Tech means Business

Any organisation lives or dies on its communication abilities. In today's digital-first environment, connecting customers and companies via the channel they're most comfortable with is a critical operational component.

With the advent of mature, cloud-based systems, an increasing number of businesses are migrating from on-premise VOIP systems to UCaaS or CCaaS platforms (unified communications as a service, or contact centre as a service).

These advanced pieces of software let contacts and collaborations take place seamlessly as the participants shift from voice, to video, to text - even mid-call. But UCaaS means a whole lot more besides these engineering basics, and today's guest on the Tech Means Business podcast takes us through the details.

Amir Hameed, Senior Vice President Worldwide Software Sales and Engineering at RingCentral, has a long career spent promoting high-quality customer and employee experiences. At RingCentral, his role is to make sure that call centre agents all over the world enjoy their work and give delightful customer experiences at every touchpoint.

In this episode we find out how CX and EX can be transformed, statutory data compliance achieved, and primarily, how organisations and brands can turn customers into brand advocates, and transient employees into long-term investments that bring great value to any-sized business.

You can learn more about RingCentral offerings here:
https://www.ringcentral.com/au/en/

The AI-enhanced UCaaS, RingCX is the subject of focus here:
https://www.ringcentral.com/au/en/ringcx.html

Amir Hameed is on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirhameed/

And the host of the show, Joe Green, is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

The Linux operating system and open-source software run much of the world's digital infrastructure. Its unusual business model is based on value-added service agreements comprising support, maintenance, security, and bug fixes.

In 2024, many organizations using open-source software have been impacted by decisions by vendors to effectively prevent access to source code and sudden changes in end-of-life schedules on which businesses rely to prioritize spending.

This episode of the Tech Means Business podcast talks to Vishal Ghariwala of SUSE (one of the leading enterprise software supply and development companies) about the state of open-source in 2024. What alternatives are there for companies looking at the approaching end of support for their essential, business-critical software?

Vishal is the Director and CTO at SUSE for the Asia-Pacific region and brings his experience from a lifetime in open-source to the table. We talk about byte-for-byte compatibility between different brands' offerings, the spirit of innovation that comes from collectivism, and how software developed and freely distributed marries with traditional financial models.

The OpenELA (Open Enterprise Linux Association) is here:
https://openela.org/

Find out more about Liberty Linux here:
https://www.suse.com/products/suse-liberty-linux/

This editorial covers some of the issues discussed:
https://techhq.com/2024/02/when-is-centos-os-7-reaching-end-of-life/

Vishal Ghariwala is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishalghariwala/

And your host, Joe Green, has been forked here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

With staff shortages ever-present and expectations for quality support & security rising, what solutions to the myriad challenges are there for Managed Service Providers and support functions in the enterprise?

A new report from NinjaOne and Omdia looks at the pain points and outlooks for growth from decision-makers in the IT support space. In conversation with two executives from NinjaOne, the Tech Means Business podcast goes through some of the paper's findings, and discusses its contents and implications.

NinjaOne is the APAC's most forward-looking supplier of software and systems in the space, providing its clients with the tools they need to maintain security, solve problems, and keep on top of complex support structures for endpoints and end-users.

Can systems step in where staff shortages are most severe, and if so, where exactly, and how? The Tech Means Business podcast talks to Matt Law (Senior Product Marketing Manage) and MJ Robotham (Director of Sales, APAC) from NinjaOne.

The Omdia/NinjaOne paper, 'Leading IT Trends for 2024' can be downloaded here:
https://www.ninjaone.com/blog/unveiling-the-top-it-priorities-shaping-2024/

Read the report on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ninjaone_read-the-full-report-activity-7150151050555969537-3o4R/

Call the company toll-free: 61 1800 490 516

Read more about NinjaOne here:
https://www.ninjaone.com/

Matt Law's LinkedIn page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewlaw1/

MJ Robotham is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjrobotham/

Joe Green, the show's host is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

Today's utility companies face an ageing infrastructure, demand for better customer experiences, regulation and the need to digitise all areas of operations. Helping them achieve these goals is Wipro, the Indian multinational that's revitalising companies' methods, mindsets and technology infrastructure.

With specialist knowledge of the sector, and many years experience (our guests today bring c. 100 years in the industry between them), Wipro's consultants, builders and engineers are bringing about the changes necessary to bring value to stakeholders and consumers.

This episode of Tech Means Business covers challenges, solutions and industry trends, with plenty of good old-fashioned advice for the sector and the professionals making critical decisions. With challenges from operational realities through to selling the business case for technology at board level, our guests guide industry stalwarts and outsiders through the complexities of the utilities sector in the UK.

You can read more about Wipro's work with worldwide utilities companies here:
https://www.wipro.com/utilities/

Ajay Chandran, Regional Head of Energy, Utilities and Infrastructure for the UK & Ireland
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajaychandran/

Rebekah Docherty, Vice President, ENU and Telecoms Business
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-docherty-0a04744/

Sampathkumaran Hariharan, Director of Digital Transformation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hariharansampathkumaran/

Ankit Sharma, Account Executive
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankit-sharma-9864a46/

The gender pay gap is an issue that saddles organisations with significant problems. Most obviously, those on the wrong side of the disparity will feel it most, but as our guest on this episode of Tech Means Business explains, it's significantly disadvantageous for companies to perpetuate the injustice.

Kylie Baullo is General Manager and Managing Director in Australia for ADP, the world's leading provider of HCM (human capital management) and HR solutions. We discuss how, by looking at data from payroll and across HR, companies can begin or continue their journey in lowering the gap between what men and women are paid.

Attracting and retaining skilled staff is a massive challenge for every Australian employer, and by proving they're taking positive action on pay, they'll attract and retain key employees.

Taking a consultative and data-driven approach, ADP is helping its clients address the heart of the pay gap issue, firstly by surfacing the relevant data, and then taking proactive measures to turn the workplace into a much better place to work and earn.

The WGEA data mentioned in the podcast is available here:
https://www.wgea.gov.au/pay-and-gender/gender-pay-gap-data

Learn more about ADP in Australia:
https://au.adp.com/

Kylie Baullo is on LinkedIn:
https://au.linkedin.com/in/kylie-baullo-23424792

Joe Green, the host of the show is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

Chris Holmes (Lord Holmes of Richmond) is Britain’s most successful paralympic swimmer, winning a total of nine golds, five silvers and one bronze. He was also Director of Paralympic Integration, responsible for the organization of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Chris is a passionate advocate for the potential of technology and the benefits of diversity and inclusion. He campaigns for more accessible environments for disabled people and has conducted an independent review for the UK Government that made recommendations on opening up public appointments to disabled people.

in the UK Parliament, Chris sits on the influential Science and Technology Select Committee but has previously been a member of specialist House of Lords select committees dealing with democracy and digital technologies, artificial intelligence, digital skills, social mobility, and financial exclusion.

In 2017 Chris’s report on 'Distributed Ledger Technology For Public Good' (DLT) urged the government to consider blockchain for public use cases. The Electronic Trade Documents Act, which Chris steered into law in 2023, is a fine example of that work coming to fruition. It represents the potential to kickstart mainstream adoption of blockchain systems for the wider digitalisation of trade documents.

In this episode of the Tech Means Business podcast, we talk about Chris's interests in distributed ledger technology, future legislation that's due to pass through Parliament in the current sitting, and how the UK can lead the world in data policy, privacy and soverignty.

You can read more about Chris here:
https://chrisholmes.co.uk/

And on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lord-chris-holmes/

About the Electronic Trade Documents Act:
https://chrisholmes.co.uk/news/electronic-trade-documents-act/

Chris' 2017 Report on DLT for public good:
https://chrisholmes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Distributed-Ledger-Technologies-for-Public-Good_leadership-collaboration-and-innovation.pdf [pdf]

Joe Green's LinkedIn page:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

The Zoom platform is synonymous with video calling, but it has evolved significantly since it became a household word from 2019. In this episode of the Tech Means Business podcast, we explore its UCaaS (unified communications as a service), including Zoom Phone. Nathan Guy, Head of UCaaS APAC at Zoom, sheds light on how Zoom's UCaaS streamlines communication, mobilizes teams, and ensures business continuity. We also discuss Zoom Phone, a tool seamlessly transitioning calls across devices and enabling chat and video meetings from anywhere.

Joinedby Anthony Feher, Engineering Team Lead at IRESS, whose company adopted Zoom in pre-COVID days, we explore how IRESScontinues to integrate more and more functionality from the Zoom UCaaS platform.

We talk about how IRESS's customer support and telephony functions have been transformed, creating huge improvements in both customer and employee experiences. Zoom's technical and consultative abilities are helping this producer of fintech software to bring together remote desktop, Jira integration, telephony, meetings and messaging, ensuring IRESS stays at the cutting edge of what's possible with UCaaS.

Zoom consolidates phone, team chat, whiteboard, meetings, and third-party integrations, streamlining your user experience and saving time and money. Unlock cost savings, enhance productivity, and optimize your communications, regardless of location or method.

While Zoom is a household name, the extent of its offerings for organizations on digital transformation journeys might surprise you. Join us to explore how Zoom's familiar interface elevates communication and collaboration to new heights.

Learn about Zoom's UCaaS platform here:
https://www.zoom.com/en/products/collaboration-tools/features/unified-communications/

And Zoom Phone:
https://www.zoom.com/en/products/voip-phone/

Subscribe to Zoom's YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@Zoom

IRESS's software solutions:
https://www.iress.com/

Anthony Feher from IRESS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-feher-040a7533/

Nathan Guy from Zoom on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-guy-4717a58/

TMB Host, Joe Green on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

Software not only has to work as it was designed, it has to be designed so it works as users want it to. User acceptance testing is that critical part of software development that ensures a solution (or an update or addition to an application) becomes a powerful tool for the end-users: functional, easy-to-use, and (hopefully) bug-free.

Our guests today on the Tech Means Business podcast are Original Software, a company that makes market-leading software testing solutions, and NFI, a supplier that specializes in providing powerful software to logistics organizations worldwide.

With Jenny Wilson, VP of Automation Support at NFI, and Colin Armitage, CEO of Original Software, we talk about automation, building test libraries, picking the right user testers, and some of the intricacies of UAT - user acceptance testing.

Although the presence of cloud computing platforms suggests that user testing is somehow standardized, the truth is that uses of any piece of software are so different, every change, every feature, and every application needs to be tested in the right way by the right people - and at a resource cost that won't alarm the Finance Department.

You can find out more about Original Software's test suites here:
https://originalsoftware.com/

NFI, suppliers of technology to supply chain and logistics companies, is here:
https://www.nfiindustries.com/

Colin Armitage is on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinarmitage/

Jenny Wilson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-wilson-25842a173/

And Joe Green (v2.13rc4) is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

Among the most alarming attack vectors that cybercriminals can target are the hardware and software used in industrial settings to monitor and control billions of devices, processes and critical infrastructure. These include control sensors, power generation management, oil & gas refining management, cameras, switches, machinery, and fire systems to cite a few examples. These operational technology (OT) instances are mainly designed to interact with specific equipment, and they don't always come with sufficient security or update mechanisms built-in to withstand concerted attacks.

Our guest on this episode of the Tech Means Business podcast, Nigel Tan, works for Delinea, a leading Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions provider that can protect this layer of infrastructure, whether new or legacy.

While endpoint protection is often not viable and network-layer security unsuitable, it's zero-trust and careful PAM that can make the difference between safe OT and an open door for hackers.

Nigel is Delinea's Technical Director of Sales Engineering at Delinea for the Asia-Pacific, a battle-hardened professional who's been active in cybersecurity for many years. Together, we discuss the present situation, the potential for damage to critical national infrastructure and worse, the possibility that a cyber incursion can easily damage human lives, physically

There are ways and means, of course, to ameliorate the situation, which Nigel helps us discover as we check out Delinea's OT protection methods.

Check out the Delinea website here:
https://delinea.com

Read the company's blog on security, starting here:
https://delinea.com/blog/privileged-access-management-for-industrial-iot-security

Nigel Tan of Delinea is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-t-bb4bba7/

Joe Green's LinkedIn profile lives here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen/

Getting hands-on with some of the most practical and impactful technology available today is what's on offer from BMC Software's "BMC Connect Singapore" event, November 2nd 2023.

Ahead of the event, we discuss with Brenton Smith and Gunal Kannan from BMC what's on the agenda, who the event's designed for, and what attendees might learn and experience.

The challenge facing many organisations in the APAC isn't the understanding of or realisation of the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence; rather, it's how the technology can be put into effect to give the best business outcomes. It's here that a company like BMC helps.

With use-case examples, keynote and inspirational speakers, workshops and demonstrations, join BMC, its customers and prospects, for a day exploring the possibilities that machine learning offers business operations.

Gunal Kannan is from the technical side of the tracks, while Brenton is more business-oriented. Together, in conversation with our host, Joe Green, we go through both the detail of the event (and others on the company's 'world tour') and discuss many of the issues surrounding the emerging technology of AI in the workplace.

REGISTER HERE

Learn more about BMC Connect, Singapore, November 2nd, 2023:
https://bmcconnect.bmc.com/connectsingapore/

Worldwide events where you can pick the team's brains:
https://www.bmc.com/events.html

Brenton Smith, VP Software, Asia Pacific and Japan's LinkedIn profile is here:
https://sg.linkedin.com/in/smithbrenton

Gunal Kannan, Associate VP, Technology Strategy and Advocacy's page is here:
https://sg.linkedin.com/in/gunalkanna

Joe Green is here:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/josephedwardgreen