Luke Marchant

CTO, Other World Computing Inc.

Luke Marchant

CTO, Other World Computing Inc.

Businesses across industries largely rely on qualified technical staff to negotiate the complexity of the digital era in today’s quickly changing technology landscape. These knowledgeable individuals play a critical role in fostering innovation, guaranteeing effective operations, and preserving a competitive advantage in the market. Companies need a wide range of technical expertise to succeed in the digital age, from software development and cybersecurity to data analytics and system administration. It is impossible to exaggerate how crucial having qualified technical staff is to a company’s long-term success, growth, and resilience.

Luke Marchant, the Chief Technology Officer of the Enterprise Storage Group at Other World Computing, Inc, serves as an exceptional exemplar of a leader among highly skilled technical personnel. Through his visionary guidance, he spearheads OWC’s enterprise storage endeavors, ensuring the delivery of top-notch products and services to their esteemed clientele.

OWC in a Nutshell

For over three decades, OWC has remained dedicated to a straightforward objective: developing innovative do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions that empower individuals to maximize the potential of their technology.

At OWC, it is firmly believed that when technology is implemented correctly, it has the power to positively transform the world. The unwavering mission at OWC is to consistently deliver this level of seamless experience through every solution they create and every interaction they have.

Driven by their vision, OWC strives to construct a better world through their solutions, aiming to enhance the lives of everyone who engages with OWC.

From the Scratch

Luke Marchant stated that his love of technology was sparked at a young age while reflecting on his journey. He recalled how his uncle, a software developer, had many workstations that gave him a window into the world of computers when he was growing up. Luke remembered clearly how he had been seeing his uncle’s genius and skill in action while he got several opportunities to experience this.

He made clear that this exposure was the impetus behind his later efforts with his own personal home computer. Due to his passion for technology, Luke set out on a path of discovery and experimentation with the goal of improving and optimizing its performance. His current position and level of experience in the profession are eventually a result of this trip.

“I started pushing the limits of hardware setup and the components at my disposal because I was unwilling to accept restrictions or the idea that something couldn’t be accomplished the way I envisioned it”, Luke shared. He continued – “Resourcefulness became key as I scavenged components from wherever I could find them, constructing customized personal computers that catered to my specific needs and preferences”.

As the CTO

As the CTO, Luke Marchant is in charge of managing many facets of the business’ operations as the leader of the Enterprise Storage Group at OWC. He oversees the software that goes along with these systems, with a concentration on network-attached storage products. Luke’s responsibilities include designing, building, and maintaining new hardware items as well as developing the comprehensive software stack that manages them.

Luke spends much of his time thinking about how OWC’s product lines might develop in the future and looking for new ways to innovate and get better. Notably, OWC’s flagship network attached storage product, the Jellyfish, is a testament to their dedication to developing solutions that are specifically designed for professionals in the film and media sectors.

Luke Marchant has led a thorough re-engineering of OWC’s shared storage solutions since taking on the position of CTO. Two new Jellyfish products have been successfully introduced, namely the Jellyfish R24 and the Jellyfish XT, as a result of this endeavor. These products were painstakingly designed to utilize the great majority of OWC’s in-house components through their manufacture and build processes. Luke makes sure that these crucial components are integrated into their shared storage platforms, setting them apart in the NAS market and providing significant value to their clients in terms of support. He does this by leveraging OWC’s expertise in producing some of the fastest SSD and NVMe storage as well as using their own memory solutions.

Luke also spends a lot of time and effort overhauling the software development team and putting new procedures into place. Whereas, a major focus of his attention lies in cultivating a robust ecosystem that complements and enhances the functionality of OWC’s products. By prioritizing these aspects, Luke Marchant ensures that OWC delivers a comprehensive and seamless experience to their customers.

Fostering Collaboration and Creativity

An international technical team under the direction of Luke Marchant works in the US, Taiwan, Belgium, and the UK. Luke uses chat groups as a way of overcoming the difficulties of working across several time zones throughout the course of the day. Both the full team and smaller groups are assigned regular catch-up meetings to encourage frequent and open communication. Luke promotes communication within the team not only for business-related issues but also for casual conversations that build camaraderie.

Regarding the company’s operations and team interactions, Luke upholds a culture of openness and honesty, and stresses that anyone can get in touch with him at any time to pose queries or start a conversation.

This inclusive environment discourages the formation of isolated team silos, creating a cohesive unit of individuals who enjoy working together and feel free to express their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment. This approach cultivates a climate of creativity and collaboration, where differing perspectives and constructive criticism are welcomed and valued.

Knowing Luke Marchant

Located in Cape Town, South Africa, is Fish Hoek, the childhood home of Luke Marchant. Throughout his upbringing, Luke formed a strong love for nature, often participating in activities like surfing, skateboarding, and biking that allowed him to immerse himself in the great outdoors. At a surprisingly young age, Luke’s passion for radio and audio engineering blossomed, resulting in him securing a position as an on-air engineer at a local radio station before he even reached his teenage years. Alongside this, Luke’s father, who worked as a motor mechanic, instilled in him an intrigue for automobiles, particularly their intricate engines and the captivating blend of software and electronics used to optimize their capabilities.

Luke’s professional journey began in outdoor broadcasting, where he worked as an audio engineer for an audio company that specialized in events and concerts. In addition to his tech endeavors, Luke developed a keen interest in the culinary arts and found solace in the kitchen, which became a wellspring of inspiration and fervor. Embracing healthy eating and immersing himself in food culture became vital components of his daily routine. Luke began his career by working on fiber optic networks in African cities and serving remote areas of South Africa with VSAT hubs. Eventually, he shifted to satellite and network engineering, focusing on building and designing VSAT hubs for government services. Moreover, he expanded his knowledge in consulting engineering and specialized in the construction of fiber optic networks in African capitals and South African cities.

Luke’s foray into the media industry came through his involvement with a Malaysian startup called iflix, where he assisted in launching their streaming services in Africa. He then embarked on establishing an animation studio in South Africa, which stood out as one of the few purpose-built design-led studios on the continent. Utilizing technology to manage all aspects of the business, including remote artist collaborations and partnerships with studios worldwide, Luke ensured the production of top-notch movies and original content.

It was during this time that Luke became acquainted with the Jellyfish Media Server and became a client, recognizing its exceptional capabilities. Eventually, he relocated to London and learned about OWC’s acquisition of Jellyfish, which ultimately led him to his current role as the leader of the Enterprise Storage Group at OWC.

Company
Other World Computing Inc.

Management

Luke Marchant
CTO

Description

For more than 35 years, OWC has had a simple goal. To create innovative DIY solutions to give you the most from your technology. At OWC, technology can be instrumental in changing the world for the better if it’s done right.  Whether you use it to communicate, create, or safeguard, we believe that technology should be simple, affordable, and easy to use.  It should just work and do what you need it to do. 