Meet a Technology Black Belt: Chris Weitz |
A Technology Black Belt is our ‘go to’ authority for knowledge on a particular domain topic. You last met David Sisk when he discussed his perspectives on Java Application Architecture. Today, we meet Chris Weitz, our resident specialist on Cloud Computing. We caught up with him recently to see what he’s been up to.
What do you do at Deloitte?
Director of Technology Strategy and Architecture at Deloitte Consulting LLP, based in San Jose, CA. Global leader of Deloitte’s Cloud Computing practice, working with clients to develop new cloud computing solutions using innovative business models and technology. Closely align with the industry’s leading technology vendors and service providers to help define and provide value to clients through new and innovative strategies, technology architectures and cloud services.
What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Working with our clients' business leaders and with technology visionaries from Silicon Valley to create new breakthrough business ideas, which can fundamentally impact the future.
Rapid-Fire:
- East or west coast? West: Silicon Valley for 30+ years
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee, lots of it
- Favorite dish? Seared Ahi with macadamia nut crust, fresh from the water of Kona, Hawaii
- Must-watch movie? “True Grit,” by the Cohen Brothers
- Last book you read? “AntiFragile,” by Nicholas Taleb
What do you feel are some of the key Cloud Computing challenges that CIOs face today?
CIOs have a huge challenge maintaining and growing the overall value – and relevance – of the IT function, as the historic migration to cloud computing continues. As businesses of all sizes and types move their information platforms to cloud, the 40-year patterns of IT are being transformed. Many CIOs are struggling to adapt their organizations to the new model of “everything as a service” and will likely continue this transformation for the foreseeable future.
Most interesting place you’ve traveled to?
Recently I had a client meeting in Beijing, where our local Deloitte team arranged a half-day visit to the Forbidden City with a guided tour by a local university student. Fascinating and very impressive!
Remember when we all thought we’d be in flying cars by now? Well, describe to us your “flying car future” prediction:
I am old enough to remember “The Jetson’s” TV show, before it went into syndication! I would not be surprised if within 10 years, global cloud computing will become the functional equivalent of “SkyNet,” from the movie “Terminator 2.” How society manages this “global brain” may be one of the most important questions for humanity in the 21st century.
Question you wished we’d asked?
Why is the rise of cloud computing just like the phenomenon of Global Climate Change?
Want to learn more?
Chris discusses the cost savings benefits that can result from using software-defined networking (SDN) in the Economist article “Network effect: “Software-defined” networking is inspiring hope, and hype.”
