Welcome to another episode of Densify Talks! We’re excited and honored to welcome Brent Eubanks, FinOps Architect at Wayfair. Brent brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience in the FinOps realm from his time at Ticketmaster, Citi, Box, and now Wayfair.

Our host Andrew Hillier, CTO and Co-Founder of Densify, sits down with Brent to discuss containers, FinOps, resource optimization, AI, and Kubernetes to name a few topics.

Brent shares his insights on resource waste, and highlights his strategic approach with seven tactics to optimization. Andrew and Brent discuss the challenges of interfacing with engineering teams and how to approach that with a really helpful tip! They talk about the costs of AI, AI as an asset, and solving specific business problems with AI. Brent also shares some of his very fascinating non-work projects that he’s working on.

It’s an information and wisdom-packed episode! Make sure to take some notes from today’s episode. We hope it’s as valuable for you as it was for us!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Brent Eubanks

Brent Eubanks is the FinOps Architect at Wayfair. He’s a hands-on leader with a passion for innovating on technologies, building effective teams and a focus on delivering competitively superior FinOps technology solutions to the business while growing people in the organization and quantifying IT transformation. Design, implement, operate platforms using AI/ML, data lake, LLM local with prompt chaining and superprompts to optimize the engineers efficiency.

Brent is a digital service efficiency expert to help enterprises plan, govern, and understand the business value to facilitate self-optimizing and self-governing DevOps CICD pipelines. Solution development and Architect optimal L1-7 stacks using Kubernetes, Serverless, AWS GCP Azure. AI ML Data Science foundation models and data exploration analytics to interact with data streams and explore price performance value.

Brent strives to achieve 'Cognitive Application Focused Environments' as a key component that will blend architecture design, robotics process automation and intercloud interoperability with process, and policy interactions to enable actions to instantly scale, migrate, administer, model, and decide autonomously how to best service the applications needs.

Cloud leaders must have the right digital economics reports, dashboards, interactive decisioning frameworks to prove that the enterprise Cloud/Colo budget $ is being spent better than last year in the context of that Enterprise Business Unit’s unique needs. Brent does that by combining the vision, context, AI/ML data lake of the existing Cloud estate to produce these ITBM and FinOps valuable insights to quantify business transformation, quantify agility of IT, and track personal progress of maturity of all functional domains among the Enterprise executives.

Brent’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenteubanks/

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast focuses on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS:

• densify.com
• Papers Mentioned in the Episode:
  • https://www.finops.org/wg/effect-of-optimization-on-ai-forecasting/
  • https://www.finops.org/wg/finops-for-ai-overview/

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Vladimir Remenar, Director of IT Operations at Raiffeisen Bank in Croatia. Andrew Hillier and Vladimir Remenar dive into container optimization strategies and cloud migration, discussing Raiffeisen’s processes and innovative practices.

Raiffeisen Bank was early in the automation of optimization. Vladimir shares why that was the case and what that meant for Raiffeisen. He also discusses Raiffeisen’s migration to cloud journey and shares challenges, benefits, and lessons learned along the way.

Andrew and Vladimir talk about Openshift license costs and Openshift to EKS. One of Densify’s beliefs is using cloud as intended, using standard and open frameworks, and not locking in.

They move into the topic of FinOps and highlight how Raiffeisen approaches financial operations in their cloud journey, and the importance of continuous optimization for seamless operations.

Andrew and Vladimir also cover additional topics, including Vladimir’s professional journey in the banking industry, his personal passions for fishing and boating, and their perspectives on future trends coming in the industry.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Vladimir Remenar

Vladimir Remenar is the Director of IT Operations at Raiffeisen Bank in Croatia. He’s involved in planning, designing, documenting and leading some of the largest IT infrastructure projects. Vladimir is passionate about cyber security, security related research and mobile phone forensics.

Vladimir Remenar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vremenar

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast focuses on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS:

• densify.com
• Vladimir Remenar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vremenar

Andrew Hillier and Ashley Rodrigue from Intel Corporation have a wealth of fantastic information for you on this episode of Densify Talks! They start off by sharing the benefits of the connection and partnership between Intel and Densify, highlighting how it benefits not only the two companies but also their customers.

Ashley discusses how Intel® Cloud Optimizer is revolutionizing cloud efficiency and tackling container-related inefficiencies. She also provides a closer look at Intel's cutting-edge 5th Gen Intel Xeon Processors and their performance improvements.

Andrew and Ashley talk about the regional availability of products and how Intel Foundry fits into that, reducing “hoarding” issues. Ashley had the privilege of touring one of Intel’s production facilities and shares the impact and benefits of in-house production.

They also discuss Intel and ASML’s partnership in High NA EUV technology, FinOps trends and future directions, and touch on containers and guardrails. However, they’re saving the bulk of that discussion for a future episode.

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the DENSIFY TALKS podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Ashley Rodrigue

As an Intel Cloud Partner Manager, Ashley works with industry-leading cloud partners to deliver maximum value to customers who run on Intel in the cloud. Prior to this role, Ashley was an Account Executive at Intel working with large enterprise customers in the NY metro area, helping them run best on Intel from the edge to the cloud. Before joining Intel in 2014, Ashley was an Ambassador at Lenovo where she conducted briefings for the press, customers, and business partners in North America.

Ashley holds an MBA with a concentration in marketing from the University of Maine. As part of Ashley’s graduate assistantship, she worked at the University of Maine’s Technology Business Incubator helping several start-up companies conduct market research, write business plans, and launch their solutions.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast focuses on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Gokul Naidu, Senior Manager, Cloud Operations for SAP’s SuccessFactors Product Suite.

Andrew and Gokul discuss an array of topics in the episode. The general theme of the discussion focuses on cost management and the importance of being prepared, aware, and executing the right planning in order to avoid sticker shock.

Gokul shares about SAP’s massive cloud transformation and the incredible results from that success. Andrew and Gokul also discuss RI’s, FinOps, optimization thoughts and tips, new apps from SAP and the impact on Architecture decision making, user activity metrics, how SAP is able to involve Engineers to act on changes, thoughts on containers, and Gokul’s predictions on what’s to come.

It’s an incredible discussion, full of great advice, tips, and insights that we hope you will, not only enjoy, but gain some great content to walk away with!

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode!

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Gokul Naidu is a Senior Manager at SAP, for the SuccessFactors product suite — a leading global Human Capital Management solution. He spearheads the cloud optimization initiative, collaborating with teams across product development, engineering, operations, data science, and finance. His leadership has been pivotal in establishing and executing the cloud optimization strategy within SAP SuccessFactors from the inception of their cloud migration journey.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast is focused on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS

• densify.com

• https://news.sap.com/2023/02/sap-successfactors-next-generation-cloud-delivery/

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Lori Galella, Director of Cloud Cost Optimization and IT Finance at Verisk, and also Vinnie DeAngelis, Senior Director at Verisk. We dive into the importance of transparency, trust, automation, and optimization.

Lori and Vinnie share their unique career paths and discuss the intersection of finance and technology, emphasizing the growing importance of optimization and transparency through FinOps. They also cover the impact of cloud migration, capacity management, and successful cost optimization strategies.

Data and analytics are essential, and it’s important that those involved know and understand the numbers and costs, as costs need to be factored into every decision.

Andrew, Lori and Vinnie discuss having ongoing collaboration and relationships throughout the process, as well as striving to keep up with the best and new strategies. Finally, we touch on the future of cloud adoption and what technologies are likely to have an impact on cost structure optimization.

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode!

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Lori Galella

Lori Galella is Director of Cloud Cost Optimization and IT Finance at Verisk. Lori built the cloud cost optimization function at Verisk, which leverages her career experience as a systems architect, while supporting her desire for growth in the financial discipline. 

Lori has a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science and began her career at AT&T, where over a 5 year period, she built and supported their Local Area Network, as well as their General Ledger on a Unix/Sybase platform. 

Vinnie DeAngelis

Vinnie DeAngelis is Senior Director, Head if IT Finance/ Cloud FinOps & Optimization/ Software Asset Mgmt at Verisk. Vinnie joined Verisk in 2014 to lead the IT Finance Team. Since then, Vinnie has also assumed the leadership for the Cloud Financial Transformation/Operation across Verisk Analytics and the implementation and management of a centralized Software Asset Management function. He leads the Cloud Financial Transformation of Verisk Analytics.

Vinnie earned a BA Degree in Finance from Long Island University in 1985 and an MBA in International Management from Adelphi University in 1989.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast is focused on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS

• densify.com

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Mark Watson, CTO at ComplyAdvantage. 

Andrew and Mark get into a variety of topics, including cloud costs and optimization strategies. Mark shares his insights and experiences with cloud vendors, discussing the challenges of analyzing and predicting cloud growth and the importance of flexibility when choosing providers. Andrew and Mark discuss pricing in the cloud industry, shedding light on the sometimes overlooked nature of hardware and software costs.

They also delve into the world of optimization, test environments, and resource allocation, sharing valuable strategies for reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Andrew and Mark talk about AI, the impact of AI on data acquisition methods, and the importance of reliable content on the internet. They also get into Mark’s love for Sci-Fi and how our future may or may not come close to what’s already been written and, somewhat, predicted.

We hope you enjoy this insightful and informative episode, as we explore the world of cloud costs, optimization strategies, and so much more with our guest, Mark Watson.

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Mark Watson, Chief Technology Officer at ComplyAdvantage.

Mark leads the company’s technology team in developing and running world-class technology. Mark has over 30 years’ experience in large companies and start-ups, several of which he co-founded and built from scratch. Immediately before ComplyAdvantage, he was CTO at WorldRemit, a leading cross-border digital payments service providing international money transfer and remittance services across a worldwide network. Mark has a BA in Politics from the University of Nottingham, UK.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast is focused on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS:

• densify.com

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Luke Travers, FinOps Specialist and Principal Cloud Architect at a major South Korean e-Commerce company.

Andrew and Luke discuss an array of topics surrounding building a culture of continuous cloud optimization.

They delve into the importance of completeness and contextualization when making recommendations, stressing the potential impact of missing factors or terms. The discussion also touches on different industries and their unique peak periods, highlighting the significance of providing accurate answers to customers to build trust.

The episode takes a deep dive into containers, giving a unique perspective on their evolution and status. Andrew and Luke share valuable insights about their advantages, flexibility, and the challenges that both cloud-native and non-native companies face when optimizing systems.

Andrew and Luke also explore the challenges of resource allocation at scale and the potential financial consequences of neglecting proper optimization.

There’s a lot more discussed, and we hope you enjoy this insightful episode of Densify Talks as we unpack the intricacies of cloud computing, optimization, and the evolving landscape of containers and Serverless architecture.

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

With over 14 years of experience in IT and 7 years focused on cloud technologies, Luke is an accomplished FinOps Specialist and Principal Cloud Architect. 

Hailing from Australia and currently residing in Seoul, Korea, his journey has provided him with a deep understanding of global markets. His passion lies in optimizing cloud costs, fortifying cloud infrastructure, and driving business growth. With a proven track record in Cloud FinOps, he takes pride in delivering tangible cost optimization opportunities.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast is focused on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS:

• densify.com

On this episode of Densify Talks, we welcome Josh Hilliker, Principal Engineer and Senior Director Cloud Solutions Architect at Intel. 

Josh and Andrew discuss automated instance selection and the importance of letting machines make the resource decisions as cloud environments scale. Speaking from the perspective of a hardware manufacturer, Josh offers unique insight into some of the criteria that affect the performance and cost of hosting apps in the cloud, and how to leverage “optimization as code” to automate the optimization process. He also provides insight into the latest Intel hardware accelerators, and the cloud instances that they are available on.

If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to the podcast ASAP so you don’t miss an episode.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Josh Hilliker is the Principal Engineer and Senior Director Cloud Solutions Architect at Intel Corporation. Josh leads a team of industry certified Cloud Solutions Architects, meant to engage strategic Enterprises and Digital Service Providers accounts to optimize Cloud Strategies, Capital Investments, and deployable technologies to serve their mission outcomes.

As a recognized Intel Principal Engineer, Josh draws on a wealth of experiences in technical, business, and external engagements to chart a course to help customers match business outcomes with best practices, and best technologies.

ABOUT DENSIFY TALKS:

Densify Talks is a podcast hosted by Andrew Hillier, Co-Founder and CTO of Densify, a cloud optimization software company. The podcast is focused on interviews with IT and technical leaders and innovators who have experience in delivering cloud and Kubernetes-based infrastructure within large enterprises.

LINKS:

• densify.com