The Visionary’s Guide to Cloud Transformation with Steven J. Davis

Steven J. Davis, a pioneer in cloud and data center technologies, shared his journey from neurophysiology experiments to leading global IT transformations. He discussed founding Mobile Online Japan, which grew to 24 points of presence, and later, creating the Accenture Cloud Platform (ACP) for multi-cloud management. Davis highlighted the challenges of data center modernization, including power density and cooling issues. He emphasized the importance of big data and AI in digital transformation, noting the Philippines' government's $1 billion cloud migration plan. Davis also mentioned his book, "Infrastructure Modernization," and his role in the Data Center Association of the Philippines.

Resources:

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Episode Highlights

Steven Davis' Journey into Technology

• Daryl Urbanski introduces Steven Davis, highlighting his extensive experience in digital infrastructure, cloud migration, and AI innovation.
• Steven Davis shares his background, mentioning his interest in technology despite being a former jock and neurophysiology major.
• Steven recounts his early experiments in neurophysiology, including programming a dead monkey's hand to type his name.
• IBM's recruitment trip to Osaka University led to Steven's job offer, despite the cultural shock of working in Japan.

Early Career and AI Innovations

• Steven discusses his work in Japan, including his proficiency in Japanese and his role in developing AI neural networks.
• The challenges of AI in 1991, including the need for 15 trillion calculations per second, led Steven to innovate in other areas.
• Steven became a TPF developer, integrating Saber into mainframes with TPF, showcasing his adaptability in R&D.
• In 1995, Steven and his friends started the Offshore Development Division, setting up satellite and T1 connections for IBM, HCL, and Bycast.

Founding Mobile Online Japan

• Steven and his friends designed the first ISP in Japan, Mobile Online Japan, on the back of a pizza box.
• The team registered the ISP and started building the infrastructure, including 24 points of presence around Japan.
• The success of Mobile Online Japan led Steven to join as the CTO, managing a team of 120 employees.
• The transition to DSL and the ATL age marked the growth of NTT, highlighting the rapid technological changes in Japan.

Acquisition and Business Challenges

• Exodus Communications acquired Steven's company for $65 million, growing to an $85 billion company before facing bankruptcy.
• Steven's experience with Exodus and the subsequent fallout taught him valuable lessons about stock valuations and C-level roles.
• Steven continued his entrepreneurial journey, creating an e-commerce platform with multi-tenant CRM and VoIP capabilities.
• The platform was sold to Digital Garage for $1 million, marking another successful business venture.

Cloud Innovations and Consulting

• Steven's work at Accenture focused on cloud transformation, creating the Accenture Cloud Platform for Service Providers (ACP for SP).
• ACP for SP integrated AWS, Azure, TerraMark, and NTT, becoming the number one hybrid cloud platform in the world.
• Steven's consulting roles involved helping companies migrate from legacy systems to the cloud, leveraging his deep technical knowledge.
• His work at Accenture included firefighting projects and creating new initiatives within the company.

Data Center Challenges and Solutions

• Steven identified critical issues in data centers, such as poor airflow and outdated infrastructure.
• He created a new initiative called STT GDC Global Data Centers, aiming to build a data center that could evolve with technological advancements.
• The company became the third largest data center company in the world, with significant investments and acquisitions.
• Steven's focus on cloud and data center modernization continued, emphasizing the need for adaptable and efficient infrastructure.

Government and Data Privacy

• Steven discusses the Philippines' government's efforts to modernize and integrate cloud services, with a focus on data privacy and security.
• The government's $1 billion investment in cloud migration aims to increase cloud integration from 5% to 35% in two years.
• Steven highlights the challenges of data privacy and regionalization, emphasizing the need for a global approach to data management.
• The role of data centers in supporting global operations and the importance of maintaining data integrity are key points in the discussion.

Impact of AI and Big Data

• Steven emphasizes the importance of big data in the digital transformation journey, including storage, collection, and analysis.
• The role of AI in generating insights and predictive analytics is highlighted, with a focus on the evolving needs of CIOs.
• Steven's book, "Infrastructure Modernization," provides a comprehensive guide for IT leaders navigating the digital transformation.
• The conversation concludes with Steven's insights into the future of cloud, AI, and the ongoing evolution of digital infrastructure.

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