Best Semantic Studios Podcasts (2025)

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110. Smart Cloud Migration with Azure Technologies - with Rick & Oscar 36:58

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2M ago36:58

36:58

In this podcast episode, Rick and Oscar discuss Virtual Vaults' journey of evolving their cloud infrastructure. They reflect on the shift from early cloud deployments to modern containerized solutions, detailing their use of Azure technologies like web roles, app services, and Azure Functions. Emphasizing a pragmatic and incremental approach, they …

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109. Semantic Kernel to Raspberry Pi: Building Smart AI Solutions - with Jamie Maguire 45:07

3M ago45:07

45:07

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Jamie Maguire, a Microsoft MVP in AI and a certified Azure AI engineer associate. Jamie shares his journey from documenting his technical insights through blogging to becoming an active contributor to the tech community. They reflect on the evolution of AI from manual language processing to powerf…

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108. How PowerToys and AI Are Changing Windows Development - with Niels Laute 43:19

3M ago43:19

43:19

In this episode, we talk with Niels Laute, a senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, about the evolving world of Windows development and emerging technologies. From the experimental playground of PowerToys to the growing impact of on-device AI and edge computing, Niels shares how innovations like the ONNX runtime are making advanced tools more acces…

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107. Tech Without Limits: Innovating Through Open Source - with Nico Vermeir 40:22

3M ago40:22

40:22

In this episode, we talk with Nico Vermeir, a senior application architect and Microsoft MVP. He shares his journey from support technician to application architect, highlighting how passion and persistence helped him succeed without a formal degree. We discuss his involvement in Techorama, his contributions to the tech community and Open Source pr…

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106. Where AI and Software Engineering Meet: Breaking the Black Box - with Megan Bloemsma 41:31

4M ago41:31

41:31

In this episode, we talk with Megan Bloemsma, who is a Data and AI specialist. We discuss the evolving tech landscape, stressing the importance of collaboration between data scientists and software engineers. She critiques the indiscriminate use of AI and advocates for more thoughtful, selective technology deployment. Megan also highlights the need…

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105. AI's Coding Breakthrough: Unstructured to Understood - with Andreas Wänqvist 42:53

4M ago42:53

42:53

In this episode of Betatalks, Andreas Wänqvist shares his journey from reluctant web developer to AI architect at Voyado, an Aurelia core team member, and Microsoft MVP. We discuss AI’s evolution in software development, from early skepticism about GitHub Copilot to embracing it as a game-changing assistant. Through personal stories and professiona…

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104. Decoding Software: Learning Through Experience - with Shawn Wildermuth 48:24

5M ago48:24

48:24

In this episode, we talk with Shawn, a consultant, architect, and Microsoft MVP, who thrives on learning and sharing knowledge about .NET, JavaScript, and more. His early experiences with computers fostered a mindset of curiosity, helping him navigate tech trends with a pragmatic approach. As an instructor, he prioritizes storytelling, hands-on exa…

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103. Integrating AI in C#: Trade-offs and Best Practices - with Panu Oksala 36:06

5M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode, we talk with Panu, a Microsoft MVP and CTO at Adafy Oy. He shares his passion for technology and his hands-on role balancing coding, Azure tasks, and team engagement. We discuss Microsoft's latest AI developments, comparing Semantic Kernel and AI Extensions, and the challenges of integrating AI models. Panu also reflects on the evo…

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102. Low-Code Development with the Evolving Power Platform and AI Tools - with Keith Atherton 36:29

6M ago36:29

36:29

In this episode, we talk with Keith, a Microsoft MVP, MCT, Power Platform solutions architect, international speaker, and much more. We discuss his professional work and community involvement. Keith shares how he collaborates with customers to design and build solutions using the evolving Power Platform. We explore the platform's maturity, includin…

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101. From Minicomputers to Cloud Computing: How Technology Shapes Our World - with Rocky Lhotka 49:11

6M ago49:11

49:11

In this episode, we talk with Rocky, VP of Strategy at Xebia. We discuss his journey from programming in the 1980s to shaping modern development. We explore his passion for distributed computing—sparked by early networked arcade games—and reflect on major technological shifts, from the rise of PCs to AI’s growing influence. We dive into AI’s potent…

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100. Blending Comedy and Code: From Young Programmer to Conference Entertainer - with Rendle 48:29

7M ago48:29

48:29

In the 100th episode of Betatalks the Podcast, Rick and Oscar celebrate the milestone with guest Rendle, a software development consultant at RendleLabs and member of the parody band The Line Breakers. Rendle shares the band’s journey from a comedy quiz round to performing tech-themed cover songs at conferences. He highlights his efforts to bring h…

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99. Azure DevOps vs. GitHub: The Evolving Cloud Development Ecosystem - with Wesley Noordam 39:16

7M ago39:16

39:16

In this episode, we talk with Wesley, a cloud architect and expert, about the evolution of cloud offerings moving from IaaS to PaaS to serverless and the ongoing debate between Azure DevOps and GitHub. While opinions vary, the consensus is that Azure DevOps remains the more enterprise-ready platform, at least for now. We also dive into cloud securi…

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98. Christmas Special: Looking back at 2024 - with Rick & Oscar 15:11

8M ago15:11

15:11

In this episode, we have a Christmas special. We talk with two very special guests, the hosts themselves. They discuss their experiences over the past year. They reflect on the diverse range of topics covered on the podcast, from Azure to web development. The conversation touches on the increasing presence of AI and the importance of inclusive lang…

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97. Data Visualization and Business Intelligence: Bridging the Gap - with Valerie Junk 42:48

8M ago42:48

42:48

In this episode, we chat with Valerie Junk, Microsoft Data Platform MVP and owner of PorcuBI. We discuss data visualization and business intelligence. Valerie highlights the importance of turning raw data into insights. We also talk about the challenges of bridging technical skills with business value, and her experiences in the male-dominated tech…

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96. The Evolving Craft of Frontend Engineering: Balancing Complexity and Simplicity - with Stefan Judis 47:26

9M ago47:26

47:26

In this episode, we chat with Stefan Judis, a frontend developer. Stefan shares his journey from mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to his current roles in Developer Relations and as a Playwright ambassador. We discuss the challenges of frontend development today, highlighting the need to balance complexity and simplicity while staying focused on …

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95. From Dev Containers to OpenTelemetry: Mastering .NET Productivity - with Alex Thissen 47:40

9M ago47:40

47:40

In this episode, we talk with Alex Thissen, a cloud architect at Xebia. We discuss the evolving .NET ecosystem and productivity tools for developers. Alex shares insights on the collaborative .NET community. We highlight the advantages of Dev Containers, which simplify setting up and managing development environments, allowing for seamless onboardi…

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94. An AI Architect's Quest for Quality: Data, Governance, and Real-World Challenges - with Roelant Dieben 43:37

10M ago43:37

43:37

In this episode, we talk with Roelant Dieben, a cloud and AI architect at Sopra Steria, about his work in the .NET community and the evolving role of AI. He shares his passion for knowledge sharing and discusses AI's rapid advancements, as well as challenges like data quality and identifying good use cases. They also touch on the cooling AI hype, m…

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93. The Rise of embodied AI in Real-World Applications - with Rene Schulte 49:19

10M ago49:19

49:19

In this episode, we talk with Rene Schulte, head of 3D CoPs and Quantum Communities of Practices at Reply. We dive into the cutting-edge world of generative AI and digital humans, exploring the potential of AI-powered virtual personas capable of engaging in emotional, human-like interactions. Rene shares how these technologies are used in real-worl…

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92. The Uno Platform: Unlocking Cross-Platform Potential - with Martin Zikmund 41:52

11M ago41:52

41:52

In this episode, we talk with Martin Zikmund, a Microsoft MVP and an open source contributor. We dive into the Uno Platform, a powerful cross-platform development framework. Martin shares his extensive experience with the Uno Platform and the evolution of Windows development. From working on Windows Phone apps to discovering the Uno Platform as a s…

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91. Navigating the Complexities of Big Data Engineering - with Lisa Hoving 47:16

11M ago47:16

47:16

In this episode, we talk with Lisa Hoving, a big data engineer and Microsoft Data Platform MVP, about the diverse and dynamic world of big data engineering. Lisa shares insights into her day-to-day responsibilities, which span cloud architecture, DevOps, development, and more. We discuss the challenges of working across so many technical domains an…

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90. From ASM to ARM: The evolution of Azure and the rise of Infrastructure as Code - with Rick and Oscar 41:06

11M ago41:06

41:06

In this episode, Rick and Oscar discuss Azure's evolution from Azure Service Manager to Azure Resource Manager, focusing on the 2024 retirement of classic services and the challenges of migrating to the new ARM model. They highlight the benefits of using tools like Bicep for managing Azure resources, the importance of modernizing applications over …

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89. Azure Compute Unleashed: From Foundations to Future - A Journey with Rick and Oscar 49:55

12M ago49:55

49:55

In this episode, Rick and Oscar explore the evolution of Azure compute services, from its early days to the powerful platform it is today. We discuss key milestones like the shift to Azure Resource Manager, which enabled infrastructure as code, and the introduction of Azure Functions, which streamlined compute tasks by focusing on core functionalit…

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88. Hacking the future: Securing AI systems in the enterprise – with Gabrielle Davelaar 42:11

1y ago42:11

42:11

In this episode, we talk with Gabrielle Davelaar, a senior AI specialist in the Global Black Belt organization for EMEA at Microsoft. We delve into the rapid evolution of AI adoption in large enterprises, highlighting the challenges around scalability, sustainability, and security. Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of optimizing AI models and inf…

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87. Unlocking the secrets to Azure success - with Rick van den Bosch 33:07

1y ago33:07

33:07

In this episode, we talk with Rick van den Bosch. Yes, our very own host Rick van den Bosch. He zooms in on his role as Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, helping Azure customers succeed through monthly check-ins, issue resolution, and technical guidance. He explains how customer feedback is key in validating and improving Azure services like B…

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86. Power Platform, Blazor and beyond: Maintaining internal apps - with Sophie van den Akker 50:56

1y ago50:56

50:56

In this episode, we talk with Sophie van den Akker, an IT engineering specialist at van Lanschot Kempen Bank. She shares her experience initially using the Power Platform but hitting limitations that prompted a rebuild in .NET. This sparks a discussion about when low-code or full-code is more suitable. Sophie details her work maintaining various ap…

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85. From PHP to Azure: Navigating shifting tech landscapes - with Sander Molenkamp 51:07

1y ago51:07

51:07

In this episode, we talk with Sander Molenkamp, a principal cloud architect with over 20 years of experience. We discuss how Microsoft technologies like .NET have shaped his career journey. Sander shares details about his current role managing consultants and hosting community events. We dive into the challenges of predicting event attendance and m…

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84. Comparing Terraform, Pulumi and Bicep: Infrastructure as code - with Sam Cogan 37:33

1y ago37:33

37:33

In this episode, we talk with Sam Cogan, a Solution Architect from Willis Towers Watson. We discuss infrastructure as code and cloud automation. Sam shares his perspective on tools like Terraform, Pulumi, and Bicep - explaining why he prefers Pulumi's ability to use programming languages. We also dive into topics like simplifying container manageme…

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83. Technology, process and people: Succeeding through digital evolution – with Karel Zikmund 40:21

1y ago40:21

40:21

In this episode, we talk with Karel Zikmund, a principal software engineer at Microsoft. We discuss the technical and soft skills needed to succeed at different career stages. Karel provides insights on hiring practices, performance optimization, code reviews, and adapting to change in the fast-paced tech industry. Regarding performance, he advocat…

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82. The constant evolution of IoT: How services and strategies are changing - with Pete Gallagher 41:32

1y ago41:32

41:32

In this episode, we talk with Pete Gallagher, a full stack manager at Avanade and an Azure and IoT MVP. We discuss the evolution of IoT technology and Microsoft's approach. As IoT has matured, the focus has shifted from standalone hype to integrating these capabilities into broader data platforms. We explore how services like Azure, IoT, Grid, and …

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81. From APIs to natural language: The democratization of AI - with Henk Boelman 35:03

1+ y ago35:03

35:03

In this episode, we talk with Henk Boelman, a senior cloud advocate at Microsoft. We discuss recent advances in artificial intelligence. Henk explains how models like GPT have made AI more accessible through natural language interfaces. We delve into the rapid progression of the field and predict capabilities in multi-modal input and conversation. …

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80. Navigating microservices development: challenges and solutions - with Mark Heath 44:32

1+ y ago44:32

44:32

In this episode, we talk with Mark Heath. He is a software architect at NICE Systems, a Pluralsight author, and a Microsoft MVP. In this podcast, we discuss some of the key challenges involved with microservices development and newer technologies that aim to address those challenges, such as Aspire and Dapr. We also touch upon concepts like sidecar…

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79. Bits to Qubits: Exploring the promise and challenges of quantum computing - with Hanna Engel 31:31

1+ y ago31:31

31:31

In this episode, we talk with Hanna Engel. She is an Azure Cloud Solutions Specialist at Azelis. We dive into how quantum computers operate differently than classical computers using qubits and probabilities. This makes them well-suited for problems in AI, simulation, and optimization. Some companies are already pairing quantum with AI for applicat…

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78. Demystifying AI: A real-world look at Copilot's capabilities and limitations in Power Platform - with Yannick Reekmans 44:14

1+ y ago44:14

44:14

In this episode, we talk with Yannick Reekmans. He is a managing partner and Microsoft cloud solution architect at Qubix. We talk about Microsoft Power Platform and AI. We discuss various topics, including the challenges of using Copilot due to data security and privacy concerns, limitations of security tools in Power Platform, embracing constructi…

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77. Securing the Cloud: A conversation on digital transformation and security best practices - with Jessey Johnson 52:22

1+ y ago52:22

52:22

In this episode, we speak with Jessey Johnson, a Cloud Solution Architect and an Advanced Cloud Expert (ACE) at Microsoft, who serves as a bridge between business, IT, and technology. We delve into topics such as digital transformation, the evolving landscape of Azure, and address barriers to inclusion in the tech industry. Jessey shares her journe…

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76. Protecting deals in the cloud: building security into every layer - with Oscar van Tol 53:35

1+ y ago53:35

53:35

In this special episode, Rick interviews Oscar. We talk about Oscar’s work at Virtual Vaults. For the people who don’t know, Oscar is the CTO of Virtual Vaults, a platform for M&A transactions. Mergers & Acquisitions, that is. We discuss the development of their SaaS platform, emphasizing security and compliance. Oscar highlights their focus on con…

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75. Cracking the code: A deep dive into data layer optimization - with Shay Rojansky 49:08

1+ y ago49:08

49:08

In this episode, we talk with Shay Rojansky. He is a Microsoft principal software engineer working on .NET data access and a performance member of the Entity Framework team. And he's a lead developer of Npgsql, the open source .NET data provider for PostgreSQL. We discuss various topics related to data and performance in .NET, such as the evolution…

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74. AI's impact, potential, and pitfalls: Insights from a cloud visionary - with Sakari Nahi 52:38

1+ y ago52:38

52:38

In this episode, we talk with Sakari Nahi. He is responsible for the vision, brand, and quality of his company Zure. He is a Microsoft Regional Director and an Azure MVP. He has over twenty years of experience creating custom software and ten years of experience with Azure. He is the founder of the Finland Azure user group and a co-host at the Finn…

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73. Inside the mind of a hacker: Learning to think like your adversaries - with Gerben van de Wiel 52:18

1+ y ago52:18

52:18

In this episode, we talk with Gerben van de Wiel. He is a Principal Cloud Security Architect at Betabit, specializing in bolstering security through meticulous pen testing and detailed software assessments at YieldDD. Gerben's proficiency is not just limited to assessments; he is also adept at creating and conducting security-focused training progr…

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72. Christmas special: Looking back at all the amazing episodes, guests and tech developments of 2023 - with Rick & Oscar 15:48

1+ y ago15:48

15:48

In this episode, we have a Christmas special. We talk with two very special guests, the hosts themselves. They look back at some of their favorite episodes from the past year, such as interviews with Jimmy Bogart about open source, Sarah Young about security, and Edward Keilholz about Azure Container Apps. They discuss how they enjoyed learning abo…

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71. Training AI models, the Microsoft Learn platform and entrepreneurship - with Sherry List 51:06

1+ y ago51:06

51:06

In this episode, we talk with Sherry List. She has worked with a variety of web technologies in the past and currently works as Senior Program Manager at Microsoft. Apart from her everyday job, she is chairperson of the board at Hack Your Future. She is also a co-founder of Synthetic AI Data and of the ngVikings and ngSpain conference, as well as s…

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70. The future of global Azure: Sharing knowledge and growing the community - with Rik Hepworth 51:25

1+ y ago51:25

51:25

In this episode, we talk with Rik Hepworth. He is a Chief Consulting Officer at Black Marble. That means his days are spent herding cats as he manages developers and consultants. He is proud to have been awarded Microsoft MVP in Azure since 2014 and he's been a Microsoft Regional Director since 2020. Passionate about community, Rik helps organise t…

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69. An introduction into the world of Endpoint Security and Intune - with Rudy Ooms 45:01

1+ y ago45:01

45:01

In this episode, we talk with Rudy Ooms. He is a Microsoft MVP and he has been working for Deltacom for 22 years as a Cloud Architect. He is also the owner of Call4Cloud. He does a lot of blogging and he might be the Intune engineering team’s worst enemy. We discuss endpoint security and device management with Intune. Rudy shares insights from his …

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68. Cloud Evolution: Insights on Azure's Past, Present and Future - with Magnus Mårtensson 55:23

2y ago55:23

55:23

In this episode, we talk with Magnus Mårtensson. He is an entrepreneur, an MVP for Azure since the start of the cloud, and a Microsoft Regional Director. He is a consultant, architect, and product development lead, and he runs his own company Lofty Soft. As an international speaker, his passions include connecting with audiences and organizing conf…

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67. Beyond "If Statements": A Developer's Perspective on AI - with Willem Meints 47:45

2y ago47:45

47:45

In this episode, we talk with Willem Meints. He is a software architect who has been working with AI for 10 years. He is the author of the book "Deep learning with Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit Quick Start Guide". With his background in electronics and software engineering, he brings a unique view on how companies can use machine learning with a keen…

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66. Developing critical thinking skills and choosing different technologies - with Laïla Bougriâ 53:56

2y ago53:56

53:56

In this episode, we talk with Laïla Bougriâ. She is a software engineer and solution architect with over 15 years of experience in the .NET space. She's a Microsoft Azure MVP and a frequent speaker at conferences around the world. Laïla is busy building NServiceBus at Particular Software and solving distributed riddles. When she's not immersed in c…

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65. Mastering Azure Operations: The importance of Infrastructure as Code - with Wesley Haakman 49:58

2y ago49:58

49:58

In this episode, we talk with Wesley Haakman. He is a Microsoft Azure MVP and Lead Azure Architect at Intercept, transitioned from managing Linux environments to mastering the Microsoft platform since Windows 2003. His passion for Microsoft Azure led to a journey of sharing insights with peers, customers, and partners, designing cloud solutions, pa…

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64. Tech Talk Times: Discussing technology, techniques and career - with Daniel Marbach 53:23

2y ago53:23

53:23

In this episode, we talk with Daniel Marbach. He is a Software Engineer at Particular Software, makers of NServiceBus, and a Microsoft MVP for Integration. He can bend minds and spoons with asynchronous programming and has contributed to many open-source projects. We talk about Daniel's background and career path, with a focus on his extensive open…

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63. The Future of Security Controls, CSPM tools and securing AI - with Sarah Young 51:21

2y ago51:21

51:21

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Young. She is a Senior Cloud Security Advocate at Microsoft, holds numerous industry qualifications, and has co-authored a few Microsoft Press technical books. She won the Security Champion award at the Australian Women in Security Awards and is a co-host of the Microsoft Azure Security Podcast. We discuss the ch…

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62. Empowering productivity: a Flowmance with Power Automate - with Azure McFarlane 52:50

2y ago52:50

52:50

In this episode, we talk with Azure McFarlane, a BizApps MVP, and a senior consultant at Hitachi Solutions in Washington DC. Her specialty is Microsoft Power Platform and she has an established Flowmance with Power Automate. She serves as Head of Global Partnerships and Growth at TechStylers and she co-hosts a community podcast 'Cloud Conversations…

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61. Beyond the code: Exploring the world of software due diligence - with Ferenc Németh 48:16

2y ago48:16

48:16

In this episode, we talk with Ferenc Németh, a senior consulting architect at YieldDD Software Due Diligence. With his decades of experience, he helps companies make the right strategic choices by performing software due diligence, software assessments, and security assessments. We talk about how to correctly assess software quality and provide con…