'In a cloud you need to re-structure your IT organization'
DataQuest|October 2023
Patrick P Gelsinger, the new CEO of VMware, the company that grew from zero to $3.8 bn in 14 years (he was heading EMC earlier, and was Intel's first CTO before that) talks about his priorities, how he will build up the cloud momentum, and what he wants to do with India. Excerpts
IBRAHIM AHMAD
'In a cloud you need to re-structure your IT organization'

After Paul Maritz, as the new CEO what new will you bring to the table at VMware? Or will you just be pushing your predecessors plans?

It is not that VMware has a problem. Paul has given VMware a solid strategy and the company is in a very good state. So job one for me—smooth transition. Actually Paul has spoken to employees, customers, and partners, and so have I. And everybody is saying, “Very good, let’s get back to work”. Also since the company is performing well, so far everything including the transition has been pretty good. It’s not like the Marissa Mayer of Yahoo! who has to transform the company. Those are hard situations and they have to take some bold actions. In our case, there are aspects that will require strong focus. We have laid out a very bold vision like the software-defined data center, the new company that we have acquired which needs to be operationalized, the 3-layer transition (from PCs to user devices, from office applications to new apps and big data, and from servers to cloud) that needs more refinement. Paul in many respects was a reluctant CEO. He loved strategies, he loved technology, and directions, but he was not an operations guy. VMware is a company of 13,000 people, an operations pervade everything we do. VMware is like a clumsy adolescent that has grown up too fast. As a company it had extraordinary growth but some of the operation disciplines and maturity need more work. That has to be refined, accelerated, and made more mature.

Since you are talking so much about the need, as the new CEO, to focus on ops, what are those specific areas that need special attention?

This story is from the October 2023 edition of DataQuest.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2023 edition of DataQuest.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DATAQUESTView All
Data center trends 2025: Innovation in powering and cooling AI racks, managing energy consumption
DataQuest

Data center trends 2025: Innovation in powering and cooling AI racks, managing energy consumption

Vertiv anticipates increased innovation and integration for high-density computing, regulatory scrutiny around AI, focus on sustainability and cyber security efforts.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
The Switzerland of Data and AI a weather-check
DataQuest

The Switzerland of Data and AI a weather-check

It is both remarkable and challenging when crucial R&D work - with global connotations- starts happening in Indian labs. An example- from a Cloud and AI player.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Prioritizing the Impossible: How Genpact's SOC Tackles Cyber Threats
DataQuest

Prioritizing the Impossible: How Genpact's SOC Tackles Cyber Threats

Genpact's Vice President of Global Information Security, Faizul Mufti, discusses the company's multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. By prioritizing incident response, leveraging threat intelligence, and fostering a culture of security, Genpact aims to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and protect its sensitive data.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
Connected, Protected and Sustainable: Cisco's Vision for the Network of Tomorrow
DataQuest

Connected, Protected and Sustainable: Cisco's Vision for the Network of Tomorrow

As organizations face the demands of hybrid work, multi-cloud environments, and sustainable IT, networking is no longer just an infrastructure component― it's the backbone of digital transformation. In this exclusive conversation, Brink Sanders, Vice President of Global Networking Sales at Cisco, discusses how Cisco is helping enterprises navigate these challenges with forwardthinking solutions that blend innovation, security, and adaptability.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Multi-Cloud Mastery: Lessons from a CIO on Choosing the Right Cloud for the Job
DataQuest

Multi-Cloud Mastery: Lessons from a CIO on Choosing the Right Cloud for the Job

In an exclusive interview, Prosenjit Sengupta, Group Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO), shares insights on ITC's cloud journey, discussing the challenges, benefits, and best practices of leveraging Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Secure and Simplify SD-Branch Networks
DataQuest

Secure and Simplify SD-Branch Networks

Secure and seamless branch network management is critical in today's IoT-driven, cloud-centric world. A unified SD-Branch solution offers the much-needed convergence of networking and security to tackle modern-day challenges.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Is Your Multi-Cloud Environment Zero-Trust Ready?
DataQuest

Is Your Multi-Cloud Environment Zero-Trust Ready?

Tony Velleca, CEO of CyberProof, a UST company, shared his insights on the challenges of implementing zero-trust security in multi-cloud environments. As organizations navigate the complexities of managing multiple cloud providers, Velleca emphasized the importance of achieving unified visibility, policy enforcement, and continuous monitoring to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber threats.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
The Toxic Cloud Trilogy
DataQuest

The Toxic Cloud Trilogy

As Indian organisations increasingly migrate to the cloud, they face a complex and evolving security landscape. Ari Eitan, Director of Research at Tenable, highlights the \"Toxic Cloud Trilogy\" - a convergence of publicly exposed workloads, critical vulnerabilities, and over-privileged identities - as a critical threat to Indian organisations. In this interview, Eitan discusses the unique vulnerabilities of cloud environments, systemic issues preventing organisations from fully addressing weaknesses and practical steps Indian organisations can take to mitigate these risks.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Networking Redefined: The Cisco Vision for a Connected Future
DataQuest

Networking Redefined: The Cisco Vision for a Connected Future

At the sidelines of Cisco Live 2024 in Melbourne, Raymond Janse van Rensburg, Vice President of Networking and Solutions Engineering for APJC at Cisco, engaged in an insightful conversation with Minu Sirsalewala, Executive Editor of Dataquest. During the interaction, he shared about the transformative trends shaping the networking and communication landscape. From AI-driven automation to the evolving dynamics of IoT, Cisco's strategies aim to redefine enterprise connectivity, security, and operational resilience.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
HPCL's AI Evolution: From Generative Models to Secure Cloud Integration
DataQuest

HPCL's AI Evolution: From Generative Models to Secure Cloud Integration

Jayant Gupta, Executive Director of Information Systems at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), shares insights on the company's strategic approach to leveraging generative AI, managing hybrid cloud environments, and staying ahead of advancements in emerging technologies.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024