>> live from Las Vegas. It's the queue covering del Technologies. World twenty nineteen, brought to you by Del Technologies and its ecosystem partners. >> Welcome back to Las Vegas, Lisa Martin with Stew Minimum and we are on Day one of the Cubes coverage of Del Technology World twenty nineteen. We've got two sets, lots of great guests, lots of great conversations. Already. We're pleased to welcome to the Cube for the first time that Mike, a pigeon senior director of education services at Del Technologies like Welcome to the Cube. >> Thank you. Thanks for having me >> our pleasure. So here we are talking about digital transformation. We've been talking about it for a long time. I loved how last year's Del Technologies world was. Make it, really it being digital transformation, it t workforce transformation, security. This year, it's about real transformation. We talked a lot about the technology's what are some of the other things, though the companies need to be thinking about as enablers of this transformation >> your great, great question and obviously the technology is a huge part of it, right? But of course, myself being from Del Technology education services, a big focus on the people So that is what we see as an additional critical focus. Because at the end of the day, digital transformation is is big. It's really big, and technology alone isn't going to suffice, right? It's not going to be just that. So focus on the people and, you know, we hear a time and again from our customers from from research in the market that, you know, one of the top three, actually, barriers from customers and organizations driving adoption and success in digital information comes down to having the right skill sets in place. >> So, Mike, I'm God we have you on. We just had your chief customer officer, Karen Kito song, and she was talking a little bit about the skills gap. So we know how many customers, how many people we're going to need to have and, you know, half of the half of the programs we're gonna need it's going to need going to require retraining of, you know, my workforce there. So we talked for years with you know, what used to be emcee ends now, Del Education services, you know, from storage certifications to convert certifications to cloud certification. So you know what was the latest in Great is what is the I kind of go to skill set that people need And, you know, the ones that you know people are calling up saying, Oh my gosh, if I could learn this, you know, it's going to really, you know, catapult my career. >> Yes. So the Del Technologies now del Technologies proven professional program's been in place for years. A lot of ah, uh, industry recognized certifications to your point. A lot focus on storage, data protection, product related. And over the past twelve months to eighteen months, we've actually in a lot of expansion beyond that, into Mohr areas of transformation and those areas where we have expanded beyond just products have been tied back right to that skills gap that we're seeing in customers and what they're challenged with as they drive a digital transformation. So some examples being more of a focused on converged infrastructure hybrid cloud way, have some associate level certifications we recently brought to market there, uh, multi cloud. That's a big focus for us. Obviously, some of the discussion announcements this morning focus around multi cloud, and they talked about cloud chaos. Right, So we have some expert level certification in place focussed on that way. We also have a focus around security and specifically designing infrastructure with that security first mindset. And then finally the other most recent transformational type of certifications, that master level. So think of it a career pinnacle levels certification that's focused on, uh, transformational architecture. >> Yeah, Mike, just a follow up on that one. One of the things I hear in Multi Cloud is there certain technologies that might allow us to move. But one of the biggest challenges is skill set. Because if I learned and I understand how to configure it and how to manage it and how to do it here and if I move somewhere else even if seventy percent the same Oh, my gosh, that's not awesome. Can you just wonder if you could step back and give you know what you see out there? And you know what works today and where do we need to go? Is an industry as a whole try to help users toe live in this multi cloud world that were already in but struggling with? >> Yeah. I mean, there's a ton of proficiency in in the silos, right? Indian managing specific infrastructure server storage network now also around converge infrastructure as well as cloud deployments. But to your point in a multi cloud environment, there are different provider's, both private and public different technologies, and it gets it can get complex fairly quick, right? So having the skill sets to kind of take a step back and look at that holistically and understand about workload placements, you know there's there's knowledge and skill sets that required to make some of those determinations. We obviously have a lot of services capabilities that help provide that. But there's a level of obviously proficiency that our customers want in need in house as well. So a lot of it is building that knowledge and understanding. The decision points in the criteria for the different providers, as well as work, replacement and a movement across that multi cloud environment. It's very different than skill sets in the past. >> Sorry about that. Very excited I'm curious about if we talk about talent and retention with respect to some of the guys and gals who been around for a while. Michael mentioned on stage this morning that later this week is Dell's thirty fifth anniversary in business. And as we look at, you know, all the technology transformations and multi cloud world that we live in. This two mentioned What are some of the benefits for? I don't want to say, you know, older population But, say the veterans of technology White What are some of the things that Del Technologies, Education Services will deliver to say that more seasoned individual to stay relevant and be able to adapt as quickly as technology so that they're competitive for jobs themselves? >> Great, great question. And I mean, it's it's the pace of change is so fast, and it's impacting everyone, everyone from from recent college graduates, right, getting right into the field that that were in in technology as well as your point seasoned veterans who've been around for a while. And that's where a lot of the difficult transformation is taking place. Right, because it's it's the rolls of the past, and today the skill sets of dead like those rules and skills that have gotten us two today are are very different than what's needed to get us to tomorrow, and and that's where a lot of our technical training our curriculum as well as our industry certifications come into play in helping build that knowledge required and the skills on the certifications to validate those capabilities for the next generation workforce. So it's it's really for the right out of school and may be new to the field as well as evolving throughout their career. >> All right, so, like we, we know that your team's doing things throughout the year talking to your customers. But you got fifteen thousand people here at Delta Tech World. I've seen the hands on labs. I know there's always certification. So give us from your team. You know, some of the big focus, some of the activities and some of the take away if you want people to have from >> your one big thing I would give a plug for is our proven professional center. So right downstairs here in Casanova five o one, we have fifty seven certifications available, and we have hundreds and hundreds of customers and partners that will be taking certification exams and and achieving certifications this week. All right, we have ah promotional offer. So every attempt attempt at first attempt at every exam is free just for this week. So encourage everyone who is here to check it out. In addition, Teo to taking those certifications in preparation for that we have we have twenty nine different preparation sessions that we're running so right downstairs two rooms next door where we're rotating through on topics that are specific to our latest and greatest product lines. Power Left Power Max Power Edge A Max In addition to that cloud, focus data Science certification Prep sessions multi cloud expert. There's, Ah, whole array of prep sessions that air helping our customers and partners prepare for taking those certifications. >> Aye aye, machine learning. >> There is some some intersections with that as well. Certainly is part of a data science curriculum and certification exams >> and where our customers, in terms of discussing with you, say, maybe at last year's Del Technologies world like these are some of the certifications in the trainings that we really need. Talk about that sort of bidirectional symbiosis where customers are. I'm assuming helping you didn't teams identify, developed and then deliver this spot on trainings? >> Yeah, yeah, that's a great question to Eric. See, every year here at Del Technologies world, we have a customer advisory council and Actually, the last two years came out loud and clear. Last year was more of a focus and some of the areas that the challenge was from a transformation perspective. Security came into play in a big way. Different aspects of cloud and multi cloud enterprise architecture. Er, um a lot of our focus related Teo pivotal and some of the offerings, their application development. So all of that feedback and discussion that we have in customers actually feeds into our prioritization and road mapping, and it has a big impact on the on the technical training and the certifications that we bring to market. So we're going to be with our customers throughout today, also tomorrow. And there will be additional input to where we where we go in the future. >> All right, Mike, what are their feedback? Are you hearing from customers? You know, we hear in the key note some of these, you know, broad topics, and you talk about, you know, a I and I ot and ej computing. And how much does that funnel back? And are they looking for help on that? Now are you know, how do they start getting themselves ready for some of these massive waves that are coming, >> Yeah, that's definitely part of the themes that we hear and then and the feedback that we get from customers and what's really relevant to them and that ties into their skills transformation as well. As you said, I o t a m l data engineer. That's, ah, more recent role that we're focusing on on and you'LL see Ah bunch coming out from Del Technologies at services on that in the not too distant future. So a lot of that those themes are we hear the exact same same customer base, and those are areas that where we're addressing in in our road map and as we bring new technical training offerings to market. >> So listening to your customers is kiss as to mention we're talking to Karen can just a little bit earlier that that's essential pretty much for any role. But you're listening. You're taking that into account you're designing and delivering for that long A benefits. We can talk about it for the individuals going to the training right in terms of ups, killing and job retention. But from from your customer's perspective, you have a favorite example of a customer who's really been able to transform their company because they've made this investment and ensuring that their talent has the latest and greatest education. >> Yeah, yeah, actually, you know what we've seen? We've done a bunch of research, and Mark, what we see time and again is did a really, really strong correlation between those organizations that are focusing on and investing in their people and the skills development, correlation between that and the progress and success that they're having with with their transformation initiatives. Right. And one area that that where we've been engaged in a lot deeper with customers as of just recent and beginning to do a lot more of is we call it an organizational learning program. So way obviously offer technical training and certifications. But this is more of a, uh, consultative engagement with our customers more thie, organizational level and very consultative and way work closely with them to understand their digital strategy, their plans, and is part of that drive a very prescriptive assessments of what's going on in their violent from a people and skills perspective. So really understanding their current state and where they want to go where they need to be. And based upon the findings of that assessment, we work closely with them to develop a defined, documented strategy and plan. In this case, it's a learning plan. It's a continuous learning plan for that organization over a Siri's of quarters to to work against and drive and really capture gain those skills and knowledge that's required to help move him forward. >> Yeah, Mike, I love that. Reminds me of the joke in your space is what if we give them new skills and they leave? And of course, the alternative is What if we don't give them new skills and they stay back? So I want the last thing I wanted to ask is talk a little bit about internal. There's a lot of change going on. You've been, you know, from the sea to the Del for quite a few years. We'LL se How money Just to protect the innocent. But you know, one of things. I mean, I spent ten years in the emcee and the Internet. The training was something that helped me a lot in my career. Talk a little bit about you know what? What's changing? How you help the internal teams in all the from groups stay up on the latest and greatest areas. >> Absolutely so in at education services. To your point, we support our employees. Technol employees around the globe are partners and customers. So huge focus on on enabling those employees. And if you think about it, right, they are there, the front lines, they're the folks that are with our customers. And they need to be as up to speed, if not more up to speed in these thes areas of technology. So we have, ah, massive undertaking to enable our services audiences pre sale systems Engineers are car consultants around the globe to ensure that they are up to speed and quite knowledgeable on the latest and greatest technologies. And really, how those come tto life within our customer environments. >> Sounds like maybe education services is is a catalyst for this internal cultural transformation that we're seeing from Del Technologies. >> Absolutely is. It's his transformation everywhere. It's internal, its external and at the end of the day, kind of back to where we started, right? If it comes down to the people, it's are our customers and and us as a company, our most important asset. And at the end of the day, you know the people need the right skills and to to be successful in to go digital. >> Great stuff. Mike, Thank you so much for joining student me on the cue, the stuff for noon and sharing all that you're doing to help transform del education services for your internal folks. Your customers like we appreciate your time. >> Thanks for having me. >> Our pleasure. First time in a man. I'm Lisa Martin. You're watching us live from Las Vegas. Day one of the cubes. Coverage of Del technology World twenty nineteen. Thanks for watching.