Colin Williams

Business line CTO - networking and security, Computacenter

What was your dream career as a child?

A mechanic for Porsche (I adore 911s) or Alfa Romeo. I actually was an Alfa Romeo mechanic for a while before getting into IT.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

Personal: my little girl scoring twice in the county U14s football final. Work: the launch into the real world of 5G and its potential to transform the world.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

Nigel Farage. An intelligent man with a number of valid views, but often delivered in a manner that dismantles the goodness.

What two things (apart from family) would you grab if your house was on fire?

One storage array with over 30 years of photography images (my hobby). Another storage array with digitised music from a similar time span.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

I chronicled through 2018 that ransomware was only sleeping and would be back with a vengeance (sadly it is). On the networking side, that automation would finally deliver value (now the benefits are properly conveyed).

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

Friends (2018: Friends, 2017: Friends, 2016: Friends, 2015… I think you get the picture).

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

A rewarding year with customers challenging vendors, the channel and themselves to deliver measurable and beneficial value. This aligns with our approach to the market as an organisation maniacal about positive, value led customer engagement.

What annoys you most about your commute?

The lack of Wi-Fi in between tunnels.

If you could witness one past event, what would it be?

To be at Cape Canaveral on the night of 20 July 1969 for the epic moon landing of Apollo 11.

How do you explain the channel to people?

We understand the capability of products manufactured by vendors and use our advisory, consultancy and support services to implement solutions that deliver customer relevant value. We make ‘IT' work.

What have been your favourite and least favourite partner conference destinations?

My favourite is Vegas (great hotels, energy of the town and the venues are superb). My least favourite is Vegas (the heat, the flight unless upgraded, the feeling of sheer tiredness on the way home).

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

Understanding how to maximise the value of ‘as-a-service' and dynamic software and service procurement challenges. The channel must learn to engage and deliver differentiated value much earlier in the customer buying cycle to deliver influence and relevance.

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