We have all become used to having access to the cloud from our mobiles, tablets and desktops from wherever we are. But have you ever considered what it would be like to have the architecture underpinning the cloud in your pocket?
Well, that is what is being offered by a startup UK company that plans to take on the big global IT manufacturers later this year. In an exclusive interview the CEO of this new company, Jan Ventner, a 40-year veteran of the industry, explains the background to this development and how it will revolutionise how we embrace technology in the future.
“It all started around 3 years ago in a bar at an IT conference when a few industry veterans started chatting with some UK technology academics,” explained Jan Ventner. “The talk started around why there was no major UK manufacturer in the IT industry despite our massive contribution at all levels of IT technology development and our extensive software skills.”
“The talk rapidly moved to was there even a gap for a new UK player now, given the dominance of the US tech giants and the manufacturing expertise in the far east.”
“With no fag packets available, beer mats had to suffice as everyone rapidly tried to scribble down the issues and ideas that poured forth.”
“To cut a long story short, there was enough excitement from what was discussed that further formal meetings were organised over the following months to flesh out the ideas, come up with an action plan and create what we believed would be the next great IT company, UK based.”
Intrigued, I urged Jan to explain what they came up with and how a new UK company could compete against the industry behemoths.
“We realised very early on that we had to play to our strengths and use issues that these global companies were not currently addressing to gain a foothold very quickly in the market,” explained Jan.
“We also needed to create products, software and hardware, that enhanced what was already available so as not to duplicate and add to the already plethora of devices users and companies already owned. We all have drawers and cupboards full of ‘outdated’ devices. Could we resurrect these devices?”
“We also needed to address the issue of Cyber Security which is rapidly becoming the scourge of our industry. There are so many vendors in the security space and so little coordination that we felt this had to be a number 1 priority in whatever we developed.”
Still intrigued and even more excited I pushed Jan to cut to the chase and give me an insight to what they came up with.
“Well, we eventually realised we had to create our own core processing unit that gave us the ability to develop the security needed to create a truly safe environment and also the performance that would give longevity to the product. We also needed this core processing unit to support the operating system, or systems, of choice for the applications the user needed to run.”
“To enable all of this we worked closely with a UK microprocessor manufacturer to develop a HyperCore processor-based system using a Type 1 Hypervisor, with 1 terabyte of storage. We are in effect using the same virtual machine architecture that is used to power the cloud, but putting it in a device that will fit in your pocket.”
“This means that we can run multiple operating systems at the same time on the device but what makes it special is that we can make the whole device totally secure. The user can even create different security partitions so that if the device is used in a business environment a firewall can be created between the user's private data and the corporate data.”
Other than the high performance and security aspects I asked Jan to explain how they intended to break into this market and compete with the existing players.
“We decide not to compete head on with these giants. We have no expertise in cameras and peripheral devices such as touch screens, mice, printers and such like but we could exploit what users already have.”
“So, our strategy is to launch 2 products, 1 focused on the mobile phone and tablet user and one as a desktop / laptop upgrade.”
“The mobile user focused product, provisionally named VM/you, will target the Android market, will be a similar size to a powerpack, and will attach to the mobile phone or tablet and once connected via the USB port will take over the operation of the phone.”
“This will use all the functionality of the mobile phone or tablet such as camera, biometrics and touch screen but will have tremendous performance improvements. It will also breathe new life into your tiring device and make available the most current version of Android.”
“We would like to have an Apple version but as yet we have had not had any successful conversations with them.”
“Our second product, provisionally named VM/Office, will have the same architecture but a larger form factor, larger battery and a peripheral module including multiple USB ports, Biometric sensor and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and SIM connectivity.”
“VM/Office can connect to existing laptops in the same way as VM/you does to tablets and mobiles, effectively using the laptop as a peripheral device. It can also use the hard drive of the laptop as an external hard drive.”
“We envisage the main use of VM/Office is in workplaces where there are security or performance issues with existing hardware, a need for an upgrade where using existing peripherals is important and for power users in software development, manufacturing and design roles.”
This all sound really exciting but I asked Jan why he feels this project and his company will be successful in such a competitive market.
“That is the key question we asked ourselves early on and much time has been spent building the right platform of investors, technology knowhow and marketing expertise,” explained Jan.
“We put together a team of experienced industry experts from product development though to sales and marketing, we sourced funding and backing from two high tech venture capital funds and two regional development funds, we have formal links with three of the foremost English and Scottish Universities and the backing of a British high-tech manufacturer.”
“We feel that with this team we have a formidable combination of financial, business, and innovation expertise.”
So, with all this in place I challenged Jan to explain their go to market strategy as that could be the making or breaking of such a venture.
“You are so right. We realised early on we had to have the right channels to market if we were to be successful.”
“Thus, we have focused on 3 distinct routes to market.”
” The first, for VM/you, would be the major retail chains, mobile operators and the comms channel. As the product effectively extends the life of existing products there are some issues here but as it doesn’t challenge their long-term strategies and would give them significant service revenues based around some value-add services we will be launching alongside the product, the feedback we have had has been extremely positive.”
“Our second go to market strategy is to place the MSP channel at the heart of our VM/Office development. We know that the MSP channel will understand immediately the opportunity that VM/Office represents. Having a totally secure virtual machine on the desktop gives them the opportunity to build a whole raft of revenue services opportunities.”
“However, we will not just be giving them a product we will be wrapping a whole set of vertical software applications into an Appstore that they can brand under their own label.”
“We have been working with software developers in a number of vertical segments to ensure MSPs will have a complete package for that particular market. For example, in education, they will be able to offer note taking, task management, project tracking, database creation and Grammar and writing skills applications. There will be premade study sets based on the curriculum they are following and the exam board. There will also be applications for teachers using AI to assist in lesson planning.”
“We are currently working in 12 different vertical markets to put together the tools for the MSP.”
“Our third channel to market will be OEMs. We believe that the VM/Office hardware and its built-in security will appeal to manufacturers of robotic devices and all types of inbuilt machinery. We are already in discussions with a number of UK manufacturers who are very excited at what we have developed.”
So, it looks like all bases are covered but I asked Jan if there were any other possible markets they might like to go after.
“I think we have to stick with the plan we have as there is a lot to do if we are to build a successful business. I am sure other opportunities will arise but we will need focus to be successful.”
“However, I think that gaming might be a major opportunity once users start to see the power they are getting. Imagine slipping the unit into your pocket, going round to your mates and astounding them with its potential. I also think that the cryptocurrency industry might pick up on it to create a whole arena for secure devices linked securely to the market. Who knows where this will go.”
“We can only influence what the markets we know.”
So, my final question to Jan is when are you launching and when can I get hold of one.
“We are very close to launch which is why I am talking to you. The official product launch is 2 months away, with a series of MSP channel roadshows from June through November.”
“We are just finalising our logo, product names, website and appstore.”
“Not long to wait, but we plan on getting this right after three hard years of development. We are putting the Cloud in your Pocket. It will be worth the wait.”