Zoombombing is but one of the security concerns that Zoom is dealing with right now, as a lawsuit is filed in California citing a violation of the CCPA and the NY Attorney General is asking some tough questions about the company’s security practices. Zoom shares have skyrocketed since the beginning of the year and I am thrilled by their success. The path forward, however, relies on security. If the company is going to retain a customer base, especially that oh-so-valuable paid customer base that is what really allows companies to deliver shareholder value, then a proactive security first mindset is going to have to be the mantra they embrace and lead with. We’ll all be watching, and hoping they get this right.
Amazon’s AWS Doubles Down on Sales Growth, Offering Deeper Tech Expertise
Amazon’s AWS doubles down on sales growth, expanding its sales team to offer deeper tech expertise including cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics. With Microsoft (and others) nipping at its heels, Amazon is reportedly doubling its sales team and shifting from its early focus on servers and storage to what it is customers need today — sales expertise and guidance around intelligent cloud offerings.
Google Applies for Permission to Resume Business with Huawei
Google has applied for permission to resume business with Huawei, looking to ease restrictions on Google apps and services being excluded from Huawei devices. With Microsoft recently receiving approval for its Windows OS to be installed on Huawei laptops, perhaps it’s time to move this along.
Zoom Stock Finds a Bright Spot in Coronavirus Fears
Zoom stock has found a bright spot in coronavirus outbreak fears. The company reports more active users in the first 55 days of 2020 than in all of 2019, increased in sessions per day and session length. As companies (and their employees) hunker down, curtail travel, work remotely, and try to forge ahead, it’s not really a bad time to be in the video collaboration platform business.
Poly’s Poly Lens Aims to Increase Collaboration Space Adoption, Simplify IT Ops
The launch of Poly’s Poly Lens offering was announced earlier this month in Amsterdam at Integration Systems Europe (ISE) 2020, the world’s largest show focused on AV and systems integration. The Poly Lens service is designed to increase collaboration space adoption and simplify IT ops. Since adoption of technology within the workplace is the key to successful digital transformation, this service is a no-brainer. I believe digital adoption platforms are quickly becoming the new normal — with good reason.
Microsoft’s ElectionGuard Software Could Have Far-Reaching Impact
Microsoft’s ElectionGuard software could have far-reaching impact. After a beta test in local elections in Wisconsin yesterday, here are my thoughts on what’s ahead—the goals, opportunities, and challenges. This could well be one of the most important products Microsoft has ever developed—at least so far. Equally important, it’s an example of Big Tech doing more, because it can.
Cloud Wars: Amazon Scores as Judge Blocks Microsoft’s JEDI Cloud Contract Award
The cloud wars continue to be exciting. Amazon scored today as a judge blocked the Department of Defense $10Bn JEDI cloud services contract award to Microsoft pending decisions on Amazon’s request to depose the President and other government officials with regard to the award of this contract. But in the big scheme of things, will it matter? Here’s what I think.
Epic Systems Moves Away From Google Cloud Citing Security Concerns — The Healthcare Industry Should Take Note
Major medical records vendor Epic Systems moves away from Google Cloud, citing security concerns, and indicating plans to rely Amazon’s AWS and Microsoft Azure. This is big news in the healthcare market, and likely something that hospitals and healthcare providers can’t help but take note of—especially if they are current customers of Google Cloud for medical research, data storage, or other IT operations.
Visa’s Acquisition of Plaid is a $5.3Bn Bet on the Future of Finance
Visa’s acquisition of Plaid is a $5Bn bet on the future of finance, and it’s a smart bet at that. With some 11,000 bank and financial services company clients, covering 200 million consumer accounts, Plaid is currently providing connections for 80 percent of the largest U.S. fintech apps. That’s no small market share — and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Today, Plaid’s APIs are used by one in four people in the U.S. with a bank account — there’s tremendous opportunity for growth. In addition, this acquisition provides multiple opportunities for Visa. Here’s a look at some of those opportunities, thoughts on what’s ahead for Visa and for Plaid, as well as what we expect in the fintech market in the months ahead.
The Future of Customer Experience—Why Pandora’s Interactive Voice Ad Launch is a Big Deal
The future of customer experience is (or should be) on every brand’s mind, as connecting with and forming meaningful relationships with consumers has never been more important, or more difficult. That’s why the news around Pandora’s interactive voice ad launch is a big deal. While we are at the nascent stages of interactive voice technology, the possibilities are incredibly exciting and can provide a whole new dimension to the brand-customer relationship, with big benefits to both.