IntelligentHQ.com in partnership with Groupe INSEEC London presents: A Beyond Cloud Interview with Doug Clark from IBM.
The Beyond Cloud Series of video discovery discussions examines the viewpoints of some of the top minds in the UK cloud computing space as they share their views on the trends, issues and realities of the industry – and the industries which it impacts.
The month of June has certainly been a busy one for IBM, as It continues to make inroads with its SmartCloud and other areas of its business. Smartcloud is the IBM vision for cloud computing. Last week, IBM announced strong client and business partner support for the new version of its DB2 database software. The new software – which represents the work of hundreds of IBM developers and researchers in labs around the world – adds game-changing technology called BLU Acceleration that makes it simpler, more economical and dramatically faster to analyze massive amounts of data.
IBM have also announced service centers in Germany and France creating hundreds of Tech roles in the process as well enabling IBM to deliver an industry-leading range of technology services to clients across both countries. Its efforts in the Asian markets, has resulted in IBM being ranked No1 by IT analyst firm capioIT, in its 2013 Asia Pacific Business Intelligence and Analytics Solution Providers.
There was also speculation in the media, as to why exactly did IBM purchase SoftLayer. Was the reason to go head to head with Amazon Web Services? Or perhaps was the reason more aligned to IBM’s 2015 Mobile Roadmap?
Denis Quan, PhD, Vice President of IBM SmartCloud Enterprise speaking to the Huffington Post said:
“SoftLayer is part of the new SmartCloud Services division in IBM Global. The value proposition for IBM, cloud without compromise. We have strength in the enterprise, cloud computing, enterprise use cases, private, Open Stack, hybrid platforms. Clients today need public and private clouds to keep open standards, to leverage scalability, to find solutions. IBM has PaaS and a robust SaaS portfolio, part of our Smarter Planet Solutions.”
In this exclusive interview, IBM’s Cloud leader/ Cloud Consultant, Doug Clark and Daniel Steeves discuss his unique role, IBM’s plan for the cloud and the unique entrepreneurial approach they have undertaken. We learn how the company listens to clients, where the cloud is going beyond mobile and social and his views on regulation.
Series Questions:
Q1: You are here as the “Large Cloud Provider”. Tell us about your role and how your business has changed as a result of today’s cloud computing environment, in terms of both risks and opportunities.
Q2: Why is this big thing different than the last big thing?
Q3: What are your views on regulating the cloud, or the cloud providers, or what sits in the cloud?
Q4: If you accept my premise that the cloud is a delivery vehicle, where is it taking us and what comes next along the way?
About Doug Clark
Doug Clark (@cloudstuff) is the Cloud leader for IBM UK & Ireland – his mission is to help clients unlock the power of Cloud; seizing their full business growth potential and agility. With over 12 years of UK and International experience in the IT industry, Doug has worked with clients across the Communications, Utilities and Industrial Sectors. Having previously held Director level roles in Marketing, Sales, Distribution and Process Improvement, Doug brings a wealth of experience that has helped him become a key thought leader in the Cloud space.
About the Beyond Cloud series
Taking a conversational, interactive approach, we pose four broad but critical questions on the issues impacting businesses today to perspectives including Technologists, Strategists, Users, CEOs, Marketers and other Business and Thought Leaders across the sector. Each session begins with positioning our guest, by means of what Cloud means to their role and their business – either the delivery or use of cloud – including views on the risks and the opportunities. The conversations – each unique but overlapping as a result of the various points of view on offer – then move to the outcomes and promise of this technology and, from there, where and when regulation and standards should (or shouldn’t) come into play. We close with their views on what this cloud thing really means and where it is might take us, going forward.
The nature of our guests and the variety of discussion provides a broad set of insights which in whole or in part promises to deliver some clarity and a framework for understanding of the impact of cloud technology to all audience. We welcome your comments and feedback.
Produced by IntelligentHQ, hosted by Groupe INSEEC London and presented by Daniel Steeves, Beyond Cloud is a “mostly pitch-free” environment: discussions will necessarily include product and company references but, hopefully, used to illustrate rather than to sell.
Daniel is a management consultant with Beyond Solutions Ltd. More a realist than a futurist, Daniel Steeves advises SMEs to transform and grow their businesses – and enable a different way of thinking – both as a Partner with James Caan’s Advisory Business as well as independently across the Digital, Social, Technology and IT sectors. Daniel is a growth-focused change agent with thirty years leading, brokering, designing and selling complex programmes. He collaborates at C-level, adding experience and perspective to fine-tune what your business says and does (and sells and delivers) with a focus on profitable, sustainable growth.
