Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

Customer Mindset and Priorities in 2025 (01:47)The current climate of geopolitical and economic uncertainty is driving the need for speed and agility when delivering value to customers. Google Cloud customer projects that do just that include improving logistics at UPS, enhancing search functionality, and boosting customer service at Hanesbrands and Macy's. "Uncertainty means the great CEOs want action," Kurian says. "You control the controllable, and you do that by improving speed in your organization." Kurian also discusses significant AI integrations, such as Google Cloud's collaboration with Samsung on its phones and Snap’s in-app coach, which are shaping the future of customer interaction.Cloud and AI as a Continuum (04:08)Kurian explains that cloud services actually simplify the deployment and management of AI because they provide models and accelerators as services, reducing the complexity of managing AI systems. In turn, AI helps to streamline cloud services by enabling faster and more efficient application development. Customer examples of how cloud and AI work together to deliver innovative offerings can be found in AI-driven risk calculations at Hiscox, tailored advertising for Puma and Radisson, and content discovery for Warner Brothers Discovery.AI's Impact on Business and Productivity (07:48)AI is no longer confined to IT departments but is now influencing a wide range of business functions. It's improving productivity by streamlining operations, such as facilitating live patient handoffs at hospitals. "Allowing the nurses to do live handoff to another nurse means more time at the bedside. It means more productivity."AI is also enhancing product development by enabling customers to articulate complex needs, which AI can then translate into tailored recommendations. Furthermore, AI’s role in call center automation is improving efficiency by handling high volumes of customer inquiries and providing superior service.Customer Service and AI Integration (13:01)Google Cloud's approach to integrating AI with customer service helps businesses create more cohesive and efficient customer experiences by improving reach, understanding, and interactions across multiple channels. Kurian discusses innovations such as the self-service retail search at InterContinental Hotels and digital concierge services for Orange. AI agents manage customer queries, upsell products, and improve service efficiency in call centers.Cost Optimization and Efficiency in AI (15:52)There are several ways in which Google Cloud is addressing the challenges of AI tool affordability. Kurian outlines initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of AI, such as new software capabilities and optimizations to AI models. In the last six months, Google Cloud has significantly reduced costs, with model costs dropping by more than 10 times. Additionally, improvements in latency and the reduction of AI response iterations are also helping to make AI more efficient and cost-effective.Customer Acknowledgment (18:46)In closing, Kurian expresses his gratitude to Google Cloud’s customers, partners, and all those who have supported the company’s journey. "To every customer, every partner, everyone who gave us a shot, you were the reason that all of our people worked so hard. Thank you." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI Adoption and Business ValueEschenbach explains that there's been a shift from experimental AI phases to practical implementation. The shift means that "customers are going to look to go to trusted partners, partners they have an existing relationship with, partners that they know have a highly curated set of data." Workday has such a curated data set. Further, as part of the shift, there's now a need for ROI and total cost of ownership analysis in AI investments.CEO Priorities for 2025 AI, enterprise consolidation, and talent are Eschenbach's key priorities for 2025. When it comes to talent, he says CEOs and other leaders need to think about how "that talent is going to ultimately peacefully coexist with AI and things like agents in the future." He also discusses Workday's AI mindset — it's not just about delivering it to customers but also successfully integrating AI internally — along with AI's role in driving productivity. Customers are looking to do "more with less." They want to consolidate point solutions onto more comprehensive platforms like Workday.AI Deployment and Talent Integration CEOs should foster an AI-first culture. Eschenbach provides examples of AI use cases, such as job description automation and recruiter agents, showcasing the tangible ROI and productivity gains in HR and finance. Integrating AI with existing talent helps drive business benefits.Competitive Advantages and Market Position Workday's success stems from its technology, large client base, and on-time delivery. "Our customers have greater than a 95% on-time delivery of the Workday platform and on budget," Eschenbach points out "We know how to deploy this at scale across the biggest companies in the world, which gives us a leg up versus our competition, who, at times, have very complex data sets and environments and can't implement at the speed and pace and at the dollar value that a Workday can." Other Workday attributes include its platform's open architecture, as well as its strong company culture and high levels of employee engagement.Partner Growth and International Expansion Eschenbach reports significant growth in the partner community and its impact on business. "Historically, we've had really good partners . . . 10% of our new business in New ACV [annual contract value] last quarter came from our partners. Our partners are having a meaningful impact on our business. We have grown our partner community by five times in 18 months." He speaks about the focus on selling through hyperscalers and forming strategic partnerships, as well as the potential in international markets and continued investments in new sectors, such as the U.S. federal market.Data Set and AI Partnerships "We're opening up the aperture," Escenbach says, explaining how Workday is tackling AI. "We're thinking about AI in multiple ways." Curated data is essential for AI tools. Eschenbach discusses the Workday platform's integration with Slack and Microsoft to enable agent-to-agent communication, underscoring that data is important in powering AI tools and delivering customer benefits.Innovation and External ConcernsIn the face of the potential impact of global macro situations, there's a need to stay focused on innovation."We focus on innovation, and we focus on each other here inside the building and our workmates, and we continue to support our partner ecosystem on a global basis. So while there are some concerns out there, if you focus too much on them, it's a distraction." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsCustomer Boldness (00:21)In previous keynotes, Catz has encouraged customers to be more bold – and customers are responding to that. Oracle’s cloud business is growing at a rate of 50% a year. “More and more of our customers are willing to not only jump in with one foot but their entire bodies because they’re getting more comfortable and they’re also seeing that competition is moving,” Catz says.“Transformation and transforming yourself and modernizing yourself, that is not a destination; it’s a constant journey.” Businesses are recognizing that they become more adaptable to meet customer expectations when they embrace these new technologies.Multi-Cloud Agreements (04:25)Multi-cloud agreements with Microsoft, Google Cloud, and AWS kicked off in 2024. “We have always believed that the customer should get to choose what they want to use and what environment they want to run in and how to really advance their agenda,” Catz expresses. Oracle doesn’t believe in building walls or trapping customers; being open to this idea is central to Oracle's success. Because Oracle Cloud has different capabilities, the company has been able to collaborate with other providers to make their offerings work together to best meet customer needs.Healthcare Industry Offerings (08:55)Oracle has put extra energy into its industry suites, particularly for the healthcare industry. It aims to be able to handle everything from clinical trials to inventory to nursing schedules and more. At a recent health summit, Oracle launched new AI-powered capabilities for healthcare. While the company competes in several industries, Oracle acquired Cerner because “we knew that we needed to bring healthcare into the 21st century.”Larry Ellison previously shared that “we can’t do it alone.” This means partnering with customers and being open to partner with other companies to apply their capabilities to ensure a quality customer experience is being delivered for patients, doctors, administrators, and others in the healthcare industry. “Do more, spend less doing it – that’s our job, to give them that ability,” Catz summarizes.Revenue Goals (17:06)At its financial analyst meeting last fall, Oracle released its vision for $100 billion in revenue a few years out. Catz describes what that will look like within Oracle and how customers will contribute to the company achieving those figures. “We’re telling you now, every year is going to be bigger and accelerating more,” Catz says. “The way that that curve works – it’s almost unstoppable once it starts.”Cloud Data Centers (22:30)Oracle has been developing cloud data centers that are “small enough to go on a ship” as well as what Ellison has called the world’s largest data centers, Evans notes. This will be important to Oracle customers in the coming years and beyond because “it gives them flexibility,” Catz explains. “We can start at any size and expand as they need it.”Ellison and New Products (24:59)2024 was a busy year for Ellison and 2025 will continue in the same manner. “This fellow does not rest,” Catz says. The Oracle team loves the new capabilities and new product lines that they’ve been rolling out to customers that there are no signs of slowing down. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Future of AI and Data in 2025: There's a lot of excitement and prototyping around AI. "People are excited that they can ask questions and get real answers instead of getting the proverbial 10 blue links. I think people see the promise of things like that. How do you make that work at scale? How do you make that work in a reliable way, and how do you make it work in a way that's not expensive?" Ramaswamy shares a recent experience in India, describing the cost-consciousness of customers and the focus on making data accessible and valuable.Shifting Priorities for Snowflake Customers: What do customers want? Ramaswamy identifies goals including empowering business users with data faster and unlocking the value of unstructured information. In response, Snowflake is helping customers access and utilize historical information and build hybrid systems. He notes that SQL enables easier data transformations and extractions.Cultural Change and AI Adoption: Cultural change is required for companies to handle AI. Even within Snowflake, adopting AI has been a challenging process. Snowflake's engineering and sales teams are beginning to use AI tools like Copilot and Cortex, but there's a need for ongoing practice to fully integrate AI into daily operations. The Promise of AI and Data Platforms: AI has the potential to free up significant time for employees, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks. Snowflake aspires to make data platforms simple and accessible, allowing users to perform complex tasks with ease. Its consumption model has several benefits and aligns it with business goals of making more money or spending less. Companies like Siemens are using chatbots to improve efficiency and access to information.Competition and Innovation in the Data Market: Competition, Ramaswamy says, drives innovation and improves products. It only strengthens Snowflake, which stands apart due to its unified platform, tight integration, and ease of use. "If you create a chatbot with Snowflake, it will automatically obey all of the access control rules that you have set up. It will automatically obey all of the data masking that your administrator has set up." Ramaswamy discusses the challenges of balancing innovation with maintaining simplicity and efficiency in Snowflake's product offerings.Mega Trends and Challenges for Snowflake: Ramaswamy sees two mega trends for 2025: the rise of interoperable data formats and the acceleration of AI. Snowflake is well-positioned to take advantage of these trends through its end-to-end offerings and data engineering capabilities. However, there are challenges to maintaining data quality and speed while innovating rapidly. AI tools like agents must drive real utility and value for customers.Data Literacy Initiative: One Million Minds Plus One: Snowflake has a new initiative aimed at improving data literacy. Data can be difficult to interpret, and the right skills are necessary to do so. Snowflake is spearheading an ambitious program to educate over a million people in data literacy, free of charge. The initiative includes teaching concepts like data engineering, data analytics, and using BI tools and notebooks for interactive analysis.Excitement for 2025: Sridhar expresses excitement about the potential for AI and data to drive real business transformations in 2025. Snowflake will continue to play a vital role in helping customers become truly data-driven organizations. Navigating growth, competition, and innovation while maintaining simplicity and value for customers is key. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big Themes:End-to-End Integration Is a Necessity: In today's fast-paced business environment, success requires a holistic, end-to-end understanding of operations. Organizations must break out of traditional silos. A great CIO and IT team must focus on connecting these silos, ensuring seamless workflows across the organization. This perspective enables businesses to optimize processes, meet customer expectations, and avoid inefficiencies.Logistics as a Strategic Advantage: Companies that excel in managing their supply chain —from sourcing to delivering products to customers — gain a competitive edge. In contrast, companies that neglect logistics risk disappointing customers with out-of-stock items or poor service. Sadin also underscores the complexities of modern global supply chains. Businesses need visibility into every link of the chain to anticipate risks and adapt proactively. This logistical foresight allows organizations to maintain customer loyalty and operational efficiency, even amid uncertainty.Strategic Iteration and Integration Is Key to Progress: Sadin stresses the importance of iterative improvement rather than overhauling systems entirely. His "patch, polish, then perfect" strategy encourages retailers to enhance existing systems incrementally, using tools like robotic process automation (RPA) to connect and optimize processes in the short term. Additionally, Sadin warns against delaying action, likening hesitation to "sitting on a sharp fence," which risks falling behind competitors. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big Themes:Network Benefits for Buyers and Suppliers: The SAP Business Network brings together buyers and suppliers. Buyers use the network to strengthen supply chains, meet sustainability goals, and access new markets. Suppliers use it for business growth, streamlined processes, and greater visibility. The network is free for suppliers to join, allowing them to build profiles, respond to RFIs, and engage in sourcing events. With millions of global suppliers, the network serves businesses of all sizes.Transformation of Traditional Business Models: SAP Business Network is helping to eliminate the old divide between back-office and front-office operations. It integrates various business functions — procurement, supply chain, logistics, and order collaboration — making them work together to improve the customer experience. This transformation is vital in an era where customer experience is a key differentiator in competitive markets.Inclusivity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): SAP Business Network is designed to serve businesses of all sizes, from large enterprises to smaller boutique firms. With the introduction of the Promote subscription in 2025, small suppliers can showcase their products and services alongside larger companies. Additionally, the network’s Discovery feature provides smaller suppliers with the chance to participate in large procurement opportunities.The Big Quote: “We have the biggest companies in the world as suppliers on the network, but we also have millions of SME-sized organizations. Smaller suppliers don't always have a way to showcase their catalogs of products or services in the same way that maybe a large company or a large supply would have, but this new set of capabilities we're providing to suppliers under Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 47 | 2024 Tech Insights & 2025 StrategiesThe Big Themes:Trends in Technology Implementation Success Rates: Bonnie shares insights from 742 enterprise software implementation customer reviews. Average satisfaction for implementation processes scored 3.8 out of 5, while partners involved in these projects received a higher rating of 4.7. Projects were completed on time 72% of the time, though 25% faced delays. Budget compliance was slightly better, with 76% staying on budget. Delays often result from incomplete scoping or unforeseen change orders during the discovery phase.Lessons Learned for 2025 Enterprise Projects: Reflecting on 2024, Bonnie offers three lessons for future enterprise projects. First, businesses should prioritize selecting the right partner and involve them early. Second, companies should account for unforeseen delays and cost overruns by padding budgets and timelines by at least 25%. Finally, projects are increasingly complex; ensuring collaboration between vendors, partners, and internal teams is vital.Change Management Tailored to the Audience Drives Adoption: Modern change management extends beyond traditional training and rollout strategies. Effective change management involves clear communication, peer influence, and user-friendly training materials. In 2025, organizations must consider their workforce demographics and preferences — offering bite-sized, engaging content (e.g., TikTok-style videos) and gamified elements to ensure adoption.The Big Quote: “The most successful projects were ones that had the blueprint of success that was clear and . . . a clear set of business requirements, policies, and processes that were in place prior to starting the project itself." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 55 | Tech Disruptions AheadThe Big Themes:Optimism for 2025 as a Transformative Year: Wayne and Bob express optimism about 2025, particularly for the U.S. economy and its impact on CIOs and digital transformation initiatives. Sadin talks about deregulation and efficiency measures, such as those championed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could boost confidence and growth.AI and Automation Rise: AI and automation are pivotal for driving efficiency and reclaiming productivity. Examples include ServiceNow’s claim of saving users 1.5 days of productivity weekly by automating low-value tasks. Wayne and Bob cite leaders like Larry Ellison and Elon Musk as potential drivers of this transformation, particularly if given the freedom to innovate without excessive regulation.Advances in Chip Technology Drive Performance and Cost Efficiency: Technological advances in chip design, such as the development of two-nanometer chips, promise dramatic gains in performance and efficiency. Wayne points out that smaller feature sizes on chips enable exponentially more transistors per unit, which reduces costs, improves thermal efficiency, and unlocks new capabilities for AI and data processing. This progress aligns with Moore’s Law and could revive productivity leaps in hardware development.The Big Quote: "Microsoft's going to be a winner because they've got the legs of the stool, AI in it. Well, maybe four legs, AI, integration, platform, and application. And you don't see that with most of the other players, their application focus, their platform plus application, but Microsoft plays at all layers of the stack, so I can mix and match." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Supply Chain InsightsThe Big Themes:Customer-Centric Supply Chains: Customer-centric supply chains are about aligning every aspect of the supply chain to serve the ultimate consumer. Val describes this as keeping the "why" — the customer — at the forefront, rather than focusing solely on operational efficiencies. Companies that succeed here often find themselves leaders in their industries, regardless of size.Cultural and Technological Shifts in Supply Chain: Val underscores the need for cultural change within organizations to adopt customer-focused practices and leverage innovative technology. Businesses must move beyond outdated methods (e.g., fax orders) and embrace digital solutions. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering this transformation, promoting a culture of adaptability, and aligning employee incentives with customer-driven goals.The Role of Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with regulations, such as those preventing the use of goods linked to unethical practices like child labor, is becoming a non-negotiable aspect of supply chains. Val points out that meeting these requirements not only avoids legal penalties but also ensures long-term viability and trust in global markets. Compliance is a driving force for adopting modern supply chain technologies.The Big Quote: “[SAP Business Network] really does modernize how companies connect and collaborate across the supply chain. More specifically, the platform integrates into a company's back-end system. It can be to their ERP system, it can be through their procurement system. It can integrate to their logistics system, their planning system, and it allows us to actually send transaction documents back and forth . . . and gives you visibility across that entire supply chain." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsExpansions Through Acquisitions (01:32)SignUp Software has been expanding its product portfolio, moving from a focus on the office of the CFO more broadly into the operations world. Through acquisitions, its product suite has evolved. In December 2023, SignUp Software acquired Axtension, a Netherlands-based company. It has been working with Axtension on emphasizing the “I” in ISV (independent software vendor).One of the six products involved an overlap with ExFlow AP. This led the team to taking the best of IP (invoice processing) and moving it into ExFlow to build out an offering for AP automation. The other five products are targeted toward manufacturing and project-based businesses. “They fill great gaps with the Microsoft platform toward other ERP systems as well, so we’re really thrilled to present this,” Hedin says.Easy Integration for Microsoft Users (06:20)With these offerings, it becomes easier for customers to manage this integration within their ERP environments, especially for Microsoft users. Bigger, more complex Microsoft users often use three to five different ISVs, Hedin notes. Now, the company’s offering enables customers to use one solution to integrate Axtension and SignUp Software.Autonomous Finance (10:05)SignUp has been working on low-touch, autonomous finance for a while. It’s been set up with strict parameters. The system helps automate financial processes, such as processing invoices from suppliers. Gradually, the level of automation will increase as the system is used, reducing the need for hands-on processing.Community Summit North America (13:13)SignUp Software will be at Community Summit North America, which takes place on October 13-17 in San Antonio, Texas. “I think it’s the greatest event when we get the combination of Microsoft and customers, partners and product suppliers,” Hedin says. He encourages attendees to “mix and mingle across those borders…and have fun.”Attendees can find Hedin and the SignUp Software team at Booth #1133. They are looking forward to chatting about the latest innovations from SignUp Software — including AI, e-invoicing, and more — and getting input from the customers. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsThe Significance of E-Invoicing for Modern Business (00:50)Hedin describes e-invoicing as an evolution toward an easier, more standardized way to exchange information. It can include all the documents needed during the procure-to-pay process.Electronic invoicing differs from traditional digital invoicing. E-invoicing started with a point-to-point connection. With e-invoicing, everything comes pre-validated because the invoice has to comply with certain formats, standards, and machines, such as ERP systems.Continuous Transaction Controls (03:50)Hedin provides a breakdown of the shift toward continuous transaction controls (CTC) and its benefits. CTC involves invoice data being transmitted to tax authorities in real time. He notes that governments getting more tax money is the biggest benefit; this is a main driving force behind the trend toward CTC. “It’s a fantastic driving force that will not stop this steam train that started rolling,” Hedin says.This also introduces the business-to-government flow. Different countries can also have different country conditions. For instance, in some countries, before sending invoices, it has to be approved. Navarro acknowledges that this is an ongoing, evolving process.E-Invoicing Compliance Mandates (07:57)Hedin and Navarro share a few pieces of advice for how businesses can ensure they comply with e-invoicing mandates:Where is your business based and running? Organizations must have a very clear map this. Larger companies may have different subsidiaries with different legal backgrounds; business leaders must be aware of all of them.Where are you sending the invoice? There may be additional requirements to comply with depending on where the invoice is being sent.Find a partner that knows the legal frameworks of all the countries you work with. It’s vital to stay up-to-date with the mandates in the countries of your customers and partners.While there may be challenges and growing pains with this, it will be helpful in the long run.Looking Ahead (15:36)Currently, there are a little over 50 countries that have government mandates. The expectation is that it will be well over 100 countries in five years from now. This is going fast and all the governments will want to jump on this bandwagon, Hedin notes.Navarro suggests that one day, “the tax office will be just another business party.” While businesses will have to invoice customers and inform their tax authority, in the end, it will save time with tax return processes. “Take the tax authority as a business party, and the CTC is going to help in that direction.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Google Cloud's Innovation and GrowthThe Big Themes:Google Cloud's record growth and market positioning: In 2024, Google Cloud experienced five consecutive quarters of accelerating growth, including a remarkable 35% growth in Q3, up from 29% in Q2. Kurian attributes this success to the company’s ability to listen to customers, innovate with products that meet their evolving needs, and strategically invest in a strong go-to-market organization.AI cost reduction and efficiency: Kurian comments on Google Cloud's efforts to significantly reduce the cost of AI models. Through improved software stack capabilities and optimizations, Google has decreased the cost of AI by more than 10x in just six months. Reducing latency, improving response accuracy, and utilizing distillation (e.g., making models run on smaller devices like phones) have contributed to lowering operational costs while increasing model efficiency. This approach has resulted in a 15-17x growth in model usage in just five months.The evolving role of cloud in business transformation: Kurian notes a fundamental shift in how businesses view cloud computing. Initially seen as a way to reduce costs, cloud is now seen as a tool for driving business transformation. AI, analytics, and security capabilities are helping organizations speed up decision-making, optimize logistics, and gain competitive advantages. Kurian believes that the next wave of cloud adoption will focus more on enabling new business models, products, and markets rather than just reducing IT costs.The Big Quote: “We tend to look ahead by listening to customers and understanding their needs, and create in a disciplined way, new product offerings. If you look a the last five years, we've introduced enough steady cadence. First, we started with infrastructure, then we added databases to it. We used our strength with BigQuery to build out an analytics portfolio. We were one of the earliest to say . . . we should not only provide [customers] a secure cloud, but we should also build a security product portfolio. Every one of those has driven diversification of our revenue stream." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsCreating Opportunities for the CFO (01:50)The foundation for the CFO role is to keep customer costs under control and be compliant. With the emergence of copilot technology, it has created new opportunities for business; not only impacting tech roles but finance roles as well. It has become a great tool for making financial processes autonomous and reaching the first three Cs faster and more efficiently. For instance, it can make suggestions to improve workflows. Copilots can also perform actions based on data to create purchase orders or help with elements of ERP systems.Strategic Decision Making (04:45)CFOs and financial leaders can use copilots to make more informed, strategic decisions. With processes generating a variety of traces with transactions, CFOs can use copilots to consolidate that data. SignUp Software provides a dashboard for financial processes. Copilot can be applied to gain greater financial analytics; it can identify a problem efficiently, enabling users to find the root problem and resolve it faster.AI-Driven Financial Management (06:25)Financial processes can be time-consuming, such as the invoice approvals process. “We can help the approver with the most common ways that would be coded and just showing them with a little light bulb,” Hedin describes. “It’s an advanced algorithm…but it’s giving you advice on how you could do that and what has worked in the history, and also giving you the probability that the AI algorithm is actually right.” While there may be parts of AI that bundle inside the processes and work behind the scenes, copilot can be applied to specific processes to assist users.Investing to Innovate (08:30)SignUp Software has a full team focusing specifically on investing in AI to further innovations. This team has built a bot for support flows to help their customers. Users can ask the bot questions as well as use it for action-based scenarios, such as assistance with coding invoices and automating processes. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsCurrent Challenges (00:48)Manny names capital allocation as a major challenge for the office of the CFO. They spend much time thinking about which technologies and industry solutions are best to invest in. They have to determine which investments take priority, such as investing in tech that benefits the company’s back office versus their customers. Value creation is also a key consideration. “Our analysis on where do we invest those dollars has gotten a lot more granular and a lot more scrutiny around those decisions,” he says.“Many of the CFOs face the challenge of doing more with less when money has gotten a bit more expensive,” Hedin raises. Another challenge he notes is regulatory aspects. The three C’s — cost, control, and compliance — need to be as efficient as possible. Determining how to leverage AI can be a challenge on the technology side.AI Impact (07:17)When building out large language models (LLMs) and algorithms, you have to ensure you have the right governance and controls internally on the data to get the desired outcome. This is vital when starting out leveraging new technologies to drive business decisions and efficiencies. While this can be daunting, “there’s a lot of value to it,” Manny notes. Once it’s tested and secure internally, the next phase of an AI journey is to look at it from a customer-facing perspective.Hedin shares customer examples of applying machine learning and AI. “In the financial process automation space, AI is definitely saving a lot of time already today for a lot of CFOs,” Hedin says.CFO AI Concerns and Second Half Mindset (11:30)Korakis says the biggest risk is that AI outputs don’t necessarily align with the question an employee is seeking to answer. If a person thinks they’re feeding the algorithm or LLM all the right data points but they’re actually not, that’s a big issue. His company is ensuring good data governance.Microsoft has made Copilot actionable for ISVs like Signup; since it’s embedded in Finance and Operations as well as Business Central, there are actions that weren’t available before, Hedin says. It’s one thing to get intelligent responses, but when you can also start doing things such as generating a PO if one’s missing, then you have an assistant that can do a lot more things for you. It’s really exciting in terms of customer problems that can be solved.Korakis says in the first half of the year there’s been a lot of disruption in the macro environment that followed supply chain challenges: rising interest rates that created caution and the need to be very thoughtful in using investment dollars has slowed things down a bit. “I see that starting to phase off” and CFOs are more willing to spend as the second half approaches.D365 Trends (15:09)Hedin says AI is one big, obvious trend with Dynamics 365. The other is new regulatory demands. If you send an invoice to a customer in Italy you need to go through their tax authorities now so they can track it. A US customer asked to start invoicing in Germany and needed guidance. It varies by country. That’s a big challenge for the international companies as well – how to handle that in an efficient way. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Highlights2025 Expectations (02:07)Ashe has had the opportunity to meet with and hear from customers about the challenges they're facing so SignUp can determine the kind of support customers need. A common theme that he has noticed is around "measuring what matters and trying to see how they can move to a predictive model because there's a lot of uncertainty." When business leaders are looking at solutions like ExFlow by SignUp, Ashe explains that it's "something that when we get through our implementation, we feel like we've got a path for them to be able to help meet those goals and, hopefully, improve their relationships with their vendors and reduce some of those risks."ExFlow as an Enabler (05:30)ExFlow focuses on AP automation within Dynamics 365 on both F&O and BC. The office of the CFO is changing to be more strategic with investments, mitigating risks, and predicting potential opportunities. ExFlow takes the amount of time that an organization spends on invoicing, for instance, and compresses it to reduce potential errors and give time back to the business. It also helps organizations measure key elements so they can re-architect their business to be more efficient and plan more effectively. "I think that's where a lot of the real value comes from," Ashe says.Future of AI (08:10)AI will continue to have a huge impact, Ashe considers. For most organizations, AI will have a wider impact of a big-bang approach. "I think some organizations are prepared for that...People are going to slowly but surely get more used to just having an autonomous agent there to help them do their jobs."Previously, Hedin has discussed the premise of three horizons of AI that can be aligned with strategic decision-making and financial control. He elaborates on these horizons: The first horizon is having an immediate impact now, as it includes using copilots to optimize processes and models to become more efficient. The second horizon involves using AI to drive the setup of systems. The third horizon is more autonomous, allowing agents to manage reoccurring tasks, for example.Driving an AI-Strategic View into 2025 (14:46)"We're actually doing what we've always been doing," Hedin confirms. "We've been 100% a Microsoft-dedication ISV." He describes how SignUp Software builds on Microsoft's platform for industry-specific, horizontal solutions. "We need to be smart and use what they are doing and then build the last touch on top of that." This enables the company to build AI models that become better and better with each new generation.Although AI and its evolution is becoming faster and faster, as people are increasingly absorbing the technology, the learning curve still takes time. While AI technology is being adoption, it still requires knowledge to work through prompts, asking the right questions, and fine-tuning models. We need to be maybe one to two years patient before achieving the real autonomous level, Hedin explains, but there are a lot of efficient processes on the way. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

HighlightsDriving Adoption (02:40)At its recent financial earnings call, Microsoft reported dramatic results from its last quarter regarding Dynamics 365 (D365), Business Central (BC), and Finance and Operations (F&O), with 27% growth quarter over quarter. Some core factors are driving this pace of customer adoption in the mid-market and the enterprise. Hedin names three:The number of old platforms that need to be migrated: To access the newest and best features, organizations must be in the cloud — otherwise, they’ll be missing out on copilot, for instance.Companies need to save money and be more efficient. Automation enables companies to do more with less.Security is vital in finance, especially for fraud detection and prevention.Hedin reports that SignUp Software had similar growth rates to Microsoft, so it has been able to maintain the same pace.Industry Innovation (05:03)Some vertical industries are quicker with their approach to modernization and digital transformations, especially in managing regulatory compliance and implementing other cybersecurity initiatives. Hedin describes the pace of innovation and modernization among various industries.All industries have invoices. However, the industries accelerating their pace of modernization and implementing advanced solutions are the ones that have the most to gain and with high volumes, notes Hedin. He lists retail and government as two of the top industries here.Partners contribute greatly to this pace. “It’s the solution architects and the business process designers that advise the customer on what they can do,” he says. When partners see the capabilities that come with modern offerings, they begin to suggest those offerings.Investing in Modernization and Automation (08:43)The office of the CFO should be keeping an eye out for key aspects and outcomes from their investments to modernize and automate. Efficiency and flexibility are two beneficial elements. “It comes back to process efficiency to have that low cost; you have to control compliance on those processes,” Hedin says.Modern technologies, such as automation and AI, come with a lot of fear and uncertainty as well as assumptions that they will take the jobs of humans. For those involved with the day-to-day operations of a business, that’s not necessarily true. Investing in modernization can enhance business processes and enable humans to be redeployed to do other tasks. The 4 Cs (11:25)Hedin describes four Cs that can come with modern technologies and are essential when working with customers and partners, which SignUp Software puts into practice with its ExFlow offering:CostComplianceControlCopilotsSignUp Software is “heavily entrenched” in its research and development (R&D) department, Hedin says. Customers can improve their return on investment (ROI) by embracing modern technologies, deploying their employees to higher-level tasks, and benefitting from the four Cs. Another factor that Hedin mentions is the standard for CO2 emissions for companies with more than 250 people. SignUp Software offers a product for CO2 management to help companies manage data and have greater control in working toward becoming Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 46 | Driving Impact Through PartnershipThe Big Themes:Partner-centric growth: Software vendors are increasingly focusing on building strong partnerships with resellers and service providers. This shift recognizes that partners are not just intermediaries but key drivers of innovation and customer success. By investing in training, support, and co-marketing, vendors are ensuring their partners can effectively sell, implement, and expand offerings, creating a more collaborative and mutually beneficial ecosystem.AI as a key enabler: AI is transforming the software industry by enhancing product capabilities and enabling smarter, data-driven offerings. Both vendors and partners are leveraging AI to improve customer experiences, automate tasks, and offer more personalized, efficient solutions. This technology is rapidly becoming a competitive differentiator, and vendors are embedding AI into their platforms to stay relevant in an increasingly AI-driven market.Platform ecosystems and digital marketplaces: Vendors are evolving from offering standalone products to creating expansive platforms that integrate third-party applications. This ecosystem approach drives innovation, creates new revenue streams, and provides customers with more comprehensive offerings. By fostering digital marketplaces, vendors and partners can offer tailored, scalable solutions that meet a variety of customer needs while expanding their reach and impact.The Big Quote: “AI is the new UI, and you can't have an AI just exist within a singular system. You need the AI to be able to work throughout the business in an omnichannel sort of way." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Bayer’s Data Evolution with AlloyDBThe Big Themes:Data complexity and intelligent agriculture: Bayer Crop Science is addressing agriculture's complex data challenges. The company integrates data such as satellite imagery, weather conditions, soil data, and IoT device inputs, to drive innovation in seed development and farming practices. By leveraging cloud technologies like AlloyDB, Bayer's teams can support the future of farming, despite challenges posed by climate change and rising global food demand.Integrating BigQuery for comprehensive analytics: To further enhance its data-driven insights, Bayer integrates Google BigQuery alongside AlloyDB for extensive data analysis. BigQuery serves as the central analytics warehouse, receiving billions of phenotypic data points for in-depth modeling and decision-making. During harvest season, Bayer can quickly access and analyze comprehensive datasets, enabling better decisions across production and supply chains.Harvest season demands and system resilience: During harvest season, Bayer Crop Science faces intense pressure as high volumes of data flow in, requiring real-time analysis and decision-making. The peak demand period sees a sharp increase in read and write operations, making it essential for Bayer's data system to function seamlessly. AlloyDB played a crucial role in handling these spikes by providing low-latency data processing and high availability.The Big Quote: “Climate change is a new challenge. You see some of these forecasts coming out of academia that yields will go down by 30% — that will arrest this great trend that we've seen continually increasing over the last 100 years. We need to solve for that, and that's going to take new types of data and new approaches and these types of things." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 54 | AI, CIO ChallengesThe Big Themes:Community Summit NA: Wayne talks about attending Community Summit and how the event stands out by offering user-driven insights that focus on real-world experiences with Microsoft ecosystems, rather than vendor-led marketing. The Summit provides a platform where users share practical, firsthand knowledge, allowing attendees to gain a deeper understanding of how Microsoft technologies work in real business settings. By fostering a community of real-world users, the Summit helps businesses navigate the complexities of implementing new technologies.The CIO’s evolving role amid AI demands: There's growing pressure on CIOs to adopt AI-driven strategies, reflecting a shift where AI, in particular, generative AI, is no longer just an optional tool but an expectation from executives and boards. This trend is reshaping industries differently. While sectors like finance can afford significant R&D investments in AI, others, such as retail, face tighter budgets and must be more strategic.Balancing innovation with cost control in AI Investments: They discuss the growing complexity and cost of AI investments, with Wayne urging CIOs to carefully evaluate the financial implications of adopting AI technologies. He points out that as AI tools become more integrated into business operations, their costs, including ongoing subscription fees, are likely to rise. CIOs must be strategic about which AI tools and platforms they adopt, ensuring that they do not overcommit financially.The Big Quote: “We're drowning in information, we've got to move faster, and some of the GenAI and traditional AI stuff is taking a lot . . . away from us so we can move to operate at a higher level of reasoning, of thinking, of overseeing." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 445 | Reflecting on 2 Years of Generative AIThe Big Themes:GenAI's Anniversary: Reflecting on the two-year anniversary of GenAI hitting the mainstream, Bonnie notes that in reality, we still haven't seen a lot of changes yet in the sense that AI hasn't taken our jobs. The overall consensus is that many people are using it to increase productivity; the idea that we're replacing half the workforce overnight is not coming to be.Rapid Implementation: While some companies may not have much flexibility on their implementation timeline, fast and cheap isn't necessarily the best way to incorporate AI. Rapid implementation can lead to unanticipated risks and increased costs in the long run.Software Vendors and Partners: For customers to truly benefit from implementing AI, they need good partners to help them be realistic with their timelines and options. The good software vendors and partners are cautioning customers to ensure they know what they're getting into and making deliverables clear.The Big Quote: “Work with a partner that you trust and that's going to tell you the truth...They've seen it a million times. They know you as well and they know your resources. They know the scope of your project. Find those partners that you can really trust and they're going to help you [and] lead you on the right path.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Transforming Business with CloudThe Big Themes:Role of chief integration officer (CIO): Joe Fanutti, originally the CFO of Bill Gosling Outsourcing, transitioned into the chief integration officer role. His role exemplifies the need for businesses to integrate people, technology, and operations, particularly as companies pursue both organic and inorganic growth. This evolving CIO title represents a modern shift in leadership.Automation and workforce efficiency: Automation has been a key enabler for Bill Gosling, particularly in managing high workforce turnover and streamlining administrative tasks. For example, automation in resume ingestion and candidate matching optimized the hiring process, reducing manual work. Similarly, automation in bank reconciliations and supplier invoicing allowed the finance team to focus on high-value tasks.Empowering employees with AI: Workday Assistant has transformative potential in enhancing employee experiences within organizations. Workday Assistant leverages AI to streamline HR processes, allowing employees to access information and complete tasks with ease through conversational interfaces.The Big Quote: "The payables team I have now is the same size as 10 years ago. So we're able to scale . . . . [from] 400 to 6,000 employees, but the payables team is the same size. How did we do that? Well, that's how you do it — automation." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Oracle's Expanding Multi-Cloud StrategyThe Big Themes:Oracle's unique cloud architecture: Oracle’s differentiated cloud architecture offers customers flexibility across different environments, whether public, private, or government. This hybrid architecture ensures that customers can deploy the same services whether they need an on-premises solution, a fully isolated cloud region, or a multi-cloud setup. Oracle's approach also addresses the specific needs of regulated industries, like finance or healthcare.Global expansion and investments: Oracle is heavily investing in expanding its cloud infrastructure across the globe, including in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Latin America. These investments aim to meet growing local demands for cloud services while enhancing Oracle’s global footprint. By establishing more localized data centers, Oracle can reduce latency for customers, ensure data sovereignty, and cater to regional regulatory requirements.Multi-cloud partnerships: Oracle’s partnerships with major cloud providers like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and AWS represent a shift in the cloud industry, as it was previously unheard of for these companies to collaborate. Oracle recognized early on that customers were using multi-cloud strategies, so it adapted by integrating with these other platforms. Its willingness to collaborate with competitors reflects its commitment to answering customers' needs.The Big Quote: “It is very clear that customers drive our strategy . . . Oracle is kicking this multi-cloud era forward, an open era, if you will." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 53 | Future-Ready IT OfferingsThe Big Themes:ServiceNow's innovation: Wayne Sadin talks about ServiceNow, which Bob recently wrote about, as a first mover in the market, leading the way in creating intelligent solutions that facilitate interoperability between different applications and workflows. This innovation reflects a broader trend in the tech industry toward integrated platforms that can handle diverse business needs without forcing organizations to invest in multiple standalone tools.Interoperability focus: Vendors should prioritize creating systems that allow for seamless interoperability and integration across various platforms. Interoperability is not merely about compatibility; it encompasses the ability to facilitate data sharing and process integration among disparate systems.Multi-cloud strategies: Wayne notes the importance of multi-cloud strategies, suggesting that flexibility and the ability to connect different systems will be crucial for organizations looking to avoid vendor lock-in. In an era where no single cloud provider can meet every organization's needs, a multi-cloud approach allows businesses to select the best solutions tailored to their specific requirements.The Big Quote: “The answer for every vendor is, to facilitate interoperability, make it easy for me to do my job better. Yes, you could build a walled garden, like the cloud vendors all did . . . That's the resort of the person with the inferior product . . . I want the ability to interoperate. I want them to all think this is not a zero-sum game." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big Themes:Oracle’s multi-cloud strategy: Karan emphasized how Oracle has been working for nearly a decade to offer customers flexibility in using Oracle’s technology across different cloud providers. It has partnerships with Microsoft, Google, and now AWS, allowing customers to use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with the same performance and reliability as they would on Oracle's platform.Technology and business challenges: Karan acknowledged the technical complexity of integrating OCI into other cloud providers' systems, but stressed that the bigger challenge was building the relationships necessary to make these partnerships work. The goal has been to break down competitive barriers and prioritize customer needs, which he sees as a transformative approach in the tech industry.Scaling infrastructure: Oracle is simultaneously building large-scale data centers for the growing AI and cloud needs, while also working on smaller, more modular systems that can be deployed quickly. This allows them to scale up or down based on customer demand, addressing a broad spectrum of use cases.The Big Quote: "Our goal is to allow customers to get access to Oracle technology in an untethered way with the same level of security, regulatory compliance, and performance... Everything, everywhere. All services are secure, all services are performant. You pick." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Google Cloud's AI EdgeThe Big Themes:Google Cloud’s AI leadership and Gemini: Google Cloud's Gemini model demonstrates its continued innovation in the AI space. The Gemini AI family integrates advanced capabilities in natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and large language models (LLMs) to deliver groundbreaking business offerings. With the rise of GenAI, Gemini serves as the backbone for a wide array of applications, including chatbots, content generation, and predictive analytics.Strategic partnerships boosting Google Cloud’s ecosystem: Google Cloud has strategically partnered with industry leaders like NVIDIA, SAP, and Salesforce to expand its AI and cloud computing capabilities. Google Cloud’s partnership with NVIDIA allows businesses to leverage the power of high-performance GPUs for demanding AI workloads. Meanwhile, partnerships with SAP and Salesforce bring AI-enhanced ERP and CRM systems to the forefront of digital transformation efforts.Generative AI and its business implications: Google Cloud’s GenAI is setting new benchmarks for business applications. GenAI goes beyond traditional automation by creating entirely new content. For businesses, this opens up endless possibilities. Among them, customer-facing applications such as chatbots powered by GenAI can mimic human conversation with a high degree of accuracy, creating more meaningful customer interactions.The Big Quote: "It's not that the robots are coming to take over our jobs, it's that it's making an agent more productive, and it's making a customer experience just more satisfying." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Oracle Cloud Success StrategiesThe Big Themes:Customer Success Services creation: Oracle established Customer Success Services to provide comprehensive support for customers using its cloud tools. This integration of various service organizations — such as education, consulting, and customer success management — aims to create a unified approach, ensuring customers receive consistent and effective assistance while adopting the cloud.Introduction of Navigator tool: The Oracle Cloud Navigator is designed to assist customers in navigating their cloud transformation more efficiently. This digital platform streamlines the onboarding process, providing best practices and facilitating quick configurations, ultimately helping clients achieve value faster and more effectively.Concierge services enhancement: Oracle is introducing new concierge services to address the complexities of multi-cloud environments. These services aim to provide tailored support for troubleshooting and integration challenges, reinforcing Oracle's commitment to customer success and ensuring that users can efficiently resolve issues, regardless of where they originate.The Big Quote: “What's unique about Oracle is our enterprise-grade embedded AI. In the application space, we say, let's bring AI to your end users . . . but it's not easy for customers. 'Okay, which one should I use? How do I use them?' So we put a whole program together, which explains the new innovations." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 44 | Workday Rising AI InsightsThe Big Themes:The evolution of AI tools: AI tools have moved from basic task automation to more sophisticated systems like copilots and autonomous agents. Bonnie introduces the concept of "orchestrators," which monitor and optimize workflows based on real-time feedback. This evolution signifies a shift toward more dynamic and intelligent systems that can adapt to changing business environments and user needs.Strategic partnership: Bonnie talks about the significance of partnerships, particularly between Workday and Salesforce, in creating a more powerful toolset for users. By leveraging both organizations' strengths, customers can access integrated solutions that enhance operational efficiency. This partnership exemplifies how collaboration in the tech industry can lead to greater innovation and more comprehensive service offerings.Illuminate, the AI branding strategy: Workday's branding of its AI initiatives as "Illuminate" represents a strategic approach to making AI accessible and user-friendly. Bonnie explains that this branding aims to demystify AI for end-users, transforming it from a complex developer tool into a consumer-grade experience. This initiative reflects a broader trend of making advanced technologies more approachable for everyday users.The Big Quote: “The power of the partnership between [Workday and Salesforce], leveraging both of their agencies together, is a real win for customers." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI Transformation at NetSuiteThe Big Themes:AI integration and customization: NetSuite focused on integrating AI into its platform. Evan points out the importance of large language models and traditional AI working together to identify data patterns and enhance productivity. Features like Text Enhance and the new “Ask Oracle” tool enable businesses to tailor AI applications to their specific needs without needing extensive IT resources.AI adoption across industries: NetSuite is seeing a surge in AI adoption, especially among its customers in software and internet industries. However, the company’s strategy is to make AI valuable and user-friendly for all sectors. By integrating AI tools directly into everyday workflows, like using the search box to ask complex business questions, NetSuite aims to make non-technical users comfortable with these advanced tools.Meeting business needs with tailored offerings: NetSuite is committed to providing businesses with tools that are both powerful and easy to customize, catering especially to small and midsize businesses that may lack extensive IT resources. The company's philosophy has always been to offer robust out-of-the-box capabilities while also allowing customers to tailor these features to their specific needs. Recent AI-driven enhancements demonstrate this commitment.The Big Quote: “You should be able to ask the question in plain language and get an answer back in plain language, and that's the ultimate business user experience.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Efficient AI Model EconomicsThe Big Themes:GenAI and its practical application: GenAI has emerged as a major focus in enterprise settings, with organizations exploring its potential to enhance core business processes. While many have successfully integrated generative AI into their workflows, others face challenges moving beyond continuous prototyping to actual production deployment. Key to overcoming these hurdles is understanding the limitations and capabilities of AI models.Economic advantages of smaller AI models: Smaller AI models, such as the 35 billion parameter models from Cohere, represent a significant economic shift in the AI landscape. These models, which can be run on a single GPU, offer a more cost-effective alternative to larger models, reducing the financial burden associated with AI deployment. These mid-sized models are not only cheaper but also capable of covering the majority of use cases effectively.AI integration into Oracle's software-as-a-service (SaaS) portfolio: Oracle has integrated generative AI into its software-as-a-service (SaaS) portfolio, enhancing various business functions without additional charges. This integration includes features like automated job postings and Salesforce optimization. Greg notes that this approach adds significant value to Oracle's offerings.The Big Quote: “People try to chase the latest and be on the frontier but never really commit to making something work for production." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Oracle's Industry Cloud InnovationsThe Big Themes:AI integration in Industry Applications: AI, especially GenAI is playing a significant role in transforming industry applications. Mike explains how AI technologies are enhancing customer experiences, such as in healthcare, where they automate routine tasks and improve patient interactions. This integration is expected to continue growing.Shift towards Industry Suites: There is a clear shift toward adopting Industry Suites rather than piecemeal cloud solutions. Mike explains that Industry Suites, which integrate various technologies and services, are becoming more popular as they offer a cohesive solution and reduce the need for extensive regression testing and complex integrations. They help organizations maintain cloud benefits, such as innovation and security, without the drawbacks of fragmented systems.Business transformation through technology: Technology has a huge impact on broader business transformation. Mike notes that what starts as an IT project can evolve into a comprehensive business transformation initiative. For instance, AI-driven offerings in healthcare are not only improving operational efficiency but also transforming business models and patient care.The Big Quote: “Everybody's here to serve their customers. Patients are customers, people who check into hotels and customers, people who eat at restaurants or customers. Every CEO that I engage with says, 'This transformation helps me serve my customers better, and that's why I want to engage in it.'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Google Cloud AI Security InsightsThe Big Themes:Google’s ecosystem-driven security approach: Google Cloud's partner ecosystem, consisting of entities such as managed security service providers (MSSPs) and global systems integrators, helps deliver top-notch security services. While Google maintains a small in-house service capability, partners are key to scaling and extending innovations to customers. Google provides AI tools to partners, who enhance their product offerings to better serve end customers. This model ensures that the latest security advancements, such as AI integration, are accessible.Transitioning from assisted to autonomous security: Google Cloud envisions a future where AI will evolve from assistive to fully autonomous security workflows. Currently, AI plays an assistive role by providing actionable insights to security teams, helping them prioritize threats and respond more effectively. However, the goal is to transition these capabilities into semi-autonomous workflows, with the potential for fully autonomous security systems in the future.Enhancing CISOs’ efficiency with AI: One of the key problems CISOs face today is the overwhelming number of security alerts, which makes it challenging to identify and act on the most critical threats. Google Cloud addresses this issue by leveraging AI to sift through thousands of alerts, helping CISOs quickly identify the most significant risks. AI can provide real-time insights, suggesting actions to mitigate potential threats and reduce the noise from less pressing alerts.The Big Quote: “AI is only as good as the data that the model is trained on and, in the world of security, we happen to have probably the world's most high quality and quantitative data set in threat intelligence." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 43 | Oracle's AI and Security InnovationsThe Big Themes:Completeness of suite: Oracle has an integrated approach across industries, offering a full suite of applications and services. Its multi-cloud offerings and the inclusion of infrastructure and vertical-specific applications set it apart. This completeness was emphasized with customer stories from DHL, MGM, and others.Embedded AI: Oracle’s AI tools are built directly into its applications, providing contextual insights based on user roles, history, and security levels. This integration allows for seamless decision-making across different business functions like HR, sales, and supply chain management, offering customers greater functionality without adding to their tech stack.Security: Larry Ellison discussed Oracle's commitment to eliminating passwords and enhancing security through biometrics. Oracle’s security offerings operate at the data, application, user ID, and network levels. The approach involves building strong networks first and then deploying security "agents" to detect and neutralize threats.The Big Quote: “ . . . Embedded AI means that clients just have to turn it on. It's not like they have to add something new to the tech stack. It is there as an option, whether they turn it on or off." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Scaling Generative AIThe Big Themes:Prioritizing cost and impact: Businesses are focused on the dual priorities of cost efficiency and impactful results when implementing generative AI. With numerous potential applications for generative AI, organizations need to evaluate which projects will deliver the highest value. This approach involves collaborating with partners to identify the opportunities that offer the most substantial benefits.Open ecosystem advantage: Google Cloud’s emphasis on openness and flexibility is a key differentiator in the AI landscape. Its commitment to open systems and platforms allows for various models and technologies, including first-party and open-source offerings. This open ecosystem approach enables businesses to leverage various AI models and infrastructure options, enhancing scalability and adaptability.End-to-end offerings: Google Cloud offers a comprehensive AI stack that supports a wide range of applications, from foundational models to advanced infrastructure. This end-to-end tool facilitates the development and scaling of sophisticated AI applications. The integration of various layers, including model capabilities, hardware options, and platform services, enables partners to deliver efficient and effective AI offerings.The Big Quote: “Having great models is one thing, but having differentiated infrastructure and a platform — all those three things come together, and I think we are unique in that sense." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Creating Value with TeradataThe Big Themes:Open Table Formats: Datasets are one of the most common ways that organizations use open table formats, as it enables them to combine several types of data and access that data. Open table formats are improving performance which will help drive a more flexible, low-cost storage option for enterprises. Having this level of customer choice will drive greater adoption and outcomes for customers deploying open table formats over time.Trusted AI: Trusted systems require access to data, but it must be properly managed data. Open table formats can help with trusted data progression, such as reducing data duplication by consolidation and providing a single place of oversight. As open table formats match agility and flexibility with the appropriate levels of governance, it can deliver trusted outcomes that overflow into providing trusted AI.Driving Customer Value and Success: Providing customers with opportunities for success is the ultimate driver. For example, Teradata supported a call center that wanted to improve customer satisfaction and outcomes based on the call center data. Teradata provided the organization with text analytics, large language models, and more being driven through a Teradata analytic model engine that provides real-time advice to agents.The Big Quote: “We’ve always said, ‘Whoever has access to the most data can win in the analytics space.’ So, open table formats are a key component of really helping companies create an environment of trust around the data because without trusted data, you can’t have trusted AI.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Google Cloud Data InnovationsThe Big Themes:Integration of unstructured data with AI: Google Cloud is shifting how enterprises leverage their data by integrating unstructured data (which makes up 85-90% of all data) with structured data through its BigQuery multimodal data foundation. This integration allows for a more comprehensive data landscape where AI models can seamlessly access and analyze both types of data. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional data systems and unlocks new potential for AI-driven analytics.The role of partners in maximizing AI and data value: Google Cloud’s service partners implement solutions and bring industry best practices to customer environments, while independent software vendors (ISVs) build applications that leverage Google Cloud’s data and AI tools. Programs like the Google Cloud Ready (GCR) initiative streamline integrations.Integration challenge: The challenge for organizations lies in connecting disparate data sources, such as operational data from systems like SAP and CRM data from Salesforce, with analytics tools to enable real-time decision-making. Google Cloud addresses this by developing connectors, such as Cortex.The Big Quote: “We are coming to the Third Age in data, which is going to divide data systems. It’s not just about having lots of one data type… it’s having the broadest possible set of data signals you can bring together. That idea of wide data systems means combining all of your data signals, structured and unstructured, into one unified system." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI-Powered Cloud Transformation InsightsThe Big Themes:Google Cloud's strategic growth and AI integration: Google Cloud has experienced unprecedented growth, becoming a leading cloud provider by evolving beyond traditional cloud services. Integrating AI into its offerings is a significant factor in this growth. The focus has shifted from merely migrating existing workloads to using AI to transform business processes and models. This includes innovative applications of GenAI.AI-driven business transformation across sectors: AI plays a pivotal role in reshaping business operations across various industries. For example, in retail, AI optimizes supply chains and reduces environmental impact, while in the automotive sector, it enhances digital engagement and customer interactions. The use of AI enables companies to reimagine their business models, achieve operational efficiencies, and deliver personalized experiences.The role of data foundations: A robust data foundation is crucial for leveraging AI effectively. Google Cloud’s data platform provides the essential infrastructure for eliminating data silos, enhancing data labeling, and performing complex predictions. This foundational support is integral to deploying AI applications that drive personalized marketing and operational efficiencies.The Big Quote: "We've always believed [that] Google and its ecosystem is truly a one plus one equals three. From an ecosystem perspective, I mentioned how we've always believed in an open platform strategy. Whether [the] technology provider has something that is complementary [or] overlapping, we embrace the technology company to build on our platform and offer those solutions through our marketplaces so customers have a choice." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 43 | Upcoming Conference InsightsThe Big Themes:Upcoming HR and tech conferences: Oracle CloudWorld will cover AI in Fusion Applications, Oracle's autonomous database, and cloud innovations, with keynotes from Safra Catz and Larry Ellison. Workday Rising will focus on employee empowerment, new global payroll offerings, and AI in HCM. The HR Technology Conference will explore AI solutions for HR functions and system integration. SAP SuccessConnect will showcase global human experience management, AI-enabled learning, and cloud migrations.AI-driven decision-making and transformation of work practices: The conferences will spotlight how AI tools can enhance decision-making by analyzing data to predict business outcomes, while also transforming work practices. This transformation includes reducing administrative tasks and improving efficiency.Interconnectedness of systems: The conferences will also feature a strong emphasis on breaking down organizational silos and improving system integration, especially among larger ERP vendors. The aim is to enhance visibility and streamline operations across different departments.The Big Quote: “What are the partners doing to bring innovation to the forefront? How is [the] implementation of these products changing in light of AI and generative AI? Those would be the main takeaways that we're hoping to see from CloudWorld." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Trusted AI Models and StrategiesThe Big Themes:Data reliability: After conducting a survey, Teradata found that 40% of executives don't trust their own data to generate accurate AI outputs. AI requires traceability and transparency around where data comes from. Teradata helps combat this disconnect by providing access and opportunities for companies to use their data in more compelling ways to achieve the business outcomes they're looking for.3 Pillars of AI: Teradata recognizes people, transparency, and value creation as three core elements of AI. Having clean data that you can trust is critical. Ensuring ROI on the AI investments to create value is essential. Having a process that provides better compliance, governance, and security is vital.AI strategy: Business leaders and the C-suite must understand their own inputs and outputs to make the company better. Teradata believes in building Trusted AI models to ensure businesses have outputs they can rely on.The Big Quote: “We believe that trusted AI is really the way that people, data, and AI work together...Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the people that are managing those environments, using that data to ensure and determine that it's used in the right purposes." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Cloud Tech in BankingThe Big Themes:Principles and people-centered transformation: Core principles such as standardizing processes and ensuring data integrity drove Standard Chartered's transformation. The transformation was not merely about technology but about enabling its people to perform their jobs more effectively. This people-centered approach ensured that technological changes translated into real, practical improvements in daily operations.Strategic partnership: SAP provided a robust platform that supported Standard Chartered's data strategy and operational needs across diverse markets. Falk Rieker noted the significance of programs like RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP in facilitating the bank's transition to the cloud, addressing regulatory requirements, and enhancing process efficiencies.Leveraging data and AI for future innovations: With a unified data environment, Standard Chartered can leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to drive better business insights, efficiency, and sustainability efforts. This strategic approach positions the bank to quickly implement new tools and capabilities.The Big Quote: "When we embarked on our transformation, it was not to transform the technology, it was to transform our finance and treasury functions that supported the bank . . . we picked the best platform that would support that target operating model and support that transformation . . . So, we went into this with SAP." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI & Data in ConstructionThe Big Themes:AI in construction: Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the construction industry by automating routine tasks and enhancing project management. Tim discusses AI's capabilities in predictive maintenance, which prevents equipment failures and reduces downtime. Additionally, AI-driven tools assist in optimizing construction schedules and managing labor resources.Strategic workforce management: Proper workforce management is essential for maximizing productivity and profitability. It's important to align skilled workers with the right roles and invest in their continuous training. By ensuring the team is well-trained and strategically deployed, construction companies can significantly improve project outcomes and maintain high productivity levels.Focus on margins: To improve profit margins, construction firms must implement stringent cost management practices. There's a need for detailed project planning, budget controls, and efficient expense management. Monitoring costs meticulously and optimizing resource use help maintain profitability.The Big Quote: "We never want to remove the human element, we just want to accelerate the decision-making process by having all of the number crunching and the trend analysis being done by the technology." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 42 | Workday Partner InsightsThe Big Themes:Role of Workday Marketplaces: The Workday Marketplace and the Workday AI Marketplace help customers find partners and specific products tailored to their industry, geography, and particular needs. These centralized resources streamline the search process, enabling customers to make more informed decisions and leverage the most suitable innovations and services for their business objectives.Categories of Workday partners: Workday partners can be categorized into sales partners, services partners, and innovation partners. Each type serves a different role, from selling offerings to implementing and supporting them, as well as creating complementary products. Understanding these distinctions helps customers identify the right partner for their specific needs, ensuring a more tailored and effective offering deployment.Risks and benefits of rapid implementations: While rapid implementation methodologies can offer quick solutions, they come with fixed scopes and potential risks. Customers need to be cautious and aware of the trade-offs between speed and thoroughness to avoid costly reworks.The Big Quote: "It's really important for customers to understand. If you're looking at a partner, where is their core expertise? Are they sales? Are they services? Are they innovation? Are they all three? And what is it that your organization needs?" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 52 | Cloud Innovation ImpactThe Big Themes:Cloud industry dynamics: Wayne discusses the competitive landscape of cloud computing, emphasizing Oracle's evolving strategies to compete with giants like AWS and Microsoft Azure. He discusses how Oracle's Autonomous Database and other innovations are crucial in this race, reflecting broader trends toward automation and efficiency in enterprise IT.Multi-cloud strategies: The discussion covers the strategic advantages of multi-cloud environments, where organizations leverage multiple cloud providers to optimize performance, mitigate risks, and enhance flexibility. Interoperability and workload distribution play an important role in multi-cloud strategies. Enterprises increasingly adopt a multi-cloud approach to avoid vendor lock-in and maximize operational efficiency.Strategic insights: Wayne advises businesses to prioritize alignment between IT and business goals when adopting cloud technologies. Strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous evaluation of cloud investments are necessary to ensure they contribute effectively to organizational growth and competitive advantage.The Big Quote: "We at IT shouldn't be so proud that we say, 'Well, only this cloud provider works.' We've got to accept the fact that we live in a multi-cloud world, we've got to accept the fact that pieces of infrastructure talk to each other across these interfaces (cloud interfaces, database interfaces)." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 42 | ServiceNow's AI Partner StrategyThe Big Themes:Shift in ecosystem strategy: Companies like ServiceNow are shifting from viewing partners as mere distributors or implementers to integral parts of their business strategy. This shift emphasizes collaboration and joint value creation rather than just sales margins, marking a significant evolution in how large vendors approach their partner ecosystems.Types of ServiceNow partners: ServiceNow partners are categorized into four main groups: resellers, service providers, consulting and implementation partners, and build partners. Each type utilizes AI differently and contributes to the ecosystem uniquely.Emphasis on proof and customer satisfaction: Amid the excitement around AI and ecosystem expansion, there's a strong emphasis on tangible results and customer satisfaction. Potential customers are advised to verify partner capabilities through proof of successful projects and customer references. Due diligence is critical in selecting partners for AI-driven initiatives.The Big Quote: "It's no longer about 'How can I reduce expenses?' or caring about the bottom line. I think it's this realization that customers have to say, 'How can I use the art of what's possible now with AI to make ourselves into the next Uber or Airbnb and change what we're doing in our industry?'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Driving Innovation at SAPThe Big Themes:Focus on business transformation: SAP's new board area, customer services and delivery, aims to help customers with business transformation rather than just technology transformation. This involves moving to the cloud and adopting innovations like AI to enhance business agility and efficiency.Collaboration with hyperscalers and system integrators: SAP collaborates closely with hyperscalers for optimal cloud operations and system integrators for business transformation. This co-engineering approach ensures high availability and promotes SAP’s cloud solutions through partners.Acceleration and simplification: SAP emphasizes the importance of not delaying digital transformation. With examples like Fresenius and BMW, SAP shows that moving to the cloud and adopting new technologies can be accelerated and simplified, benefiting customers with faster upgrades and new capabilities.The Big Quote: “First of all, this is always the right time to start. Now. So never wait. Because all of this world is in the stage where investing in digital capabilities is always the right thin Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 41 | Oracle's AI-Driven FutureThe Big Themes:Oracle's AI advancements: Oracle showcased rapid advancements in AI capabilities, introducing 50 new AI features, including generative AI models for tasks like creating job descriptions and email templates. It aims to ensure speed in innovation, with 25 of these capabilities specifically tailored for HR.Oracle's commitment to healthcare: Oracle is strengthening its focus on healthcare, moving its headquarters to Nashville, the epicenter of healthcare tech. Since acquiring Cerner in 2021, Oracle is working to integrate clinical, patient, and administrative systems into a seamless ecosystem. Its commitment extends beyond Cerner, as it tailors offerings for clients using Epic, enhancing workforce management, recruitment, and operational efficiency.Improving candidate experience: Oracle is enhancing the candidate experience with its latest updates to Oracle Recruiting Cloud. A new product line, Boost, aims to improve recruitment efficiency through AI-driven tools, offering candidates a more personalized and engaging application process. These advancements reflect a broader trend in the industry to prioritize not just customer and employee experiences, but also those of potential hires.The Big Quote: "I think [conference attendees] [are] really jazzed because of what the possibilities with AI are . . . what they were showing, in terms of AI, brought a new spring in their step." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI FrontiersThe Big Themes:Shift from digital to AI transformation: There's been a significant evolution in the focus of businesses from digital transformation to AI-driven innovation. Initially, companies aimed to enhance their existing digital processes using the latest technologies. However, the current emphasis is on leveraging AI to fundamentally transform business operations and create new value.Partner ecosystem collaboration: ServiceNow’s strategy involves deep collaboration with a diverse ecosystem of partners such as Accenture, NVIDIA, Hugging Face, and Microsoft. By integrating NVIDIA's AI capabilities or Microsoft's Copilot features, ServiceNow can offer more robust and versatile tools to its clients. This collaborative approach helps businesses adopt AI more effectively.Importance of taking the first step: Wright stresses the significance of starting the AI journey. While the potential of AI is vast, the initial step is often the hardest, and people get bogged down in pontificating and debating possibilities. Businesses are encouraged to begin their transformation process to explore and realize the opportunities AI presents.The Big Quote: "Every month, [AI] opens up more and more possibilities. And I think that's the mindset that you need . . . you don't need to be thinking, 'How can I do what I did before better?' You need to be thinking, 'How can I do now what I could never do before?'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI Drives TransformationThe Big Themes:ServiceNow's strong partner ecosystem: ServiceNow showcased its commitment to a partner-first strategy with a substantial presence of partners at the event. The Partner Innovation Zone and Partner Pavilion demonstrated partners' critical role in ServiceNow’s ecosystem. Erica mentions PartnerFinder, a ServiceNow tool designed to make it easy for customers to select the partner that's the best fit for them.GenAI and ServiceNow: Erica talks about GenAI's pivotal role in ServiceNow's future. ServiceNow's partners have been at the forefront of this AI revolution, undergoing extensive training on Pro Plus since September 2023. Jensen Huang from NVIDIA spoke at the event about ServiceNow's significant impact on NVIDIA's operations and their collaborative efforts in AI.Major partnerships and innovations: Key announcements included a significant partnership with Microsoft, integrating Microsoft’s Copilot with ServiceNow’s Now Assist, and a collaboration with Genesys for call center technology. These developments reflect ServiceNow's expansion into the front office.The Big Quote: “[In a year], I still think we'll be talking about GenAI . . . we'll have real use cases. I think we'll be able to really share productivity statistics that show the impact of GenAI so that people are like, 'Wow.' We're going from, 'Is this real? Should I do a proof of concept?' to 'How do I proliferate GenAI across the platform . . . knowing the company will have at least crossed the 20,000 customer mark in terms of attendance?'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 51 | Strategic IT BudgetingThe Big Themes:Integrated investment approach: Wayne advocates for aligning IT investments with broader company goals, urging against treating IT as a separate entity. This approach ensures that IT projects are evaluated alongside other investments, prioritizing those with the highest strategic value.Time allocation for CIOs: Wayne recommends that CIOs dedicate around 20-25% of their time to budget-related activities, including engaging with business stakeholders, discussing investment priorities, and strategic planning. This time investment is critical for ensuring that IT initiatives are aligned with broader business objectives.Comprehensive project costing: A transparent and comprehensive approach to project costing, where expenses are aggregated to provide a holistic view of total project costs can be beneficial. This strategy prevents budget overruns and facilitates better decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.The Big Quote: “Don't budget only for implementation. I see this all the time. If the project is going to be $10 million to put it in, what's your first year, first 18 months of costs? People say my project is to put in Product X. Now when the product is done, there's the ongoing cost — especially in the SaaS [software-as-a-service] world, that's not insignificant." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Cloud ERP and Generative AIThe Big Themes:Generative AI in cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP): Russell discusses how SAP is responding to evolving customer demands by prioritizing integrating generative AI technologies into its cloud ERP offerings. This proactive stance not only aligns with market trends but also underscores SAP's commitment to innovation and customer-centricity.Anticipation for Sapphire: The anticipation surrounding SAP's forthcoming Sapphire event is palpable. Attendees are eager to gain valuable insights, learn from real-world success stories, and engage in meaningful networking opportunities. This anticipation underscores the pivotal role of Sapphire as a premier platform for SAP to showcase its latest innovations, share thought leadership, and foster collaboration within its vibrant ecosystem.Executive leadership Involvement: Executive leaders such as CEOs and CFOS are broadening their involvement in strategic technology decisions, transcending traditional IT boundaries. This expanding engagement encompasses leveraging AI to drive value and results, not solely focused on efficiency and cost optimization but also broader organizational goals.The Big Quote: “[Customers] were doing proof of concepts, they were testing how [GenAI] could potentially solve business problems. They've moved beyond that. Now they're looking for solutions. They're looking for outcomes. They understand the power of the technology, but it needs to be matched with real benefits, real value, real outcomes." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big ThemesCustomer priorities: Josyula identifies top priorities for ServiceNow customers, including business transformation driven by technology, a focus on GenAI and AI more broadly, and vendor consolidation (choosing a few strategic platforms and going all in). With customer priorities in mind, ServiceNow is on a journey to becoming the AI platform for end-to-end transformation, developing GenAI products and services to improve both the employee and customer experience.Understanding non-tech executive priorities: Having a relationship CIOs and CTOs can be helpful because they often play a part in driving business transformation that's driven by technology. It's helpful for non-tech execs to see the benefits of ServiceNow within their own functions. Partners also contribute to fostering conversations about successful outcomes, serving as great reference points demonstrating value.What to expect at Knowledge24: Attendees can expect to hear more about how ServiceNow is rapidly innovating in AI and GenAI in its platform and across several solutions areas as well as how ServiceNow is focusing on customer value with its ecosystem.The Big Quote: "We are on this journey of being the AI platform for end-to-end digital transformation. And what this means is we started with our roots in it, we had IT service management and operations management. But quickly, our customers, in many cases, pulled us deeper into it, as we looked at helping them deliver on asset management, security, and risk." Visit Cloud Wars for more.