In our fifth episode, we are joined by Alex Durieu, Senior Sales Manager, Azure Digital & App Innovation for Enterprise Commercial at Microsoft, for an insightful discussion with BlakYaks CEO, Dirk Anderson, on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in today's digital landscape. 

Alex and Dirk explore various facets of AI, including advancements in machine learning, the evolution of Artificial Intelligence methodologies, the rise of OpenAI, and the accelerating rate of adoption across businesses. They also discuss the critical need for establishing robust foundations for AI implementation, covering aspects such as safe, secure, and scalable AI platforms.

Additionally, they highlight the diverse range of AI applications and use cases, from legal research to content creation, showcasing its potential to drive business innovation and accelerate digital transformation. Tune in now for valuable insights into harnessing AI's power.

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit ⁠blakyaks.com⁠.

You can also find us on LinkedIn, X, Youtube and Instagram @blakyaks

In our fourth episode, Craig Hurt, Cloud and DevOps Lead, joins BlakYaks CEO, Dirk Anderson, to delve into why Azure automation is central to modern business transformation and a critical driver for digital success.

They cover the shift from manual scripting to DevOps, DevSecOps, GitOps, and Platform Engineering, emphasising developer accessibility to infrastructure and seamless code deployment. Addressing stakeholders' diverse needs is crucial for tailored automation solutions. They touch on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles, highlighting solid foundations, tool choices, and the benefits of consistent deployments. Craig and Dirk also explore agility in cloud native scenarios and the balance between modularisation and pragmatism in IaC code.

Finally, they discuss the future of automation with GitOps and AI integration, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and research before widespread adoption. Tune in for insights into Microsoft Azure Automation and navigating the digital landscape.

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit blakyaks.com.

You can also find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @blakyaks

In our third episode in this series, Ollie Gayton, Head of Professional Services, and BlakYaks CEO, Dirk Anderson, discuss application modernisation on Azure and the critical role that platform modernisation and automation plays in modernising business services to support digital transformation. 

They briefly dip into the recent evolution of hosting platforms, especially cloud and the business’ challenges associated with quick modernisation initiatives, stressing the

Ollie and Dirk also delve into importance of collaboration between development, infrastructure, and security teams in ensuring the success of business and application modernisation initiatives, highlighting the necessity of integrating DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code practices throughout the modernisation programme. 

The episode aims to provide insights into the practical strategies and best practices for application modernisation on Azure, highlighting the criticality of starting with a thorough application landscape assessment, timely modernisation investments, and the adoption of cloud native solutions in the overall modernisation strategy.  

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit ⁠blakyaks.com⁠.

You can also find us on LinkedIn, X, Youtube and Instagram @blakyaks

In our second episode, Stuart Anderson, Chief Engineer, and BlakYaks CEO, Dirk Anderson, discuss the evolving landscape of container technology and why businesses are turning to container technologies to bolster their digital transformation and application modernisation strategies. 

They will examine some of the drivers behind the widespread adoption of container technology in recent years and explore the factors contributing to the current surge in popularity. Stuart and Dirk also delve into the compelling reasons why customers may look to enterprise container platforms built using services like the Azure Kubernetes Service.

The episode aims to provide insights into some of the things required to deliver production services using container technologies at scale and some of the work the team do with customers to accelerate adoption and derive the rich business benefits unlocked by enterprise container platforms using AKS alongside other eco-system technologies. 

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit blakyaks.com.

You can also find us on Linkedin, X and Instagram @blakyaks. 

In this episode, Neil Allgood, Cloud Engineering and Ops Lead, and BlakYaks CEO, Dirk Anderson, explore the changing nature of cloud technology operations and how businesses can realise the full potential of their cloud deployments.  

They'll look at the dynamic shift from traditional IaaS operations to cloud native architectures and the challenges faced by businesses in adapting to this paradigm shift.

Neil & Dirk also explore why forward-thinking businesses are embracing Site Reliability Engineering and discuss the significance of getting DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code foundations right to realise the full potential of highly automated, lower-touch cloud native operations. 

Join them to examine this transformative journey and uncover the keys to success in modern operational environments. 

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit blakyaks.com.

You can also find us on Linkedin, X and Instagram @blakyaks.

YakChat – a podcast series from BlakYaks.

Join the conversation as our team explores the evolving cloud native landscape through our lens as a Microsoft Azure solution provider.

From containerisation and microservices, to orchestration tools and serverless computing, we’ll look at the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses as they make their transition from traditional IaaS platforms to modern cloud native platforms. 

 We’ll explore why forward-thinking businesses are embracing cloud native and discover the significance of getting the foundations for DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code just right to realise the full potential of highly automated, lower-touch cloud native platforms and services. 

Join us as we examine and reflect on the industries transitive journey to cloud native from a team at the coal face with customers. 

To find out more about any of the subjects discussed in our podcast, please visit blakyaks.com.

You can also find us on ⁠Linkedin⁠, ⁠X and ⁠Instagram⁠ @blakyaks.