Zen Internet- IT Insight

Ever wondered how SSP keeps its global food & beverage spots connected and running smoothly? Ben Bevan, Head of Infrastructure at SSP, joins Zen to spill the secrets on SD-WAN, how it boosts performance, keeps things reliable, and transforms their operations worldwide.If you're into tech, networking, or just love a good behind-the-scenes look at big brands, this one's for you!

With so many features available, it's important to focus on what your business truly needs from day one. We'll help you navigate the options to ensure you're getting the best value for your business without overcomplicating your setup. 

 Menopause doesn't only impact women it can affect male colleagues and partners too - influencing both their personal and work lives.  In this 3rd episode, we're shifting the focus to explore the experiences of men, including how they've been affected and how they can play a vital role in normalising menopause conversations, whether in the office or at home. 

Security is much more than just a product. It isn't just an IT departments responsibility, it's a way of working that affects a whole business. Tune in to our experts as they discuss our design philosophy, its application with customers, the inherent security of SD-WAN, and much more. 

In this episode, Stu and the team discuss what it's like to 'come out' as autistic to family, friends and colleagues. We draw on guest experiences to explore parallels in coming out as LGBTQi+ and offer advice on understanding and offering help to friends family and colleagues of those with autism and spectrum conditions. 

Ever wondered how a business gets from the design stage to implementation? Listen in to hear Stu and team discuss the process- risks and all! 

In this podcast we take a look at the challenges our employees face when they have caring responsibilities for a loved one, and what support there is to help them within the work place. Referencing the update to the carers policy and how Zen's carer's Network has helped our carers feel like they are not alone.

In this podcast, Stu engages in an open conversation with Zen colleagues who've faced challenges on their paths to parenthood. The guests speak candidly about their personal fertility journeys, discussing the emotional, physical and financial challenges they faced, support that was available to them and how they navigated this journey whilst working.They also discuss the new fertility policy and its positive implications for Zen colleagues beginning their own journeys to parenthood.

In this podcast members of the #Parentlife Network and the Carers Network come together to discuss flexible working at Zen and the benefits it can bring.

Find out what Zen's Women in Tech network have been up to in this podcast as the steering group reflects on the past three years. Tune in as they share insights and outline plans for the upcoming year, focusing on initiatives to attract, develop, and retain women in the tech sector and technical roles.

How does SD-WAN really work in the real world? The Zen team are joined by special guest and Zen customer Steve Barnett from SIG , where they discuss SD-WAN in practice.

Stu and the Zen SD-WAN team discuss everything you need to know about complex networking, from what it is to what makes it different, real world experiences and much more… 

In this episode, several members of the Zen community share their experiences of having children who are on the autistic spectrum and who have had difficulties with their mental health. We discuss their diagnostic journey, learning about their issues and the support they received. We also talk about how employers can help parents in this situation and we discuss Christmas – what Christmas means to families with children on the spectrum and what friends and family can do to help make Christmas special for these kids.

In this podcast join us as members of Zen's Pause4Thought network have an open and candid conversation about the menopause - one of life's most transformative and yet so often misunderstood. The panel delve into the key aspects of menopause, explore when it typically happens, talk about some of the elusive symptoms, and how it can impact our lives both at work and at home. Our aim is to offer valuable insights and practical advice, whether you're experiencing menopause yourself or supporting someone who is. 

Host Stu is joined by three members of the Zen staff. The group of avid gamers open up the conversation discussing the close of Google Stadia which leads into the discussion of future trends and how the computer games industry will effect consumers and Zen within the industry.

Zen CEO, Richard Tang, is joined by staff members John Lyons and Dean Burdon and James O'Toole, CEO of CBM Digital. The group have come together to discuss all things AI and it's growing impact on our world.

Our regular Zen GBSO experts Stu and Jodie are joined by guest Carl Saunders to recap what's going on and examine some of the key dates for the switch off. Understand how the switch off impacts your business, explore different business scenarios, learn more about the types of installation and services that businesses are consuming today, and most importantly find out how you need to manage that change.

Stu is joined by 3 members of Zen's "Across the spectrum" team, a group that is made up of neurodiverse individuals which allows people to come together, support each other and collaborate across the spectrum. During the podcast Stu discusses dating experiences, connecting with people at different stages of your life, being authentic and online dating.Listen in now.

By the end of 2025, the UK's analogue network (the PSTN, Public Switched Telephone Network) will be switched off. In fact, it's already started, and is due to be completed by late 2025.Listen to find out why it's happening and how to prepare.  

Dispelling the myths - a true and honest account of SD-WAN. Stu hosts this SD-WAN special as a team of experts talk about why its OK to be incompetent, the choice and flexibility available with SD-WAN and much much more...

Our host Stu is joined by Zen Founder and Chairman, Richard Tang. Since its birth in 1995, Zen has grown year on year providing services to over 100,000 customers across the UK. After 27 years of business, Stu is intrigued to know Richards vision for the future of Zen and the importance of values, especially our values towards our people and our environment. How do we evolve to become sustainable? How do we tackle economic inequality? What are the alternatives to shareholder investment? Where should change originate from? Listen in now!

Stu opens the virtual studio to guests Sarah; Head of HR, Laura; Mental Health Ambassador and Lee; Health, Safety and Security Manager, to talk about the important topic of Mental Health and Well-being. The group discusses how Zen's Mental Health Ambassadors came into fruition, how lockdown has effected Mental Health, the signs of suffering, the responsibility of your employer, how to help and how to get help.  Start the conversation and listen in.

In the virtual studio Stu is joined by Information Security Manager, Mike Thompson and Information Security Analyst, Andrew Ward. This episode focuses on the topic of Social Engineering, where the trio discuss the Trojan War, Cambridge Analytica, modern day hacking, data breaches and how to educate others about Social Engineering. Listen in to find out more!

Enter the virtual studio where Stu is joined by two of Zen's Solutions Architects, Matt Doherty and Andrew Stollery. The trio discuss the topic of Reliability. What is reliability? What are the tools and techniques to implement reliable systems? And how important is testing? Listen in to find out more.

Stu is joined in the virtual studio by Zen CEO, Paul Stobart. Listen in as they discuss the hottest topic in the world right now, Climate Change, or more appropriately, the Climate Crisis. How do you filter through the misinformation? What are the significant dates and what do they mean? How do we achieve a sustainable future? Press play to find out!

Stu is joined in the virtual studio by Victoria Allen to discuss the topic of veganism, the Veganuary movement and how your diet can effect the environment. Listen in to get all the facts and figures, and what Zen is doing for the environment.

Stu is joined in the virtual studio by Paula Ward, Zens' Compliance Manager and Environmental Steering Group Chair and Antony Mogg, Zens' Maintenance Manager. The trio talk about the Climate Emergency, Zens' B-Corp Status, the journey to Net Zero and how the Environmental Steering Group are shaping Zens' green agenda.

Stu is joined by Zen's People and Culture Director Ayshea Robertson to discuss women in technology and Ayshea's experience in the industry.  Why are only 19% of females working in technology? What are the barriers stopping them from achieving senior positions in the industry? Listen to find out more.

Zen's Information Security Manager Mike Thompson joins Stu to discuss the important topic of ransomware. Are you doing enough to protect yourself and your business? Listen to Mike and and Stu talk about the basics and some recommendations. 

What does the future hold for FTTP, 5G and connectivity? Dave and Andy join Stu to explore whats happened and where its going...

Listen to Stu, with guests Lee, Mike and Laura as they discuss remote working and what the future holds. In this episode they talk about the what the implications are on people, business and society, and the products and services Zen offer to help support these areas.

Join Stu for our second podcast  where he discusses IPv4 exhaustion alongside Zen experts Dave Bell and Dave Yates. Understand what IPv4 is and why it's  running out.

Join Stu, Carl and Lee for our very first episode of the IT insight podcast series.  After a swift but insightful segue into home baking, the trio turn their attention to their main discussion point of 'The Great British Switch Off'. Listen as they cover the key fundamentals of the 2025 PSTN/ISDN switch off, referencing Zen's research of 1,000 business and IT leaders and explaining everything you need to know right now. Just pardon the puns!