Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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