In this special episode, we take a retrospective look at the 15-year anniversary journey of Pure Storage through the lens of the 7 classic story plots (based on the book by Christopher Booker). From "Overcoming the Monster" to "Rebirth," we explore how Pure's trajectory aligns with timeless narratives that have captivated audiences for centuries. Don Poorman, Technical Evangelist at Pure, joins the program to walk through each of the 7 plots and draw parallels to Pure's experiences - from scrappy startup battling industry giants, to quest for recognition and market leadership, to periods of comedy and tragedy. This retrospective episode is a fun listen for Pure enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by the power of storytelling in the tech world. As Pure emerges from the "intermission" of its first 15 years, we look ahead to the next chapter, where a "rebirth" of the company's platform vision will shape the future. We hope listeners are inspired to revisit classic literature and films that echo Pure's saga, and consider how the narratives that captivate us as individuals can also reveal deeper truths about the journeys of innovative companies.

Just as seasoned "preppers" maintain bug-out bags for physical emergencies, today's organizations need a comprehensive kit of digital resilience tools to weather any storm – from ransomware attacks to natural disasters. In our latest episode, join Technology Strategy Director Jason Walker and Technical Evangelist Matt Bradford to unpack the essential components of modern data survival preparedness. Our discussion weaves through Pure Storage's evolving cyber resilience solutions, from foundational replication capabilities to cutting-edge DRaaS offerings. We share and discuss practical insights on implementing critical protective measures like SafeMode snapshots and how to leverage Pure1's security assessment tools to identify vulnerabilities before they become crises. Midway thru the episode we hit an entertaining "Bug Out Bag Challenge" segment where random survival items spark creative analogies to data protection strategies. Blending technical expertise with accessible metaphors, Walker and Bradford demonstrate why data resilience isn't just an IT concern but a fundamental business survival skill. They explore how Pure Storage's integrated suite of tools – including multiple options for native replication, automated assessments, and disaster recovery and restore services – helps organizations build the ultimate data survival kit for an increasingly unpredictable digital landscape.

Double-click into the technical details behind Pure's September launch announcements with Principal SE (and host of Pure's Coffee Break webinar series) Andrew Miller. We dive deep into the latest platform innovations starting with unpacking the philosophy behind product launches and the art of building cohesive technology portfolios. We explore the delicate balance between customer-driven development and strategic portfolio expansion, sharing insights on how successful tech releases are shaped by real-world customer needs rather than arbitrary feature sets. Next, Andrew elaborates on Pure's groundbreaking advancements in enterprise file storage technology, with special attention to the game-changing Evergreen architecture. Notable highlights include the introduction of Fusion for Files, Zero Move Tiering, and Always-On Multi-Protocol capabilities. Also hear how Pure's AI Copilot and enhanced enterprise readiness features are revolutionizing data center operations, illustrated through compelling customer success stories and real-world applications. In the second half of the conversation, we take an in-depth look at new innovative VM Assessment capabilities, designed to optimize virtualization operations for critical workloads. Technical leaders and system administrators will appreciate the detailed discussion of license rationalization and cost optimization strategies, including a comprehensive analysis of CPU core utilization and VMware estate management. The hosts also preview Pure Storage's enhanced STaaS offerings and the introduction of Universal Credits, drawing interesting parallels to VMware's ELA token system and highlighting how these innovations are reshaping enterprise storage consumption models. Make plans to attend Pure's upcoming launch webinar by registering at: https://www.purestorage.com/meet-real-time-enterprise-file-on-the-pure-storage-platform.html

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and devastating, organizations can no longer afford to treat cybersecurity as the sole responsibility of their security teams. This episode of the Pure Report features industry veterans Jason Walker, Tech Strategy Director of Cyber Resilience, and Jason Langer, Tech Evangelist, to explore why cyber resilience must be approached as a team sport, breaking down the traditional silos between IT operations and security teams. Drawing from their extensive experience in data protection and security, the two Jasons delve into the stark realities of cyber impacts, including the sobering statistic that one in five organizations report employee terminations following outages. They examine the NIST Cybersecurity Framework through a collaborative lens, offering insights into how different teams can work together across the five key areas: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Through real-world examples and strategic discussions, listeners will develop a deeper understanding of why alignment between IT leaders and CISOs is crucial for building true cyber resilience. As organizations grapple with evolving threats, this timely discussion during Cybersecurity Awareness Month offers actionable strategies for fostering cross-team collaboration. The episode explores the evolution of cybersecurity conversations over the past five years, provides practical advice for improving security posture through teamwork, and highlights Pure Storage's role in enabling organizations to build robust cyber resilience strategies. Whether you're an IT professional, security specialist, or business leader, this episode provides valuable insights into transforming your organization's approach to cybersecurity from a siloed responsibility to a collaborative effort. For more information on Pure Storage and Cyber Resiliency during CyberSecurity Awareness Month, go to: www.purestorage.com/cyber-resilience.

Jump back into the Pure Report as we dive deep into the world of the Azure VMware Solution (AVS) with Kyle Grossmiller, a Principal Technical Product Specialist. With almost a decade of experience at Pure and a rich background in the VMware ecosystem, Kyle brings deep insights into the challenges faced by VMware customers and the innovative solutions Pure has developed to address them. As organizations grapple with the complexities of cloud migration and spiraling costs, Kyle unveils how Pure Storage's AVS solution with Cloud Block Store is transforming the landscape. He explores the origin and development of this customer-focused solution, highlighting its ability to overcome common hurdles such as inflexible scaling, workload immobility, and security concerns. Through a comparative analysis of AVS-only deployments versus Pure for AVS with Cloud Block Store, Kyle demonstrates how this solution can lead to substantial cost savings and enhanced operational flexibility. Tune in to develop a more comprehensive understanding of key use cases, including restarting stalled migrations, implementing cloud-based disaster recovery, and facilitating seamless cloud bursting. More color commentary is provided as Kyle shares customer success stories and hints at future developments, further assisting IT professionals seeking to optimize their cloud strategy and harness the full potential of VMware in the Azure cloud environment. For more information on Pure Storage and the Azure VMware Solution with Cloud Block Store, check out: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/cloud/azure-vmware.html

Fire up this episode for an insightful conversation with Greg Carl, Principal Technologist, as we explore the unique technology challenges and opportunities in the federal space. Fresh from his recent trip to Washington D.C., Greg shares his journey from industry veteran to Pure Storage tech specialist, offering a candid look at how Pure's approach differs from its competitors. We dive into the world of Software Defined Architectures (SDX) and the implications for the industry and government agencies. Greg unpacks the realities behind the hype and how Pure Storage is different that the competition and leads the charge in delivering purposeful, customer-driven solutions. Greg expands on the distinct needs of the federal sector, from extended data retention to the complexities of AI adoption, and how these challenges are shaping the future of storage technology. Greg also offers valuable insights from his recent CIO panel experience, highlighting the evolving relationship between tech providers and government clients. For more information on Pure Storage and the public sector and Federal space: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/industries/government/federal.html

Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of our summer interns, Emily Weiner, as we navigate the intersection of youth, technology, and corporate environments. This Pure Report episode dives into the unique perspectives of a Gen Z college student exploring the world of emerging technologies, particularly AI, while balancing academic pursuits and professional growth. Emily shares her journey from developing a an app startup in high school to conducting AI research at NYU, and how that relates to her latest experience interning this summer in the Digital Demand function here at Pure. We discuss the challenges and rewards of transitioning from startup and nonprofit environments to a structured corporate setting, and how Pure Storage's innovative culture has helped her bridge that gap. Later, we take a deeper look into the evolving attitudes towards AI among younger generations and balancing academic studies with real-world work experience. Whether you're a student considering a career in tech, a professional curious about the next generation of talent, or someone interested in the human side of technological innovation, this episode offers a fresh take on the rapidly changing landscape of the tech industry. For more information on Pure's University relations and career programs: https://www.purestorage.com/company/careers.html

While some could argue that a form of AI has been with us since the 1950s, the advent of powerful software, infrastructure, and proliferation of devices has made it more real. On this episode, we check in with thought leader and frequent Pure Report guest Shawn Rosemarin, VP R&D, about his forward looking ideas around the impact of AI on society and organizations. We examine the decisions considered in boardrooms around AI investment while also looking at ethical considerations and technical disruptions that may result from AI expansion. Shawn also dives into the hype cycle and how we're likely at the stage of inflated expectations and how we can expect a degree of consolidation and maturity to take place over the next 5-10 years after this stage. For more on how Pure Storage is helping support the AI technology era: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/ai.html

We know there's still much uncertainty about the future of your virtualization strategy. With changes at VMware, IT leaders everywhere are reevaluating their current application architecture and trying to figure out what to d. To address this, it's always a blast to welcome The Jason Langer to the Pure Report to get his input and guidance on possible strategies to move forward - and of course to discuss and banter about movie topics. We kickoff this episode with a spirited lightning round around favorite movie quotes, sequences, and more from some popular films. We then dive into (20:03) the 4 scenarios Pure is advising customers around relative to VMware investments - staying on VMware, evaluating alternate hypervisors, shifting workloads to cloud, and rearchitecting for containers. For more on how Pure can work with you on your VMware strategy, go to: https://www.purestorage.com/solutions/application-development/vmware.html

Ramping back up after Pure Accelerate as we roll into the summer months and bring on Pure's Sr. Technology Evangelist Don Poorman to catch up on his latest adventures and musings about data management trends. We first look back to the engagement and excitement surrounding his time at Cisco Live in early June before pivoting to what stood out for him around Pure's announcements. We navigate through a bit of a reality check around the promise of AI - what's real and what's at risk there. And finally, as Don's just hitting about 18 months at Pure - what stands out for him as a veteran of the industry about Pure compared to the rest. For more on what Pure can do for you, find us in-person or virtually at any of our upcoming events and webinars: https://www.purestorage.com/events.html

It's a first for the podcast as we bring the Pure Report Unplugged to the Las Vegas Strip and record live on location in front of an audience at Pure Accelerate 2024. New locale, same format and co-hosts JD Wallace and Andrew Miller as we navigate thru the highlights of the week at Pure's customer and partner event. Up top, we hit on our favorite moments of Accelerate - behind the scenes of the Coz demo showcase, JD running FlashDrive demo labs, and Andrew hitting on 150 TB DFMs and Pure Fusion. Plus much more around the exciting new announcements across fleet management, digital experience (DX). For more information on what went down at Pure Accelerate and to find an upcoming event near you: https://www.purestorage.com/accelerate.html