Apple searching for senior executives with cloud expertise
Apple is actively seeking senior-level executives to help the company build new apps and products to take full advantage of the cloud, a new report claims.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has recently been looking for new leadership with backgrounds in "Web-based software." Sources also said that the Cupertino, Calif., company had approached one "prominent Internet entrepreneur" about a position, while also turning to recruiters for help with the hunt.
Apple is reportedly interested in building "new apps that leverage the Web" and eliminate the need to carry multiple devices. "The company doesn't have specific Web-centric positions in mind, and it is looking broadly for talent to fill director-level positions and above, including senior executives if they find a candidate that is a good fit," the report noted a source as saying.
Since 2010, Apple has been bulking up its ranks with lower-level Web talent, hiring "dozens of engineers" with Web software backgrounds. Employee profiles on LinkedIn show that Apple has brought on former employees from companies like Yahoo and Web-based analytics service Quantcast, report author Jessica E. Vascellaro noted.
Sources said that, traditionally, successful Internet engineers have landed jobs at Google or Facebook, companies known for their emphasis on Web services, rather than Apple. However, Apple is believed to be leaning more heavily on recruiters in order to counteract the issue.
Currently, Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue heads up the company's Internet Software & Services business, which includes iTunes, the App Store, the iBookstore, iAd and iCloud. Apple revealed Cue's recent promotion in early September, filling an open vacancy from when the company's vice president of mobile advertising left the company in August.
iCloud, Apple's latest cloud initiative went live last month. The new service is meant to have a broader reach than the previous MobileMe, which was plagued with a shaky start.
Though still in its early days, iCloud has attracted the attention of investors. Investment bank Barclays said earlier this month that it believes iCloud to be "Apple's most important new service since the launch of iTunes in 2003.
"We believe Tim Cook clearly understands how important iCloud is to Apple?s future," analyst Ben Reitzes said. "We agree with Tim Cook ? iCloud is profound. It basically makes the cloud the digital hub - not the Mac or PC."
Reitzes went on to call iCloud a "sneaky" product launch for the company, predicting that the service would lead to "devices we haven't thought of yet." Some industry watchers view iCloud as the foundation for a long-rumored Apple television set.
In addition to Apple's hunt for senior-level executives familiar with cloud services, the company has another hole to fill in its management team. Ron Johnson, the company's head of retail operations, left at the start of November to take over as CEO of retailer J.C. Penney. Johnson spent 11 years as the company's senior vice president of retail and was instrumental in building its retail division into a world-class operation. Apple has said it is "actively recruiting" for his replacement, with some reports suggesting that the company brought on an executive search firm to extend the search overseas.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has recently been looking for new leadership with backgrounds in "Web-based software." Sources also said that the Cupertino, Calif., company had approached one "prominent Internet entrepreneur" about a position, while also turning to recruiters for help with the hunt.
Apple is reportedly interested in building "new apps that leverage the Web" and eliminate the need to carry multiple devices. "The company doesn't have specific Web-centric positions in mind, and it is looking broadly for talent to fill director-level positions and above, including senior executives if they find a candidate that is a good fit," the report noted a source as saying.
Since 2010, Apple has been bulking up its ranks with lower-level Web talent, hiring "dozens of engineers" with Web software backgrounds. Employee profiles on LinkedIn show that Apple has brought on former employees from companies like Yahoo and Web-based analytics service Quantcast, report author Jessica E. Vascellaro noted.
Sources said that, traditionally, successful Internet engineers have landed jobs at Google or Facebook, companies known for their emphasis on Web services, rather than Apple. However, Apple is believed to be leaning more heavily on recruiters in order to counteract the issue.
Currently, Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue heads up the company's Internet Software & Services business, which includes iTunes, the App Store, the iBookstore, iAd and iCloud. Apple revealed Cue's recent promotion in early September, filling an open vacancy from when the company's vice president of mobile advertising left the company in August.
iCloud, Apple's latest cloud initiative went live last month. The new service is meant to have a broader reach than the previous MobileMe, which was plagued with a shaky start.
Though still in its early days, iCloud has attracted the attention of investors. Investment bank Barclays said earlier this month that it believes iCloud to be "Apple's most important new service since the launch of iTunes in 2003.
"We believe Tim Cook clearly understands how important iCloud is to Apple?s future," analyst Ben Reitzes said. "We agree with Tim Cook ? iCloud is profound. It basically makes the cloud the digital hub - not the Mac or PC."
Reitzes went on to call iCloud a "sneaky" product launch for the company, predicting that the service would lead to "devices we haven't thought of yet." Some industry watchers view iCloud as the foundation for a long-rumored Apple television set.
In addition to Apple's hunt for senior-level executives familiar with cloud services, the company has another hole to fill in its management team. Ron Johnson, the company's head of retail operations, left at the start of November to take over as CEO of retailer J.C. Penney. Johnson spent 11 years as the company's senior vice president of retail and was instrumental in building its retail division into a world-class operation. Apple has said it is "actively recruiting" for his replacement, with some reports suggesting that the company brought on an executive search firm to extend the search overseas.
Comments
AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE PLEASE HAVE PHOTOSTREAM BROWER BASED. I REFUSE TO BY A MAC...........
(BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT)
AND FOR GOODNESS SAKE PLEASE HAVE PHOTOSTREAM BROWER BASED. I REFUSE TO BY A MAC...)
I don't think Photostream is Mac-based. It's supposed to work on Windows too, and of course it works on your iOS devices including AppleTV.
I don't think Photostream is Mac-based. It's supposed to work on Windows too, and of course it works on your iOS devices including AppleTV.
That's correct. You should see Photostream in My Photos folder on PC but I refuse to use the feature until I can selectively delete pictures.
I hope they don't flail around in this space like Google has. They should stick to what they know: products. I mean, things with a hardware component.
I think they see Google's flailing as an opportunity on their own end, if they get the right people to establish a long-term direction. If they keep puttering around like they have for the past 5 years though, then they will end up wasting money.
I hope they don't flail around in this space like Google has. They should stick to what they know: products. I mean, things with a hardware component.
I think Apple should do what they do best in getting into new areas, and that is to buy companies that are already in that space. What Apple gets is a team that is focused on their task, then it is up to Apple management to identify the pieces and put them together. Didn't iTunes get it's start this way? Wasn't it a mismatch of different technologies purchased by Apple to help them get a better product out quicker. Also in buying companies Apple gets the whole team and can have them as long as the contract specifies. Buy you way in Apple, piece the pieces together and make it work!
Joyent is essentially Sun with out the baggage. They are full of top talent from Sun and are razor sharp focused on the cloud.
Look here under Joyent to see a few: http://pelegri.wordpress.com/2011/01...er-the-people/
Apple could also pick up key tech like SmartOS (aka illumos OS aka OpenSolaris) and build off of key features like Zones, ZFS, KVM etc...
It would be interesting!
I think Apple should do what they do best in getting into new areas, and that is to buy companies that are already in that space. What Apple gets is a team that is focused on their task, then it is up to Apple management to identify the pieces and put them together. Didn't iTunes get it's start this way? Wasn't it a mismatch of different technologies purchased by Apple to help them get a better product out quicker. Also in buying companies Apple gets the whole team and can have them as long as the contract specifies. Buy you way in Apple, piece the pieces together and make it work!
I completely agree. Apple missed a chance by not buying Sun when the could have, but perhaps they can make up for it by going out and purchasing Joyent.
Joyent is essentially Sun with out the baggage. They are full of top talent from Sun and are razor sharp focused on the cloud.
Look here under Joyent to see a few: http://pelegri.wordpress.com/2011/01...er-the-people/
Apple could also pick up key tech like SmartOS (aka illumos OS aka OpenSolaris) and build off of key features like Zones, ZFS, KVM etc...
It would be interesting!
Essentially yes, although it appears that Joyent is more focused on the back end while Apple is hiring for the front end, but yes. Another thing is that apparently Apple is using multiple data centers and leasing from a couple vendors, MS and Amazon, ring a bell, so maybe a company that builds front ends ie., the apps. But of course Joyent would be a nice fit as well, I didn't see much about standards in the 30+ seconds I looked at their web site, but that is a key for Apple.
I have accepted the job. I have been given Stock options. Part of the agreement was that I get my own Vegan Chef. Female 38 24 36 long brown hair blue eyes. Wears 501's and black turtle neck shirt. Is not married and has no kids. Also can travel when I work out of my swiss alps home. Gonna need her on my G5 jet. Thanks Apple.
I can tell already you have your head in a cloud.
"Apple searching for senior executives with cloud expertise"
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Since "The Cloud" is still being invented
Won't find any with ANY "expertise"
So let's find some with "Cloud Curiosity"
The "expertise" will follow
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Change The World?
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