Thursday, February 29, 2024

Monster vendor deals!

Feb 2024 Cohesity acquires Veritas! (Veritas sold again) - Cohesity adds itself to the list of major vendor acquisitions with its takeover of Veritas.

SoftBank-backed Cohesity to buy Veritas data security unit, create $7 billion firm

Cohesity's takeover of the Veritas unit values the business at over $3 billion including debt, one of the sources said, requesting anonymity.

Veritas is majority-owned by private equity firm Carlyle Group (CG.O), opens new tab, which acquired the company from Symantec in 2016. Carlyle has rolled over its stake in the unit and will join the board of the newly merged company. Veritas CEO Greg Hughes will also join the board.

The latter portion of 2023 saw two paramount deals with Broadcom's $61bn buy of VMware and Cisco's $28bn acquisition of observability platform developer Splunk.

Who's next?

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Multi-Cloud Readiness

As solution providers and organizations are exploring multi-cloud, they must ensure their Solution Architects and IT staff have the skills to manage multiple cloud platforms and ensure operational continuity. In this environment, it behooves cloud architects to maintain expertise across at least two of the big three platforms to ensure they have the requisite proficiency.

Some of the more relevant areas of expertise include:

Saturday, May 30, 2020

I've upgraded to 'Bionic Beaver' Ubuntu 18.04!

I'm always pleasantly surprised (pleased?) by how easy Ubuntu upgrades have gone for me! (Knock on my wood table!)

Open Source is Awesome!

Ubuntu 18.04 'Bionic Beaver' ReleaseNotes @ https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BionicBeaver/ReleaseNotes

You can find out more about Ubuntu on their website, IRC channel and wiki. If you're new to Ubuntu, please visit: http://www.ubuntu.com/

To sign up for future Ubuntu announcements, please subscribe to Ubuntu's very low volume announcement list @ http://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-announce

A few of the products I'm working with in my home lab and cloud environments:
The best open source software 2020: free, open software for home or business - https://www.techradar.com/best/best-open-source-software


Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Software Asset Management - Are YOU ready?

Software Asset Management is a valuable business PROGRAM when developed and implemented correctly.

Aspera recently posted this great "Guide" to Software Asset Management (SAM).  Every IT professional should read and incorporate SAM into their bag of skills.  The more you know about SAM the better you can help guide your company through the years to come.  Software, Cloud, and Hardware ALL require tracking and management.  The more aware you are of how to incorporate SAM into your business the more efficient your company will operate, the more up to date your IT assets will be, and the more accurate your budgeting process will be!  More is good!

What is Software Asset Management & How to Get Started:


Table of contents


Friday, September 27, 2019

Get Started Programming on Azure!


Check out this post over on ZDnet! Great resources to help get you started.

Microsoft: We want you to learn Python programming language for free
Microsoft's new free video course helps aspiring programmers learn Python... and then build AI apps on Azure.
By Liam Tung | September 20, 2019 -- 11:12 GMT (04:12 PDT) | Topic: Enterprise Software

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-we-want-you-to-learn-python-programming-language-for-free/

There are tons of reasons why Microsoft wants more people to know Python, which is hugely popular because it's easy to learn. It also has plenty of libraries, allowing developers to interface with machine-learning frameworks like Google-developed TensorFlow, and the Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK).

Check it out and Get Started Programming!

Additional Links and Resources:

Get started with a Raspberry Pi
https://www.zdnet.com/article/raspberry-pi-gets-mits-scratch-3-programming-language-for-raspbian/

Python for Beginners: Microsoft has launched a new 44-part series called Python for Beginners on YouTube, consisting of three- to four-minute lessons from two self-described geeks at Microsoft who love programming and teaching.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlrxD0HtieHhS8VzuMCfQD4uJ9yne1mE6

Microsoft has published a page on GitHub containing additional resources, including slides and code samples to help students become better at Python.     
https://github.com/microsoft/c9-python-getting-started

The Python for Beginners series is presented by Christopher Harrison, a senior program manager at Microsoft, and Susan Ibach, a business development manager from Microsoft's AI Gaming unit.

The MIT-developed Scratch visual programming language aimed at kids. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_(programming_language)

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share - MIT
scratch.mit.edu

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Flexera Acquires Top Multi-Cloud Management Provider, RightScale!!

TOP of TODAYS NEWS! 

Flexera Acquires Top Multi-Cloud Management Provider, RightScale; Strengthens Total IT Asset Optimization Suite

Combined offering brings leading spend optimization for software, hardware, SaaS, PaaS and IaaS under Flexera roof

Itasca, IL - Sep 26, 2018 - Flexera announced today it has acquired RightScale, the recognized industry leader in multi-cloud management and cost optimization.  This gives Flexera the top technology asset management offering across software, hardware, SaaS and cloud services.  By adding RightScale’s proven products to its portfolio, Flexera takes a big leap forward in helping solve the critical problem of cloud services overspend and control.

Details @ https://www.flexera.com/company/news/press-releases/Flexera-Acquires-Top-Multi-Cloud-Management-Provider-RightScale.html

Sunday, July 15, 2018

The State of Public Cloud and Multi-Cloud Statistics to Note

Great article to study about Public Cloud Growth!

The state of public cloud: 10 notable statistics - These stats paint a picture of how organizations are using public cloud in transformative ways – and what's coming next.

Dig into 10 notable numbers and then some @
https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2018/7/state-public-cloud-10-notable-statistics


New Study: 86% of Enterprises Have Adopted a Multi-Cloud Strategy
“Multi-cloud is a clear reality of the next era in cloud computing. Whether it is employed to balance risk or to leverage the advantages and use cases of various cloud platforms - enterprises are increasingly moving their workloads to multiple cloud providers,” said Deepak Patil, senior vice president, Product, and Technology, Virtustream.


By Author: Koen Stegeman -July 17, 2018

https://hostingjournalist.com/cloud-hosting/new-study-86-of-enterprises-have-adopted-a-multi-cloud-strategy/

A vast majority (86 percent) of enterprise cloud technology decision makers describe their current cloud strategy as multi-cloud, according to a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Virtustream, with performance and innovation rising above cost savings as the top measures of success. In addition, the study finds that 60 percent of enterprises are now moving or have already moved mission-critical applications to the public cloud.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Are you ready for Microsoft Inspire 2018?

It's going to be a BIG event this year!

The economy is on fire! DOW @ 24,925 NASDAQ @ 7,823 S&P @ 2,795
The Cloud is on fire! 2018 to total $186.4 billion
Microsoft is on fire! MSFT over 104 today!

Microsoft disclosed that co-selling efforts with partners generated $5 billion in partner sales to date, while the company has supplied partners with more than 1 million customer leads since Inspire last year.

That's some amazing news!!

Here is just a snip of what's coming next week!  Take a look over on CRN for added details and stay tuned as I dig into these announcements next week while attending Microsoft Inspire 2018.

10 Major Microsoft Announcements At Inspire 2018

1. Microsoft disclosed that co-selling efforts with partners have generated $5 billion in partner sales to date, while the company has supplied partners with more than 1 million customer leads since Inspire last year.

2. Microsoft is going to grow opportunities for partners by relying heavily on its marketplaces and making AppSource the "front door" for partners selling with the company...

3. Microsoft is expanding private offers in the Azure marketplace. With private offers, partners can confidentially share solutions with their customers that meet their unique buying needs...

4. Microsoft is now providing free access for partners to the Dynamics learning environment -- which offers a large collection of self-service technical and sales resources and Microsoft is announcing that fiscal 2019 incentives will allow partners to earn between 10 percent and 50 percent more on new customer acquisition for business apps. Microsoft also is doubling its incentive package for cloud usage and adoption of business app seats, which the company says will allow it to remain at or above competitor rates. In addition, Microsoft is bringing field co-selling incentives -- which were announced last year for Azure -- to Dynamics. Through the incentives, Microsoft salespeople will receive a 2X multiplier in terms of quota retirement when they co-sell with an ISV partner.

5. Advanced specializations being introduced by Microsoft in Modern Workplace (including services such as threat protection, information protection, GDPR, eDiscovery and identity and access management); Biz Apps (services including Dynamics 365 for Sales, Dynamics 365 for Customer Service and Dynamics 365 for Field Service); Apps and Infrastructure (services including SAP on Azure, Azure Stack, cloud migration, backup and disaster recovery, Linux on Azure, high-performance computing and networking); and Data and AI (services including machine learning, cognitive services, database migration, data warehouse, big data, database on Linux and IoT services).

6. Azure Expert Managed Service Provider program... Today, there are already more than 30 Azure Expert MSP partners...

7. New Apps And Technologies For Azure
 - Azure Data Box Disk
 - Azure Firewall, is a cloud-native network security service that protects Azure Virtual Network resources
 - Azure Virtual WAN

8. Microsoft 365 Updates
 - Launched in 2017, Microsoft 365 suite brings together Office 365, Windows 10, device management and security into a single comprehensive offering for businesses. At Inspire 2018, Microsoft is announcing that one application in the Office 365 suite, the Microsoft Teams collaboration app, is now available as a free version.
 - New Workplace Analytics feature that uses data from Office 365
 - Microsoft Teams users will also now be able to launch events on-demand, which will be viewable both in real-time and as recordings.

9. More Updates: Azure IoT, Power BI, Windows Server

10. New Partner Playbooks
 - adding a "Cloud Migration and Modernization" playbook along with a playbook entitled "Grow Your ISV Business with SaaS" in connection with Inspire 2018

Click on over to CRN for added details @
https://www.crn.com/slide-shows/cloud/300106411/10-major-microsoft-announcements-at-inspire-2018.htm

Friday, April 27, 2018

Microsoft Azure is RED HOT

Microsoft Rides the Cloud, Digital Transformation to Strong Quarter

Microsoft's Azure cloud unit was the fastest-growing business, with a 93% gain in revenues.

"Our results this quarter reflect the trust people and organizations are placing in the Microsoft Cloud,"Nadella said. "We are innovating across key growth categories of infrastructure, AI, productivity and business applications."

For the quarter ending March 31, 2018 the tech ringer from Redmond saw its revenue increase to $26.8 billion (up 16%), with operating income up 23% to $8.3 billion. Income was a whopping $7.4 billion and diluted earnings per share were 95 cents versus analyst expectations of 85 cents per share, according to FactSet.

Learn about Microsoft's Azure Cloud today!

Attend a webinar on getting started with Azure - live demo and Q&A session:
Register now @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/webinar/

Find other upcoming Azure events near you:
View all upcoming events @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/community/events/

Attend other Azure webinars:
View all webinars @ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/webinars/

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Azure CIS Foundations Benchmark Available

Make sure you are incorporating security into your Azure plans! This CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark guide provides strategic advice to help you secure your Azure Cloud environments.

CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0 Now Available

It is with great enthusiasm we announce the release of the highly anticipated CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0.  The development of this benchmark can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of our CIS Benchmark developers team, remarkable volunteers, and multiple vendors, all who have selflessly given their time and resources in developing this benchmark.

The CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v1.0.0 is intended to serve as a guide to secure the Azure Cloud. The Audit and Remediation sections within this Benchmark have been refined to include the Azure console steps and Azure CLI 2.0 commands where applicable. Microsoft has been an integral partner in the publishing of this benchmark to ensure recommendations in which no commands exist, will receive proper attention in future development. The structure of this benchmark is similar to that of other cloud-based CIS Benchmarks.

https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-microsoft-azure-foundations-benchmark-v1-0-0-now-available/

https://www.cisecurity.org/benchmark/azure/

Download Free Benchmark PDFs
https://learn.cisecurity.org/benchmarks

Sunday, April 15, 2018

DevOps Containers How To

Although Linux Containers have been here for awhile, windows containers continue to make inroads into the DevOps world.  Definitely something to be learning about!  Check out this Quick Guide to Containerization for the foundation at ITPro Today...

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT>CONTAINERS - Your Quick Guide to Containerization - Terri Coles | Apr 04, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/containers/your-quick-guide-containerization

Software containers are similar to the enduring bento box—they make it simple to put something in a standardized container and move it with ease. Find out how to make containers work for you – and why you want to – with our deep dive into how containers work and what benefits they bring to your business.

PLUS, I spent my Saturday attending a new #Azure training boot camp. The Lab Guides we used are posted @ https://github.com/Azure/blackbelt-aks-hackfest

This workshop will guide you through migrating an application from "on-premise" to containers running in Azure Kubernetes Service.

GDPR Needs vs Requirements

GDPR seems likely to be challenging to identify needs AND requirements...  check out this article over at ITPro Today ...

SECURITY>RISK AND COMPLIANCE - Cloud Users Can’t Ignore GDPR Requirements - Cloud vendors can provide some assurance around meeting GDPR requirements, but only if you ask the right questions and get it in writing. - Nicole Henderson | Apr 05, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/risk-and-compliance/cloud-users-can-t-ignore-gdpr-requirements

If your business has moved workloads to the cloud, the people who did the moving likely went through the painstaking process of ensuring that any contracted vendors meet various regulatory requirements around storing customer data. But with the General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) set to go into effect at the end of next month, it is a good idea for IT pros to take a second look at the contracts they have with their cloud providers because those contracts must align with GDPR requirements.