Thread regarding Riverbed Technology Inc. layoffs

What will happen in 2021?

IT trends for 2021 showing that everything is around WFH/ WFA. Companies need to break down their silo structures, need to look on costs, budgets are more tight because of the pandemic. There will be a big push into the cloud, companies need to build up new IT skills. Etc.

After the pandemic is before the pandemic.

In older comments it says Riverbed will not survive 2019, in further comment it says Riverbed will not survive 2020. All comments so far have been wrong with their prediction. I think that we have completely assessed the situation so far. I think that Riverbed will survive 2021 as well. The signs are pointing to change. The company will change fundamentally. Maybe someone will buy Riverbed. This will be the dead of Riverbed. A potential buyer is most likely interested in a few core technologies and assets like customer base etc.

What do you think - Is there enough room and business for Riverbed and what will change in your eyes in 2021 and beyond?

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| 3232 views | | 4 replies (last January 29, 2021) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+196ZLvD5

4 replies (most recent on top)

I fully agree with @bii+196ZLvD5 especially on his / her comments here:

"SHM has been a dream product for a very long time now and, while it’s a conversation starter today, seeing long term commitments to SHM will eventually fade due to its lack of optimization flexibility with cloud protocols. Partners are focused on being cloud certified because that is where spend is happening."

SPOT ON!!! Applications are getting better (better developed apps) and cloud adoption are major obstacles and if SHM is not flexible enough to adapt to the changing development here, I am sorry... it is not a solution on a long run.

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Post ID: @3atx+196ZLvD5

Riverbed will survive 2021 by lowering the bar. This means lowering headcount (doing more with less) lowering quotas (adjusting for reality), reducing it dropping major/strategic accounts (because they’re not buying like one), and lowering profitability expectations. Sales seems to survive off one or two large deals a year, this type of revenue concentration simply means “unrepeatable” and luck. Pivoting to NPM is a risk, especially when most companies are moving to the cloud (or at some point they are) and better/cheaper solutions are already in the market. Riverbed products, as a whole, are not cloud friendly and will cost too much to operate them in the cloud. SHM has been a dream product for a very long time now and, while it’s a conversation starter today, seeing long term commitments to SHM will eventually fade due to its lack of optimization flexibility with cloud protocols. Partners are focused on being cloud certified because that is where spend is happening. Riverbed will only play a small/tactical and low priority role with partners so don’t expect them to be a riverbed force multiplier. Riverbed is outsourcing and that spells the death to innovation for whatever product development teams that moved there. Innovation is key to advancing Riverbed’s position, however the actions and behaviors of leadership seems to indicate survival and “let’s just keep the lights on for now”.

Riverbed could survive 2021 but it’s not for any other reason than to pay debts, obtain a loan, or pray someone acquires us. For everyone, it’s a job and a salary, there’s very little motivation to actually make riverbed better.

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Post ID: @bii+196ZLvD5

Riverbed has seen a steady decline in products, people and revenue from 2019 into 2021. Failed venture with Versa (really, admit this isn't working), the failure of the Oceedo acquistion, the failure of Xirrus to mature (now sold off), the failure to capitalize on Aternity (spin out separately). Riverbeds core product of WAN Optimization is now focused on a desktop client (SteelHead Mobile). NPM is still lacking in capability - focused on dedicated networks and application centers as the point of monitoring. If Riverbed shows growth with the core product line that they own (not Versa), they have a chance to remain in business, but it is doubtful. Even more doubtful is the delivery of innovation with core products that can successfully re-position them. Selling the company would benefit TB and a buyer, but it would not be for the people - the assets are the technology that can be incorporated into someone elses product(s). There has been nothing other than promises made by Riverbed in the last few years. It is sad, I hate to see it happening - a slow motion train wreck. Good luck to Riverbed in turning it around - if it happens, it will become quite the industry example. I just don't see the leadership in place today to pull it off.

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Post ID: @acc+196ZLvD5

Work from... India or China or Thailand or N—ria

Why would cos pay Americans to work remote when others will work remote for less and no benefits?

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Post ID: @sjg+196ZLvD5

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