A walk through Azure

Microsoft's cloud platform is called Azure, but what is it? What does it look like? Why should you care?

In this walk through session we'll cover off what the platform is, what it offers and how you can get started with it.

Introductory session

Start your Azure Certified Journey!

Cloud Computing is becoming more and more important within the IT industry, by becoming certified in these technologies it can help boost your career. In this session, you will learn why you should become Microsoft Azure Certified, what the different exam paths are and how to prepare for the exam. As well as explaining how to sit the exam at home.

Package Managers for Windows

Installing software on Windows has always been the journey of Next -> Next -> Next.

That no longer has to be the journey you take though, there is now a healthy ecosystem of Package Managers that can help you.

Join me as I show you the world of Package Management within Windows using Chocolatey and the native Windows Package Manager tools.

I'll take you through both tools and show you how you can use them to install Windows Applications and also keep them up to date without Next -> Next -> Next.

How Much Git Can We Learn?

Git can seem like an impenetrable set of command and arguments and with over 160 commands you might be right.

During this talk I'll pack in as many git tips and tricks as possible. Covering off things repository details, branching, merging and command git commands.

Controlling Your Azure Costs: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

Managing Azure costs can be challenging, especially for organizations with large, complex cloud deployments. In this session, we will explore the tools and techniques you can use to gain control over your Azure costs, reduce waste, and optimize your cloud spend.

We'll discuss design decisions that can impact your Azure costs, such as choosing the right VM size, storage options, and network architecture. We'll share best practices for optimizing resource usage and minimizing waste and show you how to leverage Azure Advisor to get personalized recommendations for improving your infrastructure.

By the end of this session, you will clearly understand how to use Azure Cost Management, design decisions, and Azure Savings Plans to control your Azure costs and optimize your cloud spend. Whether you're a cloud architect, developer, data architect or IT professional, you'll leave with practical insights and actionable strategies for achieving cost savings in your Azure environment.

Comparing Windows Package Manager and Chocolatey: Which One Is Right for You?

Windows Package Manager and Chocolatey are both popular package managers for Windows that allow you to easily install and manage software on your system. But which one is the right choice for your organization? In this session, we'll compare the features and capabilities of Windows Package Manager and Chocolatey and help you decide the best fit for your needs.

First, we'll explore the key features of Windows Package Manager, including its integration with Windows 10, its support for multiple package sources, and its PowerShell-based command-line interface. We'll also discuss the benefits of using Microsoft's official package manager for Windows, such as its strong security and reliability.

Next, we'll dive into Chocolatey, a popular third-party package manager that has been around for over a decade. We'll cover its extensive library of packages, ability to manage Windows applications and system components, and support for automation and scripting.

We'll also compare the two package managers' performance, ease of use, and community support. We'll share examples of how each package manager can install and manage software on your Windows system. We'll also provide tips and tricks for getting the most out of each tool.

By the end of this session, you'll better understand the differences between Windows Package Manager and Chocolatey and be equipped to make an informed decision on which one is the right choice for your organization. Whether you're a developer, system administrator, or IT professional, you'll leave with practical insights and actionable strategies for managing software on your Windows systems.

The A to Z on Azure Policy

As more organizations move their workloads to the cloud, managing governance and compliance across their infrastructure can become daunting.

Azure Policy is a powerful tool that allows you to create and enforce policies to ensure that your Azure resources are configured and managed to meet your organization's standards.

In this session, you'll learn about Azure Policy, from the basics of creating policies to advanced scenarios and best practices. We'll cover topics such as creating and managing policies, using Azure Policy to enforce compliance with industry standards and regulations, and sharing tips and tricks for troubleshooting common issues and optimizing your policies for performance.

Whether you're new to Azure Policy or a seasoned pro, this session will provide the knowledge and tools you need to take full advantage of this powerful Azure service. Join us to learn how to simplify and streamline your cloud governance and compliance processes with Azure Policy.

Infrastructure as Code - A look at Azure Bicep and Terraform

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the modern standing way of working with cloud technology, but choosing the right tool for this task can be a headache.

Different people and roles within your team may have unique needs or approaches.

In this session we will walk through What Azure Bicep & Terraform are. We'll talk about how they compare, showing demos and sharing some best practices.

The aim of this session is to help you understand which IaC tool would suit you and your organisation.