnership between HPE and Equinix and the metro-areas where pre-deployed HPE GreenLake capacity will be available
The benefits of HPE GreenLake for Private Cloud Enterprise in helping to increase efficiency, security, sustainability while optimizing cost and performance

Watch the video below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you never miss an episode.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss various topics related to the IT landscape. Key highlights include:

Veeam’s Acquisition of CT4 and the Future of Data Protection: The episode focuses on the fragmentation and challenges in the field of data protection, emphasizing the proliferation of SaaS applications, public cloud resources, and on-premises data. Specifically, Veeam’s acquisition of CT4 and the company’s Cirrus platform is covered.
Nutanix’s product enhancements for ransomware detection and one-click recovery.
TeleSign's Efforts in Security: They touch upon TeleSign's messaging platform, which seeks to streamline and secure the omnichannel interactions customers have with vendors, from email confirmations to multi-factor authentications.
Collaboration Between IT and Security Teams: Steven and Krista discuss takeaways from research on C-level executives highlighting the need for IT and security teams to work together. This collaboration aims to address the sprawling data across hybrid cloud environments and the inherent risks.
Ransomware and AI: The conversation also dives into the potential of AI and anomaly detection in identifying ransomware attacks, highlighting the importance of tools that can identify threats early and act swiftly.

Overall, the episode underscores the significance of data protection and security in today's complex, multi-cloud IT landscape. You can watch the video of our conversation below, and be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Joseph Chong, the head of marketing for products, solutions, and industry marketing at Zoom, about the company's latest innovations and how they're enhancing the hybrid work experience.

Their discussion covers:

The transformative role of AI in increasing productivity and enhancing collaboration on Zoom
The integration of AI in Zoom's CX and its application in events and the Revenue Accelerator
The significance of WorkVivo in fostering corporate communication and engagement
The introduction of Zoom Docs as a dynamic alternative to traditional document platforms

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks with Jeff Smith, the head of product for rooms, spaces, and meetings at Zoom Topia 2023. Their conversation dives deep into the advancements of Zoom's products, especially in the realm of hybrid work and the integration of AI to enhance meeting experiences. They also explore Zoom's collaborations with tech giants and the future prospects of shared desk experiences.

Their discussion covers:

The launch of the "Intelligent Director" for superior multi-camera experiences in conference settings
Integration of AI-driven tools in meetings, such as AI Companion, for efficient note taking and meeting summaries
Robust partnerships between Zoom and tech leaders like Logitech, Jabra, and Poly to elevate user experiences
The emergence of shared desk solutions to maximize workspace utilization in the evolving hybrid work landscape

You can find Part 1 of this interview here and by subscribing to our YouTube channel, as well as other insights from Zoom executives at Zoomtopia 2023.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks about the challenges companies face today with hybrid work and return-to-office initiatives with Jeff Smith, Head of Product - Meetings, Spaces, and Rooms at Zoom. This insightful discussion encapsulates some of the exciting announcements from the mainstage keynote of Zoomtopia 2023.

Their discussion covers:

How Zoom has approached their own hybrid work implementations
Removing friction to make the return-to-office meaningful for employees

Join us as we talk through challenges, friction, and the benefits of hybrid work in 2023.

You can find Part 2 of this interview by subscribing to our YouTube channel, as well as other insights from Zoom executives at Zoomtopia 2023.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group’s Craig Durr talks about growth drivers with Kelly Steckelberg, CFO of Zoom. This insightful discussion encapsulates some of the exciting announcements from the mainstage keynote of Zoomtopia 2023.

Their discussion covers:

Zoom AI Companion: An AI-driven advancement redefining virtual meeting experiences.
Zoom Phones: A look at its steady growth trajectory and its pivotal role in Zoom's suite of offerings.
Zoom's Contact Center: Despite being in its nascent stage at less than two years, it's demonstrating significant potential for business expansion.

Join us as we unpack the strategic directions Zoom is embarking upon alongside its noteworthy product developments and innovative platform synergies.

We invite you to view our informative session with Ms. Steckelberg. Additionally, we recommend subscribing to our YouTube channel to remain abreast of industry insights.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, Daniel Newman is joined by Capgemini’s Amit Sethi, Intelligent Restaurant Operations (IRO) Solution Lead and Lisa Insley, Oracle Go-to-Market Lead, with Oracle’s Matthew Gale, VP, Strategic Solutions Alliances for a conversation on how technology is transforming the restaurant industry and a deeper look into their Intelligent Restaurant Operations (IRO) Solution.

Their discussion covers:

The major technology trends and challenges in the Restaurant Industry
How Oracle is addressing these trends and challenges
The key benefits of the IRO Solution for a Restaurant company, including finance, ERP and Enterprise Performance Management, and Human Capital
Where in the supply chain restaurants can leverage the IRO solution to improve operations
How the implementation of AI is transforming the restaurant industry

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On this episode of The Futurum Tech Webcast – Live from the Show Floor, Craig Durr welcomes Sam Kennedy, Senior Director, Product Marketing for Crestron Electronics for a conversation on Crestron’s latest announcements at Zoomtopia 2023

Their discussion covers:

The Crestron products that just received Zoom certification
Crestron’s new product specifically made for the Zoom ecosystem
An overview of Crestron’s new native Zoom scheduling panel
A look at other recent portfolio updates.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall and Todd R. Weiss look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye. Their conversation focused on: Nokia Debuts Network as Code Platform. Nokia introduced its Network as Code platform and developer portal aimed at enabling application developers and communication services providers (CSPs) to accelerate the work of producing software applications for new enterprise, industrial, and consumer use cases, as well as monetizing 5G/4G network assets beyond basic connectivity. Commercial availability starts in December 2023. T-Mobile SASE Launch Sharpens T-Mobile for Business Proposition. T-Mobile launched T-Mobile SASE, a SIM-based SASE solution that also offers customers a network slice dedicated to SASE traffic. T-Mobile’s innovative offering consists of components designed to ease how organizations protect vital corporate data and network resources from nearly anywhere. Ericsson Adopts Open Fronthaul Stance, Altering Open RAN Landscape. Ericsson will introduce support for open fronthaul across its Cloud RAN and radio portfolios starting in 2024. More than one million Ericsson radios in the field and are hardware-prepared for open fronthaul. Ericsson seeks to drive the industry in all three areas of Open RAN architectures – cloudification, open management with automation, and open fronthaul. To demonstrate its commitment, Ericsson and Telefónica signed a MoU for Cloud RAN evolution based on Open RAN architecture. #Nokia, #TMobile, #VersaNetworks, #Ericsson, #Telefonica, #NetworkasCode, #application, #developer, #code, #5G, #4G, #LTE, #CSP, #API, #SASE, #SIM, #OpenRAN, #fronthaul, #CloudRAN, #RAN, #5gfactor, #thefuturumgroup, #futurum

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens, Krista Macomber and Camberley Bates discuss HPE’s recently announced restructuring plan, involving the creation of a hybrid cloud segment led by Fidelma Russo. This move is aimed at simplifying the company's organizational structure and focusing on GreenLake and services in the hybrid cloud space. Storage is also being integrated into this group, and the goal is to offer more services as part of the GreenLake portfolio.

Another topic of discussion is the acquisition of Splunk by Cisco. The hosts ponder how Cisco would restructure its software portfolio and whether they would create a dedicated software business. They raise questions about how the engineering resources and investments would be allocated, as well as how the sales go-to-market model would evolve.

The hosts also touch on other industry trends, such as the growing importance of custom silicon in AI, with AWS and other cloud providers making significant investments in this area. Additionally, they discuss the evolving relationship between security and data protection teams, emphasizing the need for collaboration in today's IT landscape.

Topics include:

HPE restructuring to create a hybrid cloud segment, simplifying its organizational structure and focusing on services like GreenLake.
Cisco's acquisition of Splunk, raising questions about the restructuring of its software portfolio, including engineering investments and sales strategies.
The increasing importance of custom silicon in AI, with cloud providers like AWS making significant investments in this area.
Collaboration between security and data protection teams is becoming crucial in the evolving IT landscape, with an emphasis on common goals and shared visions.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters – Insider Edition, Steven Dickens is joined by AWS’s Ajay Nair, General Manager, AWS Lambda, for a conversation focusing on the topic of serverless computing and its place within AWS's broader portfolio. Ajay explains that serverless has evolved from its initial definition as a way to run code without managing servers to a broader operational model focused on delivering value to customers without getting bogged down in managing infrastructure. He emphasizes that serverless allows customers to delegate outcomes like security, scale, performance, and availability to AWS experts, enabling them to focus on their unique business needs.

Their discussion covers:

Definition of Serverless: Serverless is an operational model that enables businesses to run or build applications without the need to manage low-level infrastructure. It allows customers to delegate infrastructure responsibilities to AWS, freeing them to concentrate on delivering value to their customers.
AWS's Evolving Role: AWS has evolved to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Some customers require differentiated infrastructure and hardware, while others seek a more hands-off approach. AWS provides a spectrum of choices, from fully managed serverless services like Lambda to more hands-on options like EC2 instances, allowing customers to select what works best for their workloads.
Benefits of Serverless: Customers adopting serverless benefit from lower total cost of ownership, elasticity, reliability, and speed. Serverless enables them to focus on innovation and faster delivery of applications, as AWS takes care of infrastructure management, performance optimization, and security.
Serverless Across AWS's Portfolio: AWS is extending the serverless operational model across its entire portfolio, not just infrastructure. This includes databases (e.g., Redshift Serverless and DynamoDB), IoT services, machine learning platforms (e.g., SageMaker), and industry-specific solutions (e.g., healthcare). AWS aims to provide a range of serverless options to meet the needs of different application classes.

Ajay Nair encourages customers to think "serverless first" for new development projects, emphasizing that serverless computing brings agility and cost efficiency to AWS users, allowing them to innovate faster and do less manual infrastructure management.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, The Futurum Group's Dave Raffo joined by Greg White, Senior Director, Solutions Marketing at Nutanix and Pritish Nilangi, Product Marketing Manager, at AMD, for a conversation on how Nutanix’s software-defined storage and AMD processors are helping companies run modern applications in hybrid and multi clouds.

In their conversation, they discussed the following:

How hybrid clouds have changed hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) over the years, and how HCI pioneer Nutanix has adapted to that change
What we mean by modern apps in the context of hybrid multi-clouds
The role server technology plays in software-defined storage and security
What the rise of interest in generative AI means to software and hardware vendors

For more information, visit www.nutanix.com/hpe.

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The advancement of generative AI has left some wondering if we’re moving away from our own humanity. But what if these innovations are bringing us toward a new, improved state of human consciousness in computing? Learn more in this episode of The Main Scoop™, our hosts Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko are joined by Reg Harbeck, CEO and Chief Strategist at Mainframe Analytics.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens, and Krista Macomber discuss the merger of Kioxia and Western Digital's solid-state storage units and Infinidat's announcements regarding high-end data storage devices. They also highlight MLCommons' new releases, including MLPerf 3.1 and MLPerf for storage, which includes large language models and storage benchmarks.

The conversation shifts to Lenovo's Edge server launch and its potential impact on AI deployments at the edge. They discuss the significance of AI-specific servers and the importance of deployment technology, including lightweight Kubernetes distributions and private 5G.

The discussion continues with a mention of Alcion, a backup company that uses AI to proactively identify potential security threats and intelligently schedule backups, highlighting Alcion's recent Series A funding round.

The hosts also cover announcements from Oracle CloudWorld and BMC Connect, discussing Oracle's partnership with Azure for running Oracle databases and BMC's product velocity and competition with ServiceNow.

They also cover Telesign's introduction of a service to uncover security breaches associated with phone numbers, emphasizing the importance of securing personal data and communication.

Finally, the hosts deep dived into Cisco’s acquisition of Splunk for a blockbuster $28bn fee.

Topics include:

Kioxia and Western Digital's solid-state storage merger
Infinidat's announcements on high-end data storage devices and expanded capacity
MLCommons' new releases, including MLPerf 3.1 and MLPerf for storage
Lenovo's Edge server launch for AI deployments at the edge
Alcion's Series A funding and AI-based data protection
Oracle's partnership with Azure
BMC's product velocity
Telesign's service to uncover security breaches associated with phone numbers
Cisco’s acquisition of Splunk

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters podcast, hosts Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss common themes discussed during recent visits with clients in the data protection marketplace – notably, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and protection of cloud-hosted, software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. This includes the utilization of AI to streamline the application and oversight of protection policies, to uncover security vulnerabilities, and to democratize conversations around security between IT Operations teams and the C-Suite. They also touch on Tesla as a use case for utilizing AI for business model innovation, and the market-wide implications of the most recent financial performance from Oracle’s cloud business unit.

Topics include:

HYCU’s new book launch – Averting the SaaS Data Apocalypse – and the general state of the market for protecting SaaS applications.
The implications of generative AI for data protection solutions.
Tesla’s Dojo Supercomputer and how the company is capturing the wave of interest in, and demand for, AI.
Oracle’s overall and cloud business unit earnings.

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters - Insider Edition, Camberley Bates is joined by John Colgrove (Coz), Founder and Chief Visionary at Pure Storage. Their discussion dives into Coz’s vision for Pure Storage and what is next for data storage technology.

Their discussion covers:

Coz gives insight into the world of storage and what he and Pure Storage set out to change – including the management, upgrades and customer-centric approach
How the market and technologies are addressing energy and sustainability
The shift from HDD to SSD and why and how this is shifting. Will this be a similar trajectory of the mainframe and tape?
Multi-cloud, Generative AI and the future of the Data Storage industry

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steven Dickens, Camberley Bates, and Krista Macomber discuss all around data highlighting the growing importance of data management and governance, especially in the context of AI, with a focus on the role of Chief Data Officers. They also get into the changes with the cybersecurity tech industry, particularly in regard to layoffs, investments and CIO actions in rationalizing investments while balancing the need for robust security measures. The hosts explore infrastructure changes in the context of AI including aspects such as compute, especially GPUs, storage and mention why private enterprise AI is gaining attention.

Topics include:

What is the role of the Chief Data Officer and AI implications?
Why are we seeing layoffs in the Cyber Security industry?
How IT is taking actions and approaching Generative AI projects and changes to on-premises technology adoption
Plus highlights on Google for Kubernetes at Scale, NetApp demo with Vertex

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n this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Camberley Bates, and Steven Dickens. They discuss key highlights from the VMware Explore event, focusing on announcements related to private infrastructure for AI applications and multi-cloud solutions. Some notable topics include VMware's partnership with NVIDIA for private AI solutions, updates in multi-cloud networking with NSX+, and advancements in ransomware recovery solutions. The discussion also touches on the growing importance of AI in enterprise workloads and the demand for GPU-powered infrastructure. Overall, the episode provides insights into the evolving landscape of infrastructure technology.

Topics include:

The key themes from VMware Explore
More on Broadcom & VMware, and what we see as in the future investments
Review of VMware announcements including vSAN Max, Edge Cloud Orchestrator, NSX+, VMware Cloud DR and VMware Private AI

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters podcast, hosts Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates break down the recent earnings from Dell, Lenovo and HPE and the impact of announcements and orders for Generative AI technology. They also dive into the overwhelming number of announcements from Google Cloud Next, with Steven coming straight from the conference. We look at Google partnerships, Vertex, A3 VM, Kubernetes and what Google is doing to address security in their cloud.

Topics include:

Recent announcements and earnings from Dell, Lenovo and HPE and what it means in the world of Generative AI
Highlights from the Google Next conference including key announcements around Generative AI
NetApp’s announcements on ONTAP and demo’s for generative AI
And will you trust DuetAI for your Google Gmail?
Competition and collaboration we are seeing with generative AI including highlights from Google, AWS, Oracle

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Krista Macomber, and Steven Dickens discuss various topics related to the tech industry and mainframe computing. They begin by mentioning upcoming events like VMware Explore and Google Next. Steven Dickens talks about his Forbes article covering the Open Enterprise Linux Association, which involves SUSE, Oracle, and Six collaborating to support a forked version of RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux). The conversation touches on the importance of choice and community collaboration in the open-source space.

Topics include:

Upcoming industry events, open-source collaboration, and mainframe computing
Steven Dickens discusses the collaboration between SUSE, Oracle, and Six to support a forked version of RHEL and the importance of choice in the open-source community
Krista Macomber highlights AWS Storage Day's focus on data protection and resiliency, especially in the context of cloud-based backup and air gap storage
We discuss the SHARE Conference, with an emphasis on its changing demographics and the growth of Linux on the mainframe
We also touch on open-source projects in the mainframe community and the evolving landscape of mainframe computing

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters - Insider Edition, Krista Macomber is joined by Mignona Cote, SVP, Chief Security Officer at NetApp. Their discussion revolves around the intersection of data protection and security – including the top customer requirements, and how NetApp is responding.

Their discussion covers:

How the consumerization of IT and need for perimeter-less, zero trust security force a need to protect data at its source.
Given that it is a matter of when, not if, malicious actors will gain access, the value of vulnerability scanning, tracking data movement and transmission, and identifying anomalous user behavior.
Capabilities to consider when looking to address cybersecurity requirements on a limited headcount base.
Tactically speaking, how NetApp is helping customers to gain visibility across their data estates.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by Samuel Liu, Senior Director, Product Line Marketing at Marvell Technology, a top-tier semiconductor company. A new guest on this show, and astutely shares his insights and perspective on the direction of the optical transport market segment and why Marvell’s coherent DSP portfolio is driving new breakthroughs.

Ron and Samuel focus on the topic of coherent digital coherent processor (DSP) innovation and why it is vital to enabling cloud providers and carriers to replace traditional transport equipment for improved scalability and total cost of ownership (TCO). Marvell’s new Orion coherent DSP offering provides twice the bandwidth over current DSPs for pluggable modules, Orion can increase the performance and reach of pluggable module-based connections up to ~2,000 km. Plus, Orion broadens the opportunity to deploy coherent DSP-based modules in more use cases, including 800 Gbps metro networks, 600 Gbps regional networks, 400 Gbps long-haul networks and 800 Gbps data center interconnects (DCI).

Their conversation examined the following key topics:

How the Marvell’s Orion coherent DSP solution supports DCI over long distances including up to 2,000 kilometers.
The key distinctions between the cloud and service provider use cases such as bolstering metro, regional, and long-haul capabilities for service providers and strengthening DCI capabilities in areas such as more availability zone flexibility for cloud providers.
Why pluggables were developed and how ZR/ZR+ innovation is helping to drive pluggable module innovation.
How service providers are driving demand through rapid upgrades to 400G+ routers as well as how data centers are fueling demand through upgrades to 51.2T capabilities.
Why AI is playing a key tole due to massive demand for AI training in centralized locations and AI inference across distributed, regional data centers requiring DCI advances to ensure application optimization. Plus, the emerging role of virtual hyperscalers.
A look into what’s next for Marvell’s Orion portfolio and coherent DSP technology including the expectation of greater experimentation by service providers and cloud providers.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Dell Technologies’ Bill Leslie, Director, Technical Marketing for an inside look at the performance of Dell’s VxRail solution, including use cases, and the findings of our recent performance testing on Dell’s VxRail hyper converged infrastructure (HCI).

Our discussion covers:

Dell’s relationship with VMware and the state of the HCI business
An overview of Dell’s VxRail 8.0, vSAN 8.0 and new vSAN Express Storage Architecture
The Futurum Group’s performance testing results why those results matter in business terms as well
What our performance test findings mean for use cases and the expansion for high performance workloads

Take a look at our findings here.

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Their conversation focused on:

Vodafone is Testing GenAI Waters. Vodafone is testing genAI waters, getting Microsoft tech to write code. Plus, Vodafone was prominent in the Oracle Database@Azure launch with the major goal of easing AI workload administration, scaling, and migration across multi-cloud environments. Vodafone is running proofs of concept (PoCs) to figure out where Generative AI could productively and safely be used. They assess the impact of Vodafone’s GenAI moves including its ten ChatBot PoCs and exposing some developers on its CyberHub team to GitHub Copilot, the code-writing version of ChatGPT.

Deutsche Telekom and Microsoft Azure Test New Private 5G Capabilities. Deutsche Telekom is testing its new private 5G network solution with Microsoft in a lab setting at Bonn. Specifically, DT is branding its new solution “Campus Network Smart” solution, which will be delivered in collaboration with Microsoft. The new offering augments its current portfolio of private 5G networks for industrial use in Europe. The new campus solution is built on Microsoft Azure private MEC, which includes the Azure Private 5G Core service deployed on Azure Stack Edge. They evaluate the potential benefits of DT’s Campus Network Smart offering, especially in supporting key use cases such as AR-enabled remote support, robotics, video analytics, and IoT.

Verizon Adds Mobile NaaS Unit. Verizon is adding the new Mobile Onsite Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) unit to its fleet. Cell on Wheels (COWs) and Cell on Light Trucks (COLTS) use radio access technology to deliver temporary network connectivity at venues or during natural disasters. The Mobile Onsite NaaS can be characterized as an entire data center on a small trailer, functioning as a compact, portable, edge-based network that Verizon is using as-a-service to provide 5G, edge compute, security, and connectivity to locations that need that type of service. They assess the impact of Verizon Mobile Onsite NaaS including support for private network, private MEC, SD-WAN, and satellite connectivity to customer locations and use as a Mobile Lab as-a-service to test enterprise applications and devices on a 5G standalone network.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Pegasystems’ CTO, Don Schuerman, for a conversation on what the autonomous enterprise looks like and why it matters for today’s businesses.

Our discussion covers:

The rise of enterprise AI, and the convergence of technology and industry
How Pega has focused on the autonomous enterprise
The benefits of a solution that can help to automate workflows and the opportunity for organizations using AI and automation to increasingly become self-optimizing
How using AI can transform marketing approaches for personalized customer engagement
What Pega is doing to drive growth for their customers, helping them to stay ahead with the skills and technology stack that enables transformation

Watch the video below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you never miss an episode.

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters podcast, hosts Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates, discuss highlights from the Flash Memory Summit (FMS), which covers various aspects of data storage and technology beyond flash and two remarkable women in the industry who received awards: Amber Huffman from Google and Amy Fowler from Pure Storage. They also touch on technological advancements, including PCIe Gen 5 and innovative cooling systems for dense disc drives. They also talk about the Panel discussion from FMS on the CHIPS Act of 2022, how it has progressed in the last 12 months and key governmental actions that have been taken.

Topics include:

Highlights from the Flash Memory Summit with advancements in technologies like PCIe Gen 5 and innovative cooling systems for dense disc drives
The CHIPS Act of 2022, a government initiative investing in R&D and semiconductor manufacturing, is examined, emphasizing its nationwide approach and geopolitical implications
Increasing role of technology in industries, such as automobiles and the collaboration with Qualcomm and Cadillac

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Qualcomm’s CMO, Don McGuire, during the IAA Mobility Event in Munich, for an inside look at the Qualcomm Snapdragon concept car, their partnership ecosystem, and what the future holds at the upcoming Snapdragon Summit.

Their discussion covers:

The new Qualcomm Snapdragon concept car, right on the show floor of IAA Mobility
The convergence of tech in the automotive space and how Qualcomm’s partnership ecosystem is growing
Some of the biggest trends at IAA from sustainability to software
What brings companies like Qualcomm and AWS to an automotive show
A look at what’s coming up from Qualcomm at their Snapdragon Summit 2023 event

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Qualcomm’s Nakul Duggal, SVP & GM, Automotive & Cloud Computing for a conversation on Qualcomm’s automotive business and the latest on their partnerships, including AWS, during the IAA Mobility Event in Munich, Germany.

Their discussion covers:

A review of Qualcomm’s automotive business and its double-digit growth
The timeline of design cycles, and what it takes to build growth in the automotive computing space
Recent announcements from Qualcomm on their partnerships with Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz, and AWS
The growing focus on the micromobility and electric vehicle markets
How Qualcomm is thinking about AI in their automotive business

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters podcast, hosts Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss recent cloud provider expansion, cloud growth announcements, and the implications for the market. They highlight the maturity of the cloud market, mentioning AWS's 12% growth in the current quarter and its positioning for AI-driven services. They delve into the complexity of cloud adoption, discussing cost considerations, private cloud growth, and the challenges of data management and observability across hybrid environments. They emphasize the need for nuanced perspectives on cloud benefits, acknowledging the trade-offs between simplicity and complexity in areas such as data resilience and security.

Topics include:

Endor Labs a code and governance pipeline platform with an over subscribed Series A funding round of $70 Million
Recent earnings announcements from cloud service providers, AWS and Microsoft
The impact of strong cloud adoption, indicating the continued expansion of the cloud market and competition.
Complexity and trade-offs for cloud adoption, and the implications for data resiliency and security

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters - Insider Edition Camberley Bates, Vice President of Data Infrastructure is joined by Tom Broderick, Chief Strategy Officer of Commvault. We explore the leading edge technologies for Data Security and Protection with the impact of artificial intelligence, the shift to SaaS offerings, and the challenges of managing hybrid multi-cloud IT environments for protecting critical information assets. Tom gives his perspectives working with Commvault’s clients to provide the keys to unlocking data protection excellence with AI and SaaS solutions. We also look into the issue of increasing complexity and cybersecurity threats faced by organizations strategies for tackling.

Topics include:

Impact of AI on data protection: AI enhances data intelligence and simplifies operations, proactively protecting against cyber threats.
Shift to SaaS offerings: Organizations adopt SaaS models for data protection, providing cost savings and ease of implementation.
Challenges of hybrid multi-cloud IT: Complexity arises from diverse data environments, requiring flexible protection solutions.

Importance of cyber resilience: Evaluating vendors with unified platforms for secure and efficient data protection strategies.

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters podcast, we cover the evolving landscape of IT infrastructure consumption and how traditional models have shifted due to the rise of cloud computing and hybrid approaches. We cover pricing, procurement, performance, availability, scalability, security, and compliance, which all play a crucial role in determining the most suitable consumption model for different workloads. We discuss considerations such as end-of-life planning and the decision-making process making sure the process aligns with the business needs.

Topics include:

Recent news items, including earnings releases from Microsoft, Google, Intel and Seagate
The increasing presence of AI in earnings reports with the growth of generative AI,
N2W Software, a data protection provider focusing on AWS and Azure
Evolving IT infrastructure consumption models due to cloud computing and hybrid approaches, including offerings from Dell, Hitachi, HPE, IBM, Kyndryl, Lenovo, NetApp and Pure Storage.
Strategies for balancing business and technical requirements

You can watch the video of our conversation below, and be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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Their conversation focused on:

VMware Rolls Out VMware Private Mobile Network. VMware launched VMware Private Mobile Network as a key component of its VMware Edge Cloud Orchestrator (VECO) solution. VECO, formerly VMware SASE Orchestrator, is designed to provide unified management for VMware SASE and the VMware Edge Compute Stack, and targets bridging the gap between edge networking and edge compute. VMware selected Betacom, Boingo Wireless, and Federated Wireless as its initial beta wireless service provider partners for the new offering. They assess the implications of VMware’s move on the global private wireless market.

Microsoft Azure for Operators and ISVs Strengthen Collaboration. Azure Multi-Edge Access Compute (MEC) solutions enable customers to deploy applications and services closer to the end user, improving performance and reducing latency. Over the last year, we have observed several operators and enterprises beginning to use the power of both public and private MEC, enabling a host of new use cases across numerous industries. Independent Software Vendors, or ISVs, play a critical role in helping to develop modern connected applications across varied industries that are tailored to the specific requirements of multi-edge access compute. Ron and Steven examine the crucial role ISVs perform by bringing key expertise from various domains, and by developing innovative solutions that leverage the capabilities of edge computing.

Red Hat Open 5G Summit on Horizon. Red Hat is hosting its Open 5G Summit on November 15, 2023. On the agenda are exploring Open RAN monetization opportunities and deployment approaches, solving the challenges of private wireless and enterprise edge deployments, as well as balancing on-premise and public cloud deployments throughout hybrid cloud environments. Ron and Steven discuss our expectations for the event including how service providers can optimize serving up new use cases for enterprise customers and how a common platform with orchestration and automation can help drive ecosystem-wide Open 5G adoption.

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In this special episode of the Main Scoop, Daniel Newman, Greg Lotko, and Joe Doria discuss their favorite topics explored in past episodes–from generative AI, to hybrid cloud, and more–and what they mean for digital transformation.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Steven Dickens welcomes Clint Boulton Senior Advisor, Portfolio Marketing, APEX from Dell Technologies for a conversation on the power of Dell APEX and consumption-based multi-cloud strategies.

Their discussion covers how Dell APEX aims to offer a cost-effective and flexible Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution by aligning costs with actual consumption and addressing the scaling and cost-containment challenges often seen in Public Clouds. They discuss how the platform provides a comprehensive range of services, including storage, data protection, and multi-cloud options, designed to right-size infrastructure and workloads for efficiency and regulatory compliance. Lastly, they discuss how Dell APEX focuses on life-cycle management to free up IT staff for strategic business initiatives while also incorporating robust security and data governance measures.

Key topics in this episode include:

Cost-Alignment: APEX's elastic scaling and pay-as-you-go model eliminates overprovisioning and aims to provide cost-effective scaling, addressing limitations of public cloud and FinOps.
Comprehensive Service Offerings: Covers a wide array of IaaS needs from storage and data protection to cloud platforms, thereby offering multicloud flexibility and various custom solutions.
Workload Efficiency: Allows for intentional placement and right-sizing of workloads, whether in public/private cloud or on-premises, to meet scalability, operational, and regulatory requirements.
Resource Optimization: By offloading life-cycle management and other operations, it frees up IT staff for more strategic tasks, supported by Dell's capacity planning, performance gains, and direct support services.

Learn more about the value of Dell APEX here.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group’s Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Olivier Blanchard for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye.

Their conversation focused on:

Overview of 5G-enabled Opportunities for AAA Game Studios. Cloud gaming, where you can play games hosted in remote data centers without owning any physical game disc or cartridge, has become a major growth area for the industry. Research from Ericsson found that 35 services launched cloud-gaming platforms in 2022, with more onboarding this year as well. They assess how real are the 5G—enabled opportunities for AAA game studios, the huge firms that release household titles. This includes our perspective on the 5G ecosystem’s ability to aid and abet game development and playing, especially in the growing sector of cloud gaming, including as a key enabler of AR and VR gaming.

Qualcomm Makes Waves With Snapdragon G Series Launch. Qualcomm created a marketing splash when it unveiled its Snapdragon G Series portfolio designed for the next generation of handheld gaming devices. Key highlights included the Snapdragon G Series now spans three tiers, G1, G2, and G3, with Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Platform debuting as the newest enthusiast-class processor. They analyze the competitive impact of the Snapdragon G series launch on the 5G ecosystem as well as break down the capabilities of the respective G1, G2, and G3 offerings.

Ericsson and Vodafone Live Network Trial: Budding Mobile Game Difference Maker. In August 2023, Ericsson and Vodafone completed a live network trial at Coventry University which successfully demonstrated the positive impact an optimized 5G Standalone (SA) network slice could have on enhancing the mobile gaming experience for consumers. Using network slicing, a major function of a 5G SA network that can enable Vodafone to customize connectivity services for specific customers and use cases, the trial participants were able to experience more consistent gaming connectivity with a 270 percent increase in throughput, a 25 percent decrease in latency and 57 percent less jitter, as well as smoother graphics rendering. They assess the ramifications of the trial in potentially advancing the ability of CSPs to support, scale, and monetize mobile gaming applications.

You’re not going to want to miss this lively conversation!

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Todd Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye.

Our conversation focused on:

Nokia Driving Key PON-related 5G/Small Cell Innovations. The recent Fiber Connect 2023 event fully showed why fiber optics plays an essential role in 5G network builds and capabilities. Nokia, for instance, demonstrated its Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, 25G PON starter kit aimed at 10Gbp+ service opportunities, its Corteca home connectivity software aimed at monetizing and improving broadband experiences such as hybrid workforce environments, expanded its Network-in-a-box program, and strengthened its manufacturing presence in the US through deals with Sanmina in Wisconsin and Fabrinet in California. We discuss why these moves impact the 5G ecosystem, including Nokia’s 100G PON collaboration with Vodafone.

Ciena’s 5G xHaul Portfolio Syncs up With Key Operator Priorities. In 5G systems, accuracy in frequency, phase, and time synchronization is integral for optimizing RAN performance. We see operators are prioritizing using network timing distribution across their transport infrastructure to complement local Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at cell sites, providing a more resilient and flexible RAN architecture. Plus, we assess why streamlined visualization and management of timing and synchronization capabilities as well as transport versatility that supports network slicing are key to advancing xHaul innovation and broader adoption, and Calix’s ecosystem role in delivering such capabilities.

Calix Mobile Backhaul Portfolio Ready for Prime Time 5G Demands. Given that hundreds or even thousands of smartphones depend on the connection to their base station, we see that mobile operators hold their backhaul providers to the highest levels of performance in the industry. As a result, mobile operators want real-time visibility of circuit performance, increasingly demand bandwidth on demand flexibility, and fail-safe circuits. We delve into why Calix’s portfolio, such as the Calix AXOS E5 Ethernet Service Access Nodes, deliver the Carrier Ethernet 10G and 1G UNI service demarcation and Ethernet aggregation capabilities key to assuring operators can provide premium business and mobile backhaul services with operational efficiency and service assurance.

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A Review Of Key AI/Automotive Innovations by Qualcomm and Ethernovia Including The Selection Of The Snapdragon Platform For The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Their conversation underscored:

Qualcomm Spotlights Benefits of Running Gen AI on Devices. We see the cost of running generative AI models on-device versus the cloud translates directly to the amount of power required to run these models. Edge devices with efficient AI processing offer leading performance per watt, especially when compared with the cloud. Edge devices can run generative AI models at a fraction of the energy, especially when considering not only processing but also data transport. This difference is significant in energy costs as well as helping cloud providers offload data center energy consumption to meet their environmental and sustainability goals. We examine why on-device processing performance of mobile devices has increased by double-digits with each technology generation and is projected to continue this trend, and how Qualcomm’s portfolio is integral to optimizing generative AI models across the global digital ecosystem through edge device optimization.

Ethernovia: Accelerating Vehicle Data Architecture Transformation. New entrant Ethernovia is charting a portfolio development course that aggregates enormous quantities of data and routing between AI and SoC chipsets, which requires high bandwidth, low latency intelligent fabrics. As vehicle architectures evolve from domain-centric controllers toward zonal architectures, networking solutions must concurrently evolve to support higher data rates of advanced vehicle applications while meeting demand for improved reliability and security. We assess why zonal architectures are critical to advancing and scaling fast-evolving software-defined vehicle (SDV) applications such as Advanced Driver-Assisted Systems (ADAS), autonomous driving (AD) and a rich ecosystem of customer software delivered Over the Air (OTA), including 5G connectivity.

Ericsson on Board for Intel’s 18A Process. Qualcomm’s announcement that the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ will leverage several core automotive platforms from its Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions stack in one vehicle points to both the growing appeal for automakers to streamline the design of their software-defined vehicles and to the accelerating maturity of Qualcomm’s portfolio of automotive solutions. The four pillars of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis stack focus on connectivity, cockpit tech (digital instrument clusters and infotainment), Car-to-Cloud features (think OTA updates), and ADAS (the Snapdragon Ride Platform delivers a broad swath of driver-assist and autonomous driving features). We review GM’s decision to power the 2025 Escalade IQ with key Snapdragon automotive platforms and why it sends a clear signal to the industry that it trusts Qualcomm to deliver the goods when it comes to uncompromisingly redefine the Escalade for the EV era.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, I am joined by SHARE President, Scott Fagen, during the SHARE conference in New Orleans. We discussed the organization's efforts to evolve its offerings by introducing individual memberships and an expanded digital platform. Fagen revealed that there is pent-up international demand for SHARE’s content, prompting the creation of a learning management system for year-round access to educational material. He clarified that new features would only be available to individual members, and they're offering significant registration rate discounts for these members for future conferences.

International Reach: SHARE identified a global audience interested in their content, including a substantial number of people from Asia and Australia.
Digital Transformation: The organization is developing a learning management system to make educational content and expert interactions accessible year-round.
Membership Model: SHARE is shifting towards individual memberships, which will exclusively provide access to the new digital features.
Conference Highlights: Fagen mentioned that IBM's announcement of ZOS 3.1 and the incorporation of AI were key topics at the event, with plans for future conferences in Orlando and Kansas City.

Learn more at share.org.

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A Look into Recent vRAN Developments and How Key Players such as Marvell, Intel, Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia Have Juiced vRAN Innovation

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R. Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments, including recent vRAN developments and how key players such as Marvell, Intel, Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia Have Juiced vRAN innovation.

Our conversation underscored:

Intel Delivers vRAN Boost to 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
Samsung and Intel Expand vRAN Collaboration
Ericsson on Board for Intel’s 18A Process
Marvell OCTEON Fusion Font of vRAN Innovation

Join us for this eye-opening conversation!

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, The Futurum Group's Steven Dickens talked with 21CS’s Eddy Ciliendo, Vice President of Business Development, during the SHARE Conference in New Orleans. Their conversation covered their partnership with IBM, why Cloud Data Management (CDM) matters and what’s next on the horizon for 21CS. It’s a great conversation you don’t want to miss.

Learn more at 21CS.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, I talk with Josh Stiles, Implementation Specialist, Chris Hartley, Software Engineer at 21CS, during the SHARE Conference in New Orleans. Our conversation covered 21CS’s perspective on the future of Mainframe. Josh and Chris also share how both of them came to the Mainframe industry, how their careers have advanced by working at 21CS, and their advice for new IT graduates looking to enter the Mainframe industry. It’s a great conversation you don’t want to miss.

Learn more at 21CS.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Dell Technologies’ Chris Burkhart, Director, Outbound & Partner Marketing for Dell APEX for a conversation on the power of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and the challenges Dell is helping its customers overcome in multicloud management, scalability, compliance and sustainability.

Their discussion covers:

We discuss the current state of multicloud management, and the key challenges Dell’s customers are facing
How IaaS helps businesses overcome their scalability and flexibility challenges
What benefits organizations can expect in regards to budgets and staff efficiency, and why this is critical in today’s workforce
We learn some ways that IaaS can help organizations with their sustainability efforts
How the Dell APEX solution can drive innovation within organizations

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ross Sabolcik, SVP, Industrial and Commercial at Silicon Labs for a conversation on Industrial and Commercial IoT, AI, as well as smart cities and agriculture.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

Most people think of “Smart Homes” and consumer electronics when it comes to the Internet of Things or IoT, so what exactly is Industrial and Commercial IoT?
The current state of smart city concept adoption and how successful deployment is right now
What the impact AI is on Industrial IoT
What market segments might surprise viewers about large scale IoT

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, Ron Westfall and Steven Dickens take a look at the top 5G developments, and what’s going on that caught their eye, including the latest 5G sustainability and ESG.

Their discussion centered on:

Sustainability Takes Center Stage in Major CSP Decision Making. Communication service providers (or CSPs) are now better positioned to fulfill their sustainability missions, including ESG objectives, by actively managing a diverse range of ESG matters, including providing equitable access to connectivity.

CSP 5G Sustainability Fulfillment Aligns with Global Guidelines. By meeting ESG reporting requirements, such as embedded in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards (SASB), CSPs can burnish and equally important market the sustainability credentials of their 5G network builds.

Top CSPs in Advancing 5G Sustainability. Ron and Steven examine why they find that Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, and Telefonica are excelling at advancing the 5G sustainability cause.

Join us for this eye-opening conversation!

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Technology's impact on the business landscape continues to evolve. As this unfolds, remember the trifecta of technology, process, and people are the key elements in a successful business strategy. Greg and Daniel welcome Rick Pittman, Vice President CIO Research at Info-Tech, to uncover people-centric strategies for building the talent pool of tomorrow.

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Our discussion centered on:

Major CSP CapEx Snapshot: Spotlight on AT&T, DT/T-Mobile, Verizon, China Mobile, Vodafone, China Telecom. Global CSP capital expenditures (CapEx) for the rest of 2023 and partially into 2024 have more clarity with the major CSPs providing mixed projections that indicate mostly flat CapEx growth. Notably, T-Mobile’s parent, Deutsche Telekom, and Verizon have outlooks that respectively decrease CapEx 24% and 19% from 2022 to 2023 with Verizon cutting more in 2024. We investigate what the implications of the global CSP CapEx situation means for the 5G ecosystem in both the U.S. and other parts of the world.

T-Mobile Champions New 5G Carrier Aggregation Capabilities. T-Mobile is championing its new 5G carrier aggregation capabilities, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels, or carriers, to deliver greater speed and performance. T-Mobile is now merging four 5G channels of sub-6 GHz spectrum – two channels of 2.5 GHz Ultra Capacity 5G, one channel of 1900 MHz and one channel of 600 MHz spectrum that is akin to combining four separate highways into a top performance superhighway. We assess the benefits customers can gain from the new capabilities, especially for 5G SA environments, as well as the competitive implications for the U.S. market.

Q2 2023 Earnings: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Put Up Good Numbers. AT&T Q2 2023 revenues came in at $29.9 billion, up 0.9% year over year (YoY), Verizon reported Q2 2023 revenue of $32.6 billion, yielding a non-GAAP profit of $1.10 per share, and T-Mobile generated service revenues of $15.7 billion, up 3% YoY. We examine how each of the big three U.S. operators fared across key subscriber and financial categories and where competitive advantages are generated.

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters Podcast, Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber discuss some news items below. They then highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to cyber resiliency that involves collaboration between various teams and continuous training to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, and they touch on implications for technology and IT infrastructure.

Topics include:

Veeam receives DoDIN APL certification
IBM launches the FlashSystem 5045
Rubrik partners with Microsoft for Sentinel SIEM, Azure OpenAI integration
The Futurum Group’s upcoming participation in the Flash Memory Summit
Comprehensive cyber-resiliency
- What exactly IS comprehensive cyber-resiliency?
- General considerations and best practices from a technology standpoint, including touching on:
  - Data protection
  - Data management
  - Automation
- The CISO perspective, based on a recent Futurum Group research study
- End-user training

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In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss zero-trust architecture and its implementation. They emphasize that zero-trust is not just a single product or tool but a concept that requires a combination of people, processes, and technologies. They also mention the importance of confidential computing in securing data in use and the need for a shared responsibility model when using cloud services. Additionally, IBM’s acquisition of Apptio and BMC’s new AMI Cloud portfolio are discussed.

Topics include:

IBM’s acquisition of Apptio
BMC announcing its AMI Cloud portfolio
NetApp’s BlueXP enhancements for multi-cloud operations and cyber-resiliency
Zero Trust Architectures
What are they?
How do they shift thinking and technology requirements compared to traditional, perimeter-based approaches?
How exactly do they impact IT Infrastructure design?
Reference architectures and services that can help in design and implementation

You can watch the video of our conversation below. Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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In this episode of the Infrastructure Matters Webcast we review the latest conferences including HPE Discover, Pure Storage Accelerate and MongoDB .local NYC. Plus, we explore the impact of generative AI on the industry– it is more than hype and it is here to stay. The Futurum Group’s Steven Dickens, VP and Practice Lead, Hybrid IT and Camberley Bates, VP and Practice Lead, Data Infrastructure give their views on how this market is evolving and what to expect in the coming months.

Topics include:

HPE Discover 2023 highlighted new GreenLake offerings for private cloud and large language models.
Pure//Accelerate 2023 showcased new FlashArray//X and FlashArray//C models with performance and capacity improvements, as well as a new ransomware recovery SLA.
MongoDB Local 2023 highlighted the company's growing traction in the cloud native database market and its focus on AI.
Enterprise AI is the next frontier for enterprises:
Enterprise AI and generative AI have the potential to deliver significant value to all enterprises, raising this topic to the top of the list
Many vendors are launching new products and services, with much more to come in the next six months. Recent entries in the market include Dell’s Project Helix and HPE Greenlake for Large Language Models
The challenge for enterprises will be to choose the right AI solutions for their specific needs and to mitigate the risks of bias and misuse
They agree that the C-suite will need to be involved in the decision-making process around AI adoption

You can watch the video of our conversation here. Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall and Clint Wheelock take a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught our eye.

Their discussion centers on:

Qualcomm: The Future of AI is Hybrid. Qualcomm sees wireless and AI as two technologies that will synergistically fuel future innovations, including especially across the 5G ecosystem. For two generations now, Qualcomm has used AI to enhance modem-RF system performance across its Snapdragon Modem-RF systems. Ron and Clint explore how AI can play an integral role in powering end-to-end wireless system design in key areas such as energy savings optimization, network load balancing, and device mobility management and why the 5G Advanced era provides the foundation to deliver a standardized wireless AI framework to deliver new breakthrough applications.

Nokia Unveils Airscale Baseband Capabilities That Bring AI to Mobile Networks. Nokia launched baseband capacity cards powered by ReefShark SoC technology, including Levante for ultra-performance and Lodos for high-performance aimed at 5G Advanced capabilities, as well as the Ponente 5G Advanced baseband control card, Pandion Multiband Remote Radio Heads, Shikra outdoor & indoor small cells, and the MantaRay intelligent network management and optimization solutions portfolio using AI-driven MantaRay Energy to optimize energy consumption in mobile networks. Ron and Clint assess why the new AI-infused AirScale portfolio boosts Nokia’s O-RAN and Cloud RAN proposition and 5G Advanced readiness.

NVIDIA Softbank Collaborate on Gen AI and 5G/6G Apps. NVIDIA and Softbank are collaborating on a platform for generative AI and 5G/6G apps based on the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip in support of Softbank’s plans to roll out at new, distributed AI data centers across Japan. The platform will use the new NVIDIA MGX reference architecture with Arm Neoverse-based GH200 Superchips, and is expected to improve performance, scalability and resource use of application workloads. Ron and Clint evaluate the prospects of the NVIDIA MGX architecture in moving the mobile ecosystem to scale and broaden adoption of wide array of apps such as AI, HPC, and NVIDIA Omniverse.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Clint Wheelock, for a look at 5G news and what’s going on that caught our eye.

Our conversation focused on:

Qualcomm Calls for 5G to Standalone. In a recent blog, Qualcomm advocates that many of the key innovations in 5G require 5G Standalone (SA) — a network architecture that can allow new, differentiated services which can be monetized for new revenue streams. However, only 22% of the 524 operators investing in 5G networks are investing in 5G SA. We provide our perspective on why more operators need to deploy 5G SA to accelerate the pace of innovation across the 5G ecosystem and what benefits 5G SA brings in contrast to 5G non-standalone (NSA) implementations.

Juniper’s New Beyond Labs Aims to Solve Biggest Challenges of Experience-First Networking Era. Juniper Networks Beyond Labs is a fresh initiative focused on shaping the future of the networking and IT industries with emphasis on pioneering research and experimental technology developments. For Juniper customers and partners, such as Eurofiber and Intel, along with the broader academic community like Purdue University, Juniper Beyond Labs will provide an opportunity to influence research directions and pathfinding projects. We provide our views on Juniper extending its collaboration with Intel and work on the integration of the Intel FlexRAN Reference Architecture, private 5G networks, Juniper RIC and the Juniper Cloud-Native Router on Intel Xeon processors, can enable new capabilities that advance 5G transformation.

Samsung Electronics and MediaTek Demonstrate 5G Uplink Capabilities with Three Transmit Antenna. Samsung and MediaTek successfully completed testing of 5G Standalone Uplink (UL) 2CC Carrier Aggregation with C-Band UL MIMO to improve uplink speeds. The Suwon, Korea-based lab demo used three transmit (3Tx) antennas to improve upload experiences. We consider and review what 5G ecosystem benefits 3Tx capabilities can provide across the 5G ecosystem in areas such as cloud gaming, video collaboration platforms, and live streaming.

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In this vignette of The 5G Factor, Ron Westfall and Steve Dickens provide their perspective on Red Hat becoming the primary infrastructure platform for Nokia’s Core Network Applications.

The conversation focused on:

Red Hat Becomes the Primary Infrastructure Platform for Nokia's Core Network Applications. Nokia and Red Hat reached an agreement to integrate Nokia’s core network applications with Red Hat OpenStack Platform and RedHat OpenShift. 350 personnel at Nokia will be transferring to Red Hat as Nokia moves on from developing the platforms that host its software. The duo will jointly support and evolve existing Nokia Container Services (NCS) and Nokia CloudBand Infrastructure Software (CBIS) customers while developing a path for customers to migrate to Red Hat’s platforms. We delve into the implications for the 5G ecosystem and telco cloud journeys.

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In this vignette of The 5G Factor, Ron Westfall and Steve Dickens provide their perspective on HPE completing its acquisition of private wireless specialist Athonet and its impact on the private 5G market segment and the overall 5G ecosystem.

The conversation focused on:

HPE Completes Acquisition of Private 5G Specialist Athonet. With the acquisition of Athonet, HPE sets the company’s sights on bringing private 5G and WiFi together to augment and innovate enterprise connectivity including using HPE GreenLeke’s edge compute and security/SASE portfolio assets. HPE’s Aruba portfolio is already widely deployed throughout global WiFi implementations putting HPE in a strong position to drive private 5G and WiFi services and capabilities, including mixed network scenarios, according to customer needs. HPE also gains 450 more deployments across major verticals such as healthcare, transportation, utilities, and government. We assess what the completion of the acquisitions means for the private 5G market and the overall 5G ecosystem.

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In this vignette of The 5G Factor, Ron Westfall and Steve Dickens provide their perspective on Azure for Operators strategic commitment to build 5G modern connected applications across edge environments.

The conversation focused on:

Azure for Operators: Build 5G Modern Connected Apps at the Edge. Azure for Operators (AfO) is targeting the advancement of 5G modern connected apps across cloud computing fabrics, especially the edge. AfO bring Azure Public MEC, which leverages the mobile operator’s public 5G network connectivity, and Azure Private MEC, which brings the power of the cloud to the enterprise's own infrastructure, as key solution offerings. We explore why AfO can move the needle in driving 5G modern connected apps across 5G environments.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Steven Dickens for a look at 5G news and what’s going on that caught our attention.

Our conversation focused on:

Azure for Operators: Build 5G Modern Connected Apps at the Edge. Azure for Operators (AfO) is targeting the advancement of 5G modern connected apps across cloud computing fabrics, especially the edge. AfO brings Azure Public MEC, which leverages the mobile operator’s public 5G network connectivity, and Azure Private MEC, which brings the power of the cloud to the enterprise's own infrastructure, as key solution offerings. We explore why AfO can move the needle in driving 5G modern connected apps across 5G environments.

HPE Completes Acquisition of Private 5G Specialist Athonet. With the acquisition of Athonet, HPE sets the company’s sights on bringing private 5G and WiFi together to augment and innovate enterprise connectivity, including using HPE GreenLake’s edge compute and security/SASE portfolio assets. HPE’s Aruba portfolio is already widely deployed throughout global WiFi implementations putting HPE in a strong position to drive private 5G and WiFi services and capabilities, including mixed network scenarios, according to customer needs. HPE also gains 450 more deployments across major verticals such as healthcare, transportation, utilities, and government. We assess what the completion of the acquisitions means for the private 5G market and the overall 5G ecosystem.

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Today’s headlines are awash with reports of cloud repatriation. Some surveys show over 70% of IT respondents move some workloads, or data, back to on-premise infrastructure. Many business and technology considerations underpin this trend. Join Greg and Daniel as they host David Linthicum from Deloitte Consulting to unpack what’s behind these headlines and the impact on overall IT architecture decision-making.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop, Episode Two of the Main Scoop, Episode Three of The Main Scoop, Episode Four of The Main Scoop, Episode Five of The Main Scoop, Episode Six of The Main Scoop, Episode Seven of The Main Scoop, Episode Eight of The Main Scoop, Episode Nine of The Main Scoop, Episode Ten of The Main Scoop, and Episode Eleven of The Main Scoop. Be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I’m joined by Actian’s Emma McGrattan, SVP of Engineering & Products for a conversation on how to put your data to work and get the most value, and how Actian is differentiating itself to drive businesses and their applications into the future.

Our discussion covers:

We get an overview of Actian’s background, and how the company is evolving to meet customers where they are
Emma shares her insights into how AI has shifted the ways enterprises are handling their internal data, maximizing the AI opportunities and the challenges within
A look at how Actian is differentiating itself, making data “easy” with the right solutions for their customers, including performance and scalability
Emma also shares her advice and perspective to IT Leaders as they look to drive AI projects within their organizations

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In this inaugural installment of Infrastructure Matters, we established the basis of the podcast - why does infrastructure matter in a cloud-crazed world? Co-hosts Steven Dickens, Camberley Bates, and Krista Macomber shared their individual takes on why infrastructure matters and shared key insights from events they have recently attended.

Our conversation covered the following:

How infrastructure impacts the availability and performance of hybrid cloud IT services
How infrastructure impacts the security of hybrid cloud IT services.
Issues pertaining to the manageability of hybrid multi cloud IT services.
Issues driving placement of workloads and data across particular cloud environments.
Insights from AWS re:Inforce.
Insights from NetApp’s Analyst Summit.
Insights from a recent visit to Lenovo’s manufacturing facility in Germany.

Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe, so you don't miss an episode.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, we address the topic of 5G private networks innovation and why it is vital to advancing enterprise connectivity. By replacing wired connections with wireless and unifying existing wireless connections, 5G private networks are increasingly simplifying and optimizing digital technology deployment at scale throughout industrial sites.

My guests today are Olivier Coutelou, Group Senior Expert, Schneider Electric, Fotis Karonis, Group Leader 5G & Edge Computing, Capgemini, and George Tsirtsis, Senior Director, Technology, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. Olivier, Fotis, and George are new guests to the show, and incisively share their insights and perspectives on how the companies developed an innovative end-to-end 5G Private Network solution that can transform industrial automation systems.

To start our discussion, Olivier described Schneider Electric activities as they relate to the industrial automation of hoisting systems as well as how the current hoisting product runs, how the connectivity is involved and what are the improvement paths. Next George explained how 5G addressed the connectivity challenges in running the Proof of Concept at Schneider Electric premises plus what is Qualcomm’s strategy as it relates to 5G for industries. Thereafter Fotis described the milestones of the project, what 5G is bringing to the industrial market and what Capgemini’s strategy is in this ecosystem.

Our conversation delved further into the following key topics:

Why collaboration is so important to propelling 5G private network capabilities forward.
To support innovations in the Hoisting domain, Schneider Electric set up in Grenoble, France a hoisting lab duplicating full hoisting application and helping to validate new solutions.
How 5G replacement of cable and optical fiber enables differentiated QoS flows, industrial protocols born on 5G, and the advantages of private disaggregated networks.
The way 5G is a real game change by delivering low latency and reliability in full alignment with gaining more flexibility, lower costs, and shorter lead times for factory to production reconfiguration and layout changes.
Through highly advanced virtual connectivity, the combined solution can be deployed across diverse industrial and logistic sites.
The panel’s favorites for key emerging 5G private network use cases including critical communications, augmented operator, remote assistance, and drones.

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It’s been said that 40% of all businesses will die in the next 10 years… if they don’t figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies. Large language models are driving the next generation of AI with predictions of massive industry disruption. But like any new technology, this new class of generative AI is raising issues of trust along with the need for more data types–especially in highly regulated industries like healthcare. Join Greg and Daniel as they host Dr. Andreea Bodnari from UnitedHealth Group to explore the pervasive use of generative AI across the healthcare ecosystem, and possible impacts across other industries.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop, Episode Two of the Main Scoop, Episode Three of The Main Scoop, Episode Four of The Main Scoop, Episode Five of The Main Scoop, Episode Six of The Main Scoop, Episode Seven of The Main Scoop, Episode Eight of The Main Scoop, Episode Nine of The Main Scoop, and Episode Ten of The Main Scoop, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series, I speak with Ken Exner, the VP of Product at Elastic. We discussed Elastic's role in the open-source community and its connection to the company's wider strategy. Exner explains that Elasticsearch, an open-source search and indexing technology, gained popularity and enabled Elastic to expand into different industries. We then discussed the relationship between open source and commercial interests, highlighting the increasing use of Elasticsearch in the context of AI.

Our conversation covered:

The market trends and opportunities brought about by AI.
The advancements in generative AI, that allow for the generation of data and content rather than just analyzing historical data.
The impact of large language models, such as GPT-3 and GPT-4, in the AI space and how they have accelerated the capabilities of AI by at least a decade.
How Elastic is focused on helping customers leverage generative AI in various enterprise settings, such as security, observability, and search.
Elastic's new offering, aims to bring generative AI to a company's proprietary enterprise data.
Elastic sits between public language models and enterprise data, bridging the gap by providing context to the models using proprietary information.
The importance of relevance and context shaping the answers from the models.
The role of Elastic as a ‘picks and shovels’ type company in the AI Gold Rush.
How Elastic provides the foundational capabilities and building blocks for developers to create unique solutions on top of their platform.
Elastic's investments in foundational capabilities, transformer model integration, relevance capabilities, and vector database technology.
How Elastic has been working on search capabilities for years and is now well-positioned to facilitate the connection between public language models and enterprise data, allowing businesses to harness the power of AI in a relevant and context-aware manner.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series, I had the opportunity to speak with Ash Kulkarni, the CEO of Elastic, about the company's upcoming sales kickoff and the challenges faced by its customers. During our conversation, Ash highlighted the positive momentum they have experienced at Elastic over the past year. The company has successfully released new products and formed partnerships with hyper-scaler partners, resulting in significant progress.

Elastic’s customers have expressed their desire to achieve more with less, leveraging insights from both structured and unstructured data in real-time. As enterprises seek a platform that enables efficient data analysis and drives business growth, Elastic have listened closely to their needs. In our discussion Ash emphasized the importance of Elastic’s relevance engine in making sense of data while ensuring privacy and security.

We discussed the following topics:

Elastic’s evolution from being primarily a search analytics platform to offering observability and security solutions.
The impact of large language models and AI, highlighting the opportunities they present.
The immense potential for Elastic to connect private enterprise data with large language models, enabling the development of generative AI applications.
The alignment between Elastic existing user base, its popularity, and the company’s developer appeal positions Elastic favorably to seize this opportunity.
Elastics' ongoing innovations, including platform capabilities, AIOps, and security analytics.
The establishment of Elastic’s Security Threat Research Labs, that aims to research open attacks and enhance protection for customers.
The company’s collaborations with hyper-scaler partners like AWS, GCP, and Azure, as they play a crucial role in building momentum for the company’s offerings.
How Elastic is committed to addressing its customers' challenges, such as the skills gap and the increasing volume of data. Elastic helps enterprises overcome these obstacles by providing real-time insights from all types of data, including both human-generated and machine-generated data, such as logs.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Ron Westfall for a look at 5G news and what’s going on that caught our attention this week.

Our conversation touched on:

Nokia and Future Tech Partner for Private 5G. The announcement by Nokia and Future Technologies of their collaboration on private 5G in the U.S. Federal market. The companies have been awarded several multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts to provide private 5G solutions for lab, deployable, and large networks in the U.S. Federal market. Of note, Nokia was an early entrant into the private 5G space and claims to have 52% market share in the space, with over 560 customers to date. In the coming decade, Nokia has identified the potential need for 14 million industrial sites to be equipped with private 5G, so it’s a lucrative market and one with many opportunities ahead.

The FCC sides with Starlink on 12 GHz Spectrum. Siding with Starlink over Dish on what has been a long, drawn-out debate, the FCC has approved a proposal to preserve frequencies for satellite services between the 12 GHz spectrum (12.2 and 12.7 GHz), denying Dish’s request to use the spectrum for a high-power, two-way mobile network

Ericsson’s hybrid for 5G core proposition. Ericsson’s hybrid for 5G core proposition is all about accelerating hybrid cloud for 5G core, which is a collaborative undertaking involving Ericisson, the hyperscalers, and CSPs to create a telco-grade hybrid cloud that is secure, TCO optimized, and globally available.

Partnership Between NTT and Cisco targeting the manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare segments. We explored the partnership between Cisco and NTT, which is designed to serve customers by using NTT’s Edge as a Service portfolio and Cisco’s IoT capabilities, helping organizations advance their sustainability goals.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series, Steven Dickens is joined by Eddy Ciliendo, Chief Strategy Officer for Model9 for a conversation about the magic behind Model9’s technology and how that translates to solving customer challenges.

So what is the “secret sauce” behind Model 9’s solutions? That’s exactly what they covered in this conversation. Here are some of the highlights:

Eddy opens the conversation by telling us about his role with Model9 and the company itself.
They discuss Model9’s core technology and its three main products, offering flexible solutions for customers.
They explore how the threat landscape is driving demand for the solutions Model9 offers, and how Model9 Shield addresses the critical security needs of their customers.
They also discuss how Model9 Manager simplifies infrastructure, yet offers flexibility between cloud and on-prem object storage.
Eddy shares the benefits of Model9 Gravity, a product that transforms siloed mainframe data for use in open-system formats.
And finally, they discuss how the modular nature of Model9’s products allow customers a variety of entry-points, customized to the needs of their organization.

Learn more at model9.io.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series, analyst Steven Dickens is joined by Eddy Ciliendo, Chief Strategy Officer for Model9 for a about the performance of Model9’s cloud solution.

So how fast is fast? That’s exactly what they covered in this conversation. Here are some of the highlights:

Eddy opens the conversation by explaining the physics behind Model9’s powerful performance.

They discuss how cloud storage can be faster than FICON.
They explore how Model9 is approaching increased efficiency with their product.
They discuss Model9’s architecture and how it leverages the speed of parallelized deployment.
Eddy shares a significant customer success story where Model9’s solution brought increased efficiency to operations.

Learn more at model9.io.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, we address the topic of cloud optics innovation and why it is critical to fulfilling the emerging demands in next generation AI/ML systems. Marvell’s new Nova offering, a 1.6T PAM4 DSP optimized for high-performance fabrics in AI/ML environments, focuses on delivering breakthroughs in optical connectivity by enabling the highest speed of data movement in cloud AI/ML and data center networks. Powered by a groundbreaking 200 Gbps/lambda optical DSP, Nova doubles the optical bandwidth of current solutions to enable 1.6 Tbps pluggable modules for scaling AI clusters. Nova extends the multi-source pluggable optics ecosystem and provides the advanced technology needed to alleviate data center network bottlenecks as the industry transitions to 51.2 Tbps networking architectures.

Host Ron Westfall welcomes Nigel Alvares, VP of Global Marketing and Business Planning at Marvell Technologies, a top-tier semiconductor company. Nigel is a returning guest on this show, and astutely shares his insights and perspective on the direction of the cloud optics market segment and its vital role across AI/ML and data center environments.

To start their discussion, they focused on the Nova PAM4 DSP product and how the PAM4 DSPs sit inside of an optical module that plugs into the back of a switch. Nigel demonstrated how one works and deftly explained they essentially transfer data from the switch to optical modules so that data can be moved anywhere in the world.

Today, Marvell’s Nova product is ready to meet the bandwidth boom clouds are facing as data traffic is forecasted to grow at over 40% per year. Notably, it’s growing even faster inside the data center, where PAM4s are mostly used. Some estimate that East-West traffic between racks in data centers is now 70% of traffic. As a result, clouds are investing heavily in switched and optical interconnects powered by DSPs such as Nova.

Their conversation drilled down on the following key topics:

What kind of impact will the Marvell Nova solution have on AI, especially in handling and scaling the required cloud workloads.
Why Nova is the first chip with 200G per lambda or wavelength and how Marvell accomplished this breakthrough.
The benefits Nova can deliver such as the doubling of data capacity, getting the same amount of bandwidth with half the equipment, and saving valuable real estate in data centers.
We examined the latest developments in co-packaged silicon and direct drive designs including their pros and cons. Using linear direct (LD) or co-packaged optics (CPO) approaches comes down to customer preferences, although it can be two more years before they become mainstream.
An assessment of active electrical cable (AEC) technology and how they can help enable server to server bandwidth can start to double every few years akin to rack interconnects as well as optical arriving inside servers due to PAM4 commodifying optical bandwidth.
Why modules have a long life ahead of them, especially throughout AI clusters, and how Marvell’s 3nm innovations play a key role.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, Shelly Kramer and fellow analyst Ron Westfall took a look at the recent developments in the 5G ecosystem that we think you might want to know about.

Their conversation covered:

News that Dish plans on slowing its spending on 5G, at least for a bit. What’s the rationale here?
Speaking of Dish, the company has filed a petition with the FCC hoping to block T-Mobile’s purchase of 600MHz spectrum – what’s that all about?
And speaking of spectrum, are politics getting in the way of unleashing 5G innovation, especially in rural and other underserved areas? Maybe.
And they closed the show talking about Qvantel Flexx BSS, a cloud-native SaaS based BSS, which comes with pre-built out of the box use cases designed for quick deployments that will allow telcos to develop, manage, and monetize new services now available on AWS. CSPs should like this.

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In this video, I share my thoughts on Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Copilot and the benefits of new technologies, like Generative AI, to increase productivity for businesses– especially sales and marketing organizations. As businesses look to new technologies to enable their sales and marketing teams to be more successful, and provide better customer service, especially in the current economic landscape– I believe solutions like Microsoft’s Dynamic 365 Copilot are providing powerful tools to do more with less.

This webcast covers:

The current technological and economic challenges facing sales, marketing and customer service-centered organizations
The benefits Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot offers businesses, particularly the reduction of manual tasks and improving critical client-outreach
An overview of Generative AI, as well as the problems and key productivity issues that tools like Generative AI help to solve
The significance of the customer experience when considering increased consumer expectations, given that 70% of customers would switch to another company after a single negative experience
How Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot is revolutionizing the way we work, offering game-changing solutions that save time and money

Learn more about Microsoft Dynamic 365 Copilot here.

#microsoft, #microsoftdynamics365, #generativeai, #productivity, #technology, #customerservice, #ai, #futurumresearch, #danielnewman, #thefuturumgroup

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Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group, and Joe Doria, CMO of Broadcom Mainframe Software, talk with Tarun Chopra, Vice President of IBM Cloud and Data at IBM, to talk about how the rise of generative AI driven by Chat-GPT, DALL-E, and others has reimagined how to unlock new value. But like any new technology, organizations must be able to scale to meet core business needs. Learn how to get the most value from these models across your business.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop, Episode Two of the Main Scoop, Episode Three of The Main Scoop, Episode Four of The Main Scoop, Episode Five of The Main Scoop, Episode Six of The Main Scoop, Episode Seven of The Main Scoop, Episode Eight of The Main Scoop, and Episode Nine of The Main Scoop, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shelly Kramer had the chance to have a conversation with Sandrina Sieverdingbeck, Head of Strategy & Corporate Development for Salzgitter AG, and Stefan Weisenberger, head of the Mill Products & Mining business unit for SAP about the drive for green steel for a fascinating conversation about sustainability and the drive for green steel, and how Salzgitter AG is leading the transformation to a low carbon steel industry.

Sustainability and the shift to a low carbon industry is a topic that’s top of mind in the mill & mining industry, so it was exciting to have the opportunity to hear from Salzgitter AG on how they are embracing and driving this transformation.

Our conversation covered the following:

The Drive Toward Sustainability for the Mill Products & Mining Industry
Sustainability and Green Steel
Salzgitter AG’s Deal with BMG and Insights on Decarbonization of the Entire Value Chain
Digital Transformation: The Key to a More Sustainable Business

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In this episode of The 5G Factor Shelly Kramer is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Ron Westfall to talk all things related to 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole.

Their conversation covered the following:

T-Mobile is rumored to be partnering with Samsung on 5G network equipment
Nokia’s refreshed brand identity and brand strategy
Vodafone and Raspberry Pi
Highlights from Futurum's recently published 5G Sustainability Market Insight report

This is a great conversation you won't want to miss!

Download Futurum's 5G Sustainability Market Insight Report here: https://futurumresearch.com/market-insight-reports/5g-sustainability-csps/

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast host Shelly Kramer is joined by George Koutsaftes, President and CEO of Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions for a conversation about the future of warehouses. George joined me from ProMat, one of the biggest manufacturing and supply chain tradeshows, which took place in Chicago last week, and in addition to talking about the future of dark warehouses, he also shared insights on some of the key trends he’s observed there.

We live in an increasingly digital economy, which includes a massive web of packaging, shipping, warehousing, and distribution designed systems to help meet customer needs. In fact, without this physical infrastructure, the digital economy would grind to a sudden halt.

Over the course of the last few years and in order to combat labor shortages and deal with increased e-commerce demand, many companies have moved quickly to add automation and robotics to warehouse operations. In fact, it’s not at all surprising that the global market for warehouse automation technology is anticipated to reach $21.7 billion this year, which could lead to dark warehouses — which is a very good thing.

Their conversation covered the following:

What a dark warehouse is, and what that looks like in practice.
There’s been a significant investment in new warehouses, both physical buildings and the technology within them. They discussed the driving forces behind that and how dark warehouses can alleviate the challenge.
They explored the Interoperability Gap and why it’s such a major challenge for the industry.
They discussed some of Honeywell’s extended capabilities designed to address the Interoperability Gap and how those are being received in the market.
They talked about customer challenges throughout the industry and the key challenges George and his team at Honeywell seek to address.

It was a great conversation and it’s clear that addressing warehouse automation is on the minds of many throughout the industry, and with good reason.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with BMC Software's Principle Product Manager, Paul Spicer, and Ensono’s Expert Mainframe System Programmer, Paul Buchanan, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered the client perspective of AIOps integration, and how skills play into its adoption.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more about BMC Software at https://www.bmc.com/.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with BMC Software's Principle Product Manager, Paul Spicer, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered the state of AIOps in mainframe environments and what BMC is bringing to the table.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more about BMC Software at https://www.bmc.com/.

#mainframe, #cloud, #tech, #technology, #BMC, #PaulSpicer, #developerExperience, #SHARE, #SHAREAtlanta2023, #StevenDickens, #Futurum, #FuturumResearch

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shelly Kramer is joined by Jeffrey Hausman, Product Officer at Samsara, for a conversation focused on how organizations are using AI and digitization to operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

In the last decade, we’ve gone through a period of unprecedented change. Everything is connected. Organizations have trillions of data points at their fingertips to make decisions faster, increasing productivity and efficiency in the process. But it can often feel overwhelming — and with good reason. Hausman shared that there are some 4+ trillion data points collected annually, and 2+ million total IoT devices deployed globally, and those numbers are growing at a rate that is mind-blowing. And that velocity? It’s absolutely not slowing down. So, what can organizations do to make sure that they are capitalizing on their data and preparing for whatever change is ahead? This is exactly what Jeff and Shelly discussed as he shared insights from his team at Samsara, the role Samsara’s Connected Operations Cloud is playing, the successes their customers are having, and what’s ahead as AI continues to evolve.

Their conversation covered:

• An overview of Samsara and how its product offering, the Connected Operations Cloud, helps customers solve real-world problems through digitization so they can operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

• How organizations can think about data differently, and make sure they’re capitalizing on the data they have and preparing for the changes ahead.

• How the Connected Operations Cloud solution handles third-party integrations to help drive the right outcomes, offering significant competitive advantages.

• Jeff shares some examples of customer success stories using Samsara’s solution, highlighting how digitization through the Connected Operations Cloud solution has solved significant challenges in physical operations.

• We discuss what challenges customers are facing in the year ahead, and what the biggest opportunities are for digitization in helping surmount those challenges, as well as the increased pressure to improve sustainability.

Last but never least, Jeff and Shelly discuss what Samsara is seeing with regard to how AI is evolving in their space and offering unique advantages to their customers, as well as the importance of data privacy for those customers now and in the future.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shelly Kramer is joined by Thomas John VP of Partner Sales International for Five9 for a conversation that’s increasingly popular today: Partner ecosystems.

Why is this such a hot topic these days? It’s pretty simple: in our current business environment, businesses rarely operate purely on their own. Today, we have tech partners, channel partners, integrators, collaborators, and many more players within a partner ecosystem who work together to deliver best-in-class customer experiences and equally best-in-class solutions for customers across the board.

So why are these partnerships, and the partner ecosystem as a whole so important? That’s exactly what Thomas and Shelly covered in this conversation. Here are some of the highlights:

Thomas started off by giving us a description of Five9’s partner ecosystem in the EMEA region and a glimpse into some of Five9’s existing partner relationships.
They talked about why a partner ecosystem is so important today for an organization’s success.
They shared our thoughts on what makes a successful partner ecosystem.
They explored the challenges today’s contact centers face and how a vibrant partner ecosystem can help.
Thomas explained Five9’s partner ecosystem in detail and how they are able to deliver CCaaS in various industries across the European region.

They closed the show talking about what’s ahead for Five9 and Thomas and his team as it relates to partnerships they’re looking forward to in the coming year.

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Daniel Newman and Joe Doria, CMO of Broadcom Mainframe Software, spend time with Joe Schuler, Vice President at Mastercard to discuss the future of payments and payment rails. Digital payment technology is crucial to empowering economies and individuals; and fundamental to the future growth of digital commerce. The key to successful digital payments is the customer experience, and everyone in the ecosystem must evolve to make it work.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop, Episode Two of the Main Scoop, Episode Three of The Main Scoop, Episode Four of The Main Scoop, Episode Five of The Main Scoop, Episode Six of The Main Scoop, Episode Seven of The Main Scoop, and Episode Eight of The Main Scoop, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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In this episode of our Futurum Live! From the Show Floor Video Series, Shelly Kramer had a great conversation at Enterprise Connect 2023 with Salesforce's Sameer Abhinkar, Director, Product Management, Service Cloud Einstein. Her conversation with Sameer followed his keynote session, where he shared product updates on Salesforce's Einstein GPT.

Sameer walked us through the key elements of his keynote presentation, explaining what Einstein GPT is and how customers are using and can be using it.

They explored some use cases that customers are asking for, and where they can see some immediate benefit with Einstein GPT, especially when it comes to large language models.

Lastly, Sameer shared his thoughts on what customers should keep in mind as they want to get started with generative AI in general and with Einstein GPT in particular, as well as some insights on what he sees ahead for the industry as a whole, and on customer experience in particular.

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At Enterprise Connect 2023 held in Orlando last week, Shelly Kramer had the opportunity to chat with Salesforce’s Ryan Nichols, SVP & GM of Contact Center as part of our Futurum Live! From the Show Floor video interview series.

Her conversation with Ryan was terrific and centered on the following:

This is a contact center show – what is Salesforce doing at Enterprise Connect?
Thoughts on what customers are looking for in Salesforce as it relates to all things customer engagement
What companies are thinking about — and perhaps should be considering — as they are considering utilizing and/or maximizing Salesforce’s offerings (including Data Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Contact Center, etc.) and how these all can be woven together to help customers deliver on the customer experience front.

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In this episode of our Live! From the Show Floor Video Series, Shelly Kramer had the chance to sit down at Enterprise Connect 2023 this week with Zoom’s Global CIO Gary Sorrentino as part of our Futurum Live! From the Show Floor video series for a quick catch up. Our conversation revolved around the following:

Zoom’s evolution from a killer app to a killer platform has been the company’s focus over the course of the last year or so. Gary shared thoughts on how this process has been and what he’s thinking about ahead.
We talked a little about the future of work and how that’s evolving, and where he and the team at Zoom are heading on that front.
And of course, we talked about AI. Like many vendors here at Enterprise Connect, Zoom has been developing AI since the early days, it’s not a new thing by any stretch. Given the rapid rise of generative AI and all the buzz around ChatGPT and others in the space, we talked a little about Zoom is going with AI and what’s ahead.

This is a great conversation you don't want to miss!

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In this episode of our Live! From the Show Floor Video Series, here at Enterprise Connect 2023 in Orlando, Futurum’s Shelly Kramer sits down with Geoff Huang, VP Solutions & Product Marketing for a quick catch-up on Webex by Cisco’s many announcements this week.

This included:

Webex’s devices portfolio driving re-imagined workplaces
The ability to create a meeting room out of any space with meeting zones
Changing a collaboration space into an AI-powered meeting zone to help remove distracting background noises
Cisco’s exciting vision for the future with Cinematic Meetings — think of a conference room equipped with multiple cameras controlled with powerful video intelligence capabilities
Optimized collaboration delivered by Cisco’s Webex Suite

Geoff also shared thoughts on what’s happening from an industry perspective and some of the insights he’s gained over the course of the last few days at Enterprise Connect.

We wrapped up the conversation talking about AI, the current buzzword du jour, and some thoughts on what customers should think about when leveraging AI for collaboration or customer experience solutions.

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Daniel Newman, a founding partner and Chief Analyst at Futurum Research, shares his insights on Amazon’s announcement that Sidewalk is now open for developers. He gives a brief overview of what Amazon Sidewalk is, the three key wireless technologies it’s using including Semtech’s LoRa® technology, and what it means for device connectivity and consumer IoT.

He also covers some of the first third-party Amazon Sidewalk products, which are now available, that were also announced today.

Learn more about today’s announcement from Amazon here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-invites-developers-test-sidewalk-125900528.html

Learn more about the new third-party products that are based on Semtech’s LoRa technology here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230328005459/en/Semtech-Announces-First-LoRa%C2%AE-enabled-Third-Party-Products-Based-on-Amazon-Sidewalk-Are-Now-Available.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Shelly Kramer is joined by Carsten Storm, Head of Marketplace for the SAP Digital Experiences team for a conversation around our latest report: 2022 B2B Digital Buyers’ Journey: Forces Shaping the Future of Enterprise Procurement, done in partnership with SAP.

In 2019, our team at Futurum Research collaborated with SAP to understand the trends, practices, and challenges in relation to the digital buying of enterprise software solutions. That first edition of the report offered an inside look at the shift that was happening within procurement. But then, our world underwent a cataclysmic shift. Last fall, we again partnered with SAP to understand the forces that have shaped both the demand for and the process of enterprise software procurement.

So, what do procurement officers and businesses need to know? What did we learn in the report? That’s exactly what Carsten and Shelly discussed in this episode. Their conversation covered the following:

The business world has undergone immense changes in the last few years, and we kicked off the show by discussing how this has impacted purchasing.
Our research showed that a whopping 89% of B2B organizations reported changing their business models during the past two years — and we discussed what these changes look like.
Our research also showed that 78% of respondents reported looking for ways to streamline the procurement process, while 27% say their current process never or only occasionally operates as efficiently as it did in the past. We explored why streamlining procurement is important and the challenges organizations face in that undertaking.
We talked about the fact that how we shop, and our shopping preferences — both as consumers and as B2B buyers — has changed, how these changes impact how we do business, and how that has spurred a rise in consumer marketplaces.
We explored what enterprise organizations are doing to adapt to a change in procurement practices and what their challenges are as it relates to software procurement.
We know that the future of procurement is digital, and our conversation explored what our research showed that organizations want from their procurement processes.
B2B procurement pros are very clear: they want to purchase primarily online, through a vendor’s site or a digital marketplace, they want a one-stop shop where possible, featuring multiple vendors, and almost 20% today expect to purchase at least half of their enterprise software through a digital marketplace.

Given these very clear preferences from B2B buyers, how can enterprise organizations thrive in today’s marketplace and serve those buyers’ needs efficiently and effectively? To get the answers to that question, you’ll need to tune in and hear what Carsten has to say.

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On this episode of The 5G Factor, part of The Futurum Tech Webcast, Shelly Kramer is joined by fellow analyst and colleague Ron Westfall to talk about 5G network builds and some of the things 5G network decision-makers should consider when they are focused on things like streamlined builds, operational capabilities that provide AI-powered intelligence and end to end automation, along with all things sustainability, which is a key business focus today. And when we mention sustainability, that includes sustainability in operations, sustainable systems overall, and sustainable architecture.

Thinking all things 5G networks means that we’re going to take a deep dive into Juniper’s Cloud Metro offering and the role it is playing in all things related to 5G network builds.

Our conversation included the following touchpoints:

What is Cloud Metro and why is it important to the 5G ecosystem?
Juniper positions Cloud Metro as being all about Volume, Velocity, and Variety
New applications shifting service delivery into the Metro
Metro becomes the "New Edge" with big growth potential
The expanded Cloud Metro solution
Cloud Metro: New category for sustainable business growth
How you can get to sustainable business growth with traditional Retro Metro
Juniper Paragon Automation as a Service

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Chris Hollies, CTO Oracle Practice for Capgemini UK and David Cottee, Senior Director Solution Engineering at Oracle.

In our conversation covered the following:

Sovereign cloud offerings in the UK and EU regions
An overview of recent MySQL heatwave announcements
How sustainability is becoming a large part of business for Capgemini’s customers
A deep dive into the Capgemini Oracle partnership

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series, I am joined by Ignacio Contreras, Senior Director Product Marketing at Qualcomm Technologies to talk about AI, next generation modem technology, and more.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

Qualcomm’s latest modem, Snapdragon X75
The modem’s AI capabilities
The industries that can leverage the Snapdragon X75 and modem-RF system
Top benefits for OEMs and their consumers

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Hosts Daniel Newman and Joe Doria welcome special guest Mark Wilson, Founder and Technical Director at Vertali. Together they cover the wide-ranging implications of transforming your security posture and why it matters to your digital strategy and business reputation.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop, Episode Two of the Main Scoop, Episode Three of the Main Scoop, Episode Four of the Main Scoop, Episode Five of the Main Scoop, Episode Six of the Main Scoop, and Episode Seven of the Main Scoop, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – The Power of Tech Education Series, host Daniel Newman is joined by Eric Fusilero, Vice President of Global Enablement and Education at Splunk, for Part Two of the series, to talk about how Splunk is contributing to tech education and working to close the skills gap in the industry.

Their conversation covers:

How the journey of continuous improvement enables learners to increase job satisfaction, among other benefits
The challenges with the technological skills gap, and what Splunk is contributing to close the gap
How Splunk is developing their products to support the trends in IT and security
The integration of education, training and certification in the industry
Splunk’s commitment to enabling the next generation of tech innovators

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – The Power of Tech Education Series, I am joined by Eric Fusilero, Vice President of Global Enablement and Education, and Dustin Eastman, a Sales Engineer at Splunk, for our third and final part of the series, to hear the first hand experience of an end user in technology and how specific education and certifications are helping him on his journey.

Our conversation covers:

How curiosity and initiative can help employees to grow and learn
What makes Splunk a prolific proponent of continuous learning
How Splunk’s training and knowledge translate into an end user’s day to day operation
Why it is important to take advantage of as many learning opportunities as possible

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – The Power of Tech Education Series, I am joined by Eric Fusilero, Vice President of Global Enablement and Education at Splunk. This is Part One of a new video series to talk about the state of technology education and why it is pivotal to both organizational and end user success.

Our conversation covers:

The significant need for continued education to support cybersecurity, data, protection against threats, other parts of the technology industry
The trends in education that help people stay knowledgeable about what’s current in the IT industry
Why it’s so important for companies to invest in the future success of their employees and IT professionals
How companies can create a culture which nurtures upskilling, reskilling, relearning for their professionals

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks Scott Fagen, President of SHARE. Their conversation covered Scott’s vision for SHARE in the future, where the organization is headed, and what people can expect from SHARE New Orleans in August.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more about SHARE on their website.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with 21st Century Software's CEO, Nicholas Pachnos, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered 21st Century’s efforts to connect with younger generations entering the IT workforce, where they fit into the mainframe, and how AI is affecting their modernization agenda.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more at 21st Century Software’s website.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with Rocket Software's Phil Buckellew, President of Infrastructure Modernization Business Unit, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered Rocket Software’s hybrid cloud approach to solving modernization challenges, their broad portfolio and deep technical expertise, and what makes them a viable long-term strategic partner.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more about Rocket Software here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with BMC Software's VP of Research and Development, David Jeffries, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered BMC’s efforts with their own development team to prioritize automation and modern tools to improve the developer experience.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more at BMC Software.

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On this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with BMC Software's DevOps Evangelist, Tony Anter and Lead Project Manager, Mark Schettenhelm during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered the importance of improving the developer experience, eliminating the silos between distributed and mainframe application development, and the delivery of modern tooling to help customers improve the experience to deliver innovation faster.

It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more at BMC Software.

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In this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst Steven Dickens talks with Model9's Chief Strategy Officer, Eddy Ciliendo, during the SHARE Conference in Atlanta. Their conversation covered Model9's success in 2022 and how they reached 100% customer retention. It's a great conversation you don't want to miss.

Learn more at model9.io

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In this Futurum Live! From the Show Floor at Mobile World Congress 2023, Shelly Kramer joined by Rod Forter, Senior Director, Business Development with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. for a conversation about one of Qualcomm’s latest releases: Qualcomm Aware Platform.

Qualcomm Aware Platform, released the week before MWC 2023, is designed to address ecosystem fragmentation and empower developers and enterprises to harness real-time information to accelerate their digital transformation programs. So, what do teams need to know about this new release? That’s exactly what Rod and Shelly discussed.

The conversation covered:

· A general overview of Qualcomm Aware

· How organizations can benefit from the platform

· Key challenges that Qualcomm Aware is looking to solve

· What industries or use cases Qualcomm anticipates working with after the initial launch

· How Qualcomm is working with hyperscalers like AWS and Azure

It was a great conversation, and one you don’t want to miss.

Want to learn more about the platform? Check out this article that Shelly wrote, here or read the press release from Qualcomm.

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In this Futurum Live! From the Show Floor at Mobile World Congress 2023, Shelly Kramer is joined by Meredith Alexander, Senior Manager, Product Marketing and Kishore Sannidhanam, Vice President Industry Advisors, Communications & Media for Salesforce for a conversation about what is happening in the communications industry, and what organizations need to know to adapt.

The conversation revolved around:

New trends in the communications industry
How organizations can unlock new revenue streams through NaaS marketplaces
A look into the Salesforce App Exchange marketplace
What’s new from Salesforce that can help communications companies meet their goals and respond to market changes

It was a great conversation, and one you don’t want to miss.

To learn more about the latest communications trends that can decrease churn and boost efficiency, visit Salesforce’s website here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ray Smith, Vice President of Supply Chain at Microsoft, to talk about Microsoft’s latest offering.

Our conversation covers:

Customer needs and challenges across industries related to supply chain
Main trends and ‘pain points’ being seen in the market
How Microsoft is helping their customers mitigate those challenges
What business outcomes Microsoft Supply Chain solutions can drive to help leaders impact their bottom line
What sets Microsoft apart from their competitors
Microsoft’s vision for the future of Supply Chains for global business and the role Microsoft can play

It’s a great conversation, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Microsoft Supply Chain, check out their website here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman is joined by Shaun McCarthy, President of North American Sales at Nokia, to talk about Nokia’s strategy and what’s ahead for the future.

Their conversation covers:

Shaun’s first impressions in his exciting new role

Key sales and corporate strategies at Nokia

Current market opportunities

What sets Nokia apart from their competitors

Customer impressions and success stories

What’s ahead for Team Nokia

It’s a great conversation, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Nokia, check out their website here.

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This episode of The Main Scoop discusses the constantly changing regulatory and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) landscape and the difficulties organizations face in increasing value for stakeholders. IT leaders must formulate plans to reduce risk and enhance value throughout their companies. Rebecca Levesque, President and Chief Revenue Officer of 21st Century Software, joins Greg and Daniel as they explore the need for a comprehensive approach to address the new factors that influence brand value and trust.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast -- Interview Series, I am joined by Marne Martin, President of Service Management, EAM & Global Industry at IFS, for a conversation about service management in the global market.

Our conversation covers:

Customer challenges across global markets and different industry sectors
Key takeaways from their recent IFS Unleashed event
What is behind the rise in prominence and rapid growth of IFS in service management
What is holding back a broader adoption of outcome-based contracts & how IFS is accelerating the shift
How the alignment of asset and service management can inform their offering
The significance of moment of service for IFS customers

It’s a great conversation, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about IFS, check out their website here.

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This episode of The Main Scoop brings forward a new perspective on the efficacy of enterprise technology investments from studying the IT portfolio and performance profiles of over 2,000 organizations.

Joining Greg and Daniel is Dr. Howard Rubin, Founder of Rubin Worldwide and a strategic advisor to many of the world’s largest enterprises and by multiple heads of state. You'll learn how organizations can apply risk and performance-based IT investment principles that maximize business outcomes.

Is your technology investment portfolio optimized to deliver the most value? Join us to learn more.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Shelly Kramer is joined by Danielle Shields, Head of Sales, Americas and Tim Steward, Principal Data Enterprise Architect for Fujitsu for a conversation on open source software and the value it can deliver, especially when organizations are focused on the speed of innovation. They also took a look at Fujitsu’s Enterprise Postgres solution and the impact it’s having in the market.

The IT infrastructure landscape has shifted quite a bit in recent years, with an increased understanding of and interest in open source software. In fact, Red Hat’s 2022 The State of Enterprise Open Source research showed that IT leaders are 82% more likely to select a vendor who contributes to the open source community. That said, not everyone is there yet when it comes to understanding the benefits of open source solutions, and challenges and hurdles remain for organizations when considering this shift. What exactly do IT teams need to know? That’s exactly what Danielle, Tim, and Shelly discussed on today’s episode.

Our conversation covered the following:

What has contributed to the upward trend of IT leaders prioritizing enterprise open source over traditional solutions to meet challenges and build their infrastructure?
How open source software, where code is freely and widely available, facilitates collaboration, drives innovation, and speeds up the development of new technologies.
Why companies might opt to work with a proprietary open source solution.
How integrating an open source software solution into current business environments doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated, and how Fujitsu’s Enterprise Postgres solution helps alleviate apprehensions regarding compatibility and integration.
What role the team at Fujitsu plays for customers migrating from one database solution to another and what ongoing support is offered.
How the Fujitsu Enterprise Postgres solution works between vendors using containers and/or hybrid and multi-cloud platforms and what the ease of use/movement looks like.
What role open source solutions like Fujitsu Enterprise Postgres play in ensuring the latest standards and laws surrounding data security are a top priority
And speaking of risk, they explored how an open source solution can actually help mitigate risk and provide the security governance large corporations require.

They wrapped the show with Danielle and Tim sharing the key differentiators between the Fujitsu Enterprise Postgres solution and other solutions in the market and where people can go to learn more about this innovative solution.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I’m joined by Susan Sharpe, from Dell Technologies Product Management team, to talk about developments in AIOps software and Dell’s CloudIQ offering.

This was an incredibly timely conversation. Our research shows that IT organizations have long been trying to do more with less, and even more so now given the challenging macroeconomic conditions and ongoing labor shortages and skill shortages. Business environments are scaling, distributing, and getting more complex, and the challenges sometimes seem never-ending. So how do organizations and their IT handle all of this without losing their sanity? This is exactly what Susan and I discussed.

Our conversation covered:

Dell’s solution to address the challenges to IT leaders and teams today and the role AIOps can play to help alleviate those challenges
The benefits of proactive monitoring and predictive analytics, which are part of Dell’s Cloud for AIOps offering, and which combines human intelligence of expert engineers with the machine intelligence of AI/ML to provide customers with more insight. Efficiency plus proactivity are key parts of the value prop here, and one portal for visibility throughout the enterprise is also key.
The value of being able to anticipate business needs rather than always being reactive, and the role CloudIQ can play on that front, providing things like capacity full prediction, capacity forecasting, and capacity anomaly detection, to name a few.
What the secret sauce is that makes Dell’s CloudIQ different from other infrastructure monitoring and management tools.
How the Dell CloudIQ solution actually delivers on the “do more with less” front.
And one of my favorite topics, security. Susan walked us through how Dell’s CloudIQ allows an at-a-glance view of issues across your environment, allowing you to see the most pressing risks, then take quick action. It also features machine learning and predictive AI to help customers zero in on problem areas and assesses whether infrastructure security configurations adhere to policy, identifies problem areas, and recommends actions to keep data safe. I’m going to flat out admit that this is one of my favorite features, hands down.
Last but never least, Susan shared some thoughts on what’s ahead for Dell CloudIQ and what we can expect moving forward. If you’re exploring AIOps and how they can help you do more with less, this is a conversation you’ll want to make time for.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Shelly Kramer is joined by Carol Wilder, Vice President of Integrated Solutions for Dell Technologies, to talk about the latest in AIOps.

IT teams today are under an immense amount of pressure. They are trying to drive their digital transformation journeys forward, they are trying to simplify their operations in on-prem infrastructure, protecting data in the cloud, dealing with massive amounts of data that is growing at an exponential rate — and they are also focused on ways to do more with less. If you’re in IT, you’re probably nodding along right now. So how do these teams and organizations handle the pressure? That’s exactly what Carol and Shelly discussed.

Our conversation covered:

An overview of the worldwide AIOps market, which by some estimates will grow to almost $41 billion by 2026.
Why there is so much demand for AIOps and the benefits it can deliver to IT teams as well as how AIOps differs from legacy IT tools.
Where Dell’s AIOps offering fits into the marketplace, as well as some of the benefits customers can experience which include, improved performance and availability of critical business applications, reduced time from problem detection to resolution, predictive analytics, optimized system performance, and cost savings.
The value of being able to anticipate issues rather reacting to issues.
Carol walked Shelly through what the future of AIOps holds and shared her thoughts on what IT teams can expect moving forward in terms of features and capabilities.
Last but never least, Carol shared some thoughts on the future for Dell CloudIQ, their AIOps offering.

If you’re ready to relieve some of the burden and pressure on your IT team, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Futurum principal analyst Daniel Newman is at CES 2023 and joined by Durga Malladi, Qualcomm's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Modem and Infrastructure at Qualcomm. Their conversation covers:

The company's introduction of Snapdragon Satellite, the first satellite-based solution capable of two-way messaging
Where Qualcomm is headed as they enter year four of 5G
Qualcomm's diversification beyond smartphones into IoT, AI, wearables, XR, and automotive
and much more!

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Daniel Newman is joined by Intel’s Kavitha Prasad for a conversation on the expansion of AI and how Intel’s CPU architecture provides adequate infrastructure for this rapidly developing market niche.

This webcast is sponsored by Intel.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, principal analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Wendy Underhill, Field Chief of Maintenance at California Department of Water Resources and Rich Padula, Founder of Mirata Software for a conversation about everybody’s favorite things: paperwork, manual forms, and how ditching manual forms can play an outsized role in improving business processes and reducing headaches for the folks who manage those processes.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, part of the HPE Executive Insights Series, I am joined by Daniel Frye, Vice President, Enterprise CISO for HPE. In this conversation we dive into what exactly is an edge-to-cloud security strategy and why it’s crucial in today’s marketplace.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

The security implications of edge-to-cloud
How cybersecurity pros can proactively address the challenges they are facing
Why organizations need a Security Share Responsibility Model
A look at Zero Trust security strategies
HPE’s priority for the future

Security has never been more important than it is today and this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. If you want to learn more about HPE and edge-to-cloud, download a copy of our latest research brief Why Edge-to-Cloud Platform? Why HPE?.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, we’re going to space! I’m thrilled have Jono Luk, VP of Product Management for Webex as my guest and we’re going to talk about space exploration and how collaboration and voice technology are starting to play an increasingly important role in space exploration.

First, some background. Orion is the most advanced spacecraft ever developed to carry astronauts to the moon. What’s exciting is that voice activation and collaboration technology can take it to the next level by enabling interactive computer systems to become ready for the next gen of explorers. Orion’s uncrewed Artemis 1 mission is a tech demonstration developed through Lockheed Martin’s reimbursable space act agreement with NASA, and Lockheed Martin has partnered with Cisco and Amazon to bring Webex video collaboration and Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant on board during Orion’s first flight test in deep space, called the Callisto project.

While Jono’s official focus at Webex is on leading Contact Center and the Admin, Security Data, and Shared Experiences Project Management teams at Webex, when he had the chance to be a part of the Callisto project, he jumped at it, and who wouldn’t? I would say that it’s not a stretch at all that a project focused on how commercial tech can be a part of the future of deep space exploration and assist future astronauts on deep space missions fits nicely under “shared experiences” category.

Our conversation today covered the following:

The goal of the Callisto Tech Demo project, which is to demonstrate how astronauts and flight controllers can use human-machine interface tech to make their jobs simpler, safer, and more efficient, and also advance human exploration in deep space.
Jono took us on a walk through how the tech works, connecting through NASA’s Deep Space Network, and a local database that’s located on board the spacecraft to communicate with Webex and Alexa.
How the hardware was hardened to protect it for the radiation environment on Orion’s deep space journey.
Jono shared some of the challenges the team working on this project had to overcome, as well as some things they learned along that way that were unexpected.
Why Cisco is uniquely positioned to be the partner with Lockheed Martin and part of the Callisto Tech Demo project along with Amazon, and what this means for use cases beyond simply deep space.

This was incredibly exciting, and I’m thrilled to have been invited to be a part of Callisto Tech Demo and experience firsthand the realities of bringing video and voice collaboration tech — to deep space as well as to other remote places in the world, and the benefits that we can reap as a result.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Richard Pascoe, VP of Consulting Services at Applexus Technologies. Our conversation focused on taking your vendor invoice management solution up a notch.

Accounts payable and vendor invoice management processes can be difficult to manage. With fragmented systems and multiple teams involved, the end-to-end invoice processing system can be full of headaches for the entire organization. So, what can organizations do to optimize their processes? That’s exactly what Richard and Shelly talked about. Some of the conversation highlights include:

How the unprecedented supply chain disruptions have impacted the invoice solution
The challenges the hybrid work model presents when it comes to AP processes
Some of the hidden costs within Accounts Payable
The kind of savings organizations can typically achieve by leveraging a vendor invoice management solution like Applexus’s InSITE
What a value map calculator is and how Applexus helps customers with this

It was a great conversation on a timely topic, and if you’re in accounts payable, this is an episode that we think you’ll learn a lot from.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Daniel Newman is joined by Brian Richardson, Security Marketing Lead for Intel Data Center & AI (DCAI) Marketing Product Strategy. Their conversation takes a look at the security market and what enterprise IT leaders need to be aware of for the future.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

What role Intel is playing with security in today’s business market
How Intel’s approach to security is influenced by their mindset, technology, and assurance policy
How Intel is contributing to the global ecosystem
Intel’s latest innovations
Recommendations for enterprise IT leaders for the future

It was a great conversation on a timely topic, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Intel, check out their website here.

This webcast is sponsored by Intel.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Shelly Kramer, principal analyst and founding partner of Futurum Research, is joined by Manu Vohra, Managing Director, Global Life Sciences for Box, for a conversation on collaboration in the life sciences industry.

In the last decade, the life sciences industry has undergone significant digital transformation. The industry is also facing increased market pressures, is collectively navigating new (and sometimes ever-changing) regulations, and, of course, has been fueled by the need to navigate a global pandemic. As a result, it’s become paramount for all players in the life sciences industry, from pharmaceutical companies and researchers to manufacturers and the supply chain, to share research, data, and resources with their partner ecosystem to facilitate innovation, ensure compliance and security, and also deliver more efficiently and rapidly on patient outcomes. Speaking of patient outcomes, life sciences organizations are looking at solutions to help improve patient outcomes, but that’s not always an easy process, especially when it comes to applications and document storage. So, what can these organizations do to address these challenges?

In our conversation, Manu and Shelly covered the following:

Digitization is no longer optional. Breaking down siloed collaboration channels and facilitating real-time sharing is table stakes for today’s Life Sciences organizations.
Life Sciences is a heavily regulated industry, and there are some security and compliance considerations that organizations need to heed. There are some very real reasons that “the way we’ve always done it” thinking not work anymore.
Sharing patient data brings its own set of challenges with security and compliance, something made even more complicated when various members of a team are in different locations around the world.
Collaboration needs in life sciences organizations have changed and Manu shared insights on those shifts.
Technology is playing a big role in helping Life Sciences organizations address the challenges they face. Manu shared a little about Content Cloud for Life Sciences from Box and why this solution warrants consideration.
Sharing patient data brings its own set of challenges with security and compliance, something made even more complicated when various members of a team adhere to different compliance standards based on region.
The key benefits of Content Cloud for Life Sciences and why integrations and a robust set of APIs is a game-changer.

This was a great conversation and one that you’ll definitely want to make time to watch, listen, or read about if you’re working in the Life Sciences sector and trying to get arms around the collaboration, content, regulation, and compliance demands of your organization. Futurum developed a research brief in partnership with Box that you’ll find here: The Content Cloud for Life Sciences Securely Streamlines Seamless Collaboration.

You will also find more information from Box about their solutions for the Life Sciences industry on their website, and I encourage you to check that out. And feel free to find and connect with Manu Vorha on LinkedIn, I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from you and answer any questions you might have.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, I’m joined by Martin Bitzinger, Senior Vice President, Product Management for Mitel, who oversees Mitel’s product portfolio and product marketing, including UC platforms, applications, and devices for a conversation about trends in Unified Communications (UC), the many challenges customers face in leveling up their business comms, and a look at what’s ahead for Mitel.

Mitel is an industry stalwart, with a long history, a reputation for a laser focus on innovation, and its deep penetration in enterprise telephony. Our conversation today covered the following:

Industry trends that we’ve seen emerging over the course of the last couple of years, and specifically some of the trends that Martin and his team at Mitel are leaning into.
We explored business problems and communication challenges that customers face today in a world of hybrid work and what is often a distributed workforce, and some of the business problems Mitel helps customers solve.
What the ‘different flavors’ of Unified Communications are and what businesses should be thinking about when they are trying to level up their business comms capabilities.
Mitel is a well-established company, having been in the market for almost 50 years, serving many customers. We chatted a little about that big customer base and some of the innovative things that Mitel is doing to serve them.
We also explored verticals and some of the focus that Mitel is doing in the vertical markets and why that’s significant.
We also discussed the fact that the majority of Mitel’s sales comes through its partner ecosystem and the role that customer lifecycle management plays here, as well as how partners benefit from that partner value prop.

Lastly, I asked Martin to walk me through what’s ahead for 2023 and beyond, and what the roadmap for Mitel’s current and future customers looks like, and why that’s something for our listeners, customers, partners, and the industry as whole to be excited about.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, co-hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by Meral Temel, Mainframe Platform Leader at JFORCE, to discuss the opportunities and risks when pursuing an operational excellence strategy to achieve the highest levels of service to customers.

They also provide insights into how operational excellence is a mindset permeating an organization's technology, people, and culture.

Has your organization determined what it means to be operationally excellent? Learn more about how this will improve the customer experience.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Christian Floerkemeier, CTO, VP Product and Co-founder of Scandit for a conversation about data, the employee experience, customer experience, and how smart data capture can make a difference in the enterprise.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

An overview of smart data capture
How shifts in consumer behaviors and expectations have driven the need to give improved access to data to employees
How smart data capture shifts tedious work to technology to empower frontline workers to add value elsewhere
The difference between ‘dumb’ and ‘smart’ data capture
Which industries can use smart data capture
A look into the future of smart data capture

It was a great conversation on an incredibly important topic, and one you won’t want to miss. Interested in learning more about smart data capture? Be sure to visit this page.

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Marvell Technologies continues to power innovation across its custom ASIC portfolio using 3nm, customization, and chiplet IP advances to provide optimized performance, power & area breakthroughs, and maximized returns on investments. Futurum’s Ron Westfall and Marvell’s Hugh Durden explore why Marvell’s custom ASIC offerings fulfill the intricate, high-speed, high-performance silicon requirements of next generation 5G operators, cloud data centers, enterprises, and automotive applications as well as how Marvell’s custom capabilities provide the foundation for driving portfolio-wide innovation.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman is joined by Joe Burton, CEO for Telesign. Their conversation explores the security challenges brands are facing in the identity space and how Telesign can help organizations overcome these challenges.

In the conversation, they discussed the following:

An overview of the identity space and what brands are struggling with
Why identity threats are a major area of concern
A look at international rate share fraud
Telesign’s secret sauce when it comes to security protection

It was a great conversation on a timely topic, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Telesign, check out their website here.

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In this Futurum Live! From the Show Floor at Tanium Converge 2022 Luis Cunha, Director, Security Architecture & Engineering for APTIV, joins Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer. Their conversation revolved around increased cloud adoption and the rise in remote work, and the challenges IT teams face in bridging the gap between Security and IT Ops. APTIV has been using Tanium now for seven years, and Cunha shared real world insights into how he and his team at APTIV were able to navigate the shift to remote work, as well as the bottom-line benefits APTIV has been able to realize from using Tanium. Not only are they able to considerably shorten the time it takes to get critical tasks done, Tanium is helping APTIV bring the Security organization closer to IT Ops, which is an important gap to bridge.

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In this Futurum Live! From the Show Floor at Tanium Converge 2022 Ron Tinkler, Assistant Diector of IT at Informatics Merseyside with NHS, joins Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer. Managing IT operations at a large number of healthcare facilities throughout the UK is no easy task, especially given the attractiveness of the healthcare sector to nefarious threat actors. And legacy systems, change-resistant IT teams, and third-party software tools present considerable challenges, even to the most intrepid IT leaders. Tinkler shared his insights on how NHS Informatics Merseyside, a relatively new customer of Tanium, is quickly realizing some impressive wins by gaining patch visibility and significantly reducing the team time needed to patch mission critical systems.

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In this Futurum Live! From the Show Floor at Tanium Converge 2022 Anil Nomula, Associate Vice President and Global Enterprise Architect for Genpact, joins Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer. Their conversation centered on how the professional services organization — which has experienced incredibly rapid growth over the last decade plus, growing from 19,000 employees in 2005 to over 100,000 in 2021 — managed to pivot quickly and securely support a global workforce with over 100,000 endpoints in 70 locations around the world in a short period of time using Tanium’s cloud-based suite. The pivot wasn’t without challenges, which Anil shared, but it did manage to drastically reduce the number of sleepless nights he and his team experienced, which is very good news. In addition, the cost savings Genpact has experienced, the ease of use of the Tanium offerings, and increased endpoint visibility are benefits they greatly enjoy.

For more on Genpact’s story, and a deeper look at how Tanium has helped Genpact save 75% of network and hosting costs, check out this customer spotlight case study.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Shelly Kramer, principal analyst and founding partner of Futurum Research, is joined by Chris Haydon, former president of SAP Procurement Solutions, and more recently, a consultant and current board member of ConvergentIS, for a conversation about taking procurement processes to the next level and the benefits that organizations can realize along the way.

For starters, let’s be real: procurement processes are by no means a sexy part of business, but they are an incredibly necessary one. And, based on what we’re seeing the market, outdated methods for sourcing, purchasing, and managing processes are a reality — and one which can often lead to a number of challenges across the organization. So, that’s why a conversation about taking procurement processes to the next level and exploring what organizations can do to optimize their procurement processes is a timely one.

Here are some of the things they covered in their conversation:

Procurement can cover a wide area – we explored the differences between the midmarket and large enterprise market space.
The challenges, especially those experienced by the midmarket, to procurement operations, and the areas of procurement that the midmarket sector needs to optimize.
The kind of solution that’s best suited for the midmarket: Ferrari or Ford?
How can a solid procurement strategy help set up organizations for success in 2023 and beyond?
An overview of ConvergentIS and insight into how the company helps midmarket organizations solve their procurement challenges.

If you’re in procurement, this is an episode that we think you’ll learn a lot from.

If you are thinking about your procurement strategies for the year ahead and want to explore how you can integrate technology into your procurement operations you can find more information on ConvergentIS, visit the SAP Store here. You can also find Chris Haydon on LinkedIn and he’ll be glad to answer any questions you have.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist for Zoho for a conversation around the growth of Zoho’s finance platform, Zoho Books.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

An overview of Zoho Books
The exciting opportunities for Zoho Books
An exploration into where Zoho Books operates
The unification of Zoho Books and Zoho One

It was a great conversation on an incredibly important topic , and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Zoho, Zoho One, and Zoho Books, check out their website here. To learn more about Zoho Book’s exciting year-over-year growth, read the full press release from Zoho here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Chris Jacobs, Vice President & General Manager of Embedded Market Segments for Micron’s Embedded Business Unit. Our conversation takes a look at the cybersecurity market and what challenges lie ahead for the IoT and automation sectors.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

Micron’s intelligent edge portfolio
Cybersecurity challenges and how Micron’s solutions make a difference
New trends in automation, electrification, and more
Memory and storage demands in our current environment
Augmented reality and virtual reality opportunities for the future

It was a great conversation on a timely topic, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Micron, check out their website here.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, a production of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Futurum Research principal analyst and founding partner Shelly Kramer is joined by fellow analyst Ron Westfall to talk all things 5G, IoT, and the news and happenings in that ecosystem. Their conversation covers:

Qualcomm and Vodafone build on previous commitments related to 5G Open RAN prospects. Qualcomm and Vodafone announced plans to develop, test, and integrate next gen 5G distributed units (DUs), and Radio Unit (RU) with Massive MIMO capabilities, intended to help deliver the commercial deployment of Open RAN in Europe.

General Dynamics forms 5G and Edge Accelerator Coalition. General Dynamics has formed a 5G and Edge Accelerator Coalition with AWS, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Splunk and T-Mobile aimed at accelerating the adoption of 5G, edge, and advanced wireless technologies across government agencies.

AWS takes an early lead in the telco ‘cloud wars.’ Although it’s still early days, there are signs that AWS is making a pretty solid land grab in the teleco cloud space, capturing considerable market share among telecom network operators. While that’s impressive, and it wasn’t surprising to also see Microsoft’s Azure making considerable inroads, what we find equally impressive is seeing Oracle and IBM taking some of that market share as well.

Smart buildings market is going nowhere but up. The Smart Buildings market is expected to hit $121.6 billion by 2026 and with many clients working in that space: Cisco, IBM, Dell, Honeywell, Siemens, and Intel to name just a few, this news, driven by a number of factors, was of interest. Why is the smart buildings sector on fire? Lots of reasons, and ones that we dive into, alongside a mention of some data points from our recently published Honeywell Environmental Sustainability Index, developed in partnership with Honeywell that is a comprehensive index designed to measure sentiment around the pace and adoption of climate technologies within organizations.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, part of the HPE Executive Insights Series, I am joined by Darren Perks, Global Hosting Infrastructure Operations Leader at PwC, and Vishal Lall, SVP & GM at HPE GreenLake Cloud Services Solutions, for a conversation focusing on modernization and business model challenges in the industry.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Key objectives for the coming year for data centers and modernization
Drivers for PwC’s data center consolidation
A look into PwC’s modernization journey and how it reflects HPE’s own journey
Challenges of upgrading business models & expected outcomes
Best practices from the modernization experience.

This was an interesting conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HPE, check out their website here, and to learn more about PwC, check their website, here.

Want to listen to the other HPE Executive Insights Series episodes? Tune in below.

The Evolution of On-Premises Cloud Services with HPE GreenLake’s Scott Ramsay – Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series

Capitalizing on Data to Drive Healthcare Insights – An HPE Executive Insights Series with Ashok Kurian, Texas Children’s Hospital – Futurum Tech Webcast Interview Series

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, principal analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Allan Pym, Chief Operating Officer at APOS, for a conversation on the challenges making the most of business data presents for organizations, and how APOS Live Data Gateway is helping solve those challenges — and in real time.

We all know that data is crucial for today’s organizations. From sales and marketing to manufacturing and maintenance, smart organizations need data to make decisions in real time. However, with so much data being gathered in so many different places, it can often feel impossible, overwhelming, or both to wrangle it intelligently. So, what can organizations do to make the most of their data? Are there other technology solutions that can help? Why does real-time matter when it comes to accessing and utilizing data? That’s exactly what Allan and I covered today, and if you’re wrestling with data challenges, it’s a conversation you’ll very much enjoy. We covered the following:

We know that data is important, that’s not a secret. In fact, some 94 percent of organizations report needing access to multiple data sources to support their decision-making — but not every organization knows what to do with their data.
Allan shared some of the challenges he and the team at APOS are seeing as organizations wrestle with data connectivity. That’s not at all difficult to understand, as research shows that on average companies are drawing from more than 400 different data sources. To compound that massive amount of data coming from myriad sources, one-third of companies report experiencing trouble simply connecting those sources together, let alone pulling accurate or meaningful insights from them.
We discussed live connectivity: what it is and why it’s so important for organizations today.
Allan walked us through the APOS Live Data Gateway, its purpose and the key benefits organizations can experience using its three layers of functionality (Data Connection, Data Preparation, and Data Consumption) and three types of data views that can be utilized within the Data Preparation Layer.
We explored APOS Live Data Gateway’s Data Connection layer, where the solution makes the connection to data, and we talked about some of the data sources that APOS Live Data Gateway provides connectivity with.
We explored both the Data Preparation layer and the Data Consumption layer, including how APOS Live Data Gateway works with SAP Solutions and how live connectivity versus import connectivity works with SAP Analytics Cloud.
Allan shared that APOS Live Gateway works with analytics solutions beyond just SAP Analytics Cloud, including live connectivity from Power BI to SAP Analytics Cloud, as well as the expanded consumption options that include Odata, ODBC, and JDBC, in the unified semantic layer.
Lastly, Allan shared some stories from customers who are currently using APOS Live Data Gateway which, as always, was one of my favorite parts of the conversation.

If you’re thinking about getting arms around your data and know that live, real-time data is what you need, this is a conversation you should make time for.

Find more information about APOS Live Data Gateway on SAP Store.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega. Our conversation takes a look at the AI industry and how organizations can expect to incorporate AI into their business practices in the future for better customer experiences.

In our conversation, we discussed the following:

Misconceptions about the utility of AI
Avenues for implementation, optimization, and efficiency
Maintaining adaptability in the face of societal and economic changes
Fostering an informative partnership between AI and its human users
Implications for the future of AI accessibility

It was a great conversation on a timely topic, and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Pega, check out their website here.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, co-hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by April Hickel, Vice President of Intelligent z Solutions Strategy at BMC to discuss the success factors for reimagining the customer experience in driving growth and better business outcomes.

They also provide insights on the role of the mainframe, as well as risks organizations face if they do not invest in improving their customer journeys.

Has your organization taken their CX to the next level leveraging the mainframe? Learn more about how this will drive more growth for the long term.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I’m joined by Matt Nolan, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Decision Sciences, to talk about one of my favorite topics: data, analytics, and how you can use them to provide customers with top notch experiences. We also explore Pega’s latest product release: Pega Customer Data Connectors — which I see as a definite gamechanger for organizations in every industry.

For consumers, whether B2B or B2C, experiences can be the difference between a closed sale and a lost revenue opportunity, and sometimes even the difference between a loyal customer who touts a brand to friends and family and one who spreads a negative word because of a less than stellar customer experience. In a word, customer experiences are everything.

This is not new news for many organizations, which is why customer data platforms (CDPs) are quickly becoming a ‘must have’ part of the MarTech stack. They help organizations manage massive amounts of customer data from a number of different channels, with the goal of providing insights to deliver better customer experiences. But CDPs alone aren’t a holy grail and unfortunately in many instances they can be siloed and/or data can go unused. So, what do businesses need to know or what other technologies do they need to adopt to avoid common CDP pitfalls and serve up experiences that will be a key differentiator in today’s marketplace. That’s exactly what Matt and I talked about.

Here are just a few of the things we covered:

The current state of marketing and why first party data is king
Why CDPs are that are connected and accessible throughout the organization are

so immensely important for today’s organizations

The common challenges organizations face with their CDPs
How organizations can maximize their data to make customer interactions more meaningful

We wrapped up the conversation by exploring Pega’s newest release, Pega Customer Data Connectors. This new solution is an exciting one, as it integrates data and decision-making in near real time. Organizations can tap into their data to provide just what the customer needs exactly when they need it — which is a fundamental element of delivering unparalleled customer experiences.

And if you’d like more information on Pega and the Pega Customer Data Connectors, you’ll find it here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Joe Burton, CEO for Telesign. Our conversation takes a look at the growing challenges organizations face regarding digital identity, customer onboarding, account integrity and zero-trust solutions.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

An overview of the dichotomy of trust
How to balance friction with security
A look at how Telesign helps customers solve challenges
What customers should be looking for in security solutions

It was a great conversation on a timely topic and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Telesign, check out their website here.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I’m joined by Brian McGlynn, General Manager of Commerce Solutions at Coveo to talk about one of my favorite topics: customer experience. And in this instance, we’re discussing customer experience in the ecommerce ecosystem.

Before we get started, some background. We’ve witnessed some major shifts in the last few years as it relates to customer experience. Customers are more savvy than ever before, they’re more demanding than ever before, they are more impatient than ever before, and they have more options than ever before. The onus on brands is to understand and embrace this shift, and to position themselves to deliver top-notch, personalized, customer experiences at all times — and across all channels.

Of course, this is often easier said than done, and that’s especially true when it comes to search functionality in ecommerce situations. So, what can brands do to ensure they are serving up the optimum digital experience, especially when it comes to search functions? That’s exactly what Brian and I talked about.

Here are just a few of the things we covered:

The current state of the customer experience when it comes to ecommerce
The challenges organizations are facing when it comes to digital experiences
How important search and product discovery for ecommerce are
The different ways AI can improve the ecommerce ops and have adramatic impact on customer satisfaction
How Coveo is helping customers capitalize on technology in order to improvetheir search functionality

And if you’d like more information on Coveo, visit their SAP store page here. You can also find Brian on LinkedIn here, and he’s more than happy to connect and answer any questions you might have on how improving search functionality for your ecommerce operations can be a game-changer.

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In this inaugural episode of The Big Ideas Series, a production of the Futurum Tech Webcast devoted to companies who are driving innovation and helping their customers do big things, I’m joined by Kathleen Taggart, Intelligent Automation Strategist for DataXstream. Our conversation today explores how AI-powered tech is changing the game for wholesale distributors at a time when they need every advantage they can get.

So much has changed in the last few years for wholesale distribution. With the supply chain in a state of constant flux, the pressure is on for wholesaler distributors to offer fast, agile, nimble, and reliable partnerships. Being able to work efficiently will be key to survival as wholesalers navigate stiff competition. But exactly how do wholesalers do that? If this is on your mind as well, this is one show you’ll want to tune in for. Here are just a few of the things we covered:

The complexities of the wholesale process: why is it complex and what are some of the common challenges customers face?
What OMS+ is and why it’s a game-changer for wholesalers.
How automation functionality can make a big difference for wholesalers.
What the integration of intelligent automation into the platform and the launch of OMS+ia means for customers — and why it’s exciting.

Kathleen also shared some customer use case examples to illustrate the power of OMS+ai in action which were pretty cool.

If you’d like more information on DataXstream’s OMS+ai, download the infosheet we developed in partnership with DataXstream here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Valerio Filauro, Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Our conversation takes a look at RFFE ecosystem and Qualcomm’s RFFE solution in the 5G smartphone segment.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A recap on how Qualcomm developed the number one RFFE solution in the 5G smartphone segment
A look into how Qualcomm differentiates itself in the current ecosystem
A walk through the AI-based features on the Snapdragon X70 5G Modem-RF System
An exploration into Qualcomm’s “Snapdragon Connect” initiative
An overview of Qualcomm’s modem to antenna approach

It was a great conversation on a timely topic and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Qualcomm, check out their website here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Daren Finney, Senior Vice President, Global Channels for Mitel. Our conversation takes a look at how customer lifecycle management can be a game-changer for UC vendors and also their customers.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Daren gives a short overview on Mitel, and why customers continue to choose Mitel
A look into Customer Lifecycle Management (CLM) and how it impacts Mitel and the UC space
A walk through on how the Customer Lifecycle Management changed during Covid
Why customers should get excited about CLMs and what the benefits are to end-user customers

It was a great conversation and one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Mitel, check out their website here.

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In this episode of Good Equals Progress, our webcast focusing on all things sustainability and beyond, I’m joined by Jeff Harvey, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Industry Cloud/SAP Customer Success at SAP, for a fascinating and timely conversation about carbon emissions reduction.

Organizations of all sizes have felt increasing pressure from consumers and regulatory bodies to slash carbon emissions. Many have made pledges to get to net zero carbon by 2050, which is great. The challenge here is that it’s not at all clear — for most organizations, anyway — as to exactly how to go about about achieving those goals. One of the biggest challenges is around data: what data does it take to accurately define carbon emissions and what technology solutions can help? That’s just what Jeff and I discussed, so if this is something that’s on your mind, this is a conversation you’ll want to tune in to.

Our conversation covered:

The current state of the carbon emissions, including how much carbon organizations are emitting each year and what the long-term impact that we will likely see as a result. We explored data from the UN Emissions Gap Report that found that organizations need to reduce emissions by 55 percent by 2030 to stay within the target of a 1.5°C global temperature increase. The unfortunate part? Organizations haven’t done enough yet and temperatures are expected to climb 2.7°C.
We explored the goals organizations have set for 2050 and why we still haven’t seen much action.
We discussed the many moving parts of carbon emissions reduction and reporting and highlighted the key areas businesses should be focusing on.
We also discussed what SAP is doing to help customers measure and report their carbon emissions. Jeff provided insights on what his team is doing to ensure SAP meets its own sustainability goals as well.

Jeff shared details about how some of SAP’s Partners are addressing sustainability needs and some of the innovative solutions that are available in the SAP store, including the following:

Carbon.AIs by VASPP
Digital Shoe Size Consultant by Footprint Technologies
EcoVadis Supplier Sustainability Ratings
Carbon Footprint Data for Chemicals and Plastics by Carbon Minds

You can find more information on SAP’s wide range of sustainability related offerings at the SAP store, and I hope you’ll pop over and explore. You’ll be amazed at what’s available to help your organization achieve your sustainability and carbon emissions reductions goals.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, our conversation today centers on an increasingly relevant topic operational resiliency, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

We all know that organizations today are dealing with a number of disruptions. From the supply chain to staffing, we are seeing an increased need for resiliency, or the ability to adapt to continue meet expectations. We are also seeing an increased need for greater operational efficiency, or the ability to do more with less. As if those pressures weren’t enough, many organizations are beginning to develop sustainability initiatives. They are trying to do more, with less, without impacting the next generation.

My guest today is Mike Denley, Senior Director, Portfolio Management at Siemens Digital Industries Software, who joins me to discuss the challenges facing organizations today, and what Siemens is doing, specifically as it relates to Siemens Industry Software, to help them achieve their goals.

Our conversation centered on the following:

An overview of what operational resiliency, operational efficiency and sustainability mean for today’s organizations.
An exploration into how the IIoT fits into all of this.
The connection between data, the IIoT and resiliency.
An overview of how IIoT, data nalytics, and digital twins help improve operational efficiencies and sustainability
A look into how Siemens is helping customers navigate the challenges in today’s workplace

This was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss.

If you would like to learn more about Siemens MindSphere, you can get more information here.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop, co-hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by John Mertic, Director, Open Mainframe Project to discuss how fundamental "open" approaches are to growing business, and innovating with technologies across platform ecosystems. They also provide insights and reveal what's going on with open mainframe projects, how organizations are generating new value, and what the future of open looks like.

Our conversation also covered the following:

A dive into an “open first” approach and how this strategy is the best to modernize the mainframe
A look into the business drivers that are changing the platform ecosystem
An overview of the Linux Foundation and the Open Mainframe project

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you’ve heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop and Episode Two of the Main Scoop, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Nakul Duggal, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Automotive for Qualcomm to talk about Qualcomm’s first ever Automotive Investor Day, which was held last week in New York City.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

An exploration into why Qualcomm decided to host an Automotive specific investor day
What is driving Qualcomm’s momentum and the opportunities in the automotive space
A look into Qualcomm’s road map for the future

Qualcomm has made some significant inroads in the automotive space, growing their design pipeline from $19 million to $30 million in two months. And it’s clear that the semiconductor company is not done yet. This is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

If you want to learn more about Qualcomm’s Automotive Investor Day, check out our coverage here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Ashley Still, Senior Vice President Digital Media/Marketing, Strategy & Partnerships for Adobe. Our conversation takes a look at Adobe’s acquisition of Figma, which was announced earlier this month.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Why Figma will be an excellent addition to the Adobe Creative Suite
What this move will mean for competition in the design space
A look into the financial aspects of the deal
What benefits customers can expect to see from Adobe and Figma

During the conversation, Ashley also shared more about Adobe’s new idea of “ushering in a new era of collaborative creativity on the web.” It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss.

If you want to learn more about the acquisition, check out our coverage here.

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In this episode of Good Equals Progress, a Futurum Research webcast focusing on all things sustainability and beyond, Shelly Kramer, principal analyst and founding partner at Futurum is joined by junior analyst and colleague Lauren Kirkpatrick, to talk about Amazon.

This was a big week for Amazon and sustainability initiatives, alliances, and announcements, and we touched on some of them. For starters, Climate Week – it’s billed as the biggest climate event on Earth and is all about driving climate action, fast.

Amazon was both a sponsor and a participant at the Climate Week 2022 event held in NYC this week in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly. The event brought together a fantastic collection of brilliant and passionate global experts from the climate community, the world of business, government, and beyond and the focus of the event was “Getting It Done” — driving climate action fast, because it’s not exactly like we have any time to waste.

Our webcast covers the following hot topics:

The Climate Pledge, which Amazon co-founded with Global Optimism in 2019, now boasts more than 375 signatories which include Impossible include Impossible Foods, the Seattle Storm (4-time WNBA champs), and adventure gear brand Cotopaxi. American Family Insurance, Figma, HPE, Prologis, Ripple, the Seattle Aquarium and more. 375 companies, across 53 industries and 34 countries and growing.
Amazon Water.org partnership announced. Amazon announced a partnership with Water.org to provide safe water to 100 million people.
Amazon expands renewable energy projects. Amazon announced 69 new renewable energy projects, bringing the total to 377 renewables projects around the world, up from 310 projects in April. These new projects include the expansion of its renewable energy investments, including the first renewable projects in South America, India, and Poland.
Amazon Partners with Infinium. Amazon announced a new agreement with Infinium, one of the green energy companies funded by The Climate Pledge Fund, to build a commercial electrofuels production facility — the first of its kind. Amazon intends to use the ultra-low carbon electrofuels in its diesel cargo trucks beginning with pilot programs in 2023.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, we tackle the topic of why hardware security module (HSM) adapter technology, including HSM-as-a-service, is vital to ensuring general purpose and payment processing security across today’s multi-cloud environments. Marvell’s introduction of its LiquidSecurity 2 (LS2) solution builds upon the company’s well-established portfolio which is already proven at scale throughout the world’s largest hyperscale clouds. The new Marvell LS2 is designed to empower hyperscalers and cloud providers to develop HSM-as-a-service for secure key management, authentication, and encryption across a wide array of industry verticals.

My guest today is Amer Haider, VP Product Management Security Solutions Business Unit at Marvell Technologies, a top-tier semiconductor company. Amer is a new guest on this show, and shrewdly shares his insights and perspective on the direction of the HSM market segment and its vital role across multi-cloud environments.

For the foundation of our discussion, we addressed what is HSM technology, its origins, and why it provides essential encryption, key management, and authentication capabilities throughout today’s hyperscaler networks. From our perspective, HSM implementations are moving beyond on-premise implementations to hyperscaler and hybrid clouds.

Today, Marvell’s LS2 solution offers the high-performing cryptographic acceleration and processing, FIPS certification, including hardware-secured storage of up to one million encryption keys for Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), RSA, and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) encryption, and 45 partitions, key to enabling robust multi-tenant use cases and boosting HSM adoption across multi-cloud environments.

Our conversation focused on the following:

The invention of HSMs by Dr. Mohamed Atalia in 1972 and why HSMs are more secure than software, especially in keeping your keys safe.
The biggest users of HSMs including especially include banks that use them for credit card purchases to assure secure transactions including user and merchant information.
The challenges involved in broadening the adoption of HSMs including considerations such as encryption inertia (taking security for granted), costs of legacy on-premise implementations, and regulations related to data breaches.
We examined how Marvell’s taking HSM to the cloud, i.e., HSMaaS, benefits the entire security ecosystem by lowering costs, expanding the market to include more SMB encryption support, and giving cloud service providers new revenue streams.
How the Marvell LS2 solution builds on the success of the initial LiquidSecurity portfolio by providing advances such as delivering up to 120K ECC operations per second, tenfold increase in keys supported, and substantially lowering costs per key stored and per partition.
How Marvell takes advantage of improvements in processing power to ease HSM adoption in clouds and key use case examples of how decision makers are using new LS2 capabilities to make the world a more secure place.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst Ron Westfall to talk all things 5G. News, alliances, lawsuits, and new hires — there’s always a lot going on in the 5G ecosystem and that’s what this show is designed to cover.

In this episode, we cover the following:

Lumen’s new CEO Kate Johnson comes to the job with serious chops and serious challenges ahead.
Mavenir got the thumbs up from Deutsche Telekom CEO Timotheus Hötteges’ move to “work towards a Chinese-free core network infrastructure” replacing Huawei in DT’s core.
Starlink fights back against the FCC’s recent decision to deny the company $885.5 million in funding under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).
T-Mobile and SpaceX’s Starlink partner to leverage Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellits combined with the power of T-Mobile’s wireless network to solve connectivity issues where most needed.
Following Apple’s ‘Far Out’ event last week announcing the newest iPhone 14 and iWatch models, T-Mobile launched some pretty ‘far out’ deals of its own.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Ed Abbo, President and Chief Technology Officer at C3 AI. Our conversation centers around AI applications, how these programs can help enterprise customers find value from their data, and much more you won’t want to miss.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A broad overview of enterprise applications and enterprise AI-based applications
A deep dive into the expansion of C3 AI’s partnership with Google
A look into C3 AI’s broad portfolio of solutions
An exploration of the current economic situation and the economic value AI applications can bring to customers

During the conversation, Ed also shared a customer success story about the US Air Force’s Rapid Sustainment Office. You can check out the full video that Ed referred to here.

If you’d like to learn more about C3 AI, check out their website here.

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In this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Broadcom's Distinguished Engineer Russ Teubner and Peter Wassal, Director, DevOps & Open Mainframe Solutions, during the SHARE Conference in Columbus. Their conversation covered Broadcom's acquisition of Hostbridge Technology and how it fits into the company's overall technology roadmap.

To learn more about Broadcom visit their website.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I’m joined by Angela Lepelley, the Sales Director, AI and Automation at Five9 for conversation about a topic that is steadily increasing in importance: AI in the contact center.

For most people, contacting a contact center is a dreaded task. Whether by phone, video, chat, or email, interacting with contact center agents, historically speaking, has been an onerous experience. We also know that customer experience is a top priority for businesses, and many have started to understand the value of also improving the experience in the contact center. But how exactly does that happen? Angela and I explore that in greater detail during the course of our conversation, and also covered the following:

A look at the current, and often frustrating realities of the contact center for employees and customers and why AI is playing a role there.
What is driving the adoption of AI in the contact center as well as common barriers to adoption that organizations are facing.
Not everything in the contact center can be automated. We explored ways that organizations are determining what automation can augment and what still needs to be done by an employee.
Automation and AI in the contact center, like an organization’s overall digital transformation, is a journey that is never complete. It is a constant evolution that businesses need to keep tracking, which can be a complicated process. We discussed what organizations should think about as they evaluate automation and AI platforms and potential vendor partners

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In this episode of Futurum Live! From the Show Floor, Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Broadcom's Director of Product Management and Strategy Deborah Carbo and David Stokes, Senior Director, Engineering during the SHARE Conference in Columbus. Their conversation focused on Broadcom's CA 1® FlexibleStorage™ solution, the newest addition to their mainframe software portfolio, how the new solution provides secure, cost-effective mainframe data storage options for hybrid IT environments, and what Broadcom is doing to help their customers leverage a hybrid cloud strategy.

To learn more about Broadcom visit their website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Steven Dickens is joined by Phil Straw, CEO of SoftIron to discuss the launch of their new product, HyperCloud.

Their conversation covered the following:

An overview of the current challenges for organizations trying to deploy private cloud
A look into HyperCloud and what makes it unique
How HyperCloud will positively impact organizations and
HyperCloud’s key differentiators

If you’d like to learn more about HyperCloud, read the Press Release on SoftIron’s website. Be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode.

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On this episode of The Main Scoop cohost with Greg Lotko, SVP and GM, Mainframe Software at Broadcom, and I are joined by Joao Bezerra Leite, Fintech investor and former Itau technology executive. We discuss the impact of Fintech on traditional banking institutions and the mainframe’s vital role in banking transformation.

Our conversation also covered the following:

A dive into the global trends that are impacting the financial sector
A look into the tech trends that are driving change
The evolving role of the mainframe in digital transformation

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Like what you've heard? Check out Episode One of The Main Scoop and be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Kyndryl's Richard Baird, VP, CTO and Engineering Lead, Core Enterprise and zCloud, and Jonathan P. Dietz, VP, Core Enterprise and zCloud U.S. Practice Leader, during the SHARE Conference in Columbus. Their conversation explored Kyndryl's growth trajectory over the last year, their focus on building alliances, and what they are doing to modernize the mainframe platform.

To learn more about Kyndryl visit their website.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Rocket Software's President, Infrastructure Modernization Business Unit Phil Buckellew during the SHARE Conference in Columbus. Their conversation touched on infrastructure modernization, the mainframe tools they offer their customers, and the expansion and transformation the company has been experiencing.

To learn more about Rocket Software visit their website.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with SVA Software, Inc.'s Vice President of Sales & Marketing Lisa Schwab during the SHARE Conference in Columbus. Their conversation focuses on what the company is doing in the mainframe space, the pillars of their zOptimization platform, and how SVA Software, Inc.'s combined software and service is a big differentiator for them in the market.

To learn more about SVA Software, Inc. visit their website.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I’m joined by Amanda Mountain, Global Vice President of eCommerce at SAP, for a fascinating and timely conversation on the topic of continuous learning.

August marks the start of Back-to-School season. For students, it’s an exciting time that kicks off another year of learning and growth. But we’d like to take the time to focus on the importance of continuous learning for businesses. Now is as good a time as ever to prioritize continued education. The future of work is going to take skills many people don’t have – where can they learn them? In fact, a World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report found that “50% of employees will need reskilling by 2025 to keep pace with emerging technologies.”

Addressing the prevalence of disengaged employees as well as the skills shortage organizations are facing today is an imperative across industries, from retail to the public sector. So what can organizations do to address the current situation? That’s just what Amanda and I are going to be discussing.

Our conversation covered:

The current state of the workforce, as we are seeing an unprecedented number of people leaving jobs in search of something more fulfilling. At the same time, employers are struggling to fill empty positions leaving a heavy burden on the remaining employees to cover positions they might not have been hired for. We explored data from SHRM that showed a whopping 47.8 million workers quit their jobs, an average of nearly 4 million a month. We also explored research from Pew Research Center on the top reasons U.S. workers left a job in 2021, in which low pay and no advancement opportunities and feeling disrespected at work topped the list.
We explored why people leave jobs and the important role that creating a culture of continuous learning plays in both talent acquisition and talent retention.
We discussed today’s workplace landscape and how it is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. As a result of the monumental shifts the pandemic has ushered in, companies are combatting both talent retention challenges and an ever-growing IT skills gap. It has become increasingly apparent that education and training must evolve with the landscape.
Today’s learners want – and need — different solutions than L&D leaders have relied on in the past. Amanda shared some of the SAP offerings on that front as well as some insights on how learning behaviors and desires have changed, and what technology solutions are doing to address those changes. Amanda shared how SAP is responding to the need with solutions like the Go1 Learning solution, which provides SAP SuccessFactors customers access to the largest marketplace of off-the-shelf content ready to use via the Open Content Network and SAP Enable Now, which is a comprehensive digital adoption tool that delivers time-of-need learning to help people develop the skills they need to do their job effectively.
What’s an organization to do? When strategizing about how to mitigate the skills gap, who is responsible for implementing continuous learning measures? Is it organizations or individual employees? We have thoughts!
What exactly is the CURIOSITY mindset and insights from Amanda on things she’s doing on her team to encourage this and how you can implement programs like this too.

Amanda shared details about how some of SAP’s partners are addressing these needs and some of the innovative solutions that are available in the SAP store, including the following:

Centrical for Enterprise Learning Solutions from SAP
BLEND - Learning Experience Platform (LxP) by TalenTeam
The Immerse Platform
Collaborative Learning Platform
Global Business Skills from Hardskills
SAP Litmos

You can find more information on SAP’s wide range of learning and development offerings at the SAP store, and I hope you’ll pop over and take a look. You’ll likely be amazed at what’s available for you and your organization to help get your learning and development programs dialed in to what today’s workers want and need.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Stefan Krauss, SVP, Global Head of Discrete Industries and Energy & Natural Resources at SAP. This is the third episode in a series — done in partnership with SAP — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across several different industries on the state of their industry and what we can expect in the future.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The areas of opportunities for the high tech and industrial manufacturing industries
A deep dive into how the current market is causing organizations to develop new business models for growth
An exploration into ways organizations can evolve from product-centric to service-centric
A look into the challenges organizations will have to overcome during this evolution

The high tech and industrial manufacturing industries, like many other industries, have undergone dramatic shifts in the last few years and many organizations within these industries are still dealing with the changes. My conversation Stefan explores how organizations can navigate these changes and find success for the future. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industries, be sure to check out our research brief How High Tech and Manufacturing Organizations Drive Business Impact from Digital Transformation.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Esam Elashmawi, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Lattice Semiconductor. Our conversation centers around Lattice’s recent Q2 earnings, what to expect from the company going forward, what their strategy is, and much more you won’t want to miss.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A broad overview of recent earnings from around the industry
A deep dive into the recent record breaking Q2 2022 revenue report from Lattice, and how they can continue their growth and success
A look into the CHIPS Act and how it will drive innovation in the future
An exploration of FPGA’s as an industry and as a market, and how more applications could leverage an FPGA that maybe wasn’t considered before

If you’d like to learn more about Lattice Semiconductor, check out their website here.

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In this week’s episode of The 5G Factor, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Ron Westfall, for a look at the 5G ecosystem and the goings on that recently caught our attention.

Our coverage includes some of the latest 5G news, including:

Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales collab. Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Thales are collaborating to take 5G to space — which is pretty exciting. The companies are looking at using satellite driven non-terrestrial networks, or NTN, using low Earth orbit satellites (LEO), to enable this communication capability on a worldwide basis. This will be a game-changer delivering connectivity only for under-served area and hard to reach areas, and providing a solid assist in worldwide military operations, workers stationed in the middle of the sea, remote deserts, dense forests, and other places that are incredibly difficult to reach.

Each of the three companies are making unique contributions to make this happen. Ericsson is testing the vRAN stack, Thales is ensuring the 5G payload will work for satellite comms, and Qualcomm is is working to ensure the 5G handset form factor will support all these capabilities.

T-Mobile outruns the competition. T-Mobile aces speed tests – again, and largely performs better than its major competitors when it comes to speed (upload and download), and overall network tests. And not only is T-Mobile winning when it comes to speed tests, it’s also coming out on top as it relates to overall mobile experience, voice experience, and games experience. These kinds of results are as significant for consumers as they make decisions about devices and mobile service providers as it is for enterprises who seek enhanced collaboration experience for their WFH teams and field personnel and beyond.

Elon Musk might not be winning friends at the FCC. Analysts are discussing the fact that Elon Musk, who likes to whine when things don’t go his way, might be losing support from both Democrats and Republicans with the Twitter games he’s playing. Last week we covered Elon Musk’s (lame) move against 5G, claiming that 12 GHz spectrum will be harmful to his SpaceX Starlink satellites. Analysts are opining that this might bode well for DISH as the primary user of the 12 GHz band, providing service to satellite customers. Watching this shift in sentiment is interesting.

China isn’t wasting time on private 5G. Thwarted in other 5G-related undertakings, Chinese operators are wasting no time building out enterprise private 5G networks. In fact, they’ve deployed 6,518 private 5G networks so far this year, up from 1,655 just a year ago. Where are they putting those private 5G networks.

U.S. Regulators Greenlight Ericsson Vonage Deal. Ericsson gets final approval from U.S. for Vonage acquisition. This both diversifies and strengthens Ericsson’s offerings base and is a good thing for customers as well.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, our conversation today centers on the integration of two worlds in manufacturing environments to achieve digitalization and Industry 4.0.

In many manufacturing environments there is the physical world, or OT systems, composed of machines and industrial equipment. Then there is the digital world, or IT systems, composed of servers, networking, and other apps to run and process data. Thanks to advances in technology, we are seeing a convergence of these two worlds, but there are still a number of challenges that organizations must overcome. In this episode, I’m joined by Silvio Rasek, Head of Marketing, Factory Automation and Smart Data, Siemens, to discuss common challenges we are seeing with the IT/OT convergence and what Siemens is doing to help organizations overcome these roadblocks and find success.

Our conversation centered on the following:

Current trends that are impacting today’s production environment
The opportunities that come with connecting the shop floor to IT systems
Top barriers to implementing smart factories and complete IT/OT convergence
How organizations can overcome these barriers
An overview of the Siemens Mindsphere and Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform that will support the IT/OT convergence

This was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss.

If you would like to learn more about Siemens Mindsphere or Siemens Xcelerator, you can get more information here.

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Welcome to The Main Scoop — a new monthly webcast series done in partnership with Broadcom hosted by Greg Lotko, SVP and GM, Mainframe Software and Daniel Newman, Principal Analyst at Futurum Research. On this first episode they are joined by Christian Jacobi, Fellow, CTO System Architecture and Design zSystems at IBM to discuss the z16 release. Greg and Daniel also discuss The Main Scoop series and what listeners can expect from future episodes.

The conversation covered the following:

A dive into the z16 release focusing on AI, cyber security, and hybrid cloud
Insight on the role of the mainframe in a hybrid cloud deployment
What Broadcom is seeing when it comes to the cloud and how they are prepared to support their customers

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode of The Main Scoop series.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined Aparna Seksaria, Global Practice Lead R&D Solutions, Life Sciences. This is the second episode in a series — done in partnership with SAP — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across several different industries on the state of their industry and what we can expect in the future.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The areas of opportunities for the life sciences industry
A deep dive into how the life sciences organizations can use industry cloud solutions augmented with additional technologies to foster growth
A look into how life sciences organizations have tackled the value chain challenges brought about by the pandemic
An exploration into ways organizations can produce products faster and more sustainably while reducing costs

The life sciences industry, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate transformation processes throughout the pandemic and many organizations are still dealing with these changes. My conversation Aparna explores how these changes are playing out and the role technology is playing. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry, be sure to check out our research brief The Evolution of Life Sciences Organizations: How Embracing Innovation Technology Solutions is Critical to Success.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Hans Kroes, Global VP and Head of the Industry Business unit for Professional Services at SAP and Ross Dawson, Keynote Speaker, Strategy Advisor, Bestselling Author, and Entrepreneur. This is the first episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across several different industries on the state of their industry and what we can expect in the future

In our conversation we discussed the following:

How the professional Services Industry has changed in recent years
A deep dive into how knowledge-based services are changing the industry
A look into how virtual firms and the shift to hybrid work are disrupting the industry
The monetization trends that are driving changes
Ways professional services firms can nurture talent more effectively
An exploration of the impact platforms will have on the industry

The professional services industry, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate digital transformation last year. My conversation with Hans explores how these changes are playing out across different areas in the industry and how technology can help. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry, be sure to check out our research brief Driving Everything as a Service in Professional Services.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, a Futurum Tech Webcast series focused on news and happenings in the 5G and IoT ecosystem, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Ron Westfall.

Our conversation today covered:

Elon Musk’s Starlink turning on 5G, protesting (this time) DISH Network’s proposal to use the 12 GHz radio spectrum for a 5G cellular network.
AT&T, DISH Network, and CableLabs are among the top U.S. companies and organizations that have stepped forward to handle the O-RAN Alliance’s activities in North America this year. Why that is and what that means.
The news of NEC acquiring Aspire Technology was big, and we explored the significance there as we move toward a global adoption of Open RAN 5G.
T-Mobile and Oceus have formed a strategic alliance to delivery key offerings to the U.S. Government, starting with the DoD. Why that alliance makes sense, and what they’re focused on.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, Ron Westfall and Steven Dickens are joined by distinguished guests Andy Hartland, Senior Consultant at Mainline Information Systems and Andrew Gracey, Product Manager for Developer Experience as SUSE.

Our discussion focused on the major trends and drivers as well as the main challenges in optimizing container management capabilities across swiftly evolving developer and IT Operations environments. Aligned with our discussion, we drilled down in our latest white paper, SUSE’s Innovation Engine Roars: SUSE Rancher Now on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE — done in partnership with SUSE — to explore why many organizations such as Mainline Information Systems rely on IBM’s zSystems and LinuxONE infrastructure to fulfill their container and Kubernetes requirements. How open-source adoption and IT operations that rely on technologies like Kubernetes running on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE based platforms can use SUSE Rancher to drive transformation without sacrificing the power of rapidly emerging new operational cloud-native paradigms.

Our conversation with Andy and Andrew highlighted the following top considerations:

What were Mainline’s main objectives for adopting SUSE Rancher
Why customers want SUSE Rancher on their mainframes
Mainline’s experience in adopting SUSE Rancher
How customers are gaining value from SUSE Rancher implementations
Why organizations should consider adopting SUSE Rancher over do-it-yourself Kubernetes implementations

It was a great and stimulating conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Interested in learning more about SUSE Rancher on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE? Want to learn more about the SUSE Rancher portfolio and why it’s well-suited to fulfilling the pivot to containerized microservices and reimagining cloud native infrastructures? Check out our latest report — SUSE’s Innovation Engine Roars: SUSE Rancher Now on IBM zSystems and LinuxONE — done in collaboration with SUSE.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, our webcast series here at Futurum Research where we discuss all things related to 5G and the IoT ecosystems, I’m joined by Christian Block Senior VP and GM of RF Front End (RFFE) for Qualcomm.

We kicked off our conversation by hearing a little about Christian’s back ground, his work in RF Front End, and what led him to Qualcomm Technologies.

Our conversation covered:

Why RF Front End (RFFE) technology is essential to 5G ecosystem product development and innovation.
A dive into Qualcomm Technologies RFFE solutions and the role they are playing in enabling handset capabilities.
A look at where is Qualcomm Technologies’ RFFE position now, and how Christian see’s Qualcomm’s differentiation in the market.
Christian’s thoughts on how he expects that differentiation to change moving forward.
The market prospects for Qualcomm Technolgoies RFFE proposition (i.e. the serviceable available market) and what that looks like.
Advancements in 5G for the automotive sector and the role Christian sees Qualcomm’s Qualcomm’s RFFE portfolio playing there.
The IoT sector and the opportunities ahead for Qualcomm’s RFFE portfolio there.
The 3rd gen expansion of the Wi-Fi Front-End Module (FEM) and how this portfolio differentiates Qualcomm Technologies’ RFFE solutions.
And the importance of Qualcomm performing filter technology for these FEMs.

We closed our conversation talking about the future and how Christian sees Qualcomm defining success over the next year and beyond. And finally, Christian shared one final thought about the RFFE market and what he believes it’s important to be thinking about — but you’ll have to watch or listen to the interview (or read the transcript below) to find out what that advice is.

This was a fantastic conversation and a deep dive into all things RFFE, the importance of RFFE’s role in 5G ecosystem product development and innovation and how Qualcomm Technologies is innovating in this space.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ashok Kurian, Director of Data and Analytics at Texas Children's Hospital, and Matt Hausmann, Director of Marketing for HPE Ezmeral, for a conversation focusing on innovation and technology advancement in the healthcare industry.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Opportunities and challenges that healthcare organizations face with AI, ML, and data analytics
How Texas Children’s Hospital is leveraging data to improve the patient experience and expand pediatric research
Unique ways that HPE and Texas Children’s Hospital are working together

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HPE check out their website here, and to learn more about the Texas Children’s Hospital check their website here.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Gerri Gold, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for HPE Financial Services In order to be successful in today’s economy, organizations have a lot to juggle. One area that is often under-explored by the business leaders is the return on technology assets. This requires a holistic view of the entire tech stack and to know when, where, how to invest, and how to optimize. In this episode, Gerri and I explore how tech asset management can make a difference for organizations and their transformations.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A dive into what is top of mind for executives today
Insight from Gerri on how global events and our current business climate are impact technology choices
How moving to as-a-Service can help organizations
A look into why businesses should look at assets and asset value across their tech landscape.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HPE Financial services and their initiatives, check out their website here.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Durga Malladi, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Qualcomm for a conversation focusing on the recent acquisition of Cellwize, 5G, and Open RAN.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A dive into the recent acquisition of Cellwize
Insight from Durga into how the acquisition will propel Qualcomm ahead in the 5G forefront
The impact on operators and why Cellwize technology + Qualcomm will be important for mobile operators
A look into the potential drive growth across the Qualcomm portfolio

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about Qualcomm visit their website here.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Paul Sheeran, Managing Director for HPE Financial Services. Sustainability has shifted from a nice-to-have to a business imperative. We used to think we had to compromise on cost to be sustainable but being a force for good is also a source for business value. In this episode, Paul and I explore how introducing circularity into your tech estate can help drive innovation, increase profitability, and accelerate your organization’s global impact.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A dive into some of the trends that we are seeing in regards to sustainability
Insight from Paul on practical ways companies can improve their sustainability strategy
What it means to create circularity and how it can help organizations operate at peak efficiency
A look into what HPE Financial Services is doing to help address the demand for ESG and sustainability initiatives in the future.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HPE Financial services and their initiatives, check out their website here.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, principal analyst Shelly Kramer sat down with Pegasystems’ CTO Don Schuerman for a conversation about what’s new, and what’s next in transformative tech and a glimpse into what’s ahead at Pega’s PegaWorld iNspire 2022 event.

You can register for PegaWorld iNspire 2022 here – it’s free, accessible on demand if you don’t catch it live, and well worth your time to check out.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, Daniel Newman and Ron Westfall are joined by Richard Licon, Technical Marketing Engineer at Cisco. Richard’s primary duties include competitive test and analysis for Switching solution architectures.

Our discussion focused on the major trends and drivers as well as the main challenges of the swiftly evolving cloud networking market. We drilled down in our latest white paper, The Future of Cloud is the Network — done in partnership with Cisco — to explore the foundation pillars of cloud networking that are key to the cloud neutral strategy enterprise organizations need in our hybrid and multi-cloud world.

Our conversation with Richard highlighted the following foundation pillars:

What the best-in-class infrastructure pillar means to customers
How automated secure connectivity is vital to multi-site fabrics
Why simplified operations are key to out-of-box solutions and spinning new fabrics
The essential role unified management and policy plays in application optimization and attaining holistic visibility across cloud networking environments
How pervasive visibility and insights is vital to fabric-wide testing, rich telemetry, and API-first discipline to integrate with existing tooling.

It was a great and stimulating conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Interested in learning more about Cloud Networking? Want to learn more about Cisco’s cloud networking portfolio and why it’s well-suited to fulfilling the foundation pillars and why it’s well-suited to enable cloud neutral strategy? Check out our latest report — The Future of Cloud is the Network — done in collaboration with Cisco.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, a Futurum Tech Webcast focused on all things 5G, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall take a look at what’s happening across the 5G ecosystem. Today’s show focused on partnerships and 5G focused initiatives between AT&T and Northrop Grumman, Intel and Lockheed, Mavenir and Aspire, Cisco and Verizon, along with a look at Qualcomm’s efforts in providing security requirements and best practices for the O-RAN Alliance, and news of the $600M award by the DoD to vendors including AT&T, Ericsson, Nokia, Federated Wireless, and others earmarked for 5G testbed R&D.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer sits down with SAP’s Amanda Mountain, Global Vice President of SAP Digital Commerce for a conversation on Earth Day 2022 about all things sustainability. Sustainability is, without question, the new business imperative, and in this webcast we shared some interesting research about customer thoughts on sustainability, advice on how organizations can plan their sustainability inititiaves, and technology solutions designed to help speed progress on the sustainability front along.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Scott Ramsay, Global Vice President, HPE GreenLake Cloud Services Portfolio, for a conversation focusing on the evolution of public cloud. In our conversation we discussed the following:

Scott’s thoughts on public cloud, its initial takeoff, and the problems public cloud is helping to solve
A deep dive into how public cloud is meeting customer expectations and improving the customer experience
An exploration into how the HPE GreenLake platform is evolving to address the current set of challenges for businesses
The driving factor behind the maturity of the HPE GreenLake platform and the long term advantages for the company going forward

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HPE GreenLake check out their website here.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Rhys Oxenham, Director, Field Product Management at Red Hat, for a conversation around one of our favorite topics: Edge+Topologies. This conversation is the final webcast in a four-part series with Red Hat. In our conversation we discussed the following: * How Red Hat defines “The Edge” * An overview of how data is being created and saved within the cloud * An exploration into how Red Hat simplifies and creates processes that can be managed by enterprises * A dive into Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ian Hood, Chief Strategist at Red Hat, for a conversation around one of our favorite topics: Edge+Security. This conversation is the third in a four-part series with Red Hat.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer sits down with Frank Wu, an Automation Strategist for Red Hat’s Global Financial Services division, for a conversation about all things automation as it relates to the financial services industry. Their conversation touched on the role automation is playing in the FSI industry, the challenges FSIs face, including a dearth of highly skilled tech talent, the maturity curve for FSIs as it relates to adopting automation, the challenges around existing investments and legacy operating systems and how to navigate those challenges, and what FSI leaders should consider when evaluating automation platforms and potential vendor partners.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Bradd Weidenbenner, a Product Manager for Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes with Red Hat, for a conversation around one of our favorite topics: Edge+Scalability. This conversation is the second in a four-part series with Red Hat.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A deep dive into real world Edge use cases,
A look at the most prevalent challenges within specific industries
An exploration into the Five Pillars of Advanced Cluster Management (ACM), and the specific challenges that it's addressing
A deeper dive into Advanced Cluster Management and how it is helping deploy multiple clusters of scale

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Interested in learning more about edge+scalability? Be sure to read our latest research brief A Deep Dive into Edge+Scalability. Want to learn more about what Red Hat and what they are doing with open source edge computing? Check out our latest report — The Value of Open Source for Modern Edge Computing — done in collaboration with Red Hat.

Also, make sure you check out our first episode in this four-part series with Red Hat, A Deep Dive into Edge+Automation with Dafné Mendoza.

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In this episode of the The 5G Factor, Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall tackle a variety of interesting developments in the 5G ecosystem. This week’s show includes a look at Netcracker’s Digital Platform, and Amdocs’ expansion of 5G solutions designed to accelerate 5G standalone networks. They dive into Ericsson’s newly released Breaking the Energy Curve report and explore Cisco and Telenor’s expanded partnership focused on expanded services designed to help enterprise clients accelerate their digital transformation journeys. They also covered news of Rogers Communications launch of the first commercially available 5G standalone network in Canada and wrapped the show with news of The 5G Preliminary Challenge event launched by way of a collaboration between the NTIA and the DoD and designed to helping conquer the digital divide in myriad ways.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer is joined David Maidment, Senior Director, Secure Devices Ecosystem at Arm for a conversation about IoT security and why and how it’s so quickly become a priority for organizations. They also explore the role PSA Certified is playing on that front and how organizations can benefit from its expert IoT security framework and certification, as well as why 2022 is predicted to be a significant turning point for IoT security.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Dafné Mendoza a Principal Technical Marketing Manager for Ansible Automation Platform for Red Hat, for a conversation around one of our favorite topics: Edge+Automation. This conversation is the first in a four-part series with Red Hat.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Barbara Ballard, Senior Product Manager, and Michael Mackes, Senior Systems Engineer, from Micro Focus during the SHARE Conference in Dallas. Their conversation centers around their roles on the host access team, how Micro Focus's products facilitate all the connections to the zOS, and how terminal emulation can fit in the landscape and securely protect those connections.

To learn more about Micro Focus visit their website.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Frank DeMarco, VP, Development at Kyndryl about the company's recent launch, their partnerships with hyperscalers, and the extensive apprenticeship and training program that keeps their 8,300 member delivery team skilled and trained.

To learn more about Kyndryl check out their website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Nicole Herskowitz, Vice President at Microsoft. Nicole is responsible for the teams that drive the advancement of Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365.

Our discussion covered some of the interesting data points from Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trends Index and what leaders need to do to adjust to this hybrid workforce in transition.

A Hybrid Workforce in Transition: Exploring Microsoft's 2022 Work Trends Index My conversation with Nicole also revolved around the following:

An exploration into how employees are approaching work and why the “worth it” equation has changed.
How organizations can balance in-person and remote work
How technology like Microsoft Teams can help employees find a balance in their work
New patterns we’ve seen emerge in the workplace since the beginning of the pandemic
A look into what is next for the future of work

The way we work is still in flux. Some people are returning to work in the office, some people are remaining at home. But one thing is certain, leaders have a lot of responsibility to make work work. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the 2022 Work Trends Index, be sure to listen to the episode and check out the full report online.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Richard Baird, Chief Technology Officer at Kyndryl. Their conversation focuses on Richard's role as CTO, how the company helps clients modernize their mainframe environment, and the hyperscaler trends they're seeing.

To learn more about Kyndryl check out their website.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens is joined by Eddy Ciliendo, VP of Strategy and Technology at Model9 to talk about what the company is doing to give the power of the cloud to the mainframe and bring those two worlds together for their clients.

During their conversation, Eddy also shared how Model9 very recently started working with Microsoft Azure to enable any organization to backup their mainframe data to an Azure cloud region outside of their geopolitical region. You can read more about it here.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Michael Daubman, Director of Product Management, Broadcom Mainframe Software at Broadcom, about the company's MRI software and how it gives clients a look at the health of their system.

To learn more about Broadcom, check out their website here.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens is joined by April Hickel, VP of Strategy for BMC. Their conversation centers on her role with BMC, the results of their latest client survey, and the company's focus on three major themes: Security, application development, and how to increase the speed and quality of software that connects to or touches the mainframe.

To learn more about BMC visit their website.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Mark Wilson, Director, Consulting Services for BMC about Mark's role in the company, what they're seeing from a mainframe security point of view, and how they're meeting the evolving needs of their customers.

To learn more about BMC, check out their website here.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Rebecca Levesque, CEO of 21st Century Software, and Gonzalo Muelas Serrano, the company's VP of Research and Development for VSEn, during the SHARE Conference in Dallas. They covered 21st Century's growth, some of the interesting things they've been doing in the mainframe space, and what their latest announcement, VSEn, means for their customers.

Check out their website to learn more.

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Futurum Research Senior Analyst and VP of Sales Steven Dickens talks with Iconium Software's Founder and CEO Rick Jones and President Mike Zinda during the SHARE Conference in Dallas. Their conversation focuses on the company's launch into the mainframe space and how their unique, patent-pending technology meets the need they recognized in the security market.

To learn more about Iconium Software visit their website.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum principal analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Alexandr Sadovoy, Solution Architect for MindSphere products, Siemens, to discuss the challenges facing manufacturing organizations today, and what Siemens is doing, specifically as it relates to Siemens Industry Software, to help them achieve their goals.

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In this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast — Interview Series, Futurum's Daniel Newman talks with Nukri Basharuli, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Aggregion about privacy and security on the edge to the cloud journey.

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about Aggregion check out their website here.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, Futurum’s Daniel Newman is Pat Brown, VP of Growth Marketing & Insights at Adobe, for a conversation around Adobe's recent Digital Economy Index, which was released today at Adobe Summit.

This is a don't-miss conversation for those interested in economics, e-commerce, digital transformation and more. Want to learn more about the index? Be sure to download the full version here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Tareq Amin, CEO of Rakuten Symphony, and Durga Malladi, Senior Vice President & General Manager, 5G, Mobile Broadband & Infrastructure at Qualcomm for a conversation around the big announcement between the two companies. Rakuten Symphony Adopting Qualcomm Cell Site Modem Tech

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The details of the expanded partnership between the two companies
Why this announcement is so important
What this means for the industry as a whole
Who are the targets from a customer perspective and what benefits can they expect

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about Rakuten Symphony check out their website and to learn more about Qualcomm visit their website here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Erez Dagan Executive Vice President, Product and Strategy for Mobileye. Erez is responsible for overseeing all parts of planning, development, and production of products that are helping shape the future of mobility — a vital role in today’s business climate.

Our discussion centered on how the announcements Mobileye made at CES 2021 and where the autonomous vehicle industry is headed in the future.

The Challenges of Scaling Autonomous Vehicle Growth

My conversation with Erez also revolved around the following:

An exploration into how autonomous driving solutions are slowly going mainstream
How organizations like Mobileye are overcoming the challenges presented by the chip shortage
How Mobileye is approaching safety in the industry
How REM mapping is a unique differentiator for Mobileye
A look into how data will be responsibly managed

The autonomous driving industry is growing at unprecedented speeds. This episode is a must listen for anyone interested in the technology that will likely become a part of our everyday lives in just a few short years.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, I’m joined by Tara DeZao, Product Marketing Director, AdTech and MarTech at Pegasystems for timely conversation about the shift away from third party data and what that means for marketers. Over the last few years, there has been a lot of concern around the amount of data that is used to track us. Every action we take online is tracked, which can be disconcerting when you think about it. But we are on the precipice of a new era. Data deprecation, or the process of limiting what data advertisers and marketers have access to, is slowly picking up steam. And while this is great for consumers, it’s adding in a layer of complexity for brands who still need to deliver personalized customer experiences.

We at a crossroads. The organizations that serve up quick, efficient, personalized, and intuitive experiences can because of their access to data. Those are the kind of experiences we crave as consumers. So as organizations shift from third party data, what do marketers need to know to still be able to provide those experiences? Tara and I explored the topic in great detail.

Here are some of the highlights from our conversation:

An overview of the data privacy laws and regulations that have passed in the last half decade that have gotten us to where we are currently.
A look at how control over personal data is going back to the consumer.
How the data privacy changes have disrupted the digital marketing environment.
How brands are using data to create personalized customer experiences how consumers are reacting to these experiences.
An overview of how tech companies like Google and Apple are driving data depreciation and what marketers need to know about the changes.
How Pega can help marketers navigate this transformation.

We closed the conversation talking about how Pega can help marketers navigate this transformation at whatever speed is best for their organization and where we think brands and marketers should be focused for the future.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Joanna McDaniel Burkey, Chief Information Security Officer at HP Inc., for a conversation around security in the hybrid world.

Solving Security in the Hybrid World of Work In our conversation we discussed the following:

• The driving trend behind workers growing increasingly rebellious to security measures
• Staying on track without creating more tension in the company culture, as ITDMs are becoming disheartened and finding their efforts aren’t taking hold
• What CISOs are doing to drive change for new hybrid work
• What role Shadow IT is playing in the challenges and gaps in security
• A few of the endpoint security needs for organizations
• Recommendations for CISOs that are dealing with modern security competitivities

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. To learn more about HP, Inc. check out their website.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of The 5G Factor, part of the Futurum Tech Webcast, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer assess T-Mobile’s fulfillment of its mission to source 100% of its total electricity usage with renewable energy (RE100) by the end of 2021. T-Mobile attained this milestone by coordinating a renewable energy strategy that encompassed eight virtual power agreements, 19 retail agreements, one Green Direct program, and unbundled Renewable Energy Certificates that support projects nationwide.

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In this recent episode of The 5G Factor, part of the Futurum Tech Webcast series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examined the recent FCC Auction 110, also dubbed the Andromeda auction. The auction yielded some $22 billion in bids, with AT&T and Verizon walking away with the lion’s share of the spectrum licenses, with spends of around $9 billion and $7.3 billion respectively.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ross Mauri, General Manager for IBM Z, for a conversation around one of our favorite topics: AI. This conversation is the second in a three-part series with IBM Z.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

An overview of the IBM Telum Processor for IBM Z and what it will enable for their customers
A deep dive into real world use cases
An exploration into technical and operation assurance
How IBM Z is aligning with IBM’s overall strategic initiatives

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Want to learn more about what IBM Z and what they are doing in this space? Check out their website.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ross Mauri, General Manager for IBM Z, for a conversation that focuses on the future of IBM Z, digital transformation and what’s ahead for the tech industry. This conversation is the second in a three-part series with IBM Z.

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A look at the Red Hat acquisition and how that is helping IBM proliferate the hybrid cloud journey
A detailed exploration of IBM Z’s perspective of agility in digital transformation
What the future holds for confidential computing
How mainframe will continue to evolve to keep up with the cloud

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Want to learn more about what IBM Z and what they are doing in this space? Check out their website.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast’s series, The 5G Factor, Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall talk T-Mobile/Verizon and the Super Bowl, Ericsson’s role in unlocking 5G core and what this means for CSPs, Swedish-based Kollmorgen’s partnership with Ericsson and the results of their testing robots and comparing wifi against 5G in industrial/manufacturing settings, Cisco entering the private 5G market, and Vodafone UK tapping Oracle to spearhead network policy.

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In this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast — Interview Series, Futurum's Daniel Newman talks with Yoshinami Takahashi, EVP, Head of Software & Solution Business Group for Fujitsu about Fujitsu’s focus for the future and how their plans for growth will meet the challenges of our ever-changing world.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Ross Mauri, General Manager for IBM Z, for a conversation around optimizing app modernization. This conversation is the first in a three-part series with IBM Z.

The Magic In Optimizing App Modernization In our conversation we discussed the following:

The different messages that exist around migrating workloads to the cloud
A quick reaction on a recent report from Andreessen Horowitz on migration
An exploration into the things that come to market that are “anti-mainframe”
The talent needed to keep growing and stay competitive
How IBM Z is addressing the different trends in the marketplace

It was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. Want to learn more about what IBM Z and what they are doing in this space? Check out their website. Also, be sure to hit subscribe down below so you won’t miss the next two episodes in the series.

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In the latest episode of The 5G Factor, a Futurum Research production focused on the 5G ecosystem, latest news and trends Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall cover Netcracker and T-Mobile expanding their strategic partnership, T-Mobile keeps winning the 5G speed war, AT&T and Dish win big in the Andromeda Auction, and T-Mobile and renewable energy.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Steve Sloan, CEO for Contentful, for a conversation around the key elements of digital transformation success.

Contentful was born out of necessity. The company’s co-founders realized that a lot of developers replicate content regularly when building apps. They created a way to create and launch content for any device, seamlessly. With Contentful, teams can build new applications, channels, and services quickly and efficiently to help their business grow. It was a fascinating conversation with Steve, and one you don’t want to miss.

The Key Elements of Digital Transformation:

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The future for Contentful in the market
Where companies are in their digital transformations
An exploration into the new digital experiences people are looking to have that companies need to provide
Real-life customer use cases

Want to learn more about what Contentful and what they are doing in this space? Check out their website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Jeanette Barlow, Vice President of Product Marketing for Pegasystems, for a conversation around the future of AI and intelligent automation.

What's Ahead for Intelligent Automation In our conversation we discussed the following:

The possible innovations we might see in 2022 in intelligent automation
How the brands will also focus on their employees more in the coming year
The role AI will play in the coming year
What is driving the changes we are seeing in the workplace

It was a great conversation and if you’re interested in the intelligent automation space, one you don’t want to miss. Want to learn more about what Pega is doing to move intelligent automation forward? Check out their website.

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Marvell Technologies OCTEON Fusion line is developed to deliver processing power combined with the enhanced security, packet processing, and traffic management functions needed to power O-RAN innovation across the 5G ecosystem. Futurum’s Ron Westfall and Marvell’s Joel Brand examine why Marvell’s merchant silicon OCTEON Fusion offering provides the capabilities and silicon-level differentiation key to attaining breakthrough performance and deployment flexibility across O-RAN environments.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, broadcast originally on LinkedIn Live, Futurum lead analyst Shelly Kramer talks with Amplience’s VP of Product Marketing Adam Sturrock about how the headless commerce experience platform is driving digital transformation in a massive way for brands and retailers. Their conversation touched on the challenges today’s brands and retailers face, key industry trends driving a need for agility and rapid transformation, and what’s ahead in 2022.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host and principal analyst Shelly Kramer sits down with Chris Carlstead and Kelley Lear from Thomson Reuters to talk about how automating procurement is a game-changer in myriad ways.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum’s Shelly Kramer is joined by HRIZONS President and CEO for a discussion about HR Tech and the role it plays in providing solutions to the challenges being faced by a tech-enabled workforce, and the adjustments they are having to make to survive and prosper in a working world defined by the realities of a hybrid workplace.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series live from NRF 2022, I am joined by Art Miller, Senior Director Global Retail IoT Business Development at Qualcomm, for a conversation around NRF 2022, Qualcomm’s vision for IoT and the future of retail.

Using Technology to Improve Customer Experience and Vision for Retail IoT

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The expansion of IoT in the retail industry
How the blending of online and offline experiences is going to impact the future of retail
An overview of the partners Qualcomm is working with
How big the opportunity is for the retail industry and Qualcomm as a whole
Trends that we are seeing at NRF 2022

It was an excellent conversation with several insightful tidbits. If you are interested in learning more about Qualcomm’s IoT portfolio, be sure to check out their website.

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In this episode of the AT&T BizTalks Roundtable, Futurum analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Glen Gilmore, Helen Yu, and Kevin Jackson for a conversation about Tech Trends, Predictions and Inspiration for businesses in 2022. In this dynamic conversation this group of tech experts explore supply chain challenges and what to expect in 2022, skills and capabilities organizations need to be thinking about (and hiring for), trends, the technologies that are driving innovation, where to invest resources in 2022 and pitfalls to be on the lookout for.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine the debut of the Marvell AtlasOne chipset, the company’s 50Gbps PAM4 chipset solution for 5G fronthaul, targeted at improving performance for integrated radio access networks (RAN), as well as Open (O-RAN) and virtualized (vRAN) architectures. To meet growing 5G capacity demands, mobile operators are prioritizing fronthaul solutions that scale beyond 25G. The Marvell AtlasOne chipset, optimized for performance improvement and up to 25% lower power consumption, is part of Marvell’s electro-optics portfolio aimed at easing vRAN and O-RAN adoption.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer explore Ericsson ConsumerLab’s presentation of its annual 10 Hot Consumer Trends report, now in its 11th year. This year, Ericsson ConsumerLab focused on the topmost high-tech facilities that consumers conceive in hybrid malls by 2030. In the Everyspace Plaza construct, AR glasses, haptic body suits, and tactile gloves could be shared at low cost, and environments could be programmed and adapted to a broad array of emerging applications and activities.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast series, The 5G Factor, lead analyst Shelly Kramer recaps T-Mobile’s Neville Ray’s recent AMA with the Reddit community, on all things 5G, including network updates, some 5G deployment use cases and other interesting updates.

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In the latest episode of The 5G Factor, a Futurum Research production focused on the 5G ecosystem, latest news and trends Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall cover Marvell’s new AtlasOne chip, news out of T-Mobile on 5G by way of Neville Ray’s Reddit AMA, Apple’s SE 5G and the opportunities that presents to convert potentially billions of Android users, and key insights from Ericsson’s 10 Hot Consumer Trends report.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Nigel Alvares, Vice President of Solutions Marketing at Marvell for a conversation around Marvell’s recent Industry Analyst Day. It was a great recap of the event and a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Marvell Industry Analyst Day 2021

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Highlights of recent company growth and momentum going forward
A recap of Industry Analyst Day
Marvell’s thoughts on future development of various technologies including 5G, cloud networking, and storage solutions
What’s ahead for Marvell and why customers should be excited for the future

If you want to learn more about some of Marvell’s announcements from Industry Analyst Day check out this great recap my colleague Ron Westfall put together.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, host Shelly Kramer is joined by Avalara’s Maria Tringali for a conversation about the nuances of sales tax compliance and how an end-to-end software solution can not only help mitigate risk related to compliance issues, but also make life infinitely easier for businesses of all sizes.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Esam Elashmawi, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Lattice Semiconductor, for an exciting conversation about the myths that exist around FPGAs and the things Lattice is doing to set the record straight.

Three Myths about FPGAs

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The reality of FPGA offerings
Whether or not you really need high performance FPGAs and GPUs for AI and machine learning
A look into the investments that Lattice has made around FPGA design

FPGAs are an important piece of the compute architecture, but not everything that is said about them is true. If you’re interested in learning more about what Lattice is doing in the marketplace, be sure to check out their website.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Adam Tachner, Vice President Corporate Development & Chief Legal Officer at Groq, for a conversation about the happenings at Groq Day 2021 and other exciting updates from the company.

Carving a Path to the Future with AI, Machine Learning, and High-Performance Computing

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A recap of Groq Day 2021
A deeper look into some use cases that were presented at Groq Day
The big takeaways from the event

If you missed Groq Day and are interested in checking out the highlights, be sure to check out the event website. You can also listen to the full episode for an overview of what you missed.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall examine recent passage of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that includes $65 billion targeted at expanding access to reliable high-speed Internet and further bridging the digital divide through investment in broadband infrastructure including 5G connectivity.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer delve into the Qualcomm Investor Day 2021 event highlighted by CEO Cristiano Amon’s Keynote that talked about his vision for the company and propelling Qualcomm’s ongoing success through market diversification.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer break down the key takeaways from the GSMA produced The Mobile Economy North America - 2021 report released in conjunction with MWC Los Angeles 2021 show, including the major North American trends through 2025, evolving mobile operator content strategies, and expanding private network drivers.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum lead analyst Shelly Kramer is joined by Sodales’ Kirsty Thompson for a conversation about enterprise health, safety, and environment management software. With workplace-related injuries costing businesses upwards of $1 billion per week, not counting the very real hits to productivity and morale for employees for whom well-being is a key concern, there’s no time like the present for business leaders to transition business operations from relying on poorly managed, siloed employee health and safety programs to best-in-class solutions.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, part of the Futurum Tech Webcast family of content, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Ron Westfall for our weekly look at what’s happening the world of 5G. Our conversation today explored the following:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is good news for efforts to bridge the digital divide. Passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the good news that brings for expanding broadband and 5G connectivity across the nation, closing the digital divide and allocating millions to a variety of different initiatives, as well as $100 million to each of the states.
Data from the GSMA report: 2021 The Mobile Economy North America including the fact that in North America, $1 trillion of mobile technologies and services generated 4.4% of GDP in North America in 2020, which is a contribution equivalent to $1 trillion of economic value added. Wonder why we focus so much on 5G — these numbers are only going up! Ron broke down growth we can expect ahead, content strategies for CSPs and partnerships we’re seeing, along with some info on private networks, which we’ve covered here frequently
Qualcomm had an impressive Investor Day 2021 event this last week and we wrapped the show talking about some of Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon’s vision, the diversification strategies the company has and is embracing, and how that’s paying off and will continue to do so for the technology giant now and in the future.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I had the pleasure of being joined by PROS Ulrich von Beck. Ulrich is the VP of pre-sales/strategic consulting for PROS, and our conversation explored where digital transformation is headed, and the role future proofing will play in organizations in our post-pandemic world.

PROS provides artificial intelligence-based software as a service offerings that help organizations optimize every shopping and selling interaction, enabling companies to deliver personalizes offers to buyers, at scale, with speed, precision, and consistency.

In the last 18 months we’ve seen digital transformation happen on steroids. Organizations have completely rethought business models, technology investment priorities have shifted, and the way we work has changed. So, what do businesses need to do to keep moving forward? Will certain technologies play a bigger role in operational models? That’s exactly what Ulrich and I will be exploring in today’s conversation.

The highlights of our conversation centered around the following:

What does future proofing an organization mean, and what does it look like, specifically, in an enterprise organization?
The role of AI in futureproofing, and how AI can help organizations move from digital transformation to operating a digital business?
While it’s important, future proofing doesn’t happen overnight. We explored challenges customers will have to deal with and thoughts around surmounting those challenges.
Organizations are infusing AI into business operations, we explored some use cases and discussed what’s ahead with AI-powered offerings.

We wrapped the show with a conversation about what excites us most about the future of business and what we’re seeing today.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, sponsored by Intel, I am joined by Patty Kummrow, Vice President Network and Edge Group, General Manager Ethernet Products Group at Intel Corporation for a conversation around Intel's Infrastructure Processing Units development.

Exploring Intel's IPU Development

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Highlights from Intel InnovatiON
An exploration into IPU and why Intel is excited for this new adventure
The drivers of IPU development and the role it plays in end-to-end network
Why storage innovation is so critical for our current ecosystem
A look into the future of IPU development and what listeners should expect next

As always it was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. If you want to learn more about Intel’s IPU development you can visit their website. Want to watch the video that DAniel and Patty referenced? Click here. Be sure to check out the complete episode below.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Christian Block, SVP & GM, RFFE, QUALCOMM Germany RFFE GmbH, for conversation around the latest happenings with Qualcomm’s RFFE portfolio.

Digging into Qualcomm’s RFFE Portfolio Expansions

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Why the latest RFFE expansions are so important for continued growth
An exploration of why Qualcomm’s role in the RFFE space is critical for areas like IoT and automotive
What is driving the RFFE growth
What catalysts we can expect to see to continue to drive growth

It was an excellent conversation with several of insightful tidbits. If you are interested in learning more about Qualcomm’s RFFE portfolio, be sure to check out their website.

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A couple of weeks ago at the MWC LA 2021 event, IBM announced that it would be partnering with both Cisco and Palo Alto Networks. My colleague and fellow analyst Ron Westfall and I covered this partnership in a recent episode of our webcast The 5G Factor and, yet again, these are examples of strategic partnerships being the way forward, especially as it relates to the 5G ecosystem.

These partnership deals between IBM and Cisco and IBM and Palo Alto Networks is all about slice lifecycle management and mitigating security challenges, both of which will become increasingly more important as 5G becomes more prevalent, with more customers and more 5G related service offerings proliferate.

The IBM Cisco partnership is about the pairing of IBM’s Cloud Pak platform with Cisco’s Crosswork service, which is intended to facilitate the automation and abstraction of the complexity of managing the virtualization of radio and network core.

Much like with the Samsung Ciena partnership we discussed earlier in our webcast, companies are focused on slice lifecycle management, slice assurance, and slice troubleshooting, which are critical to maintaining service level agreements, so they’re laying the foundation for that here.

IBM and Palo Alto Networks’ partnership is about security and helping to mitigate the security challenges that telco operators have as they deploy 5G services and edge services.

Why is this important? IBM has reported that some 75% of operators have experienced incidents of fraud, with 61% reporting that network security threats have increased significantly in the last two years — threat actors haven’t hesitated to take advantage of a global pandemic to wreak havoc where possible.

Security virtualization is all about shifting security functions from dedicated hardware appliances to software that can either be moved between commodity hardware or run in the cloud. With the increased virtualization of compute and network environments, there’s a demand for the virtualization of security functions in a portable way, so they can move along with the apps and compute workloads wherever needed.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer assess the 5G ecosystem implications of the Rakuren Symphony, Intel, and Juniper Networks collaboration to develop Symware, a carrier-grade Open RAN solutions aimed at modernizing radio cell sites by using the latest cloud-native architecture and capabilities.

Their conversation emphasized:

Why the Symware multipurpose edge alliance can provide communications service providers with the flexibility to densify their network, support new features while reducing the required hardware per site, and ultimately accelerate Open RAN deployments.
How the Symware solution combines the containerized cell site routing functionality and a containerized DU (Distributed Unit) one a single general purpose server platform, which can ease adoption complexity and decrease mobile operator capital and operational expenditures.
The use of Intel’s Xeon D Processors and FlexRAN reference software showcasing Intel portfolio innovation by enabling the consolidation of RAN workloads into a single Symware server as well as fulfilling the performance, capacity, and cost requirements of 5G RAN environments.
How the integration of Juniper’s routing technology and ORAN into a single platform can leverage disaggregation techniques and routing stacks to advance 5G networking slicing capabilities key to CSP 5G monetization objectives.

Shelly and Ron concluded that the three-way collaboration gives mobile operators the streamlined Open RAN solution along with the smart security, automation capabilities, and supply chain confidence needed to ramp up their Open RAN plans especially as they are increasingly candid about making Open RAN integral to their overall 5G network build and business objectives.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer assess the partnership between Qualcomm and Nothing, a start-up founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei and dedicated to building a world without barriers between people and technology.

Their conversation focused on:

The 5G ecosystem implications of Nothing’s first device launch of a transparent earbud - ear (1) - in August 2021that comes with active noise cancellation and a retail price of $99, selling more than 100,000 units in the first two months.
Why Qualcomm’s alliance is much ado about Nothing, especially in how the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform can power innovation of Nothing 5G products down the line.
Nothing raised in $50 million in a new Series A round extension backed by strategic and private investors setting the stage for speculation on Nothing portfolio development direction.

Ron and Shelly see Qualcomm’s collaboration with Nothing as a solid bet that Nothing can beat something alternatives setting the stage for Snapdragon-fueled device innovations across the 5G mobile ecosystem.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine the cutting edge 5G capabilities that T-Mobile is showcasing at T-Mobile Park, home to Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and why 5G-powered Augmented Reality (AR) experiences and 5G Mixed Reality (XR) application are ready to deliver immersive and interactive sports venue experiences.

Their conversation focused on:

The use of Nreal smart glasses to view an enhanced AR scoreboard and attain real-time MLB stat cast updates.
How partners, such as Omnivor provider of real-time face-to-face volumetric conversations for holographic applications and Iconic Engine, a supplier of XR streaming applications, are fueling T-Mobile 5G smart stadium innovations.
The application of breakthrough 5G drone technology enabled first-person views of the Field of Dreams ballpark movie site as well as broadcast MLB at Field of Dreams over T-Mobile’s 5G network.
Why using 5G technology to capture key MLB data such as the speed of fielders running to catch a ball, the velocity of pitches thrown, and the launch angle for each batter augments that overall stadium experience for MLB aficionado

Shelly and Ron surmised that the 5G-powered T-Mobile Park XR/AR experiences advance the ability of T-Mobile to monetize 5G smart stadium services and that combining 5G smart stadium capabilities with 10-cent beer nights would make for an unparalleled experience.

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In today’s episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Cybersecurity Shorts Series, I’m joined by Dell Technologies’ John Boyle and Rick Martinez. John is a cybersecurity and supply chain defense product manager and Rick is a senior distinguished engineer and a senior director at Dell. Our conversation today revolved around the current state of the cybersecurity industry, supply chain attacks, fed policy and orders, why zero trust is a thing these days, and more.

Some highlights of the discussion with Rick and John included:

Recent breaches and trends. Discussion around the major cybersecurity breaches that have recently happened, including:
Colonial pipeline
JBS Foods
New Cooperative hack

and response and trends around those attacks, as well as how/whether COVID and other things have contributed to the frequency of attacks.

Speaking of supply chain. Supply chain attacks are expected to quadruple in 2021 – and why a posture of ‘strong security protection’ is no longer enough.
President Biden’s executive order. This order, signed at the end of July to protect America’s critical infrastructure and what that involves.
Zero Trust. We’re hearing a lot about zero trust being the right security posture for the future. Rick elaborates a bit on that and provided some examples.
What industries are most at risk? Our conversation moved to thoughts on what industries are most at risk and how organizations who don’t have a security posture in place are struggling.
What can businesses do to protect themselves and some key technologies that can be adopted that will make a difference.
Overview of Dell security offerings both above and below the OS worth considering.

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In this video research note from The 5G Factor webcast series, Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall unpack the recently announced partnership between Samsung and Ciena and the value that’s intended to deliver for telecom operators looking to scale and evolve their networks to support the proliferation of 5G.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall cover 5G industry news, announcements coming out of this week’s MWC event, along with news about how 5G is being used in stadiums to power better fan experiences. They also cover recently announced partnerships, including those between Samsung and Ciena, Nothing and Qualcomm, IBM and Cisco/Palo Alto Networks and Rakuten/Intel and Juniper, then wrap with a short overview of the sessions Shelly moderated at this week’s AT&T’s Business Summit event.

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In an attempt to distance itself from negative publicity while putting in place a new corporate structure better suited for the future, Facebook has rebranded and restructured itself into a new parent company, Meta, and a suite of individuals brands. In this edition of the Futurum Tech Webcast, analysts Fred McClimans, Olivier Blanchard, Ron Westfall and Steven Dickens take a look at what this means for the future of Meta’s Metaverse.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I am joined by Malcolm Ferguson, Distinguished Technologist at HPE and Scott Thomson, HPE GreenLake Cloud Services Specialist for conversation around cloud strategies and why colocation is making more sense these days.

A Colocation Cloud Journey: Exploring the Acceleration of Colocation Strategies

In our conversation we discussed the following:

How the pandemic has impacted cloud strategies
The trends driving the acceleration of sourcing colocation facilities
The challenges customers are seeing with colocation facilities
How HPE GreenLake’s Edge-to-Cloud platform has helped organizations transition their IT to a cloud experience

It was an excellent conversation with several insightful tidbits.

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In this LinkedIn Live episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast — Interview Series, I’m joined by

James Riseman, Director of Product Marketing for Treasure Data for an extremely timely conversation about the value Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) can bring to teams outside of sales and marketing.

CDPs have quickly become an integral part of MarTech stacks, connecting customer data from multiple touchpoints like social media, websites, in-store, and others. Yet the data that is collected and managed within these CDPs has been siloed from the rest of the organization creating a disjointed customer experience — especially in customer service centers.

Customers today expect organizations to provide excellent customer experiences whether it’s online, in-store, or with a customer service agent. This requires data and complete customer profiles. So, what do organizations need to improve their contact center and overall customer experience? That’s exactly what explored in this conversation. James and I will dove into the world of customer experience, contact centers and CDPs outside of sales and marketing. In a time when customer experience means so much, this conversation should be a ‘must listen’ for every organization.

Some Background on Treasure Data

Treasure Data is a proven CDP expert that helps organizations meet the needs of every customer with accessible, flexible, agile, and scalable technology. Their latest release, CDP for Service is dedicated to powering improved customer experiences across the contact center by proving contact center agents with real-time data and complete customer profiles. It’s easy to see why it is such an attractive offering.

Unified Customer Data is Critical for Contact Centers

Customer experiences are crucial in today’s marketplace. Even the most loyal customer will reportedly leave an organization for a competitor after two or three negative experiences. Our conversation covered how the shift in customer experience demands are driving changes across organizations. James shared why connecting data from all touchpoints is a valuable tool for other departments outside of marketing and sales.

Our discussion also covered the following:

The customer experience changes we were seeing pre-pandemic that have been accelerated in the last 18 months.
Why CDPs are attractive offerings for organizations.
The impact CDPs will have in transforming contact centers from cost hubs to revenue generating experience centers.
Why CDP for Service will be a difference maker.
The organizations that can benefit the most from this new CDP.

If you’d like to learn more about the importance of transforming your contact center, be sure to check out our latest white paper Customer Data Platform: The Key for Contact Center Transformations. And if you’re already fully convinced that you can benefit from Treasure Data’s CDP for Service, visit their website to learn more about adoption. Finally, check out our full conversation, I promise it’s one you don’t want to miss.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, sponsored by Intel, I am joined by Rebecca Weekly, Vice President, General Manager, and Senior Principal Engineer of Hyperscale Strategy and Execution at Intel Corporation for conversation around system and software advances for cloud at scale. We also explored her keynote presentation from Intel InnovatiON 2021.

Live from Intel InnovatiON: Elevate Your Cloud With Rebecca Weekly

In our conversation we discussed the following:

Challenges that developers face across the cloud ecosystem
An exploration into the way hyperscalers need to evolve their thinking about the cloud
Why security is more important than ever
The key priorities as we seek to improve reliability and performance
What Intel’s ESG initiative looks like

As always it was a great conversation and one you don’t want to miss. If you want to learn more about Intel’s cloud initiatives you can visit their website. Be sure to check out the complete episode below.

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In this short episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I talk with Jim Elliott, Corporate SVP of Memory Sales for Samsung about the colleges and universities who will be participating in Samsung Tech Day 2021 on November 15, 2021 and some of the subject matter they will be covering.

The conversation highlighted:

The schools who are participating in Tech Day including MIT, UCLA, Carnegie Mellon and UC Santa Cruz
MIT’s session on flash and storage accelerators
UC Santa Cruz’s session on leading edge genomics research
UCLA’s session on utilizing in-storage SSV’s
Carnegie Mellon’s session on programmable logic and the future of data centers

There is lots to come during Samsung Tech Day 2021 and it’s sure to be a great event. If you are interested in attending, register here.

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In this short episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I sit down with Jim Elliott, Corporate SVP of Memory Sales for Samsung to discuss what customer collaboration stories we might hear at Samsung Tech Day 2021 on November 15, 2021.

The conversation covered:

How Samsung and its partners are pushing performance barriers across memory, CPUs, and the overall semiconductor industry.
How much pressure the IT community has been under due in large part to the digital transformations experienced during the pandemic.

There is lots to come during Samsung Tech Day 2021 and it’s sure to be a great event. If you are interested in attending, register here.

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In this short episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I talk with Jim Elliott, Corporate SVP of Memory Sales for Samsung about the technology showcases that attendees can expect to experience at Samsung Tech Day 2021 on November 15, 2021.

The conversation highlighted:

The 10 technology showcases covering disaggregated storage, memory workloads, networking interfaces, and CXLs just to name a few.
How Samsung plans to partner with customers to address the industry challenges that they are seeing with new innovations

There is lots to come during Samsung Tech Day 2021 and it’s sure to be a great event. If you are interested in attending, register here.

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In this short episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I sit down with Jim Elliott, Corporate SVP of Memory Sales for Samsung to explore some key sessions to look forward to during Samsung Tech Day 2021 on November 15, 2021 and what attendees can expect to walk away with.

The conversation highlighted:

The opening keynote by Memory Business President Jung-Bae Lee
Presentations from leaders of Samsung’s solutions groups
A keynote session from EVP of Sales and Marketing Jinman Han about what is powering this memory revolution

There is lots to come during Samsung Tech Day 2021 and it’s sure to be a great event. If you are interested in attending, register here.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Mounir Hahad, Head of Juniper Threat Labs at Juniper Networks, for a timely conversation about the current state of our threat landscape, which is as Mounir said, “Gloomy with a chance of ransomware,” as well as what businesses need to do to protect themselves.

Understanding our Current Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

In our conversation we discussed the following:

How Juniper Threat Labs builds models to assess the current landscape
What the biggest current threat is to organizations
How Juniper is translating its threat detection to actionable insights for its customers
Advice for security officers on how to deal with our current landscape

This is an excellent conversation about security threats that can impact businesses of any size so it’s one that you don’t want to miss.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Jim Elliott, Corporate SVP of Memory Sales for Samsung, for an exciting conversation about Samsung’s upcoming Tech Day 2021. This virtual event will showcase how Samsung Semiconductor is powering innovative experiences across the tech ecosystem with memory innovations.

Samsung Tech Day 2021: Powering Experiences with Memory Innovations

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The origins of Tech Day
What to expect from Tech Day 2021
An overview of some of the speakers and their subjects
The benefit of a virtual conference.

If you’re interested in attending Samsung Tech Day 2021 be sure to register here. It’s sure to be an event you don’t want to miss. You can also check out the full episode below for a complete teaser of what’s to come.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, I’m joined by Benoit Hardy-Vallee, AVP, Talent Experience Strategy at Phenom and his colleague Ajay Patel, Vice President, Global Head of Join at Straumann Group for a conversation about the importance of focusing on the candidate experience as well as employee experience in today’s job market.

We are seeing people leave jobs in droves, millions still looking for work, and employers reporting acute labor shortages. Coupled with changes in how and where people work, this is all adding up to be a job market like we’ve never seen before. So where do employers go from here? Is there a secret recipe they need to follow to fill their open roles and retain employees?

That’s exactly what we explored in this conversation. Together, with my extremely knowledgeable guests, we dove into the world of talent experience management and the new approaches businesses can take to make sure candidates find the right jobs, employees are able to grow in their current positions, recruiters are productive, and management meets their goals.

Some Background on Phenom

Phenom is a global HR Tech company with a decade of experience using technology to connect every interaction across the talent experience spectrum. Their Talent Experience Management platform easily connects with SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting which is used by thousands of companies across the globe.

Talent Experience Management is Critical For Organizations

Talent experience, which covers candidate experience, employee experience and the HR experience, has never been more important than it is today. Our conversation covered how the pandemic has shifted how businesses recruit and retain employees. businesses have shifted in the last year to respond to the changes caused by the pandemic. Benoit and Ajay shared why focusing on the holistic talent experience can have a big impact across the organization.

Our discussion also covered the following:

The impact the pandemic and “The Great Resignation” are having on talent retention
The roadblocks customers experience when trying to improve their candidate experience
The companies that can benefit most from Talent Experience Management
New developments that are on the horizon for Phenom

If your organization is looking to improve the full talent experience, be sure to check out Phenom’s Talent Experience Management platform, available now on SAP Store. Also be sure to check out our full conversation, I promise it’s one you don’t want to miss.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer assess Nokia’s introduction of FP5, its fifth generation of high-performance IP routing silicon that targets enabling communications service providers (CSPs) to provide greater and enhanced protection against escalating network security threats as well as efficiently scale network capacity and enable new higher speed 5G and IP services.

Their conversation emphasized:

The urgency of solving the DDoS security challenge since between 2019 and 2020 the number of DDoS attacks grew by 154%.
Why the FP5’s ability to deliver integrated line rate encryption for L2/L3 network services is integral to fulfilling CSP security objectives especially across the IP network security domain.
How Nokia bringing 800GE routing interfaces for service provider applications to market advances the ability of data centers to scale rapidly expanding workloads and supporting new applications and it is not too soon to consider 800G capabilities.
The Nokia’s FP5 network processors support of driving down power consumption per bit by 75% shows that CSPs do not need to trade-off energy efficiency and sustainability objectives in strengthening their network security implementations.

Shelly and Ron concluded that the FP5 silicon solutions bolsters Nokia’s competitive prospects in the Routed Optical Networking market segment and advances CSP prioritization of safeguarding their networks on a comprehensive basis.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer explore the mobile ecosystem implications of UK-based Vodafone’s preparing to announce the largest IoT airtime supply deal outside of China, encompassing millions of NB-IoT connections.

Their discussion highlighted:

The deal, with a yet unnamed manufacturer, breaks the million-mark threshold on connection volume, and it’s the beginning of what they see as large OEMs coming to market, and this is purportedly the first market to be built only for IoT.
How the viability and ultimate success of the Vodaone NB-IoT network is predicated on solving the billing, roaming, and interoperability issues that have stymied prior CSP cellular IoT service rollouts.
Vodafone’s NB-IoT addresses 55 in-network market segments with the potential to reach over 180 segments.
The current Vodafone offering uses LTE capabilities although 5G can potentially make the NB-IoT service more suitable for emerging use cases related to transportation, fleet management, and warehousing.

Shelly and Ron concur that the Vodafone NB-IoT network is a breakthrough for confirming CSP ability to offer and manage massive IoT services and that Vodafone’s €12.99 deal for 10 years of NB-IoT airtime is a tremendous value.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine DISH Network’s selection of IBM to help automate what it is promoting as the first greenfield cloud-native 5G network in the United States.

Their conversation focused on:

IBM’ crucial role in providing the intent-based orchestration and AI-enabled automation capabilities across DISH’s multi-vendor and multi-layer cloud native 5G network, now consisting of at least 30 named suppliers.
The DISH collaboration with IBM accentuates that AI-powered automation and network orchestration software and services is essential to enabling 5G network orchestration and key 5G capabilities such as network slicing.
Through IBM’s Cloud Pak for Network Automation solution, DISH aims to use intent-based orchestration capabilities to efficiently synthesize hardware and software resources that enable the network slicing that is key to the creation and delivery of new services such as use case specific network slices.
Why IBM’s AI and orchestration assets are so well-suited for fulfilling the major interworking and integration challenges of the DISH cloud-native 5G network architecture and deployment.

Ron and Shelly see the DISH deal as the CSP validation needed to boost IBM’s overall 5G ecosystem credentials and fulfilling customer-specific and vertical-specific needs through AI, orchestration, and network slicing innovation.

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In this Futurum Tech Webcast, Futurum Lead Analyst Shelly Kramer sits down with Dirk Häußermann of ATOSS for a conversation on the difference workforce management solutions can make for organizations looking to improve the employee experience.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer explore the collaboration of IBM Global Business Services with Telefonica to modernize Telefonica’s 5G core network platform built with IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation, Red Hat OpenShift, and Juniper Networks Apstra and QFX technology as well as DISH Network’s selection of IBM to help automate what the company is touting as the United States’ first greenfield cloud-native 5G network.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer assess why the Ericsson, Deutsche Telekom, and Samsung demonstration that confirmed end-to-end network slicing can work specifically for gaming applications is integral to advancing 5G monetization and use case networking objectives.

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In this excerpt from our Futurum Tech Webcast, Cybersecurity Shorts Series, Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Fred McClimans explore the Twitch hack and why a massive hack of this nature is a nightmare for infosec community — and should be a wakeup call as it relates to the primacy of network security.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Cybersecurity Shorts series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Fred McClimans cover the goings on in the world of cybersecurity. This week’s conversation includes the Facebook outage and (unrelated) claims of scraped data from 1.5 billion Facebook users available in a hacker forum, as well as a deep dive into the deets on the Twitch hack. They also covered the Syniverse hack that provided access to millions of text messages and customer information for a period of many years (and the impact on Syniverse’s teleco customers), the Atos win of an R&D project with ESA, along with a new bill proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren given victims of ransomware attacks 48 hours to report payments to their hackers.

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In this episode of Futurum newest webcast series, The 5G Factor, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow analyst Ron Westfall to explore and break down some of the most exciting news, trends, and partnerships in the 5G ecosystem. In this week’s episode we covered some exciting 5G news, including:

The future of cloud gaming — it’s powered by 5G. The future of cloud gaming is exciting, especially when powered by 5G end-to-end network slicing, which is revolutionizing cloud gaming services. We explore how this capability, the E2E network slicing, has been optimized for cloud virtual reality game streaming using Ericsson’s networks, service orchestration, and monetization tools, all of which will be instrumental in enabling communication services providers (CSPs) to “get a slice” of the action and, more importantly, monetize their networks. Ericsson’s E2E network slicing is definitely something to keep an eye on, as we know it will be a key enabler for innovation and opening up a myriad of 5G opportunities for CSPs across multiple industry segments, including healthcare, government, transportation, energy and utilities, media and entertainment.

Vodafone’s Multi-Million Market NB-IoT Deal is, Well, Pretty Massive. Cellular narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is in the news this week as UK-based Vodafone is reportedly on the brink of announcing its biggest ever IoT airtime supply deal outside of China. Carrier managed services can serve as a harbinger for how 5G and IoT can work on a mass market level – fleet management, transportation, warehousing, etc. where a mobile IoT is required. Our conversation covered why this deal is a big one and what it marks the beginning of.

IBM Partners with Telefonica for Cloud Native, 5G Core Network Platform. More exciting 5G news of the week is around IBM’s partnership with Telefonica to help the telco implement its UNICA NEXT 5G core network platform. IBM’s intelligent automation software and services will come from IBM’s Global Business Services unit and our conversation uncovered why this is also a very big deal – for both IBM and Telefonica.

DISH Makes a Tasty Treat of its Greenfield Cloud-Native 5G Network with IBM as a Partner. In another win for IBM’s Global Business Services unit, this new smart network will be agile, scalable, and fully virtualized, looking to benefit enterprise customers across a multitude of industry verticals.

Nokia addresses the alarming increase in DDos attacks. With DDos attacks that disrupt network traffic and servers growing by a massive 154% between 2019 and 2020, largely targeting financial services, telecoms, and government agencies, but now spreading out to target businesses of all kinds and all sizes, Nokia’s move here to build network security into its latest gen silicon is an impressive — and much needed — solution.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, my guest John Bruno, the VP of Strategy for PROS, and I are having a conversation about the ever-changing state of B2B commerce. Today’s business customers are expecting more and more from companies in terms of not just product quality, but also customer experience. And a large part of customer experience is providing compelling offers in a way that is fast, consistent, easy, and transparent, and offering relevant prices to make the ordering process an efficient, hassle free one. That’s a lot to ask at the end of a global pandemic. The good news is that smart technology solutions exist that can help.

Our discussion centered on the following:

Trends in the industry, including our research in the 2020 B2B Digital Buyer’s Journey, indicating that some 80% of B2B buyers have eliminated traditional buying cycles and 63% said their business and tech requirements would never go back to pre-pandemic levels.
The shift in customer expectations over the course of the last eighteen months and how this has impacted what we’re seeing in the digital buyer’s journey.
Challenges organizations face with their omnichannel ecommerce strategies.
The nuances that organizations must navigate with their pricing strategies.
The critical role that pricing plays in successful ecommerce strategy.
How prices can prices be delivered so that buyers can have the best experience possible transacting via eCommerce
The shift by PROS to SaaS offerings as part of their platform and how PROS Smart Price Optimization and PROS Smart Configure Price Quote are being used by savvy customers.

John shared some customer success stories as part of our conversation, illustrating the PROS platform in action and the specific ROI customers using pricing optimization technology are realizing.

Background research: https://futurumresearch.com/research-notes/pros-launches-new-saas-editions-of-pricing-platform/

Futurum PROS report: https://futurumresearch.com/research-reports/how-ai-price-optimization-can-play-a-significant-role-in-both-business-growth-and-customer-experience/

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine a report from Vodafone and WPI Economics advocating on the UK government to accelerate the deployment of 5G and IoT technology to help meet zero emission goals by 2050.

Their discussion covered:

The shrewd timing of Vodafone lobbying the UK government to advance nationwide sustainability goals after working with Ericsson to improve 5G network efficiency capabilities across the London portion of its network.
How digital 5G and IoT technology can accelerate the attainment of UK net zero emission objectives (i.e., 4% reduction per annum) by targeting three verticals in particular: Manufacturing, Transportation, and Agriculture.
Why Vodafone’s proactive stance in working with the UK government to advance nationwide sustainability goals has society-wide benefits and not only telecommunications.

Ron and Shelly view Vodafone’s approach to working with the UK government in offering practical 5G and IoT solutions across three key industry verticals to achieve nationwide zero emission goals is laudatory and merits emulation by other mobile ecosystem players.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer explore Nokia’s digital twin technology and its potential to significantly boost European communications service providers (CSPs) a significant revenue boost.

Their discussion covered:

Why digital twin technology is gaining broader market acceptance and is directly applicable to 5G network design and builds.
The role of Nokia’s digital twin solution for augmenting 5G network development in areas such as beamforming optimization and the selection of optimum bean sets in 3D recreated environments.
The market impact of Nokia’s assertion that for a European CSP, using a digital twin, Nokia’s solution provides for 44% higher revenue than traditional methods.

Ron and Shelly see Nokia’s digital twin technology has holding great promise for European CSPs as well as CSPs in other regions and can advance not only the technical demands of 5G network development, such as optimized beamforming, but also financial objectives (i.e., bean counting).

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine Amdocs supplying the business support systems, including 5G monetization capabilities, for what Orange is touting as Europe’s first 5G SA end-to-end experimental cloud network being built out in France.

Their discussion covered:

Why Orange promoting its 5G SA network development as an experimental cloud network is a shrewd marketing move that aligns with pragmatic expectations for 5G SA rollouts.
The expanding role of AI in assuring and accelerating the automation of business processes and operations in software-centric, cloud native environments.
With Orange targeting the support of hundreds of users by the end of 2021, it will become incumbent for the operator to produce lessons learned and viable use cases at the beginning of 2022.
How Amdocs gains a sizable marketing boost from its inclusion in Orange’s multi-vendor implementation of the operator’s experimental hybrid cloud 5G SA network.

Ron and Shelly view Orange’s progress in rolling out its experimental 5G network as key to boosting its overall open 5G objectives, including Open RAN assimilation, and helping Europe keep pace with 5G SA deployments in North America, China, and Northeast Asia.

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In this vignette from a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, part of The 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall discuss The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) establishment of SpectrumX, a new center for wireless spectrum research in the U.S.

The NSF has earmarked $25 million over the course of the next 5 years for research. They’re focused on developing new ways of sharing and managing radio airwaves, which of course is a finite resource. This is crucial research because, as Ron pointed out, 5G technology supports Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), which allows for operators to share both LTE and 5G within the same frequency band. This is an area covered very closely by Ron and Shelly, and in this short conversation, they shared insights on the exciting benefits they see coming from SpectrumX. These include:

Increased collaboration with stakeholders, researchers, industry partners, and government agencies
Ensuring the U.S. is positioning itself to lead the future of wireless technologies and systems
How this research will support future network iterations including 6G.

All of the above have huge implications for the future of 5G. Ron and Shelly believe the research and collaboration possibilities with SpectrumX will open new doors and drive the field forward.

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In this episode of The 5G Factor, a Futurum Research production, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall discuss AT&T’s partnership with the U.S. Military in a three-year R&D agreement focused on 5G experiments with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the Department of the Navy’s applied research university.

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In this Futurum Tech Webcast, Futurum Lead Analyst Shelly Kramer sits down with Gunter Appel and Jan Klockgeter of aconso for a conversation on digitizing HR documents and the difference this can make for enterprise organizations.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine the implications of the collaboration between Ericsson and Qualcomm in completing what they tout as the first over-the-air 5G New Radio call on CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) spectrum in a recent trial.

Their conversation covered:

Why the 5G NR call on CBRS can help drive Industry 4.0 and 5G private network use cases.
The suitability and relevance of CBRS shared spectrum for private networks.
Where 5G private networks can deliver improvements over LTE private networks and boost ecosystem adoption of private networks.

Ron and Shelly see the Ericsson and Qualcomm collaboration as boosting the adoption of 5G private networks, especially as 5G networks transition to standalone (SA) implementations that enable operators to take full advantage of 5G NR on CBRS capabilities.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine the partnership between Vodafone and Ericsson in the deployment of new energy-efficient 5G radios across the London, UK vicinity.

Their conversation covered:

Vodadone is using Ericsson’s antenna-integrated radio solution (AIR 3227) that have produced a daily network energy consumption decrease by an average of 43% daily in relation to previous generations of radio solutions.
Vodafone’s plan to deploy 1500 of the Ericsson AIR 3227 units in Q2 2022 as integral to achieving organization-wide energy and sustainability objectives.
How competition among the major RAN suppliers is yielding ever lighter compact radio products.
The society-wide sustainability implications of Vodafone’s 5G network energy efficiency breakthroughs.

Ron and Shelly view the Vodafone and Ericsson collaboration as key in advancing energy efficiency metrics in better understanding the success of 5G network deployments and how 5G technology can play a pivotal role in meeting society-wide sustainability goals.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer share their perspective on the Nokia’s decision to pause its work in the O-RAN Alliance due to concerns related to working with China-based companies that are on the U.S. Department’s restrictive Entity list.

Their conversation addressed:

Why the O-RAN Alliance is influential across the entire 5G mobile ecosystem and Nokia’s decision is important.
The factors behind Nokia’s decision including the shutdown of ZTE in Q2 2018 for running afoul of U.S. trade and economic policies.
How Nokia’s decision amounts to what qualifies only as a kerfuffle since the O-RAN Alliance is one of many major organizations supporting standard-based Open RAN development and that resolving Nokia’s concerns are at hand.

Ron and Shelly see Nokia’s decision to pause its contributions in the O-RAN Alliance as sound and that the prospect or idea of massive fallout in advancing the cause of Open RAN and Open 5G are over hyped and misplaced.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall provide their perspectives on Ericsson’s decision to divest its product research and development activities in Nanjing, China by November 2021.

Their conversation covered:

Ericsson now has four R&D centers after the Nanjing R&D center divestment resulting in the apparent transfer of over 600 employees to TietoEVRY, a Finnish software provider with offices in China.
How the move coincides with Ericsson’s market share loss to China-based rivals like Huawei and ZTE in China’s domestic 5G market.
Why the decision of Ericsson’s leadership to remain committed to the China mobile market is a strategically sound one as China is the global leader in 5G deployments today and is a key testbed for emerging 5G applications and capabilities.
Why geopolitical tensions and China’s recent economic and trade decisions may diminish China’s own mobile ecosystem and standing over the long term.

Shelly and Ron agree that doing business in China is becoming increasingly tricky today as developments such as new Edtech market regulations and Jack Ma’s reduced presence are indicators that deal-making across the China tech market, including the 5G and mobile sections. will become more challenging.

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In this episode of Futurum Tech Webcast series The 5G Factor, Futurum analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall cover interesting news in the 5G market. This week’s conversation included discussions around:

The announcement by Amdocs that it has been selected by Orange to provide business support systems for Europe’s first 5G standalone experimental cloud network in France. This AI and data driven, software-enabled, cloud native network is a two year project and signs of exciting things ahead.
Nokia’s focus on making 5G networks more efficient, with an eye on 6G Nokia and digital twins, and Nokia’s novel approach on that front.
AT&T’s partnership with the U.S. Military on 5G-focused R&D experiments with the Naval Postgraduate School, the Department of the Navy’s applied research university.
The National Science Foundation’s establishment of SpectrumX, a center for wireless spectrum research in the U.S., focused on how to develop new ways of sharing and managing radio air waves to maximize this limited resource.
Vodafone’s sustainability report released this last week by Vodafone and WPI Economics, showing that 5G and I0T can help reduce C02 emissions in the UK, along with insights on the role digital technology could play in helping the government reach its sustainability goals of slashing emissions by 78% by 2035, and achieving net-zero by 2050.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Shane Orlick, Chief Revenue Officer for WalkMe, for an exciting conversation about the growth of the company over the last year and the expansion of the digital adoption platform in the workplace.

Managing App Sprawl in the Workplace

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A quick overview of WalkMe and their recent IPO
An exploration of the massive tech sprawl in the workplace
The complexity of the sales tech stack
How data can be leveraged to help organizations mitigate app sprawl
Real-world customer success stories that solidify WalkMe’s position in the market

If you’d like to learn more about WalkMe and their offerings be sure to download our recent research report, Enterprise Guide to Digital Adoption. You can also check out their website or watch the full episode below. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO of VAST Data for an exciting conversation about the future of IT and data, and how it is impacting the way we work, live and communicate. It was a fascinating conversation from the leader of this great up-and-coming company.

The Future of IT and Data

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A quick overview of VAST Data
An exploration in the high-level shifts we are seeing in enterprise tech
The opportunities in the data and storage landscape
How VAST Data works to help organizations overcome the way they typically view storage resources
Real-world customer success stories that solidify VAST’s position in the market

VAST Data is making a name for itself and it will be interesting to continue to follow their journey over the next few months. I expect we will continue to hear great things from the company. If you’d like to learn more about VAST and what they do, check out their website or watch the full episode below. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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In today’s episode of The 5G Factor, our newest webcast focused on all things 5G, host Shelly Kramer and fellow analyst Ron Westfall examine the key trends in the 5G market along with 5G-related news of interest.

This show focused on some familiar players in the 5G space, including Ericsson, Vodafone, Qualcomm, Nokia, Verizon, as well as a look at what’s happening in the China market as it relates to 5G technology and innovation.

Our discussion today addressed:

How Ericsson and Vodafone are collaborating to improve 5G network energy consumption across Vodafone’s network with London trial validating significant savings using Ericsson’s antenna-integrated radio solution
Ericsson’s new radio, which is 51 percent lighter and more compact in design, and the role that will have in optimizing site footprints, making 5G rollout and 4G upgrades faster and easier.
Why Qualcomm and Ericsson demonstrating first 5G NR (New Radio) call on CBRS spectrum can advance Industry 4.0 use cases including 5G private networks (and why private 5G networks are increasing in popularity)
A discussion about Ericsson closing a major research center in Nanjing amid a shrinking 5G market in China. Ericsson as long been a major supplier of telecoms equipment in China, but geopolitical climate has had a significant impact on telecos hoping for business as usual in China. Ericsson reported in July that its second quarter revenue in the country dropped by 60% year over year.
Speaking of Nokia and China, our conversation touched on the implications of Nokia pausing technical work with the O-RAN Alliance due to concerns related to working with China-based companies on the Commerce Department’s Entity List and the kerfluffle (one of Ron’s favorite words) that may, or may not, be.
We would up the show talking about Verizon’s just announced 10-year 5G partnership with the NFL, promising not only an enhanced fan experience at various stadiums across the U.S., but also affording other enhancements like more innovative ways of player training, team scouting, health guidelines and venue operations as whole. Want to know what stadiums you can experience Verizon’s 5G Multi View capabilities in? Well, you’ll have to watch or listen to the show.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Gerry Nolan, Worldwide Senior Director: HPE Pointnext Operational Services. Gerry is responsible for the team that enables customer support experience to drive digital transformation journeys. Our conversation covered some recent developments from HPE that are designed to meet the needs of customers that have emerged from the pandemic. It’s one you don’t want to miss.

Enabling Business Value Through the Five Pillars of Enterprise Care

In our conversation we discussed the following:

How the pandemic has changed the way organizations invest in technology
An overview of HPE’s Tech Care offering
A look at HPE’s new offering Complete Care
An exploration of the five pillars of enterprise care that will define next-gen IT services
The enterprise challenges that are driving the need for Complete Care

HPE Pointnext Complete Care offering sets a new benchmark for enterprise-wide services and support with its global coverage, depth and breadth of technical abilities, simplified framework and deployment model, and streamlined procurement and consumption-based pricing. If you’d like to learn more about the new offering be sure to check out our latest white paper Enabling Business Value Through the Five Pillars of Enterprise Care on the topic.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer discussed expansion of the Boingo Wireless AWS partnership with Boingo Wireless integrating AWS edge and cloud services with the company’s own converged network offering and its impact on select industry verticals.

Their discussion covered:

How the Boingo Wireless AWS partnership is using DAS (distributed antenna systems), WiFi, and private networks to improve the overall wireless experience.
The partnership’s focus on key verticals such as airports, stadiums, manufacturing, and healthcare/medical facilities as well as large enterprises with advanced wireless networking needs and how it can accelerate adoption of cloud-based wireless services.
Why the expanded partnership can play a pivotal role in delivering the touchless experience to wireless network users.

Ron and Shelly find the expanded Boingo Wireless AWS alliance delivers the capabilities required to augment the overall wireless user experience, including touchless interactions, and demonstrates how ecosystem collaboration can bring out the improved outcomes through the interworking of 5G and WiFi technologies and that 5G and WiFi are not conflicting technologies in many key use case scenarios.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer examine why the Mavenir acquisition of Telestax improves the Mavenir Engage proposition and alters the competitive dynamics of the Communications Platform as a service (CPaaS) market.

Their discussion covered:

How Mavenir’s 5G and mobile networking expertise can swiftly differentiate the CPaaS capabilities of the Mavenir Engage platform as many of the established CPaaS providers, such as Vonage and Twilio, as well as tech titan like Cisco, Microsoft, and AWS targeting the space, don’t have such in-house capabilities today
Why 5G and API enablement are instrumental to unlocking enterprise value across verticals such as IoT, smart cities, and connected car, as well as providing turnkey applications and boosting use case networking for logistics, fleet management, AI/ML chatbots, voice biometrics verification, immersive commerce/entertainment, and additional use cases.
How the deal strengthens Mavenir’s portfolio to address emerging WFH, BYOD, and CPaaS security requirements across enterprise and managed service environments.

Ron and Shelly see Mavenir making additional inroads in the CPaaS realm as operators increasingly prioritize 5G monetization and CPaaS technology evolves to assimilate a wider range of mobile/5G capabilities that fulfill digital workforce demands.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall and examine the key trends in the 5G market assessing the market impact of the AT&T and GM alliance aimed at delivering 5G connectivity to GM cars in three years.

Their discussion covered:

The market significance of the GM and AT&T partnership that is bringing 5G cellular connectivity to select Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles by 2024 as well as supporting GM models from 2019 and newer that are equipped today with 4G LTE to migrate over to the 5G network.
Why the alliance heralds the democratization of connected car technology and applications, including the NVIDIA Hyundai partnership’s aim to bring 5G connectivity and advanced safety features.
How 5G capabilities can make infotainment capabilities more flexible and safer.
Understanding that the OnStar service connects about 60 million vehicles across US roadways today and how it can advance ecosystem-wide assimilation of 5G technology and features.
How the Qualcomm acquisition of Veoneer further validates the connected car business case.
Why Tesla’s vision of automobiles as computer on wheels is coming closer to fruition.

Shelly and Ron see the connected car segment gaining broader ecosystem support as the deployment of 5G networks accelerate and the expansion of major alliances assure broader adoption and interworking.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall and examine the key trends in the 5G market focusing on recent developments in the Open RAN market segment including the rise of the “Rip and Replace” program in the U.S.

Their discussion covered:

Why the $1.9 billion U.S. “Rip and Replace” program administered by the FCC is gaining momentum among independent and regional carriers as provisions include the complete, and not partial, replacement of Huawei and ZTE equipment and operators have one year to complete the rip and replace process.
How the rip and replace programs are generating both Open RAN and traditional RAN implementation. Mavenir’s win with Triangle Communications for FWA applications shows Open RAN can play a role and Nokia’s win with Union Wireless indicates traditional RAN as well as services will be instrumental. We expect the majority of rip and replace will use traditional RAN, particularly during early stages.
Ericsson is working with 100+ independent telcos including @40% engaged in the rip and replace program and the expectation that number will rise to at least 50%.
Why the Rip and Replace program may need to modify and extend its one year deadline.

Ron and Shelly are anticipating more rip and replace headlines over the course of the rest of this year and well into 2022, putting Open RAN but also mobile transition technology into the forefront of 5G ecosystem marketing and news.

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For this vignette of a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Part of the 5G Factor series, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall deliberate on why the AT&T partnership with the University of Tennessee is important to advancing mmWave technology development.

Their discussion covered:

AT&T is installing a 5G test bed using mmWave spectrum at the University of Tennessee as Knoxville, complementing ongoing partnerships with Texas A&M, University of Missouri, and University of Connecticut, that demonstrate mmWave capabilities for emerging applications.
How the partnership aligns with ongoing mmWave portfolio development work by key mobile players such as Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Rakuten, and Samsung.
The partnership’s role in enabling college personnel and students to experiment and validate mmWave capabilities across applications like ML. AR/VR, biometric data, distributed workforce, and rural environments.
How mmWave is integral to existing operator use cases and 5G monetization objectives such as 5G fixed wireless access, smart home bundles, and smart facilities.

Shelly and Ron view mmWave technology as ready for prime time 5G services, due to innovations like beamforming, and that the technology will play an integral role in the deployment of 5G capabilities across dense urban, FWA rural outreach, smart facilities, and AR/VR environments.

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In this new episode of The 5G Factor, our newest Futurum Tech Webcast series focused on all things 5G, analysts Shelly Kramer and Ron Westfall look at key trends in the 5G ecosystem. This includes a look at recent developments in the Open RAN market, and the recently announced partnership between GM and AT&T bringing 5G to select models in the GM fleet, Qualcomm’s pursuit of Veoneer, and the Hyundai/NVIDIA partnership and what this all means for the Automotive industry. They also covered AT&T’s recently announced partnership with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, centered on mmWave spectrum test beds, along with the Mavenir acquisition of Telestax and what that means for the Communication Services as-a-Platform market. They wound up show with a look at Boingo Wireless’s deepened partnership with AWS, integrating AWS’s edge and cloud services with Boingo’s converged network offering and how these private network deployments will benefit airports, stadiums, and other facilities.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Valerio Filauro, VP, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Our conversation focused on:

RFFE, what it is and why it is so important for 5G's successful roll out
Why RFFE business a big opportunity for Qualcomm
What enabled Qualcomm's competitive positioning among RF leaders?
Targets for the RFFE Market share by 2024
Qualcomm's 10 year business vision

For more information you can read Senior Analyst Olivier Blanchard's article Meet RFFE – A Critical Piece In The 5G Puzzle

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, I’m joined by Chad Andrews, the Global Leader for Telecom, Media and Entertainment at the IBM Institute for Business Value. Our conversation today focuses on the changes 5G and edge computing will bring to our digital economy, and we also take a look at IBM Institute for Business Value’s recent study The End of Communications Services as We Know Them?

That is a bold survey headline, but for those of us in the industry, we know the impact that 5G and edge computing will have on the digital economy moving forward will be disruptive to say the least. And I know that sentiment was echoed in IBM’s findings in the survey.

The End of Communications Services as We Know Them? digs deeper into a trend we’ve all been seeing – which is that communication service providers will miss out on the value that 5G and edge computing can provide unless they adapt today.

The IBM study surveyed 500 global telecommunications executives in 21 countries — so it’s a decent sample set that gives some insight into where the industry is headed. Chad and I discussed some of the findings of the report. These include:

For CSPs to find true value in 5G and edge computing, they must adopt cloud native digital services, applications, and solutions.
Along with cloud native platforms and applications, CSPs will need to make strategic operational decisions in order to compete long-term against cloud native companies.
Platforms that are already established at scale will super the hypergrowth of the decade.

We also discussed some of the reasons the IBM Institute for Business Value is predicting the global digital economy will grow two to three times this decade, as well as the implications this will have on businesses across different sectors. The graphic below is from The End of Communications Services as We Know Them?

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In today’s episode of The 5G Factor, our newest webcast focused on all things 5G, I was joined by my fellow analysts, Ron Westfall and Olivier Blanchard. Our focus was on the magic that 5G networks provide, and insights on what kind of innovative things companies like Ericsson, Nokia, and AT&T, along with savvy communication services providers (CSPs), are doing with private 5G networks.

Our conversation included:

An update on what is driving the 5G private market uptake and the overall market prospects for private 5G
What the private LTE and 5G networks that are rolling out look like
The industries who (today) benefit most from this kind of offering, which include manufacturers, utilities (offshore and power), ports and airport sectors, and the mining and process industry
We also discussed the use of private 5G in media and entertainment, including in sports arenas and event venues, as well as in healthcare
Some of the key things that make private 5G networks for the enterprise both reliable and attractive
The benefit of enhanced security a private 5G network affords compared to WiFi
How vendors like Ericsson and Nokia and operators like AT&T, Vodafone, and Telefonica are positioning themselves to take advantage of private 5G market expansion and improve competitive outcomes
The savvy communication services providers (CSPs) that are jumping in and partnering with companies like AT&T and Nokia (to name just a couple) and the fact that we believe that smart partnerships are key to solving customer challenges

We wrapped up the show with insights from Olivier Blanchard, our resident expert on Qualcomm, the innovation powerhouse. Olivier provided an overview of what the company is doing at its corporate headquarters in San Diego, testing and demonstrating new developments in 5G, efficiency, techniques, methodologies, equipment, and more.

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• Poly’s latest quarterly results and 2022 outlook as we emerge from the pandemic

• How the Delta variant may complicate companies’ return to work plans and how collaboration tech needs to evolve as we enter a new era of hybrid work

• The need for meeting equality to ensure same virtual meeting experience for those in the room and those who aren’t

• Poly’s recent cross-border effort in Baja Mexico to vaccinate 5,000+ maquiladora workers and their family members.

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In this newest episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, analysts Ron Westfall and Shelly Kramer discuss Rakuten’s moves in the 5G market and how the company is essentially throwing down the gauntlet for the rest of the CSP ecosystem. In this conversation, we cover the benefits of the early mover advantage for CSPs, along with the implications for the Open RAN segment and the overall 5G market developments of the last week.

Some of the things we touched in this 5G-focused webcast included:

Why Rakuten’s acquisition of $1B acquisition of Altiostar is a 5G game changer. Rakuten is raising the competitive stakes across the entire 5G ecosystem. With this $1 billion acquisition of an Open RAN specialist, Rakuten is providing a template for how Communications Service Providers (CSPs) can gain a strategic competitive edge in the cloud-based 5G ecosystem – own more of the software assets key to long-term 5G build and innovation.
Some highlights from the research out of IBM’s Institute for Business Value (presented in a recent episode of our show) on the serious advantages that exist for fast-moving CSPs in the current market. Find the research report from IBM Institute for Business Value here: The end of communications services as we know them, focused on how 5G and edge will help define who wins in the booming digital economy
The strategic impact on the overall Open RAN market segment of Altiostar agreeing to merge with Rakuten to lock-in its long-term competitiveness. As an independent Open RAN supplier, Altiostar was more vulnerable to any delays in CSP deployment of Open RAN technology as well as increasing pressure from incumbent RAN players, such as Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, increasing their targeting of the Open RAN space.
How the Rakuten acquisition of Altiostar epitomizes the approach many CSPs should adopt, which is the strategic acquisition of telco-specific and cloud-specific software assets.
The market significance of Rakuten and 1&1 AG partnering to build Germany’s fourth mobile network based on a fully virtualized mobile network using Open RAN technology.
Why the formation of the Rakuten Symphony unit, combining Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP), Open RAN software, and Rakuten’s international telco solutions, can accelerate ecosystem adoption of Open RAN and Open 5G technology.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Women in Tech series, I was thrilled to host Suzanna Keith, Co-Founder and CEO of Hello Career Guru and Co-Founder and CMO, Sonal Rinello for a conversation about the future of work, the current state of the workplace and the tremendous impact that the pandemic has had on employees in general and on women in particular.

The Future of Women in the Workplace and How Hello Career Guru Can Help

When the pandemic forced most organizations to shift to working from home, women everywhere had a unique extra burden to deal with. In addition to their jobs, many found themselves being part time educators for children attending school from home and part time caretakers for families now in close proximity for all hours of the day. It was a lot for many women and, unfortunately, in many instances the thing that had to give was the career.

Women left the workforce in droves over the course of the last year and the numbers have not recouped as things have slowly reopened. This is a problem and one that Suzanna and Sonal at Hello Career Guru are uniquely positioned to help solve, with their passion for democratizing career advancement for all women regardless of age, background, race, income, or geography.

Our discussion about the future of work covered a lot, including:

Suzanna shared the vision that inspired her to create and launch Hello Career Guru and described the kind of assistance they provide to women in the job market.
Insight and advice form Suzanna and Sonal on the important things women need to keep in mind when looking for a new job or looking to advance their careers.
An exploration into the value a mentor can bring to a person’s career.
The impact a leader and their own leadership style can have on an employee.
Advice on how to build a meaningful network for opportunities.

We wrapped up the conversation with advice on what women can do to make sure they are on the path to senior leadership roles and how they can change the future of the workplace.

There’s no question that navigating a global pandemic has taken a lot of women in the workforce — at all levels — out at the knees. I have conversations like this and share career resources because I think it’s important for all of us who are in a position to lend a hand, a shoulder, or an ear — or an opportunity and resources — to do so. That’s partly why I am excited by what Suzanna and Sonal are doing with Hello Career Guru. If you’re looking to get back into the workforce or want to move up from your current position, you should definitely make time to check out Hello Career Guru.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, Interview Series, Futurum’s Shelly Kramer talks with Dell Technologies’ Matt Baker who leads the development and implementation of business and technology strategies for the Infrastructure Solutions Group, about the challenges organizations have with the massive amounts of data they create, collect, and need. They also take a dive into Dell Technologies’ recent research study, The Data Paradox, which is focused on managing data overload in the on-demand economy, and a look at how companies can mitigate the barriers to digital transformation data overload the inability to extract insights from and leverage data presents.

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Check out our Deep dive of the week and our Highs, Lows and Unexpecteds from the week in technology. This week we cover: A crazy week of earnings, Contentful, Facebook and the Metaverse, SAS going public, The return of in-person events, how earning beats are leading to share price drops and Vast Dats

For this episode of the Futurum Research Weekly Podcast, I am joined by my colleague, fellow analyst ,and founding partner, Daniel Newman, for a conversation about the highs, lows and unexpecteds from this week in the Technology industry.

In this episode, we covered:

Deep Dive

Crazy week for Earnings from some huge companies. Everyone from Apple to Microsoft and bunch in between announced earnings this week. Daniel went deep and fast through his highlights.

Highs

Daniel covered Contentful and their funding raise. For more details check out Daniel’s extended coverage here.

Steven covered his feelings on the the first in-person event he has attended since March 2020. The buzz at the Fiber Broadband Association event in Nashville was off the charts. For more from the event:

https://futurumresearch.com/research-reports/full-fiber-mdu-enabling-the-lifestyle-better-broadband-provides/

https://futurumresearch.com/research-notes/dzs-helix-edge-access-portfolio-launch/

Lows

Daniel covered his feelings on Facebook’s discussions on the subject of the Metaverse.

Steven talked about how companies who are announcing earnings beats are seeing their share price drop as a result.

Unexpecteds

Daniel covered SAS going public. For more information read this article.

Steven covered his thoughts on Vast Data, for more on Vast data read this recent article

Disclaimer: This show is for information and entertainment purposes only. While we will discuss publicly traded companies on this show, the contents of this show should not be taken as investment advice.

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In this LinkedIn Live episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I’m joined by JD Dillon, Chief Learning Architect of Axonify for a conversation about what it takes to prepare your workforce to be resilient in times of disruption — and a lot of that has to do with having the ability to reskill your frontline workforce. If we’ve learned anything in the last year, it’s that our frontline workforce is critical to business operations. Beyond resilience, as it relates to both frontline workers and the organization as a whole, learning management solutions can, and do, deliver bottom line value.

One of the things that I find most impressive about JD, apart from the fact that he’s flat out brilliant, is that his career path has been a fascinating one, and a tribute to what I mean when I call him “brilliant.” He has led Learning & Development at Walt Disney World, and from there he went to leading the Learning & Technology Development at Kaplan Higher Ed. Today, JD leads all things learning-related at Axonify, an award-winning team of software developers and learning specialists based in Canada’s world- renowned technology hub, Waterloo, Ontario.

I should also mention that JD is the founder and principal of LearnGeek, an independent practice that provides advising and education services to organizations and professionals that want to provide better workplace learning and support experiences for their employees. He’s an author, an advisory board member at HR.com, and, well, you’d be hard pressed to find a better resource when it comes to learning management and insight on how to use technology to power your learning and development initiatives. Which is exactly why I was excited to feature him on our Interview Series.

In Times of Disruption, Frontline Employees Are Even More Critical Than Ever In our conversation, JD and I discussed the fact that companies of all sizes have experienced quite a bit of disruption in the last year and many weren’t ready to deal with the myriad challenges that presented. But one thing we know to be sure, in times of disruption, frontline employees are even more critical than ever.

But we also know that as we’ve navigated a global pandemic during the course of the last 18 months, things are especially challenging for frontline employees. These employees, from cashiers to grocery store and retail workers, to medical personnel, were (and are) learning as they work in order to keep up with disruption and also do their part to keep business operations on track. This impact is still being felt across the globe, but could the right learning platform lessen the burden for these employees and help organizations be better prepared for the future? That’s what JD and I dove into in our conversation.

Learning Management Solutions for Frontline Workers Deliver Bottom Line Business Value Our discussion around tech-focused learning management solutions for frontline workers was far-reaching and focused on how these solutions can and do deliver bottom line business value. Our conversation touched on the following:

The attributes that make frontline employees unique within the global workforce.
How effective businesses have been at supporting frontline employees in the last year.
JD shared insights on what Axonify is seeing with their customers.
The critical areas companies have focused on for upskilling and reskilling employees that either returned to work after being furloughed or changed jobs.
JD shared why the frontline employee experience is so unique and requires a new way of thinking for reskilling and training.
We explored how Axonify’s learning platform delivered the digital experience that frontline employees require, as well as how it fits alongside existing solutions like SAP® SuccesFactors®
We wrapped up the conversation with a discussion on what people can do to help their organizations get past the obstacles that stand in the way of meaningful learning and development.

For SAP SuccessFactors customers, using Axonify is truly a game-changer. You can find Axonify on the SAP Store, along with an Infosheet that our team produced: Improving the Efficacy of Frontline Training Programs with Axonify.

It was a terrific conversation and if you’re looking to reskill your frontline workforce, or even make sure that what you’re currently doing is on target, it’s one you won’t want to miss.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Samantha Madrid, Vice President, Security Business & Strategy at Juniper Networks. Our discussion was a timely one centered on the security risks and hacks we’ve seen in the last few months and what CISO’s need to know to be better prepared for the future.

Why SASE Need to be a Priority

My conversation with Samantha also revolved around the following:

An overview of the recent hacks we’ve witnessed
How companies are shifting the way they view security
What key factors are driving the adoption of SASE
What the market needs to know about SASE
Where SASE needs to be on the priority list of the future

If you’d like to learn more about SASE and what Juniper Networks can do for you, check out their website. And while you’re at it be sure to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode of the webcast.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by

Patrick Maroney, High Tech Industry Executive Advisor for SAP Industries and Rick Willardson, Director of US Sales at Intel. This is the final episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the High Tech Industry

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A recap of that last year in the High Tech Industry
How better planning and technology will improve data usage
An overview of the SAP and Intel partnership
Why organizations need to shift to industry cloud

The High Tech Industry, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate digital transformation last year. My conversation with Patrick and Rick explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: Embracing the Intelligent Enterprise for the High Tech Industry.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Jush Danielson, GM Channel Marketing, Retail, Manufacturing & Global Accounts at AT&T. Our discussion centered on the 5G revolution and the new partnership with MxD.

The Future of 5G: AT&T’s Partnership with MxD

My conversation with Jush also revolved around the following:

An overview of digital transformations that happened as a result of of COVID-19
An exploration of the industries that experienced huge growth
The big opportunities for utilizing 5G outside of speed
An overview of the partnership with MxD and why is this so important for AT&T Business
The trends that we are likely to see in the future.

The MxD AT&T partnership is a huge move for the future of 5G. If you’d like to learn more about AT&T’s plans for their 5G network growth, check out their website. And while you’re at it be sure to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode of the webcast.

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For this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I am joined by my colleague, fellow analyst, and founding partner, Daniel Newman, for a conversation about the tech announcements from this past week.

In this episode, we covered:

Daniel went deep on the recent antitrust landscape, in particular the focus on Apple and Google app stores.
An overview of Zoom’s acquisition of Five9 and how it will impact the collaboration space.
What we can learn from SUSE earnings report.
A quick dive into Intel’s latest earnings report as well as IBM Systems Q2 earnings
A recap of the Temenos earnings report and a look into the rise of in person events as we emerge from the pandemic.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Jennifer Baldwin, Utilities NA Industry Executive Advisor for SAP Industries and Mark Davis, Director, Enterprise Data Management Solutions at Intel. This is the sixth episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the Utilities Industry

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A recap of the last year in the industry including how COVID has impacted key trends
Challenges that utilities organizations are facing with their assets
How organizations are using technologies like AI and machine learning
How SAP and Intel are working together to help these organizations continue to advance

The Utilities Industry, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate digital transformation last year. My conversation with Jennifer and Mark explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: How Utilities Can Better Meet Customer Demands and Industry Challenges and Stay Abreast of the Competition by Focusing on Proactive, Data Driven Business Models.

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For this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I am joined by my colleague, fellow analyst ,and founding partner, Shelly Kramer, for a conversation about recent developments in the 5G market including key Mobile World Congress 2021 developments.

In this episode, we covered:

The expansion of the alliance between Ericsson and Google Cloud and why it improves Ericsson’s 5G proposition and overall partnership momentum in the 5G space.
Predictions from the IBM Institute for Business Value on how 5G and edge computing will help redefine the coming years, and some key data points from their recent study, “The end of communications services as we know them?” focused on 5G and edge and what’s ahead for CSPs.
How strategic partnerships are playing a key role for telcos and their ability to both embrace rapid transformation and monetize their investments in 5G.
Qualcomm and Capgemini prudently used the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2021 event to promote their partnership aimed at supporting and powering 5G private network builds. The alliance is emphasizing Capgemini’s systems integrator (SI) portfolio and expertise playing a key role in using Qualcomm’s 5G Private network system to enable customer business transformation as well as leveraging 5G ecosystem resources to benefit the duo’s private network mission.
Netcracker, NEC, and AWS are demonstrating why the 5G Core (5GC) is ready for a larger role in supporting and scaling monetized 5G services. Already NEC is deploying its 5G (and 4G) Mobile Core Solution on AWS across multiple operator production networks in Japan. This is key, as NEC is now prepared to assist operators in their quest to monetize 5G services, primarily through innovative B2X offerings.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I’m joined by my colleagues Daniel Newman and Fred McClimans to discuss the reports of Intel Corp being in talks to buy semiconductor manufacturer Global Foundries for about $30 billion. There’s no doubt the silicon industry is in the midst of a crisis — limited fab capabilities and supply chain disruptions (due to trade conflicts and the ongoing pandemic) have impacted chip companies, their customers, and end consumers the world over. Would an acquisition of this nature rock the chip industry or make it better?

In this conversation we covered a lot of ground, including:

Intel’s commitment announced just a short while ago, to expand its advanced chip manufacturing capacity by spending as much as $20 billion investing in U.S. factories
GlobalFoundries ownership, and whether that’s a benefit or a bonus as it competes for the $52 billion budget recent approved by the U.S. Senate to try and fix the semiconductor supply chain.
The NVIDIA/Arm deal and whether this is a defensive move by intel, along with thoughts on AMD
What regulators might think about this, and how it’s not just the U.S. regulators that would play a role here.
How likely it is that GlobalFoundries would get a piece of the $52 billion recently approved by the U.S. senate, earmarked to help fix the semiconductor supply chain.
What stands out about the proposed deal, and where the problems are

We close the show with Fred and Daniel’s predictions on what chances they see of this actually happening and you’ll have to watch or listen to the episode for those deets. All in, this will definitely be interesting to watch play out.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Noe Garcia, Global Enterprise Account Manager at Intel and Craig Kindleman, Oil and Gas Industry Advisor for SAP. This is the fifth episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the Oil and Gas Industry

In our conversation we discussed the following:

A recap of the last year in the industry
The significant investments in technology that are being made in the industry
The trends that are driving the changes in the industry
Why Oil & Gas is a hub of innovation and how companies view the innovations that are happening

The oil and gas industry, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate digital transformation last year. My conversation with Noe and Craig explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: Intelligent Enterprise Fuels Oil, Gas and Energy Industry Beyond the Traditional Hydrocarbon Molecule.

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On this episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Dave Shull, President and CEO of Poly, a global outfitter of professional-grade audio and video technology. We had an exciting conversation about the growth the company has experienced in the last year and where Dave thinks the market is going as we return to working in person.

Pro-Grade Tech: The Next Major Tech Growth Spurt

In our conversation we discussed the following:

How the company is poised for growth as demand for pro-grade tech increases
How the demand for pro-grade tech is impacting the market
Insight into how companies are making ‘work from anywhere’ possible
How to maintain privacy and security when working with pro-grade tech at home
An exploration into what sets Poly apart from competitors including Poly’s partner and ecosystem strategy
Poly’s process of innovation for new consumer-friendly products that serve work, telehealth, school and social functions

If you’d like to learn more about Poly, their products, or what they do be sure to check out their website or listen to the full episode below. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Darren Pulsipher, Chief Solutions Architect Public Sector at Intel and Leslie Casson Stevens, Public Sector Industry Advisor for SAP. This is the fourth episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the Public Sector

In our conversation we discussed the following:

An exploration of how government agencies are redefining the back office to enable more agility
The areas that COVID-19 accelerated for the public sector
The areas that got left behind during the pandemic
What organizations need to do to keep transformations going in the future
What technologies the public sector needs to invest in

The public sector, like many other industries, had to rapidly accelerate digital transformation last year. My conversation with Darren and Leslie explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: Becoming an Intelligent Government Enterprise is Crucial.

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In this LinkedIn Live episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, I’m joined by Jim Newman, President and CEO of HRizons for a conversation about the struggles that companies are experiencing as we slowly emerge from the pandemic and the HR tech that could be a solution.

Post-Pandemic Planning: HR Tech Solutions to Add to Your Arsenal

We’ve been talking a lot about pandemic recovery here at Futurum, and with good reason. Even though the job market is on the rebound, hiring is still sluggish. The May Jobs Report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed a disconnect between jobs available and employees getting hired. The impact of COVID-19 is still being felt across the globe, but could the right technology help companies get back on track? That’s what Jim and I dove into in our conversation.

Our discussion was far-reaching and included the following:

The roadblocks HRizons customers are experiencing as we emerge from the pandemic, including the struggle to fill open positions.
Why job descriptions are a critical part of the recovery process that many businesses are going through. Jim shared insights on the incredible administrative burden that HR departments face creating and managing descriptions for often hundreds of open positions, as well as the disjointed workflows that can leave organizations vulnerable to compliance issues.
An exploration of how SAP® SuccesFactors® HCM platform helps organizations manage all aspects of HR. We then explored how HRizons Job Descriptions Made Simple or JDMS integration enhances the solution with a seamless end-to-end user experience.
The organizations that can benefit the most from using JDMS as well as some real-world use case examples.
We wrapped up the conversation with a preview of new features that are coming to the JDMS platform.

For SAP SuccessFactors customers, using JDMS by HRizons is truly a game-changer. You can find HRizons on the SAP Store, along with an Infosheet that our team produced: Simplifying Job Description Management Processes.

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On this LinkedIn Live episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series I am joined by Dan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Network Platforms Group at Intel and Per Narvinger, VP and Head of Product Area Networks at Ericsson to discuss the latest 5G updates Intel shared at MWC 2021.

Intel’s 5G Vision

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The status of 5G right now for Intel and Ericsson
An overview of the virtualization of RAN
The opportunity in the mid-band 5G space
An overview of the Intel-Ericsson collaboration
How this collaboration will help customers

MWC 2021 was full of announcements for Intel. If you’d like to learn more about each one check out their website or listen to the full episode below. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Disclaimer: This show is for information and entertainment purposes only. While we will discuss publicly traded companies on this show. The contents of this show should not be taken as investment advice.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by Kristen Call, IoT Specialist at Intel and Praful Karanth, Retail Industry Advisor for SAP. This is the second episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the Retail Industry

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The current state of the retail industry
The areas retailers need to focus on during this period of recovery
Crucial capabilities retailers need to have to serve the digital consumer
What obstacles retailers need to overcome today to be successful tomorrow
Some of the things that retailers should look forward to as they plan their technology journey

The retail industry has been undergoing big changes in the last few years thanks to the advancement of technology. My conversation with Kristen and Praful explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: Retailers Must Prioritize Becoming an SAP Intelligent Enterprise.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, my colleague Steven Dickens and I took a dive into the goings on at IBM this past week. Obviously, the big news coming out of IBM with an announcement late in the day on Friday last, was the news of IBM president and former Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst stepping down. This came as a surprise to many, as Jim was largely viewed throughout the industry as a likely successor to IBM CEO Arvind Krishna within a few years. The IBM board, and Krishna, however, had other plans and Krishna is clearly not at all close to done with what he aims to accomplish at IBM.

In a Barrons’ interview this week, Whitehurst shared that he’s not done building things and that he wants another chance to be a CEO again. He realized, when IBM’s board of directors chose Krishna as chair as well as CEO earlier this year, that wasn’t going to happen at IBM. Whitehurst is a talented leader and there is sure to be no shortage of companies interested in scooping him up. This will be fantastic to watch play out.

My colleague, Steven Dickens, shared thoughts based on feedback he’s gotten from former colleagues at IBM, who were also fairly surprised by this news. We discussed the potential impact of this change on the Red Hat employees and community, who are a pretty tight group, and of course very supportive of Whitehurst.

IBM shares are down 5% since the company announced Whitehurst’s departure, and it’s clear that the longtime Red Hat CEO is incredibly valued by the investor community – and the tech community.

Massive Transformation Underway at IBM

We moved on from the Whitehurst conversation and tackled some of the many other changes happening inside IBM. The company is clearly undertaking some massive transformation, focused on regaining market relevance and of course growing revenues. And massive transformation most often requires some significant changes.

We also discussed some of the many changes afoot at IBM that Steven has some insider experience with, including the company’s transformation of the marketing function under new CMO Carla Piñeyro Sublett and the nuances of some of those changes, along with an overview of the somewhat radical transformation IBM’s IT team is undergoing under Kathryn Guarini, the company’s new CIO.

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In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, analysts Shelly Kramer and Steven Dickens discuss the recent announcements out of BMC Software, targeting security, an Open Mainframe, and facilitating developer agility.

I’ll note before touching on our conversation that the IT Infrastructure Management Software Market is growing at a rapid rate in 2021 and that growth is very much expected to continue. The key players in that space are: CA Technologies, Oracle, IBM, EMC, Microsoft, BMC Software, Dell, LabTech, Symantec, Apple, HPE and SAP. Precision Reports has a new study out on this topic and you can get a sample of the report here. Seeing this focus by BMC is exactly what we would expect.

In this short conversation, Steven and I discussed the rise of malicious threats in the market as a whole and how attacks like SolarWinds, the JBS meat production facility and, most recently, the REvil group’s attack on a managed IT software provider, Kaseya are forcing a focus on protecting from malicious insider threats, especially as it relates to the mainframe. With Steven’s vast experience in the mainframe industry, his insights here, and his take on the path BMC is taking, are invaluable.

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In this video vignette from a recent episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I’m joined by my colleague here at Futurum Steven Dickens for a conversation around IBM’s hybrid cloud ambitions, which are clearly the driver behind IBM’s latest announced acquisition, this time of BoxBoat, and the company’s preparation for a post-Kyndryl spinoff.

BoxBoat, while small, is known as an enterprise Kubernetes certified service provider and premier DevOps consultancy. The company has customers in finance, government, ecommerce, online publishing, and higher ed. Once the acquisition is complete, it is expected the business will be slotted into IBM’s Global Business Services’ Hybrid Cloud business.

During the course of our conversation, we discussed IBM’s focus on significantly expanding the company’s multi-cloud transformation, management expertise, and hybrid cloud capabilities, as well as the critical (and profitable) role that services plays in all things digital transformation these days.

Obviously, no project centered on cloud modernization can succeed without a containerization strategy and a cloud architecture that allows them to operate across both public and private clouds. Steven shared insights on IBM’s pivot to hybrid cloud, the repackaging of IBM software into Cloud Paks, IBM Cloud Satellite, and of course the spinoff of Kyndryl. Of particular interest and focus was the expansion of IBM’s Global Business Services, how this acquisition complements the company’s hybrid cloud strategy — and IBM’s services business — especially in a post-Kyndryl spinoff world.

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For this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast I am joined by my colleague, fellow analyst and our VP of business development, Steven Dickens, for a conversation about happenings this week in the tech world.

In this episode, we covered:

The leadership change at IBM this past week, with widely presumed heir apparent President Jim Whitehurst stepping down, clearly cementing IBM’s CEO and board chair Arvind Krishna’s position.
The other material changes at IBM, with new leadership and direction in marketing, new leadership in IT, changes ahead with the Kyndryl spinoff and thoughts from Steven (a former IBMer) on what’s ahead.
BMC Software announcements centered on new capabilities related to security, the Open Mainframe and the newly announced Workflow WiZard tool, and the importance of (and role that) mainframe transformation is to organizations’ success with digital transformation.
IBM’s acquisition of BoxBoat and how that’s a clear indicator of the company’s focus on hybrid cloud services being key to its future success.

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On this special episode of the Futurum Tech Podcast – Interview Series I am joined by David Dobson, Global Industry Director Retail, Hospitality, & Consumer Goods at Intel and John Buckley, Consumer Products Industry Advisor for SAP. This is the second episode in a new series — done in partnership with SAP and Intel — where I will be speaking with advisors and executives across seven different industries on the state of their industry and how SAP Industry Cloud powered by Intel technology plays a vital role in the future.

The Future of the Consumer Products Industry

In our conversation we discussed the following:

The top areas CPG companies must be focused on to win 2021
Some of the biggest obstacles companies are facing today that could impact 2022
How consumer products companies are leveraging technology in new ways
What the future of the industry looks like for the next 3 to 5 years.

The consumer products industry has experienced huge shifts in the last decade thanks to the recession, the rise of eCommerce and the global events of 2020. My conversation with David and John explores these changes and a little bit more. It’s definitely one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to learn more about the industry cloud and the Intelligent Enterprise strategy, be sure to check out our research brief: Transforming to an Intelligent Enterprise is Table Stakes for the Consumer Products Industry.

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