Explain IT

In this episode, we’re not just talking about AI - we’re unpacking the reality behind the hype, taking a look back at Big Data London and what it covered. From stalling initiatives to drifting models, the AI bubble is showing cracks. Why? Because many organisations have sprinted into the future without packing the essentials.

We’ll explore the critical foundations needed to make AI work: trusted data, shared language, and skilled people. You’ll hear real-world lessons from businesses discovering that AI is far more complex than the headlines suggest — and we’ll share practical steps leaders can take to unlock real value from their investments.

This episode is hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture, and features Andy Crossley, CTO at Oakland, and Alex Pearce, Chief Microsoft Strategist at Softcat.

Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple, jargon-free language. For more information visit softcat.com.

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join host Helen Gidney, Head of Architecture at Softcat, as she sits down with Adam Spearing, VP of AI Go-To-Market for EMEA at ServiceNow, and Oliver Meadows, ITXM Sales Lead at Softcat. Together, they explore how organisations can streamline internal service operations, dismantle silos, and harness AI to enhance the end-user experience. Whether you're in IT, HR, Finance, or Operations — this episode is packed with insights for you.

What’s covered in this episode:

Redefining Service Operations

What service operations mean in today’s business landscape

Moving beyond ITSM to drive enterprise-wide transformation

Maximising Efficiency

Platform consolidation strategies

Doing more with less through smarter workflows

AI & Automation in Action

Where AI and automation are making a tangible impact

From governance to data-driven decision-making

Leadership in a Changing Environment

How leaders can adapt to evolving business structures

Aligning service delivery with rising user expectations

Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple, jargon-free language.

For more information visit softcat.com.

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're not just talking about data, we're talking about everything that comes with it. The challenges, the misconceptions, the frameworks and compliance. Data is the foundation of so many businesses. Get it right, and you can unlock information that can propel your company forward. But get it wrong, and the challenges it can bring can leave you floundering.

We'll explore the key topics in the data world; how data quality affects decision-making, how data governance and compliance models don't have to stifle creativity, the fact that more data can sometimes mean more problems and how good AI needs good data.

This episode is hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat's head of architecture and this time, I'm joined by Andy Crossley, CTO at Oakland, and James Wingham, head of data at Softcat.

Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple, jargon-free language.

For more information visit softcat.com.

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Explain IT, we’re celebrating HPE’s ten-year anniversary, and reflecting on the standout moments from HPE Discover. We explore how HPE’s evolution, from its separation from HP Inc. to bold acquisitions and innovation milestones, is shaping the future of enterprise IT. From cloud modernisation and infrastructure disruption, to a shifting virtualisation landscape, we unpack the key themes and what they mean for customers and the wider market.

Join Softcat's Helen Gidney, Head of Architecture, Richard Wyn Griffith, Chief Commercial Officer, and Tommy Mac, US GTM Lead, alongside Matt Harris, SVP and MD for UKIMEA at HPE. Together, they dive into the pace of AI adoption, the challenges of scaling it and how organisations are navigating hybrid cloud, ageing infrastructure, and major market moves.

Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple, jargon-free language.

For more information visit softcat.com.

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How secure is your supply chain? 

With the recent swathe of supply chain cyber attacks on big name brands, now more than ever it’s important to protect your supply chain.  

On this edition of Explain IT, we’re talking about recent breaches and how that is affecting customers. We're also delving into the question of 'who are these threat actors?', and the impact on career goals. 

This episode is hosted by Ashleigh Baker, team leader in Softcat's Architecture Services and is joined by Softcat colleague Kieron Newsham, Cyber Security Chief Technologist. They welcome Jason Steer, CISO at Recorded Future to talk around various aspects of Supply Chain Breaches to talk over this complicated topic.

Softcat's Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple jargon free language.

For more information visit softcat.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how we can stay ahead of cyber threats without burning out?

On this edition of Explain IT, we're talking about the leveraging of advanced technology to automatically detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats, reducing the need for constant human intervention that could lead to burnout. It's all about enhancing efficiency, speed, and accuracy in cybersecurity operations.

This week, Ashleigh Baker is guest host. She is the team leader in Softcat's Architecture Services. 

Think of Cyber Automation as having a tireless, digital watchdog that never sleeps. With the help of our experts; Patrick Bayle, SecOps Consultant Manager at Palo Alto, and Softcat's Senior Security Architect, Mark Williams, we're talking about training that watchdog!

Softcat's Explain IT podcast is the place where we discuss, debate and demystify tech in simple jargon free language.

For more information visit softcat.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keeping your data structured and secure is key to keeping your business safe. But how do we ensure that at every level of our IT infrastructure, including your backups? With data being stored across an organisation, from edge to the data center to the cloud, cyber resiliency is important when safeguarding an organization's assets against cyber threats.

Today, we'll discuss the evolving nature of backup strategies in response to sophisticated cyber threats. Understand the methods to ensure the safety of backups, and look ahead to the future to consider how advancements in technology might shape the landscape of backup and cyber resiliency.

This episode is hosted by Helen Gidney, Head of Architecture at Softcat. And welcome back to softcat's Explain it podcast. We're here to talk tech in simple jargon, free language. This time Helen is joined by Michael Cade, Global Field CTO at Veeam Software, and Gary Hawkins, Hybrid Platform's Chief Technologist at softcat.

For more information visit softcat.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You rely on wireless connectivity, we all do… and having a good wireless system can have a big impact on the success of your business. 

As companies strive for greater flexibility, efficiency, and connectivity, Wireless First is emerging as a game-changer. Post Covid, we’re seeing employees want more dynamic and collaborative work environments, and teams need to be able to move freely and adapt to those changing spaces quickly. We’ll discuss the benefits of wifi 7 and why building a private 5G wireless network can be a great way to increase bandwidth. 

This episode is hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat’s head of Architecture as we talk tech in simple jargon free language.  

Helen is joined by Simon Wilson, CTO For UK and Ireland at HPE and Tom Rowley, Networking and Connectivity Chief Technologist at Softcat. 

For more information visit softcat.com

This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From artificial intelligence to 5G Networks to everything in between, we’ve seen some big shifts in the IT industry in 2024.

In today’s episode, we’ll be looking back over the tech landscape of 2024 and making big predictions about what we think we’re going to see in 2025. We’ll discuss how emerging technologies might transform industries and impact our daily lives, and you never know, some of these technologies might just address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

We have a whole host of expert guests today, with the entirety of the Office of our CTO on the podcast, Adam Harding, Andrew Hermsen, Cairon Romeo, Gary Hawkins, Jack Lewis Keiron Newsham and Thomas Rowley.

Your host for this episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is Helen Gidney, Softcat’s head of Architecture. 

Join us as we talk tech in simple jargon free language. Have you got a burning question for the team? Please send an email to

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From artificial intelligence to 5G Networks to everything in between, we’ve seen some big shifts in the IT industry in 2024.

In today’s episode, we’ll be looking back over the tech landscape of 2024 and making big predictions about what we think we’re going to see in 2025. We’ll discuss how emerging technologies might transform industries and impact our daily lives, and you never know, some of these technologies might just address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

We have a whole host of expert guests today, with the entirety of the Office of our CTO on the podcast, Adam Harding, Andrew Hermsen, Cairon Romeo, Gary Hawkins, Jack Lewis Keiron Newsham and Thomas Rowley.

Your host for this episode of Softcat’s Explain IT podcast is Helen Gidney, Softcat’s head of Architecture. Join

us as we talk tech in simple jargon free language. Have you got a burning question for the team? Please send an email to

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.