Executives at the Edge

By MplifyBusiness Entrepreneurship News Technology Business News

Executives at the Edge episodes

June 15, 2023Automation and Standard APIs: The Key to Network Transformation
Amartus’ Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Michael Kearns, discusses how multinationals and large enterprises increasingly want to connect to multiple providers around the globe to achieve the best possible networking options, performance, and reliability. How can managed service providers (MSPs) help enterprises access and manage these complex networks?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Michael Kearns of Amartus:
How can service providers adapt to address the significant changes in enterprise networking requirements?
What impact are new technologies such as SD-WAN, SASE, fixed wireless, satellite and multi-cloud networking having on enterprise networking?
Given all these changes what will the future enterprise cloud network look like?
What does this mean in terms of network automation and adoption of standardized APIs and processes between providers and between a provider and its enterprise customers?
About Our Guest
Michael Kearns, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Amartus
Entrepreneur, expert and strategic advisor in Network & Cloud Automation and Intelligent business and operations software systems. Michael is Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Amartus. He was CEO from 2003 to 2015, during this time he led the company from start-up to becoming a leading industry innovator.

In 2015 he oversaw the successful exit of the company’s Chameleon OS™ orchestration product business to a Tier 1 vendor. Michael’s experience combines deep commercial & technical expertise with active involvement in industry groups & standards to deliver ground-breaking solutions. He was appointed as co-chair of the MEF LSO Committee in 2020.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Automation and Standard APIs: The Key to Network Transformation appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
29 min
June 01, 2023Toward NaaS: A New Model for Global Operators
TIM’s Chief Network, Operations, and Wholesale Officer, Elisabetta Romano, explains the need for telecom operators to evolve infrastructure and services to support new technologies like 5G, cloud computing, and IoT. To develop and deliver new services, collaboration amongst operators, and with other industries, is a must. Can operators come together rather than compete?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Elisabetta Romano of TIM:
Why is infrastructure and services critical for telecom operators?
What key challenges need to be addressed for operators to transform their business and remain competitive?
What role does collaboration play in the future of telecoms?
What is “federation” and why does it matter?
About Our Guest
Elisabetta Romano, Chief Network, Operations, and Wholesale Officer, TIM
Elisabetta Romano is Chief Network, Operations, and Wholesale Officer at TIM. She has extensive experience in the Telecommunications and Media sector, gained in particularly challenging environments, both in Italy and abroad. At TIM she has held top positions in the technology and innovation sectors. Appointed CEO of Sparkle in August 2020, since November 2022 she is Member of the Board supervising the company’s business in her capacity of Tim’s Chief Network, Operations and Wholesale Officer.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Toward NaaS: A New Model for Global Operators appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
13 min
May 18, 2023Business-Driven Automation: Don’t Boil the Ocean
Netcracker Technology’s Senior Vice President, Strategy, Ari Banerjee, shares how automation is becoming increasingly important in the telecommunications industry given its tremendous business benefits; however, implementing automation end-to-end can be daunting. Fortunately, it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition. How can organizations ease into automation?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Ari Banerjee of Netcracker Technology:
Why is automation becoming increasingly important in telecoms?
How can organizations maximize the benefits of automating?
What steps will ensure seamless integration with existing systems?
How does automation solve the complexities of working with multiple partners?
What does it take to ensure that automation is secure?
About Our Guest
Ari Banerjee, Senior Vice President Strategy, Netcracker Technology
Ari Banerjee works for Netcracker as Senior Vice President of Strategy, responsible for the company’s strategic direction and enabling it to address changing market and technology opportunities. He is responsible for all aspects of Netcracker’s strategic initiatives across its portfolio of software solutions, including customer, product and technology management, market direction and corporate communications.

Ari interfaces with CTOs and CIOs at customers and prospects to ensure the alignment of technology, products and services while providing strategic input to the CTO office, product management and R&D teams. In his role, Ari collaborates with industry organizations, standards bodies, media and analysts and is responsible for running marketing and strategic partner programs for Netcracker.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Business-Driven Automation: Don’t Boil the Ocean appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
15 min
May 04, 2023SASE and 5G: Delivering Cloud-based Security and Connectivity
Versa Networks’ CEO, Kelly Ajuha, emphasizes the need to protect users, data, and networks as cloud migration increases. 5G with SASE enables users to connect to applications across multiple locations while delivering security from the cloud. Can adopting 5G with SASE streamline enterprise security and improve overall efficiency?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Kelly Ahuja of Versa Networks:
How can implementing a SASE architecture better secure networks and applications in a cloud-based, work-from-anywhere world?
Why is unifying networking and security important in SASE and are there challenges?
How can businesses leverage SASE and 5G to improve their cybersecurity posture?
Why is 5G considered a big opportunity for service providers, and how might it impact cybersecurity?
What role do standards play in ensuring interoperability and security in cloud computing and SASE solutions?
About Our Guest
Kelly Ahuja, CEO, Versa Networks
Kelly Ahuja is a seasoned industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in networking and telecommunications. He currently serves on the board of directors for two startups in Silicon Valley.

Kelly spent 18 years at Cisco rooted in the design and deployment of telecommunications networks. He was most recently SVP of Service Provider Business, Products and Solutions at Cisco where he was responsible for developing and managing the service provider segment strategy and portfolio. Kelly held several other senior executive roles at Cisco, including SVP and GM of the Mobility Business Group, Chief Architect for the Service Provider business, and SVP and GM of the Service Provider Routing Technology Group.

Earlier in his career, Kelly served as VP of Marketing at optical networking startup BlueLeaf Networks and product management leader at Stratacom. He also managed the design and deployment of data and voice networks for AT&T Canada, Bank of Canada and Telesat Canada.

Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Calgary.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post SASE and 5G: Delivering Cloud-based Security and Connectivity appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
22 min
April 20, 2023Internet-based Networks: Going the Extra Mile
Expereo’s Chief Product Officer, Sander Barens, explains why enterprises need to change the way they work to stay competitive. But migrating from legacy networks to more dynamic and scalable internet WAN connectivity can be complex. Can the right partnerships help deliver a comprehensive connectivity and security solution?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Sander Barens, Chief Product Officer, Expereo:
Are there alternatives to a complex “do-it-yourself” journey to internet access?
How can enterprises ease the transition from legacy networks to more competitive and scalable internet access solutions to meet customer needs?
What partnerships are necessary for enterprises to make this transition successfully?
How can the process of implementing SD-WAN technology be simplified for enterprises with complex networks?
How can automation be leveraged to ease the information exchange needed to deliver exceptional customer experience?
About Our Guest
Sander Barens, Chief Product Officer, Expereo
Expereo is a Global Managed Services provider who specialises in internet connectivity. Sander Barens has been Chief Product Officer of Expereo since 2022, having been with the business since 2007. In his current role he is responsible for the development of the existing managed services portfolio, enabling global enterprises to transform to a scalable and high performing cloud and internet native infrastructure.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Internet-based Networks: Going the Extra Mile appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
14 min
April 06, 2023Standards-based LSO APIs: Expanding the Industry Pie
Verizon’s Chief Product Officer, Debika Bhattacharya, explains why APIs are critical for information exchange with partners and customers, and how standard service definitions create a broad base for impact while allowing for differentiation. How can standards expand the pie so everyone wins?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Debika Bhattacharya of Verizon Business:
In the shift to wireless, how have end-users been affected?
How can better automation most positively impact the enterprise technology industry?
How do LSO APIs enable better exchange of information from service provider to service provider and from service provider to customer?
Where are service standards most critical and can they help everybody win?
About Our Guest
Debika Bhattacharya, Chief Product Officer, Verizon Business
Debika Bhattacharya is Chief Product Officer for Verizon Business, charged with delivering 5G solutions and strategic business outcomes to Verizon’s Global Enterprise and Government customers — leading a team of 1,100+ sales and technology professionals across 20 countries.

Debika’s current focus is on delivering business value to clients through Verizon’s best-in-class solutions such as 5G, Edge Computing, Software-Defined Services, and Digital Collaboration — partnering with customers to navigate the challenges of today while building the foundation for future success.

As a seasoned global executive, Debika has extensive experience leading complex technology projects for Fortune 1000 clients, guiding successful IT transformations in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and financial services. She has held a variety of executive roles within Verizon, including an overseas assignment in Europe. She was instrumental in the global expansion of Verizon’s communications network, as well as the deployment of breakthrough optical wave technologies.

Debika holds advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the State University of New York. She serves as an industry liaison to the MIT community and participates in outreach programs aimed at increasing the participation of women and minorities in Science and Engineering. She is also active in IEEE-Women in Engineering and the Society of Women Engineers.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Standards-based LSO APIs: Expanding the Industry Pie appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
19 min
March 23, 2023End-to-End Automation: Differentiating Digital Experience
Lumen’s CTO and MEF Chairman, Andrew Dugan, discusses how enterprises’ changing expectations for on-demand services are driving service providers to automate network and operational processes and deliver a higher level of service to customers. What will it take to automate across carriers and deliver a global service?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Andrew Dugan of Lumen:
How has the enterprise’s focus on enabling applications and users changed expectations for service providers?
What role does automation play in the delivery of network, compute, and security as a single service that can be easily configured and managed?
Why should service providers consider partnering with hyperscalers?
What role does fiber access have in future digital service delivery strategies?
What will it take to achieve end-to-end automation within the service provider’s infrastructure?
About Our Guest
Andrew Dugan, CTO, Lumen
Andrew Dugan is Chief Technology Officer for Lumen. In this role, he is responsible for the development, integration and deployment of the Lumen global network supporting Enterprise, Consumer, Wholesale and Government customers.

Andrew is running for his third term on the MEF board and actively supports the efforts of MEF through internal and external sponsorship of several MEF Initiatives. Andrew views the work being done at MEF as an important part of Lumen’s objectives—to create a differentiated digital experience for customers through standardization and automation.

Andrew is a veteran technology executive with more than 32 years of experience in building telecommunications networks, switching platforms and services platforms. Prior to his CTO role, he served as Senior Vice President of technology planning, network architecture and security. He joined Level 3 in 1998 where he played an integral part in building its global network. He held various roles at Level 3 and was named its CTO in 2016.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post End-to-End Automation: Differentiating Digital Experience appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
23 min
March 09, 2023Disruptive Technologies in the LATAM Market: The Rising Tide
Orchest Technologies’ COO, Jeremy Villalobos, describes the current state of connectivity services throughout the Latin American market. Can new technologies disrupt traditional processes and lead to more efficient and transparent service delivery? And will it ensure a better customer experience?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Jeremy Villalobos of Orchest Technologies:
What is the biggest challenge to operating a network in Latin America today?
Why is automation the rising tide that lifts all boats?
What is the future of connectivity services in the region?
How will technologies like NaaS, SASE, and blockchain impact them?
What steps can LATAM service providers take to launch the automation journey?
About Our Guest
Jeremy Villalobos, COO, Orchest Technologies
Jeremy Villalobos is the Chief Operating Officer and Board Member of Orchest Technologies. He was recently recognized in the Top 100 most influential people in the Wholesale and ICT community by Capacity Media. He led the creation of the LatamConnect platform and the feasibility analysis algorithm. He has served in several key capacities for various telco organizations building and succeeding new business units, including construction of top tier Data Centers, deployment of multiple Cloud Computing platforms and expansion of new strategic Network Infrastructure throughout Latin America.

Today, he also serves in the Board of Advisor of Stetson University in the Graduate Disruptive Leadership Program and was recently appointed Co-Chair for the MEF LSO (Lifecycle Services Orchestration) Committee to develop LSO API standards.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Disruptive Technologies in the LATAM Market: The Rising Tide appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
31 min
February 16, 2023Ransomware-as-a-Service: Securing the Enterprise
CyberRatings.org’s Chairman and CEO, Vikram Phatak, discusses the current cybercrime ecosystem and explores the shift to innovative cloud services, which reduces complexity but adds a new level of due diligence for the enterprise. How can organizations ensure cloud services are secure and performing as ordered while protecting the enterprise network?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Vikram Phatak of CyberRatings.org:
How has cybercrime changed and what does today’s cybercrime ecosystem look like?
What impact does the move to cloud services have on securing an enterprise network and its managed services?
Does SASE have a role to play in delivering secure cloud services to organizations?
How can enterprises gain visibility into their managed services to ensure they are performing as ordered?
Are certified services and technologies a nice-to-have or a need-to-have?
About Our Guest
Vikram Phatak, Chairman and CEO, CyberRatings.org
Vikram Phatak founded CyberRatings.org in November 2020. As one of the industry’s foremost thought leaders, he has extensive experience in cybersecurity technologies protecting networks, endpoints and the cloud. Mr. Phatak founded NSS Labs, Inc. in 2007 as a go-to source for trusted independent, fact-based guidance on security product efficacy. For more than a decade, he grew NSS Labs from a small test lab to a global leader in security product testing. In 2018, he stepped down as CEO to focus on his health and spend more time with his family. Previously, Mr. Phatak founded and led several Internet and cybersecurity companies including Lucid Security and Intermedia Sciences Group, one of the first internet service providers and security consulting firms in the U.S.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Ransomware-as-a-Service: Securing the Enterprise appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
19 min
February 02, 2023Secure Networking: Turbocharging Global Strategy
Comcast Business’s Head of Customer Solutions, Bob Victor, relates their impressive journey from extending residential triple play to small businesses, to delivering secure network services to both SMBs and very large enterprises with thousands of distributed locations globally. How have technologies such as SD-WAN and SASE advanced to enable Comcast to take the complexity out of running a multi-site secure network? And what’s next for them?
Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform
Apple Spotify Pandora YouTube RSS Feed
In this Executives at the Edge episode, host Pascal Menezes explores these topics and more with Bob Victor of Comcast Business:
Where are the current opportunities for carriers and how is Comcast’s strategy different?
What impact has the cloud had on enterprise security strategies?
Is it possible to deliver a full on-net and off-net underlay plus overlay on all circuits?
What private wireless solutions are on the horizon?
About Our Guest
Bob Victor, Head of Customer Solutions, Comcast Business
Robert (“Bob”) S. Victor serves as Senior Vice President of Product Management for Comcast Business, where he is responsible for development and lifecycle operations of all Comcast Business products and services as well as Blueface, a Unified Communications Company based in Ireland.

Bob joined Comcast in 2008, and in prior roles has served as Senior Vice President of Strategic and Financial Planning for Comcast Corporation and Chief Financial Officer for Comcast Business. Prior to Comcast, Mr. Victor was a Partner at The Boston Consulting Group.
Executives at the Edge podcast is brought to you by Mplify, a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration.
More Episodes
Interested in sharing your industry perspective as a podcast guest? Contact Us!
The post Secure Networking: Turbocharging Global Strategy appeared first on Mplify Alliance.
13 min

About Executives at the Edge

From the publisher's feed

Join Mplify Alliance CTO Pascal Menezes as he explores thought-provoking perspectives from the leaders and changemakers propelling AI-powered digital transformation. Each episode delves into…

Share Executives at the Edge

Sign up to save your podcasts

Executives at the Edge

Executives at the Edge episodes

About Executives at the Edge