Find Flow: Recent Episodes
Windward Consulting
Forward-facing IT organizations need more. Workflows that work. Integrations that align effortlessly. Data that delivers in real-time. Learn how IT Operations leaders who live in the belly of the beast make sense of IT service management, IT operations management, and AIOps, leveraging transformational technologies like ServiceNow, Splunk, Dynatrace, and BigPanda. The Find Flow Podcast is hosted by Sean McDermott, a member of the Forbes Tech Council and 35-year veteran of the IT operations space.
“Historical and contextual data about customers are invaluable for personalization and service quality.” - James WarrinerJames Warriner joins me today to explore the intricate world of data migration. As organizations seek to modernize and optimize their data handling capabilities, understanding the nuances of data migration has never been more critical. We'll explore leveraging AI and advanced tools to improve data quality and unlock its long-term potential.James is the COO of Precision Bridge and has a rich history in service management. He began his career with a consultancy specializing in Remedy in the UK and has amassed experience across various service management platforms over the years. James joined Precision Bridge about two years ago and has been instrumental in driving innovative data migration solutions.This week on Find Flow:The importance of not discrediting data prematurelySystematic improvement of data quality through algorithms and transformationsLeveraging big data for trend analysis and segmentation with AICustomizations and configurations during data migrationsTackling data integrity and mapping challenges in migration projectsUnderstanding the business impact of retaining valuable dataStrategies for effective data migration planningThe role of automation and testing in ensuring successful data migrationResources Mentioned:Precision Bridge - https://precisionbridge.net/DevOps Institute’s Upskilling IT Report - https://www.devopsinstitute.com/upskilling-it/ 70:20:10 Model - https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/content-development/the-702010-model-for-learning-and-development/ Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck - https://adrvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mindset-The-New-Psychology-of-Success-Dweck.pdfConnect with James Warriner:Precision BridgeJames Warriner on LinkedInFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
“A leader’s vision in digital transformation can either propel a company forward or leave it behind.” - Isaac SacolickToday, my guest, Isaac Sacolick, and I delve into the increasingly sophisticated world of AI Ops and the transformative role of leadership in IT. We discuss the strategic integration of AI Ops into business operations and the evolution of IT leadership roles in response to dynamic technological landscapes. Our conversation covers the intertwining of machine learning with IT operations to enhance performance and reliability, highlighting the critical importance of visionary leadership in fostering innovative technological environments.Isaac Sacolick is the president of Star CIO and a recognized thought leader in transforming IT operations and implementing digital strategies. He has led numerous successful digital transformations, advocates for agile, lean, and data-driven cultures, and is a prolific blogger and keynote speaker. He is also the author of "Driving Digital" and the upcoming book "Digital Trailblazer," which aims to guide IT leaders to become transformational figures in their organizations.“A leader’s vision in digital transformation can either propel a company forward or leave it behind.” - Isaac SacolickThis week on Find Flow:The role of AIops in simplifying IT operations.Strategic leadership in digital transformation.The impact of technological evolution on traditional business models.Importance of a unified vision for IT operational management.The role of machine learning and automation in operational efficiency.Challenges in integrating new technologies with legacy systems.How to effectively manage and leverage digital transformation.Key strategies for CIOs in leading transformative IT initiatives.Resources Mentioned:"Digital Trailblazer" by Isaac Sacolick Book:"Driving Digital" by Isaac SacolickConnect with Isaac Sacolick:Star CIO Isaac Sacolick on X"Digital Trailblazer"Explore Leadership and Innovation in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Find Flow. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you like to listen.Join us again as we continue to provide insights that help IT leaders and professionals streamline operations and amplify their leadership impact. Stay connected and be inspired to find your flow in IT operations and beyond.Please share this episode with your network and keep the conversation about transformational IT leadership alive on your social platforms.Find Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicJoin me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
“Observability is the destination, and AI Ops is the journey.”- Travis GreeneToday, we dive deep into the intricacies of IT Operations Management (ITOM) with my guest, Travis Greene, from OpenText. Travis brings a wealth of experience and insights into how automation, AI Ops, and cloud management reshape the IT operations landscape. As organizations grapple with the rapid technological transformation, Travis's expertise illuminates a path forward that integrates these new tools effectively, ensuring operational efficiency and preparing businesses for future technological demands.Travis Greene is a seasoned IT management professional, currently serving as a Senior Product Manager at Micro Focus. Now Sr. Director of Product Marketing for OpenText IT Operations Management solutions, with a career spanning over 19 years through various acquisitions, including NetIQ, Attachmate, Novell, and HP Software, Travis has a profound understanding of IT service management, AI Ops, cloud management, and governance tools. His role ensures that firms survive and thrive amid the technological shifts that define modern IT operations. Travis has been pivotal in communicating and implementing ITOM solutions that address critical market demands throughout his journey.“Observability is the destination, and AI Ops is the journey.”- Travis GreeneThis week on Find Flow:The significance of unified platforms in managing IT operations transformationHow automation through operations orchestration is revolutionizing IT servicesThe strategic role of optic platforms in integrating operations, intelligence, and cloud servicesThe necessity of building trust in AI to enhance operational reliabilityThe evolving implications of cloud technology on operational rolesThis week on Find Flow:The significance of unified platforms in managing IT operations transformationHow automation through operations orchestration is revolutionizing IT servicesThe strategic role of optic platforms in integrating operations, intelligence, and cloud services.The necessity of building trust in AI to enhance operational reliabilityThe evolving implications of cloud technology on operational rolesResources Mentioned:Optic Data LakeTableauMicrosoft BI ToolsConnect with Travis:OpenTextTravis Greene on LinkedInFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
"It's not the technology that's making it hard. It's oftentimes the process for getting those requirements formalized, for getting the work done, for getting the work rolled out. And again, governance is going to speed that along."~Jonathan AlboumJonathan Alboum is an experienced IT leader with a wealth of knowledge in governance strategy. As a former CIO and current ServiceNow executive, Jonathan understands the importance of effective governance in maximizing the value of technology investments. With a focus on communication, collaboration, and aligning IT with business objectives, he shares valuable insights and practical advice for organizations striving to enhance their governance practices.In this episode, Sean and Jonathan delve into the critical role of governance in IT and explore its impact on technology implementations. They emphasize the need for clear communication and understanding between technical and non-technical stakeholders to bridge the gap and ensure successful outcomes. Jonathan highlights the importance of distinguishing between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow, shedding light on the significance of proper role allocation and demand management. Additionally, they discuss metrics for measuring the effectiveness of governance programs and the value they bring to organizations."I can tell you that one of the most important traits of a CIO or an IT leader is the ability to speak in common language and be able to explain things in a non-technical way."~Jonathon AlboumToday on Find Flow:The role of product management and its impact on prioritizing features and functionality.Challenges in communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.The need for liberal arts skills in organizations for effective communication.Differentiating between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow.The importance of demand management and having a process for handling requirements.Metrics to measure the effectiveness of governance programs.The significance of adoption, training, and support tickets in evaluating success.Balancing the speed of implementation with thorough training and preparation.Resources Mentioned:LinkedIn: Jonathan Alboum - Connect with Jonathan and explore his work at ServiceNow.ServiceNow - Visit the official ServiceNow website to learn more about their platform and solutions.Find Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
“AI does not work unless you have access to as much data as possible.” - JL HancockJim “JL” Hancock spent 20 years in the military, where he worked as a cryptologist and the senior enlisted advisor over future concepts and innovation for the Navy special operations community. During his service, Jim has learned two languages – Korean and Japanese – conducted hundreds of combat operations with special operations forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines, and became a well-known subject matter expert in unmanned systems, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on his education in national security studies and his experience in the military, Jim is now an author of fiction books that reflect the complexities of the modern world. His latest book, The Hawk Enigma, tells the story of a gifted military technician struggling with the harrowing memories of war and the emptiness of loss who buries himself in his work with a secretive military research operation, later finding himself on the front lines of an AI arms race with the future of freedom at stake. When he’s not writing or promoting his book, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters at their home in California.JL Hancock joins me today to examine the integration of artificial intelligence into systems and processes within organizations. We discuss the challenges of applying AI to the DedSec Ops space and the cultural shifts that are currently taking place regarding the use of artificial intelligence. We discuss why many organizations, including the military, are hesitant about integrating artificial intelligence into their operations and the negative impact this resistance can have on their organization. We also discuss the role that artificial intelligence can play in the cybersecurity space and the benefits and vulnerabilities of combining humans with artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.This week on Find Flow:The challenges of applying AI in DedSecThe cultural shifts currently occurring regarding the use of artificial intelligenceThe pitfalls of change resistanceWhy are many organizations resistant to integrating artificial intelligence?The role of AI in cybersecurityHow A.I. and machine learning can help organizations scale things they’re already doing while continuing to learn from itThe benefits and drawbacks of combining artificial intelligence and the human role of cybersecurityResources Mentioned:Book: Innovate or Die: Innovation and Technology for Special Operations by Dr. Robert SpulakConnect with Jim “JL” Hancock:Jim “JL” Hancock’s WebsiteBook: The Hawk EnigmaJim “JL” Hancock on InstagramJim “JL” Hancock on FacebookJim “JL” Hancock on TwitterFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
Isaac Sacolick, president of StarCIO, joins me in exploring the profound impact of digital transformation on IT operations. In our industry, the rapid evolution of technology, including cloud services and SaaS, has revolutionized how businesses operate, demanding a new level of agility and innovation in IT operations. From automation to AIops, the complexities of managing sophisticated technology systems are shaping a new era for IT leaders.Isaac Sacolick, my guest this week, is the president of StarCIO and an influential voice in the IT and technology community. An accomplished author with notable works like "Driving Digital" and the upcoming "Digital Trailblazer," Isaac offers a treasure trove of insights drawn from his extensive experience in overseeing digital transformations. His expertise is especially significant for CIOs and IT leaders aiming to navigate the intricate landscape of modern IT operations effectively.“As leaders, we must embrace complexity with a strategic lens—prioritizing what truly impacts our customer experience.” - Isaac SacolickThis week on Find Flow:The transformative role of cloud services and SaaS in IT operations.Challenges CIOs face in securing budgets for innovative technologies.The essential role of automation and DevOps tools in managing IT environments.The strategic implementation and benefits of AI Ops.How digital transformation reshapes industries like renewable energy, construction, and retail.The importance of aligning technology investments with customer impact and business strategy.Effective management and strategic planning reduce the complexity and stress in IT operations.The significance of Isaac Sacolick’s book "Digital Trailblazer" for transformation leaders.Resources Mentioned:Book: "Driving Digital" by Isaac SacolickBook: "Digital Trailblazer" by Isaac SacolickConnect with Isaac Sacolick:Star CIOLinkedInTwitterFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
If your organization is navigating the complexities of GRC, or you need deeper insights into effective GRC strategies, do not miss this enlightening discussion with Tim Gavino. Join us as we explore how aligning GRC frameworks with business operations can serve not only to comply with necessary regulations but also to secure a competitive advantage in your industry.Today on Find Flow, we focus on the complex and ever-evolving landscape of Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC). Joined by Tim Gavino, a seasoned expert in GRC from Windward Consulting, we dive deep into the current state of GRC, the challenges organizations face, and strategies for optimal GRC implementation. Whether dealing with multinational regulatory issues or aiming to leverage GRC as a competitive advantage, this discussion sheds light on practical approaches and the necessary adaptations in today’s fast-paced environments.Tim Gavino is a Senior Architect at Windward Consulting who brings a decade of dedicated experience in GRC across various platforms and industries, including energy, financial services, and technology. His extensive work with Fortune 500 companies in highly complex environments has equipped him with a unique perspective on navigating and optimizing GRC frameworks to meet rigorous compliance requirements. Tim’s expertise is especially valuable in strategizing business continuity, policy compliance, and risk management to align with evolving regulatory landscapes."Companies are recognizing that strong GRC is not just a cost center but an accelerator for business." - Tim GavinoToday on Find Flow:The rising importance of adapting GRC frameworks to handle increased and changing regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA.Overcoming challenges in GRC by implementing a centralized platform to manage risks and ensure compliance across different geographies.The significance of strategic investments in technologies and training to enhance organizational GRC capabilities.The role of AI and data analytics in advancing GRC practices by offering more streamlined and informed decision-making processes.The necessity of continuous monitoring and assessment to maintain an up-to-date and effective cybersecurity posture.Developing an integrated GRC platform that connects risks, controls, and assets improves visibility and control.Importance of employee training and awareness in minimizing risks like phishing attacks.Aligning GRC strategies with business objectives to transform GRC from a cost burden to a competitive differentiator.Resources Mentioned:- GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA Regulations OverviewFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicPlease share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
"It's not the technology that's making it hard. It's oftentimes the process for getting those requirements formalized, for getting the work done, for getting the work rolled out. And again, governance is going to speed that along."~Jonathan AlboumJonathan Alboum is an experienced IT leader with a wealth of knowledge in governance strategy. As a former CIO and current ServiceNow executive, Jonathan understands the importance of effective governance in maximizing the value of technology investments. With a focus on communication, collaboration, and aligning IT with business objectives, he shares valuable insights and practical advice for organizations striving to enhance their governance practices.In this episode, Sean and Jonathan delve into the critical role of governance in IT and explore its impact on technology implementations. They emphasize the need for clear communication and understanding between technical and non-technical stakeholders to bridge the gap and ensure successful outcomes. Jonathan highlights the importance of distinguishing between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow, shedding light on the significance of proper role allocation and demand management. Additionally, they discuss metrics for measuring the effectiveness of governance programs and the value they bring to organizations."I can tell you that one of the most important traits of a CIO or an IT leader is the ability to speak in common language and be able to explain things in a non-technical way."~Jonathon AlboumToday on Find Flow:The role of product management and its impact on prioritizing features and functionality.Challenges in communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.The need for liberal arts skills in organizations for effective communication.Differentiating between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow.The importance of demand management and having a process for handling requirements.Metrics to measure the effectiveness of governance programs.The significance of adoption, training, and support tickets in evaluating success.Balancing the speed of implementation with thorough training and preparation.Resources Mentioned:LinkedIn: Jonathan Alboum - Connect with Jonathan and explore his work at ServiceNow.ServiceNow - Visit the official ServiceNow website to learn more about their platform and solutions.Find Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
"Last year, it was human skills [as the top priority], followed by process skills, followed by technical skills. This year it's actually quite different. We have process skills, process framework skills such as DevOps, ITIL, SRE… with technical skills as the second priority, then human skills, then leadership skills." - Eveline OehrlichEveline Oehrlich is a researcher and the Chief Research Officer at the DevOps Institute. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Evelyn has dedicated her career to understanding the essential skill domains and helping professionals upskill to remain competitive in today's fast-paced digital world. Eveline is passionate about sharing insights and supporting organizations in adopting the right skills to ensure success in their IT projects.In this episode of the Find Flow podcast, host Sean McDermott and guest Eveline Oehrlich discuss the importance of upskilling in the IT industry. They delve into the details of a recent report by Evelyn's firm, which focuses on the essential skill domains and the top must-have skills within these domains. The report also sheds light on the challenges that organizations face in upskilling their employees. With the current economic landscape, the conversation around upskilling is highly relevant for organizations looking to do more with their existing resources and slow down hiring."I find it important that people know how and where to upscale to be professionally and humanly ready for the future and for today." - Eveline OehrlichThis Week on Find Flow:Upskilling is crucial for IT professionals to stay competitive in today's rapidly changing digital landscape.The skill domains focused on in the report include process/framework skills, technical skills, human skills, leadership skills, and automation skills.In the recent report, the must-have skills are prioritized as process/framework skills, followed by technical, human, leadership, and automation skills.Challenges around upskilling can be better understood and addressed through in-depth analysis of the must-have skills within each domain.The DevOps Institute is now part of PeopleCert, the organization that owns ITIL and Prince2, enabling a stronger focus on process frameworks and certification.Resources Mentioned:Upskilling Report by the DevOps InstituteDevOps InstitutePeopleCertITILPrince2Dr. Carol DweckFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
“AI does not work unless you have access to as much data as possible.” - JL HancockJim “JL” Hancock spent 20 years in the military, where he worked as a cryptologist and the senior enlisted advisor over future concepts and innovation for the Navy special operations community. During his service, Jim has learned two languages – Korean and Japanese – conducted hundreds of combat operations with special operations forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines, and became a well-known subject matter expert in unmanned systems, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on his education in national security studies and his experience in the military, Jim is now an author of fiction books that reflect the complexities of the modern world. His latest book, The Hawk Enigma, tells the story of a gifted military technician struggling with the harrowing memories of war and the emptiness of loss who buries himself in his work with a secretive military research operation, later finding himself on the front lines of an AI arms race with the future of freedom at stake. When he’s not writing or promoting his book, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters at their home in California.JL Hancock joins me today to examine the integration of artificial intelligence into systems and processes within organizations. We discuss the challenges of applying AI to the DedSec Ops space and the cultural shifts that are currently taking place regarding the use of artificial intelligence. We discuss why many organizations, including the military, are hesitant about integrating artificial intelligence into their operations and the negative impact this resistance can have on their organization. We also discuss the role that artificial intelligence can play in the cybersecurity space and the benefits and vulnerabilities of combining humans with artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.This week on Find Flow:The challenges of applying AI in DedSecThe cultural shifts currently occurring regarding the use of artificial intelligenceThe pitfalls of change resistanceWhy are many organizations resistant to integrating artificial intelligence?The role of AI in cybersecurityHow A.I. and machine learning can help organizations scale things they’re already doing while continuing to learn from itThe benefits and drawbacks of combining artificial intelligence and the human role of cybersecurityResources Mentioned:Book: Innovate or Die: Innovation and Technology for Special Operations by Dr. Robert SpulakConnect with Jim “JL” Hancock:Jim “JL” Hancock’s WebsiteBook: The Hawk EnigmaJim “JL” Hancock on InstagramJim “JL” Hancock on FacebookJim “JL” Hancock on TwitterFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
Scott Sereboff is a veteran in the tech industry, with over 35 years of experience in building backend telecom networks, hyper-converged infrastructure, and the security industry. He is currently the General Manager of Deeping Source, a video surveillance and data anonymization company that utilizes AI. Scott is an advocate for AI and privacy, having developed a strong set of beliefs about the potential benefits and risks of AI. He is also the host of his own podcast, "The Privacy of Me," where he discusses topics related to privacy and technology. Scott holds a degree from the University of Texas and is based in Austin.In this episode of the Find Flow podcast, host Sean McDermott talks with Scott Sereboff about the applications of AI in the IT world and the potential unintended consequences that come with it. They discuss the use of AI in service reliability, including AIOps and SecOps, and how it can supplement human work. They also touch on the topic of AI replacing jobs and the potential for AI to replicate art. Finally, they delve into the issue of privacy in the age of AI, using the example of the White Castle lawsuit to highlight the need for caution."AI is a tool that reflects how it was built. And so, if you get a system that is built to do good things, then you have a good AI." ~ Scott SereboffIn Today’s Episode:AI is a tool that can reflect the intentions behind its creation. When built to do good things, AI can help supplement human work and provide valuable insights for predictive analytics.The promise of AI in the IT world is its ability to handle the things we are inherently bad at, such as monitoring large networks and spotting patterns in data.While some jobs may be replaced or changed by AI, there is still a need for human emotion in fields such as art and music.The unintended consequences of AI can be seen in the White Castle lawsuit, where the collection of employee fingerprints has led to a privacy lawsuit.As AI continues to be integrated into various fields, it is important to consider its potential impact on privacy and take caution in its use.Connect with Scott:LinkedIn Deeping Source The Privacy of Me on YouTubeFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
“We’re not there to find vulnerabilities. RedTeaming is about simulating an actual, real-world threat.” - Terence BennettTerence Bennett is the General Manager of DreamFactory Software, an API Management company. Terence’s career initially began while serving in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Intelligence Officer and Surface Warfare Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his military service, he worked on Google’s Offensive Security RedTeam before leading the operations at Integrate.io and TeamPassword. Terence is a startup advisor and volunteer who is passionate about giving back to his community through public service. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Shields & Stripes, a non-profit organization assisting veterans and first responders experiencing PTSD. He is a member of the Board of Industry Advisors, an Economic Empowerment organization providing guidance and support to Astia and companies within their ecosystem. Terence holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s from the U.S. Naval War College, and an EMBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.Terence joins me today to discuss the third pillar of service reliability – Security Operations. We discuss what RedTeams are, how they help improve a company’s security operations, and how they help protect private data from unauthorized users and hackers. We discuss what API Management is, how DreamFactory helps improve data security and API management with security controls like user authentication, rate limiting, and robust access controls, and how these security features can protect their user’s data. We also discuss how DreamFactory’s software interacts with legacy applications and why software reliability and user experience is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation and modernization.This week on Find Flow:Understanding RedTeams in organizationsProtecting private information and data by implementing RedTeam strategic exercisesWhat API Management is and how DreamFactory is helping organizations improve their data securityBuilding security controls with user authentication, rate limiting, and robust access controlsHow DreamFactory’s software interacts with legacy applicationsThe realities of digital transformation and modernizationConnect with Terence Bennett:DreamFactory SoftwareDreamFactory Software on LinkedInDreamFactory Software on YouTubeDreamFactory Software on FacebookDreamFactory Software on TwitterTerence Bennett on LinkedInFind Your Flow in IT OperationsThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon MusicBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you.Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
David Deal, ServiceNow Practice Director at Windward Consulting, joins Sean on today's episode of Find Flow. David brings his knowledge base in ServiceNow to cover everything related to the new Tokyo release.
ServiceNow hails Tokyo as a way to "accelerate business innovation and supercharge experiences for your organization so it simply works better."
Connect with Windward: https://windward.com/
Connect with Sean McDermott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmmcdermott/
Connect with David Deal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deal-24a4502/
Learn more about Tokyo with ServiceNow: https://www.servicenow.com/now-platform/latest-release.html
Sean is joined by Jonathan Alboum, Federal CTO & Principal Digital Strategist at ServiceNow.Together, they cover:What is “governance” and why is it so important?The biggest challenges to implementing a successful governance program, How the ServiceNow ecosystem supports clients, and what metrics to measure when it comes to governance.Learn more about Windward: https://windward.com/Connect with Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-alboum-b3469/
Get insights into the latest tech developments around automation and AI. This week, we’re talking about:
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The Top 10 AIOps Platforms
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6 Misconceptions about AIOps, Explained
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The Road to AIOps for Intelligent Workflows
Sean is joined by Dan Williams from Windward Consulting to cover all the aspects of vulnerability management. Sean and Dan cover: The process of detection/isolation/resolution/action/analytics Why it is worth it to bring in a third party to help look at your landscape Are some risks acceptable? A deep dive into the programmatic approach More info: Windward.com
Sean is joined by Dan Grady. Dan is the Product Manager for In-Platform Process Mining at ServiceNow. Dan has over 25 years of experience primarily in the AI, ML, and Analytics space, working for ServiceNow for the past six years and Information Builders for 17 years before that.
Sean and Dan cover:
Process Mining, how it relates to IT Service Reliability, and a use case exploring Process Mining.
For more information:
https://www.servicenow.com/community/process-optimization/ct-p/process-optimization
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangrady/
https://twitter.com/tweetgrady
IT data keeps expanding infinitely, like the universe. It can be overwhelming. Thankfully, AIOps capabilities offer a telescopic lens into observing and monitoring the IT expanse. Sean and Bill talk about improving observability systems in this week’s AIOps Evolution Weekly. This week, we’re talking about: - How to improve your observability systems 🎙️ Interview: Siemens Exec on how IoT enhances performance monitoring 😮💨 Give your data room to breathe: 4 steps to get started with AIOps
According to Zendesk, by 2022 about 90% of customer service requests will be handled by AI-enabled service desks. Conversational AI could be a game-changer not only for operational efficiency, but for better customer experience. Check out the episode for the full discussion. This week, we’re talking about: 🤖 How AI will transform IT service management 🤗 Re-Humanizing / Re-Energizing Conversations Using AI ☎️ The Rise of AI in the Call Center Industry
Sean and Bill share actionable tips and discuss trends in Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations and automation. This week, we’re talking about: Coming soon: Automation, integration & data correlation advancements Enterprise NetOps teams see big gains from AIOps AIOps Market Projections - $644B by 2030
Most IT leaders know the value of AIOps investments, but what about the C-suite? Tune in as Sean and Bill discuss how to get past the common roadblocks to AIOps innovation in an enterprise.
This week, we’re talking about:
- A clear path to innovation. IT leaders see the vision of AIOps. Here’s how to make it reality.
- Unlock the full capacity of AIOps. A new approach to organizational data management brings even bigger efficiency gains.
This week Sean and Bill are discussing how AIOps helps IT leaders unlock the potential for enterprise-wide digital transformation.
This week, we’re talking about:
- DevOps - Releasing code into an environment reliably (2 of 2 Part Series)
- AIOps Done Right: Delivery Automation for DevOps and SREs
- Unlocking Digital Transformation: AIOps, a Key Enabler for DevOps
This week Sean interviews Christian Malone, a Principal Solutions Architect at ServiceNow. There is no doubt that AIOps trends are on the rise; one of the biggest complaints from Sean and Christian was that AIOps has become a ‘buzzword’. It’s important to keep the integrity of AIOps by not letting it become a generic term. That means understanding its specific use cases as well as how it can become a business game changer by freeing up IT teams and data scientists for higher value pursuits.
This week, our host Sean is sitting down with Chris Schroeder of App47 to talk about Service Level Indicators (SLIs), Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and discuss their potential impact on your organization's ability to invest in innovation. How do you structure an SLO? What are the standard conventions? And how do you build a dashboard that helps you find the capacity to prioritize innovation and transformation by reducing the volume of issues and incidents?
This week, we shift gears from software to the world of hardware, chips, CPUs, GPUs, and even IPUs or DPUs. As computing moves from the data center to the edge (and back again, in the case of federated learning), the drive to balance the 3 Ps - Power, Performance & Price - is driving innovation and new ways of thinking about data center architecture. Our guest, Steve Leibson, leads us on a deep-dive into where the future of AI-enabled chips are headed, as well as how the internet of things (IoT) is going to force data centers to rethink conventional wisdom. - Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tiriasresearch/2022/08/29/is-untether-ais-speedai240-boqueria-inferencing-chip-the-one/?sh=328d83e530fb - Steve Leibson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveleibson/
Our guest Ed Bailey, Staff Senior Technical Evangelist at Cribl has a lot to say about logstream management: The challenges, the risks, and the opportunities. In this discussion, host Sean McDermott and Ed break down real-world use cases to show how the right log management practices and tools can create huge organizational benefits - from business intelligence to operational efficiencies to improved risk management.
In this week's episode, host Sean McDermott and guest David Deal discuss CSDM. They cover why it’s critical to your ServiceNow implementation, both for roll-out and how you support it in the future. As an IT organization, the most important thing you provide to your business is trusted data. A standard set of data models helps ensure the framework that no matter where the data is being sourced from, it will go to the right place in the CMDB. It can touch all parts of your business, and every module of your ServiceNow implementation. - What are the "crawl, walk, run" steps in migrating to CSDM? - How does the CSDM protect your data in critical "pivot moments" regardless of use case? - How do workflow dependencies, integrations, and automation rely on having a standard data model? Sean and David discuss all this and more in this informative conversation.
This week, Sean sat down with Emily Arnott of Blameless, who is making it her mission to spread “the Gospel of SRE.” Their discussion covered the philosophy underpinning Site Reliability Engineering, its origins in the world of manufacturing, and a few detailed scenarios for how this approach plays out in real-world incident response teams. 🔍 How does an approach that bakes operational wisdom into the development and release process from the beginning change things for teams? 🔍 What is the typical structure of an SRE team, and the incident command role? (And how is it similar to a military training team?) 🔍 How does an SRE approach differ, when “the bodies hit the floor” and the team needs to rapidly triage incidents? 🔍 How is the evolving language and taxonomy around SRE changing our paradigms for how we think about incident response? Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-arn... Blameless: https://www.blameless.com/ For further reading: 👁️🗨️ So you Want an SRE Tool. Do you Build, Buy, or Open Source?: https://dev.to/blameless/so-you-want-... 👁️🗨️ SRE: From Theory to Practice | What's difficult about incident command: https://dev.to/blameless/sre-from-the... 👁️🗨️ DevOps & SRE Words Matter: How Our Language has Evolved: https://dev.to/blameless/devops-sre-w... 👁️🗨️ SRECon presentation: https://www.usenix.org/conference/sre
This week, host Sean McDermott is speaking with Eveline Oehrlich, Industry Analyst and Chief Research Officer at the DevOps Institute. Eveline is an industry analyst, author, speaker and business advisor focused on digital transformation. They discuss the emerging topic of Site Reliability Engineering, or SRE, and challenges relative to the broad adoption of DevOps. Has site reliability become the next natural extension of DevOps? Operations always lags behind engineering in a "build and ship" world. Can SRE get these two organizations collaborating from the outset, on both processes and outcomes? Join us for this deep-dive into the future of technology.
This week, we're talking with Shailesh Manjrekar from CloudFabrix about tackling the challenges of data management. As IT Ops teams struggle to manage the deluge of data from the cloud, there's a tsunami on the horizon: edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). As apps move to the edge, the data disconnect between DevOps (the people responsible for application performance) and ITOps (the people responsible for monitoring and observability) just keeps growing. So how do organizations bridge that gap, before it causes a critical business impact? Sean and Shailesh discuss three critical challenges to data utilization: - Proliferation of both VOLUME and TYPES of data - The critical skills shortage in data expertise - Missing, incomplete, and siloed data Experts estimate the edge will generate even more data than the cloud. So how are technology teams expected to keep up? Automated data enrichment capable of funneling the right data to the right people, and self-serve tools that enable non-Data Scientists to build-their-own contextual dashboards. CloudFabrix is doing some exciting things in this arena, so be sure to check out this intriguing, future-facing discussion.
Sean McDermott is joined by Travis Greene from Micro Focus to cover an array of topics including: ITOM - what is currently top of mind with customers? (IT Service Management and the desire to improve user experience, Infrastructure response, and Cloud Management) What does it mean to focus on service reliability? (Demanding more observability data//insight into applications) The affects of automating tier 1 operations, and how transparency and trust comes into play with AI Ops. Travis and Sean have a spirited conversation to close out the podcast regarding how Observability and AI Ops are viewed.
This week, we’re talking about navigating big, transformational changes through the lens of an enterprise IT Ops team, with guest Andy Mann, CTO of video platform Qumu. So how is the role of IT ops shifting as organizations continue to pivot to the cloud? What was once a “behind the scenes” function is now often the face of the company to customers. When customers have a problem, they don’t care who your distribution platform is - they want answers. DevOps and IT Ops need to work closely to ensure that fixes get rolled out fast. Sean and Andy discuss the elements - from executive leadership buy-in to a total process overhaul to building observability into the product - that are vital to supporting that kind of paradigm shift. Find more about Windward: https://www.windward.com Find more about Qumu: https://www.qumu.com
How do we turn excitement into action? This week’s episode offers great advice, from host Sean McDermott and guest, Adam Blau, Sr. Director of Product Marketing at BigPanda. In this episode, Sean and Adam: (17:38) Discuss two impressive case studies. One that reduced MTTR from 20 minutes to 2 minutes, and the other that used automated remediation to reduce average monthly incident tickets from 5500 to 500. (05:32) Look at how AIOps can empower IT teams to change the narrative around how IT operations management supports organizational growth. (12:35) Describe how “explainable AI” enables teams to show the “what, why and how” of event correlation, so organizations can feel confident about how AI is being deployed. Consider where ownership of service availability and application uptime is headed (it may not be where you think!) Go-to-market strategy lives at the intersection of product, marketing and sales. As a data and technology business professional with experience at SaaS/PaaS B2B companies, Adam brings 12+ years of success to solve real problems that drive hypergrowth and organizations forward. His insights into what make a successful SaaS product - and what makes BigPanda special - can help IT Leaders better understand how to assess and prioritize their IT stack investments. Visit Windward Consulting: https://www.windward.com Learn More About BigPanda: https://www.bigpanda.io/
Host Sean McDermott is joined by Cribl's Senior Director of Market Strategy Nick Heudecker. Sean and Nick discuss how to use data more effectively to better understand customers, improve company performance, create data-led teams and businesses and build teams to deliver data products across enterprises. Find out more about Windward: windward.com Find out more about Cribl: Cribl.io
Host Sean McDermott and Guest Charles Araujo take you through what a true digital transformation means, with a look at the transformation of the nature of the customer experience and enterprise value.
Host Sean McDermott takes you through the changes in digital transformation with an author on that very subject: Isaac Sacolick. Sean and Isaac Discus: New investments, SaaS, Adding technology, AIOps monitoring, AIOps automation in IT Ops, How to move into more orchestration automation
In a market where everyone is peddling AIOps, IT leaders often end up staring at a mixed bag of fruits claiming to be AIOps.
In the end, it’s a “melon market” - with tools that may offer AI/ML features, but don’t fulfill the promise of pulling data from all available sources and correlating it in a useful way.
So, what are the current differentiators in AIOps tools - and which ones are driving the MOST excitement? What does “domain agnostic AIOps” really mean?
In this episode, Sean got the chance to discuss this question with BigPanda’s Bryan Dell, Chief Financial Officer, and Mohan Kompella, Product Marketing Lead.
Sean McDermott of the Find Flow podcast, brought to you by Windward, interviews guest speakers from Zenoss: Trent Fitz, chief marketing officer, and Ani Gujrathi, chief technology officer. In this insightful episode, they dive into how AIOps has evolved and continues to evolve. We’ve come a long way from Gen 1 AIOps, which was based mainly on event correlation. In just a few years, we’ve come a long way from Generation 1 AIOps, and Generation 2 AIOps platforms have made huge strides in providing faster, more accurate insights. They have proven that it is possible to achieve what most believed to be impossible - automating root-cause analysis in massive, complex IT environments.. Listen to this episode to discover what is next in the AIOps evolution and the role Zenoss will play.
Discover more about Zenoss: https://www.zenoss.com/ Find out more about Windward: https://www.windward.com/
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speaker: Jayanti Murty from Digitate In this episode of Find Flow Podcast: Sean interviewed Jayanti Murty, CTO (Americas) at Digitate. They discussed what’s fueling AIOps trends now and what we can expect looking down the road in three to five years. Currently, the AIOps market is slated to hit $10 billion USD by 2027 as enterprises look to simplify and optimize IT and Security Operations. With a predicted market share like that, Jayanti and Sean both predict that AIOps trends will transform from “nice to have ‘new-fangled’ tech” to essential business driver. Find out more about Digitate: https://digitate.com/ Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speaker: Phil Tee, CEO of Moogsoft This week in Find Flow Podcast: A lot has happened in the last few years, and AIOps hasn’t skipped out on these changes. With people collectively shifting to remote work environments, we’ve shifted from centralized IT to application-based operations based on providing one thing: availability. We’re in the midst of an evolution in AIOps as lifestyle and work style morph. Sean talks about it all with Phil Tee, CEO of Moogsoft, who maintains that the vendors that pioneer the next generation of AI algorithms are the ones that will thrive. Find out more about Moogsoft: https://www.moogsoft.com/ Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speaker: Leslie Minnix-Wolfe from ScienceLogic This week in Find Flow Podcast: Many IT leaders would agree that AIOps is no longer a “nice to have” strategy, but a necessity as data points balloon in the IT environment. Today’s IT teams cannot keep up with the complexity, and AIOps is a viable strategy to get ahead of the curve. The larger question that we’re tackling in this Find Flow Podcast is which AIOps use case to start with? In this episode, Sean interviewed Leslie Minnix-Wolfe, VP of Product Marketing at ScienceLogic on the question that many IT leaders ask: Where do I start my AIOps Journey? Find out more about ScienceLogic: https://sciencelogic.com/ Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speakers: Bhaskar Krishnamsetty & Tejo Prayaga from CloudFabrix This week in Find Flow Podcast: The dialogue around AIOps integrations has shifted drastically just in the last two years. Previously, vendor conversations revolved around explaining the benefits and value of AIOps to prospective investors. Now, people believe the story, but they want to know how to make the AIOps story a reality. The prevailing question now is: ‘How do we get to frictionless AIOps?’ Bhaskar Krishnamsetty and Tejo Prayaga from CloudFabrix joined Sean on Find Flow to dissect these shifts in the AIOps dialogue and what they mean down the road. Find out more about CloudFabrix: https://www.cloudfabrix.com/ Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com SHOW LESS
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speaker: Russel Wilkinson from Dynatrace In the Find Flow Podcast this week: Sean had Russell Wilkinson, Partner Engineering Manager at Dynatrace, on to discuss an often glossed over topic in AIOps - legacy system monitoring and optimization. While it’s possible for large enterprises to adopt new technologies, applications, and processes fairly easily, this is not the case for all companies. For some it’s a matter of budget and for others it’s that the effort to migrate to the cloud is not feasible. In order to stay relevant in the current digital economy, AIOps is a viable solution to keep legacy systems relevant. Find out more about Dynatrace: www.dynatrace.com Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com
Host: Sean McDermott Guest speaker: Christian Malone from ServiceNow This week on Find Flow Podcast: We are honored to hand the mic over to Christian Malone, Principal Solutions Architect at ServiceNow. He points out that AIOps has become a buzzword in the industry, and about 58% of IT pros agree with him. Without a clear definition, we can’t unlock its full potential to transform business processes. The real value of AIOps is its ability to free people for higher pursuits - like putting data scientists to work creating business opportunities, not chasing the cause of a random anomaly. This week, join Sean and Christian as they discuss taking AIOps from buzzword to business game changer. Find out more about ServiceNow: www.servicenow.com Find out more about Windward: www.windward.com