Futurum Tech Webcast

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Steve Dickens, Krista Macomber and Camberley Bates cover Solidigm RSA conference and Red Hat Summit conference themes.

Key topic include:

• Highlights from Solidigm Analyst Day for The Futurum Group

• Key themes from the RSA conference in San Francisco including:

• Advancement in AI security posture management

• Proactive cybersecurity measures

• CalypsoAI's work on identifying vulnerabilities in large language models and the use of AI in security analytics by companies like Elastic

• Plus Krista's thrilling ride in the Waymo!

• News and Announcements from the Red Hat Summit, including:

• RHEL AI, allowing AI to run on PCs

• Virtualization Strategies

• Open-sourcing of IBM's Granite AI model and OpenShift AI

• Strategic approach to partner engagement

• Expansion of LightSpeed