HPE used its Discover conference in London to go into detail for its plans to take on hybrid IT.
The first major conference following the much publicised company split was the chance for HPE to define itself in the changing world of IT.
The changing business landscape created by digital transformation is mirrored by the frenetic pace at which the tech sector is moving. Companies on both sides need to be agile in order to adapt to changing customer demands.
This is one of the reasons why HP split into HPE and HP inc., as Meg Whitman, CEO, HPE, said on day one of the HPE Discover conference: “Speed is the differentiator between companies that succeed and companies that fail.”
CBR gives you a list of the big talking points.
1. The split
Of course the split would still be discussed, but while in previous events it was described as a challenge to surpass, the tone now was a victorious one.
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“We got really good at this type of work,” said Whitman as she detailed some of the tasks that faced them with the split.
Designed to make the company more agile, it appears to have given HPE a lease of life to focus on areas it believes in.
While the split is being marketed as a great positive, giving them the inside knowledge on how to transform, I’m almost certain the company will look forward to being able to stop talking about it.
2. Hybrid IT
Hybrid IT was both a leading talking point and then side-lined as members of the company’s hierarchy would run through different areas of focus, however, it was always the backbone.
Buzzwords were frequently mentioned (I lost count of the amount of times ‘idea economy’ was said) but hybrid underpinned everything from security to cloud and data analytics. The message is that your business transformation should make you hybrid in every way.
3. Announcements
Over the duration of the conference the company filled out its portfolio of offerings a little more. Synergy, a composable infrastructure plays to its hybrid strategy was launched, while an extended partnership with Microsoft would also play to strengthen its hybrid offerings.
The show wasn’t heavy on ‘new’ releases but they helped in adding clarity to the company’s business plan, it’s hybrid all the way for HPE.
4. Security
Day one offered little in the way of security, but day two’s keynote would be packed with a security focus.
The company talked a lot about empowering the data-driven business and appearances on stage from Twentieth Century Fox and BlueShore Financials, were an opportunity for HPE to question them on the importance of a sound security strategy.
Less of a product focused discussion and more about highlighting HPE as a trusted partner was the tone for security.
The company is, however, working on ContainerOS, to enhance containers by giving it the benefits of VM’s.
5. Customers
One of the best moments of the conference came during a movie trailer made by HPE’s customer, 20th Century Fox; senior executives from HPE were placed into famous movies such as Avatar, Die Hard and X-Men, receiving rapturous applause from the audience.
Plenty of HPE customers came onto the stage to thank executives for HPE’s role in their own transformation, or just the running of their business.
