ITOps, DevOps, AIOps - All Things Ops

What separates a well-oiled IT operation from one constantly putting out fires?

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of IT Service Management (ITSM) with Haroon Hasan, author of "Choose to Lead" and Director of IT Service Management and Governance at Computacenter. With 20+ years of experience, Haroon shares insights on optimizing ITSM for operational excellence. He covers quick ITSM assessments, the benefits of a mature ITSM model, the role of leadership in driving change, and more.


You'll learn:

1. Key questions to ask in your initial ITSM assessment.
2. The different ITSM maturity levels.
3. Why top-down leadership drives ITSM success.
4. The benefits of a mature ITSM model.
5. The value of real-time metrics in enhancing IT services.
6. Essential leadership principles from Haroon's book "Choose to Lead".

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Get in touch with Haroon Hasan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haroon-hasan/

Download Haroon's book "Choose to Lead" here: https://amzn.to/47J0emG

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Details about Computacenter:
Website: https://www.computacenter.com/
Industry: Information Technology & Services
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Headquarters: Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Founded: 1981

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

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Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

What happens when your infrastructure faces a live peak of millions of users worldwide—without cloud scalability?

In this episode, Sofascore’s CTO Josip Stuhli breaks down how his team navigates massive traffic surges, optimizes caching, and saves big by ditching the cloud while still delivering real-time updates to 25 million monthly users.


You'll learn:

1. How caching flattens traffic peaks and handles massive live events without backend strain.
2. Why Sofascore left the cloud and the financial impact of going on-prem.
3. The hybrid cloud approach and using cloud only when necessary for real-time scalability.
4. Optimizing infrastructure costs by leveraging overprovisioning.
5. Real-time data delivery at scale and how Sofascore delivers near-instant results to millions of users.

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Get in touch with Josip Stuhli on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstuhli/

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Details about Sofascore:
Website: https://www.sofascore.com/
Industry: Software Development
Company size: 201–500 employees
Headquarters: Zagreb, Grad Zagreb
Founded: Zagreb, Grad Zagreb

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

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Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Successful cybersecurity isn’t about heroics, it’s about preventing disasters you’ll never hear about.

In this episode, Andrew Nuxoll, Managing Director of IT Operations and Cybersecurity at UNICEF USA, shares his journey from working at various managed service providers to leading cybersecurity efforts at a global NGO. Andrew offers insights into why cybersecurity is more than just keeping the lights on, how purpose-driven work changes the stakes, and the strategies he employs to manage cybersecurity on a tight nonprofit budget.


You'll learn:

1. Why cybersecurity should be your top priority—and how to make it happen on any budget
2. The critical importance of end-user awareness in defending against cyber threats
3. The challenges of transitioning to cloud-based operations and how to navigate them
4. Why the idea of a ‘single pane of glass’ in IT tools might be a myth—and what to do instead
5. How purpose-driven IT work differs from the corporate world and why it matters

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Get in touch with Andrew Nuxoll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuxoll/

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Details about UNICEF USA:
Website: https://www.unicefusa.org/
Industry: Non-profit Organization
Company size: 201-500 employees
Headquarters: New York, New York
Founded: 1947

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

How can universities navigate the complexities of service delivery while pursuing growth and innovation?

Mark Katsouros, Senior Director for IT Engineering and Operations at Duquesne University, brings nearly 40 years of higher education IT experience. From the University of Maryland to pivotal roles at the University of Iowa and Penn State, Mark has driven significant IT transformations. Tune in to hear his journey, the unique challenges in higher education, and strategies for successful service management, customer satisfaction, and employee well-being.


You'll hear practical insights on:

1. Key differences between ITSM and ESM
2. The Importance of starting with collaboration and coalition-building
3. How to streamline complex service requests with a unified approach
4. The importance of balancing innovation and standardization in IT operations
5. Effective methods for motivating IT teams
6. Selecting IT tools and maintaining flexibility

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Get in touch with Mark Katsouros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katsouros/

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Details about Duquesne University:
Website: https://www.duq.edu/
Industry: Higher Education
Company size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Student body:  8,000-10,000 students (undergrad & grad)
Headquarters: Pittsburgh, PA
Founded: 1878

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Martijn Adams, General Manager at 4me, brings a lifetime of expertise in IT service management, having worked with leading companies such as Philips, Deloitte, and Danone.

This episode delves into his journey and the unique approaches that 4me employs to streamline service management across IT, HR, and facilities. You'll discover how service management principles can impact different departments, why user experience is crucial, and the potential of AI in enhancing service delivery.


You'll learn:

1. How adopting a service management mindset can transform various departments beyond IT
2. Strategies for implementing service management across external partnerships and multi-sourcing
3. Experience Level Agreements (XLAs) and their impact on enhancing customer satisfaction
4. The transformative potential of Generative AI in elevating service management practices

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Get in touch with Martijn Adams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnadams/

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Details about 4me:
Website: https://www.4me.com/
Industry: Software Development
Company size: 80 employees
Headquarters: Santa Barbara, California
Founded: 2010

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

How can you scale your tech company while maintaining rigorous operational standards? Senior VP of Operations at Cyware Joe Aurilia shares what he learned while 5x-ing the company.

In this episode, Joe shares how he's building operations from the ground up, handling the complexities of international teams, and embedding a culture of security and compliance in a rapidly growing company.


You'll learn:

1. How to balance immediate operational needs with long-term growth strategies
2. The challenges and solutions of managing a globally distributed team
3. The importance of fostering a culture of security and compliance
4. Effective communication strategies for rapidly growing teams
5. How to leverage compliance certifications to win enterprise clients

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Get in touch with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephauriliajr/

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Learn from Paul Teodorescu's 25 years of IT experience as he shares the importance of transparency, credibility, and connecting with people in the tech industry.

In this episode, Paul shares his journey from crawling under desks at Merrill Lynch to advising top firms like Morgan & Morgan. Explore the nuances of interim management versus advisory roles, and discover how IT challenges remain consistent across industries. Paul emphasizes the importance of connecting with people, attending and speaking at events, and transitioning from reactive to proactive IT management. Listen in for Paul's perspectives on open-source versus closed-source technologies, the benefits of a cloud-first approach, and the art of public speaking and moderating panels.


You'll learn:

1. The strategic benefits of interim management versus advisory roles
2. Similarities and differences between IT challenges across industries
3. The importance of transparency and credibility in IT
4. How to effectively transition from reactive to proactive IT management
5. The pros and cons of open source versus closed source technologies


Get in touch with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultotherescue/

Elias' blog and TED Talk recommendation:
Wait But Why by Tim Urban | https://waitbutwhy.com/
Tim Urban TED talk | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU&ab_channel=TED

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

The end of the traditional SRE? How do you see the future unfolding as AI's role in IT operations grows?

In this episode, we welcome Nathanial Smalley, Principal Sales Engineer at Transposit. He brings his rich experience from over a decade at Splunk and his current role at Transposit to discuss the impact of AI on IT operations. He delves into practical AI applications in the present, its promising future in IT operations and SRE, and the crucial lessons from his transition from military operations to tech leadership — highlighting parallels that provide unique insights into crisis management and strategic planning.


You'll learn:

1. How AI is currently enhancing IT Ops efficiency
2. Predictions for AI's future role in SRE
3. Similarities between military combat and incident response
4. Ways to mitigate stress and burnout
5. What tech companies can learn from the military

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Get in touch with Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanial-smalley-b9a1a621/

Or send him an email: [email protected]

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Details about Transposit:
Website: https://www.transposit.com/
Industry: Software Development
Size: 11-50 employees
Year: 2016

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

Over the next 3 years, more than 750 million new applications will hit the market... and nobody can predict what those applications will look like.

In this episode, Lee Caswell, SVP of Product and Solutions Marketing at Nutanix, introduces Hyper-Converged Infrastructures: a groundbreaking solution that integrates computing, storage, and networking into a single system to reduce complexity and improve scalability. Reflecting on his tenure at VMware, Caswell also offers insights into VMware's current state post-Broadcom acquisition and its future in the virtualization and cloud market, as well as how businesses often find themselves with inefficiently organized multi-cloud setups and what they can do about it.


You'll learn:

1. What is a hyper-converged infrastructure?
2. How to deal with 'accidental hybrid multi-cloud environments'
3. How the VMWare acquisition is affecting the enterprise IT world
4. Trends in Kubernetes and container security

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About Lee:
Lee is the Nutanix SVP for Product and Solutions Marketing. Lee is well-known for accelerating the adoption of new technologies and came to Nutanix from VMware where he was VP Product Marketing. Lee has extensive leadership experience in the storage, flash and virtualization markets including past executive roles at NetApp, Fusion-IO, and Adaptec. Lee started his career at General Electric and holds a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Dartmouth College.

Get in touch with Lee Caswell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecaswell/

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Details about Nutanix:
Website: https://www.nutanix.com/
Industry: Software Development
Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
Year: 2009

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About the host Elias Voelker:
Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email [email protected].

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

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Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us! 

Cybersecurity as we know it today is still in its infancy, which begs the question: how will it mature in the wake of rapid cloud and AI innovations?

In this episode, Dalarie is joined by Jason Ford, CEO and CISO at Steel Patriot Partners, who shares his in-depth insights into the evolving world of IT operations. From the Wild West of early cybersecurity days to the cutting-edge advancements in cloud computing and AI, Jason guides us through the critical shifts and strategies that are shaping the future of IT for businesses of all shapes and sizes.


You'll learn:

1. The transformative journey of cybersecurity practices
2. Strategic cloud computing moves for modern businesses
3. How AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity and IT operations
4. Navigating risk management in the digital age
5. Practical advice for IT leaders to stay ahead

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Get in touch with Jason Ford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ford-5ab206/

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Details about Steel Patriot Partners:
Website: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/
Industry: Computer and Network Security
Size: 11-50 employees
Year: 2019

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About the host Dalarie Gonzales:
Dalarie, Brand Ambassador at Checkmk, is a seasoned sales professional with 10+ years of experience spanning hospitality, event management, and technology. A natural conversationalist, she's excited to engage with IT industry leaders, bringing her diverse expertise and genuine charm to every interaction. When not closing deals, you'll find her enjoying the outdoors with her Golden Retriever, Bo.

Get in touch with Dalarie Gonzales on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalarieg/

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Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!