People, Trees and the Cloud

A human experience with software that has intelligence deeply rooted in its fabric, is a new narrative. Nature can inspire us to create better technology. The `Breaking the Silos` campaign is in this spirit.

We all recognize innovation because it changes the story, the narrative. It is actually about new ways of doing business, relating to technology, and organizing our economic processes.

The way I think of Oracle, one of the traditional data storage providers, started shifting recently as I attended a virtual webinar[1] hosting Honey Thalijeh, Corporate Communications Manager FIFA, and Marc Kamphausen, Consulting VP Oracle.

I was drawn into Honey`s story as a Palestinian, who was born into confinement as the normal, and who shared her human experience as a girl who wanted to play and shine through football with a drive that ignored the unfavorable setting she was in. It made me realize that my stereotypical reaction to ignoring #FIFA (I have had no affinity for football) had prevented me from listening to Honey Thalijeh`s unique and inspiring voice. She naturally, touched upon how FIFA is using technology to keep in touch with fans and the entire community during these times.

I was drawn into Marc`s story even more unexpectedly because I thought he would talk about Oracle growth statistics, the company data center expansion pipeline, and the new landmark customer, Zoom. But he spoke about his own personal experience one year ago at OracleOpenWorld, when he got drawn into the new branding and narrative of Redwood Oracle, just before joining the company. This all took me also on a journey. I realized that Oracle`s hometown is Redwood City, California. Their new look and feel was inspired by the unique, earthy colors of the Redwood tree. I didn’t know up to that day, that Redwood trees are giants that can live up to 2,000 years. They have been on planet earth for more than 240 million years. They are the tallest trees and can reach over 100m high and as Marc said with excitement in his eyes, `they can even reach to the Clouds`. He shared the Redwood Oracle visual with Redwood trees and their web of roots, that are apparently interconnected.

The metaphor started becoming alive in my eyes, with people and machines working together in smart ways and various machines being interconnected but always deeply rooted. Marc spoke about Artificial intelligence that goes beyond data analytics and is embedded (integrated) into processes in ways that allow for a human experience.

Redesigning software with and for a human experience. Deeply rooted AI can help us reach to the skies.

This made me think of the distinction between software that is layered on data lakes and software that is deeply rooted in business processes.

Technology & Nature

Redwoods

These tallest of trees reach heights of more than 350 feet (107 m). The tallest tree in the world is named Hyperion, which reaches 379.7 feet (115.7 m). Redwoods can achieve a diameter of 24 feet (7 m), and 1.6 million lbs. (725,700 kg). These giants can live to be 2,000 years old and have graced the planet for more than 240 million years. Though they once thrived throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, today redwoods are only found on the coast from central California through southern Oregon. They do not live more than 50 miles inland, and are usually found in long belts, rather than small groves.

Source

The `Breaking the Silos` Campaign

Inspired by Oracle`s mission to design software with a focus on the human experience, we are inviting decision-makers to shape the debate with their peers on issues that matter to them the most.

There will be six `Breaking the Silos` digital roundtable discussions in May with a variety of sectors (public sector, education, retail, finance, logistics etc.) and we will conclude with a cross-industry white paper that I will author and share with participants.

1. Decision-makers at Public/International Organizations (May 7)
2. CFOs (May 12)
3. Decision-makers in Supply Chain (May 14)
4. Decision-makers in Financial Services (May 19),
5. Decision Makers (May 26)
6. COO (May 28)

All digital roundtables will be held at 4pm CET and are private

If you are decision-maker on a `Breaking the Silos` journey at any stage, join one of the discussions. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.

`Breaking Silos is the only way towards a Sustainable Harmonious organization` https://link.medium.com/a6hb9p7AY5

[1] Watch a recording of the webinar here.