“Cloud Computing”, “Software-as-a-Service”, “Managed Services”, “Out-Tasking”, “Industry Inversion”, “Internet of Things”, “Big Data”
These are just some of the innovative ideas that THINKstrategies’ founder and Managing Director, Jeff Kaplan, has pioneered as a research analyst, corporate executive, strategic consultant, featured columnist and industry speaker.
THINKstrategies was founded in 2001 as the only independent strategic consulting firm dedicated to helping enterprise IT/business decision-makers, IT solution providers and technology investors achieve their corporate objectives by leveraging the business benefits and new market opportunities created by Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Cloud Computing, Managed Services and other innovative technology service solutions.
Kaplan has nearly 30 years of experience and recognized expertise in IT/network management, SaaS, cloud computing, managed services, telecommunications and outsourcing trends. He was recently ranked among the Top 50 Cloud Bloggers of 2015 by the Channel Company and CRN, #16 among the Top 100 Individuals and Brands in the Internet of Things Landscape 2015 by Onalytica, #20 among the top 100 Cloud experts on Twitter in the Huffington Post and #23 on the VAR Guy’s 2015 Top 50 Channel Influencers.
He helped to launch IDC’s Communications Industry Research (CIR) program in 1983; Dataquest’s Worldwide Services Research program in 1990; and Meta Group’s Benchmarking program in 1995. He then went on to have successful ‘real-world’ experiences at International Network Services (INS) which was acquired by Lucent Technologies, and InterOPS Management Solutions.
In 2006, Kaplan founded the SaaS Showplace and Managed Services Showplace online directories and best practice resource centers which have now been merged into a new Cloud Computing Showplace, the largest vendor-independent listing of solutions and insights in the rapidly growing ‘on-demand’ services marketplace with over 2500 companies divided into over 90 application, industry, technology and service categories.
Kaplan launched the Cloud Innovators Summit executive forum series in 2011 with the first Cloud Channel Summit. In 2012, THINKstrategies hosted the first Cloud Analytics Summit, and second annual Cloud Channel Summit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. The second annual Cloud Analytics Summit was held in May 2013 in NYC and the third annual Cloud Channel Summit in November 2013.
In September 2014, THINKstrategies is launching a new executive forum focused on the rapidly growing market opportunities associated with the ‘Internet of Things’, called the Connected Cloud Summit. THINKstrategies also teamed with the Channel Company, publisher of Computer Reseller News (CRN), to co-host its fourth annual Cloud Channel Summit in San Diego in conjunction with the NexGen Cloud Conference & Expo in December 2014.
THINKstrategies also hosted a new executive forum focused on the Internet of Things in 2014, called the Connected Cloud Summit.
Kaplan has also served as a senior advisor to Trident Capital, Triple-Tree, LLC and a member of Pacific Crest Securities’ Mosaic Expert Network. He has also served as the chairman of the CloudWorld and Cloud Futures conference, a member of the SaaScon Advisory Board, and On-Demand/All About the Cloud Conference steering committee of the SIIA; and the chairman of the SaaS/cloud computing/managed services track of NetworkWorld’s IT Roadmap and Interops. He has also served as a member of the AMR Research Board of Directors.
Click here to read an interview with Kaplan in Sandhill.com about the history of THINKstrategies and the key influences on its services.
Kaplan is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences. Click here to learn about his latest speaking engagements.
Kaplan has also contributed THINKstrategies’ perspectives to the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek Online, Mass High Tech Journal, Financial Times of London, NetworkWorld, Business Communications Review, ComputerWorld, Datamation, eCommerce Times, InfoWorld, InformationWeek, Sandhill.com and Web Host Industry Review. He is also a regular contributor to corporate blogs and other online publications, such as the Seeking Alpha portal of stock market opinion and analysis from blogs, money managers and investment newsletters. Click here to find Kaplan’s latest commentaries and columns.
Over 15,000 IT and business decision-makers from large-scale enterprises and SMBs, IT solution providers, channel companies, investment firms, the press and other analyst organizations have subscribed to THINKstrategies’ newsletter, and over 6800 people follow our latest updates on Twitter @thinkstrategies.
Click here if you’d like to contact us to learn how our services can help you and your company achieve your business objectives.
The Pan-Mass Challenge
THINKstrategies is a supporter of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), an annual bike-a-thon that spans 190 miles across the state of Massachusetts in support of cancer research and treatment. Every dollar raised goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Institute.
THINKstrategies’ Managing Director, Jeff Kaplan, has been participating in this ride since 2007. Click here to read about Jeff’s reasons for riding in the PMC.
For more information about the PMC, visit www.pmc.org. To learn more and support Jeff’s ride, click here or on the logo to the right.
Jeff also participated in this year’s Brain Tumor Ride. Click here to read more and contribute to this great cause.
Thanks for your support!!
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