Explain IT
71 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsThis is Explain IT, a show for IT professionals by IT professionals; offering insight, knowledge, experience and opinion on a variety of enterprise tech topics. With new episodes out regularly, follow the podcast in your favourite app and you'll get notified with every new release.
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Episodes
Powering your SOC
March 26, 2024 04:00 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBOn this edition of Explain IT we're discussing how to power your SOC. No, we're not talking super powered footwear. SOC stands for Security Operations Centre, and it’s where cyber experts battle threats posed against your data day and night. We know security is a key part of any business, to protect your best kept secrets, and to keep third parties out of your information. But with a massive lack of Cyber Security skills in the market and the cost of Cybercrime skyrocketing year after year,...
The Ethics of AI
February 27, 2024 09:56 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBAI has been making headlines for a while now, and this year we’ll see more and more businesses adopting it to improve their performance and efficiency. But how do we ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical way? How do we avoid the risks and pitfalls that come with such a powerful technology? And how do we stop AI from getting out of control? Podcast host Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture, along with a team of experts are here to answer these questions and talk tech in...
Tech Predictions for 2024 - Part 2
January 23, 2024 04:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBPart two of our Tech Predictions for 2024! You can hear part one, here. In the past twelve months, Explain I.T has generated over 20,000 unique downloads and covered an array of topics. In the present, we have a collective group of Softcat technologists here to share their thoughts on tech. And in the future, Explain I.T will have a new presenter; Helen Gidney, Softcat's very own Head of Architecture. So, along with Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, join Helen along with a w...
Tech Predictions for 2024 - Part 1
January 16, 2024 11:44 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBIn the past twelve months, Explain I.T has generated over 20,000 unique downloads and covered an array of topics. In the present, we have a collective group of softcat technologists here to share their thoughts on tech. And in the future, Explain I.T will have a new presenter; Helen Gidney, Softcat's very own Head of Architecture. So, along with Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, join Helen along with a whole host of tech experts as they look ahead to the key innovati...
Drive For Innovative Automotive
December 19, 2023 04:00 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBOur team of experts are here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language, and today is no exception, although we do come with a twist. Today we are covering the automotive industry and how it continues to modernise by innovating, designing and building the now and future transportation that positively impacts all of us. What challenges and pressures face the industry? The level of technology advancements over the years appears to be driving so many global initiatives such as electrificati...
Into An AI World
December 05, 2023 04:00 - 34 minutes - 48.1 MBDean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, hosts another episode of Explain I.T. Another team of experts are here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. Are you open to AI? Yes, we are, but not in the sense of OpenAI who appear to have performed a fire rehire and resign strategy in less than a week. We are open to AI in the sense that it's now part of every conversation. But to what degree will we use AI? How will it impact our everyday lives? And what are the risks and what are t...
Can I Be Your Co-Pilot
November 07, 2023 04:00 - 37 minutes - 52.3 MBWe are motoring towards the end of year like an AI powered electric scooter - and yes, they actually do exist thanks to UK tech startup Hilo One. In a world where AI is now taking charge in every aspect of our daily lives, Microsoft has recently released a Copilot. AI driven, all encompassing, innovation of the ages. What is it? Why do we need it? What are the risks of implementing this technology? And will it change, evolve and revolutionise our lives? To answer these questions on this ep...
The Quantum Realm
September 29, 2023 06:47 - 30 minutes - 42.7 MBHello and welcome back to Softcats Explain It Podcast series. This is episode seven of season six, and we are here after a small break in the schedule. And we are back with a corker. My name is Dean Gardner, softcats technology director, and I'm still the host after a busy few months of AI. Today, we are heading into the quantum realm. Is quantum a reality? How fast will it move? And what are the motivations for moving to quantum computing? And actually, what are the possibilities, as they ...
A customer for life, not just for Christmas!
July 20, 2023 03:00 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MB'Customer focus', 'customer obsession' and 'customer first' should surely be at the front of every organisation, but are they? Are we solely relying on technology to solve customer outcomes? Is it old fashioned to say that listening, understanding and being empathetic and solving challenges equally are more important than the tech we provide? This time, we tackle all these questions and much more on Explain I.T, where we talk tech in simple, jargon free language. This podcast is hosted by D...
BETT on Education
June 06, 2023 03:00 - 32 minutes - 44.5 MBWelcome to episode five of season six of Softcat’s ‘Explain IT’ podcast series. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts talk tech in simple, jargon free language. This time we’re discussing technology in the education sector. Think of this as the sequel to the first education episode we released in season five - you can listen again to that episode here. This podcast is hosted by Dean Gardner, Softcat’s Technology Director. Joining Dean are Softcat’s head of education, Rachael Clay; ...
ChatGPT, make me a podcast!
May 03, 2023 03:00 - 30 minutes - 41.7 MBWe asked an AI to make us a podcast and this is the result. Just kidding, we don’t trust technology, so we are doing it the old-fashioned way and having a chat about this exciting new technology. To share some fabulous insights, podcast host Dean Gardner is joined by Softcat’s resident AI expert and Account Chief Technologist Andrew Hermsen and the true pioneer of the cloud marketplace, Darren Sharpe from our amazing friends at Microsoft. In this episode we discuss what this ChatGPT and cha...
Breach For Impact
April 11, 2023 03:00 - 37 minutes - 52.1 MBYour organisation will be hit by a security breach. It's inevitable. But how can you survive Armageddon if Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis aren’t available? Our experts are on a mission to guide you through the murky black hole of being breached. To share insights Softcat’s CTO Dean Gardner is joined by colleague Kieron Newsham and Ian McShane from Arctic Wolf. So what do you do when your security is breached? Listen to find out! If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topic...
Private, Public, Hybrid…no it’s a Data Cloud!
March 03, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBThis week, we talk all things data and the value that everyone is trying to mine, extract and use - data. To share insights, we are joined by two amazing guests today; Francois Zimmerman from our friends Tableau and Eva Murray from one of Softcat’s newest friends, Snowflake. Why does data now appear to be a priority for almost everyone? How does an organisation build a data strategy? How will Data growth impact how AI continues to evolve? All these questions and more are answered on ...
Tech Predictions of 2023
January 30, 2023 04:00 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBWelcome to Season 6 of Softcat's podcast, Explain I.T. Every episode, our team of experts are here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. To launch season 6 of our podcast we're here to predict your tech for 2023. We'll be discussing what is on the cusp of revolutionising the world as we know it. Basically, we’re attempting to show that don’t need to travel to Davos on an all- expenses paid trip to provide tech insight to a general audience! To share insights, podcast host Dean G...
There’s No Business Like Tech Business!
January 05, 2023 04:00 - 43 minutes - 60.3 MBToday we are discussing key business developments that we’ve seen over the last 12 months with an eye clearly on the year ahead. What is an Account Chief Technologist? Is tech the answer to every business problem? What do you envisage being priorities for many organisations? To help answer these questions and much more, podcast host Dean Gardner is joined by a panel of Softcat’s Account Chief Technologists: James Seaman - working in Softcat's office of CTO Phillipa Winter - working in h...
Welcome To The End Of The Beginning
December 20, 2022 08:49 - 54 minutes - 74.6 MBIt might be the end of the year, but we are certainly embarking on an era of unique challenges for us all to deal with. One thing is certain, there will be opportunities and advancements in technology and in this episode we tackle the lot. To share insights, I am joined by our panel of Chief Technologists: Tal Gandhum Adam Harding Kieron Newsham Thomas Rowley This episode is hosted by Dean Gardner, Field CTO at Softcat. If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd...
Higher Education
November 23, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBSimple, jargon free language is the name of game on the Explain I.T podcast and this time, we're talking about the important subject of Higher Education. As a follow up to our Integrated Care episode, this is another special episode. To share insights and answers this week are Rachel Clay (Softcat's Head of Education), Microsoft MVP Alex Pearce (one of Softcat's Account Chief Technologists) and regular podcast guest Adam Louca (Softcat’s Chief Technologist for Security). As season 5's penu...
An Edge Towards Cloud
November 08, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBWelcome to another episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. An edge towards cloud, dramatic huh? To share insights and answers, regular podcast guest Adam Louca, Softcat’s Chief Technologist for Security joins us today. So does our very special guest,...
Integrated Care
September 26, 2022 03:30 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBWelcome to another episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. This is a special episode focussing on the health service in the UK, particularly integrated care. Why? It's a hot topic, the laws have changed and we have a new NHS plan which is driving inte...
Threat Intelligence
September 12, 2022 11:40 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBWelcome to another episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. This is the third episode of our security trilogy and this time we're talking about cyber security espionage. The need for threat intelligence for business survival is absolutely critical. It ...
Zero trust, zero chance.
August 15, 2022 03:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBWelcome to another episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. This is the second episode of our security trilogy as we talk zero trust. What is zero trust? How easy is it to adopt a zero trust strategy? Do you need to change your existing strategy to ado...
Securing a Multi Cloud World
August 01, 2022 03:00 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBWelcome to another episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In this episode, we’re discussing security in the multi cloud environment and why organisations need to look differently at securing a hybrid or multi cloud setup. To discuss the complex and ...
Multi cloud complexity conundrum
July 04, 2022 03:00 - 41 minutes - 38 MBWelcome to the latest episode of this new season of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In this episode, we’re discussing the multi cloud complexity conundrum (it’s a mouthful). We delve into why organisations are finding themselves increasingly in the multi...
What might the future of work look like?
June 06, 2022 03:00 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBWelcome to the latest episode of this new season of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In this episode, we’re discussing the future of work. Over the last couple of years, employers and employees have become much more used to different kinds of work arrange...
Are VPNs Dead?
May 03, 2022 03:00 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBWelcome to the second episode of this new season of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In this episode, we’re asking whether or not VPNs are dead. So, what are VPNs? How do they work? Are they safe? What is likely to replace them? To discuss these questi...
Metaverse: The good, the bad and the very ugly
April 04, 2022 03:00 - 41 minutes - 56.8 MBWelcome to the first episode of a brand new season of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. We are here to Explain IT. Our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In our first episode we chat about the big wide World of the Metaverse. The good, the bad and potentially very ugly! This season of podcasts will be hosted by Dean G...
Explain IT: Season 5 Trailer
March 31, 2022 08:19 - 2 minutes - 3.61 MBWelcome to a brand new season of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast. Over the coming weeks our team of experts will be here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language. We’ll be discussing new trends and ideas as well as solutions to everyday problems in this fascinating and ever changing world of tech. In our first episode we chat about the big wide world of the Metaverse. Make sure you follow the Explain IT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonde...
Return to the Office (but not returning to the old ways)
July 06, 2021 07:51 - 45 minutes - 104 MBIn this episode, we will be talking to Graeme Watt CEO at Softcat, Rob Parkinson CIO at Softcat and Dean Gardner Softcat’s Field Chief Technology Officer. We will be discussing Returning to the office and if this is something businesses are planning, taking into consideration the many factors. What are those considerations and how could those decisions impact your business and the employee experience? We are going to look through the Softcat lens and aim to share some of our own thinking on r...
Data Management for the Multi-Cloud
June 15, 2021 11:02 - 45 minutes - 62 MBIn this episode, we will be talking to Don Foster Commvault’s Global VP for Sales Engineering and Matt Watts, NetApp’s Chief Technology Evangelist. We will be discussing the 4th industrial revolution now, a data revolution. Organisations are a-massing more and more data with an increasing appetite into this data providing value and being under increasing compliance and regulatory pressures. On top of this customers are wrangling with how to operate a multi-cloud environment, in which their d...
The Evolution of Security with Palo Alto Networks CTO and founder, Nir Zuk
May 18, 2021 08:13 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode, we will be talking to the co-creator of one of the key components of modern IT security, the next gen firewall. We will also be discussing how the industry has changed over the last 15 years, the key areas of security that you should be focusing on today, and how it’s decided what the next developments in security will be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sustainability in IT
April 27, 2021 06:00 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBIn this episode, we take a look at what sustainability in IT looks like at the moment, why it’s so important, as well as ways in which different areas of the IT industry can work towards becoming more sustainable; and finally, as always, we’ll be taking a look into the future, and trying to understand what goals the industry should be working towards, and how we might get there. We look at how the channel as a whole can become more sustainable, from customer to reseller to distributor to man...
A look at the IT industry with Sanjay Poonen
April 13, 2021 06:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBIn this very special episode of Explain IT, Zac was joined by a very special guest, none other the VMware's COO, Sanjay Poonen, as well as Explain IT regular, Dean Gardner. This episode takes a broad look at some of the key challenges and trends in the industry today, including: the long lasting impacts of the pandemic on the industry and wider society, how technology will evolve over the next 5 years, and the many ways organisations can be a driving force for positive change. Hosted on ...
Bringing company culture to remote working
April 06, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this episode, host Zac Abbott is joined by guest from Softcat and Google to talk about organisational culture. We take a look at what organisational culture is, why it's so important as a way to differentiate yourself from the competition, how you can go about bringing that culture to a remote workforce (including the technologies to do it) and finally how we might see the culture of organisations develop in the future. This is a can't miss episode for anyone looking to enhance their remot...
Women In Technology
March 16, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MBThis episode is all about women in technology. We talk about what impacts having greater diversity in the industry has, the journey’s that our guests have had to becoming a senior woman in tech, what it’s like to be a woman in tech at the moment and throughout the pandemic, and how the industry can evolve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The next step in remote working
March 02, 2021 17:55 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBIn the second episode of our Remote Working deep dive mini series, we're talking about how organisations can move beyond the basic model of remote working, and take the remote user experience to the next level. We explore not only the key technologies that can be used, but also the way in which leaders can demonstrate best practices in the way we work remotely, allowing for greater user freedoms, and accommodating different working patterns. Finally, we take a look at what remote/hybrid worki...
Securing the remote workforce
February 09, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 52 MBIn the first episode in our remote working deep dive mini-series, we're taking a look at what new threats security teams are facing in a remote world, how they can start to address these challenges, and what the future of end user security will look like as remote working continues to dominate the way many organisations operate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021 Tech Predictions
January 13, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 49.7 MBSeason 4 of Explain IT is now live! We're kicking this season off with a look at what's to come, with our 2021 Tech Predictions episode. It's a can't miss episode if you want to get ahead of the game and understand what will be heading your way over the next 12 months in the world of enterprise IT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Season 4 - Coming Soon!
January 06, 2021 09:27 - 42 seconds - 1000 KBIt's a new year, and that can mean only one thing: the next season of Explain IT is almost here! Keep your eye on this feed for brand new episodes coming your way very soon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ask Us Anything - Part 2
October 20, 2020 05:45 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBIn the second part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ show, host Zac Abbott is once again joined by Softcat’s Chief Technologists, Craig Lodzinski, Adam Harding, Adam Louca and Dean Gardner. In this episode they look at how AI might move forward in the world of work, the most important element of cyber security and settle it once and for all… Windows or Mac? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ask Us Anything - Part 1
September 21, 2020 16:15 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBIn this episode we hand the reins over to our listeners and answer some of the burning questions they have for us. In the first of our two-part ‘Ask Me Anything’ show, host Zac Abbott is joined by some of Softcat’s Chief Technologists, Craig Lodzinski, Adam Harding, Adam Louca and Dean Gardner. Together they look at how cybersecurity threats have changed; cloud strategy and the potential limits of cloud storage; and our new home working arrangements, including the argument over productivity t...
Futurism with AWS
July 08, 2020 08:19 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this episode we take a little look into the future and the hot topics that are emerging in tech. Exploring blockchain, machine learning and quantum computing, as well as touching on the developments in video, our guests explain more about practical use cases that we may begin to see. Host Zac Abbott is joined by experts Craig Lodzinski, Softcat’s chief technologist for data and emerging tech, and Martin Beeby, principal advocate at AWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
The Versatility of Cloud Technology
June 09, 2020 06:00 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MBIn this episode we look at the versatility of cloud technology and how it’s helped in the fight against coronavirus and how these changes might benefit the future. Dean Gardner, Softcat’s chief technologist for cloud and Wayne Phillips, worldwide public sector partner manager at AWS join host Zac Abbott to share their thoughts and expertise on the matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Looking Beyond Coronavirus
May 13, 2020 06:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBIn this episode we look at the impact that Covid-19 has had on industry and how tech has played a part in keeping workforces operating. We also discuss how long-lasting these adaptations might be, and what the future might look like, post-Covid. Joining host Zac Abbott is Dean Gardner, Softcat’s chief technologist for cloud technology, and Adam Harding, Softcat’s chief technologist for modern workspace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cyber Espionage
April 07, 2020 06:00 - 36 minutes - 50 MBIn this episode we dive into the world of cyber espionage and look at how it’s impacting organisations today. Host Zac Abbott welcomes experts Adam Louca, Softcat’s chief technologist for cyber security and Zeki Turedi, EMEA technology strategist at CrowdStrike and together they chat about the essential ways to protect your organisation from the growing, and often hidden, threat of cyber espionage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SOAR Technology
March 17, 2020 06:45 - 29 minutes - 53.8 MBIn this episode we look at SOAR technology; what it is and how it can help us automate security processes, releasing the security teams from purely reactive tasks to more proactive, valuable work. We also look to the future and how SOAR technology might integrate and make a lot of functions more intelligent. Host Zac Abbott is joined by Softcat’s chief technologist for cybersecurity, Adam Louca and Matt Rhodes, senior channel manager for Demisto at Palo Alto Networks. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Windows Virtual Desktop
February 04, 2020 06:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBIn this episode we look at Windows Virtual Desktop; what it is, why it’s important and what we might see in the future from it. Host Zac Abbott is joined by Softcat’s chief technologist for digital workspace, Adam Harding, Microsoft’s Windows Virtual Desktop global black belt, Tom Hickling, and Jez Haisman, Director of SI development and Microsoft Alliances in the EMEA for Citrix. Together they look at the evolution of virtual desktops and how Microsoft and Citrix work together to bring the b...
2020 Tech Predictions
January 14, 2020 06:45 - 38 minutes - 43.7 MBIn the first episode of series three we cast our eyes over the new year and ask some of the biggest tech brains in Softcat about their predictions for 2020. Alongside host Zach Abbott, Softcat’s chief technologists share their thoughts on what may be emerging in the next 12 months. They discuss simplifying cyber security and cloud, the potential increase in AI tech, improving patient and citizen access, and balancing user freedom as well as ways to improve employee engagement. Hosted on Aca...
Season 3 Trailer
January 07, 2020 07:15 - 31 seconds - 748 KBIt's the start of the New Year, and the launch of Explain IT season 3 is just around the corner! Keep your eye on this feed over the next few weeks and months for all new episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
IT Misconceptions
July 18, 2019 05:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBIn the last episode of series 2 we look at common IT misconceptions. Our panel of experts offer their opinions on a range of topics including the place of ethics in IT, the intelligence of hardware vs software, whether Windows 10 will solve all your problems, edge computing and 5G, how much we should be spending on security and whether the cloud is always better. Host Michael Bird is joined by Softcat’s chief technologists to wrap up the season in this bumper episode. Further Links Softcat...
Endpoint Detection and Response
July 03, 2019 09:31 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MBIn this episode we look at EDR, or Endpoint Detection and Response. We dig into its past and look at its evolution to what we see today, as well as exploring how it can work for different organisations. Host Michael Bird is joined by Adam Louca, Softcat’s chief technologist for security as well as Russell Humphries, VP of product management for the endpoint security group at Sophos, to discuss the pros and cons that come with the newest generation of endpoint protection software. Further Li...