Cloud Data Storage Solutions with Steve Kelley

Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge: An Interview with Steve Kelly

Welcome to “Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge,” a podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and insights in technology leadership. In today’s episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing Steve Kelly, the founder of Argentil, a company that focuses on deploying software through automation. Steve shares his experiences and insights on the challenges of software deployment, the importance of reusable scripts, and the potential impact of his company’s platform-agnostic approach.

The Problem of Software Deployment

Steve Kelly, a technical fellow at Motorola and the founder of Netsolve, noticed a significant problem in the world of cloud computing and digital transformation. He observed that software was often built, paid for, and then had to be rebuilt without any additional compensation. This led him to conclude that there was a need to solve this problem, which became the driving force behind the creation of Argentil. Steve explains, “Argentil is about deploying software, not writing software per se, but deploying software. And deploying software is done with more software. We’re about automating that process.”

Making Scripts Reusable

One of the key issues in software deployment is the lack of reusable scripts. Steve highlights that approximately 100 million hours per year are spent on deployment software using scripts that are considered expendable and not tracked. He states, “We’re about making all those scripts that people have already written reusable and findable, and then allowing people to build what we call low code workflows using the pieces that have already been written.” By making scripts reusable, Argentil aims to penetrate and improve the significant market of $200 per hour work.

Target Customers and Dual-Use Technology

Argentil has worked extensively with the Air Force, which has allowed them to gain recognition and establish themselves in the market. Steve explains that the Air Force and the military, in general, face similar challenges to enterprises when it comes to software deployment. He says, “Both the military and enterprise have essentially the same problem. The Air Force believes it spends more money on deploying software than it does on writing it.” This recognition of the problem has made Argentil’s platform appealing to the Air Force, as it offers a solution that can be used in both military and enterprise contexts.

Platform-Agnostic Approach

One of the key differentiators of Argentil is its platform-agnostic approach. Steve highlights that each cloud provider has its own tools and methods for deploying software, which can create challenges when organizations want to switch between providers. He states, “Our approach is something that’s platform agnostic and sits above all that so that it’s very good for hybrid cloud and it gives you a standard way to deploy on any cloud you want to or any private cloud you want to.” This flexibility allows organizations to easily switch between cloud providers based on pricing, features, or other factors.

Intellectual Property and Hidden IP

Argentil’s platform also addresses the issue of intellectual property (IP) in software development. Steve explains that while smaller companies often consider the labor invested in building code as an asset, scripts are often overlooked and not tracked. He states, “We consider that and we’re trying. By making that stuff reusable, we’re generating a new IP that’s basically, in most organizations, a hidden IP.” Argentil’s tools, Ascot and Adept, help organizations locate and describe scripts, making them reusable and organized.

Competitors and Differentiation

While there are other automation tools and platforms in the market, Steve believes that Argentil’s focus on automating automation sets them apart. He states, “Most of those are kind of manually doing the automation. We would argue that we are automating automation.” Argentil’s platform allows organizations to automate their deployment processes, saving time and resources. Additionally, their platform-agnostic and language-agnostic approach differentiates them from competitors like GitHub and other automation tools.

Targeting CTOs and VP of Engineering

When it comes to approaching potential customers, Argentil aims to target CTOs and VP of Engineering. These executives recognize the potential cost savings and efficiency improvements that can be achieved through automation and reusable scripts. However, Steve acknowledges that it is also important to engage with engineers who will be the end-users of the platform. He states, “There’s a million engineers that are going to be influencers, and you need to be able to talk kind of a different language with them.” Argentil’s platform appeals to both executives and engineers, making it a comprehensive solution for organizations.

The Importance of Listening and Learning

Throughout the interview, Steve emphasizes the importance of listening and learning as a leader. He advises executives to switch from being a problem solver to being a listener and to speak last instead of first. He states, “It’s amazing what a difference that makes. Then you can manage your team even if you’re not an expert in what they do.” By adopting a listening and learning approach, leaders can better understand the challenges their teams face and make informed decisions.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

In conclusion, Argentil’s platform offers a solution to the challenges of software deployment by automating the process and making scripts reusable. Their platform-agnostic approach allows organizations to easily switch between cloud providers and deploy on any cloud or private cloud. By addressing the issue of intellectual property and providing tools to locate and describe scripts, Argentil generates hidden IP and improves organizational efficiency. With a focus on engaging both executives and engineers, Argentil aims to revolutionize the way software is deployed and managed.

Looking ahead, Argentil has the potential to disrupt the market and become a leader in the field of software deployment. Their platform offers significant cost savings and efficiency improvements, making it an attractive solution for Fortune 2000 companies. As more organizations recognize the benefits of automation and reusable scripts, Argentil’s platform is poised to become an essential tool in the technology leadership landscape.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, gaining the technology leadership edge requires staying ahead of the competition and embracing innovative solutions. Argentil’s platform provides a unique approach to software deployment, offering organizations the opportunity to streamline their processes and achieve greater efficiency. By leveraging automation and reusable scripts, organizations can unlock their full potential and drive success in the digital age.