Behind The Stack

Send us Fan MailCybersecurity has changed. The question is: has your business changed with it?In this episode of Behind the Stack, Matthew Templeton from Xpand IT breaks down how cyber threats are evolving, where businesses are most exposed, and why protecting your organisation goes far beyond firewalls and antivirus.We unpack the real-world risks facing businesses, the growing importance of identity and access security, the human element behind cyber attacks, and what organisations should be doing to stay ahead.If you run a business, manage IT, or make technology decisions, this is a conversation you need to hear.Featuring Matthew Templeton from Xpand IT.#Cybersecurity #XpandIT #BehindTheStack #ITSecurity #CyberRisk #Technology #BusinessTechnology #SouthAfrica

Send us Fan MailTechnology is moving faster than most businesses can keep up—and the gap is only getting bigger.In this episode of Behind the Stack, Jade Barter is joined by Dean Irwin to explore how the role of IT support is rapidly evolving from fixing problems to driving business strategy.Together, they unpack why so many technology projects fail, how AI and automation are reshaping managed services, the future of cybersecurity and cloud, and what business leaders need to do today to stay competitive tomorrow.Whether you're a CEO, business owner, IT leader or technology professional, this conversation will challenge the way you think about technology—and why the businesses that thrive over the next five years won't be the ones with the most technology, but the ones that know how to use it best.In this episode:The evolution of IT support and managed servicesWhy technology projects failAI's impact on business and ITThe future of cybersecurity and cloudTechnology leadership and digital transformationHow businesses can stay ahead in a rapidly changing worldIf you're serious about using technology as a competitive advantage, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Send us Fan MailHow do you turn YouTube into a multi-7-figure business?In this episode of Behind The Stack, host Jade Barter sits down with Matt Loui to uncover the strategies behind building one of South Africa's fastest-growing creator brands.Matt shares the lessons that helped him grow a YouTube audience of nearly 200,000 subscribers, build a thriving business through content, and create a personal brand that continues to open new opportunities.We discuss:• Growing a YouTube channel from the ground up• Building a profitable personal brand• The biggest mistakes creators make• Turning content into a sustainable business• The mindset behind long-term success• Practical advice for entrepreneurs and aspiring creatorsWhether you're a business owner, marketer, content creator or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you grow your brand and create content that delivers real results.Subscribe to Behind The Stack for conversations with the people driving innovation, business and technology.

Send us Fan MailEvery business talks about data. Few understand what it really takes to protect it.In this episode of Behind The Stack, host Jade Barter sits down with Werner Ferreira, Group IT Infrastructure Manager at Lightstone, one of South Africa's leading data and analytics companies.Werner shares what it takes to manage and protect the infrastructure behind millions of data points, the challenges of balancing performance, security and cost, and why resilience has become a business-critical priority in today's threat landscape.We discuss:• The role data plays in modern business decision-making• Why infrastructure is more important than ever• The realities of ransomware and cyber risk• How Lightstone approaches storage, recovery and resilience• Common misconceptions about enterprise technology• The impact of AI on infrastructure and data management• What business leaders should be thinking about todayWhether you're a business owner, IT leader, or simply curious about the technology powering some of South Africa's most data-driven organisations, this episode offers valuable insights into the systems that keep modern business running.

Send us Fan MailEPISODE 3: Explain AI Like I’m Your Gran | Featuring Mark WerthArtificial Intelligence is everywhere… but what does it actually mean for business?In this episode of Behind The Stack, Mark Werth breaks down AI in the simplest way possible — explaining how AI works, how businesses are using it right now, and what most people get completely wrong.We unpack real-world AI use cases, why infrastructure matters more than ever, and how solutions like Hewlett Packard Enterprise Smart Choice servers can help businesses leverage AI without overspending or overcomplicating their tech stack.If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, IT manager, or simply curious about AI, this episode will help you understand the future of AI, business automation, machine learning, and scalable infrastructure.Topics covered:What is AI?How AI works in simple termsAI in business todayAI infrastructure explainedMachine learning & automationHPE Smart Choice serversFuture of AI in businessHow to implement AI without overspendingListen now and learn how AI is changing business forever.

Send us Fan MailMost businesses are overspending on IT — and don’t even realise it.In this episode of Behind the Stack, we sit down with Jeremy Lichtenstein from Axiz to unpack the hidden reasons companies waste money on their tech stack — and how to fix it.From overcomplicated infrastructure to underutilised systems, this conversation breaks down what’s actually going wrong inside modern IT environments — and why simply spending more isn’t the answer.Powered by insights from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), we explore how smarter, right-sized solutions are helping businesses move from inefficiency to performance.In this episode, we cover:Why businesses overspend on IT infrastructureThe real reason companies over-spec their tech stackHow unused tools silently drain your budgetWhat happens in real-world IT buying conversationsHow to build smarter, more efficient IT solutionsWhere solutions like HPE Smart Choice fit inPractical advice for business owners and IT managersWhether you're a business owner, IT manager, or decision-maker — this episode will change how you think about IT spend, infrastructure, and long-term scalability.🚀 The truth?The smartest businesses don’t spend more on tech… they spend smarter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Behind The Stack — a podcast exploring the people, decisions, and realities behind the tech industry. From founders and CEOs to operators building the systems that power modern business, we unpack what it really takes to grow and scale in today’s digital world.In Episode 01, I sit down with Dean Irwin, CEO of Xpand IT, to talk about The Cost of Growth.Scaling a company isn’t just strategy and success stories. It comes with sacrifice, pressure, difficult decisions, and a relentless pursuit to build something bigger.In this episode we unpack:• What it really takes to scale a technology business• The sacrifices leaders make behind the scenes• The challenges of building and growing a team• Lessons learned along the journey of growthIf you're interested in technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and business growth, this podcast is for you.