Must-Read IT Blogger Q&A: David Davis

While video conferencing is all the rage in IT, David Davis is actually an expert at video training. Through his blog, VMwarevideos.com — a BizTech magazine Must-Read IT Blog — Davis offers training and resources for IT workers interested in learning about VMware virtualization products.

With 18 years of IT experience under his belt, Davis commands a wealth of IT knowledge and expertise that he has successfully leveraged as a consultant, network and systems administrator, data center manager and infrastructure manager.

We caught up with Davis and asked him a few questions about virtualization, IT and blogging.

BIZTECH: What are your daily must-visit tech stops online?

DAVIS: TrainSignal.com/blog, VMwareVideos.com, vSphere-Land.com, Virtualization.Info, Communities.VMware.com — and my list of about 500 people who tweet about virtualization: David's Virtualization List

BIZTECH: What emerging technology do you think will most change the enterprise landscape in 2012?

DAVIS: Cloud computing — if the complexities of information technology can really be significantly removed for most companies by using "utility-like" cloud servers, cloud desktops and cloud-based applications, then the entire world can become more efficient.

BIZTECH: What existing technology do you think businesses have most underutilized?

DAVIS: Today's cloud-based applications that are available as software as a service. Companies could be more efficient and profitable by using applications like QuickBooks Online, Salesforce.com, Office 365, Dropbox — those are just some examples. These types of cloud-based apps allow you to reduce your local IT headaches and troubleshooting — maybe even costs — allowing you to get back to work and do what you do to make money.

BIZTECH: What's the most innovative, creative or unusual way an organization has capitalized on technology that you've come across?

DAVIS: While it is getting less and less unusual, I think that "work from home" (or whatever you want to call it) is a creative way that innovative companies are looking at employee hiring and projects. Think about it — with the Internet and innovative software, the idea that everyone has to report (wearing slacks or a dress) to the same building, every week day, from 8 a.m. to5 p.m. is so arcane. Pulling the right people together (who offer unique skills and expertise, allowing you to accomplish your project faster) over the Internet, to get your company making money and innovating faster than the competition is the right way to work (for most businesses except for maybe manufacturing).

BIZTECH: When it comes to technology adoption, what best practice can't be repeated often enough?

DAVIS: Use the best practices? Sorry, just kidding. When adopting technology, I am always cutting-edge and hacking things apart to make them work even better. However, I know that isn't a good idea for every company. I recommend that you find a trusted adviser and talk with them frequently. It could be your server admin, your local tech salesman, or a peer at another company (or even a user group). They may be in town or around the world. Communicate with them to share your experiences and theirs — learning from each other — to make your technology work for you.

BIZTECH: Why do you blog?

DAVIS: I blog because I am passionate about what I do and because I love to learn. Blogging gives me a reason to try the latest cutting-edge tech or something crazy that I wouldn't otherwise do. I learn from all of that and share it with others.

BIZTECH: Why do you think virtualization is such a transformative technology?

DAVIS: Virtualization is all about efficiency. One of the most efficient countries I have visited is Denmark. They are crazy about virtualization over there because their society is crazy about efficiency (green energy, riding bikes instead of cars). People love to "do more with less" because 1) it allows you to do what you want to do instead of what you have to do, and 2) it saves money. Virtualization will make your life and the lives of your users so much more efficient — and that can transform into business success.