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A highly conscientious IT Account Manager with over a decade of experience, engaging with…
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Phil Smith reposted thisPhil Smith reposted thisWe’re delighted to announce that CDW has been named the 2025 Microsoft Scale Solutions Partner of the Year! 🎉 This incredible recognition celebrates our commitment to delivering innovative Cloud and AI solutions built on Microsoft platforms, driving meaningful impact for customers across the globe. A huge thank you to our amazing team and partners for making this achievement possible. Your dedication and creativity continue to shape the future of technology and business transformation. We look forward to celebrating at Microsoft Ignite, 17–21 November in San Francisco, and to continuing our journey of unlocking new possibilities together. #MicrosoftPartner #PartnerOfTheYear #Cloud #AI #Innovation #MicrosoftIgnite
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Phil Smith reposted thisPhil Smith reposted thisMicrosoft Copilot has announced the Copilot+ PC. What does this mean for you? CDW’s Chief Technologist for Modern Workspace, Tim Russell, takes a deep dive into how Microsoft’s latest tech development integrates AI technology, what it offers, and how it could benefit your business. Read the article here: https://hubs.ly/Q02xXdSr0 You’ll find answers to questions such as: - What is a Copilot+ PC? - Why can’t existing PCs be Copilot+ PCs? - Does your business need an AI PC? AI is the biggest trend in the IT world today – CDW will ensure you know how it can help your business. Find out more: https://hubs.ly/Q02xXdSr0
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Phil Smith shared thisPhil Smith shared thisWe are pleased to share that CDW UK has obtained our WVD Advanced Specialisation, which enables us to unlock funding to help you deploy Windows Virtual Desktop environments. Contact your Account Director or cloudservices@uk.cdw.com for more information. https://hubs.li/H0M1gBf0 #CDW #CDWUK #CDWSocial #Windows #WVD #WindowsVirtualDesktop #WVDAdvancedSpecialisation
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Phil Smith shared thisPhil Smith shared thisTogether, Intel Corporation and CDW UK can help you build the future of retail. A future in which data fusion and AI provide insights from the first customer engagement, to predicting demand and managing the end to end supply chain. Click the link to learn more >> https://lnkd.in/gdSk2ER #CDW #CDWUK #CDWSocial #Intel #RetailTechnology #RetailIndustry #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DataFusion #SupplyChainManagement #RetailTech
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Phil Smith shared thisPhil Smith shared this2020 has put extraordinary pressures on retailers and their staff to be agile and innovative in meeting customer demands while needing to flex with the dictates of government. Find out how CDW UK can help retailers seize new opportunities. Read our blog and contact us with your questions about retail innovation... https://lnkd.in/gXNRGen #CDW #CDWUK #CDWSocial #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #WeGetRetail #CustomerService #CustomerExperience #Shopping #RetailTherapy
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Phil Smith shared thisPhil Smith shared thisOne of the great paradoxes of technology is that the more successful it is, the more invisible it becomes writes CDW UK's Pete Hulme (Practice Lead, Hybrid Infrastructure) in our latest blog. Read it here and get in touch if you would like to discuss data centre modernisation! https://lnkd.in/dxUM4hr #cdw #cdwuk #cdwsocial #cdwblog #datacentre #modernisation #WeGetIT #hybridinfrastructure
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Phil Smith shared thisPhil Smith shared thisGetting you back to business ✅ We're designing and building dividers, partitions and sanitisation stations for our clients to help them reopen and keep their staff and customers safe. Book in a call with the team now to discuss how we can help: https://bit.ly/2UnfJfL
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisWe're absolutely delighted to welcome Jaro Tomik to BRC. We've worked with Jaro for a number of years, and he's a powerhouse of positivity and a great person. He's got great energy and passion for the right solution, not just technology for its own sake. He also brings brilliant experience and capability in simulations and events. He's a fantastic asset to the team and to supporting our growth. Jaro's with us on an initial contract, and we hope to tempt him to stay for the long-term BRC journey. He'll initially be reaching out across the industry to build new partnerships and alliances, as well as support our sales efforts. If you're interested in partnering with BRC, Jaro is now your go-to contact. #ITSM #ServiceDesk #ITSupport
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisSo today marks my 1st day in retirement. After 44 years in the PC IT industry I've seen a tremendous amount of change, development and innovation. Technology development, but more importantly adoption, has been exponential and is set to continue with the latest major milestone being the widespread adoption of AI. The first PC systems I worked with in 1982 were Commodore 8000 and Rair Black Box (a multi-user system running MP/M) running applications for word processing (Wordstar), spreadsheets (Visicalc), databases (DMS by Compsoft) and accounting packages (Pegasus). The PCs have become smaller, faster, stored more data and developed into wearable technology. Applications have become more comprehensive and more integrated. PCs and users have become connected via LAN, WAN and internet, which in turn have got faster and faster. Looking back, science fiction films and TV were a great predictor for the future and provided inspiration to make the imaginary tech happen in real life. The benefits we have all derived from IT are many, but as we advance the technology, we should be mindful of the increased risks. Businesses are inherintly more aware of the risks than home users, and are thus better able to mitigate them with appropriate technology, governance and knowhow. The Internet has provided access to a wide range of content for all ages, yet broadly 25 years on, we are only now seeing content and service providers being held accountable and responsible for controlling content and access to the underage and vulnerable. With AI, many of us can see the huge benefits in many areas (health & diagnosis being my favourite), but I will watch with great interest from the sidelines how the industry responds and how quickly to the 'threat' of AI to the young, the vulnerable and those without the resources and know how to protect themselves and their families. I joined the PC IT industry just as the 'wave' was forming, who knew at the time it was going to turn into a Tsunami and is still going. I fell off a couple of times, clung on at others but always got back on, enjoyed it and had a successful career from it. I once heard someone say that the only constant in the IT industry is change. Whilst this is true, I would also add the people. I have worked with and for many great businesses and people over the years and would like to thank all for being a part of my ride. For now I'm looking forward to more sitting in the sun, playing more golf, more travel, planning travel and spending time with friends and family So, cheers to the IT industry its taken me to many places and been a great ride. Cheers.. Mick
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Phil Smith reacted on thisPhil Smith reacted on thisWhat an incredible Day 1 at CDL Software ! We officially kicked off “Licensed to Build: The Double Agent Event” in our event space and the energy was electric. The morning was all about exploring the art of the possible with #Copilot, featuring keynotes from Robert Trueman (CTO, CDL), James Armstrong (Microsoft) and Andy Stoneham (CDW). In the afternoon, inspiration turned straight into action! 6 teams jumped into hands-on building, crafting 6 unique AI agents tailored specifically to CDL use cases. Huge shoutout to everyone involved for bringing so much creativity and focus to Day 1. The teams engaged brilliantly, gained valuable insights, and made substantial progress with our agents. Thank you also to Karen Gorman, Sneha Bodade and Syaif Uddin who joined our panel for an in-depth technical Q&A, as well as helping judge our agent pitches at the end of the day. Now... bring on Day 2! 🏆 Tomorrow we’re heading into our Agentic World Cup with Amazon Web Services (AWS) alongside our AI Showcase with Nigel Phillips. We can’t wait to see what teams deliver! #TeamCDL #AI #Copilot #AWS #Innovation #TechCommunity #FutureOfWork #Agentathon
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Phil Smith liked thisI am very happy to join the Gartner UKI CIO community. So much learning comes from understanding what others have done and wouldn't do again and there is a great set of brains in this community to do that with. I look forward to sharing my interest areas and key learnings to then apply various hints, tricks and words of advice in the day to day work. Looking forward to it.Phil Smith liked this📢 Gartner UKI CIO Community – Meet your newest Co-Chair, CTO at HM Revenue & Customs, & Director of Path - Tom Skalycz! Tom has led major technology transformation initiatives spanning cloud, AI, platforms and digital service delivery, helping accelerate the delivery of modern digital tax and customs services relied upon by millions of citizens and businesses. "One of the biggest challenges facing technology leaders today is balancing the enormous opportunity presented by AI and emerging technologies with the need to modernise legacy environments while continuing to deliver critical services every day." Tom's perspective is shaped by leading technology transformation at one of the UK's most critical public sector organisations, where trust, security, resilience and innovation must exist side by side. When asked about his guiding leadership principle, Tom's answer was simple: "Focus relentlessly on outcomes, not activity." We're delighted to have Tom helping shape the future of our UK&I CIO Community, bringing his experience, perspective and leadership to the conversations that matter most to technology executives today & representing our CIO members in the public sector. This community is shaped by CIOs, for CIOs. Learn more about Tom and the Gartner CIO UK&I Community here 👉 https://bit.ly/4woIt7D #GartnerCIOCommunities #UKCIO #GartnerCLevelCommunities #PeerNetworking #Leadership #CIO #CTO #DigitalTransformation #TechnologyLeadership #AI #PublicSectorTechnology #CommunityLeadershipMeet Tom Skalycz, Co-Chair of the UK & Ireland CIO CommunityMeet Tom Skalycz, Co-Chair of the UK & Ireland CIO Community
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisAnd just like that, my first quarter at CDW is complete, and what a great start it has been. I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, the teams I’ve worked with, and the opportunities I’ve already been invited to contribute to. It’s inspiring to be part of an organisation that values success while genuinely caring about its people and customers. Looking ahead to Q2, I’m excited to continue helping organisations embrace AI, strengthen data governance, and move towards strategic platforms that support growth. Thank you to everyone: Flannery Devine Gibbons, Matt Browne, Adam Nathan Joubeily, Ruby Cruddas, Andre Taylor, Chris Evers, Scott Baddock, Volkan Bilgic, Will Barlow, Joe McCardell, Sarah Hawkshaw, Rosa Cordaro, Alwin Kolangattil, Syaif Uddin, Ben Thomas ACIIS, Phillip Allen, Cory Neighbour, James Webb, Tony Hill. And if I've forgot anyone I apologise. Here’s to a strong Q2 and the opportunities ahead. #CDW #ModernWork #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #DataGovernance #CyberSecurity #DigitalTransformation #Microsoft #Microsoft365 #CloudComputing #FutureOfWork #CustomerSuccess #BusinessGrowth #Technology #Innovation #TrustedPartner
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisLife update: two weeks ago, I got promoted to my most important role yet — Mum to our beautiful baby boy, Jasper 💙 Since then, I’ve learned that sleeping for more than two consecutive hours is apparently a luxury and a tiny human can somehow run an entire household without saying a single word. As a result, I’ll be on maternity leave for the next year, focusing on trying to remember what day of the week it is. A huge thank you to CDW UK for the well wishes as I began my maternity leave. I can’t wait to catch up with you all when I return!
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisAfter an amazing journey of almost 9 consecutive years in OpenBet, this chapter is coming to a close. I am taking a brief pause to recharge before stepping into the next phase of my career. When I look back, I feel incredibly proud of what has been accomplished, together with my team and our partners. We did far more than keep the lights on — we modernized devices and infrastructure, strengthened resilience and security, completed office relocations across regions, completed multiple divestitures, migrations and integrations, introduced new tools and services, we gave back to society through meaningful PC donations, and helped the organization grow and adapt through constant change. But what makes these achievements truly special to me is not only what we delivered, but how we delivered it: with professionalism, commitment, trust, and a genuine team spirit that made even the toughest challenges feel possible. More than the milestones or the work itself, what I will carry with me most are the people, the shared moments, and the sense of purpose we built along the way. I want to take a moment and thank each one, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this journey. It has been a true privilege to work alongside such talented, committed, and supportive people, and I will always be grateful for the trust, collaboration, kindness, and friendships that made these years so meaningful to me — both professionally and personally. I leave with deep gratitude, wonderful memories, and sincere wishes for happiness, success, and all the very best for each of you in the years ahead. As I look ahead, I am eager to drive business transformation, empower teams, and bridge the gap between technology and corporate strategy. I am open to new IT leadership, digital transformation and strategic management opportunities within multinational organizations. If my background aligns with a role, you are aware of, I would love to hear from you.
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Phil Smith liked thisPhil Smith liked thisA personal milestone I'd like to share. On Friday, David Glover PhD and I completed the management buyout of Plasma Clean Holdings Ltd, including plasma-cleanair and Fortis HMS. When I joined the business in 2020, I certainly didn't imagine that six years later I would be helping lead the acquisition of the company alongside David. David founded the business in 2006 and has dedicated almost 20 years to building it into what it is today. It has been a privilege to work alongside him over the last six years and to now become joint owners of the business. Over that time, a number of shareholders backed the business and supported its development, many of them for well over a decade. I'd like to thank them for the trust and support they have shown over many years. For David and I, this isn't just a transaction. It's a commitment to the future of a business that we both care deeply about and have invested a huge amount of time and energy into. Most importantly, thank you to the entire team. The success of any business comes from the people behind it, and we are fortunate to have a fantastic group of people who turn up every day, solve problems and look after customers. Whilst completing the MBO is a proud moment, David and I see it as taking on the responsibility of the next stage of the company's development. We have a great team, a strong business and plenty of opportunity ahead of us. We're grateful to have the opportunity to build on the foundations that have already been created and look forward to what comes next.
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Baris Kivrak
The new National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour effectively sets a £25k floor for full time work. This quietly but significantly reshapes entry level opportunities across MSPs. For MSP leaders building commercial teams, here is what this really means in practice 👇 📈 Sub £25k base salaries are now non viable. The market simply will not respond to them. 📊 Salary compression is unavoidable. When the bottom rises, everything above it is pulled with it. Experienced colleagues will expect clearer separation. Both sales and engineering ladders now need re benchmarking, not just the entry point. 🎯 Candidate expectations will rise alongside pay. With higher base costs, businesses become more selective. We may also see some firms increasing investment in younger talent, for example 18 to 20 year olds who still sit below the new living wage threshold. 💷 For Sales, OTE structures will inflate. Some firms will protect cash by pushing a higher proportion of packages into commission. ⚙️ For service providers in particular, this directly impacts sales cycles, contract values and managed services renewals. Higher fixed delivery costs mean higher minimum contract values and a real risk of legacy contracts running at a loss. I also expect this to increase offshoring pressure. For candidates, due to continued AI adoption and wider market pressures, those looking to break into industry are likely to feel the impact most. We are still seeing experienced talent pursue entry level salaried roles, which makes it even more competitive for those trying to transition into a new sector. If anyone would like a quick sanity check on where their current banding now sits versus the live market, I am always happy to share what we are seeing on the ground. Keen to hear thoughts/takes on it all below 👇🧐
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Graham Stead
I was asked this question recently - a very common question in growing MSP's. Here's my response/advice....... Morning, I think we're just about in a place where we have the foundations for one - packaging, ICP, differentiation, systems, reporting etc. The goal over the next 6 months has to be to grow awareness and visibility within our ICP. The more time that can be given to this, the quicker this ball will get bouncing. I think as the leader of the MSP there will be certain activity that you will need to do - the MD of a security focused MSP comes with some advisory gravitas in the business world. That should be used to best benefit. So for the 'volume' activity the question then becomes are you financially ready/able/prepared to invest and support the ramp up costs associated for 6 months plus? And of course the time that needs invested in onboarding, supporting and coaching the salesperson. Whether recruit now or recruit in 6-12 months is the decision, the recruitment process is critical. It will take time to find the right candidate (unless we're incredibly lucky). Recruitment is exactly the same as the sales qualification process - we work hard to find the reason the candidate or our MSP aren't a good fit for each other. And once we've found the right candidate we complete a thorough 90 day onboarding process that supports the candidate and importantly allows both them and us to quickly identify if either made a poor decision- we definitely don't just give them a laptop and point them at our database! A simple recruitment mantra I was once told that helped me over the years - Hire slow, fire fast!
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