Welcome to The CDW UK OCTOpod, your go-to source for the latest technology innovations. In each episode, experts from CDW and our trusted partners explore hot topics like Generative AI, Hybrid Cloud, Cybersecurity, Service Optimisation and Modern Work.
Backed by CDW’s Office of the CTO, we dive deep into trending tech, break down the news you need and provide actionable insights to apply right away. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply curious about the digital world, OCTOpod will help you harness technology to drive growth in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
All thoughts and opinions on this podcast are those of the CDW UK Office of the CTO and provide independent viewpoints.
Episodes
May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025
13 min
Welcome to a special series with our friends from Microsoft centred around the topic of Cloud Beyond IaaS and how we can drive cost optimisation and innovation through technology. This will be a 13-part series starting with the strategy and diving into the technology across three core areas: App Modernisation, Hybrid Cloud and Data & AI. In this episode we dive into the topic of Hybrid Cloud covering topics such as Azure Arc, StackHCI, AVD and the value of running applications at the edge.
Speakers
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Christophe Le Roux, Azure Local EMEA Lead, Microsoft
Jake Walsh, Senior Solutions Architect, CDW
May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
13 min
Welcome to a special series with our friends from Microsoft centred around the topic of Cloud Beyond IaaS and how we can drive cost optimisation and innovation through technology. This will be a 13-part series starting with the strategy and diving into the technology across three core areas: App Modernisation, Hybrid Cloud and Data & AI.
In this episode, we introduce the concept of App Modernisation and the value it can bring in both cost optimisation and business agility.
Speakers
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Michelle Azzopardi, Senior Apps and AI Innovation Business Lead, Microsoft
Sam Swaby, Senior Solutions Architect, CDW
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
13 min
Welcome to a special series with our friends from Microsoft centred around the topic of Cloud Beyond IaaS and how we can drive cost optimisation and innovation through technology. This will be a 13-part series starting with the strategy and diving into the technology across three core areas: App Modernisation, Hybrid Cloud and Data & AI.
In this episode we dive into the topic of Hybrid Cloud covering topics such as Azure Arc, StackHCI, AVD and the value of running applications at the edge.
Speakers
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Dan Figueiredo, Global Technology Strategist - Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft
Jake Walsh, Senior Solutions Architect, CDW
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
15 min
Welcome to a special series with our friends from Microsoft centred around the topic of Cloud Beyond IaaS and how we can drive cost optimisation and innovation through technology. This will be a 13-part series starting with the strategy and diving into the technology across three core areas: App Modernisation, Hybrid Cloud and Data & AI.
In this episode, we kick off the series by discussing cost optimisation and how it is much more than saving on cloud computing bills.
Speakers:
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Wendy Carstairs, Partner Technology Strategy Leader, Microsoft
Will Barlow, Practice Lead Microsoft Solutions, CDW
Mar 10, 2025
Mar 10, 2025
15 min
In this three-part series, we are exploring loss prevention and shrinkage and how we can deliver technology solutions to help tackle this rising challenge and unlock insights for better decision-making across the retail sector. We will also explore how we can leverage this technology to unlock the power of data and provide insights for multiple departments in retail organisations. Finally, we explore how we can build the business case for investment to help unlock the value.
CDW are hosting a webinar to dive into this in more detail. Find information on this here
Speakers:
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Paige Dougherty, Enterprise Account Executive, Verkada
Mar 7, 2025
Mar 7, 2025
14 min
In this three-part series, we are exploring loss prevention and shrinkage and how we can deliver technology solutions to help tackle this rising challenge and unlock insights for better decision-making across the retail sector. We will also explore how we can leverage this technology to unlock the power of data and provide insights for multiple departments in retail organisations. Finally, we explore how we can build the business case for investment to help unlock the value.
CDW are hosting a webinar to dive into this in more detail. Find information on this here
Speakers:
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Paige Dougherty, Enterprise Account Executive, Verkada
Mar 6, 2025
Mar 6, 2025
16 min
In this three-part series, we are exploring loss prevention and shrinkage and how we can deliver technology solutions to help tackle this rising challenge and unlock insights for better decision-making across the retail sector. We will also explore how we can leverage this technology to unlock the power of data and provide insights for multiple departments in retail organisations. Finally, we explore how we can build the business case for investment to help unlock the value.
CDW are hosting a webinar to dive into this in more detail. Find information on this here
Speakers:
Rob Sims. Chief Technologist, CDW
Paige Dougherty, Enterprise Account Executive, Verkada
Nov 15, 2024
Nov 15, 2024
20 min
In this special episode recorded live at VMware Explore 2024 Barcelona, Kyle Davies, Head of the Office of the CTO at CDW UK, sits down with Joe Baguley, Chief Technology Officer, EMEA at VMware by Broadcom.
They dive into the biggest announcements from this year’s event, unpacking how VMware’s vision is evolving post-acquisition and what this means for customers. From product updates to strategic shifts, Kyle and Joe explore the opportunities ahead and the steps businesses can take to start unlocking real value from their VMware investments.
Whether you’re a VMware veteran or just beginning your journey, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and expert perspectives to help you navigate the future of hybrid cloud and multi-cloud strategies.
Tune in to hear first hand what’s next for VMware and how you can make the most of your technology investments.