HSO Dynamics Matters Podcast Ep 129: Building on solid foundations: strategic technology for AEC firms

Technical debt, siloed data, disconnected departments - just some of the challenges hindering efforts to improve the lives of council residents. But it's not without willing. If you had a magic wand how would you shape your systems, processes, and operations? It's a question posed to Local Government expert, Tim Spiers.

Technology never stands still, and neither should your ERP.Your business-critical systems need constant attention to stay relevant. But how do you balance adopting new capabilities with maintaining operational stability and extracting value from what you've already got?In this episode, HSO's Head of Managed Services, Grant Bean, discusses how organisations can maximise existing ERP investments while adopting new technology.His advice is clear: don't wait until something breaks. Ask yourself whether you're really using your systems as well as you could. Because the technology's there, you've invested in it. Now it's about squeezing every drop of value from it.

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction firms face familiar challenges: scarce talent, fragmented systems, and pressure on project margins. In this episode, HSO Solution Architect Jonathan Smyth shares how AEC organisations can use Microsoft technology strategically to overcome these obstacles and deliver greater client value. While Jonathan's insights are tailored to AEC, his philosophy applies across industries: solid foundations, immediate value, and deliberate expansion beat ambitious technology projects every time. Whether you're in construction or any sector juggling complex operations, this conversation offers practical guidance for making technology work harder for your business.

It's the question everyone's asking - but how do you answer it? In this episode, we sit down with Microsoft AI Business Solutions Specialist Katie Dalton to cut through the noise and get practical.We explore why preparation matters more than technology, how to secure stakeholder buy-in before you spend a penny, and the crucial step most organisations skip: identifying use cases that actually deliver business value. Katie's advice is refreshingly clear: start small, think specific, and get your house in order before diving in. Because successful AI isn't about having the fanciest tools, it's about having the right foundation.As Katie explains: "Strategic alignment and organisational readiness come before technology deployment."Listen now to discover how to build that foundation and avoid the costly mistakes organisations make when they rush into AI unprepared.So, grab a brew, click the link, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) dilemma Is Local Government Reorganisation a disruptive challenge or a golden opportunity? In this episode, I explore both sides with Microsoft's Robin Denton, Director of Local Public Services. We dive into the reality of merging technology, processes, and cultures across multiple councils - and why bringing people along on the journey might be the biggest hurdle of all.

We sat down with Paul Smith, CIO of Amnesty International, for a conversation that reveals the unique challenges facing leaders today. And Paul offers his own unique insight and advice for success.

To run any organisation you need flexibility. Become to rigid, and you're left with little room to respond to changes or embrace new thinking. And this is the same with AI. It is not a single technology that solves a single problem. It's dynamism opens possibilities to adapt quickly, embrace new ideas, and solve problems you may not even have encountered yet. And it's with this entrepreneurial mindset that Basildon Council began it's AI journey.

In the latest episode we sit down with Shanna Chandiwana, Assistant Director for Digital, Customer, and Transformation at Basildon Council. Shanna shares how Basildon Council is using AI to make a difference in the lives of its residents. Her approach? It’s not about chasing tech trends—it’s about solving real problems and addressing real needs.

In this episode, Michael Lonnon, our host, interviews RNLI's Senior Leader in Architecture, Data and Governance, Ryan Preece.