Nutanix CEO Dheeraj Pandey Retiring Amid Continuing Disruption

… sit through some company disruption.

Omdia’s Roy Illsley

“I think Nutanix has been a company in flux for some time. They pivoted from being a hardware company to being 90% software,” Roy Illsley, chief analyst, Omdia, told Channel Futures. “They are still one of the clear leaders in market share for HCI, but that market has got more crowded and with edge more complex.”

In The Forrester Wave on Hyperconverged Infrastructure, Q3 2020, report, Nutanix holds the top leader position. VMware and Cisco make up the trio of leaders in the recently released report.

“Nutanix has maintained its position atop the HCI market with its innovation, R&D investment, sales momentum, partnerships, and acquisition of new customers from all segments and geographies,” said the report authors.

“My view is that [Nutanix] is somewhat constrained by the HCI market, unlike Dell, VMware, HPE, etc.,who have many other solutions,” said Illsley.

Next?

What should partners make of the search for a new Nutanix CEO?

“I think for partners, the change at the top should be seen as Nutanix getting new blood to drive a new agenda and take the company into the edge which is where the market is moving,” said Illsley.

Strategic technology alliance partner, HYCU, would like to see a new CEO as focused on customer and partner success as Pandey has been.

HYCU’s Simon Taylor

“Dheeraj’s vision has been the inspiration behind not only Nutanix but also the entire Nutanix ecosystem. His pioneering approach to driving customer success and simplicity by design have played a major role in what we have done at HYCU to align with Nutanix and our joint customers,” said HYCU CEO Simon Taylor. “It’s clear that he has left an indelible mark on the industry as a whole. And he has laid a strong foundation for Nutanix’s future success. I am sure Nutanix will find a leader that is equally focused on customer and partner success and smoothly transition Nutanix to its next phase of growth.”

Liked by Partners

Pandey is very popular in the partner community.

“He was visible and engaged in Nutanix partner events. And the company displayed channel-centric DNA from top down,” said Alex Smith, senior director at Canalys. “Assuming they appoint someone that will continue the same values, I think Nutanix partners can be confident that things will remain positive.”

The battle in the marketplace may be more challenging.

“Finding someone that takes the fight to VMware though, as he has done, will be more challenging. That’s what underdog companies need in a leader,” said Smith.

Competitor VMware is capitalizing on its massive installed base and strong partner ecosystem, according to the Forrester Wave Hyperconverged Infrastructure Q3 2020 report.