Technology:Unpacked

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Technology:Unpacked episodes

April 04, 2025 Podcast #264 – Hitachi Vantara Infrastructure-as-a-Service
In this episode, Chris is in conversation with Jeb Horton, SVP Global Services at Hitachi Vantara, discussing the capabilities of Hitachi Vantara's Global Services offerings, which deliver infrastructure management and infrastructure as a service to its customers.
The post Podcast #264 – Hitachi Vantara Infrastructure-as-a-Service appeared first on Architecting IT.
49 min
March 28, 2025 Podcast #263 – The HYCU State of SaaS Data Resilience Report 2024
In this recording, Chris talks to Subbiah Sundaram, SVP of Products at HYCU, Inc. about the 2024 edition of the HYCU State of SaaS Data Resilience Report. The report surveys customers to understand the gaps in perceived and actual data protection for SaaS platforms and the results are quite surprising.
The post Podcast #263 – The HYCU State of SaaS Data Resilience Report 2024 appeared first on Architecting IT.
40 min
March 14, 2025#267 – The Essential Role of Data within AI (Sponsored)
In this episode, Chris talks to Sharad Kumar, Field CTO at Qlik about the value of good-quality data when developing AI solutions. Much of the current discussion around AI and large-language models (LLMs) is focused on the infrastructure and the significant expense needed to build and train generative AI. However, as the revelation of DeepSeek shows, the industry trend will see models commoditise and become cheaper to train and run.
If infrastructure and software become quickly affordable, what is the differentiator for businesses? The answer is clearly their data. Data has value to an enterprise, but only if it is in an acceptable format. That means being of high quality and in terms of how Qlik operates, a trusted resource.
During the conversation, Sharad explains the six metrics of the Talend Trust Score, a methodology that measures the value of data based on Diversity, Timeliness, Accuracy, Security, Discoverability and Consumability. He explains how the Trust Score is calculated, but more importantly, how businesses can build a framework to continually improve the quality and value of their data resources.
More information on Qlik can be found on the company website – here. Sharad mentions the user conference taking place in May, details of which can be found here. Finally, Sharad references the Qlik LinkedIn page, which can be found here.
Elapsed Time: 00:47:47
Timeline
00:00:00 – Introductions
00:01:46 – Data is the value piece within AI, not infrastructure
00:02:27 – What is occurring within the AI market?
00:04:25 – The future will be a mix of AI model types and sizes
00:05:20 – Will businesses build or buy models?
00:07:10 – How will agentic AI architectures work?
00:10:30 – Customers need to focus on data quality
00:12:44 – Both training and RAG data needs to be high quality
00:14:40 – Agentic AI wil be intent-driven
00:16:43 – What does good data look like within an enterprise?
00:19:28 – Qlik has a 6-dimensional trust score
00:26:11 – How do customers calculate their trust score?
00:30:09 – Is AI driving better data quality?
00:34:51 – Qlik can help customers develop a data improvement programme
00:37:36 – Qlik brings “product thinking” to data
00:38:56 – Where are businesses on the AI journey?
00:41:12 – How is improving data quality driving improving AI benefits?
00:42:26 – AI could be applied to fix data quality problems
Copyright (c) 2016-2025 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #ggc2
48 min
February 24, 2025Storage Unpacked 266 – Architectural Choices in Storage System Design
In this episode, Chris discusses the options available to storage system vendors when building modern storage appliances, with Bill Basinas, Senior Director, Product Marketing at Infinidat. The conversation derives from an observation on architectural choices, following the move to AMD processors from Intel for the latest G4 systems built by Infinidat. AMD offers a greater core count per processor compared to Intel, allowing Infinidat to move to single socket designs, while gaining improvements from PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory.
Ultimately, this discussion highlights how modern storage system design can take standardised components and build flexible architectures, implementing most features in software. For Infinidat, that could mean expanding its range of solutions for smaller enterprise requirements, or building out products specifically for Edge use cases.
Although Bill did not reveal any future plans, the implication is clear – watch this space for future evolution of the InfiniBox architecture to a wider and more varied set of hardwaree configurations.
Elapsed Time: 00:37:13
Timeline
00:00:00 – Intros
00:01:15 – How do vendors choose the hardware components for storage systems?
00:02:30 – What are the main (storage) technology challenges for customers?
00:04:08 – Customers want predictable data features
00:05:55 – Capacity demand continues to grow relentlessly
00:07:30 – Infinidat features are built into software
00:09:35 – Most AI requirements wil run on existing performance storage
00:11:20 – Modern hardware provides significant flexibility for system design
00:15:00 – AMD gives access to single and high core-count processors
00:16:10 – PCIe 5.0 provides for faster SSDs and power efficiency
00:18:46 – Infinidat has introduced smaller form-factor solutions
00:21:32 – Multiple cores will always get used!
00:25:53 – Infinidat G4 architecture provides for in-place controller upgrades
00:28:22 – Storage arrays should become more “virtual”
00:34:10 – Data services implementations are very different between vendors
00:35:55 – Hybrid architecture still has value in the Infinidat world
00:36:20 – Wrap Up
Related Podcasts & Blogs
Storage Unpacked 258 – Introducing Infinidat G4, InfuzeOS 8 and InfiniSafe ACP
#202 – Enterprise Storage Consolidation with Phil Bullinger from Infinidat
Infinidat adds customer value with SSA Express and improved SSA capacity
Copyright (c) 2016-2025 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #e4dr
38 min
January 17, 2025Storage Unpacked 265 – The Enduring Benefits of Centralised Storage
In this episode, Chris discusses the enduring benefits of centralised storage, particularly with reference to storage virtualisation, with Dan Kogan, VP of Enterprise Growth and Solutions and Cody Hosterman, Senior Director of Product Management, both from Pure Storage.
Centralised or shared storage has been around for over 30 years, providing efficiencies in infrastructure and operational management. In the virtualisation context, centralisation provides the ability to abstract workloads from the hypervisor and add flexibility and data management features to a centrally managed platform. Vendors, such as Pure Storage, have invested resources in making centralised storage efficient, while also providing significant security benefits that couldn’t be achieved with an HCI model.
Although this discussion was intended to focus on centralisation, the ultimate conclusion of the conversation is to realise that centralised storage is a precursor to storage-as-a-service. This is where the industry is headed, whether using on-premises or public cloud infrastructure.
Elapsed Time: 00:35:34
Timeline
00:00:00 – Intros
00:01:17 – Shared or Centralised Storage has become a perpetual feature of the data centre
00:02:00 – Where did centralised storage come from?
00:03:03 – VMware introduced compute efficiencies, centralised storage does the same
00:05:20 – Centralised storage now incorporates block, file and object protocols
00:07:10 – HCI was probably the biggest “challenge” to centralised storage
00:13:04 – Centralisation is bringing additional consolidation benefits
00:15:55 – Centralisation provides significant operational benefits
00:17:36 – Integrated storage (HCI) is inherently insecure compared to centralised storage
00:22:31 – Data mobility is a key requirement of modern enterprises
00:29:11 – Centralised storage is driving us towards storage-as-a-service.
00:31:10 – Storage is becoming an “endpoint”
00:32:31 – Wrap Up
Related Podcasts & Blogs
Analysis: Storage vendors assist in the optimisation of VMware workloads
Copyright (c) 2016-2024 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #jjr3
36 min
November 24, 2024 Podcast #262 – The Ethics and Regulation of AI
Artificial Intelligence or AI is driving the technology industry to new heights of growth, creating multi-trillion dollar companies in the process. Every company wants AI to add value to its business, but with any new technology there is a risk of overextension and questions of personal data privacy.
The post Podcast #262 – The Ethics and Regulation of AI appeared first on Architecting IT.
53 min
November 22, 2024Storage Unpacked 264 – Hitachi Vantara Infrastructure-as-a-Service
In this episode, Chris is in conversation with Jeb Horton, SVP Global Services at Hitachi Vantara, discussing the capabilities of Hitachi Vantara’s Global Services offerings, which deliver infrastructure management and infrastructure as a service to its customers.
In addition to EverFlex, Hitachi Vantara has a long history of managed services capabilities that span more than just outsourced storage. As Jeb explains, the company also manages storage infrastructure from other vendors, in addition to non-storage systems.
The interesting aspect of this discussion is the complex nature of the interaction between customers and Hitachi. Solutions offerings aren’t merely “transactional”, but have a human aspect and are tailored to meeting the specific goals of the customer. This conversation explores some of the nuances of working with customers to transfer the burden of infrastructure management to Hitachi, enabling businesses to focus on more strategic opportunities.
To learn more about Hitachi Vantara check out the Infrastructure as a Service section on the Hitachi website – https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/services/infrastructure-as-a-service.
Elapsed Time: 00:48:02
Timeline
00:00:00 – Intros
00:01:43 – What is “Infrastructure as a Service”?
00:03:25 – What else to customers want from a service (other than cost saving)?
00:05:20 – Public cloud has increased the appetite for service-based consumption
00:06:24 – What is the core of the Hitachi Vantara services offering?
00:07:14 – Hitachi added automation into a “services platform”
00:10:26 – The human aspect involves skills but also relationships
00:12:20 – A service contract involves a detailed commercial model
00:13:51 – Service also means service levels and agreements
00:16:53 – Cloud is transactional, what is Hitachi’s “value add”?
00:19:45 – Data has value, which is the focus of service offerings
00:22:26 – How does Hitachi help government institutions?
00:26:50 – What sort of data issues does Hitachi deal with?
00:28:33 – Data and AI will be a key issue to manage
00:30:40 – How does the engagement process work with Hitachi (and what is EverFlex)?
00:37:15 – What are real-world examples of Hitachi customers and requirements?
00:46:51 – Wrap Up
Related Podcasts & Blogs
Hitachi Vantara Microsite
Storage Unpacked 260 – Hitachi VSP One Updates with Dan McConnell
Storage Unpacked 254 – Announcing VSP One and Hitachi Vantara Reorganisation
Copyright (c) 2016-2024 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #4d3x
49 min
November 04, 2024Storage Unpacked 263 – The HYCU State of SaaS Data Resilience Report 2024
In this recording, Chris talks to Subbiah Sundaram, SVP of Products at HYCU, Inc. about the 2024 edition of the HYCU State of SaaS Data Resilience Report. The report surveys customers to understand the gaps in perceived and actual data protection for SaaS platforms and the results are quite surprising. Subbiah walks through the top four findings, covering the understanding of the pervasive nature of SaaS in modern business, perceptions of data protection and the unexpected risks created by SaaS platforms.
HYCU provides a robust and comprehensive approach to SaaS data protection, called R-Graph, part of R-Cloud. We’ve covered these products in previous podcasts, shown in the related content section below. We recommend downloading the report, which can be found here – The State of SaaS Data Resilience in 2024. Details on R-Graph can be found here – R-Graph.
Elapsed Time: 00:39:59
Timeline
00:00:00 – Intros
00:01:39 – What is the SaaS Resiliency Report for 2024?
00:02:23 – There are over 35,000 global SaaS applications
00:04:11 – SaaS has become embedded in business process
00:05:02 – Businesses underestimate SaaS applications by 10x
00:06:29 – Businesses don’t realise SaaS data isn’t protected like on-premises
00:09:20 – 61% of data breaches occur through SaaS platforms
00:13:40 – Businesses assume cloud platforms protect their data
00:15:18 – The reasons for data restoration are multi-fold and business related
00:17:47 – 75% of critical infrastructure (identity management) was not being protected
00:19:21 – All credentials management systems operate slightly differently
00:22:30 – Business process creates historical security exceptions
00:26:09 – use R-Graph to discover your application dependencies
00:27:42 – Protect your identity management systems
00:31:09 – R-Cloud enables anyone to add data integrations for backup
00:32:26 – Protect your endpoints, protect your data, protect your customer data
00:34:18 – Where does SaaS data protection go next? Tracking behaviour
00:37:14 – R-Cloud can be used for cross-environment data seeding
00:39:12 – Wrap Up
Related Podcasts & Blogs
Data Unpacked 006 – Introducing HYCU R-Cloud
Data Unpacked 004 – Reflections on Data Management, Security & Protection With HYCU CEO Simon Taylor
Research Note: HYCU extends SaaS Integration with R-Scout and Generative AI
HYCU expands SaaS and IaaS backup with protection for AWS Infrastructure as Code
HYCU tackles the SaaS data protection challenge with the announcement of R-Cloud
Copyright (c) 2016-2024 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #vcxz
40 min
October 18, 2024Storage Unpacked 262 – The Ethics and Regulation of AI
In this podcast episode, Chris is in conversation with Jeffries Briginshaw (Head of EMEA Government Relations at NetApp) and Adam Gale (CTO for AI & Cyber Security, NetApp) discussing the EU AI Act and the regulation of artificial intelligence across the world. The EU AI Act is an early introduction into the regulation of the use of AI by businesses within their engagements and interactions with customers. As explained in this conversation, there are classifications of AI types and within that, restrictions on what businesses are permitted to implement based on those categorisations. Some AI usage will be banned, while others will require human intervention and close monitoring.
How should your business engage with AI and ensure compliance with the act? Listen to the discussion for more details. As mentioned in the recording, for details on what NetApp can offer, point your favourite browser to https://www.netapp.com/artificial-intelligence/ to learn more.
Elapsed Time: 00:52:17
Timeline
00:00:00 – Intros
00:01:19 – Why should we be regulating AI?
00:02:30 – What will the impacts of AI be on personal and work life?
00:03:55 – What if we get regulation wrong?
00:05:30 – What happens if AI goes wrong, such as data poisoning?
00:09:04 – Existing EU/UK law has been successful at regulation (GDPR)
00:10:25 – What is the EU AI Act?
00:11:46 – “Prohibited Practices” will be banned from 2025
00:14:00 – How will the use of business in AI be regulated?
00:18:05 – The EU AI Act appears to focus on protection for individuals
00:20:56 – EU citizens are broadly positive to AI – if it is successfully regulated
00:21:52 – Compliance has an overhead – in terms of hard costs (developers)
00:25:20 – What are the penalties for not complying with the EU AI Act?
00:29:50 – What about the rest of the world – the US and elsewhere?
00:35:10 – Could we see “cross-border” complexity?
00:37:40 – What are the technology implications for AI regulation?
00:40:07 – Should businesses be demonstrating their AI compliance?
00:44:03 – What does NetApp offer customers to help AI compliance?
00:47:38 – AI will require a “big red stop button”
00:50:00 – Wrap Up
Copyright (c) 2016-2024 Unpacked Network. No reproduction or re-use without permission. Podcast episode #dfsx
53 min
June 19, 2024 Podcast #261 – Pure Storage Platform Announcements at Accelerate 2024 (Sponsored)
In this podcast episode, Chris discusses the platform update announcements from Pure Accelerate 2024 with Prakash Darji, VP and GM of the Digital Experience BU at Pure Storage. The new features focus on usability and operational enhancements, including AI-based features and support for AI workloads.
The post Podcast #261 – Pure Storage Platform Announcements at Accelerate 2024 (Sponsored) appeared first on Architecting IT.
39 min