E87: Inside NEXT Tech & The FUTURE of Cloud Computing!

Ever wondered what it takes to power a massive online retailer like NEXT? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive chat with Tom, an Infrastructure Team Leader at NEXT Technology, as he reveals the incredible scale and constant evolution of one of the UK's biggest in-house tech operations!In this episode, Tom shares his journey from Senior Infrastructure Engineer to Team Leader and breaks down the crucial work that keeps the NEXT website, Total Platform, and international sites running seamlessly. Get ready to dive deep into:📈 The massive growth of NEXT Tech (from 700 to 1500+ people!) and endless career opportunities!🧑‍💻 What an Infrastructure Engineer really does (the unsung heroes of the internet!) ☁️ The big shift to cloud computing: Why it's a game-changer for scalability, efficiency, and future innovation!🤖 How AI is transforming IT operations and boosting productivity in tech teams!🫡 Tom's Army Reserve experience and how transferable leadership skills apply in tech!💭 Career advice for anyone looking to join the dynamic world of NEXT Technology!Whether you're a tech enthusiast, exploring an IT career, or just curious about how e-commerce giants operate, this video is packed with insights!0:00 Intro00:31 Welcome Tom: Infrastructure Team Leader01:03 Tom's Career Journey in IT01:41 From Senior Engineer to Team Leader02:04 What an Infrastructure Engineer Does02:47 Building & Hosting Infrastructure for NEXT's Platforms03:08 Transitioning to a Tech Team Leader Role04:08 Tom's Army Reserve Experience & Transferable Skills06:11 Enjoyable Moments in the Army Reserve06:56 NEXT's Support for Help for Heroes & Uniformed Services08:20 Exciting Developments in Tech: No Two Days Are the Same09:01 The Huge Shift to Cloud Computing09:18 Benefits of Cloud: Scalability & Efficiency10:20 Cloud Adoption Across Industries & Space Repurposing11:00 AI's Role in Tech & Boosting Efficiency11:34 How AI Helps Infrastructure Teams12:20 Advice for Joining NEXT Technology13:14 NEXT Tech: An Ever-Evolving, Growing Business13:50 The Importance of Staying Current in Tech14:02 Quickfire Questions: Whiteboard vs. Online Brainstorming14:36 Big Projects vs. Small Tasks15:02 Independent vs. Collaborative Work15:29 Understanding Self vs. Understanding Others16:11 Improving Existing Process vs. New Ideas16:37 Tackling Challenging Tasks FirstDon't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to receive updates on everything Life at NEXT!Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://tinyurl.com/3esp3ux8Follow us!Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnextTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnextFacebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnextLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext#LifeAtNEXT #LetsTakeItOn