The ITAM Roundup: 2/19/24
OpenAI collapses media reality with Sora, a photorealistic AI video generator
While this blog focuses mostly on enterprise ITAM - this one is too wild not to post. OpenAI has introduced Sora, an AI model generating photorealistic HD videos from text descriptions, causing concern about the potential for widespread dissemination of fake videos online. OpenAI's Sora, utilizing a diffusion model, exhibits temporal consistency and relies on synthetic captions for scene descriptions, hinting at the future convergence of AI and real-world simulation.
Benj Edwards
Oracle Cloud SCM gets new capabilities to help manage logistics
Oracle has introduced new capabilities to its Supply Chain and Manufacturing (SCM) Fusion Cloud, specifically in its Transportation Management and Global Trade Management applications, aiming to assist enterprises in logistics management. These updates include expanded business intelligence capabilities, enhanced logistics network modeling, a new trade incentive program, and an updated Transportation Management Mobile application, all geared towards optimizing fleet performance and automating trade documentation.
Anirban Ghoshal
What Matters Most to Microsoft in 2024
In 2024, Microsoft's primary focus is on leveraging Generative AI (GenAI) technology, particularly with Copilot for Microsoft 365, to drive productivity and revenue growth. They aim to position Copilot as essential for both enterprise and consumer users, strategically bundling it with various Microsoft subscriptions. Additionally, Microsoft emphasizes increasing adoption of Microsoft 365 E5, expanding market share through Dynamics 365, and accelerating the utilization of Microsoft Azure, particularly in AI services, to remain competitive in the cloud computing market.
Adam Mansfield
Evaluating Workday’s LDP: Critical Insights for Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
Workday's Launch Deployment Program (LDP) offers faster implementation for small to mid-sized businesses, but potential customers should carefully assess concerns like pricing transparency and low implementation cost estimates. Additionally, bypassing a competitive bidding process may lead to missed opportunities for cost comparison and negotiation leverage. Thorough evaluation and negotiation are essential before committing to Workday's LDP to ensure successful integration within the organization.
Erwann Couesbot
Flexera Completes Acquisition of Snow Software, Broadening its Portfolio for Technology Value Optimization
Flexera has finally completed the acquisition of Snow Software, broadening its portfolio for Technology Value Optimization. Flexera will continue supporting both Flexera and Snow solutions, collaborating with partners to address cost increases, security challenges, and technological advancements across IT landscapes. It will be very interesting to see how these two combined companies will synthesize their corresponding product suites across traditional ITAM and FinOps products.
Cyndi Tackett
Oracle Licensing Efficiency With Dedicated Hosts
Licensing Oracle software in AWS can be less efficient than on-premises due to challenges in identifying physical hosts for Oracle workloads, impacting licensing models. While Oracle's cloud licensing policy allows counting vCPUs, leasing dedicated hosts from AWS enables enumeration of physical cores, leading to significant reductions in Oracle processor licenses required. Although dedicated instances may incur slightly higher costs, the savings in Oracle licensing fees outweigh this difference, providing a cost-efficient solution for managing Oracle deployments on AWS.
Cam Cameron
Quest License Audit Preparation: A Step-By-Step Guide
Preparing for a Quest license audit involves assembling a team, conducting regular internal audits, maintaining detailed records, consulting legal experts, and using software management tools effectively. Understanding Quest license audits, developing a formal license position, and avoiding common mistakes are key. Additionally, addressing FAQs helps navigate the audit process successfully.
Fredrik Filipsson
Navigating the Expanded Scope of NIS2 for Risk Mitigation
The NIS2 directive expands cybersecurity regulations for large and medium-sized entities across various sectors, requiring compliance measures like risk management, incident handling, and access control. To prepare for NIS2, organizations need to conduct cybersecurity asset management, including IT, OT, and IoT devices, while implementing robust risk assessment and incident response plans. Lansweeper offers solutions for comprehensive asset discovery, risk analysis, and security monitoring to facilitate NIS2 compliance and mitigate cyber threats.
Laura Libeer
Microsoft Negotiation Strategies (Directions on Microsoft)
Directions has recently published a series of Microsoft negotiation tip videos. Check out the overall strategies video below.
Keeping up with Microsoft’s Azure Services
Microsoft's Azure platform continuously introduces new services, expanding its offerings to over 200, including lesser-known ones like Azure Lighthouse and Spring Apps, catering to various development needs. Staying updated on these services can be challenging but essential, with resources like Directions on Microsoft and Microsoft's Azure updates feed aiding in discovery and evaluation, ensuring organizations capitalize on new opportunities for development and deployment within Azure's ecosystem.
Rob Sanfilippo
RansomHouse gang automates VMware ESXi attacks with new MrAgent tool
The RansomHouse gang has developed a new tool called 'MrAgent' to automate the deployment of its ransomware on VMware ESXi hypervisors, targeting valuable data and critical applications in businesses. MrAgent identifies host systems, disables firewalls, and executes ransomware deployment across multiple hypervisors simultaneously, enhancing the impact of the attack while minimizing detection chances. RansomHouse's development of MrAgent highlights the growing threat of automated attacks on large networks, necessitating robust security measures to defend against such threats.
