The Tech Talks Daily Podcast Neil C. Hughes

Have you ever wondered how one of the world's largest airlines ensures that every passenger interaction is seamless, both on the ground and in the air? Today, I'm joined by Dan Field, Director of Platform and Network Engineering at United Airlines. 
 
Dan brings a wealth of experience integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency at United. With tools like Cisco's AppDynamics and innovative solutions like Agent on Demand, Dan and his team are revolutionizing travel.
 
Agent on Demand allows passengers to connect with agents via call, text, or even video chat. This service eliminates the need to physically wait in line, offering a more convenient option for travelers to manage their journey—everything from seat assignments to boarding times can be handled through a simple QR code scan.
 
Today's discussion isn't just about the technology itself but about how United Airlines leverages these advancements to significantly improve organizational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
 
Listeners, as we explore these technological innovations, what are your thoughts on how such technologies could further enhance your travel experiences? Have you encountered any tech-driven solutions during your flights that made a significant difference? Join the conversation and share your views.

Are you and your organization prepared for the future of cyber security? Today, I'm joined by Tom Gillis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Security Business Group on the Tech Talks Daily Podcast. 
Broadcasting directly from the vibrant atmosphere of Cisco Live in Las Vegas, Tom joins us to unravel the dynamics of cyber security within the framework of a renowned networking giant. With a career that spans influential roles at VMware and now at Cisco, Tom offers unique insights into the evolution of cybersecurity strategies and their crucial role in shaping business resilience.
Tom discusses the latest innovations unveiled at Cisco Live. From the groundbreaking Cisco Hypershield to enhancements in AI-driven security management, these developments represent Cisco's commitment to fortifying enterprise defenses against increasingly sophisticated threats. As we delve into these topics, Tom will also share his personal journey and the reasons behind Cisco's accelerated innovation in recent times.
So, buckle up as we transport you to the heart of Cisco Live, where the future of enterprise security is being redrawn. Join us for a conversation that promises to be as enlightening as it is inspiring. What are your thoughts on the trajectory of cyber security and the innovations discussed today? How do these advancements resonate with your professional experiences or the challenges faced by your organization? I encourage you to share your perspectives and join the ongoing dialogue by reaching out through our various platforms.
 

How can a fashion-forward brand like Steve Madden redefine the intersection of style and technology? In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I'm live at Cisco Live, engaging with Steve Madden's top tech minds: Kamran Siddique, VP, CISO & Head of Infrastructure, and Nitin Srivastava, Director of IT Infrastructure & Operations.
We delve into the dynamic world of retail technology and explore how Steve Madden, a brand celebrated for its trendy footwear and accessories, leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences worldwide. Despite its traditional association with fashion rather than tech, Steve Madden is making significant strides in integrating technology into its operations, particularly with its recent shift to a new SaaS-based POS system designed for iPads.

During our discussion, Kamran will share insights on the crucial security measures Steve Madden prioritizes to protect customer data and ensure transaction integrity. We'll uncover how the brand maintains a balance between robust security protocols and a seamless user experience, especially in high-traffic retail settings. Furthermore, Kamran will reflect on the evolving role of a CISO in the retail sector, particularly as digital and SaaS-based solutions become more prevalent.

We will also hear about the challenges of aligning IT infrastructure with broader business strategies and the metrics that are pivotal in evaluating the effectiveness of IT security and infrastructure efforts.

Join us as we uncover the technological pulses behind a global fashion giant at one of the biggest tech events of the year. After listening, what do you think are the biggest tech challenges facing the retail industry today? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

How is technology reshaping the way businesses connect with their customers? Today on Tech Talks Daily, I, Neil Hughes, sit down with Shad Aul, Senior Manager of Network Engineering at Lowe's, to uncover how the home improvement giant is transforming its customer interactions through a groundbreaking collaboration with Cisco.
In our discussion, Shad delves into the strategic shift from a traditional on-premise solution to a unified SaaS platform using Cisco Webex Contact Center. This bold move not only streamlines operations across 25 business units and accommodates 8,781 agents but also plays a pivotal role in reducing Lowe's IT overheads and licensing costs significantly. With over 1 million customer calls handled seamlessly in the first quarter of 2024 alone, Lowe's exemplifies how scalability and reliability in technology can lead to superior customer service.
Moreover, we explore how this technological overhaul is not just about efficiency but also enhancing customer satisfaction through a seamless omnichannel experience that meets evolving consumer expectations. Shad shares insights on the integration of advanced AI applications, set to redefine the future of customer engagements and drive Lowe’s forward in attracting top-tier tech talent.
Join us as we discuss the intricacies of implementing such extensive changes without interrupting business flow and the ongoing benefits of Cisco's Lifecycle Services in speeding up the realization of business value through AI-driven outcomes.
What could this mean for the future of retail and customer service? Share your thoughts and join the conversation as we delve into the intersection of innovation, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

In this episode, we explore the exciting developments in space technology with Liz Seward, Head of Space Strategy and Market Development at BAE Systems. 
With a background in business development, marketing, thermal engineering, and mission systems engineering, Liz has worked on notable projects such as the ExoMars rover and a mission to return a sample from an asteroid. She is also a prominent figure in Women in Aerospace Europe and the International Astronautical Federation.
Our conversation begins with an introduction to the role of space in defense, emphasizing the need for earth observation and near-real-time intelligence for multi-domain operations. Liz explains how space technology provides critical capabilities for global monitoring, weather forecasting, mapping, and communications, all essential for modern defense strategies.
We delve into BAE Systems' re-entry into the space sector after 20 years, highlighting the Azalea project. Azalea is a groundbreaking initiative combining multiple sensors and machine learning for faster data analysis. It uses software-defined radios, synthetic aperture radar, and onboard processing to fuse multi-sensor data such as RF, radar, and optical, providing actionable insights rapidly. This project aims to reduce the time from data capture to useful information for operators, marking a significant advancement in earth observation capabilities.
Liz also discusses the future of space innovation, focusing on dual-use capabilities that serve both defense and civilian needs. She shares insights on software-defined satellites that can be reprogrammed to meet different use cases securely and the UK’s efforts to establish supportive regulations around space sustainability and debris mitigation.
A critical aspect of our discussion is the urgent need for talent development in the new space age. Liz introduces BAE Systems' launch of the UK's first-ever space engineering apprenticeship program. This initiative aims to build a talent pipeline by combining part-time work at BAE with a part-time engineering degree from the University of Portsmouth. The program seeks to attract passionate individuals eager to work on hands-on space projects, including the Azalea project.
Throughout the episode, Liz provides a comprehensive view of how BAE Systems measures success, both in delivering new capabilities to key customers like the UK government and in providing solutions internationally to allied countries. For the Azalea project, success is defined by its ability to offer step-change earth observation capabilities.
Join us as we uncover the innovative strategies and projects at BAE Systems that are set to shape the future of space technology. How is your organization preparing for advancements in space capabilities? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

In this episode, I sit down with Martin Reynolds, the Field CTO at Harness, to explore the rise of platform engineering as developers strive to accelerate digital innovation amidst rising costs and tightened budgets. Martin sheds light on the importance of internal developer portals (IDPs) in this evolving landscape. He argues that IDPs are crucial for ensuring developers can build at scale without increasing toil, especially given the rising complexity of software delivery pipelines in the cloud-native era.
IDPs provide developers with a single pane of glass, allowing access to the necessary capabilities and infrastructure to deploy code and manage services efficiently. Much like how a bank’s customers need not worry about the backend processes when making a deposit, an IDP encapsulates the development infrastructure, enabling developers to focus solely on writing and committing code rather than getting bogged down by complex deployment processes.
Martin discusses how this trend is set to further disrupt the developer experience and accelerate transformation in 2024. He highlights that platform engineering helps solve non-coding tasks (toil) by providing a reliable, secure platform with automated pipelines for quick and consistent software delivery. This approach allows developers to focus on coding, thereby enhancing productivity and innovation.
We delve into how IDPs act as a gateway and orchestrator for all developer tools, tasks, and resources, offering visibility into existing services, security, and costs. This prevents reinventing the wheel and allows for self-service access to tooling, infrastructure, and pipelines, ultimately enabling more agile and rapid delivery compared to traditional environments.
Martin emphasizes the benefits of IDPs, such as improved productivity, accelerated innovation, and reduced onboarding time for new developers. However, successful adoption of IDPs requires treating developers as customers, understanding their needs, and integrating familiar tools to provide a seamless experience.
Looking ahead, Martin envisions a future where AI assistants augment IDPs, providing contextual information and recommendations without replacing developers. The goal is to shift information left, ensuring developers have the right context at the right time to make informed decisions.
Join us as we uncover how platform engineering and IDPs are revolutionizing the developer experience, driving digital transformation, and shaping the future of software delivery. How are you adapting to these changes in your development processes? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.