Supplier Report: 9/7/2014

The patterns displayed over the last 4 months continue. Cloud is a major focus for all of these companies.  All three are dealing bad deals biting them back.  Re-invention is looming for all of these companies and the IT field in general, the curiosity is how each organization plans to address that change and how that impacts, educates, and assists us.

IBM

  1. IBM hiring more domestic workers over concerns of Obama administration backlash and visa issues:

    IBM’s ‘Jobs at IBM’ website currently lists about 6,750 jobs, of which nearly a third, 2,150, are in the US. India follows way behind at a little over 700, and China is third with about 650. More striking are the entry level positions. Of the total of 446 entry level positions open as on September 2, as many as 172, or nearly 40%, are in the US. In India, there are a mere five.

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/IBM-now-hires-more-in-US-than-India-amid-tax-visa-worries/articleshow/41830687.cms

  2. Accenture going after IBM in product lifecycle management:
    http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/2014/09/04/why-accenture-thinks-it-can-rattle-ibm-in-plm/
  3. How mobility is changing the enterprise (IBM white paper):
    http://public.dhe.ibm.com/common/ssi/ecm/en/gbe03614usen/GBE03614USEN.PDF
  4. SoftLayer’s “bare metal” (30 min deployments, rent by the hour) to the cloud:
    http://www.dbta.com/Editorial/News-Flashes/IBM-SoftLayer-Brings-Bare-Metal-to-the-Cloud-99095.aspx
  5. IBM’s debt load: ($47.5B in debt, $18B matures in the next 3 years)
    http://seekingalpha.com/article/2456845-ibm-a-huge-debt-load

HP

  1. HP introducing tools to monitor “shadow it” deployments. (Kev – this links into our conversation last week about cloud technology).
    http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2014/09/05/cisco-h-p-use-shadow-it-as-a-roadmap/
  2. More background on the HP/Autonomy fight (this reads more like an angry divorce, but it gives insight into the mentality of HP when it comes to Autonomy and integration).
    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2745522/Hewlett-Packard-ramps-fight-against-Autonomy-court-files.html

    Wait… there is a whole website dedicate to this case!
    http://autonomyaccounts.org/

    One more article with the highlights of the 90 pages (they cooked up imaginary deals):
    http://recode.net/2014/09/05/hp-lays-out-detailed-case-against-former-autonomy-execs/

  3. HP’s focus on “new it” (basically their 5 year tech investment plan):
    http://marketrealist.com/2014/09/hps-multi-year-restructuring-plan-focuses-new-style/
  4. HP’s prepping for the next round of server wars:
    http://thevarguy.com/computer-technology-hardware-solutions-and-news/082814/hp-gears-next-phase-server-war-embargo-1230-pm
  5. Note: there are a bunch HP articles about the laptop power cord recall.  Doesn’t impact us, but since there were at least 60 mentions of it, I thought I should mention it (6 million power bricks are being recalled)
    http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/26/technology/hp-laptop-cord-recall/

Oracle

  1. Oracle loses $1.3B appeal for SAP ruling:
    http://www.stockwisedaily.com/oracle-corporation-orcl-looses-appeal-to-restore-1-3b-verdict-in-sap-se-sap-case/235085/
  2. Why Oracle will grow (they had bad quarter results)
    http://www.gurufocus.com/news/276146/heres-why-oracle-should-continue-getting-better-in-the-future

Other

  1. Lenovo’s mean, lean, supply chain:
    http://www.ebnonline.com/author.asp?section_id=1084&doc_id=274642&itc=ebnonline_gnews

Career

  1. I won’t call this an ibm item, but an IBM report is showing companies are using “citizen developers” to drive innovation (sound familiar team?)
    http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/33881/2/
  2. Keeping conference calls on track: the # key rule:
    http://lifehacker.com/keep-conference-calls-on-target-with-the-pound-key-1629324850
    I don’t see this going over well in our office, but an interesting concept to discuss and explore
  3. Cleaning your gadgets without ruining them:
    http://lifehacker.com/5875667/how-to-properly-clean-all-your-gadgets-without-ruining-them
    PS: Joey’s #1 rule of cube-guest-etiquette: “don’t touch the monitor!”

Supplier Report: 8/24/2014

IBM:

  1. IBM is forming a partnership with Chinese rival to load WAS and other enterprise applications:
    http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2014/08/24/2003598104
  2. A really interesting take on IBM’s issues.  While a little too gloom and doom, it makes alot of points I have observed and agree with:
    http://seekingalpha.com/article/2441665-ibms-problems-may-be-fatal
  3. IBM says BYOD may go away (following the announcement of IBM’s deal with Apple and the IPad)
    http://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/video/300073774/ibms-tami-duncan-byod-may-go-away.htm 
  4. IBM restructuring in Korea:
    http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2014/08/133_163142.html
  5. Jeff Smith named IBM Global CIO:
    http://www.itnews.com.au/News/391143,jeff-smith-appointed-ibm-global-cio.aspx

HP:

  1. HP loses network virtualization lead to startup.
    http://www.computerworld.in/news/hp-loses-its-leader-on-nfv,-a-key-carrier-network-trend
    NOTE: Less interested in the personnel move, but I am curious about the service.  (NFV)
  2. HP is actually selling PCs??
    http://www.istreetresearch.com/hp-gains-surprising-profit-from-pcs-sales/255419/
  3. Why HP saw a Q3 bump:
    http://www.techinsider.net/why-hewlett-packard-company-hpq-saw-sales-boost-in-q3/1113666.html

Oracle:

  1. Oracle is still being sued by Oregon for failed health portal:
    http://www.bidnessetc.com/24569-oregon-sues-oracle-for-200-million-over-failed-health-care-website/
  2. Oracle breaking out a new social media management module:
    http://www.zdnet.com/oracle-intros-social-station-to-beef-up-social-cloud-7000032799/

Other:

  1. Salesforce getting into remote health diagnostics:
    http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/biotech/2014/08/salesforce-crm-philips-phg-healthcare-monitor.html

Supplier Report: 8/17/2014

IBM:

  1. $2.3B Server Sale to Levovo approved:
    http://www.themalaymailonline.com/money/article/ibm-us2.3b-server-sale-to-lenovo-receives-regulator-approval
  2. Penn State’s usage of IBM software is saving money:
    http://news.psu.edu/story/322984/2014/08/15/research/ibm-software-helps-keep-penn-state-sustainable-while-saving-money
  3. ACQUISITION: IBM purchases Lighthouse Security:
    http://itic-corp.com/blog/2014/08/ibm-fortifies-security-with-lighthouse-security-crossideas-acquisitions/
  4. IBM opens new SoftLayer office in Toronto:
    http://www.telecompaper.com/news/ibm-opens-new-softlayer-data-centre-in-toronto—1030874

HP:

  1. Google and HP are trying to make a strategic partnership of their own:
    http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/08/17/how-hp-could-help-google-take-on-apple-in-enterpri.aspx
  2. HP Senior Software Engineer Posting:
    https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/18676730?trk=biz-overview-job-post
  3. HP taking advantage of IBM’s server sell off and urging customers to switch to HP:
    http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/300073695/hp-urges-customers-to-dump-ibm-jump-to-an-hp-partner.htm

Oracle:

  1. Oracle sales state of Oregon committed “smear campaign”:
    http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/health-care-inc/2014/08/oracle-says-it-was-the-victim-of-a-smear-campaign.html
  2. What Oracle is looking for in a financial controller:
    https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/18516236?trk=jobs_biz_pub

Other:

  1. Microsoft’s Partnership with Salesforce is odd and will likely result in MS competing with SF anyway:
    http://seekingalpha.com/article/2429855-microsoft-partnership-is-likely-to-give-salesforce-com-a-headache

Career:

  1. 7 Ways to make your boss happy:
    https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-ways-to-become-your-boss-dream-employee
  2. How to avoid being a human bottleneck:
    http://blog.sandglaz.com/human-bottleneck/
  3. Free Microsoft training **cough**Visio**cough**
    http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/

Supplier Report: 8/10/2014

IBM:

  1. IBM and Apple shares just since partnership news:
    http://news.yahoo.com/video/apple-ibm-shares-jump-off-084556686.html
    This is no surprise, and they are already starting to communicate the “benefits” to customers (like me).  More to come on this.
  2. Lots of negative talk about AI the last few weeks and how it is going to put us all out of business.  I don’t feel that way…  With that being said:
    http://www.delhidailynews.com/news/IBM-develops-microchip-to-mimic-human-brain-function-1407643610/
  3. IBM sees an 86% jump in cloud services ($259M in business, to Amazon’s $954M)
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/it-services/Microsoft-IBM-lead-jump-in-cloud-business/articleshow/39947124.cms
  4. SoftLayer introduces e-Learning Module:
    http://www.infotechlead.com/2014/08/07/ibm-softlayer-cloud-now-powers-moodle-e-learning-platform-24683
  5. IBM is mending fences with China via cloud services risk analysis deal!?!
    http://www.itproportal.com/2014/08/07/ibm-mends-bridges-with-china-through-landmark-cloud-security-deal/
  6. This could be very dangerous for mature supply chain organizations:
    http://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/enterprise-agility/ibm-click-to-buy-consulting-gimmick-or-growth-engine/a/d-id/1297822
  7. Acquisition: IBM buys CrossIdeas:
    http://www.businesscloudnews.com/2014/08/04/ibm-buys-crossideas-to-bolster-identity-management-and-security-offerings/ 

HP:

  1. HP brings in Dell Exec for server marketing:
    http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/300073647/hp-brings-ex-dell-exec-to-run-server-marketing.htm
  2. HP to pay $32.5M back to USPS in overcharges:
    http://fedscoop.com/hp-pay-usps-32-5-million-overcharges/
  3. HP launching cheaper Infrastructure-as-a-Service (might be something to investigate for sandbox projects…)
    http://www.itproportal.com/2014/08/06/hp-launches-iaas-private-cloud-penny-pinching-enterprises/
  4. More drama around the autonomy purchase.  Interesting commentary on the write-off (could accounting really hide $4B in mis-valuation (did I just make that word up?))
    http://fortune.com/2014/08/06/is-hp-returning-to-its-dramatic-bad-old-days/

Oracle:

  1. Acquisition: Oracle buys TOA Technology:
    http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/08/01/oracle-buys-toa-technologies-to-better-compete.html
  2. How to stop hating your oracle sales rep:
    http://www.forbes.com/sites/danwoods/2014/07/28/how-to-stop-hating-your-oracle-sales-rep/

    “When you download and install an Oracle product, you never have to enter a license key, a security code, or anything like that. You just download it and use it.”

    Team: We need to look into this….

Other:

  1. SalesForce and Microsoft getting chummy….
    http://finance.yahoo.com/video/jim-cramer-says-salesforce-microsoft-150544210.html
  2. Is Google Cloud ready for enterprise customers?
    https://gigaom.com/2014/08/04/true-or-false-google-cloud-is-enterprise-ready/

Career:

  1. 6 tips for onboard new “sales” employees
    http://www.business2community.com/sales-management/6-tips-successfully-onboarding-new-inside-sales-reps-0964505#!bAyuLM
    Yes it is sales, but these are good tips that I think as a department we need to start thinking about.
  2. What HP Sales Job entails (understand what they are looking for and the type of person that is selling to you)
    https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/18271930?trk=biz-overview-job-post

    * Listening. Pays attention to customer needs and tailors messages to customer based on their needs and ties-in additional promotional campaigns, upgrades, or extended services.
    *Proactivity. Consistently demonstrates proactive activities within accounts to uncover new business and take ownership for new opportunities.
    *Project Management. Demonstrated ability to coordinate internal and external partners to deliver appropriate solution sale. Adapts easily to clients procurement processes and knows key decision criteria for winning new and / or maintaining existing business
    *Build rapport. Ability to build strong consultative relationships with key client business managers and IT executives with a focus on addressing business needs.
    *Target driven. Consistently meets or exceeds metrics related to inbound calls set by segment management. Consistently meets or exceeds metrics related to outbound calls, open pipeline opportunities, and closed won revenue set by segment management.
  3. Tim Ferriss backs off his anti-email stance (only took him 8 years to see social media is a larger distraction)
    http://fourhourworkweek.com/2014/08/05/timothy-ferriss-email/

Supplier Report: 7/27/2014

** IBM **

  1. Plunging iPad sales doesn’t worry Apple thanks to IBM!?!
    http://www.techtimes.com/articles/11134/20140727/ipad-sales-plunge-but-apple-is-not-worried-thanks-to-ibm.htm
    Think Enterprise!

    Yet… blackberry doesn’t seem to be worried… really?

  2. IBM’s Q4 Earnings: IBM is reporting Q4 revenue of $27.7 billion versus an estimate of $28.25 billion
    http://news.yahoo.com/video/ibm-q4-earnings-210800667.html
  3. IBM is struggling to sell off its chip business:
    http://www.bloomberg.com/video/ibm-struggles-to-sell-money-losing-chip-making-unit-pzEecBnOQm~xVATDi5cMeg.html
  4. IBM names “Chief Accessibility Officer” – Frances West:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-it/2014/07/25/a48aa9d4-11d3-11e4-98ee-daea85133bc9_story.html
  5. A little insight into IBM’s cost cutting:
    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8084665

** HP **

  1. HP is dropping $50M to partner with HortonWorks:
    https://www.valuewalk.com/2014/07/hewlett-packard-invests-50-million-in-hortonworks/
  2. What are HP’s plans for OpenStack?
    http://talkincloud.com/cloud-computing-and-open-source/072214/what-does-hp-have-mind-openstack-next

** Oracle **

  1. Oracle vs. IBM in the investment community:
    http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/24/ibm-oracle-apple.aspx

** Career **

  1. If you haven’t seen this already:  Netflix HR policy on developing a highly effective organization:
    http://hbr.org/2014/01/how-netflix-reinvented-hr/ar/pr

** Other **

  1. China getting away from American IT (IBM and Oracle greatly impacted):
    http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Banning-American-IT-30239576.html
    De-IOE is going to pop up more often in the next few months