From selling refrigerators to leading the strategic technology infrastructure of one of the world’s largest technology companies, VMware CIO Bask Iyer has watched the fast-paced evolution of technology throughout his career. We had the opportunity to capture his insights on how he is enabling the new digital workspace era within VMware, what he calls “drinking our own champagne” and his three tips for CIOs faced with the challenges of our ever-evolving technology world.
Watch this VMware Impact video below to hear Bask’s insights and advice firsthand.
In the video, Bask shares his four key priorities for VMware’s internal technology framework:
1. Lead Digital Transformation within VMware
The first thing I always tell myself is the more experience I have, the more I feel like I have to unlearn. There’s so much to unlearn. We all get into the state where I’ve learned everything, that’s the worst to have as a CIO.
You almost have to say, whatever I learned last year is gone. I can apply some of my leadership principles, but the technology has to be learned. You need to have the curiosity. If you don’t have curiosity on how these new technologies work, this is a very tough job, very painful, because every time I turn around, something new has come. You must have a passion and interest. Otherwise, this is a very tough job.
The second is don’t get close minded. And it’s more for me. I worry as I learn more and I think I’ve become more important, I become close minded. And you have to stay open minded.
And the third is experiment with new tech.
2. VMware on VMware: “Drinking Our Own Champagne”
We want to make sure the productivity and creativity of VMware is not hampered any way. But at the same time, you need be make sure it’s secured, cost-effective and so on. It’s how you balance those.
VMware Workspace ONE is wonderful. All of a sudden I have 400 apps I can give access to people without VPN. People don’t even know I’m securing the enterprise. We have a pipeline of 50-odd programs (in development) now, and we’re going to put it all in the VMware AirWatch Catalog.
3. End-user Productivity
Enterprise mobility is not quite where the consumer mobility is. And so CIOs have to push it really hard.
I found that in enterprise mobility, most IT companies haven’t really focused on it. It’s a nice to have. Most will say we have email and calendar access. Well, you had that in 2000 and BlackBerry did the job fine. So 16 years later, you’re still saying you have calendar and email access, but the phones are better?
Our own products are the showcase. We have single sign-on. It gives access to every application we develop seamlessly, and it’s easy to access on your phone and computer.
4. Unifying Endpoint Management
There is going to be multiple devices. The days of just having Windows 10 or just Macs are gone. And then we have BYOD. We always look at solutions that work across applications. You have to bridge mobile and desktop.
A few years from now, I think you’ll see less and less of that. I think you’ll see mobile as your desktop.
Have questions or comments for Bask? Additional priorities you’re experiencing in your business? Share in the comments below and Bask Iyer will personally reply.
