Shows
Experts In Polo ShirtsWindows 10 End of Life: What Businesses Need to Know (Uncut)Send us a textWindows 10 support ends in October 2025 — but what does that really mean for organisations still running it?In this uncut episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, Synextra consultants Matt and Chris dive deep into the real-world impact of Windows 10's end of life. From AVD multi-session migration to Windows 11 adoption, extended support costs, and the risks of doing nothing — this is a practical guide for IT leaders, sysadmins, and anyone tasked with upgrading a large estate.They also explore common upgrade pain points, like legacy applications, FSLo...2025-04-3042 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsIs the Cloud Already Out of Date? The Next Shift in Cloud StrategySend us a textHas the cloud reached its peak, or are we witnessing the next major shift in cloud computing? Many organisations rushed to the cloud, lifting and shifting infrastructure without truly modernising. Now, as serverless, edge computing, and AI-driven operations take centre stage, is the traditional cloud model becoming outdated?In this episode, we break down:Why 'lift and shift' cloud migrations may already be holding businesses backThe rise of serverless computing – is it really "serverless"?How edge computing is reshaping cloud strategyThe impact of AI and automation on cloud operationsWhether businesses sh...2025-04-0339 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsAre LLMs Living Up to the Hype?Send us a textAre LLMs living up to the hype, or are they failing to deliver?In this episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, we examine the real-world impact of large language models (LLMs) beyond the marketing promises. From Google Gemini’s rocky launch to businesses struggling with AI adoption, we explore the pitfalls, misconceptions, and challenges facing LLMs today.Key Topics:Is Big Tech too big to innovate?Why some AI chatbots are easily manipulated, and ho...2025-03-201h 11
Experts In Polo ShirtsCloud Costs Are Out Of Control - Stop Wasting MoneySend us a textCloud cost management is a challenge for many businesses, with 91% of organisations admitting they’re wasting money in the cloud. In this episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, Ryan Tracey and Matt Dyson tackle the most common reasons cloud bills spiral out of control and discuss strategies for effective optimisation.What are the top three reasons for wasted cloud spend? Lack of skills, overprovisioned resources, and idle assets are costing businesses thousands. Join us as we discuss the actionable steps you can take to reduce your Azure price tag, from addressing hi...2025-01-0937 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsDeveloper Revolution: Turbocharging Teams with Azure DevOpsSend us a textAzure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) are revolutionising modern development. These tools transform outdated workflows into efficient, automated pipelines, helping developers focus on innovation.This episode explores how practices like automated testing, platform-as-a-service options, and security automation boost productivity, security, and flexibility in Azure. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or managing a dev team, learn how Azure’s tools can help you work faster and smarter.#AzureDevOps #CloudDevelopment #ModernDevelopment0:00 Introduction – What Does Legacy Development Look Like?1:19 What is Azure DevOps? Automating Code a...2024-11-2819 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsIs Public Cloud Losing Its Edge?Send us a textDescription:People are abandoning public cloud in their droves, or at least that's what Michael Dell might like you to think when he recently posted a stat which stated, "83% of enterprises plan to move workloads back to private cloud from public cloud."In this episode, our techies are debating the Logic of Repatriating Workloads. What is it, and what do the stats point to is the public cloud a sinking ship, or are we moving to a more nuanced cloud era, where companies have become more aware of the pros and...2024-10-0835 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsVMware is Out: What Alternatives Are There?Send us a textAs we say a sad goodbye to VMware, we discuss the realistic hypervisor alternatives for businesses and their pros and cons. Hyper-V, XenServer, and VMware, wait what I thought it was alternatives to Broadcoms latest cash cow!? For better or worse, sticking with the top performer might be your best choice. Unless you want to Migrate to one of the big players in Cloud, Azure and AWS, Microsoft's offering is the more obvious option with infrastructure professionals likely being more familiar with the user interface.All that and more in this episode...2024-09-0922 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsVMware is Dead - Broadcom AcquisitionSend us a textSince Broadcom acquired VMware we have seen a radical reorganisation of the company; eliminating products, packaging together what little is left and ratcheting up the prices giving consumers little choice but to plan their exit from the ecosystem.CEO Chris Piggott and HTO Ryan Tracey discuss what has happened, how it affected us and what we recommend to move forward.0:00 Intro0:14 What has happened to VMware?3:02 Why did Broadcom move so fast?4:19 What does this change mean for VMware customers?6:08 What is Broadcom's track record?7:15...2024-07-2916 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsThe Modernisation of the End UserSend us a textAaron Naisbitt has joined Synextra, and he’s brought with him some fresh insights about the modern end user. Exploring the headwinds that IT teams have to fight in a modern-day workplace he suggests that the improving technology people have at home, making everything accessible at the touch of a button, has given employees higher expectations of tech in the workplace. Alongside this, workplace technology has become more complex, involving layers of security thus slowing systems down.Chapters:0:00 Teaser0:23 The Modernisation of the End User4:40 The Changing Landscape5:13 Th...2024-06-1307 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsHow safe is your business? - Cyber Security deep dive with DCI Chris MaddocksSend us a textJoin our special guest DCI Chris Maddocks, the head of Economic and Cyber teams in the North West and our very own Chris Piggott, Synextra CEO.Our Cyber Security webinar is where we’ll be sharing the most common mistakes that we see in businesses and organisations when it comes to Cyber Security and Phishing. We will explore how these mishaps can be avoided and examine the real impacts and repercussions on real organisations that members of the police force such as DCI Chris Maddocks have experienced and investigated firsthand.2024-03-191h 10
Experts In Polo ShirtsThe Cyber Security Risks of TikTokSend us a textThe Experts in Polo Shirts are discussing the issues around TikTok, the hugely popular short video app every person and their cat is rushing in to use and yet it is being banned on government and company phones; but why? We discuss the security and misinformation issues that surround the platform. It is the fastest-growing social media platform, but today we'll be asking "is time up for TikTok?"---0:00 Introduction0:28 Do we use TikTok?1:58 TikTok Security Risks3:34 Online disinformation and Silicon Valley bank5:48 Censorships and s...2023-04-0323 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsThe Death of the SysadminSend us a textLadies and gents, we are back again with another contentious episode! Or maybe not contentious enough...Today we're playing a twisted game of Cluedo with IT, and it looks like Colonel Mustard has done the wicked deed with a Candlestick in the Billiard Room! In this instance Colonel Mustard is Microsofts Azure platform, the Candlestick is Public Cloud, and the unfortunate soul is our beloved SysAdmin IT Professional. Forget about the Billiard Room, it doesn’t fit into this metaphor really well so we're hoping you don't read this far!2022-12-0115 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsWhere have we been!?Send us a textIt has been a long time since our last podcast, but we are back!💪Today we're talking about where have we been, the cost of living crisis and how crazy is at the moment for the public sector, our temporary (for 3 months already 😝) studio and its "fancy" chandelier, the new technology and the old fashioned but still a beast AS/400, customer projects and Cohesity the baffling backup solution (seemingly magical) that has our experts wondering how it work and much much more... That's enough with the spoilers!Get some popcorn...2022-07-1816 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsWhat Is Hyperconverged Infrastructure & VMware Infrastructure SoftwareSend us a textA hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is a software defined IT solution, redeploying elements such as storage & network to the cloud. Join the debate.---Today, we’re unpacking a two-word topic with the vast potential to transform, streamline, and simplify enterprise level IT operations. Listen in as Chris, Dean, and Mike explore the past, present, and future of hyperconverged infrastructure…What are the benefits of hyperconverged infrastructure?Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) offers multiple benefits over a traditional hardware-defined three-tier architecture. The virtualised layer abstracts and groups resources, expe...2021-12-2140 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsTech Talk With Andy Sefton, Head of IT & Security @ Centrepoint CharitySend us a textMeet Andy Sefton, Head of IT and Data Security @ Centrepoint, the tech-powered UK charity with standout ambitions to “end youth homelessness by 2037”… · Centrepoint charity: centrepoint.org.uk· Contact details & FAQs: Centrepoint contact · Synextra: synextra.co.uk· Call, email, visit: Synextra contact --- 🥳Happy new year, techie addicts 🥳 – we’re back! That’s right, just when you thought 2021 had brought all the technology tutorials and cloud-based capers you could handle, it’s time to buckle up for even more IT top tips and pract...2021-12-2149 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsThe Value of a Non-Exec with Paul BeaumontSend us a textEver wondered what the role of a non-executive is in a business? With a huge amount of experience, not just as a non-exec, but in business as whole, we sit down with Paul Beaumont and dig into how he helps businesses achieve more and perform better. Paul takes us through his interesting journey, detailing just how he got to where he is today talking through his stance on sales and marketing and the importance of brand. Get in touch with Paul on Linked In: https://www.lin...2021-12-0759 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsThe Ugly Truth, Recruitment in 2021Send us a textThis is your chance to get behind the scenes of recruitment... In this episode we explore the good, the bad and the ugly truth of recruitment - offering genuine insights and insider information. Join us as we talk CV red flags, interview mishaps and what not to do when you’re being technically assessed.Give this episode a listen, get the inside scoop and finally complete that job application we know you’ve been putting off!Give this episode a listen and finally complete that job application we know you’ve...2021-11-2355 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsNot Quite Working From HomeSend us a textExperts in Polo Shirts: Why Working From Home Isn’t Working for UsWe’re all familiar with remote working or as we often see it, WFH. We are also familiar with the benefits associated with working from home as we see post upon post on social media detailing the perks enough - often alongside pictures of coffee cups and dogs. But are we hearing about the other side of working from home enough? We know about the good, but what about the bad and the ugly?With more and more busi...2021-11-0932 min
Experts In Polo ShirtsTech CEO Secrets - From Service Desk to CEO with Chris PiggottSend us a textHow did one person go from a service desk engineer to a CEO of a successful technology company? What did the journey look like? Were there any stumbling blocks along the way? In our first episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, we sit down with Synextra founder and CEO, Chris Piggott and discuss where his journey began and what challenges he has faced to get where he is today. We delve into his chosen leadership styles, his view on being a young CEO in technology and how his career has developed...2021-10-2530 min