In the inaugural episode of “Tech at the Table,” sponsored by Flexera, Roy Ritthaler, EVP Customer Value at Flexera, sat down with Salomé Keet, Head of Enterprise IT Asset Management at FirstRand Bank in South Africa and Vice Chair Trustee at ITAM Forum, to discuss the evolving landscape of IT finance, FinOps, and the transformative impact of AI. The candid conversation shed light on critical insights and practical strategies for IT professionals to navigate the shifting dynamics of tech and finance. Watch the full episode below, and read on for highlights.
Introducing “Tech at the Table”
As Roy describes in the first episode, “Tech at the Table” is a video platform where industry mavericks like Salomé convene for thought-provoking discussions on the future of technology, business, and finance. He set the tone for the conversation by emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in today’s ever-changing world:
“We’re bringing industry leaders like you, I would call them mavericks, to the table to talk about the future — the future of technology, the future of the world, and how it impacts what we do today.”
With her wealth of experience in IT finance, Salomé shares her journey and passion for optimization, all anchored by her unique South African perspective.
Salomé’s background and expertise
Salomé Keet has spent over two decades mastering IT finance and software asset management. As the head of Enterprise IT Asset Management at one of South Africa’s leading banks, FirstRand Bank, her expertise spans licensing, budgeting, cloud integration, and FinOps — a burgeoning movement focused on optimizing cloud and IT expenditures.
Salomé shared the driving force behind her career:
“I think what drives my passion, it’s really to optimize cost and to save money. That is what makes me get up in the morning — taking something, seeing whether we can optimize it, and making it better, cheaper.”
Coming from South Africa, where financial constraints often shape innovation, Salomé emphasized how cultural context plays a significant role in decision-making within IT financial management:
“Budgets are always a concern, and making the most of what you’ve got is kind of in our DNA.”
Navigating the evolution of IT licensing and asset management
One of the key themes of the conversation was the evolution of licensing models and asset management:
“You’ve gotta evolve, or you’re going to be left behind,” Salomé said. “Perpetual licensing is getting smaller and smaller. Everything is moving to SaaS and subscriptions.”
According to Salomé, IT professionals must find their place in the cloud revolution and rethink traditional licensing strategies. Her insights stressed the importance of leveraging existing expertise while adapting to new consumption-based models:
“Licensing is not dead. It has just moved. What we have been doing is not obsolete, but it has transformed into something new. Just use the knowledge you’ve spent years building on-premise and transfer it into a cloud environment.”
The rise of FinOps: Breaking down silos
FinOps, the intersection of finance and cloud operations, emerged as the session’s cornerstone discussion. As businesses increasingly migrate to the cloud, the financial management practices surrounding these systems have become pivotal. Roy and Salomé drew comparisons between FinOps and DevOps, emphasizing the necessity of adopting modern methodologies to succeed.
Salomé also underscored the need for collaboration and unity within organizations:
“It’s about breaking down silos. Working closer together, going to your friends in finance, and starting conversations around mutual goals.”
AI as a game-changer
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) within the tech industry is something we can’t ignore, as Salomé and Roy dug into. Salomé expressed enthusiasm for AI’s ability to streamline operations and drive efficiency:
Roy drew a striking comparison between AI adoption and the early cloud revolution, cautioning organizations about balancing innovation with financial control. He noted AI’s potential to spiral into uncontrolled spending if not properly harnessed:
“AI reminds me of the early days of cloud. It created a lot of business value but came with unchecked spend. FinOps could corral AI and ensure both value and control over the next few years.”
Career growth through FinOps
Beyond the technological implications, the discussion also touched on the personal benefits of joining the FinOps movement. Salomé emphasized that FinOps offers professionals in IT asset management new career trajectories by providing opportunities to expand influence and skill sets:
“As a software asset management professional, you had one direction to go. Joining FinOps opens more doors. From a personal point of view, it’s a no-brainer — you evolve, adapt, and gain more options.”
As the conversation wrapped up, Salomé encouraged professionals to engage with the FinOps community, network, and share insights. She expressed openness to connecting with peers and providing guidance for those venturing into FinOps or IT asset management:
“It’s all about creating value, for yourself and for your organization. And yes, people can always reach out to me for advice or collaboration.”
Key takeaways for professionals
This session offered a few core lessons for IT and finance professionals:
- Adapt or risk obsolescence: The shift to SaaS and consumption-based models demands agility and openness to change.
- Leverage current expertise: Transfer your on-premise licensing knowledge into cloud environments to stay relevant.
- Embrace FinOps: Whether you’re looking for career growth or operational efficiency, FinOps offers transformative opportunities.
- Harness AI’s potential: AI can revolutionize the industry, but organizations must balance innovation with financial control.
- Break down silos: Collaboration across departments fosters more effective decision-making and optimization.
Want more sizzling insights from industry insiders? Stay tuned for the next episode of Tech at the Table, and keep an eye on our YouTube channel so you don’t miss a beat!
