In this article by Keith Townsend, the exploration of the Data Prep Dilemma reveals significant insights into whether the IT industry is over-complicating data preparation or on the verge of resolving prevailing challenges. Townsend underscores the balancing act organizations face between employing advanced techniques and practical execution to manage their data effectively. Find more coverage of Qlik Connect on LinkedIn.
Qlik Connect 2025 Keynote Live Blog – Day One
Tech Field Day heads to Qlik Connect May 13 through May 15, providing videos, interviews, behind the scenes footage, and of course the Tech Field Day style presentations you’ve come to expect. This Live Blog coverage of the Day One Keynote tells what our Delegate community is learning from the event.
Enterprise Doesn’t Move at the Speed of Keynotes: Why Grace Hopper Still Matters
Keith Townsend follows up on the recent special Tech Field Day event with the HPE ProLiant server team with a focus on the importance of NVIDIA Grace Hopper GPUs for AI workloads. HPE’s AI portfolio focuses on delivering AI as a service, utilizing Grace Hopper, H100, and L40-based systems. Enterprise leaders should ignore silicon hype and focus on business outcomes, as Grace Hopper remains an essential part of the enterprise AI stack.
Transforming Security Operations With Generative AI
Following Fortinet’s presentation at Cloud Field Day, Keith Townsend explores the transformative potential of generative AI in enhancing security operations, highlighting its ability to automate and innovate protective measures. He presents insights on how this technology can significantly streamline the detection of threats and anomalies, improving the overall efficiency and responsiveness of security teams. For a more in-depth analysis and further coverage of Cloud Field Day 22, follow the Techstrong websites.
Qlik – Opening a Broader Access to AI-Driven Data Analytics
Sulagna Saha takes a look at the Tech Field Day delegate roundtable from Qlik Connect in this Gestalt IT article. She highlights Qlik’s intensified focus on providing AI-driven data analytics responsibly, emphasizing the commitment to high-quality, democratized data to mitigate bias and ensure reliability across user levels. Qlik is demonstrating its dedication to addressing global challenges, such as pandemics and climate change, by collaborating with NGOs and enhancing its analytics offerings beyond traditional dashboards. This strategic expansion signals Qlik’s evolution into a comprehensive analytics provider that supports both low-code environments and promotes the ethical use of AI data.
Unlocking AI Potential: Insights Into Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Platform
Dive into the capabilities of Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Platform, a comprehensive environment designed to unlock the full potential of AI for developers and data scientists. This insightful video takes a closer journey into how Vertex AI simplifies the process of building, deploying, and scaling ML models, streamlining the AI lifecycle from concept to production. Watch as Keith Townsend explores the implications of the Google Cloud presentation at Cloud Field Day 20 in this YouTube video.
Does Storage Matter in AI Inferencing? What About the SSD?
Keith Townsend reacts to Solidigm’s presentation at AI Field Day, considering the role of storage systems in AI inferencing and the impact of SSD selection on AI system design. This video underscores the significance of considering storage performance and reliability when devising robust AI inferencing architectures. Solidigm’s discussion reflected a deeper industry focus on the intricate relationship between storage solutions and AI capabilities, suggesting that the choice of SSDs could be a pivotal factor in optimizing AI inferencing operations.
Defeating Data Gravity? – Hammerspace
According to Keith Townsend, Hammerspace presented a compelling argument for a shift in overcoming data gravity by moving data closer to accelerated computing resources at AI Field Day. Their solution, a parallel file system, acts as a bridge between dispersed data sources, offering a unified metadata view that streamlines data preparation for AI tasks. While Hammerspace’s technology appears to enhance user experience, it also requires strategic GPU placement and considerations around data governance and movement across geopolitical boundaries.
Cloud Field Day – Infrastructure Matters on the Road
During Cloud Field Day 19, Infrastructure Matters hosts Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates, alongside industry experts Stephen Foskett and Keith Townsend, explored the use case for presenters NeuroBlade, SoftIron, and Platform9. Each contributes a unique on-premises and cloud solutions aimed at optimizing infrastructure performance and management. The discussions, rooted in technical expertise, provide a comprehensive look into the role of these companies’ technologies in shaping the future of IT infrastructure. Listen to the entire webcast from The Futurum Group for more!
Taking Private Cloud to the Next Level
In this LinkedIn article, Keith Townsend discusses the potential of automating private data centers to a point where they are indistinguishable from the public cloud for consumers. Using Juniper Networks Apstra’s integration with Terraform as an example, he argues the need for advanced understanding and expertise in both data center networking and automation tools to create a smooth developer experience. Townsend commends the Juniper team on their aggressive and effective demo, while urging for more of such practical integrations in the industry.
Do Processors Matter in the Cloud?
Keith Townsend delves into the relevance of hardware selection, specifically processors, in cloud services in this LinkedIn article. Noting that although AWS has commoditized the cloud underlay, Townsend argues that processor choice still plays a crucial role, particularly when aiming to optimize cost, performance, and application portability. However, for those firmly invested in a specific Cloud Service Provider or prioritizing avoiding optimization costs at the infrastructure level, the cloud provider’s processor may be the more convenient choice.
Navigating Multiple Observability Tools: Mezmo’s Goal of Simplifying the Journey
In this article, Keith Townsend of The CTO Advisor discusses how Mezmo is aiming to simplify the journey of navigating multiple observability tools. With the increase in complexity of software applications in the cloud, using diverse tools for different layers of the stack can be challenging. Mezmo strives to provide a unified observability experience across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, helping businesses consolidate metrics, traces, and logs from a multitude of sources in an attempt to simplify IT operations.
VMware Cross-Cloud: Is It a Viable Path Post Broadcom?
Keith Townsend examines the prospects for VMware’s cross-cloud path in the wake of the upcoming Broadcom acquisition. The article discusses the potential challenges and opportunities with VMware’s shift towards application-centric infrastructure and cloud-native technologies. Despite the uncertainty, Keith suggests that VMware’s multi-cloud strategy could provide significant value if executed effectively.
Navigating Multicloud Security Challenges: A Deep Dive Into Prosimo’s Approach
In this article, Keith Townsend of the CTO Advisor explores the complex landscape of multicloud security, prominently featuring Prosimo’s approach to addressing associated challenges. Prosimo’s offering, labeled as ‘Full Stack Cloud Networking’, stands out for its ability to deploy a network edge wherever customer applications exist, creating a consistency layer to connect multiple environments. The post recognizes Prosimo’s key role in managing multicloud security, including features such as robust discovery capabilities and straightforward application and network onboarding.
Navigating Multiple Observability Tools: Mezmo’s Goal of Simplifying the Journey
The CTO Advisor, Keith Townsend, discusses Mezmo’s aim to simplify the use of multiple observability tools. Through integrating these tools into a unified experience, Mezmo allows IT operators to navigate complex environments with greater efficiency. This provides valuable insights into the state, performance, and health of systems, underscoring Mezmo’s commitment to aiding organizations in better managing their IT infrastructures.
Private Data Centers vs. Public Cloud: Can Apstra Automation Bridge the Gap?
In this post, Keith Townsend discusses the ongoing debate between private data centers and public clouds, highlighting the role Juniper Apstra Automation could play in bridging the gap. The article underscores Apstra’s ability to create a unified approach to IT operations, reducing operational overhead, and creating a more seamless technology ecosystem. Keith advocates for Apstra Automation as a potential solution to enhance data center efficiency in both private and public cloud environments.
155: GreyBeards SDC23 Wrap Up Podcast With Dr. J Metz, Technical Dir. Of Systems Design AMD and Chair of SNIA BoD
Dr. J Metz, Technical Director of Systems Design at AMD and Chair of SNIA BoD, recently made a guest appearance on the GreyBeards on Storage podcast, detailing highlights from the Storage Developers Conference 2023 and Storage Field Day and charting the ongoing research directions of SNIA. The discussion touched on topics from DNA data storage and Smart Data Transfer Interfaces (SDXI) to challenges and future opportunities in storage and memory sectors. With a track record of deconstructing complex systems and technologies, Dr. Metz’s expertise in storage networking constitutes essential listening for professionals and enthusiasts in the IT industry.
Gestalt IT is Headed to VMware Explore US 2022!
We are excited to be returning to San Francisco to attend VMware Explore 2022 next week! Along with attending, we’re excited to be hosting a few Tech Field Day sessions with VMware partners as well as recording episodes of our On-Premise IT podcast live! Here’s a quick overview of what to look forward to!
Cloud Adjacent vs. Native Cloud Services
In this latest blog post from Keith Townsend, he focuses on AWS FSx for ONTAP that was announced by NetApp’s partner, AWS, at this past Cloud Field Day. Check out the difference between Cloud Adjacency and Native Cloud services and what to consider based on each approach.
Hybrid Infrastructure Is an Operating Model
VMware presented at this past Cloud Field Day! In Keith Townsend’s post, he discusses how VMware is on a corporate-wide mission to evangelize its cloud capabilities beyond VMware cloud solutions. Check out his thoughts on cloud adjacency here!