Haiyan Song, Executive Vice President of Intelligence Services at NetApp, addressed how the company is propelling its cloud operations and intelligent data infrastructure to help customers harness the power of data.

“The title is really just a reflection of the evolution of NetApp’s intelligent data infrastructure vision coming to life,” Song remarked.
“This shift is more than just a nominal change; it represents NetApp’s transition from being a hardware-centric company to becoming a comprehensive provider of cloud solutions.”

Song explained that understanding how cloud operates is critical to building a successful cloud business. She emphasized that today’s companies look at their cloud ecosystems as part of an intelligent data infrastructure that is vital for various journeys, whether they’re centered around AI or digitization.

“We evolved to be the intelligence data infrastructure company. And what constitutes that is the unified data storage, which is the very foundation” Song noted.
“Cybersecurity is a non-negotiable a topic close to Song’s heart given her background in the field. “We are exemplifying to the field and to the customers that security doesn’t have to be an afterthought,” she highlighted. Haiyan shared that NetApp’s storage solutions come with built-in ransomware protection, offering peace of mind for clients.

Intelligence for Data

When it comes to managing the explosion of data, Haiyan pointed out that intelligence plays a crucial role. “Intelligence of data means you’ve got to understand what data you have,” she explained. This understanding is vital not only for AI training but also for ensuring the quality and classification of data. She mentioned NetApp’s Data Explorer as a tool that provides a holistic view of enterprise data, thereby enabling better decision-making.

Addressing Data Hallucinations

The topic of data hallucinations, or the incorrect insights derived from low-quality or irrelevant data, was another focal point. “I think this has been some good conversations I’m having with customers, others on the quality of data,” Haiyan said. She stressed the importance of data lineage and quality in improving AI models, which can ultimately reduce the risk of inaccurate outcomes.

Looking Ahead

As for the future, Haiyan hinted at exciting developments in how NetApp is planning to enhance data mobility and the overall cloud experience.

“We’re starting with all the metadata and all the other things. I’m sure it was, you know, working with design partners and customers,” she shared, emphasizing that the journey towards better data quality and intelligent operations is ongoing.

Simplifying Cloud Operations

Haiyan also shed light on NetApp’s approach to cloud operations, stressing the importance of automation. “Automation means, it will give you observability. We can give you corrective actions or auto-scaling,” she explained. This, in turn, simplifies the migration and management of workloads in the cloud, making it a less daunting task for enterprises.

Bridging Cloud and On-Prem Workloads

Discussing demanding workloads, Haiyan gave examples of SAP applications and EDA workloads, which require robust and efficient infrastructure. She highlighted the Japan Coca Cola example, where Azure NetApp Files enabled a smooth transition of SAP applications to the cloud in just a few months.

Defining Cloud Ops

To wrap up the interview, we asked Haiyan for her definition of cloud operations. “Cloud ops, I think, is a general term to really think about operating your cloud infrastructure, cloud workload, cloud processes in the most agile, most integrated, and most secure way,” she defined.

In Summary

In conclusion, NetApp’s focus on intelligent data infrastructure and cloud operations, combined with a strong emphasis on security and automation, shows a clear path towards a future where data is not just managed but harnessed for greater opportunities. As Haiyan aptly put it, “Turning data into opportunities and managing the explosion of data in a way that works positively for our customers is our main goal.”

For those keen to delve deeper into NetApp’s strategies and upcoming innovations, the full interview with Haiyan Song is a must-listen.