The First Mover Advantage (and Challenges)
Session Abstract:
As the Edge/IoT markets develop and expand, they’re replete with opportunities to do something that’s never been done before — and thus enjoy the benefits of the “first mover”. Pioneering first mover, new product categories requires unique and uncommon insights and approaches. This simply because there’s no history, no direct experience, and no statistically significant market data. Dr. Tom will discuss the benefits and challenges of being a first mover in the Edge/IoT marketplace, the rich opportunities, and share some real world experiences with his special guest, a fellow first mover category creator.
Speakers:
Dr. Tom Bradicich is VP, Hewlett Packard Fellow. Beginning his career at IBM, Tom was an IBM Fellow, VP, Distinguished Engineer, and Server CTO. Prior to HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Tom was an NI Fellow at National Instruments, an Operational Technologies (OT) company. HP / Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): Tom is currently Vice President, Hewlett Packard Fellow, and Global Head of Edge and IoT Labs & CoE, at HPE. He and his team develop and commercialize advanced as-a-Service (aaS) software and technologies, focusing on cloud managed remote infrastructure, edge-as-a-service, and converged IT/Operational Technologies (OT). Tom incepted and directs the HPE Channel-to-Edge Institute partner program, and leads company-wide strategies and venture/M&A assessments. Most recently Tom was HPE VP and General Manager, leading the global business unit, Servers and Edge Systems and Software, with P&L, worldwide sales, R&D, and customer experience ownership. In 2018, achieving revenue growth of over $250M, Tom’s business unit was the fastest growing in HPE. He directed the founding of HPE’s three global Innovation Labs for partner and customer collaborations, and led HPE’s first corporate IoT strategy. His sales teams were noted for exceeding sales quotas, and delivering first-of-a-kind products that greatly enhance customer business outcomes. At HP, Tom was VP, Server Engineering, developing and launching servers, storage, and software.
Tom is named in CRN’s Top 100 Executives and Top 25 Disrupters in 2016, 2017, and 2019, inducted into the NC State University Alumni Hall of Fame, received the IBM Chairman’s Award, and elected to the IBM Academy of Technology. He currently serves on:
Board of Directors of Aspen Technology (AZPN), a publicly traded OT and AI software company
Chair, IoT Community industry body (iotcommunity.net)
Board of Advisors and Diversity Committee, University of Florida
Throughout his career, Tom has led teams to develop, launch, and manage dozens of software and hardware products. And, the creation of several new product categories such as notebook computers, smartphones (IBM Simon™), Converged Systems (IBM BladeCenter™), Converged Edge Systems & Sofware (HPE Edgeline™), and OT and edge management software and platforms (HPE OTLink). Tom’s teams designed and launched the first 64 bit enterprise ARM server, the first x86 server with on-chip graphics, and IBM’s first prototype notebook computer.
Jeff Benck is President and Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark, a global provider of engineering design and manufacturing services that positively impact lives by helping solve complex challenges with our customers, creating innovative products that no one imagined were possible. Jeff assumed the role of President and CEO in March 2019 and is responsible for redefining the company’s strategic direction and leading Benchmark through a transformation that will strengthen Benchmark’s position in the industry. Since joining, he has helped refocus the company on its core strengths and guided the company through several strategic investments to help its customers navigate the most complex technology challenges with a socially responsible approach, serving them through the entire product development lifecycle as a trusted partner. Prior to joining Benchmark, Jeff served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lantronix a global provider of secure data access and management solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) and information technology (IT) assets. Prior to Lantronix, Jeff served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Emulex Corporation, a global supplier of advanced networking, monitoring, and management solutions from July 2013 until Emulex was acquired by Avago Technologies in May 2015. He joined Emulex in May 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was subsequently appointed to President and Chief Operating Officer in August 2010. Prior to joining Emulex, Jeff was President and Chief Operating Officer of QLogic Corporation, a supplier of storage networking solutions. Earlier, he spent 18 years at IBM Corporation where he held a variety of executive leadership roles. Jeff holds a Master of Science degree in management of technology from University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is also a distinguished inventor in the computer systems field and holds six U.S. patents.