On 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, how do we use technology to bridge the gap and keep our companies safe?In today’s episode we’ll pull back the curtain with the help of our expert guests Josh Bates, Softcat’s technologist for Microsoft Security; Paul Solomon, Softcat’s Head of Cyber Security Services, and Emma Boughton, Security, Compliance and Identity Specialist at Microsoft. The podcast is hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture.Have you got a burning question for the team? Please send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI 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 simple jargon free language.In this episode we get the help of our expert guests Arran Speding, Softcat's AI specialist lead, and Rebecca Gorman, CEO of one of our good friends Aligned AI.Any questions? Please send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis episode was produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 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 whole host of tech experts as they look ahead to the key innovations and challenges we might see in 2024. As ever, we're here to Explain I.T as we talk tech in simple, jargon free language, all brought to you by Softcat. Also featuring on this episode are:Gary Hawkins - Chief Technologist - Data PlatformsKieron Newsham - Chief Technologist - Cyber SecurityJack Lewis - Chief Technologist - Digital WorkspaceTom Rowley - Chief Technologist - Networking and ConnectivityRichard Lamacraft - Chief Technologist - MicrosoftAdam Harding - Head of OCTO Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis episode was produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 whole host of tech experts as they look ahead to the key innovations and challenges we might see in 2024.  As ever, we're here to Explain I.T as we talk tech in simple, jargon free language, all brought to you by Softcat. Also featuring on this episode are:Gary Hawkins - Chief Technologist - Data PlatformsKieron Newsham - Chief Technologist - Cyber SecurityJack Lewis - Chief Technologist - Digital WorkspaceTom Rowley - Chief Technologist - Networking and ConnectivityRichard Lamacraft - Chief Technologist - MicrosoftAdam Harding - Head of OCTO Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 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 electrification, AI and edge. But why is this the case? To provide insights, answer these questions and to ignite the engines, we have a pit crew that is the envy of many. Please welcome Softcat's very own sales leader in the transport and automotive space, Chris Reynolds. Bryan Ross from our partners at VMWare, and an incredibly special guest from our good friends at Jaguar Land Rover, Mike Skaife.This podcast is hosted by Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean 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 the possibilities to answer those questions? And also open to AI is our very own Arran Speding, Softcat's AI specialist, and two amazing guests from our friends at Nvidia. Jon Jenner and Ross Verrall.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 episode of Explain IT are Alex Pierce, our very own chief strategist and MVP, Abi Dakin, chief strategist cyber GRC, and Bradley Howe, our leading Microsoft technologist for Workspace.Dean Gardner, Softcat’s technology director is your Explain IT host. We are here to ‘explain it’ every episode. Our team of experts are here to talk tech in simple jargon free language and today is no exception.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.ukThis episode has been produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello 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 appear to be potentially endless? So, to help me become enlightened, I'm joined by Softcat's very own Jon Snow, Gareth Price, Softcat's Head of Corporate sales of the North, and Adam Hammond, our quantum expert from our very good friends at IBM.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'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 Dean Gardner, Softcat’s Technology Director. Joining Dean are Softcat’s Head of Customer Experience, Amy Bain; and James Dukes, Head of Partner Services Sales - EMEAR at Cisco.This episode was completed in partnership with Cisco, an organisation Softcat work very closely with on numerous projects. Cisco is a major player in the technology industry with a wide range of products and services that help connect people and businesses around the world. Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome 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; and account chief technologist for education, Alex Pearce. To educate us all we also welcome a very special guest, Ricardo Santos from our fabulous friends at Cisco. This episode is sponsored by Cisco, an organisation Softcat work very closely with on numerous projects. Cisco is a major player in the technology industry with a wide range of products and services that help connect people and businesses around the world. Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We 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 chat AI stuff all about; what are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology; the potential dangers of using this type of technology and whether this is a new space race but on the internet.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your 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 topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This 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 this episode, so let's dive in.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome 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 aswe 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 Gardner - Softcat’s Field Chief Technology Officer - is joined by a panel of Chief Technologists.We welcome back Kerion Newsham, CT for Security, Tal Gandham. CT for Hybrid Infra and Data, Thomas Rowley, CT forNetworking & Connectivity and the leader of the illustrious pack Adam Harding, CT for Digital Workspace.The tech hiring boom of covid appears to be no more. Why are so many big tech companiesmaking mass layoffs? Is there an opportunity for channel providers to support our customers if there are anyuncertainty? There's a lot to discuss...If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today 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 CTOPhillipa Winter - working in health care and central governmentAndy Lamb - working with corporate customersDylan Foster Edwards - Technology Director for SoftcatThis episode is hosted by Dean Gardner, Field CTO at Softcat.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It 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 GandhumAdam HardingKieron NewshamThomas RowleyThis episode is hosted by Dean Gardner, Field CTO at Softcat.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simple, 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 penultimate episode, a potential dramatic finale awaits, will this be Adam Louca's final episode on the show?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 like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome 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, Author, Engineer and currently CTO at Cloudflare, John Graham-Cumming.What is an edge location?Are edge locations different from a Cloud platform?Are datacentres closing or evolving into edge locations? Should edge be factored into an organisations IT strategy as cloud is today?Join us as we answer these and much more on another episode of Explain I.T.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 like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome 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 integration. To help figure out the complex next steps we have gathered some esteemed colleagues from the NHS to talk about how we navigate the integrated care system and what the pros and cons are.Our guests are:Steven Killick, Associate Director for Design and Solutions at Surrey Borders NHS TrustGeoff Wood, Deputy Director for ICT, Princess Alexandra HospitalDaniel Hallen, Head of Digital Technology and Digital Urgent Emergency Care, NHS EnglandThis episode is hosted by Dean Gardner, Field CTO at Softcat and the interview conducted by Phillipa Winter, Account Chief Technologist for the Public Sector.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome 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 is where data is collected, processed, and analysed to understand a threat actor's motives, targets, and attack behaviours. Threat intelligence enables us to make faster, more informed, data-backed security decisions and change their behaviour from reactive to proactive in the fight against threat actors.This episode is hosted by Adam Louca, Softcat's chief technology officer. Adam is joined by Oliver Fairbank, head of analysis from Orpheus and Alex Lewis from Softcat's cyber services business team.If you have a burning question, or an opinion on our topics you'd like to share, send us an email to explainit@softcat.comYou can also get in touch with us through live chat or directly on WhatsApp. Text us or send a voice note to +447548759732.Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.