Data Center People - I don't mean to offend you but...
Any time someone starts a statement with, "I don't mean to offend you", they are about to say something that offends you.
I came out of AWS re:Invent with a clear message. I'm a laggard or public cloud denier if I’m executing anything less than an all-in AWS Cloud strategy. So, of course, that’s the message. I’m at an event with over 20K in-person attendees during a pandemic! These are the most die-hard of die-hard AWS partners and customers.
However, business is much more complex than implementing the latest technology and calling yourself a software company. Google “GE Failed Digital Transformation” to learn why it’s not as simple as investing in some Pivotal Labs and rolling out new software initiatives.
During the CTO Advisor Road Trip, we stopped by a manufacturing company in Akron, OH, that’s successfully competing with China during the height of the Pandemic. There was a “cheese grader” MAC circa 2008 on the desk in the graphics art department. They were still chugging away and thriving for this small business owner.
The owners also invested in public cloud workflows to get proofs to and from customers. There was equipment on the floor that was almost 100-years old and still making money for this organization.
Events such as re:Invent are marketing events. The purpose is to get customers to buy public cloud services. Just as conferences such as Dell Tech World and HPE Discover aim to get, you to buy OEM hardware.
In the end, you may decide to stay on your existing technology stack best helps you compete in a complex business environment—no disrespect to public cloud companies or hardware manufacturers.