The Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialisation is a step forward for Oakland who already hold the Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI (Azure) certification. Showcasing their ability to deliver tailored analytics solutions with cutting-edge Azure tools like Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Databricks. This specialisation not only highlights Oakland’s capabilities but also strengthens the connection with clients who need expert support in planning, deploying, and managing analytics and AI solutions.

What This Means for Clients

For Oakland’s clients, this specialisation ensures they can rely on the data consultancy’s deep expertise to deliver reliable, secure, and scalable data solutions that meet their unique business objectives. By partnering with Oakland, businesses gain access to:

1. Comprehensive Data & AI Solutions: From data migration and ETL operations to building advanced analytics and AI applications, Oakland ensures clients can leverage the full potential of Microsoft Azure to achieve their data, analytics and AI goals.
2. Hands-on Expertise with Azure Tools: Oakland’s certified team has hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric and Azure Databricks, allowing businesses to optimise data workflows, generate insights faster, and make more informed decisions.
3. AI-Driven Business Solutions: Oakland helps clients adopt AI technologies, implementing machine learning models that support real-time decision-making and create sustainable competitive advantages.
4. Seamless Cloud Transition: Oakland enables businesses to smoothly migrate their data to Azure-based data warehouses, providing easy access to data for real-time analytics and decision-making.
   

A Step Forward in Oakland’s Commitment to Innovation

This specialisation marks a significant milestone in Oakland’s ongoing mission to provide businesses with comprehensive, data-powered solutions that drive innovation and business transformation. As organisations continue to face the growing challenges of managing data and adopting AI technologies, Oakland’s expert team is now even better equipped to deliver tailored solutions using the power of Azure.

Chris Hill, Microsoft Lead at Oakland, commented:
“Achieving the Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialisation is a fantastic accomplishment for Oakland. Watching the team come together and demonstrate their skills in deploying powerful data, analytics and AI solutions was truly inspiring. This specialisation not only highlights our team’s technical expertise but also solidifies our ability to help clients unlock the full potential of their data using Microsoft Azure”

What’s Next for Oakland’s Data & AI Solutions

With the Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialisation, Oakland will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation. We’re committed to helping clients unlock the power of cloud-based analytics and AI-driven solutions, ensuring businesses can rely on real-time, data-driven insights to guide their decisions.

Andy Crossley, Chief Technology Officer at Oakland, added:
“Achieving the Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialisation is a major achievement for Oakland. It reflects our commitment to Microsoft and staying ahead in the fast-evolving world of data, analytics and AI. For our clients, this recognition guarantees that we will continue delivering the highest level of expertise, innovation, and support to help them navigate their data journey, whether it’s cloud migration or adopting advanced analytics and AI solutions.”

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After a long successful track record of organic growth, Softcat has today announced a significant step in its history with the acquisition of Oakland, a specialist data and AI consultancy.

Data sits at the heart of everything in modern technology, and its importance is only growing in the increasingly automated and, AI-driven world we’re moving towards. Our customers know this, and they need the right expertise to navigate their data journeys – securely, efficiently, and intelligently. As the UK’s largest VAR, combining Oakland’s industry-leading capabilities with Softcat’s broader portfolio means we can support customers at every stage. Together, we are everything data.  

Graham Charlton, Softcat CEO said “Data is one of the biggest opportunities ahead of us as the innovation in technology continues to shift rapidly towards a more automated and AI-driven world. Our customers need the right expertise to navigate this so combining our market presence and broad portfolio with Oaklands specialist capabilities will allow us to support them at every stage. Joining forces with Oakland is a great fit with our strategy and, most importantly, our culture.

Richard Corderoy, Oakland CEO said “We are excited to join forces with Softcat. By combining our deep expertise in data and AI consulting with Softcat’s extensive portfolio and market presence, we can deliver unparalleled value and innovation to our clients. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we’re looking forward to achieving great things together.

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With data centres being the world’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases, Oakland, a leading expert in data-driven business transformation, have shared a 4 step process that businesses and data teams can use to adopt a more sustainable approach.

As the world becomes increasingly digitised, the environmental impact of data management practices has come under scrutiny. According to recent studies, data centres contribute approximately 2.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing even the aviation industry (2%).  

In response to this environmental challenge, Oakland’s approach combined with their experience aims to revolutionise how organisations manage their digital data, reducing their carbon footprint and driving change for a sustainable future.

4 Steps To A Sustainable Solution

There has been an obsession with FinOps in the past five years –  primarily focusing on cloud efficiency. However, as indicated by the statistics, this approach may not always yield the desired results.

Oakland is adopting the emerging practice, named GreenOps, which offers a comprehensive framework for organisations to optimise their data operations with sustainability front of mind.

 The method encompasses four key stages:

1. Display

The first step involves understanding the current state of data operations, including assessing the environmental impact that your cloud is having alongside factors your cloud reporting may not cover. 

2. Diagnose

Once the baseline assessment is complete, the next step is to diagnose key areas of inefficiency.  One of the critical things from a cloud perspective could be where you do the majority of your computing, on-premises you want to look at utilisation rates and the potential for consolidation to provide short-term wins.

3. Decide

Armed with insights from the diagnosis phase, organisations can make informed decisions about optimising their data operations for cost and carbon savings. Short-term actions may involve consolidation or scheduling adjustments. For a long-term sustainable vision, consider on-premises data migration to the cloud, creating a strategic plan aligned with your business and data goals.

4. Deliver

Migrate, consolidate, and even delete! The final step is to deliver on the plan by implementing changes to optimise data operations and reduce environmental impact. Oakland works closely with organisations to execute their sustainability initiatives, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support.

Luke Sharma, Senior Data Consultant at Oakland, shares his thoughts,

“Oakland have always been big believers that building a positive, sustainable future is on us. That’s why we’re committed to changing our global economy in ways that benefit people, communities, and our planet.

We seek to help clients assess their current data estates and find ways to optimise what they already have….or create new capabilities if there’s nothing there. We do this through multiple lenses – business outcomes, financial as well as carbon impact.

Whilst cost has always been a critical driver in these conversations, the environmental impact of those choices is now rising up the agenda. We ensure that we view this as critically as we do with the financial lens in our approach to GreenOps. This ensures that we can get the right result for them.”

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Network Rail has just started their new financial period (CP7) – committing an investment of £44 billion in the UK railway infrastructure throughout 2024 to 2029. This significant investment aims to achieve ambitious goals, including a 20% reduction in delays, a 30% increase in capacity, and a 70% decrease in carbon emissions.*

Like many complex organisations, Network Rail faced challenges when it came to managing valuable information and how it was stored across various formats such as PDF and video, meaning there was an opportunity to better leverage these as data sources. Acknowledging the broader challenges faced by Network Rail, Oakland identified an opportunity to leverage AI to share insights from past projects before and throughout the lifecycle of new projects. This proactive strategy is designed to prevent issues later in the project timeline, improving overall efficiency and effectiveness.

The project harnesses generative AI capabilities to allow users to interact with the language model through a dynamic chatbot interface. This solution enables users to pose queries and receive tailored responses drawing from Network Rail’s extensive library of thousands of learned lessons and valuable data sources. Powered by cutting-edge AI algorithms and Azure AI Services, it represents a significant advancement in knowledge management not just in the rail industry, but with the potential to be deployed across all sectors.

Having worked together for over a decade, at the heart of the partnership with Network Rail and Oakland thrives on a shared goal of innovation and operational excellence, driving industry-leading solutions and best practices. 

Jack Evans, Principal Consultant at Oakland, adds

“Network Rail saw knowledge management as a prime candidate for AI. By placing AI at the heart of the solution, they can unlock a wealth of possibilities to make a real, positive impact for years to come. This is a game-changer for sharing and leveraging knowledge across the organisation.”

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, Network Rail remains steadfast in its dedication to innovation to improve collaboration in the organisation and seek efficiencies. Implementing AI-driven knowledge management solutions reflects the commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies to propel the rail industry forward.

Mo Momodu, Head of Knowledge Management – Rail Infrastructure Centre of Excellence, shares;

“The deployment of generative AI capability within the learning from lessons library will transform the way we harness knowledge, enrich insights, and encourage cross-industry learning”

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This success highlights Oaklands’ mission to transform and grow businesses by liberating and activating data.

Expansive Growth Through Strategic Partnerships

This year has seen Oakland enhance its client portfolio with notable additions, including the University of Leeds, Information Commissioner’s Office, Emerald Publishing, and Raw Charging. These partnerships underscore Oakland’s capacity to deliver expert data consultancy services across various sectors:

• Data Strategy: Implementing cutting-edge data strategies with the Information Commissioner’s Office and Raw Charging to deliver value focused and sustainable data capability.
• Data Platform: Developing a robust data platform for Emerald Publishing, enabling scalable and efficient data management.
• Data Governance: Enhancing data governance frameworks with the University of Leeds to ensure data integrity and accessibility.

Innovation at the Forefront with the Launch of the Future Lab

Furthering their commitment to technological advancement, Oakland launched the Future Lab. This new initiative is dedicated to exploring emerging technologies, with its first project focusing on generative AI in partnership with Network Rail. This project aims to pioneer new applications of AI technology, positioning Oakland at the forefront of innovation in the industry.Richard Corderoy, Chief Executive Officer of Oakland, commented, “This year has not only seen tremendous growth in terms of revenue and client portfolio, but it has also been a year of strategic innovation. Our Future Lab exemplifies our commitment to leading at the frontier of technology, ensuring our clients and partners benefit from cutting-edge solutions.”

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