Interview with IceWarp CTO Antonín Prukl
After 20 years in the tech industry, Antonín is a deep well of specific insight and accurate predictions. Discover what it takes to be IceWarp CTO, a few things he considers “overrated”, and why he feels optimistic about the industry’s future.
Experience is Priceless
Antonín Prukl’s tech obsession goes all the way back to his school days. He initially received his master’s degree at Charles University in Prague in Information Technology before tacking on an M.B.A. in Business Administration, Management, and Operations.
This educational background afforded Antonín a unique perspective on the tech industry seen through the lens of business management. Now, fast-forward 20 years, and he’s both witnessed and taken part in some of the industry’s biggest changes.
“Over the past two decades, we’ve seen several transformative changes significantly impact the field of productivity software. For example, the transition from on-premises software to cloud-based solutions has been a major shift. And yet, there’s still an important place for on-prem, especially in the public sector, where clients require full governance of their data. That means companies have to be both forward-thinking with the cloud and accommodative with clients’ on-prem needs, something we’ve been sure to prioritize at IceWarp.
I also watched over the years as the industry shifted from a “desktop” to a “browser” world. Many users prefer simpler, browser-based solutions, especially when they can also access their exact setup on their mobile devices. This is another area I’ve been able to oversee as CTO, providing the same end-user experience whether on the computer or mobile. The tech world is fast-paced, and people want to take work with them on the go. So, if they can get something done on their phone in a collaboration tool that functions and, most importantly, feels the exact same as the in-browser experience, then they’re all the happier for it.”
AI and Other Buzzwords
It’s obvious that Antonín has much experience to draw on from the past, and this especially comes in handy when dealing with new trends and their real-world applicability. The AI wave has taken the world by storm, and even IceWarp would be remiss not to implement automation in one way or another (like by adding ChatGPT functions to the IceWarp dashboard). But Antonín reminds us to keep a level head before jumping onto any hype trains.
“Not only in the tech industry but in the world at large, there’s a definite overuse of buzzwords like “blockchain” and “AI”, usually due to an unclear understanding of how they’re actually applied or their limitations. If you’re not careful, such delusions can lead to misguided investments and implementations. It’s crucial to align technology adoption with real business needs and outcomes. If you’re looking to add the newest and flashiest “vague AI tool” to your solution just because everyone else is, then you’ve lost the plot.
One thing that helps keep us on the right path at IceWarp is working together as a small, tight-knit group. Because we’re smaller and have limited resources compared to many mega-corporations, we have to make and follow through on truly detailed plans. Some could perceive the size difference as a disadvantage, but it’s actually what keeps us all on the same page, ensuring we’re all actively moving towards the same goal.
Adding ChatGPT into IceWarp is a perfect example of this. Although the integration was relatively straightforward, we had to work intelligently as a team to provide an intuitive interface and a hassle-free user experience. We also had to make this an optional feature, considering some clients require full data governance. And that leads to one of our future AI-oriented challenges, which is to offer such clients private data models built solely on their own company resources, meaning it never leaves their premises.”
Keeping a Positive Outlook
Although he’s fully aware of the demands and challenges currently facing the tech industry, Antonín still finds himself arriving to work each day with more optimism than anything else.
“The tech industry is ever-evolving, and filling my role as CTO allows me to continuously learn and stay abreast of the latest advancements and methodologies. This aspect of constant learning and adaptation keeps my work both dynamic and intellectually stimulating.
Overall, I’m really optimistic about the future of tech. I’m excited about the prospect of a more seamless integration into our daily lives. I’m particularly excited about the potential for AI to transform industries and how we work, enabling more intelligent decision-making and creative problem-solving.
While there still remain many challenges to navigate, the potential for positive impact is immense. The continued focus on innovation, responsible development, and addressing real-world problems will guide us toward a promising future in technology.“
