How AI Is Accelerating Financial Planning and Analytics
While finance might not be the first industry you associate with innovation, behind the scenes, it has been getting a serious tech upgrade. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Michael McGeein, Program Director and Product Management Leader at IBM, and Brian Simpson, Senior Director of Presales, Data & AI at Converge, to unpack how AI is transforming financial planning and analytics. From the early days of algorithmic forecasting to today’s dynamic, real-time modeling, Michael and Brian share how AI is helping teams move beyond static spreadsheets to more agile, decision-ready tools. They dive into the real-world impact across industries like pharma and manufacturing, explore how platforms like AWS are accelerating time to value, and explain how agentic AI is helping democratize forecasting by reducing technical barriers. Most importantly, they discuss why AI in finance isn’t about replacing people, it’s about empowering them to focus on higher-value work. So if you’re wondering what AI in finance looks like in practice, or how it’s reshaping the role of the finance team, this episode may just pay dividends.
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Modernizing IT: Laying the Foundation for Scalable AI
Modern IT is at a breaking point, and that’s not a bad thing. As AI sweeps across every industry, organizations are being forced to face what they’ve been avoiding for years: legacy systems that are holding them back. In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan Gough chats with Stu Miniman from Red Hat and Andrew Tenaglia from Converge about the future of modern platforms, the massive cost (and payoff) of AI implementation, and why breaking free from technical debt is non-negotiable. From decoding the economics of GPUs to tackling the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, this conversation is a reality check and a playbook for IT leaders who are ready to shift from survival mode to smart innovation.
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Unlocking AI Performance: Observability in Action
Imagine slicing through AI, seeing every layer, every interaction, and understanding not just what it’s doing, but why. While the world buzzes with talk about AI’s capabilities, a more critical conversation often takes a back seat: what’s actually happening behind the code? In this episode of Edge of IT, host Jonathan is joined by two experts committed to breaking into the black box of AI. Manoj Khabe, VP of Observability and FinOps at Converge, and Arthur de Magalhaes, AI & Automation Architect at IBM, bring their unique perspectives to help decode observability. They explore real-world use cases for AI observability, how it has evolved in recent years, and where to begin if you’re unsure what’s happening in your AI systems. The conversation also covers what to ask vendors, from integrations and real-time metrics to CI/CD compatibility, showing how observability can reduce cloud costs, speed up resolution, and improve user experience. Tune in to discover why overlooking observability could leave your organization flying blind.
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Siri to Smart Agents: The Rise of Agentic AI
If you work in tech, you have no doubt heard the buzz around agentic AI. But what exactly does it stand to do, and why is everyone talking about it? To help unpack it all, Jonathan Gough is joined by Richard Kott, Partner Development Manager at Microsoft and a passionate advocate for what agentic AI can bring to the table. Together, they dive into the who, what, when, where, and why of agentic AI—exploring what it stands to achieve. Richard reveals how these systems have evolved from single-task agents to today’s upgraded, multi-tasking AI systems that support teams and functions organization-wide. He also shares real-world examples of how agentic AI is being used across industries, from enterprise applications to consumer-facing tools. Most importantly, Jonathan and Richard shine a light on the human side of this technology. They explore how agentic AI connects back to human creativity and a need for compliance to keep everyone protected. Ready to ride the next wave of tech innovation? Let’s talk all things agentic AI.
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Exploring Modern Connectivity: What It Takes to Achieve Real Network Visibility
In a world where billions of devices are coming online and the edge of networks keeps expanding, IT leaders need to ask: How can enterprises stay securely connected? In this episode of Edge of IT, Jonathan sits down with Stephen Bird, Senior Technical Manager at Aruba, to explore how organizations can future-proof their connectivity strategies through visibility, standardization, and intelligent automation. Together, they dive into everything from zero trust architecture to self-healing networks, highlighting what it takes to make modern networking not just seamless but truly intelligent. Exploring the evolving role of data centers, Stephen shares how the real challenge isn't just enablement, but exists in knowing which devices are on your network and whether they're behaving as expected. Looking ahead, he unpacks how technologies like 5G, AI, and machine learning are redefining connectivity, with device profiling and automation playing a central role in scaling and securing enterprise networks. If you're ready to stay connected to the future of connectivity, this episode is for you!
Welcome to Edge of IT, the podcast that connects the dots between cutting-edge tech and the world it’s creating. Join host Jonathan Gough as he takes a closer look at the ideas driving progress: from AI and cybersecurity to the unsung heroes of IT who make it all work. Discover how technology is redefining what’s possible, one episode at a time.
Explore more at convergetp.com.
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