DoT Blog

  Logo image courtesy of Boomi Boomi’s annual conference, Boomi World 2025, wrapped up in Dallas this May, and it brought with it more than just shiny slides and enthusiasm. The data management company laid out a series of announcements that signal its evolution from a pure-play iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) provider to a more AI-infused automation and connectivity platform. While the buzz was, of course, clearly around AI, Boomi also made notable strategic moves in data integration, API governance, and cloud partnerships, all of which deserve attention from enterprise IT and business stakeholders trying to modernize their integration architecture. In this regard, as Steve Lucas, Chairman and CEO at Boomi, mentioned:  “Today’s enterprises are overwhelmed by digital fragmentation and data sprawl; the future belongs to organizations that can intelligently connect everything and automate anything — and Boomi is THE platform that makes it happen. With these innovations...

  Image created with AI “Don’t expect brainstorming to accomplish much — other than making your team feel good.” — Harvard Business Review   In this second installment of my Dear Manager series , I want to address a tool that every manager is eager to use whenever the chance arises: the brainstorming meeting.  It wasn’t until about twelve or fifteen years ago that I became increasingly familiar with brainstorming meetings. Over time, I’ve participated in many of them and well, based on these experiences, I can’t say I’m a big fan. Do these meetings categorically fail? Not necessarily, but I’ve observed that brainstorming sessions often produce more harm than good, frequently revealing significant management flaws rather than fostering positive outcomes. And before you start throwing objections my way, let me elaborate and explain why I’m not particularly inclined toward these types of meetings. So, WTF is a Brainstorm Meeting Anyway? According to Collins Dictionary , a b...

  Image by qimono (Pixabay) The worst enemy of life, freedom and the common decencies is total anarchy;  Their second worst enemy is total efficiency.  —Aldous Huxley The Illusion of Clarity Efficiency  is one of those golden buzzwords that seem to have universal appeal because, of course, everyone wants to be efficient . And yes, the word is today even more popular under the current political and economic conditions; such is the case, for example, for the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the United States. Examples of the aim for efficiency are numerous: businesses strive for operational efficiency, developers aim for efficient code, manufacturers boast about lean production, and even the average person wants to manage their time efficiently. The term is so embedded in our daily language that today we rarely stop to ask ourselves, What does efficiency mean? For starters, most dictionaries will define efficiency as, for exampl...

Image by Tumisu (Pixabay)   A Practical Analysis of Economic Policy Shifts As someone who typically avoids political discussions, I feel compelled to address the significant implications of recent global trade developments for the technology and software sectors. This analysis aims to provide an objective view of potential impacts while inviting constructive dialogue on preparation strategies.   Current Situation Within the past week (as of April 3rd), the White House announced tariffs of at least 10% affecting all countries, with China promptly responding with countermeasures on all US goods. These developments signal what many analysts suggest is an escalating global tariff conflict that requires attention from technology industry stakeholders.   Key Effects on the Technology Industry   1. Supply Chain Disruptions and Cost Increases Industry analysts suggest the 34% tariff on Chinese goods and 32% on Taiwanese imports will significantly disrup...

  Image by Joshuamiranda (Pixabay) Over the past few years, working from home (WFH) has transformed from a fringe benefit for a lucky few to a widespread necessity during the global pandemic, and now to a contentious policy as many companies push for a return to the office. For many professionals, WFH unlocked new levels of productivity, flexibility, and work-life balance, while others struggled with isolation and burnout. As the world settles into its "new normal," a surprising trend has emerged: tech companies, once heralded as champions of remote work, are pulling back. Employees are being asked—or in some cases, forced—to return to the office. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of remote work and examines the irony behind some tech companies' sudden change of heart. WFH: the Pros and the Cons Before diving into my opinion on the matter, let me outline some of the general pros and cons commonly discussed regarding WFH. The Pros Flexibility and Work-Life B...

  A couple of days ago, IBM announced its intent to acquire DataStax , a lead provider of real-time artificial intelligence (AI) applications built on open-source Apache Cassandra . The acquisition aligns with IBM's growing focus on reinforcing its competitiveness in AI and data management, particularly as it seeks to enhance its Watsonx AI platform .  The move signals IBM's commitment to leveraging open-source technologies for enterprise AI applications, aiming to reinforce its position in the AI-driven data management landscape. Why is IBM acquiring DataStax? IBM’s acquisition of DataStax seems to be part of the company’s strategy to bolster Watsonx, IBM’s AI and data platform, by enhancing its ability to process and manage unstructured data.  With DataStax’s expertise in providing real-time AI applications and scalable data solutions, IBM aims to provide businesses with improved tools for handling vast amounts of data securely and efficiently. While unstructured data—...

  Just a few days ago, SAP announced a strategic partnership with Databricks , signaling a bold step towards a more open and AI-driven future for enterprise data management. According to both companies, this collaboration aims to break traditional data silos by enabling seamless integration between SAP Business Data Cloud and Databricks' AI and analytics capabilities. The goal? To empower businesses with more agile, intelligent, and efficient AI-driven decision-making. A Unified Data Landscape At the heart of this partnership is SAP’s Business Data Cloud , a new platform designed to unify data across various SAP and non-SAP systems. By integrating with Databricks' AI and machine learning (ML) ecosystem, SAP aims at providing enterprises with enhanced capabilities to analyze, process, and utilize their data more effectively. This means businesses can tap into the full potential of their enterprise data without complex data extraction and movement processes. In the words of SAP C...