Friday Tech News

The last two weeks in Tech | 12/6/2024

Author

Phil Moroni
December 06, 2024

Good morning and welcome to another edition of Friday Tech News! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week.

After a restful and grateful amount of time spent with my family over Thanksgiving, it was time to return to tech news and the work week! This was an exciting week in Tech, with AWS Re:invent happening in Vegas all week, there are tons of announcements to review. I’ve summarized as much as I can for having a crazy week, and most of these announcements are major product updates and releases.

There was also some HEAVY funding over the last couple weeks with interesting raises from Halcyon, Upwind, and Eon. Israel continues to pump out good tech despite the trying times the country is experiencing on the world’s stage.

I hope you are enjoying the start of your December and have a lot of fun times planned ahead for the holiday season. If you have any suggestions on FTN or want to get in touch, just drop me a line by responding to this email.

Stay physically and digitally safe,

Phil

AWS Re:invent Announcements ☁️ 

  • AWS has extended its GenAI platform for appdev to include plug-in extensions enabling natural language queries against popular data platforms.

  • The goal is to simplify IT ops by reducing the number of GenAI platforms needed for DevOps teams to manage complex environments on / thru.

  • Q Developer platform leverages LLMs to automate workflows and integrate 3rd party APIs for enhanced DevOps efficiency.

  • Released an AI powered segmentation tool that scans a company’s customer base to identify buyers with similar interests, enabling targeted marketing campaigns.

  • Integration with Amazon Lex and Q allows AI assistants to incorporate data from internal apps and other sources.

  • New integrations include SFDC and WhatsApp for Business.

  • New managerial reporting tooling too.

  • AWS has introduced a new GenAI powered capability to its DB migration service, automating complex database code elements that previously required manual intervention.

  • The new capability uses LLMs hosted on Amazon Bedrock to convert code snippets in the source database, improving automation of schema conversion.

  • New observability solutions in Aurora MySQL and PostgresSQL are now available as well.

  • AWS introduced four text generating models - Micro, Lite, Pro, and Premier.

  • Nova Canvas and Nova Reel are new models for image and video generation. Canvas allows image editing and reel creates short videos with customizable camera motions.

  • They plan to release a speech-to-speech model in Q1 and an any-to-any model by mid 2025.

  • Amazon Q Developer now autonomously identifies and generates unit tests!

  • The tool automates the creation and updating of project documentation too.

  • Q Developer automates code reviews to look at quality, duplication, and security vulnerabilities.

OEM News & Updates From 11/28 - 12/6 📰

  • Snowflake and Anthropic have partnered to deliver Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 models via the Cortex AI platform, enhancing data analysis and large scale language processing.

  • The integration allows businesses to use their data more effectively, develop conversational assistance, and run ad-hoc data queries with improved accuracy and efficiency.

  • Their Enterprise Solution (Snowflake’s) will leverage the Claude family of products including in Snowflake Intelligence and Cortex Analyst.

  • BMC has introduced a range of AI tools to support digital services, a bit late albeit, but they’re including features for modernizing mainframe systems and agentic AI for virtual workforce management

  • They’re also restructuring the org into two sectors, one on Helix and mainframe automation, the other on digital services and operational management. Interesting play.

  • New products include tools for automation, edge computing, mainframe support, AIOps, AgenticAI, and newly released HelixGPT and AMI. HelixGPT integrates GenAI for service and Ops management while AMI assistant uses GenAI to support mainframe developers, combining legacy tech with modern AI. Wild.

  • Tanium Cloud Workloads extend the endpoint management software platform to provide real-time visibility and protection for containerized workloads.

  • New suite includes tools for runtime container visibility, monitoring, and vulnerability identification within container images.

  • Integrates directly into Kubernetes clusters for easy implementation of monitoring and runtime policies.

  • Interesting to see Tanium entering this space of runtime protection.

  • Wiz Defend is designed to protect cloud and AI environments by detecting and responding to active threats in real time. It’s the re-make of Gem Security (wizified).

  • The product offers visibility into emerging threats, leveraging the Wiz runtime sensor and Wiz Security graph to help SecOps teams detect adn respond to cloud-based attacks.

  • Complements all the other things they’re doing. I’m most impressed at the integration speed considering Gem was acquired back in April. Let’s see how fast Dazz features are introduced next!

  • Anjuna Northstar is the world’s first AI data Fusion Clean Room, designed to help organizations combine datasets from multiple sources for complex AI-driven analytics without compromising security and privacy.

  • It’s fast, scalable, universal, interactive, and intrinsically secure, allowing data scientists to create new confidential clean rooms with a single click across any cloud provider.

  • Sets a new standard for AI-data fusion and multi-party collaboration, enabling organizations to unlock new business value and rev streams.

  • Nutanix Enterprise AI enables customers to deploy a full enterprise AI stack across private clouds, on-prem, or at the edge with seamless integration into Azure Kubernetes.

  • The platform offers choices of LLMs, GPUs, and deployment locations. Users get to feel more confident in their selections here.

  • not to be left out, Nutanix NC2 on AWS helps customers extend their on-prem Nutanix environment to AWS.

  • They came out with a promo that includes promo credits, free trials, easier procurement, and enhanced integration with AWS services like DBs, S3, and AI/ML services. This is a great option for those who are modernizing in the cloud in a “traditional” 3 tier fashion before refactoring applications.

  • Nice work Nutanix, let’s see the same play for the other hyperscalers.

  • Joining in on the fun buzzwords of AIDR (AI Detection & Response) and AISPM (not even gonna go into that) these are some industry first solutions to combine AI with real time threat intelligence to enhance proactive security management in the cloud.

  • ALSO COMES WITH DSPM.

  • AND CIEM

  • And finally it includes container scanning for run-time malware scanning analysis.

  • Seeing more in the CD&R category in and of itself.

  • OpenText Cloud Editions 24.4 introduces AI integrated solutions that enhance data connectivity, streamline workflows, and boost human potential.

  • Supports secure and efficient data movement across cloud platforms and multi-cloud setups.

  • New releases to the AI every 90 days

  • Granite 3.0 is a compact and efficient AI model designed to run on accessible devices like a Mac. It’s trained on over 12 trillion tokens across 12 human languages and 116 programming languages.

  • They also have this new Bee Agent Framework that allows developers to create versatile AI agents with minimal changes to existing models.

  • Red Hat has extended its collaboration with Microsoft to streamline and scale AI and genAI deployments in the cloud.

  • RHEL AI will be available on Azure Marketplace as an optimized and validated foundation model platform. Can bring your own subscription here.

  • Provides consistency and scalability for building, testing, and deploying genAI models across hybrid cloud environments.

  • This partnership combines Sonatypes SCA solutions with Fortify by OpenText’s SAST/DAST products to offer complete protection for open-source and custom code.

  • Automated security checks included and integrated into CI/CD pipelines.

  • Of course, it uses AI tools to streamline auditing, security prioritization, licensing, and more across custom code and open-source.

  • Anthropic has introduced MCP, an open protocol designed to enhance connectivity between LLMs and external data sources.

  • MCP includes a specification and SDKs for standardizing integration, local MCP server support in Claude Desktop apps, and an open-source repo of MCP servers for widely used systems like Slack, Postgres, and Git.

  • MCP aims to transform fragmented AI integration processes into a more fluid experience.

  • Anthropic has introduced a new feature in Claude AI called Custom Styles, which allows the AI to generate responses in users’ preferred writing styles.

  • users can choose from three preset styles or upload their own writing samples to create custom styles.

  • Aims to make content more aligned to user communication styles and preferences. I wonder if it curses (which I don’t in AI tooling).

  • BrowserStack’s suite includes Percy, App Perccy, and Visual Scanner, designed to maintain visual perfection across digital properties and prevent revenue loss from bad UIs.

  • The suite offers advanced features such as Percy Visual AI Engine, which detects crucial visual changes, and Visual Scanner, which auto-detects and monitors visual changes without coding.

  • Provides Real devices testing across 20K devices.

  • Seamless integration w/ CI/CD pipelines to reduce functional testing time by 50%.

  • Anodot has partnered with OpenOps to integrate no-code automation capabilities into its FinOps platform for seamless integration with over 100 tools and systems.

  • This partnership aims to streamline FinOps best practices by providing a unified, no-code interface to connect various tools.

  • Can create customized workflows making it easier for FinOps teams to optimize cloud costs and manage operations efficiently.

  • The new software introduces - you guessed it - AI engines to block 99.8% of zero-day threats, including phishing, malware, and DNS exploits.

  • R8s simplifies firewall virtualization, enabling 3x faster provisioning of virtual systems for multi-tenancy and agile appdev.

  • Software can scale with built in load sharing and clustering technology called ElasticXL.

  • Includes NIST approved cryptography Kyber (ML-KEM) for Quantum-safe encryption.

  • First cool use case of Quantum I’m seeing is in the network.

  • Microsoft has introduced new AI models designed for specific industries, enhancing how businesses handle operational challenges. These modesl are part of the Phi family of SLMs.

  • They’re accessible through Azure AI model catalog and can be used to create custom AI solutions within Azure AI Studio.

SentinelOne | S1 Joins in on AISPM

  • I’m over AISPM. It’sj ust an extension of CSPM sight, right?

  • I will always remember Zoom being the first and go to experience before MSFT rapidly developed Teams during COVID.

Articles I Liked This Week 💡

Tech Funding & M&A 💸

  • Anthropic is a California based AI safety and research company that researches and develops GenAI systems for individuals and businesses.

  • Y’all know these cats.

  • Eon a NY/Israel HQ’d company and is in the Cloud Backup POSTURE MANAGEMENT space and they provide instant access to all backed-up cloud data. ugh we’re adding that other PM to this now???

  • Tricentis is a Texas based automated software testing platform that provides test automation and change intelligence for businesses.

  • Cresta is a California based AI powered platform that provides solutions such as real-time intelligence, assistance, and sales enablement for contact centers.

  • Halcyon is a Texas based anti-ransomware platform that provides solutions such as automate decryption, VSS protection, and data exfiltration prevention for enterprises.

  • You don’t see too many of these

  • Upwind is an Israel based cybersecurity platform that provides solutions such as cloud threat detection and response and vulnerability management for enterprises.

Meme of the week 🤣

Recommendations 👉🏻

Return on Security5 minutes to master cybersecurity's biggest market moves. Zero fluff. Your weekly briefing on the business of security.
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Thank you so much for making this a part of your Friday morning coffee time. I'm Phil Moroni, and I'm an Account Executive in the Information Technology industry here with another edition of Friday Tech News!

What is this? This is a newsletter that provides updates and insights on the latest trends and developments in the technology industry. I am a professional who specializes in supporting IT leaders in evaluating, investing, and managing people, processes, and technology tools that support their businesses.

Each week, I summarize relevant industry updates from popular Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), software publishers, and managed providers. The goal of my research and newsletter is to keep you informed about current trends and events that may impact your business from a trusted and reputable source. It's just information I'm sharing, and I follow and work with hundreds of partners in the industry, keeping track of their growth, changes, and evolution so that you don't have to.

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Thank you for reading and stay digitally and physically safe!

Phil

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