Mr. Amitabh Srivastava
(BT/EE/1979)
Mr. Amitabh Srivastava, a computer software expert with over three decades of experience, has held senior positions at Microsoft, EMC, Digital, and Texas Instruments. Notably, he served as the Senior Vice President of Microsoft's Server and Cloud Division and President of EMC's Advanced Software Division, and he developed Windows Azure from a concept to what is now a multi-billion-dollar business.
Profile
Mr. Amitabh Srivastava received his B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1979. After a brief stint at Tata Burroughs Ltd., Mr. Srivastava went to Penn State University to pursue his Master's in Computer Science in 1982.
In 1984, he started his career at the Texas Instruments Artificial Intelligence Research Labs in Dallas, Texas, working on Lisp Machines. His research work led him to join Digital Equipment Corporation's Western Research Labs (DEC WRL) in Palo Alto, California, in 1991. He built the ATOM system, which became a product on Digital's Alpha Systems. His paper on ATOM won the prestigious ACM SIGPLAN's 'Most Influential PLDI Paper Award' in 2005. His work at DEC WRL resulted in the creation of TracePoint Technology, a spinoff from Digital, where he was the founder and Chief Technology Officer.
After his start-up, Amitabh joined Microsoft Research (MSR) in 1997. At MSR, he founded the Programmer Productivity Research Center (PPRC) to improve the quality of Microsoft software. His work was covered by the Forbes magazine in May 2003. Microsoft named him a Technical Fellow in 2001. In December 2003, he moved to the Windows product group as Corporate Vice President to redefine its engineering process. To help solve the myriad bugs and security problems Windows was plagued with, he utilized the advanced software tools that he had developed at PPRC to automate the complex Windows development process. His work was covered on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in September 2005.
After redefining the Windows engineering process, Mr. Srivastava shifted his focus to the cloud and initiated a project that was officially launched as Windows Azure at the PDC in 2008.Under his leadership, Windows Azure transitioned from a mere concept to a fully operational business. Recognizing his contributions, Mr. Srivastava was appointed Senior Vice President to oversee both the Windows Server and Windows Azure businesses. Today, Windows Azure has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise for Microsoft.
Mr. Srivastava joined EMC in 2011 as President of their Advanced Software Division (ASD) to define their software-defined storage strategy. He outlined the vision for ViPR and built ASD around it.
In 2004, IIT Kanpur bestowed upon him the Distinguished Alumnus award, while Penn State honored him with the Outstanding Engineering Alumnus award. In 2009, Penn State further named him an Alumni Fellow.He delivered the commencement address titled 'Fourth and Goal' at the Penn State College of Engineering Graduation Ceremonies. His key advice to the graduating students was 'In the end, it's all about execution'.
Mr. Srivastava retired in 2016. He spends time on more meaningful aspects of life beyond computer science, such as spending time with family, delving into the wisdom of Puranas and Upanishads, and nurturing a passion for gardening.
Achievements and Honors
- Alumni Fellow Award, April 2009 by Penn State University
- Commencement Address titled 'Fourth and Goal', May 2008 at Penn State College of Engineering Graduation Ceremonies
- Most Influential PLDI Paper Award for 'ATOM : A System for Building Program Analysis Tools', June 2005 by ACM SIGPLAN
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2004 by IIT Kanpur
- Outstanding Engineering Alumnus Award, 2004 by Penn State University.
- Technical Fellow, January 2001 by Microsoft Corporation