ITOps, DevOps, AIOps - All Things Ops

Hosted by Elias Voelker

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Jul 2025

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The “ITOps, DevOps, AIOps - All Things Ops” podcast is dedicated to operating and managing modern large-scale IT infrastructures. If you want to learn best practices from other Leaders in IT operations, this show is for you. Each episode features an interview with a senior IT executive or Thought Leader, discussing topics like: 1. How to manage the increasing complexity of hybrid IT infrastructures 2. How to effectively leverage automation to “do more with less” 3. Getting the most out of monitoring and observability for hybrid IT infrastructures 4. Managing ITOps and DevOps teams

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54 recent

July 1, 20251 hr 2 min

Ep. 54 - How Documentation Can Make or Break Your Team – with Connor Clark-Lindh

The best teams don’t chase perfection—they reduce friction.Ever been told you can’t improve a system because “the documentation isn’t up to date”?In this episode, Elias Voelker sits down with Connor Clark-Lindh, VP of Consulting and Operations at OrionW, to unpack what really drives operational excellence—and what gets in the way.Connor shares how over-documentation can become a blocker instead of a support system, especially as teams scale. He also told me how lately he's seen teams push for new tools or AI solutions before clearly defining the problem—and how he avoids that by going back to basics: talking to people, shadowing their work, and solving real problems from the inside out.This episode is packed with grounded insights for IT Operations, DevOps, and AI Ops leaders looking to build smarter, more sustainable systems.You’ll learn:1. Why documentation is critical for small teams—but can stall large ones2. How to avoid solving the wrong problem with the right tool3. Why replicability is more valuable than superstar performance4. What to keep in mind before using AI to drive efficiency___________Get in touch with Connor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorclarklindh/___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

May 27, 202534 min

Ep. 53 - From 5,000 Alerts to AI-Ready Ops: Inside Acrisure’s Observability Overhaul - with Jordon Peeple

Jordon Peeple is Head of IT Infrastructure Operations at Acrisure—the fast-growing fintech powerhouse you’ve probably used without even knowing it.In this episode, Jordon shares how his team turned 5,000 ignored alerts into a focused, AI-ready monitoring system. He explains how they cut through the noise, rebuilt escalation chains, and shifting from reactive ops towards a proactive, business-aligned observability—supported by a complete IT org restructure.You'll learn:1. How to reorganize your ops team for scale and collaboration2. Why reducing alerts boosts reliability and response time3. What makes or breaks your escalation chain strategy4. Why involving business owners early pays dividends in monitoring5. What it takes to future-proof observability for hybrid infrastructure___________Get in touch with Jordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordonpeeple/ ___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

April 15, 202537 min

Ep. 52 - Keeping the Lights On at Visa: How to Engineer for Reliability at Scale - with Divya Veerapandian

How do you ensure reliability across hybrid infrastructure when the cloud half isn’t fully in your control?In this episode, host Elias Voelker talks with Divya Veerapandian, Senior Director for Infrastructure Reliability Engineering and Global Head of Infrastructure Network Services at Visa. From network automation and hybrid observability to AI-driven operations and inclusive engineering teams—Divya shares what it takes to deliver reliable infrastructure in one of the world’s most mission-critical environments.You’ll learn:1. The difference between SOPs and MOPs—and why both matter for automation2. How to tackle observability across hybrid cloud and on-prem environments3. Where AI fits (and fails) in reliability engineering today4. Why end-to-end visibility is still an unsolved challenge5. What it takes to build a more inclusive reliability engineering culture___________Get in touch with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-veerapandian-89410525/ ___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

March 25, 202545 min

Ep. 51 - IT for Human Rights: Scaling Secure Infrastructure for a Global Nonprofit – with Lydia Nicola

For Lydia Nicola’s IT team, a security breach isn’t just a risk—it could mean life or death for the people they protect.In this episode, Elias Voelker speaks with Lydia Nicola, Head of IT Operations at Amnesty International, about the unique challenges of running IT for a global nonprofit. Lydia shares how her team secures infrastructure in politically volatile regions, optimizes cloud costs, and combats shadow IT—all while defending against cyber threats from nation-states. She also reveals how “Infrastructure Days” drive efficiency, why documentation is a game-changer, and what IT leaders can do to build more diverse, resilient teams.You'll learn:1. How Amnesty navigates IT security threats from hostile state actors2. The strategy behind “Infrastructure Days” and why they work3. How to rein in shadow IT when vendors offer free software4. The keys to optimizing cloud costs—without cutting corners5. What IT leaders can do to attract and retain diverse talent___________Get in touch with Lydia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiamn/ ___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

February 17, 202545 min

Ep. 50 - Data Center Efficiency: Monitoring, AI, and Decarbonization - with Martin Casaulta & Martin Hirschvogel

How can you drive data center efficiency without compromising performance?In this episode, host Elias Voelker sits down with Martin Casaulta, Chief Technologist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Switzerland, and Martin Hirschvogel, Chief Product Officer at Checkmk. They discuss data center efficiency—from traditional metrics like PUE to the impact of AI workloads—and share strategies for optimizing IT operations. Martin Casaulta highlights the Swiss Data Center Efficiency Association’s work on decarbonization, while Martin Hirschvogel explains how IT monitoring helps identify and resolve inefficiencies.You'll learn:1. Why IT monitoring is essential for improving data center efficiency2. The limitations of PUE and how PUE Plus is changing the game3. How to manage the rising energy demands of AI workloads4. Practical strategies to optimize underutilized resources5. Why sustainability initiatives are as rewarding as they are necessary___________Get in touch with Martin Casaulta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-casaulta-1b9bbb78/ Get in touch with Martin Hirschvogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-hirschvogel-28034210/ ___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

January 27, 202541 min

Ep. 49 – 90% First-Contact Resolution: How to Build a Secure, Efficient IT Helpdesk– with Peg Kearney

How do you hit 90% first-contact resolution—and keep it there?In this episode, Elias speaks with Peg Kearney, Director of IT Operations at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, about how her helpdesk team maintains a 90% first-contact resolution rate by hiring top talent and providing them with the right tools and system access. Peg also highlights the importance of treating endpoints as critical infrastructure, managing IT in a HIPAA-compliant environment, and using VR labs to transform nursing education.You'll learn:1. Why endpoints post a major IT risk—and how to protect them2. How to improve first-contact resolution at the helpdesk3. The impact of remote tools on operational efficiency4. Navigating HIPAA compliance during cloud migration5. How VR labs are revolutionizing nursing education___________Get in touch with Peg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peg-kearney-574b831/___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

January 5, 202534 min

Ep. 48 - From Surviving to Thriving: How a Major Cyberattack Sparked a Full IT Transformation - with Thomas Klithav Hansen

A major cyberattack led Blue Water Shipping to completely transform its IT infrastructure—and now, they're stronger than ever.In this episode, host Elias Voelker sits down with Thomas Klithav Hansen, Head of IT Operations at Blue Water Shipping, to discuss how the attack became the catalyst for a transformative IT journey. You’ll learn:1. The role of enterprise architecture in driving IT success2. Why product-based IT organizations foster agility and clarity3. How cost and value transparency empowers business decisions4. The importance of aligning user experience with operational metrics___________Get in touch with Thomas Klithav Hansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaskh/ ___________Details about Blue Water Shipping: Website: https://www.bws.net/ Industry: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and StorageCompany size: 1,001-5,000 employeesFounded: 1972___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

December 9, 202431 min

Ep. 47 - 35,000 to 130,000 Students in 5 Years: Scaling IT at Internationale Hochschule - with Thomas Singbartl

Since 2019, Thomas Singbartl, Head of Global IT Operations at Internationale Hochschule (IU), has supported the university's astonishing growth journey from 35,000 to 130,000 students.Join host Elias Voelker in this episode as Thomas shares how IT fueled IU’s exponential growth, why the term “digital transformation” no longer applies, and how Syntea, IU’s AI learning companion, is revolutionizing education. He also outlines his vision for AI in IT operations, from process optimization to empowering help desk teams with more meaningful work.You'll learn:1. Similarities and differences between IT in media and education2. How IT enabled IU’s exponential growth during the COVID years3. Why “digital transformation” is no longer a relevant term4. The role of AI in modern education with IU’s Syntea5. Thomas’ vision for AI’s future in IT operations___________Get in touch with Thomas Singbartl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomassingbartl/ ___________Details about Internationale Hochschule: Website: https://www.iu.de/ Industry: Higher EducationCompany size: 1,001-5,000 employeesHeadquarters: Erfurt, ThueringenFounded: 1998 ___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

November 19, 202431 min

Ep. 46 - IT for the City of Atlanta: Building Scalable and Resilient Systems - with Tameka Neely-Dudley

What can we learn about resilience, scalability, and workforce development from the IT organization of the 6th-largest metro in the US?In this episode, Tameka Neely-Dudley, Director of IT Infrastructure Operations and Service Delivery for the City of Atlanta, shares insights from her nearly 25-year career, beginning as an intern and growing into a key leader managing Atlanta's complex IT landscape. Tameka reveals how her early experience preparing for Y2K laid the groundwork for building resilient systems, scaling IT services for a booming metro area, and using internships to attract and develop diverse tech talent.You'll learn:1. How Y2K lessons shape today’s continuity planning2. Strategies for scaling IT in a fast-growing metro3. The power of internships in recruiting IT talent - in the public sector and beyond___________Get in touch with Tameka Neely-Dudley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tameka-neely-dudley-565018177/___________Details about the City of Atlanta: Website: https://www.atlantaga.gov/ Industry: Government Administration Company size: 8,000+ employees Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Founded: 1847___________About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/https://compost-rec.com/Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

October 29, 202436 min

Ep. 45 - The Metrics That Matter: Optimizing ITSM by Focusing on Customer Effort – with Huseyin Uysal

Which KPIs really matter in IT Service Management?In this episode, Elias sits down with Huseyin Uysal, Head of Global Service Desk at ISS, to uncover what separates successful IT service management from the rest. With a wealth of experience managing global teams and optimizing IT processes, Huseyin reveals the metrics that really matter, how customer effort is often overlooked, and the strategies his team used to slash ticket resolution times in half despite a surge in ticket volumes.You'll learn:1. Which KPIs actually drive value in IT service management (and which don’t)2. Why focusing on "customer effort" is crucial for IT support success3. How to handle a threefold increase in ticket volume without losing control4. The key lessons from bringing outsourced tasks back in-house5. How empowering your team can drastically cut ticket resolution times___________Get in touch with Huseyin Uysal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huysal89/ ___________Details about ISS:Website: https://www.issworld.com/enIndustry: Facilities ServicesCompany size: 10,001+ employeesHeadquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark___________About the host Elias Voelker:Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.___________Podcast Music:Music by Ströme, used by permission‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KGhttps://stroeme.com/ https://compost-rec.com/ ___________Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

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