Explain IT

2025 was a defining year for technology. From the rapid acceleration of private cloud adoption and growing security risk challenges, to major shifts in digital employee experience driven by Windows 11, businesses have been pushed to rethink what’s possible with IT.In this Best of Explain IT 2025 episode, we revisit our biggest themes and most impactful conversations from the year, bringing together highlights from four standout episodes that shaped how organisations approach modern technology.Including moments from:Navigating Windows 10 End of Support (October)We revisit our episode on Windows 10 end of support, featuring Softcat’s Kelly Calver and Ella Chew. This conversation explores how organisations should prepare for the transition to Windows 11, with a strong focus on application readiness, compatibility, and minimising disruption for end users.Everything Data: From Strategy to Silos (August)From our data-focused episode, Andy Crossley (Oakland) and James Wingham (Softcat) discuss why a clear data strategy must come before tackling data silos. The clip highlights how businesses can unlock real value from data by aligning technology with long-term business goals.Streamlining Your Operations (September)In this episode, Oli Meadows (Softcat) and Adam Sperring (ServiceNow) explore how organisations can streamline operations by thinking about service management across the entire business, not just IT. A must-listen for anyone looking to improve efficiency, visibility and outcomes through enterprise service management.VMware Explore on Tour: is Private Cloud the solution your business needs? – Special Edition (November)One of two special editions in 2025, this episode covers VMware Explore On Tour, featuring Richard Fraser (Softcat) and Joe Bagley (Broadcom). It dives into how a unified private cloud platform is driving innovation and helping businesses modernise securely and at scale.About Explain IT:Hosted by Helen Gidney, Head of Architecture at Softcat; Explain IT, where we talk tech in simple, jargon-free language.Keep Listening:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review — it helps others discover the podcast. You can also catch up on all the episodes mentioned here, covering topics like private cloud, VMware innovation, data strategy, and service operations.We release new episodes every month, so make sure you follow the podcast.Coming up: insights into AI-driven security, and how to maximise your technology investments ahead of the 2026 public sector year-end.Thanks for listening to the Explain IT podcast from Softcat.Produced by The Podcast Coach.

This episode of Explain IT explores the evolution of the smart workspace, moving beyond basic connectivity to create environments that act as a "magnet, not a mandate" for employees. Host Ashleigh Baker is joined by experts from Softcat and Cisco to discuss how integrated technology - ranging from seamless networking to AI-powered collaboration tools - drives employee experience and business performance. By focusing on technology that removes "meeting room fear" and enhances creativity, organisations can transform their physical offices into high-IQ hubs that rival the comfort and efficiency of home working. Ashleigh Baker is the guest host of the podcast and a team leader in Softcat's architecture service. Joining her is Tom Rowley, Softcat networking connectivity chief technologist; Jack Lewis, Softcat workspace chief technologist; and Rob Lei, Cisco UKI solutions engineering director and CTO.The conversation highlights the critical role of a performant and secure network as the foundation for these workspaces, ensuring that investments in Unified Communications (UC) are not bottlenecked by poor infrastructure. Using Softcat's own Manchester office refit as a blueprint, the guests explain how leveraging smart sensors for air quality and energy usage supports both sustainability goals and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, the panel predicts a shift toward intelligence at the edge and "agentic AI" to further optimize real-time interactions and maintain a "distance zero" feeling for remote participants.• Magnet vs. Mandate: Understanding why modern workspaces must be designed to inspire collaboration and outperform the home-working experience to draw employees back to the office.• The Network Foundation: Why a wireless-first strategy and resilient switching are essential to support the density of modern devices without creating performance bottlenecks.• Seamless Integration: How the partnership between Cisco and Microsoft Teams allows businesses to utilize their preferred platforms while benefiting from bleeding-edge hardware and unique breakout experiences.• Sustainability and Observability: Using smart sensors to monitor granular power usage and air quality, while leveraging observability to prove ROI and improve user experience.• The AI Frontier: A look at the next five years of agentic AI and cinematic meeting experiences that use automated camera switching to reduce meeting fatigue.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.

Business leaders are setting AI strategies, and IT teams are expected to deliver results.Research from the IDC shows that 88% of all AI pilots fail to reach production. So enter Private Cloud AI, a new way to role out your AI adoption.In this episode we break down what Private Cloud AI is, why it matters, and how this technology is helping organisations overcome challenges and unlock real value.Podcast host and Softcat's Head of Architecture, Helen Gidney is joined by Nigel Horsell, Private AI Channel leader for UKIMEA; James Brooks, Hybrid Solutions Leader for UKIMEA both at HPE and Gary Hawkins, Chief Technologist for Hybrid Platforms 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.

Many organisations are rethinking their cloud strategies and searching for smarter, more secure solutions. Private cloud is gaining traction as an alternative, combining the agility and scalability of public cloud with the added control and protection of a dedicated environment. In this episode, we explore how VMware is redefining the private cloud journey - helping businesses build, secure and manage environments tailored to their unique needs. Hear expert insights from Joe Baguley, CTO EMEA at VMware by Broadcom, and Richard Fraser, Broadcom Product and Services Specialist at Softcat. Hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture.Produced by The Podcast Coach.

As Microsoft wraps up a decade of Windows 10 support, we’re seeing a real moment of decision for businesses. If you haven’t made the move yet, it’s time to ask - are we upgrading, adapting, or exposing ourselves to risk? With cyber threats ramping up and support winding down, knowing your options isn’t just helpful - it’s essential.This time we're discussing the end of support for Windows 10, what it means for organisations, and what you should do if you’ve missed the October 14th deadline. Joining me is Kelly Calver - Head of Workspace and Ella Chew - Workspace Alliances Lead both 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.

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.

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 OperationsWhat service operations mean in today’s business landscapeMoving beyond ITSM to drive enterprise-wide transformation Maximising EfficiencyPlatform consolidation strategiesDoing more with less through smarter workflows AI & Automation in ActionWhere AI and automation are making a tangible impactFrom governance to data-driven decision-making Leadership in a Changing EnvironmentHow leaders can adapt to evolving business structuresAligning service delivery with rising user expectationsSoftcat’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.

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.

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.