NetApp INSIGHT 2024, held in Las Vegas in September, served as a pivotal event for data management and cloud innovation professionals worldwide, particularly those focused on driving efficiency and harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within enterprise systems, and in the development of cyber resilience.

The conference highlighted NetApp’s innovative strides in building an interconnected data ecosystem that supports sustainable growth, advanced AI integration, and seamless cloud solutions. With a packed agenda that included keynote speeches, panel discussions, and executive interviews, INSIGHT 2024 offered attendees an in-depth look at the future of enterprise technology. Here is a comprehensive summary of the event’s most impactful moments and key takeaways that KBI covered on the ground.

NetApp’s CEO, George Kurian, opened the event, stating that an AI-driven approach to data management is essential not only for business agility, but also as a way to future-proof organisations in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Kurian detailed how NetApp’s partnerships with major cloud providers enable their clients to streamline data mobility and optimise cloud usage without compromising security or performance, “The organisations that are further ahead are the ones that have unified their data, that have catalouged it well, that have a good understanding of security and controls for sensitive data.”

Pioneering Intelligent Data Management

The primary focus of INSIGHT 2024 revolved around developing intelligent data infrastructure. NetApp’s Krish Vitaldevara, Senior Vice President and General Manager, set the tone during his keynote address, emphasising the importance of integrating AI into data management to support modern enterprises that require rapid, data-driven decision-making. He highlighted NetApp’s ongoing commitment to simplifying data processes for organisations and making sophisticated AI tools accessible and practical, regardless of a company’s scale or industry​.

One of the core themes was NetApp’s emphasis on “AI-readiness,” focusing on the challenge of how businesses can position their data systems to efficiently support machine learning and AI workloads. Vitaldevara addressed the need for comprehensive data infrastructures capable of handling diverse and demanding AI applications, especially for industries dependent on real-time analytics, such as finance, healthcare, and retail, “It’s actually incredibly hard because our data is everywhere,” Vitaldevara shared, highlighting issues related to geographic distribution, data permissions, and the monumental gravity of data.”

We managed to sit down and have a deeper conversation with Vitaldevara;

Expanding Cloud Capabilities Through Strategic Partnerships & Cloud Migration Challenges

Another major highlight of the event was NetApp’s continued collaborations with industry-leading cloud service providers, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Ashish Dhawan, NetApp’s Senior Vice President of Cloud Business, detailed how these partnerships empower clients to integrate first-party storage solutions that facilitate seamless data migration, scalability, and cloud interoperability​.

Ashish Dhawan – SVP/GM and Chief Revenue Officer, Cloud Business Unit

Dhawan emphasised the need for a “cloud-first” mindset in businesses looking to achieve operational efficiency, but he also acknowledged the cultural and strategic challenges companies face when adopting cloud technology. He discussed how NetApp supports its clients by helping them align executive leadership and train their teams for cloud-specific solutions, allowing businesses to make the transition smoothly. With integrated services such as Amazon FSxN and Google Cloud NetApp Volumes, NetApp ensures its users have access to streamlined migration tools, and can easily manage data across multiple cloud platforms.

In his address, Ashish Dhawan pointed out the organisational challenges companies face when migrating to the cloud, particularly the need for alignment among leadership teams. Dhawan highlighted how, despite cloud solutions offering considerable long-term benefits, companies can struggle without a cohesive approach that involves all levels of management. To address these challenges, NetApp offers strategic consulting, skill development, and cloud cost assessments to ensure that its clients are not only equipped to make the initial migration but are also prepared for the organisational shifts that cloud computing often necessitates​.

One of NetApp’s solutions to the challenges of cloud migration is its commitment to ongoing training and support. Recognising that businesses need more than just technology to succeed, NetApp places a strong emphasis on education and upskilling, offering training and certification programs to ensure teams are equipped to manage cloud-based data solutions effectively.

Emphasising Sustainability and Responsible Data Management

Sustainability emerged as a critical theme at NetApp INSIGHT 2024, underscoring the role of green practices in data infrastructure. As enterprises increasingly demand eco-friendly solutions, NetApp’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact aligns with the wider push towards sustainable IT operations.

Matt Watts, Chief Technology Evangelist, outlined NetApp’s initiatives to lower power consumption in data centres and increase the energy efficiency of their storage solutions. NetApp’s efforts extend beyond operational energy reduction; the company is actively innovating to develop products and services that help clients meet their own environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals​, and dissolving the ‘greenwashing’ so many in the industry are guilty of using.

During our podcast interview, Watts highlighted the catalyst for a paradigm shift, “We just rely on the fact that technology will get faster, more dense and cheaper and will solve the problem for us. I think the reality is, when your 68% of data is never used and that doesn’t take into account the AI data explosion, and now companies are having to report on emissions, I think there’s a lot of reasons like that that will get people to take this more seriously.”

You can read more about this and other data infrastructure related topics in his new book, ‘The Forth Wave’.

More was uncovered on responsible data management during the Sustainability panel discussion, with our own KB as Compère, featuring Nicola Acutt, Ph.D Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and VP of ESG at NetApp, Spencer Sells, VP Global Innovation, Solutions, & Alliances, and Jon Brown Senior Analyst from Enterprise Strategy Group.

Real-World Impact Through Customer Success Stories

One of the standout aspects of INSIGHT 2024 was the series of customer success panels, where organisations from various industries shared their experiences implementing NetApp’s data and cloud solutions. These panels offered insights into the real-world applications of NetApp’s technology and the measurable impact it has had on business processes and outcomes.

For instance, executives from the healthcare and financial sectors discussed how they utilised NetApp’s data mobility solutions to ensure both compliance and security. This adaptability has been crucial as companies are required to follow stringent data regulations while also moving towards more efficient, cloud-based operations. Representatives from these industries praised NetApp’s support in handling complex data requirements and creating flexible, compliant systems tailored to their sector-specific challenges.

Moreover, panel discussions covered the importance of data centralisation for decision-making. By using NetApp’s data services to unify disparate data sources, companies have been able to implement a more comprehensive approach to data analytics. This approach not only improves internal processes but also enhances the user experience by reducing data silos and streamlining information access.

Oh, and KB and NetApp’s Yolanda DuCille – VP, Global Corporate Communications also got to hang out with Po from the ‘Kung-fu Panda’ series of movies representing NetApp client, Dreamworks.

AI Innovation and the Future of Data Management

AI was a central topic throughout INSIGHT 2024, as evidenced by NetApp’s emphasis on developing solutions that are “AI-ready.” Key sessions focused on enabling enterprises to extract maximum value from their data by using AI and machine learning for predictive analytics and trend forecasting. NetApp’s AI capabilities allow businesses to use their existing data to anticipate needs, optimise workflows, and gain a competitive edge in their markets.

NetApp introduced several initiatives aimed at integrating AI more seamlessly into enterprise operations. One such initiative, CampCloud AI Edition, demonstrated how AI applications could be managed more efficiently across multi-cloud environments, a significant development for enterprises that rely on hybrid cloud systems. With the right data architecture, organisations can streamline AI deployment, making complex analytics accessible and actionable for a broader array of users.

Looking Forward: NetApp’s Vision for the Future

The concluding sessions of NetApp INSIGHT 2024 featured executives sharing NetApp’s future vision for enterprise data management. The company’s roadmap includes further investment in AI-driven capabilities, expanding cloud partnerships, and continuing its commitment to sustainability. These initiatives reflect NetApp’s understanding that as data becomes increasingly central to business success, it must be managed in ways that are not only efficient but also responsible.

While technology may change, NetApp’s foundational principles—efficiency, adaptability, and integrity—remain consistent. NetApp aims to support its clients in navigating the digital landscape with agility, providing them with the tools they need to innovate and succeed.

Overall, NetApp INSIGHT 2024 offered attendees a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in data management and AI. By focusing on practical applications of AI, sustainable practices, and robust cloud solutions, NetApp is not only enhancing the capabilities of its clients but also helping them address some of the most pressing challenges in enterprise data management. The event underscored NetApp’s role as a leader in the tech industry, equipped to provide cutting-edge solutions that are as adaptable as they are reliable.