Futurum Tech Webcast

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, we look at the top cloud and telco takeaways from conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways consist of Red Hat and Tech Mahindra boosting their hybrid cloud collaboration, Red Hat and NTT working with Fujitsu and NVIDIA to ready IOWN environments for real-time edge AI data analytics, Indonesia's Telkomsel selecting Google Cloud to integrate GenAI for augmenting its operations and product offerings, VMware focusing on assuring the DISH Wireless Open RAN build in the US, and TELUS using HPE servers to complete its Open RAN mission in Canada. Our analytical review focused on: Red Hat and Tech Mahindra Uplift Hybrid Cloud Capabilities. Red Hat and Tech Mahindra announced a collaboration aimed at making it easier for telecommunication service providers to accelerate and manage 5G adoption and deployments across the hybrid cloud. Tech Mahindra's Multi-mode Companion Cloud with Red Hat OpenShift running on AWS can support multiple network use cases, spanning RAN, edge computing, transport and 5G core, to extend capabilities across hybrid cloud environments with integrated automation and orchestration capabilities. We delve into why Red Hat OpenShift provides the infrastructure and application layer key to supporting operations at scale across any cloud environment, with Tech Mahindra's netOps.ai offering a unified view to manage infrastructure and automate applications with low touch provisioning. Plus, we look at how Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes enables full cloud lifecycle management to automate Day 0 and Day 1 configurations and orchestrate workloads across Red Hat OpenShift clusters on-premises and on AWS. Red Hat and NTT Show IOWN Ready for Real-time Edge AI Data Analysis. As part of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (or IOWN) initiative, Red Hat and NTT in collaboration with NVIDIA and Fujitsu, have jointly developed a solution targeted at enhancing and extending the potential for real-time AI data analysis at the edge. Using technologies developed by the IOWN Global Forum and built on the foundation of Red Hat OpenShift this solution has received an IOWN Global Forum's Proof of Concept (PoC) recognition for its real world viability and use cases. The PoC evaluated a real-time AI analysis platform4 with Yokosuka City as the sensor installation base and Musashino City as the remote data center, both connected through the IOWN All-Photonics Network. We assess why this is a breakthrough for AI edge applications since even when many cameras were accommodated, the latency required to aggregate sensor data for AI analysis was reduced by 60% compared to conventional AI inference workloads. Telkomsel Selects Google Cloud to Boost Operations and Products with GenAI. Telkomsel announced a strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to integrate enterprise-grade generative AI (gen AI) into its operations and core product offerings for consumers and businesses. This latest collaboration builds on Telkomsel's ongoing use of Google's AI-powered advertising tools, such as Performance Max, with the aim of transforming its employee and customer interactions, augmenting overall user satisfaction, and improving business outcomes. Moreover, Nokia is running AVA Data Suite on Google Cloud to facilitate AI/ML development. We examine why such moves are further validating the overall Google Cloud for Telecommunications proposition. VMware Looks to Assure DISH Wireless Open RAN Build. At MWC24, VMware, recently acquired by Broadcom Inc, unveiled that DISH Wireless has deployed VMware Telco Cloud Service Assurance across the Boost Wireless Network in a pilot production environment to deliver real-time network monitoring, assurance and automation, with the goal of providing a better 5G network and subscriber experience. We assess why the VMware Telco Cloud Service Assurance remote data collector service allows DISH Wireless the Network Operations Center (NOC) team to collect and analyze data from 20,000-plus cell sites. From our view, this is a critically important development for DISH Wireless to efficiently assure and scale its breakthrough Open RAN 5G network that is getting closer to offering more than 240 million Americans access to the latest in 5G connectivity technology and innovation. TELUS Enlists HPE Servers to Complete Open RAN Mission. During MWC24, HPE announced it is working with TELUS, which is building Canada's first 5G Open RAN, by providing infrastructure across 3,000 sites. Once completed, the new TELUS Open RAN 5G network can provide instantaneously responsive connectivity which can enhance the customer experience with faster connectivity and mobile access. We examine why HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen11 servers, designed specifically for telco workloads, are ready to provide an open and flexible, virtualized foundation to deliver next-gener

On this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens is joined by BMC's Chad Reiber, Solution Engineer, and Tim Ceradsky, Director of Software Consulting, for a conversation on how modern enterprises can ensure operational resilience in the hybrid cloud environment, especially when dealing with mainframe data. Our discussion covers: The concept of operational resilience in the context of mainframe data within a hybrid cloud environment. The importance of immutable copies of mainframe data for ensuring operational resilience, and how they differ from traditional backup methods. The key benefits of strategically placing immutable copies of mainframe data across the hybrid cloud infrastructure to mitigate risks. Common challenges organizations face when implementing and managing immutable copies of mainframe data in the hybrid cloud. Strategies for leveraging immutable copies of mainframe data to enhance data availability and expedite recovery processes in hybrid cloud environments. Learn more at BMC.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the use of generative AI to improve efficiency within the flow of work in the healthcare space. He also provides examples from other industries, and discusses an interesting announcement about an application that can be used to track the spending of generative AI. He then closes out the show with the Rant or Rave segment, where he picks one item in the enterprise software market, and either champions or criticizes it.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber discuss the latest in Cybersecurity and AI with Microsoft Copilot for Security, as well as news from IBM, BMC and Liqid. Insights from Microsoft Secure and the launch of Copilot for Security BMC office visit and discussion on artificial intelligence IBM's updated FlashCore Module and Storage Defender offerings Liqid's new CEO and collaboration with GPU and CPU vendors

An Assessment of The Key MWC24 Takeaways in Open RAN Highlighted by Ericsson Cloud RAN, Nokia anyRAN, Energy Efficiency Moves, and Mavenir/Intel Innovations In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top Open RAN takeaways from my conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways consist of Ericsson Cloud RAN portfolio advances, Nokia's anyRAN market readiness including anyRAN for enterprise partnerships with Cisco, HPE, and Microsoft, as well as Mavenir's latest collaboration with Intel to assure Open vRAN innovation and progress. Our analytical review focused on: Ericsson Cloud RAN Meeting Topmost CSP Priorities. Ericsson's Cloud RAN portfolio is aiding communications service providers (CSPs) in fulfilling their need for increased capacity and exponential increases in data traffic with solutions that make the best use of the available resources – essentially continuing to do more with less. Ericsson has long been focused on energy efficiency and it is a core element of the company's strategy exemplified by its strategic objective is to be Net Zero across its value chain by 2040. I delve into how Ericsson's portfolio development focus enables its radios to be optimized for performance, energy usage and embodied carbon emissions, regardless of whether they are deployed in an integrated or Cloud RAN setting. Ericsson's newest radios are its most energy-efficient yet, offering 39 percent energy savings compared to previous hardware generations as per the company's Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Report for 2022 This includes how Ericsson is working closely within the Cloud RAN ecosystem and a variety of software and hardware partners such as Intel and AMD (CPU providers) Red Hat (containers-as-a-service, or CaaS), HPE and Dell (servers), to ultimately bring new Cloud RAN innovations, especially for energy efficiency, to market. Nokia anyRAN Ready for Most Any 5G Demand. Nokia unveiled its Cloud RAN solution will be available commercially in 2024 following the successful completion of multiple trials worldwide with hardware vendors, webscale companies, and chipset manufacturers. Nokia's anyRAN approach can enable a fast transition to hybrid environments of Cloud RAN and purpose-built RAN, ensuring consistent performance and interoperability with common software and In-Line acceleration architecture. Nokia also announced the launch of anyRAN for enterprise in partnership with Cisco, HPE and Microsoft that will see the companies offer private wireless solutions to enterprise customers. Nokia's anyRAN for enterprise offers more choice and flexibility for enterprises through collaboration with system integrators and cloud core solution providers alongside providing Nokia's AirScale radio access portfolio to suit their specific requirements. By pre-packaging these solutions together, CSPs and enterprises can benefit from a faster deployment due to extensive interoperability testing with core suppliers. I evaluate why these collaborations enable Nokia to support core vendors' networks and their ecosystems as well as provide access to new segments and markets, accelerating the adoption of 5G in the enterprise sector and boosting industries in their digital transformation. Cloud RAN Must Align with Ecosystem-wide Sustainability Goals. The energy efficiency progress in Cloud RAN needs to align with the energy consumption of overall wireless systems and the digital ecosystem. Fundamentally, the more wireless electronic devices are put in use, the more energy will be consumed. In sum, 5G will exponentially increase energy usage. For instance, The Small Cell Forum predicts the installed base of small cells to reach 70.2 million in 2025 and the total installed base of 5G or multimode small cells in 2025 to be 13.1 million. Plus, a 2023 study on energy use from 5G networks in China indicates that a carbon efficiency trap of 5G mobile networks is leading to additional carbon emissions of 23.82 ± 1.07 metric tons in China, caused by the spatiotemporal misalignment between cellular traffic and energy consumption in mobile networks. I assess why Ericsson's Breaking the Energy Curve report further reinforces that the power consumption costs of the world's cellular networks will be more than the previously estimated at $25 billion and CSPs should brace for higher costs. As a result, 5G on its own will not provide enough to substantially reduce energy consumption for entire mobile networks, likely requiring outside the box innovations. Mavenir Teams with Intel to Give vRAN a Boost. At MWC24, Mavenir announced the availability of its Open vRAN solution powered by 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel vRAN Boost – designed to deliver a cloud-native, high-performance, and energy-efficient solution for latency-sensitive and compute-intensive mobile network applications. The move to Intel's recent p

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters – Insider Edition, host Steven Dickens is joined by Ed Airey, VP of Marketing at AveriSource for a conversation on how AveriSource is helping organizations gain more insights and knowledge about their applications, empowering them to be able to modernize. Key topics include: An introduction from Ed Airey on his role at AveriSource An overview of AveriSource and the AveriSource platform which consists of five main products: Scan, Inventory, Discover, Analyze, and Transform, to help with application understanding and modernization The importance for organizations to understand their applications The role of AI in modernization

In this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group's CEO and Chief Analyst, Daniel Newman, sits down with Michael Swan, VP of HPE Integration, and Jolanta Kisiel, Director of Global Accounts Segment Strategy at HPE Financial Services, to discuss how adopting a new mindset focused on IT asset lifecycle stages may be the key to accelerating success. Their conversation covers: Insights into the current pressures on IT organizations surrounding strategies in managing IT asset lifecycles What makes HPE Financial Services unique, and their approach to the IT asset lifecycle How customers are managing existing infrastructure amidst all the change and in the face of innovation, including balancing competing internal priorities How organizations can expand their sustainability practices and the benefits of doing so, given a recent IDC study showed sustainability is a top 3 decision criteria for 67% of customers when selecting a technology provider To learn more about HPE Financial Services, and uncovering new IT asset strategies, visit the company's website and download our series of briefs: Uncovering New IT Asset Strategies Hiding in Plain Sight, Building Economic Agility Through All Stages of Tech Lifecycles, Aligning Business Goals with Tech Lifecycles to Accelerate Innovation, and Adapting Tech Lifecycles to Support Sustainability Goals.

Join us as we examine the ongoing journey of innovation, through an insightful look at some iconic products and services, their impressive origins, and today's rapid advancements. In this episode of The Main Scoop™ co-hosts Daniel Newman and Greg Lotko, along with special guest Paulo Carvao, discuss the evolution of modern technologies, keeping pace with customer needs, and the importance of critical thinking to guide the ethical use of data.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the opportunities for SaaS vendors in the mid-market space, delving into key market trends, differences between the enterprise, SMB, and mid-market, and opportunities for vendors seeking to participate in this market. Then, Kirkpatrick will close the show with the Rant or Rave segment.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber share their Mainframe perspectives, along with insights on the latest announcements from NetApp and SK Hynix. Key topics include: A look at the recent SHARE event in Orlando, Florida and what's new in the Mainframe space Broadcom's announcement around their Watchtower capability The latest announcements from NetApp, including their autonomous ransomware protection (ARP) feature and how AI and ML are driving attack detection capabilities SK Hynix's $1B memory investment Nutanix's announcement around D2iQ's Kubernetes Platform (DKP)

In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I'm joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top 5G semiconductor and device takeaways from our conversations and sessions at Mobile World Congress 2024. The major takeaways we had included Micron's UFS and memory portfolio innovations with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series showcasing new GenAI capabilities, Lenovo's Integrated Edge AI Solution for Telco collaborations with Telefonica and Orange, Lenovo's new ThinkPad and ThinkBook devices including transparent displays, new Mediatek Dimensity 9300 GenAI features, and Qualcomm's portfolio-wide breakthroughs across AI, 5G, and Wi-Fi. Our analytical review focused on: Micron Delivers UFS, Memory Advances: Spurs Samsung Galaxy 24 AI Innovation. Micron announced that it is delivering qualification samples of an enhanced version of its Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 4.0 mobile solution with breakthrough proprietary firmware features delivered in an ultra-compact UFS package at 9x13 millimeters (mm). Built on its 232-layer 3D NAND and offering up to 1 terabyte (TB) capacity, the UFS 4.0 solution provides advances in performance that can enable faster and more responsive experiences on flagship smartphones. Samsung is now incorporating Micron's low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory and UFS 4.0 mobile flash storage into select devices in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which is introducing AI to mobile users worldwide. The Galaxy S24 series is underpinned by Samsung's suite of generative AI tools, Galaxy AI, which helps amplify experiences from enabling barrier-free communication to maximizing creative freedom. We assess how Micron's LPDDR5X is a mobile-optimized memory distinguished by offering the advanced capabilities of the 1β (1-beta) process node, while Micron's UFS 4.0 offers the performance and power needed to store growing amounts of data in today's AI-driven smartphones. Lenovo Readies Telcos for Edge AI Renaissance. To support the massive amount of computing moving to the edge, the company is offering Lenovo Integrated Edge AI Solutions for Telco with Lenovo's ecosystem of partners. Highlights include new multi-cloud edge computing architecture with Telefonica tackles mission critical applications for smart cities, making it simple to leverage data throughout city streets in a wide array of AI use cases, including using video analytics and computer vision to identify smoke and fire, support public safety and improve emergency response times. We delve into how Telefonica leveraging its own Telco Cloud with the range of Lenovo ThinkEdge servers and Motorola's push-to-talk technology, and is demonstrating through a proof of concept the capabilities of multi-cloud at the edge, AI, and computer vision to alert public safety officials of danger. The new solution orchestrates the entire edge-to-cloud ecosystem, weaving infrastructure, connectivity, and applications together to support public safety and enhance emergency response with real-time AI. Plus, at MWC24, Lenovo unveiled and expanded the joint innovation partnership for telecom and cloud services to help Orange Group bring high performance and energy efficiency to telco clients worldwide. We appraise why the alliance can deliver telecom advancement, since Orange and Lenovo are also extending the partnership for three more years and launched a shared Sylva project validation center, addressing telco and edge use cases. The program will cover areas critical for evolving telecommunications infrastructure, including supporting operational efficiency, automation, and new open radio access. Lenovo Transparently Energizes ThinkBook and ThinkPad Portfolio. On the device side, Lenovo launched brand new ThinkPad and ThinkBook business laptops – unveiling AI features that enhance productivity and efficiency – with performance enhancements and multi-mode versatility. Additionally, Lenovo introduced a selection of accessories designed to boost mobile productivity, including the ThinkVision M14t Gen 2 portable display, a USB-C Slim Travel Dock for comprehensive docking on-the-go, and a redesigned ThinkPad Executive 16-inch Backpack that allows for easy carrying of a mobile office. Rounding out the new hardware announcements are new software solutions, including Lenovo Identity Advisor, a digital identity monitoring tool and Smart Connect, a software that unlocks multi-device synergies. Finally, we review Lenovo showcasing a futuristic proof of concept laptop – the ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept – which features the industry's first laptop with a 17.3-inch Micro-LED transparent display, providing a fully borderless and see-through display experience. Mediatek Density 9300 GenAI: New Capabilities. MediaTek is a global fabless semiconductor firm supporting more than two billion connected edge devices every year, who showcased a series of new Generat

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick speaks with Kathryn Murphy, Senior VP Product & Design at Twilio, who will discuss customer experience, and in particular, the importance of personalization. The two will also cover the state of artificial intelligence, and how it can best be leveraged not just for personalization, but for smoothing out the customer journey and, in some cases, the employee journey as well.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick discusses the benefits and challenges of using text-to-image tools powered by generative AI in an enterprise setting. He delves into the various tools that are available, the need for strong guardrails to protect against misuse, toxicity, and bias, and the challenge of making sure that models and guardrails reflect the real world. Kirkpatrick will also highlight a few notable news items from the enterprise application space, and, as always, will close the show with the Rant or Rave segment.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber review the news coming out of Mobile World Congress, Cohesity Gaia and trending from recent earnings releases. Key topics include: A review of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona covering teleco and broad technology trends such as 5G, edge computing, and private 5G networking. Industry leaders such as HPE and Lenovo and a shift towards open-source processes in the network core, with vendors providing server infrastructure and software stacks for edge and private network deployments. What is happening with private 5G networks in terms of security concerns and opportunities reflecting on the T-Mobile reporting and other offerings. Cohesity's new AI assistant, Gaia, and its potential to enhance data management and analysis capabilities within secondary data infrastructures. What we learn from the financial earnings releases from companies like HPE, NetApp, Dell, and Elastic and the growth of AI-optimized technology plus shifts towards consumption models.

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, about the evolution of workplace collaboration, focusing on the integration of multi-camera solutions in high-impact rooms to enhance communication and remote participation. Their discussion covers: The shift from 'hybrid work' to what is now considered 'modern work' and its encompassing definition that spans enterprises, education, and government institutions. The critical importance of audio and video quality in meetings, where 80% include a virtual participant, highlighting the need for technology that facilitates clear and engaging remote collaboration. The challenges and solutions for outfitting various high-impact spaces, factoring in room architecture, meeting types, and the strategic placement of technology to ensure inclusivity. Crestron's multi-camera solutions, such as Automate VX, which cater to a spectrum of meeting scenarios, from one-touch experiences to those requiring high-impact, dynamic presentations. As mentioned in this webcast, you can read more about the research behind this discussion and the Crestron multi-camera options in the Research Brief titled, "Revolutionizing Conference Spaces: Embracing Multi-Camera Solutions for High-Impact Spaces." You can hear more on this and other relevant hybrid work topics at Crestron's Modern Work Summit taking place March 19th, in Orlando, FL.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director, Keith Kirkpatrick, discusses how enterprise software can be leveraged to balance product demand against CX, using the current challenges in the airline space around carry-on baggage. He delves into the challenge of balancing a wide range of customer preferences and behaviors around a single product or service, and discusses how CX software and systems can be used to address these challenges while improving the CX for customers and maintaining revenue streams. He then closes the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment.

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, I am joined by Juniper Networks' CEO, Rami Rahim, for a conversation on the transformative power of AI-native networking and how Juniper is leading the charge in making every connection count. Our discussion covers: The current state of Juniper Networks amidst its evolution and the expansion into AI-native networking. Insights into Juniper's strategic direction, focusing on leveraging AI for networking and networking for AI. The impact of AI-native networking on customer experience and operational efficiency, with real-world success stories. A deep dive into Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform and its expected influence on the networking industry. The future of networking and AI's role in shaping it, according to Juniper's vision and recent innovations. Rami Rahim's personal journey with Juniper and his perspective on the AI revolution. An exclusive look into the upcoming merger with HPE and the potential it holds for Juniper Networks. Learn more about Juniper AI-Native Networking on the company's website.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens, and Krista Macomber discuss recent developments in the tech industry, including Palo Alto's earnings revision, IBM's security report, Lenovo's earnings, and Hammerspace's new Hyperscale NAS release. They delve into the implications of these developments for cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI. Key points discussed include: Palo Alto Networks lowers earnings expectations, causing a stir in tech and financial markets. Stock value increased due to cybersecurity focus. Shifting towards a platform approach may lead to short-term pricing sacrifices but is a wise long-term move. The X-Force Threat Intelligence Report by IBM reveals cybersecurity trends, with a focus on cybercriminals exploiting user identity. Attacks on critical infrastructure are a concern, emphasizing the need to prioritize cybersecurity basics like patching and multifactor authentication. The report suggests that attacks on AI yield limited returns, indicating that AI in security is growing but not yet a primary target for cybercriminals. Lenovo reported a record PC market share and year-on-year growth, with 42% of revenue from non-PC sources. They have a strong presence in the cloud, collaborate with Digital Realty for AI in data centers, and released Hammerspace's Hyperscale NAS which addresses high-performance data storage in AI environments.

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Joel Murray, Logitech's expert on advanced video conferencing solutions. They delve into the intricacies of Logitech's Rally portfolio, exploring how it addresses the pressing challenges IT departments face in managing complex conference room environments and maintaining high uptime. Their discussion covers: Taking a strategic approach to achieving scalability and affordability in video conferencing solutions. The importance of user experience in technology adoption and the intelligent software solutions provided by Logitech. Logitech's commitment to sustainability and the impact on total cost of ownership. The integration of Logitech Sync and Select Services to streamline IT management and enhance user support.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick will provide a preview of his Market Insight Report around field service applications, the mobile and frontline-service based applications used to further drive efficiency and better CX through both B2B and B2C customer interactions. Kirkpatrick will then close out the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment, where he picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Krista Macomber, alongside her co-hosts Camberley Bates and Steve Dickens review Broadcom's Analyst Event with the CEO of Broadcom Hock Tan and the VMware executive team. The crew reviewed the implications for Broadcom's strategy and their expected R&D investments. Camberley discussed the latest in Dell's Partner Program for fiscal year 2025 and where their APEX services are headed with the partners. Plus the Teradata progress with Vantage and implications of their earnings report. Key points discussed include: Coverage on Broadcom's hosted a virtual analyst meeting keynoted by Hock Tan, emphasizing strategic focus and investments VMware's partnership with Google on subscription licensing and portability aims to simplify and enhance offerings Dell's partner programs and changes in business models for partners, particularly in the context of Dell's APEX partner program adjustments The importance of customer adoption, technology execution, and embracing AI in companies' strategies, specifically focusing on Teradata's transition to Vantage and the integration of AI into their analytics offerings Teradata's pivot to the cloud with Vantage, boasting a 48% increase in cloud annual recurring revenue

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Alliance Developments Including Dell Nokia P5G Use Case Focus, Intel Enlisting P5G Partners, and Vonage AWS Network API Push In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, we look at the major 5G ecosystem moves and what's going on that caught my eye in the lead up to Mobile World Congress 2024. Key alliance developments include Dell and Nokia teaming up to advance private 5G network use cases and network cloud transformation, Intel enlisting an array of major partners, such as Cisco, NTT Data, AWS, Ericsson, and , to accelerated private 5G network adoption by businesses, and Ericsson's Vonage and AWS bringing together Vonage's platform - based on communications Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and network APIs - Ericsson's 5G network capabilities and AWS services to catalyze the availability of new solutions to millions of AWS developers through AWS Marketplace. My analytical review highlighted: Dell and Nokia Commit to Advancing Network Cloud Transformation and P5G Use Cases. Dell Technologies and Nokia announced the extension of a strategic partnership to use each company's expertise and solutions, including infrastructure solutions from Dell and private wireless connectivity from Nokia, to advance open network architectures in the telecom ecosystem and private 5G use cases among businesses. As part of the agreement, Nokia will adopt Dell as its preferred infrastructure partner for existing Nokia AirFrame customers, offering Dell's technology as the infrastructure of choice for telecom cloud deployments. I delve into why the extend alliance is a sales and marketing boost for both companies as Dell gains valuable mind share and presence during the early stages of private 5G adoption and Nokia taps into Dell's extensive hybrid cloud channels as Nokia Digital Automation Cloud private wireless solution becomes Dell's preferred private wireless platform for enterprise customers' edge use cases. Intel Ready to Power Private 5G with Partners. Intel is teaming with partners to further enable and grow the private network market. Intel-powered private 5G solutions are deployed globally with major partners such as Cisco, NTT Data, AWS, Ericsson, and Nokia. Key partnerships include Cisco and NTT Data collaborating to transform RAI Amsterdam into the first smart venue in Europe, Aramco Digital, part of the world's largest energy company Aramco, in collaboration with Intel, is developing private 5G for the industrial sector, powered by Intel-based open RAN technology, and the addition of Amdocs as a system integrator for the Integrated Private Wireless (IPW) on AWS program. Through the program, AWS customers can access Amdocs Mobile Private Network (MPN) services, and the infrastructure, built on AWS Outposts servers, which is powered by Intel Xeon processors. I examine why Private 5G networks are in high demand in 2024 and how Intel and partners are well-positioned as enterprises look for scalable compute solutions to power the next wave of AI applications running at the edge that drive their digital transformation missions and improvement of business outcomes. Ericsson and AWS Ready to Unleash Communications and Network APIs. The collaboration between Ericsson-owned Vonage and Amazon Web Services (AWS) will bring together Vonage's platform - based on communications APIs and network APIs - Ericsson's 5G network capabilities and AWS services. The collaboration aims to accelerate the availability of new solutions to millions of AWS developers through AWS Marketplace. I assess why network APIs are essential for exposing new capabilities from within the 5G network that have never been available before, allowing existing applications to be enhanced with network information and enabling the development of a new class of applications. The alliance also aligns with the recently released Ericsson Mobility Report Business Review 2024 that cites programmable networks (network APIs) as integral to driving innovation and ecosystem growth by offering access to new value opportunities, allowing application developers to innovate on a large scale.

On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging generative AI trend – the launch of Google Gemini Advanced, Google's counter to Microsoft Copilot. First Microsoft's Copilot, now Google Gemini Advanced. In the span of just a few months, sophisticated generative AI assistants have been made available to the mass market, and there are more to come. In the big picture, there are different drivers for each of the tech giants.

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Developments Including On-Device AI Progress, Voice and Gesture Innovations, and Foldable Screens Unfolding Across the Ecosystem In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I'm joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Olivier Blanchard, for a look at the top unfolding 5G innovations that caught our eye in the lead up to Mobile World Congress 2024. Key unfolding innovations that we addressed included why 2024 is poised as the year that on-device AI will begin to reset expectations for everyday tech products' features, capabilities, and user experience (UX), voice and gesture recognition innovations redefining the AR and smart glasses categories, and foldable screens ready to proliferate across the entire device space. Our analytical review focused on: On-Device AI Ready for 2024 Breakout. 2024 is poised as the year that on-device AI will begin to reset expectations for everyday tech products' features, capabilities, and UX. Powerful AI features are making their way to premium handsets, and that trend will continue to dominate the smartphone competitive landscape in 2024. The premium handset segment will push the boundaries of what is possible in pocket-sized form factors. We see that Qualcomm is especially well-positioned to lead the way with its next iteration of the Snapdragon 8 series SOC, presumably the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, in the Android space. And while Apple has been slower to bring advanced AI features to its iPhone product, 2024 will likely mark the beginning of a more concerted effort to do so. We delve into why we fully expect that semiconductor vendors and their OEM partners to scale on-device generative AI capabilities to as many use cases and form factors as they can. Voice and Gesture Recognition Set to Redefine AR and Smart Glasses. 2024 is also gearing up to be the year that voice and gesture recognition redefine extended reality (XR) and smart glasses UI. Voice recognition and voice-activated commands have been an indispensable UI layer for smart speakers, smart TVs, mobile devices, smart watches, and hands-free automotive solutions over the course of the past few years, but the successful integration of voice-activated commands to smart glasses in 2023 signaled a paradigm shift in how platform vendors and XR OEMs can approach the challenge of developing instinctive, natural, organic UIs into their breadth of XR solutions. We examine why combining voice recognition, eye tracking, and gesture recognition to XR headsets and glasses will also make every segment in the category a lot simpler for OEMs to design products for by using fewer moving parts and can mean fewer points of failure, more streamlined form factors, as well as more elegant, intuitive, usable UX and operating systems. Foldable Screens Set to Proliferate Across Device Realm. Watching foldable touchscreen technology struggle to achieve any kind of enduring scale in the device market has been a bit of a head-scratcher these past few years, but 2023 turned out to be a bit of an inflection point for the technology. Now we see that foldable screens are proliferating across device categories and becoming a competitive must-have for device OEMs, it feels like the technology has matured beyond the early adopter consumer segment. We explore how the adoption of the technology by some of the world's largest device OEMs has helped shift those perceptions and that competition is heating up in 2024 between Motorola, Samsung, Google, Oppo, and OnePlus in the mobile handset segment, although no Apple foldable yet, while HP, Lenovo, and Asus have begun bringing the technology to the PC market.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick provides a recap of key takeaways from Zoho Day 2024, the SaaS company's annual analyst meeting. He then closes out the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates and Krista Macomber discuss Cohesity, Veritas and more on changes in the cybersecurity market. Their discussion covers: Cohesity's planned acquisition of Veritas NetBackup, NetBackup appliances and Alta Software-as-a-Service Top of Form Updates on Cybersecurity Policy, including insights from Krista's participation in a MarketScale Experts Talk Cisco's and Hitachi's relationship Infleqtion's quantum computing

With a little imagination, the possibilities for monetizing data are endless. In this episode of The Main Scoop™, hosts Greg Lotko and Daniel Newman are joined by Doug Laney, fellow at West Monroe and author of the best-selling books Infonomics and Data Juice, to explore unique strategies for - and real examples of - collateralizing data assets. It was a great conversation and one you don't want to miss. Like what you've heard? Check out all our past episodes here, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Main Scoop™ series.

On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging generative AI trend – AI Observability and Policy Management. Organizations want to develop in-house generative AI capabilities making centralized generative AI command and control products very desirable. Cisco Outshift drops a comprehensive, product-agnostic solution in Motific. What will the impact of Motific and other similar products for AI observability and policy management be?

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, host Steven Dickens, alongside esteemed guests Stephen Foskett and Keith Townsend and co-host Camberley Bates, navigates the evolving landscape of IT infrastructure, focusing on innovation and challenges in the field. Recorded during Cloud Field Day, this dialogue sheds light on emerging technologies and the dynamics of industry collaboration. The conversation delves into the specifics of three companies - SoftIron, NeuroBlade, and Platform9 - highlighting their unique contributions to the IT infrastructure domain. Key points discussed include: SoftIron's innovative approach to hyper-converged infrastructure, emphasizing its scalability and security. The company's dedication to rethinking infrastructure from the silicon level up to the software stack, aiming for a comprehensive re-engineering for specific market needs. NeuroBlade's development of a SQL processing unit designed to significantly accelerate SQL queries. This technology promises to address the challenges of data processing speed and efficiency, potentially transforming data analytics and database management. Platform9's managed Kubernetes service and its attempt to enhance resource utilization in cloud environments. The focus is on their efforts to tackle the perennial problem of resource over-provisioning and inefficient use, aiming for a more cost-effective and efficient deployment model. Insights into the purpose and impact of Tech Field Day as a platform for dialogue between vendors and influential IT professionals. The event serves as a critical venue for sharing advancements and discussing the practical implications of new technologies in the field. This episode not only explores the technical intricacies of these companies but also reflects on the broader implications of their technologies on the IT infrastructure sector. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Infrastructure Matters offers a deep dive into the future of technology infrastructure, emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and security.

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast – Interview Series, host Daniel Newman welcomes Doug Merritt, Chairman, CEO and President at Aviatrix for a conversation on secure cloud networking, what the market for it is looking like, and the impacts of AI. Their discussion covers: An overview of the convergence of cloud networking Overall market growth for cloud networking What role AI is playing in cloud networking The importance of security in cloud networking

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick explores the recent developments in the enterprise application space, focusing on recent earnings announcements, and their impact on the market. He'll also delve into the issue of enterprise application usability, and then close out the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

On this special episode, host Daniel Newman speaks with cybersecurity expert, awarded thought leader, and newest member of The Futurum Group team, Shira Rubinoff. They discuss The Futurum Group's newly launched cyber practice, Cybersphere, which will integrate Shira's multi-million dollar assets including podcasts, speakerships, advisory and literature. They also cover: The current state of the cybersecurity industry and why cybersecurity is more important now than ever before What customers can expect from Cybersphere including market intelligence, advisory, lab testing, and more Events that are on the horizon for Shira and The Futurum Group team. If you'd like to learn more about Cybersphere or Shira Rubinoff, please check out our press release announcement. Be sure to subscribe to The Futurum Tech Webcast, so you never miss an episode.

On this episode of the Futurum Tech Webcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Nakul Duggal, Group General Manager, Automotive, Industrial and Cloud for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. They discuss Qualcomm's automotive announcements that were made at CES 2024. Their discussion also covers: An overview of Qualcomm's automotive business at CES The technology drivers that are creating momentum for Qualcomm's growth in the automotive sector How GenAI is finding its way into the digital cockpit

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Developments Including GSMA IBM Telco AI Collaboration, Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform, and Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency. In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the 5G ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top 5G innovations and what's going on that caught my eye in the lead up to MWC24. Key AI and GenAI developments that stand out include the GSMA and IBM collaborating to advance AI skills and adoption using IBM's watsonx platform and training programs, Juniper launches its AI-Native Networking Platform built to optimize AI in assuring comprehensive, enhanced operator and end-user experiences, and Nokia's AVA Energy Efficiency solution targeted at ensuring operators fulfill their strategic sustainability goals. My analytical review spotlighted: GSMA and IBM Pair Up to Boost Telco AI Skills. The GSMA and IBM unveiled a new collaboration to support the adoption and skills of AI in the telecom industry through the launch of GSMA Advance's AI Training program and the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program. The AI training program, the first in a new series of courses by GSMA Advance, seeks to prepare telco decision makers for the AI-era and bridge skills gaps in the telecom industry, by equipping members with skills and knowledge to help leverage Gen AI technologies using watsonx, IBM's AI and data platform with AI assistants. The training program will span a wide range of topics, from fundamental AI principles to specialized Gen AI applications in telecoms. I examine how the GSMA Foundry Generative AI program, by providing GSMA members with access to IBM's watsonx platform, can aid telecom decision makers in diligently exploring industry-specific use cases of Generative AI, including those serving the world's least connected communities, as well as ensuring that risk management is foundational and critical to operationalizing AI. Juniper Unveils AI-Native Networking Platform. Juniper announced its AI-Native Networking Platform, purpose-built to leverage AI to deliver end-to-end operator and end-user experiences. Juniper promotes that it is trained on seven years of insights and data science development. Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform is designed to unify all campus, branch and data center networking solutions with a common AI engine and Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (or VNA). This can enable end-to-end AI for IT Operations (or AIOps) to be used for deep insight, automated troubleshooting and end-to-end networking assurance. I assess why the new Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform can elevate telco AI strategic objectives by enabling IT teams to transition from maintaining basic network connectivity to delivering secure end-to-end experiences for customers and partners that boost business outcomes. Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency Uses AI/ML to Advance Telco Sustainability. Nokia's Telco AI initiative's aimed at supporting the fulfillment of telco sustainability objectives through its Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency AI solution designed to help operators reduce CO2 emissions and network energy costs. Operators want to meet environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) goals by optimizing their 5G networks. I expect that operators and their supply chain and value chain partners can commit to proactively addressing the sustainability challenge our society faces. Nokia is collaborating with key partners such as China Mobile in using the TM Forum's Autonomous Networks technology and AI/ML intelligence as well as the Green 5G project to help define a unified energy efficiency standard and delivery methodology. I assess why China Mobile selection of Nokia AVA Energy Efficiency to help reduce energy consumption and control costs without compromising the customer experience is an exemplar on how AI/ML can be enlisted to help mobile operators to fulfill their long-term sustainability goals.

On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss a generative AI case study– Amazon Pharmacy. Gen AI has overrun the planet in concept, but the fact is the practical use of generative AI is nascent. Amazon's Pharmacy case study is an important one that reveals lessons enterprises should learn and a blueprint they should follow in their journeys to unlocking the value of generative AI.

On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Mark Ewing, Product Management Director at Google Workspace, focusing on the innovative strides Google is making with Duet AI and Meet Hardware to revolutionize video conferencing and collaboration solutions. Their discussion covers: The transformative impact of Duet AI on meeting experiences, streamlining note-taking, and breaking down language barriers. The integration of AI in conference rooms through Meet Hardware, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness regardless of the meeting location. The introduction of dynamic layouts and tiles in Google Meet, creating visually appealing and contextually aware meeting views. Expansion strategies of Google Workspace, highlighting new partnerships and product introductions, like Google Meet on Logitech Android appliances and collaborations with whiteboard providers.

On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Brit Frandsen, Director Portfolio Management at EPOS, about the transformative impact of high-quality audio solutions in modern hybrid work environments. They delve into EPOS's latest BrainAdapt technology and introduce the recently announced IMPACT 700 and 800 series headsets designed to enhance cognitive function and workplace productivity. Their discussion covers: The critical role of advanced audio solutions in the evolving open and hybrid office spaces. How poor audio quality affects productivity and the cognitive load of professionals. EPOS's BrainAdapt technology and its benefits validated by the Centre for Applied Audiology Research. The launch of EPOS's IMPACT 700 and 800 series headsets and their contribution to workplace efficiency and compatibility with various platforms.

On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Olly Henderson, Head of Portfolio and Commercialization at Jabra, about the launch of Jabra+ for next-generation meeting room and video device management, trends in hybrid working, and the introduction of AI-powered features in Jabra's PanaCast video solutions to enhance productivity and collaboration in the workplace. Their discussion covers: The unveiling of Jabra+, a unified platform that simplifies the management of Jabra's PanaCast video solutions and caters to the needs of IT administrators by providing a secure, intuitive, and comprehensive device management experience. Insights into the evolving landscape of hybrid working, highlighting the increased reliance on video conferencing and the challenges it presents for IT managers, as well as the growing demand for technologies that facilitate productive and inclusive meetings. The introduction of new AI-driven features in Jabra's PanaCast 50, including Intelligent Meeting Space and Microsoft Intelligent Speaker, designed to enhance meeting efficiency and ensure a focused and distraction-free environment. The immediate availability of these innovative features and their live demonstration at Jabra's booth at ISE, emphasizing their potential to improve collaboration and productivity in the hybrid workplace significantly.

On this episode of Futurum Live! From ISE 2024, The Futurum Group's Craig Durr talks with Jose Rivas, Vice President of Global Sales at Shure Incorporated, about Shure's commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions in the AV industry. They discuss Shure's new Global Sales Structure, groundbreaking product launches including the MXW neXt 2 and MXA901, and the company's forward-thinking approach towards integrating AI into their product line to meet the evolving needs of the market. Their discussion covers: The transformative impact of Shure's new Global Sales Structure in enhancing customer connectivity. Introduction and features of Shure's latest product launches, including the MXW neXt 2 and MXA901, and a sneak peek into Shure Cloud. The significance of Shure's partnership with the Q-SYS Technology Partner Program and how it aligns with their vision for the future. Shure's strategic incorporation of AI in product development to set new standards in ease of use, installation, and software advancement in the AV industry.

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, Futurum Group Enterprise Applications Research Director Keith Kirkpatrick explores Cisco's 2024 Data Privacy Survey, and focuses on the divergent perspectives on data privacy between organizational privacy respondents and consumers. He specifically focuses on the elements that engender trust around consumer data, the steps taken by organizations regarding their use of AI, areas of concern around generative AI, and the controls that are being put into place around generative AI. Finally, he will close out the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

On this episode of the Experience Unveiled I am joined by Beekeeper CEO Cristian Grossmann to discuss how to best support frontline workers as well as some new frontline-focused research recently published by Beekeeper. Our discussion covers: An overview of Beekeeper and how it fits into the employee experience technology ecosystem The idea of disconnection with frontline workers and the ramifications this can have. We also chat about the perception disconnect between workers and managers What is causing stress for frontline workers and their managers The solutions and strategies that companies should be looking at to help support a better frontline employee experience Data as a driver to understanding a frontline workforce and prioritizing action Research findings from the Frontline Pulse Report 2024

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Camberley Bates, Steven Dickens and Krista Macomber are joined by Paul Nashawaty, Practice Leader, to discuss cybersecurity research, IBM earnings and the recent acquisition of VMware by Broadcom. The conversation covers: Recent research fielded by The Futurum Group, in collaboration with Commvault, showed increasing collaboration between IT and Security teams, as well as the growing issue of data and data protection fragmentation IBM financial earnings VMware's acquisition by Broadcom

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Innovation Developments Including DTaaS' Growing Readiness, Multi-G Progress, and Wind River's Role in NTT DOCOMO vRAN Launch. In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I look at the top 5G innovations and what's going on that caught my eye in the lead up to MWC24. Key innovation developments include DTaaS making strides in China that indicate readiness for 5G deployments on a global scale, the Multi-G initiative's major industry support from key 5G value chain players such as Cohere, Intel, Juniper, VMware, and Mavenir, including top-tier operators Vodafone, Bell, and Telstra, and Wind River's pivotal role in the launch of NTT DOCOMO's first vRAN commercial service. My analytical review spotlighted: DTaaS Ready for 5G Prime Time. Digital Twins as a service (or DTaaS) is emerging as a technology that can drive ecosystem-wide 5G innovation, since it can eliminate the need for users to deploy a local digital twin network system, thereby reducing system overhead and maintenance costs in 5G-related R&D. DTaaS built-in benefits include usability, sharing, flexibility, stability, security, and cost-effectiveness that can accelerate wireless network technologies and application innovation such as greater network self-intelligence, service quality improvement, and energy efficiency enhancements. In a Q4 2023 white paper, ZTE proposed a double closed-loop DTaaS architecture, including physical networks, digital twin networks and use cases. Double closed-loop refers to the twin closed-loop and the virtual reality closed-loop during the operation of the network. I examine why DTaaS can power 5G innovation in 2024 as it has already found its application in several regions of China, including port and high-speed railway use cases that use the technology to enhance network planning efficiency and cost optimization. Cohere, Intel, Juniper, VMware, and Mavenir Fire up Multi-G Initiative. In Q2 2023, Cohere Technologies, Intel, Juniper Networks, Mavenir and VMware embarked on a collaboration to develop the industry's first framework for a multi-generational (Multi-G), software-based Open RAN architecture. The Multi-G initiative would define frameworks, interfaces, interoperability testing, and evaluation criteria that would provide the interfaces to support full coexistence of 4G, 5G, and future waveforms. Intel's FlexRAN platform is used by most current vRAN deployments; Mavenir has a strong presence in providing open RAN equipment and software; and Juniper Networks and VMware are both contributing their work with RIC development. Cohere's contribution is through its Universal Spectrum Multiplier software that can be integrated by RAN vendors or as an app into a telco cloud platform. I review why I see the initiative can ensure network programmable all the way from layer one to the highest layers of the mobile architecture. Plus, why it's a positive indicator that major operators such as Vodafone, Bell, and Telstra are already on-board to help advance performance and capacity benefits for all existing cellular networks as well as assisting the publication of the critical E2 interfaces into the relevant O-RAN Alliance and TIP Working Groups. Wind River Studio Cloud Platform. Wind River delivers software for mission-critical intelligent systems, including Wind River Studio which is being used by NTT DOCOMO for its 5G virtualized network, which started commercial deployment in Japan during Q3 2023. For the launch of NTT DOCOMO's first vRAN commercial service, Wind River Studio Cloud Platform was integrated with Fujitsu's vCU and vDU along with the latest NVIDIA-converged accelerator. I assess how Studio Cloud Platform provides a fully cloud-native, Kubernetes- and container-based architecture, based on open-source software, for the development, deployment, operations, and servicing of NTT DOCOMO's distributed edge networks at scale.

On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss two emerging Gen AI trends: Microsoft Copilot's AI revenue potential and LLM research. We also celebrate our latest Adults In the Generative AI Rumpus Room. The discussion covers: With the most used enterprise software and operating system in the world, Microsoft placed a significant bet on AI with the introduction of Copilot to enterprise users in September 2023. Now Microsoft has unleashed Copilot, making it available to nearly every 365 user. What will the impact be? Is Microsoft poised to generate material revenues from AI in 2024? LLMs are evolving at lightning speed, in part due to a copious amount of academic research and what it means for the market. More Adults in the Generative AI Rumpus Room: Non-profit Fairly Trained, Google Research.

In this episode of Infrastructure Matters, hosts Krista Macomber, Steven Dickens and Camberley Bates cover the latest from the NRF 2024 in NYC, perspectives from the MountainWest CyberSecurity Taskforce plus announcements from Hitachi Vantara, Hammerspace and Seagate. Their conversation covers: The trends from the last 9 months in CyberSecurity, how the bad actors are approaching multifactor authentication and new phishing attacks Insights from the Mountain West Cybersecurity Task Force A review of the National Retail Federation's Big Show and highlighting the use of AI and technology in the retail sector, including edge computing and AI-powered image sensing for inventory management Management changes at Hitachi, including Octavian Tanase joining as the Chief Product Officer and the company's focus on data management and AI technology Announcements from Seagate's HAMR HDD technology and tape integration by Hammerspace for long-term data management and archiving

In this episode of Enterprising Insights, The Futurum Group's Enterprise Applications Research Director, Keith Kirkpatrick, provides a wrap of the National Retail Federation's 2024 Retail Big Show. Kirkpatrick discusses the key trends, notable vendors and announcements, and the key challenges ahead for both retailers and vendors in 2024. Finally, he will close out the show with the "Rant or Rave" segment, where Kirkpatrick picks one item in the market, and champions or criticizes it.

An Assessment of Key 5G-IoT Ecosystem Developments Including 5G Sustainability Market Shapers, Top Sustainability Suppliers, and Vodafone Microsoft GenAI Alliance In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, I'm joined by my colleague and fellow analyst, Todd R Weiss, for a look at the top 5G developments and what's going on that caught our eye including a review of the top market shapers in the 5G sustainability realm, why we see Ciena, Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper, and Nokia offer the mobile network portfolios that fulfill the topmost 5G sustainability objectives, and how the new Vodafone Microsoft alliance focused on generative AI, cloud, and digital services can improve Vodafone's customer experience and sustainability profile. Our conversation focused on: 5G Sustainability Market Shapers. 5G network equipment providers (NEPs) are prioritizing the fulfillment of their organization-wide sustainability goals. NEPs are making tangible, measurable progress, including attaining science-based targets (SBTs) and developing ways to reduce waste and responsibly managing the lifecycle of their products. We assess how mobile ecosystem suppliers are embedding energy efficiency advances in product design and portfolio development across silicon, software, and systems from inception and throughout the entire lifecycle management in full alignment with energy orchestration and green operations. Ring of Honor: Top 5G Sustainability NEPs. We identified and reviewed what we believe are the top five network equipment provider 5G sustainability portfolios across the mobile ecosystem today, noting why the players are selected based on our analytical perspective, their ability meeting the top sustainability strategy goals and capabilities, as well as their ecosystem-wide influence in powering ecosystem cooperation and support. The top players who made our Ring of Honor include Ciena, Cisco, Ericsson, Juniper, and Nokia. Vodafone and Microsoft - New Ten-Year Alliance Spotlights GenAI: Vodafone and Microsoft formed a ten-year strategic alliance with the topmost objectives of transforming Vodafone's customer experience using Microsoft's generative AI acumen, hyperscale Vodafone's managed IoT connectivity platform, develop new digital and financial services for businesses - especially small/medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe and Africa - and overhaul Vodafone's global data center cloud strategy. Vodafone will invest $1.5 billion over the next 10 years in cloud and customer-focused AI services developed in concurrence with Microsoft. We examine why the new Vodafone and Microsoft alliance can broaden their channel influence across the digital ecosystems of Europe and Africa, especially across the opportunity-rich SME realm by using generative AI and hybrid cloud flexibility to uplift the customer experience and improve energy efficiency and sustainability performance across mobile networks, especially within data center environments. Now the partnership can demonstrate the full ecosystem benefits that are emerging from tighter collaboration between telcos and hyperscalers. Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article. Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.

On this episode of The AI Moment, we discuss an emerging Gen AI trend: Lawsuits and Probes, How OpenAI & Microsoft Are Impacting the Trajectory of AI The discussion covers: OpenAI and Microsoft seem to be at the center of discussions about AI monopolies and copyright fights. Last week the EU said they are considering opening an investigation into whether OpenAI and Microsoft's partnership agreement is a potential monopoly. Separately, The New York Times sued the pair claiming copyright infringement when ChatGPT was trained on NYT content. I'll discuss why I think the EU investigation will go nowhere and conversely, why the NYT suit is critical to better LLM outcomes.

On this episode of the Tech and Trends Podcast, host Daniel Newman welcomes Alexandre Audoin, EVP, Head of Automotive from Capgemini at CES 2024 for a conversation on the tech trends in the automotive industry, focusing on autonomous driving and new customer experiences (CX). Their discussion covers: A brief introduction from Alexandre Audoin, his thoughts on the automotive industry, and a few tech trends he noticed at CES An overview of autonomous driving and where does AI come into play What automotive OEMs are focusing on to provide a better customer experience As vehicles become more high tech, what are other important considerations such as affordability, sustainability, and regulations

On this episode of The View from Davos, The Futurum Group's Daniel Newman is joined by IBM's Chairman and CEO, Arvind Krisha, for a conversation on how the topic of ethical AI is being discussed at Davos, the role of the government with AI, and the future of automation. What IBM is focused on and discussing at the World Economic Forum The role of government in the ethical deployment of AI and IBM's approach to governance in their solutions How AI can be leveraged towards increased sustainability What opportunities AI brings to the future of automation