Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

Assist, Accelerate, TransformThe Big Themes:Workday’s Agent System of Record: Workday's Agent System of Record manages the emerging digital agent ecosystem. It provides structure and governance to what could otherwise become a chaotic sprawl of AI agents. By embedding agent management into existing organizational hierarchies, Workday ensures that agents become a structured extension of the workforce rather than a disconnected experiment.Shift Toward Role-Based Agents: Workday is designing agents to reflect the roles and responsibilities of human workers. Rather than focusing narrowly on task or function-specific agents, Workday emphasizes role-based agents that closely align to actual jobs within an organization. Examples include payroll agents, financial audit agents, employee self-service agents, and recruiting agents.Three-Phase Customer Framework: To ease customer adoption, Workday has a three-step framework: Assist → Accelerate → Transform. The assist phase focuses on basic productivity improvements, giving employees relief from repetitive, low-value tasks. Then, companies enter the accelerate phase, expanding the use of agents to drive more meaningful efficiencies and process optimization. The final transform phase represents the full reimagining of work processes with human-agent collaboration at the core.The Big Quote: “A mindset shift for us as AI developers is we made AI as features to solve problems, and now we're thinking a lot about AI as a group of skills."More from Shane Luke, Ali Fuller, and Workday:Connect with Shane and Ali on LinkedIn or learn more about Workday's Agent System of Record.This episode is sponsored by Workday.

The Big Themes:SAP’s Flywheel Strategy: SAP introduced a compelling flywheel model that integrates applications, data, and AI to drive enterprise momentum. The idea is that integrated applications generate structured data, which then feeds a robust AI layer. As these layers build on one another, they create a self-reinforcing cycle of productivity, insight, and innovation—a flywheel effect. Unlike Microsoft and ServiceNow, which predict the collapse of applications in favor of agents, SAP asserts that AI agents will enhance, not replace, applications.The Business Data Cloud and Databricks Partnership: A highlight of the event was SAP’s Business Data Cloud (BDC), launched in partnership with Databricks. This foundational layer brings together internal SAP data and external sources like Moody’s or climate models, enabling richer decision-making. SAP showcased real-world use cases, such as tariff fluctuation impact analysis across supply chains, to demonstrate the power of combining enterprise and contextual data.Prompt Optimizer and the End of Prompt Engineering: SAP’s introduction of a “Prompt Optimizer” signals a shift in the AI interface landscape. Instead of manual prompt engineering, users will soon rely on AI to manage and optimize prompts across multiple large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. CTO Philipp Herzig even declared we’re at “the beginning of the end” of prompt engineering.The Big Quote: "[Customers are] not ready to deploy AI and have that completely eliminate the need for apps. The data is just not there. So, maybe five years from now, let's see what progress we've made. But what's in the here and now is that customers are looking for applications."

Parisa Tabriz is vice president and general manager for Google Chrome, the world’s leading browser platform. She leads efforts to make Chrome a secure and essential enterprise workspace, integrating AI and advanced cybersecurity to meet evolving business needs. In this episode, Parisa joins Bob to explore how Chrome is redefining the browser as a productivity and security platform, the role of AI in enterprise protection, and what’s next for Chrome’s innovations.Chrome at Google Cloud NextThe Big Themes:Chrome’s Evolution into a Central Productivity and Security Platform: Over the past 17 years, Chrome has transformed from a simple web browser into a comprehensive platform integral to enterprise productivity and security. Users now spend a significant portion of their workday within Chrome, utilizing it for tasks ranging from document editing to video conferencing. This shift has positioned Chrome as the new endpoint in enterprise environments.Simplifying Enterprise Security with Chrome: Complexity is often the enemy of security. Chrome aims to simplify enterprise security by integrating protective measures directly into the browser, reducing the need for multiple, potentially conflicting security solutions. Features like automatic updates, built-in phishing protection, and centralized policy management allow IT teams to maintain a secure environment with less overheads.Personalization, Governance, and AI Empowerment: Chrome prioritizes features that allow organizations to personalize user experiences while maintaining strict governance over data and AI usage. Tools like data masking, controlled copy-paste functionalities, and the ability to designate approved AI applications help prevent data leaks and ensure compliance with internal policies. By providing these controls, Chrome empowers enterprises to harness the benefits of AI technologies responsibly.The Big Quote: ". . . the browser is the place where you can give people access to the benefits [of AI], but also make sure that you have the controls and governance to turn it off or make sure that your employees aren't copying and pasting data into an unsanctioned AI surface."More from Parisa Tabriz and Google Chrome:Connect with Parisa on LinkedIn or learn more about Google Chrome.

HighlightsGoogle Cloud’s AI Revolution and Customer Success (00:10)Renner talks about how, for Google Cloud, delivering great outcomes for customers must come before achieving returns. Efforts are underway to push brainpower and expertise directly to customers, while simplifying the sales process by infusing more industry-specific knowledge. Customers are focused on realizing tangible business outcomes with AI.Google Cloud’s Ecosystem and Partner Ecosystem (02:02)Google Cloud is the fastest-growing company in the Cloud Wars, achieving $12 billion in revenue last quarter. A sharp focus on business outcomes, paired with a robust ecosystem of expertise, is credited for this success. Renner discusses Google Cloud’s partner ecosystem development under Kevin Ichhpurani, president, global partner ecosystem. Growth across the partner ecosystem, including SIs, ISVs, and boutique functional experts, remains a key driver of momentum.Customer Success and Innovation at Google Cloud Next (03:46)Innovation and customer success were on full display at Google Cloud Next in Las Vegas, with major product launches and enthusiastic customer testimonials. Marking his two-year anniversary, Renner reflects on how AI has accelerated customer success’ evolution. The volume of customer stories and advocacy is proof of exceptionally high engagement. Many customers have already moved beyond experimentation into full production.Customer Mindset and Business Outcomes (06:09)Today’s customers are reimagining what’s possible through AI, marking a profound shift in mindset. Renner talks about the eagerness and commitment of Google’s engineering and consulting teams to work side-by-side with customers. As customers become more sophisticated, they are increasingly focused on identifying business impact and making strategic investments. A collaborative and creative problem-solving approach is central to how Google Cloud delivers value.Budget Shifts and Business Engagement (07:37)AI adoption is driving a major shift in spending away from traditional IT control toward broader enterprise engagement. Renner notes that while business engagement has always been important, AI has accelerated the breakdown of old barriers across industries. Teams are approaching go-to-market strategies more mindfully. Verticalization and deep industry focus have become essential in driving business outcomes.Ecosystem Growth and Customer Demand (11:17)Google Cloud’s ecosystem continues to expand, with ISVs and SIs playing an increasingly critical role. Renner points to partnerships with Salesforce, ServiceNow, and others as key to expanding Google Cloud’s reach, building credibility, and scaling to meet growing customer demand. The expansion of regional SIs is equally important, ensuring global customer needs are met effectively.Google Cloud’s Growth and Market Position (13:23)Renner attributes Google Cloud’s leadership as the fastest-growing company in the Cloud Wars to its focus on customer business outcomes. This strategy has fueled new customer acquisition, a growing sales backlog, and sustained high demand. AI is transforming how Google Cloud engages with customers, driving growth across every product line and deepening its market position.Leadership and Team Enabling (15:35)Under the leadership of CEO Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud has made extraordinary strides in customer success and growth. Renner praises Kurian’s passion, energy, and clarity of vision. A major focus remains on providing field teams with the right assets, tools, and alignment to be successful. The addition of new talent to oversee the customer experience journey, reflects Google Cloud’s commitment to strengthening its leadership bench.Final Thoughts and Future Plans (18:32)Renner shares his appreciation for the opportunity to reflect on Google Cloud’s strategic focus and achievements. The interview closes with a reaffirmation of the AI revolution’s significance and Google Cloud’s central role in shaping the future of business innovation. The outlook is positive.Google Cloud’s central role in shaping the future of business innovation. The outlook is positive. This episode is sponsored by Google Cloud.---The content displayed on the platform is the intellectual property of Acceleration Economy. You may reuse, republish, or reprint such content with attribution: Content by cloudwars.comAll information posted is informational purposes. Should you decide to act upon any information on this website, you do so at your own risk. While the information on this platform has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.We reserve the right to change this policy at any given time.  

this special episode of Cloud Wars Live, Bob Evans chats with Gerrit Kazmaier, president, products and technology, Workday. They explore how Workday is evolving into a platform company, the role of AI agents in reshaping enterprise workflows, and why trust, accuracy, and extensibility are key to future-ready business solutions. Kazmaier also discusses Workday’s approach to ecosystem innovation and composable ERP.Workday's AI FutureThe Big Themes:Real-World Business Value From AI-Driven Results: Workday’s AI capabilities are already producing concrete results. Kazmaier shares examples like a recruiting agent that increased recruiter capacity by over 50% and contract intelligence tools that slashed legal costs by up to 60%. These aren’t experimental features—they’re embedded in Workday’s workflows to improve productivity and efficiency.Agents Will Enhance, Not Replace Applications: Kazmeier addresses the myth that AI agents will replace applications. Instead, Workday sees agents as accelerators of existing apps. Many enterprise applications were designed around human cognitive limits, but now AI agents can take over some of those mental loads. Over time, agents will become so proficient they’ll perform roles autonomously. But they won’t erase apps,they’ll enhance them.Composable ERP Is Now a Reality: Workday is making good on the long-promised vision of composable ERP: modular, customizable systems that allow organizations to choose the best tools for each job. Historically, integration challenges made composability difficult. Now, AI simplifies that complexity. Intelligent interfaces and smarter integration allow Workday’s ecosystem to plug into its core platform more fluidly.The Big Quote: “This is like early Internet days . . . some people had innovative ideas. But economics weren't just there. Bandwidth was limited and expensive; not everyone had an Ilenternet-ready device...but as exponential improvements happened . . . an entirely new economy was invented, and I think it's the same with AI."

At Google Cloud Next 2025, Google Cloud Vice President of Applied AI Duncan Lennox sits down with Bob Evans in part three of our series "Google Cloud and the AI Revolution." They discuss how Google Cloud is redefining enterprise applications through purpose-built AI agents, the shift from incremental to transformational innovation, and how businesses can harness agentic AI to deliver seamless, end-to-end customer experiences at scale.Google Cloud’s Agentic RevolutionThe Big Themes:Beyond Infrastructure to Applied AI: Historically, Google Cloud was associated with infrastructure, data analytics, databases, and backend technologies. However, it's now undergoing a transformation, stepping boldly into the realm of applied AI. Rather than just competing with established players in enterprise applications (like ERP, HCM, or CRM), Google Cloud is innovating at a more foundational level by creating entirely new types of agents and applications.The Customer Engagement Suite, A CRM Rethink: Google Cloud’s Customer Engagement Suite isn’t just an upgrade to traditional contact center software — it’s a full reimagining of how businesses engage with customers. Historically, customer service was seen as a cost center: something to be optimized for efficiency and minimized wherever possible. Google Cloud flips that on its head. With the Customer Engagement Suite, the focus shifts toward creating differentiated, high-quality customer experiences that build brand loyalty, satisfaction, and even new revenue streams.Best Adoption Practices: Lennox discusses several best practices for companies looking to succeed with applied AI. First, start somewhere tangible — don't try to "boil the ocean." Select a high-visibility area where AI can solve real problems and produce measurable results. Second, tie your efforts directly to business outcomes, such as customer experience improvements, revenue growth, or operational savings. Third, choose a strategic partner capable of evolving with you as the technology advances.The Big Quote: "Experimentation is great, of course, but what I see more and more as I talk to C-level executives is they now want to be able to deliver ROI, and you have to make some bets. You've got to choose some areas. For us in applied AI, Customer Engagement Suite has been a great one, because it's a problem that C-level execs can understand."Learn More:Check out details about Customer Engagement Suite, and follow Duncan Lennox on LinkedIn.

Erwan Menard is the director of product management for Google Cloud’s Cloud AI division, where he helps lead innovation at the intersection of AI agents, enterprise systems, and business outcomes. In part two of our series, Google Cloud and the AI Revolution, Erwan joins Bob Evans to discuss how governance, intentionality, and rapid scaling are critical to AI agent success, share insights on Google Cloud’s Agentspace and Agent Builder tools, and explore how multi-agent collaboration is reshaping the future of enterprise technology.Purpose Driven AI InnovationThe Big Themes:Intentionality Drives Impact: Menard advises organizations not to jump into AI agent development for novelty’s sake, but to begin with a clearly defined problem and desired business outcome. However, once value is proven, it's crucial to scale intentionally. He shares the example of a customer rolling out 40,000 licenses of Agentspace only after deeply considering what kind of first experience they wanted their employees to have.Organizational Culture Shapes AI Adoption: There's no universal model for who should “own” AI governance. It depends on the company’s culture. Some companies may create centralized AI governance teams; others may embed responsibilities within existing business units or IT teams. The key is cultural acknowledgment: governance must be understood as a shared responsibility, not just an operational afterthought.Anchor in Business Value: With so many tools, models, and frameworks emerging, it’s easy for companies to fall into what he calls “optionality evaluation.” That is, spending so much time chasing the latest innovations that they lose sight of why they started exploring AI in the first place. Instead, he urges leaders to ask: What are we trying to improve? Whether it’s speeding up contract workflows, freeing up data scientists from routine tasks, or enhancing customer service, the goal should be clear.The Big Quote: "If you find yourself in a constant evaluation loop for the new shiny object, maybe it's worth taking a pause and saying, 'Why are we doing this again?'"

At Google Cloud Next 2025, Google Cloud VP and CTO Will Grannis joins Bob Evans to explore how AI is reshaping enterprise technology. Grannis shares how Google Cloud’s OCTO team works with customers on complex challenges, using DeepMind research, next-gen TPUs, and AI-native infrastructure, while noting the fading line between B2B and B2C and the cultural changes needed to adapt.Inside Google Cloud’s AI Strategy Google Cloud Is AI-Native at Its Core: Grannis says that Google Cloud’s approach to AI is foundational. The organization’s mindset, shaped by Google’s long-standing leadership in AI, infuses every layer of its stack, from infrastructure to user interfaces. With a legacy of deploying machine learning at scale for over a decade, Google Cloud doesn’t just offer AI tools—it helps customers reimagine their businesses through AI-native thinking, using products like DeepMind and innovations born across Google’s consumer ecosystem.The OCTO Team Solves the Hardest Problems with Customers: Grannis leads the Office of the CTO (OCTO), a team he jokingly calls “the nerdy Navy SEALs.” They tackle highly complex, unsolved customer challenges that can’t be addressed by existing products. Rather than building solutions in isolation, they co-create alongside customers. They start with business outcomes and design backward.Multi-Modality and Multi-Agent Systems Are the Future: Looking ahead, Grannis predicts that multi-modal AI, i.e. models that process images, text, speech, and even scent, will become the standard. He also foresees a shift from single-function agents to “agentic workflows” powered by multiple orchestrated AI agents. Google is prototyping orchestration with projects like Astra, that signal a future where AI is not only intelligent but contextually aware and collaborative.The Big Quote: “People . . . spend a lot of time just trying to take a PDF and analyze it. It seems very true. It is a pain . . I think that’s one reason why a NotebookLM or a product like that has been so popular because it really attacks like the heart of what people hate doing at work. [AI] puts them in the driver’s seat. They can ask questions, they can do analysis.”Learn more:Check out OCTO, NotebookLM, and Google Cloud.

Inside SAP Business NetworkThe Big Themes:New Organizational Structure: SAP reorganized its internal teams by combining Business Network and Digital Supply Chain into a new unit: Supply Chain Management. While this may sound like internal restructuring, Tony Harris explained that for customers, it signals a major innovation push. A major focus in 2025 will be on supply chain orchestration and supply chain risk — two areas that demand real-time responsiveness and cross-functional collaboration.SAP Business Network as a Response to Tariffs and Disruption: With the rise of geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and tariffs, companies need to rapidly adjust their supplier bases. SAP Business Network helps companies respond to such disruptions. If tariffs threaten certain international suppliers, businesses can use SAP Business Network to quickly identify alternative suppliers in unaffected regions or within domestic markets.Introducing SAP Business Network Promote Subscription: On the very day of the interview, SAP launched a new subscription service called SAP Business Network Promote, designed specifically for suppliers. This offering helps vendors raise their visibility and connect with global buyers on SAP Business Network. Features include enhanced and verified company profiles, uploading of full product catalogs, and access to AI-powered tools for responding to requests for information (RFIs), improving content, and correcting invoice errors. Suppliers also receive robust data insights.

Episode 50 | AI Agents in ActionThe Big Themes:The Rise of 'Agent Ratios': As companies roll out more AI agents, the "agent-to-human ratio" could become a useful AI maturity indicator. Currently, we’re seeing early adoption — with Oracle reporting that only 5–10% of its customers have put agents into production. These early use cases focus on low-risk, easily-automated tasks. It’s a cautious start, but the trajectory is upward. Bonnie points out that once the groundwork is laid, the pace of adoption will likely accelerate, yielding increased productivity.Four Smart Questions for Evaluating Enterprise AI Initiatives: To help customers decide whether to adopt AI capabilities, Bonnie offers four key questions: (1) Is it available to me? Not all customers have access to AI features; infrastructure matters. (2) Do I need or want it? Weigh the risk-reward tradeoff, especially in terms of time and internal resources. (3) Is my data protected? Ensure your vendor offers strong governance and compliance support. (4) What is the time to value?Knowing When to Leap and When to Wait on AI Adoption: Should companies wait or dive into AI now? Her advice: it depends. If your organization is in a fast-moving, innovation-driven sector, early adoption is essential to stay competitive. Waiting could mean falling behind. But for highly regulated industries or companies unused to rapid tech change, a cautious approach makes sense.