The great tech consolidation

Blog #13 - Amsterdam, October 21, 2024

Why your cloud computing future might be decided in board rooms

If you think the tech world moves fast, try keeping up with who owns what these days. While you were sipping your morning coffee, another billion-dollar deal probably just went down in Silicon Valley. And no, we're not talking about small change – we're witnessing a high-stakes game of corporate Monopoly that's reshaping the future of cloud computing and AI.

The usual suspects are at it again. HPE, Cisco, and IBM are throwing around billions like Dutch tourists tossing bread to Amsterdam's canal ducks. But here's the million-dollar question (or should I say billion?): What does this mean for your business, and should you care?

Let's break it down.

The good stuff first

Remember when your parents told you two heads are better than one? Well, in tech, two companies can be better than one – sometimes. When these corporate giants join forces, they're not just combining bank accounts. They're creating tech supergroups, like The Beatles of cloud computing, but with more servers and less hair.

Take HPE's recent hookup with Juniper Networks. It's like giving your network a PhD in AI – suddenly, your infrastructure isn't just connecting things; it's thinking about how to connect them better.

But wait, there's a plot twist

Not every corporate marriage ends in happily ever after. Sometimes, it's more like trying to merge two family WhatsApp groups – chaotic, complicated, and bound to ruffle some feathers. Integration challenges can turn these dream deals into digital drama.

The human side of the story

Behind every merger announcement and fancy press release are real people with real concerns. Engineers wondering if their project will survive the transition. Developers pondering if they need to learn yet another new system. Customers worried their favorite service might get the corporate axe.

The sales team are the real heroes

Here's where things get interesting. While executives are popping champagne in boardrooms, it's the sales teams in the trenches making sure everything doesn't fall apart. Think of them as corporate diplomats, navigating the delicate balance between "business as usual" and "everything is changing."

The bottom line

As these tech titans continue their shopping spree, one thing's clear: the cloud computing and AI landscape is transforming faster than a Dutch weather forecast. The real question isn't just who's buying whom – it's how these mega-mergers will shape the technology we all depend on.

What's your take? Is bigger always better in tech? Or are we creating digital dinosaurs too big to innovate? The debate is just getting started, and your business might depend on the outcome.

Article's used:

February 6, 2024 - Antonio Neri HPE Corporate website - HPE and Juniper Networks: accelerating value for customers

https://www.hpe.com/us/en/newsroom/blog-post/2024/02/hpe-and-juniper-networks-accelerating-value-for-customers.html

August 9, 2023 - Zoho Desk - What business mergers and acquisitions mean for customers. https://www.zoho.com/desk/service-express/Impact-business-merger-acquisition--customers.html

January 11, 2022 - Nicholas Himowicz at Strategyzer - Why it’s getting harder for large companies to acquire startups https://www.strategyzer.com/library/why-its-getting-harder-for-large-companies-to-acquire-startups

Disclaimer Alert

Folks, let's get a few things straight: this article is my own personal take on the matter, and it's as personal as your grandma's secret cookie recipe – unapproved by anyone but yours truly! So, consider this article as my solo journey into the quirky world of tech, where my (sales) creativity dances with analysis. If it makes you chuckle or raises an insightful eyebrow, that's awesome! If it makes you scratch your head in bewilderment, well, that's part of the fun too.

But remember, dear readers, this is all in good fun, and it doesn't constitute official tech doctrine or employer-approved wisdom. It's just me, my thoughts, and a touch of humor thrown into the tech mix.

About the author

The author is a Dutch tech observer who divides his time between calculating cloud computing costs and dodging tourists on his bicycle. When not writing about corporate mega-mergers, he can be found explaining to confused American executives why Dutch lunch typically consists of just one sandwich, and why that's perfectly fine. He firmly believes that if Amsterdam's canals were filled with data instead of water, they'd still be less complex than today's tech acquisitions. His greatest achievement is maintaining perfect posture while typing business analysis on his laptop in a windstorm, a skill he considers essential for any Dutch tech writer. He has never met a tech merger he couldn't compare to a stroopwafel: layers of complexity held together by sticky situations.

Jeroen's 'business model' is to help software companies to gain marketshare in the European market, by establishing a sales-, inside sales (SDR's) and marketing team within the European market, expanding and opening his network to win the hearts of your future customers.

Passionate about driving change and rethinking IT strategies, Jeroen is an advocate for leveraging software-defined approaches to transform businesses. He firmly believes in empowering companies to harness the full potential of their current and future IT infrastructure to drive success in the digital era.

Jeroen Overmaat's exceptional track record, extensive industry knowledge, and passion for driving growth make him a sought-after leader in the technology landscape. With his strategic insights and customer-centric approach, Jeroen continues to empower software companies to thrive and achieve remarkable success in the European market.

Jeroen has wrote many articles / blogs with his own personal view on the matters. There is no consistency in the cadence of his publications, he publishes when he feels like it. You can find these articles on his LinkedIn profile.