Bob Gourley

I read some great news about a great company and great friends and thought I should share it with you here. BlueCat Networks, provider of advance IP address management solutions that enhance IT performance and security, has just named several of my heros to their technology advisory board.  Here is some of the text from their recent announcement: BlueCat Networks, the IPAM Intelligence™ company, today announced three new members of its newly-formed Technical Advisory Board (TAB).  The highly-distinguished TAB members are William (Bill) Crowell, Former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency (NSA); Bob Flores, Former CTO of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and John McFarlane the Former President of Sun Microsystems Software Division.  The three new members join Ron Aitchison, the renowned DNS authority and author of the go-to DNS technology reference ... (more)

Live from the Gov 2.0 Expo – Teleworking: Out of Office, but Not Offline

Telework is one of the latest crazes to hit the government.  Telework sites are being okayed for some 3-letter agencies.  Currently, VPNs are accessible, and capable ways of enabling telework, but even if the technology is available, what are the cultural changes necessary?  Allan Holmes of Government Executive, Max Chafkin of Inc. Magazine, Danette Campbell of the US PTO and Justin Johnson of the US OPM all got together to discuss this topic. Justin started off the discussion with a “state of the union” of telework.  OPM provides a lot of guidance and coordination, they try to ... (more)

Oracle Mergers & Acquisitions: Who’s Next?

Beginning in late 2004 with its acquisition of PeopleSoft, Oracle initiated an acquisition campaign that has brought over forty companies into the Oracle fold. During that time, Oracle has made five multi-billion dollar acquisitions – about one per year – all of which have made for big news in the ERP software market. But which company will be next? I would argue that there is a logical way to analyze Oracle’s recent decisions and define a set of strategies that have not only guided past acquisitions but may also tell us where Oracle is headed. Below is a chart that displays the... (more)

Google Application, New Version of Cloud-based Suite of Applications

I remember 3 years ago having a conversation with Vint Cerf and Lewis Shepherd about federal data in the Google Cloud.  Lewis and I both shared what we believed to be key obstacles Google would have to surmount before gaining widespread acceptance of their cloud capabilities by US feds.  In my opinion, today’s announcements by Google are certainly welcome enhancements, and I’m sure their service in the federal space will improve because of this.  But there are other very important mega-trends to track in the space. As for today’s news: this was a very exciting announcement– Goog... (more)

Apple iPad for the Traveling Executive

Having used the iPad for three months and on extensive travel, I thought it might be appropriate to provide some thoughts on how it works as a travel device. Device design – There is something about the design that just works.  The device has an excellent form factor that I find easy to use in a multitude of scenarios including reclined, sitting at a table, on a jet plane, or lying in bed. Battery life is probably one of the most impressive aspects of the device.  It is a true workhorse lasting a full day of heavy use.    As I write this review, I’m on the second leg of a 16 ho... (more)