Command and Control C2 - the long view (with Michael Holm)
Jan 5, 2026
In this insightful conversation, Michael Holm, Chairman and founder of Systematic, shares his four decades of experience in command-and-control systems. He discusses the evolution from bespoke, map-based solutions to modern, data-centric systems, emphasizing the importance of interoperability in military contexts. Holm highlights the shift towards standardized products over bespoke national systems and explores adapting C2 technologies for civilian applications. He also delves into the risks of data sovereignty and the influence of major tech firms on defense.
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From Service Contract To Company Founder
- Michael Holm began by supporting a French-built naval C2 system for Denmark and then took over its maintenance in 1985, which launched his company, Systematic.
- That hands-on start with a single customer shaped Systematic's deep, practical focus on interoperability and operational needs.
Iris: Fixing Messy Military Messages
- Systematic built Iris, a message-authoring tool, to clean up error-prone NATO text messages and speed information flow between ships and HQs.
- That product became a widely adopted interoperability component and opened international markets for the company.
Product Over Bespoke For Scale
- Systematic deliberately moved from bespoke projects to a reusable product to escape one-off, non-scalable contracts.
- That product mindset let them sell the same core C2 system to multiple nations and scale internationally.