How a lesser-known IT integrator competes in the shark tank
by Chris J. Preimesberger, SDxCentral
When a company has the money to renovate an existing IT system or build a new one from scratch, the world of systems integrators and technology solutions providers becomes an important factor in how the business continues to compete. Lots of businesses know – or suspect – they don't have the right people in house to do this work, so they need to find someone who does.
This world is dominated by some big and familiar names: Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte Consulting, IBM Consulting, CDW, Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services among them. But navigation through these large bureaucracies can be challenging.
Few of these companies are based outside of the usual-suspect large cities, but World Wide Technology (WWT) – headquartered in Maryland Heights, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis – certainly is. The 34-year-old, privately held consultancy operates in that hugely competitive shark tank, yet despite being under the proverbial radar most of the time, it is flourishing. At last glance, WWT employed north of 10,000 technologists worldwide and had its hands full with some prominent customers.
While a complete list isn't available, WWT mentions clients in case studies or press advisories. Here are a few examples:
- Verizon: WWT has partnered with Verizon on various projects, including network transformation and 5G deployments.
- Department of Defense: WWT has a long history of working with the DoD, providing solutions for cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and data centers.
- Major League Baseball: WWT has helped MLB with technology initiatives, including upgrading their data center infrastructure.
What WWT brings to the party
WWT's competitive acumen is shaped by several factors, including wide-ranging expertise in:
- Digital transformation: As businesses undergo digital transformations, the demand for cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics solutions is increasing, intensifying competition.
- Emerging technologies: The rapid adoption of technologies like AI, IoT, and edge computing is creating new opportunities and challenges for technology providers.
- Customer experience: Providing exceptional customer service and support is increasingly important in differentiating from competitors.
WWT claims differentiation through innovation, its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) for proof-of-concept testing, and its strong customer relationships. WWT focuses on Kubernetes-based container approaches for AI deployments, though VMware and its virtual machines remains a partner. WWT has developed its own tools, including Atom AI in Azure, and continues to build its own IP, partnering with companies such as NVIDIA.
Q&A with the head of AI
Mike Trojecki, head of AI at WWT, spent three years as a director at Intel before joining WWT earlier this year. He highlighted the challenge of integrating specialists in high-performance compute, storage, and software to meet diverse customer requirements.
SDxCentral: You've recently joined WWT after a stint at Intel. What made you decide to come this time?
Trojecki: I've worked with WWT as a partner over the years and built strong relationships with the team, seeing firsthand the incredible work they're doing in AI—a field I'm passionate about. I've spent many years in the partner and systems-integrator space, and while I loved my time at Intel, returning to this environment felt like a natural fit for me.
SDxCentral: What's been the biggest challenge you've encountered so far at WWT?
Trojecki: The biggest challenge is definitely the scale of AI. People often think of AI as futuristic, like robots in movies, but it's really about achieving specific outcomes across many different verticals. This requires a broad approach, meaning you need specialists in each area.