From February 12 – 15, over 500 subject matter experts from across the global IT industry gathered in Punta Cana for a sold-out NerdioCon 2024, twice the size of last year’s NerdioCon, to discuss the current and future landscape and learn how to stay ahead of the pack. Members of the channel were eager to share their knowledge and illuminate the path forward, sharing invaluable insights on the latest trends shaping the tech and IT industry.
The event featured a lineup of thought-provoking speakers, each offering a unique perspective on the DaaS market and the trends destined to redefine the IT landscape in 2024.
Whether you attended NerdioCon or not, we’ll distill the collective wisdom shared at NerdioCon 2024, exploring key takeaways and shedding light on the strategies IT professionals can employ to not only keep pace, but lead the charge in the coming year and beyond.
1. Proactive AI integration: unlocking product potential with Gen AI opportunities
One of the resounding echoes from NerdioCon 2024 was the persistent buzz surrounding artificial intelligence, particularly generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). As the channel continues to innovate, more companies are using AI to find practical ways to transform operations to become more proactive instead of reactive. While there has previously been some apprehension surrounding AI integration, attendees were quick to recognize that Gen AI isn’t just a passing trend, but a cornerstone of progress and opportunity in the IT industry.
Leading organizations recognize the importance of infusing AI into their products to improve user experience and simplify tasks. Nerdio announced the addition of Gen AI assistants, machine learning, and computer vision into Nerdio Manager to streamline processes and improve performance. The introduction of Gen AI assistants will aid IT administrators in tasks such as scripted action generation, report creation, and data analysis, and it will provide intuitive guidance across the product interface.
The resounding message is clear – AI is an impactful force shaping the IT channel. Jay McBain, Futurist and Canalys Chief Analyst, agrees, “Every part of our business can be rethought with AI.” IT leaders are encouraged to explore how AI can become a strategic asset, fostering innovation, addressing operational challenges, and propelling the industry into a more efficient and effective future.
2. Increased use of automation
Another pivotal theme that resonated at NerdioCon was the escalating role of automation in the IT landscape. As technology continues to advance, businesses are increasingly turning to automation to drive efficiency, enhance operational workflows, and respond to growing demands.
Discussions centered on how automation is becoming a cornerstone in time-saving efforts, incident response strategies, resource allocation, and more. To better serve customers, Nerdio announced the release of several new automation features, such as Rolling Drain Mode, which speeds up the process of shutting down session hosts to save on resource costs, and Reserved Instances, which automates RI purchase and management.
While the benefits of automation are profound, conversations at NerdioCon also touched upon the challenges associated with its adoption. Addressing concerns related to maintaining security protocols and ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructures are integral aspects that IT professionals need to navigate as they embrace increased automation.
In 2024 and beyond, IT professionals are urged to assess their current workflows, identify opportunities for automation, and strategically implement these technologies to unlock efficiency and agility.
3. Migration from traditional VDI solutions to the cloud
Many speakers took the time to address an IT elephant in the room: the industry shift from on-premises virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions to cloud infrastructure. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of IT architectures, driven by the need for enhanced flexibility, scalability, and adaptability to the demands of the modern digital workplace.
With the once-dominant legacy VDI providers experiencing acquisitions and market fluctuations, stability is no longer guaranteed. Discussions at NerdioCon shed light on how IT professionals are navigating these challenges and contemplating their next moves.
However, the consensus among the SMEs was clear: Microsoft is the future of desktop virtualization.
“We’re betting on Microsoft,” says Joseph Landes, Chief Revenue Officer at Nerdio. “I’ll tell you, quite honestly, what we think. Those [legacy VDI] companies are going to do what they think they’re going to — decide whether to invest, or more and more likely it’s the case they seem to be de-investing. But the thing that we’re super clear about is… if you are looking to build a successful practice using desktop virtualization, it’s very hard to make a bet on anyone else [but Microsoft] at this point.”
As organizations strive for more agile and scalable IT infrastructures, the migration from legacy VDI to cloud-based solutions emerges as a prevailing trend. Cloud-based VDI solutions offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing organizations to scale resources based on demand, reduce infrastructure costs, and provide a seamless experience for hybrid and remote work environments.
If your organization is considering a shift from legacy VDI, take steps to ensure you’re following cloud migration best practices to ensure a seamless transition.
4. Innovation from the outside-in
The companies that will pull ahead of the competition in 2024 are those who understand the importance of adopting an “outside-in” approach to innovation, placing user feedback at the forefront of IT development. The gathering of industry experts for NerdioCon illuminated how organizations are shifting gears, acknowledging that the most potent source of innovation lies in a deep understanding of user needs, preferences, and challenges.
“When we started this company, we always wanted to be very ‘outside-in’ [meaning that the company would develop features and services based upon what its partners and customers want],” says Landes. “That means we have put major new features in Nerdio Enterprise Manager over the last year – and this translates to hundreds of new functionalities and capabilities – and there have also been new releases of Nerdio Manager for MSP, which also delivers hundreds of new features.”
Innovating from the outside-in is not merely a methodology; it’s a cultural shift within IT organizations. NerdioCon underscored the need for fostering a culture that values and actively seeks user feedback, placing end-users at the core of decision-making processes. This user-centric mindset extends beyond product development to encompass the entire IT ecosystem, from support services to strategic planning.
5. Engagement with the IT channel
At the heart of NerdioCon 2024 was a resounding recognition that innovation in the IT industry thrives on collaboration. The event underscored the critical importance of engaging with the broader IT channel, creating a collective space where ideas are shared, expertise is pooled, and innovation is the driving force for progress.
“I enjoy working in IT because of the people of the channel,” says Tim Coach, Global Channel Chief at Pia, an organization that helps MSPs with automation. “I love being able to share the knowledge that I have acquired over the years. This is also one of the few industries I have worked in where every single person is willing to help one another. Whether professional or personal, our community is one of giving.”
Many organizations are taking note of the industry’s desire for more touchpoints – for example, Nerdio has recently launched a new community forum for information sharing and is doubling down on our commitment to partners through robust training courses and a brand-new Enterprise Partnerd program.
As the industry looks to the year ahead, the call to engage with the broader IT channel grows louder. NerdioCon participants left with a renewed understanding that, by uniting their strengths, the IT channel can create an ecosystem where innovation is not just a goal, but a shared journey towards excellence. It’s essential to find ways to involve your organization in greater channel conversations and discuss how to tackle challenges together.
Consider attending other IT events in 2024 or even registering for NerdioCon 2025 when the date and location are announced so your team doesn’t miss out on hearing from some of the brightest minds in the industry.
Looking to 2024 and beyond
NerdioCon 2024 served as a gauge of where the IT industry is headed in the coming year and gave clear direction of how organizations can innovate and stay ahead of the curve.
From the transformative potential of AI to the profound impact of automation on IT operations, the industry is on the cusp of a technological renaissance. The migration from legacy VDI to the cloud signals a pivotal moment, challenging organizations to embrace change amidst the shifts faced by prominent legacy VDI providers.
Innovating from the outside-in emerges as a powerful strategy to craft solutions that resonate with end-users on a profound level, and engaging with the broader IT channel amplifies these individual threads of innovation into a collaborative tapestry. Shared insights, strategic alliances, and community-driven learning propel the industry forward, creating a unified ecosystem where the collective strength of the IT channel becomes a force of transformation.
As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, the lessons from NerdioCon resonate as guiding principles. The IT landscape is dynamic, and success lies in adaptability, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to innovation.
Want to make sure your team isn’t missing out on future conversations with IT industry SMEs? Check out our calendar of events to learn how you can engage with the channel and set your organization up for success.
