CRN: GrayMatter creates 'next generation of solutions business'

New GrayMatter CEO Paul Galeski talked with CRN Senior Editor Dylan Martin this month about his new role, GrayMatter's approach to industrial IoT solutions, and the art of balancing technology and company culture.

Galeski told CRN that GrayMatter’s goal is to approach customer solutions holistically, adding that it’s important not to rely too heavily on technology to solve problems.

“So many of our competitors want to lead with technology. To me, that’s an afterthought — which technology you use. What’s the real essence of the operation? Where are the bottlenecks? Where are the challenges? Those are the things you address first and thoroughly in conjunction with your client.”

CRN asked Galeski for his perspective on how manufacturers should approach connecting their operations to the cloud. 

“I feel that manufacturing should be cloud friendly but not cloud dependent. I’m very passionate about this," Galeski said.

"I do not see operating a world-class manufacturing facility from the cloud happening for a long time. Yes, we should be cloud friendly and share as much data as it makes sense and store it in the cloud securely, but when that plant runs you should be able to cut the head off, the head being the cloud, and that thing keeps humming. That’s a fundamental premise I've operated on for a long time.”

Galeski's interview is featured in CRN's 2024 IoT Innovators list, available here.

Galeski took on the CEO role recently from former CEO and Co-Founder James Gillespie, who is now GrayMatter's Chief Growth Officer.