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November 08 Issue |
CEO Spotlight: Israel Mazin, OpTier
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By The Sterling Report
Knowing that the right teams make a company great, Israel Mazin
believes that intelligent and motivated people have limitless potential. The CEO
and Chairman of OpTier, a company that provides innovative solutions to link
business services to IT, chats with The Sterling Report about what the future
holds for OpTier and Business Transaction Management.
The Sterling Report (TSR): What are your thoughts on the
developments in the IT sector in the last year? Do you see any advance angle in
it?
Israel Mazin (IM): Over the past few years there has been an increasing
‘buzz’ over Business Transaction Management (BTM). In the last year alone, we’ve
seen a significant amount of interest in the industry around BTM. This is
evidenced by the tremendous amount of customer traction coupled with the
increased focus by analyst, media and vendor communities. Some of the factors
contributing to the rapid adoption of BTM are increased complexity, speed of the
business and the need to align the business with IT. In addition, initiatives
such as SOA and virtualization further highlight the need for BTM solutions.
TSR: What are the biggest challenges facing OpTier in the next three to five
years?
IM: The BTM market is rapidly gaining momentum. As the market continues
to grow at this rate of acceleration, it will be important for OpTier to
maintain its alignment with this rapid rate of expansion. This growth plan
includes the continued recruitment of the top talent in the industry as well as
the strategic expansion of our CoreFirst solution via development, integration
and acquisitions. OpTier’s innovation, vision and ability to execute will ensure
its continued position as the industry leader.
TSR: Previously to OpTier you had founded, took public and ran Memco Software
– a highly successful IT management software company. Was there a steep learning
curve for you when you co-founded OpTier?
IM: No, not really. Memco was very successful from its inception, so
instead of a steep learning curve it was the challenge of adapting quickly to
the huge market demand. I already see a tremendous amount of interest in what we
do and I anticipate that OpTier will achieve an even greater level of success
than Memco.
TSR: Since founding OpTier, what do you find gives you the greatest
day-to-day joy and sense of pride?
IM: I have always been a firm believer that a good idea is the
cornerstone of any successful company, but the ‘right team’ is what makes a
company great. When I founded OpTier, I set out to assemble the ‘right team’ –
the foundation. By putting together an outstanding group of industry veterans,
we have been able to conceptualize, develop and deliver a solution that brings
tremendous value to organizations. By ensuring that business transactions flow
smoothly within IT applications and infrastructure without bottlenecks or
outages, we provide an improved end-user experience and a better bottom-line for
the business. Essentially, we optimize the IT systems of our customers, to keep
‘their’ customers happy. We set out to make a difference by leading the industry
in a new direction. Now, every success is further validation of this plan and
another proof point to the positive culture and relentless drive that sets
OpTier apart.
TSR: What is it about this industry that evokes the greatest passion in you?
What makes you say, “Wow! This is the greatest ever!”
IM: The impact that BTM is making in the market as well as the rapid rate
of adoption. This is evidenced by the increased ‘buzz’ among vendor, media and
analyst communities as well as the significant amount of customer traction and
phenomenal year-to-year results. The rapid and continual adoption of our
solution, CoreFirst ® by industry leading organizations is testament to the
value and importance of BTM. I believe that BTM is the next step in the
evolution of IT management and it will play a critical role in every aspect of
IT management.
TSR: How has your experience in the Israel Defense Forces Computer Center
helped you in your role as CEO of OpTier?
IM: My experience with the IDFCC provided me the ability to see a horizon
beyond the walls where others saw barriers. Nothing is impossible when you can
see a bigger picture outside of your current circumstance. The broadness and
clarity of vision coupled with the ability to make tough decisions quickly have
proven to be important in my role as CEO.
TSR: Can you tell us something that people are surprised to learn about
OpTier?
IM: Most people are surprised to learn how young we are as an
organization in relation to our rapid and significant success. OpTier has had an
unprecedented amount of success and growth in a very short period of time and we
continue to see exponential results year-to-year, even in current market
conditions, which is further validation of the value and benefit of our
solution.
TSR: How do you envision OpTier two years from today?
IM: I believe that in two years, based on our current rate of success,
OpTier will continue to lead the way in innovative solutions that shape and
transform the industry. The growing demand for managing IT from a business
perspective, will further integrate Business Transaction Management in almost
every aspect of IT management.
TSR: OpTier is growing quite fast. What are you doing to fuel this growth?
IM: From the beginning, we implemented a very scalable infrastructure to
ensure that we could meet the demands of a growing market. As such we are
continuously expanding the organization and enhancing our product offering via
strategic partnerships, integrations and acquisitions.
TSR: What does the recent Network Products Guide 2008 Product Innovation
Award win mean for OpTier moving forward?
IM: The Network Products Guide Product Innovation Award was a great win
and further industry validation of the value and importance of BTM and OpTier’s
position as an industry leader and innovator.
TSR: What would you like your personal legacy to be as CEO of this company?
IM: I would like my legacy as CEO of OpTier to be reflective of the
impact we have on organizations, the IT management space and the industry as a
whole.
TSR: How would you describe your leadership style?
IM: High performance. As I’ve mentioned, OpTier was founded on the idea
that intelligent, creative and motivated people, given the right environment and
tools, have limitless potential. My leadership style closely reflects this
tenet. I am a strong believer that nothing is impossible and I see evidence of
this every day in the achievements we are realizing both on an organizational
level as well as on an industry level.
Israel Mazin is CEO and Chairman of OpTier, developers of
software solutions that proactively assure IT transaction service levels for the
enterprise. He was a Co-Founder of Memco Software and served as Memco’s CEO and
Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1990 until the company was acquired by
Computer Associates in 1999. Prior to his position at Memco, Israel also served
as a Business Development Consultant to several Israeli companies in the
high-tech industry. He began his career at the Israel Defense Forces Computer
Center where he served in infrastructure systems management. For interview
feedback, contact Israel at
israel.mazin@optier.com
 
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