Daily Tech Briefing: May 6, 2014

Juniper Networks and Nokia Solutions and Networks announced they are bundling network virtualization and cloud offerings to create a solution aimed at mobile operators. Nokia will be bringing its Liquid Core technology to the table, while Juniper will be leveraging its MetaFabric data center architecture.

Combining these offerings will give mobile operators a cloud-based infrastructure that leverages Network-Functions Virtualization and software-defined networking, along with other capabilities to create a more flexible, automated environment to offer new services to their growing numbers of customers.

Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel announced his immediate resignation on May 5, making him the latest victim the massive security breach that hit the giant retailers in December 2013 that exposed the personal financial data of more than 70 million customers.

Steinhafel has been working at Target for 35 years and was named CEO in 2008. John Mulligan, Target’s chief financial officer, will serve as the interim president and CEO. In a statement, Target officials praised Steinhafel for his years of hard work, but explained that he held himself personally responsible for the breach.

Dr. Vishal Sikka, chief technology officer in charge of products and innovation for SAP, recently announced that he is resigning effective immediately. Sikka was a key player in the development of the company’s HANA in-memory database. He cited personal reasons for this decision, and SAP would not elaborate at this time on why Sikka is leaving. According to SAP, more than 1,200 startups from 57 countries are building applications on HANA.

Finally, Nokia has announced the creation of a $100 million Connected Car fund, aimed at identifying and investing in innovations in the field of connected and intelligent vehicles. Nokia Growth Partners will manage the fund, and it will closely align with Nokia’s location-based Here suite.

Last summer, Nokia’s Here unit introduced Connected Driving, which allows automakers to connect vehicles and consumer devices to the cloud.