With a nod to the late 1980's Scorpions song, let's dive into the prevailing forces that are causing organizations to reevaluate their strategies with relational databases.  To do that effectively, we welcome back to the program Ryan Arsenault, Principal Field Solution Architect (and heavily accented Bostonian), who has broad experience previously running SAP and Database operations at a large competitor.  Ryan and I navigate through the landscape of trends that are requiring DBAs and IT leaders to change their approach to the software that manages their most important assets - the database. We touch on the impact of Cloud, Automation, AI and AI operations, Security, and the recent changes with VMware - plus how all-Flash changed the game for tier 1 database storage management. Always a fun conversation when Ryan stops by.  For more information on Pure Storage solutions for Databases, check out: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/applications.html

The Winds of Change Altering Relational Database Strategy and DBA Operations

In the latest episode of Pure Report Unplugged, the team dives into the exciting world of TechSummit Season 3 with JD's announcement of new focus areas including the Pure Storage Platform, Real-Time Enterprise File and Object services, and customer success stories from the field. The tour kicks off in Calgary, Alberta before moving to San Diego, Toronto, Atlanta, and more locations, with Andrew scheduled to appear at the inaugural Calgary event. Listeners also get insight into the team's behind-the-scenes work, from Andrew's enablement initiatives and bootcamp development to Rob's journey in production for Sales Kickoff, plus news about upcoming video podcasts and an updated web landing page.

The episode's Pure News Roundup covers significant company developments, including Andrew's commentary on the enhanced Partner Program and JD's updates on Fusion features like simplified management, presets, and automation improvements. The team emphasizes the "Subscription to Innovation" philosophy available on version 6.8, discussing how security challenges and cloud technologies are transforming update strategies toward more resilient architectures. Rob also shares exciting details about Accelerate registration opening February 18th in Las Vegas at Resortsworld, highlighting expanded offerings based on attendee feedback such as more hands-on labs, customer speakers, community meetups, and certification opportunities.

The Tech News Roundup segment explores fascinating AI advancements from Deepseek, Grok3, and Glean, alongside Oxford scientists' claims about quantum teleportation, drawing a nostalgic connection to Willy Wonka's Mike TeeVee character. The episode concludes with practical tips, including JD's guide to building a Pure LED wall panel using Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles with HomeKit compatibility and Pure Orange (Hex #FE5000), plus Andrew's highlight of the Genealogy View feature in Pure 1, complete with a customer anecdote about demonstrating cost savings to finance teams.

Unplugged Volume 20: TechSummit Season 3, Pure News Roundup, and AI/Quantum Tech News

In this fourth installment of the Purely Cloud Guest podcast series, Ondrej and team delve deeper into the technical specifics of Pure Cloud Block Store (CBS). After covering the foundational aspects in previous episodes—from Pure Storage's market impact to the cost advantages of CBS through data reduction techniques and egress cost management—we now turn our attention to the architectural nuances and recent innovations that differentiate CBS in both AWS and Azure environments.
This episode's special guest, Shruti Gupta, joins to explore the improvements that make CBS stand out, including non-disruptive upgrades, flexible capacity management options, and the introduction of multitenancy capabilities. They unpack the significant benefits of Fusion for fleet management and discuss the always-on encryption features that ensure data security. Additionally, they explore the introduction of comprehensive data protection strategies available with CBS, examining how replication capabilities balance recovery objectives with total cost of ownership considerations.
As the episode concludes, they highlight recent platform-specific enhancements for CBS and preview upcoming episodes focusing on specialized use cases including data replication, disaster recovery, and leveraging CBS for development/testing environments and analytics workloads in the cloud. Whether you're already using Pure Storage solutions or exploring cloud storage options, this technical deep dive offers valuable insights into optimizing your cloud storage architecture.

Purely Cloud Guest Series: Managing Cloud Storage at Scale: Pure Cloud Block Store Specifics

Jump into the latest Purely Cloud Guest Series episode featuring Pure's Kyle Grossmiller in an engaging conversation with Microsoft AVS Solution expert Husam Hilal.  This episode explores how Azure VMware Solution (AVS) represents one of the most significant collaborations in cloud computing, enabling organizations to seamlessly extend their VMware environments into Microsoft Azure. In this episode, dive deep to explore both the strategic vision and practical implementation challenges of this groundbreaking service. From its origins as a collaborative effort between former competitors to its current status as a critical hybrid cloud enabler, Husam guides us through the evolution of AVS with insights only an insider could provide.
The conversation examines how AVS solves fundamental challenges for enterprises with significant VMware investments, allowing them to leverage Azure's global footprint without rearchitecting applications or disrupting operations. Husam shares real-world deployment scenarios and addresses one of the most common challenges customers face: vSAN storage limitations that can force over-provisioning of compute resources. He unpacks innovative solutions like Pure Storage Cloud and Cloud Block Store that disaggregate storage from compute, potentially saving organizations significant costs while optimizing resource utilization.
Looking toward the horizon, Husam and Kyle provide a glimpse into upcoming AVS innovations that promise to reshape hybrid cloud strategies. Whether you're an IT decision-maker evaluating migration options, an architect designing hybrid solutions, or a VMware professional expanding your skillset, this episode offers practical advice for navigating the convergence of traditional virtualization and modern cloud platforms. Husam's unique perspective bridges technical details with business value, making complex cloud concepts accessible and actionable.

Purely Cloud Guest Series: Cloud Frontier - Bridging Worlds with Azure VMware Solution

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, traditional defense mechanisms are proving increasingly inadequate against sophisticated cyber and ransomware attacks. The latest collaboration between Pure Storage and Superna represents a groundbreaking approach to data protection, introducing the revolutionary concept of CyberStorage - an active defense strategy that goes beyond reactive measures to prevent cyber threats at their inception.

Featuring insights from Jason Walker of Pure Storage and Alex Hesterberg, CEO of Superna and former Pure pre-IPO employee, the conversation provides a roadmap for organizations seeking to fortify their cyber defenses. This podcast explores the critical gap between traditional data protection and modern cybersecurity, offering listeners an in-depth look at how innovative technologies can strengthen an organization's security posture. By focusing on prevention, early detection, and automated response mechanisms, Pure Storage and Superna are redefining how businesses can protect their most valuable asset: their data. The discussion delves into practical solutions that not only block potential attacks but also provide comprehensive analytics and recovery capabilities.

From understanding the devastating impacts of ransomware to exploring cutting-edge technologies like FlashBlade and advanced detection capabilities, this podcast offers listeners a strategic perspective on protecting their digital infrastructure in an increasingly hostile cyber environment.


Close the Security Gap with CyberStorage from Superna and Pure Storage

Make time to take an extraordinary deep dive into the complex world of public sector technology leadership, featuring Jim Weaver, a veteran Chief Information Officer with an impressive track record across multiple state governments and now Pure's National Strategic Advisor for Public Sector. Our conversation unpacks the critical challenges and transformative opportunities facing IT leaders in an era of unprecedented technological complexity, from cybersecurity threats to the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence in government operations.
Drawing from Jim's extensive experience leading technology strategies in North Carolina, the state of Washington, and in Pennsylvania, Weaver offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on how modern governments are architecting resilient, secure, and innovative digital infrastructures. We examine the intricate balance between risk management and technological advancement, revealing the strategic thinking required to protect sensitive public data while simultaneously leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve government services and operational efficiency.
Beyond technical insights, this episode provides a compelling narrative about leadership, innovation, and the human element of technology. Develop an understanding of how dedicated IT professionals like Jim Weaver are working to safeguard critical infrastructure, navigate complex cybersecurity landscapes, and drive meaningful digital transformation in the public sector. From ransomware prevention to AI implementation, Weaver shares candid stories and strategic insights that demystify the high-stakes world of government technology management.

Data, Defense, and Disruption: A Public Sector Tech Journey with Jim Weaver, Former State CIO

In this episode of the Pure Report, we welcome Valerie Harrison, Principal Technologist at Pure Storage, for an in-depth exploration of technology transformation in cloud, AI, and the automotive industry. Valerie shares her fascinating career journey from Google to Pure Storage, revealing how her diverse experiences have shaped her perspective on cloud adoption, AI implementation, and the critical role of effective data management. The conversation provides valuable insights into when cloud solutions make strategic sense and how companies can avoid vendor lock-in while still leveraging the best technologies for their specific use cases.

Our discussion takes a deep dive into how AI is revolutionizing the automotive sector, examining the divide between traditional approaches and new subscription-based models. Valerie illuminates how car manufacturers are utilizing unstructured data growth, synthetic data creation, and telemetry information to enhance customer experiences and develop advanced features. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how storage and data management serve as the common thread to success in these initiatives, with specific examples of how Pure Storage is enabling manufacturers and suppliers to manage massive data requirements for everything from factory operations to customer-facing innovations.

The episode concludes with a thoughtful examination of women's experiences in the tech industry, with Valerie candidly discussing barriers to career development and the importance of representation. She shares practical advice from her talk at a Google conference about getting your voice heard in intimidating environments and discusses her mentorship work with a local university. This segment offers valuable perspectives on addressing skills gaps in tech through greater inclusion of talented women, particularly in underrepresented areas like cybersecurity, and highlights initiatives like Pure Storage's Women's ERG that are working to create positive change. 

Data-Driven Transformation: Valerie Harrison on Cloud, AI, Automotive, and Women in Tech

Discover great management capabilities with Pure SE Scott Nalawaniec, a former Pure customer and now a seasoned Systems Engineer from Portland. We  dive deep into the world of Pure Storage's management platform, Pure1, and look at Scott's 5 favorite capabilities that make managing arrays a breeze. We first reflect on our recent Sales Kickoff, and then Scott shares his expertise on simplicity and the evergreen nature of non-disruptive upgrades that have become foundational to Pure's offerings. Then we jump into Scott's favorite management and automation features - from VM Analytics that helped Scott identify problematic virtual machines across 17 appliances as a customer to the game-changing Self-Service Updates that have transformed how customers approach array updates.
Scott takes us on a journey through Pure1's evolution, highlighting the powerful Appliance Genealogy feature that maps hardware histories like "a giant family tree" and Performance and Capacity analytics that provide crucial trending data. We'll also explore emerging capabilities in sustainability monitoring and the detailed Session and Audit Log that recently helped a customer track a potential security threat. Scott's enthusiasm for Test Drive as a demonstration tool rounds out this comprehensive look at the latest management capabilities.
Whether you're a Pure Storage veteran or just curious about next-generation storage management, Scott's firsthand experiences offer valuable takeaways for IT professionals at every level. This episode showcases how Pure1 continues to innovate while maintaining the simplicity and innovation that users have come to expect from Pure Storage solutions.

Manage Smarter with Pure1: Cool Capabilities and Practical Applications For Every Administrator

In an era where data breaches cost organizations millions and threaten business continuity daily, the intersection of data storage and security has never been more critical. Hear from two industry experts: Nolan Necoechea, Product Marketing leader from Varonis, and returning guest Jason Walker from Pure Storage. Together, we unpack how intelligent data classification, threat detection, and automated remediation are changing the cybersecurity landscape – and why the foundation of effective security starts with how your data is stored and classified.
This episode takes listeners from Varonis's fascinating origin story (involving disappearing high-resolution ocean floor images) to the cutting-edge of modern cybersecurity practices. Nolan breaks down Varonis's comprehensive platform that creates visibility and control over data access, while Jason explains why Pure Storage provides the ideal foundation for these security solutions. Learn how real-time threat detection, user behavior analytics, and automated remediation aren't just buzzwords but essential components of modern data protection strategy.
As AI-powered threats continue to evolve, this conversation offers practical insights into how organizations can stay ahead of bad actors through strategic partnerships and integrated solutions. Discover why streamlined SecOps and robust data classification are becoming table stakes for business continuity, and get a preview of what's next in the Varonis-Pure partnership. Whether you're a CISO, IT administrator, or business leader concerned about data protection, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on safeguarding your organization's most valuable asset: its data.

Data Defenders: When Storage Meets Security - The Varonis and Pure Storage Partnership

Jump back into the Pure Report as we welcome back Jim Weaver, Pure Storage Strategic Advisor for the Public Sector, to explore how federal policy changes and budget uncertainties are reshaping state and local government IT strategies. Drawing from his extensive experience as a former state CIO, Jim provides insider insights into navigating federal impacts while discussing the shift from CAPEX to OPEX models as agencies seek operational flexibility in turbulent times. The conversation dives deep into Pure Storage's new Public Safety campaign, examining the technology behind video surveillance, body cameras, forensics data collection, and next-generation 911 systems that are transforming how government agencies serve and protect their communities. Don't miss this essential discussion on the intersection of politics, budgets, and cutting-edge technology in the public sector.

Inside Public Sector IT: Federal Impacts, Budget Realities, and Public Safety Innovation

Pure Storage’s foundational approach to product engineering is guided by 15 architectural decisions that were established at the company’s inception and have shaped both the technical and user experience across its product lines. These architectural choices were not made arbitrarily—they stem from a deliberate focus on simplicity, efficiency, and scalability, ensuring Pure could deliver storage solutions that break away from legacy complexity and enable continuous innovation without compromise.

This series will guide viewers through all of the 15 principles, helping you understand why certain choices were made, how they impact your operations, and how they compare to other industry features and products.  Join Pure Report podcast hosts Rob Ludeman, Andrew Miller, and J.D Wallace for this fun technical retrospective on Pure Storage.  Episode one centers around Pure's simplicity in design and capabilities to scale effortlessly.

15 Architectural Decisions Series: Simplicity and Scale

Bringing you direct access to Pure Storage thought leaders, technology experts, alliance partners, customer insights, and our latest product news.

The Winds of Change Altering Relational Database Strategy and DBA Operations

Pure Storage

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