Technology >> CEO Interviews >> October 25, 2000
ANDY WATSON is the Vice President, Strategic Technology for Network
Appliance, Inc. Looking at emerging technologies relevant to NetApp's
products and future plans, he is a member of the company's strategic
development team. His prior experience on the customer side as well as
working for computer industry vendors gives him a pragmatic perspective
on making technology decisions. Mr. Watson has been with Network
Appliance since July 1995. Prior to joining NetApp, he worked in various
roles for several computer system vendors: Auspex Systems, Data General,
and Prime Computer. As a customer, selecting and deploying computer
industry products in the 1980s, he was an early adopter of UNIX-based
workstations and servers: "right-sizing" engineering environments by
porting mainframe-based application software to desktops, Cray
supercomputer platforms, and midrange servers, achieving significant
productivity gains while lowering costs. This also involved early
adoption of IP networking, putting in thick- and thin-Ethernet LANs and
setting up WAN links in the "early days" of internetworking. He has a
Bachelor's degree from Bard College, majoring in Physics. Profile
including its history, development, markets, and your view of the firm's
future potential?
Mr. Watson: The company was founded
