HPE Tech Jam in Vienna wasn’t just another partner or customer conference but instead it was a focused, technically rich gathering built for real conversations, real engineering, and real direction. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was going to be a well-run event.

Early arrival on the Monday meant we could take advantage of early registration, missing the queues on Tuesday. It set the tone for an event that was clearly planned with attendee experience in mind. Once sessions began, the event continued to impress. The organisation was clear, and well managed:
– Plenty of staff at session doors to scan badges and guide attendees
– Event staff positioned at staircases and across floors to help with directions
– Clear signage and well-managed room transitions
– Sessions starting and finishing on time

These aspects may sound simple, but when you frequently attend large-scale events, you begin to understand the importance of smooth logistics. The overall atmosphere was energetic but comfortable, a perfect balance of busy without feeling chaotic.

Across the virtualisation and networking sessions, two consistent themes were clear:

1. Helping Customers Move Beyond VMware
   There was significant interest in HPE Morpheus Essentials and the broader Morpheus Enterprise story. The conversations around offering a cost-stable alternative to VMware sparked real discussion. The ability to manage existing VMware estates while migrating to an HPE-based virtualised environment, all from a single platform, clearly resonated with attendees navigating rising virtualisation costs.
2. A Unified Vision for AI-Driven Networking
   In regards to networking, the integration story between Aruba Central and Juniper Mist remains a spotlight topic. The “develop once, deploy twice” approach (enabled by microservices architectures) shows real collaboration between HPE and Juniper Networks. Customers don’t have to choose between platforms but instead HPE is supporting both ecosystems on a shared journey toward the self-driving network. The commitment that “no customer will be left behind” was repeated consistently and reassured, particularly with long-term support timelines being discussed.  

What made HPE Tech Jam stand out wasn’t just the announcements or the roadmap slides. A combination of excellent organisation, deep technical sessions, visible collaboration between teams and engaged audiences created a well-executed and strategically clear event with meaningful insight into where HPE is heading. It’s definitely one the team is looking forward to attending again next year.