By Reg Lo
The theme of VMworld 2016 is be_Tomorrow. As we’ve talked about in many previous blog posts, it’s no secret that the demands on IT are changing and that IT leaders need to evolve their strategies or risk the decline of their company’s market position and the loss of relevance for internal IT.
For IT leaders attending VMworld, I hope to offer you a couple of unconventional ways of fostering discussion with your peers around the pressing challenges you’re facing today.
Unpanel: How I Survived the DevOps Transition
Wednesday, August 31st – 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
If you’ve ever joined an Unpanel before, you know you’re in for some lively discussion – and to be prepared at any moment to jump up on stage!
Join me and my colleagues, Ed Hoppitt of Battlebots (and VMware) fame and Tom Hite who leads VMware’s DevOps and Open Cloud Services team, as we moderate a dynamic exchange between IT practitioners and their development counterparts. You will hear about the dos, don’ts, and gotchas from both perspectives.
We will invite you to participate with your opinions and insights, and you might become part of the panel.
Add session DEVOP9093 to your agenda
Experience the Business Impact of IT Innovation & Transformation in this Live Interactive Simulation
Wednesday, August 31st – 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Join your peers in IT leadership for a live interactive simulation where you get to experiment on what series of IT initiatives will lead to the greatest impact on business revenue and IT costs. This is a unique experiential learning session.
Using a software-based simulation platform, I will team up with my colleague, Andy Troup of VMware Operations Transformation Services, to present you with a variety of IT innovation project options, representing a wide spectrum from developing cloud capabilities to advanced micro-segmentation. Acting as a company with a set budget for operating expenses and innovation, your team will choose which projects to focus and then see the results of your selections.
Will revenue increase because you were able to speed time to market? Will your operating expenses increase or decrease? Will you experience set-backs if you focus on one area but neglect others?
Test your IT strategy theories, participate in lively discussions about today’s options in IT, and walk away with tips for how to build a roadmap for innovation that will work for your organization.
Add session SDDC9971 to your agenda
I hope to see you at both of these sessions at the end of this month!
Download a full agenda of VMworld breakout sessions that will help IT leaders build a strategy for the digital era.
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Reg Lo is the Americas Director of VMware Accelerate Advisory Services and is based in California.
