DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and  Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, speaks with Sarah Payne, COO of icetana AI, about AI-powered video surveillance, product leadership and the realities of deploying artificial intelligence in complex security environments. Sarah explains how icetana AI analyses thousands of live CCTV feeds to identify unusual events such as falls, distress, loitering and safety hazards in real time. She also shares how a career spanning UK local government, database administration and product management shaped her commitment to building practical technology that protects people and delivers measurable value.
Sarah’s journey to AI leadership began when she and her husband left the UK during the global financial crisis and moved to Australia without an established network. After travelling across the country in a campervan, they settled in Perth, where Sarah moved from an Oracle database administrator role into business analysis, project management and product leadership. Her career progression highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability, practical experience and a willingness to take responsibility for difficult decisions.
Discussing effective product management, Sarah describes the role as a bridge between customer needs, engineering capabilities and business strategy. Strong product leaders must ask thoughtful questions, translate complex technical concepts and balance customer value with budgets, roadmaps and technical feasibility. Sarah also explains why diverse teams, clear communication and active listening are essential when working with engineers, customers and senior decision-makers.
The conversation explores the challenges of deploying real-world AI surveillance across thousands of live camera feeds affected by poor lighting, ageing equipment and unpredictable conditions. icetana AI uses repeat footage, confusion matrices and customer feedback to reduce false positives and improve the usefulness of its alerts. Its intuitive security software helps operators identify urgent incidents within seconds, while on-premises processing supports the privacy and security requirements of sensitive environments. Sarah also addresses concerns about AI surveillance, facial recognition and personal data, explaining how icetana AI focuses on elevating relevant events to the right people at the right time.
Looking ahead, Sarah explains why icetana AI develops short, flexible product roadmaps as artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly. Emerging applications include detecting hazards, dispatching cleaning robots, notifying staff and guiding emergency responses through automated workflows. She reinforces the value of understanding the problem behind every feature request and creating AI products that make people safer, support frontline teams and solve genuine customer needs.
#DevReadyPodcast #AISurveillance #ArtificialIntelligence #ResponsibleAI #VideoAnalytics #ProductLeadership #TechPodcast #AustralianTechnology

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, speaks with Mike Logan, Advisory Board Chairman at C7EVEN Communications and author of The Asking Leader, about advisory boards, AI adoption and sustainable business growth. Drawing on his experience as a founder, business leader and chairman, Mike explains how structured advice can help founder-led, family-owned and privately held businesses clarify their goals, strengthen leadership and turn ambitious plans into practical action.
Mike outlines four foundations that shape business performance: customers, people, systems and cash flow. While many small and mid-sized businesses consider advisory boards relevant only to larger organisations, they often face the same challenges around strategy, execution, risk and compliance. A well-structured advisory board brings specialist expertise to the table, establishes measurable outcomes and helps leaders navigate expansion, acquisitions, new markets, succession and rapid growth.
The conversation also explores how COVID-19 accelerated digital adoption and changed the way teams communicate and collaborate. Anthony shares how Aerion Technologies transitioned to fully remote work without reducing performance, while recognising the fatigue created by back-to-back video meetings. Digital communication platforms and AI-powered meeting transcription now help businesses preserve decisions, capture context and give teams more time for focused discussion, creative thinking and strategic work.
Anthony and Mike discuss the uncertainty surrounding AI adoption, particularly among non-technical business leaders who struggle to identify useful applications. Mike shares examples of professionals building their own AI tools for recruitment automation and long-term cash flow forecasting. Rather than chasing exaggerated claims about universal prompts and workflows, they recommend experimenting with accessible tools and developing small automations that solve specific business problems.
Mike explains that sustainable growth also requires founders to evolve alongside their companies. Leaders who remain deeply involved in every operational detail can become a barrier to delegation, team development and business scalability. He shares how one founder introduced an experienced CEO and specialist advisers, helping the company grow from $10 million to $50 million while the founder remained closely connected to clients and continued serving as the face of the brand.
A successful advisory relationship depends on a founder’s willingness to act, adapt and accept constructive challenges. Mike uses the lessons and “scar tissue” from his own leadership journey to help clients recognise capability gaps, strengthen their decision-making and build the right leadership structure. Through disciplined strategic reviews and practical accountability, advisory boards can help founders close the gap between their current position and the business, lifestyle and legacy they want to create.
#DevReadyPodcast #BusinessGrowth #AdvisoryBoards #Leadership #FounderLedBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessAutomation #AerionTechnologies

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Adam Good, Founder and CEO of Auric, to explore programmable scent, AI-powered product development and the realities of building a hardware start-up. Auric’s scent intelligence platform combines specialised hardware, connected software and therapeutic oils to create personalised environments that support energy, calm, focus and sleep. Adam also shares how his experience across Microsoft, News Limited, DDB, Telstra and WPP shaped his transition from digital executive to technology founder.
Inspired by wellness experiences across Asia, Adam recognised scent as a powerful sensory layer connected to memory, emotion and mood. This insight led Auric to develop its Aroma Chromosphere and introduce the concept of “Mood as a Service”. The system is designed to schedule personalised aromas throughout the day, with future applications for biometric wearables, gaming, cinema, cooking content and other immersive experiences.
Adam explains the considerable engineering effort behind programmable scent technology. Auric must account for differences in oil viscosity while integrating electronics, firmware, mechanical components, RFID-enabled smart caps, usage tracking and precision tooling. These requirements have made hardware development slower and more capital-intensive, while also helping Auric build patents, specialised intellectual property and a valuable competitive moat.
The conversation also examines how AI agents and AI coding tools are changing the economics of technology start-ups. Auric uses automation to analyse device activity, personalise scent routines, manage customer communications and recommend oil replenishments. Tools such as Claude and Codex have accelerated software prototyping, interface development and testing, supporting Adam’s ambition to scale Auric into a $100 million business with a remarkably small core team.
Adam closes with practical advice for hardware founders, including defining a focused minimum viable product, validating the proof of concept and preparing for ongoing technical and financial challenges. He and Anthony emphasise the importance of clear specifications, strong product architecture, thorough documentation and experienced advisers when integrating software, firmware and physical hardware. Looking ahead, Adam expects AI hardware, ambient computing and IoT technology to drive the next generation of innovative, connected products.
#DevReadyPodcast #ProgrammableScent #AIHardware #WellbeingTechnology #IoT #ProductDevelopment

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Charlotte Durack, Director of Studio Agriculture, for an honest conversation about agency growth, brand strategy and adopting AI in business. Charlotte shares lessons from building and leading a specialist creative agency while responding to changing markets, emerging technology and evolving client expectations. Together, they explore how business owners can evaluate AI tools, guide teams through uncertainty and improve established processes while preserving the strategic expertise clients value.
Charlotte reflects on how Studio Agriculture has grown by developing a strong brand methodology and adapting to the industries, seasons and commercial conditions affecting its clients. Its work in agriculture provides a compelling example of why deep customer knowledge matters. Understanding how people make decisions, build relationships and assess value enables the agency to create practical B2B marketing that connects suppliers, producers and major retailers. Charlotte also discusses the continuing disconnect between consumers and the origins of their food, and the role strong storytelling can play in making agricultural value and sustainability more visible.
Much of the conversation centres on a challenge familiar to founders across every industry: deciding which technologies deserve time, money and attention. Charlotte speaks candidly about the pressure created by a constant stream of AI tools and the difficulty of introducing new systems while managing client work and leading a busy team. Her experience highlights the value of starting with one practical use case, testing it properly and making incremental improvements based on genuine business needs.
Studio Agriculture has already begun using generative AI for concept development, campaign ideas, mood boards, sales communications and early creative drafts. Charlotte and Anthony examine the resistance that can arise within creative teams, particularly when people are accustomed to polished work and proven processes. They discuss how leaders can make AI adoption more tangible through experimentation, collaboration and examples that demonstrate the quality achievable when human judgement remains involved.
The episode also explores how AI is influencing agency workflows, commercial models and expectations around speed. Anthony shares practical applications involving ChatGPT, Codex, Figma integrations, reusable skills and AI meeting assistants, while Charlotte considers how Studio Agriculture could produce assets more efficiently and move towards outcome-focused pricing. Her central challenge reflects the experience of many established business owners today: evolving the way work gets delivered while continuing to lead with strategy, creative direction and trusted expertise.
#DevReadyPodcast #BrandStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeAgency #AgencyGrowth #GenerativeAI

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and  Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Stewart Marshall, CEO and Executive Director of Software Australia, SaaS adviser, investor, scale-up mentor and author of Kick Some SaaS. Stewart shares the vision behind Software Australia, a new not-for-profit industry association designed to strengthen Australia's software sector by helping businesses commercialise, scale and connect more effectively. Drawing on decades of experience across the software industry, he explains why Australia needs a stronger national voice for software companies and how a collaborative, digital-first community can accelerate innovation and business growth.
Stewart explains that Software Australia was born from a recurring challenge he observed while writing Kick Some SaaS. Many technically capable founders struggle to transform great software into successful businesses because commercialisation, market positioning and business growth require a very different set of skills from software development. Rather than operating as a traditional lobbying body, Software Australia aims to bridge this gap by supporting software businesses with practical resources, industry connections and opportunities to reach more Australian organisations actively looking for technology solutions. Andrew adds that storytelling, shared experiences and community learning have always been essential ingredients in helping founders avoid costly mistakes and achieve sustainable growth.
The conversation explores how Software Australia plans to differentiate itself through a digital-first platform that keeps members engaged every day rather than relying on occasional networking events. Stewart discusses plans for an online community featuring industry news, collaboration opportunities, marketplaces and practical resources, supported by strategic partnerships that expand the value delivered to members. They also examine the role of startup communities, accelerators and existing industry organisations, explaining how Software Australia is designed to unite these groups rather than compete with them. Its goal is to become a central hub that helps software companies navigate every stage of growth by connecting founders with trusted expertise, commercial opportunities and the right people at the right time.
Andrew and Stewart also discuss the broader future of Australia's technology sector, highlighting the importance of supporting locally developed software, increasing industry collaboration and creating stronger visibility for Australian innovation. Stewart advocates for a new national conversation that recognises software and digital technology as essential foundations of the modern economy, while also encouraging greater diversity by showcasing more young professionals and women working across the technology sector. The discussion concludes with an honest assessment of artificial intelligence, acknowledging that AI is making software development more accessible while reinforcing that commercialisation, security, governance and customer relationships remain the defining factors behind long-term software success. Together, they argue that AI is expanding opportunities for businesses, but experienced people, trusted communities and strong commercial thinking will continue to drive sustainable growth across Australia's software industry.
#SoftwareAustralia #ArtificialIntelligence #SaaS #SoftwareDevelopment #AustralianTech #Technology #Innovation #DevReadyPodcast #AerionTechnologies

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and  Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Serge Radisic, Founder and CEO of Uptio, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial planning and analysis for modern businesses. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in finance transformation, sales leadership and consulting, Serge shares why he left a successful consulting business to build an AI-powered FP&A platform designed to help CFOs and finance teams make faster, more informed decisions. The conversation covers AI in finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), customer-led product development, startup strategy and the future of enterprise software.
Serge reflects on the slow pace of innovation within the finance industry, explaining that many organisations still depend on spreadsheets, disconnected systems and manual reporting despite years of discussion around automation. He discusses how AI is finally creating an opportunity to transform finance workflows by delivering contextual, traceable insights in seconds rather than days. Instead of replacing finance professionals, Uptio is designed to augment decision making by helping teams quickly understand what happened, why it happened and what actions they should consider next. Throughout the discussion, Andrew highlights the importance of combining powerful AI technologies with deep industry expertise to solve complex business problems.
A major theme of the episode is the importance of customer-led product development. Serge explains how early assumptions about the product changed after extensive customer discovery, revealing that finance leaders wanted clearer visibility into current business performance before more advanced forecasting capabilities. By working closely with customers throughout the development process, Uptio has focused on building a simple, highly accurate AI assistant that provides transparent, verifiable answers through natural language. Andrew and Serge also discuss why quality assurance, user validation and continuous feedback remain essential, even as AI dramatically accelerates software development.
The conversation also explores the technical and commercial realities of building enterprise AI products. Serge outlines Uptio's vision of reducing implementation complexity through modern integrations, open source technologies and secure data connectivity, allowing organisations to transform business data into actionable insights within minutes. Andrew emphasises that enterprise customers expect robust security, governance and compliance from the outset, making strong technical foundations just as important as product innovation. Together, they explain why successful AI platforms combine proven technologies rather than attempting to reinvent every component.
Looking ahead, Serge shares his long-term ambition of creating an AI-powered FP&A agent that serves as a trusted second brain for finance teams across thousands of organisations. While the vision is ambitious, he stresses that sustainable growth depends on building a reliable, enterprise-ready product through rigorous testing, customer collaboration and continuous improvement. Andrew concludes that meaningful innovation takes time, particularly when accuracy and trust are critical, while Serge reflects on the rewards of entrepreneurship and the willingness to embrace risk in pursuit of creating lasting value.
#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Finance #FPA #FinancialPlanning #EnterpriseAI #DevReadyPodcast #Startup #BusinessTechnology #Innovation

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Rajeev Ramani, Director of ItFromBit and an API specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping organisations build secure, scalable software systems. Drawing on his extensive background in API architecture, governance and AI integration, Rajeev explains why APIs have become the backbone of modern AI applications and why thoughtful planning remains essential for successful software projects. This episode is packed with practical insights for business leaders, founders, developers and anyone looking to adopt AI responsibly while building software that is secure, reliable and ready for growth.
Anthony and Rajeev explore how AI has dramatically lowered the barrier to software development, enabling businesses to prototype ideas faster than ever before. While AI accelerates coding, they explain that software architecture, business planning and user experience design continue to rely on human judgement. The conversation highlights why AI should support strategic thinking rather than replace it, with brainstorming, idea validation and decision making emerging as some of the technology's most valuable business applications.
A major focus of the discussion centres on APIs and the critical role they play in connecting AI with business systems. Rajeev explains why secure API design, governance and well-structured integrations are becoming increasingly important as organisations introduce AI into their operations. They also discuss the risks of relying on AI-generated code without understanding security, architecture and predictable business processes, reinforcing the importance of human oversight when AI is given access to sensitive systems or data.
The episode also tackles the growing hype surrounding AI, cutting through marketing claims and social media trends to focus on practical implementation. Rajeev encourages businesses to begin with small, repetitive problems that can deliver measurable improvements through automation before considering more advanced AI agents. Anthony shares practical advice on using AI as a critical thinking partner by challenging assumptions, refining ideas and exploring alternative solutions, helping organisations build confidence before investing in larger AI initiatives.
To conclude, Rajeev introduces his open-source API control platform designed to help organisations prepare their APIs for the AI era through stronger governance, integration and management. Together, Anthony and Rajeev demonstrate that successful AI adoption is built on clear business objectives, strong technical foundations and a willingness to learn through experimentation. Whether you are leading digital transformation, building your first AI-powered product or looking to improve existing business systems, this conversation provides practical guidance for using AI effectively while creating software that is secure, scalable and built for long-term success.
#DevReadyPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #APIs #AIAgents #SoftwareDevelopment #BusinessAutomation #DigitalTransformation #TechnologyLeadership #AerionTechnologies

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai is joined by Mahmood Hussein, Founder and CEO of Global Drone Solutions, Australia's largest drone pilot training provider. Drawing on decades of experience across engineering, international business and emerging technologies, Mahmood shares how drones, artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping industries including agriculture, mining, defence and infrastructure. He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, leadership philosophy and commitment to creating opportunities for others.
Mahmood begins by tracing his career from mechanical engineering with Cummins to leading global sales, establishing international distribution networks and building successful businesses across multiple industries. After relocating to Australia, he founded Global Drone Solutions, transforming it into Australia's leading drone pilot training organisation while expanding into international markets. He explains how growing awareness of drone technology, combined with rapid advances in AI and automation, is creating new opportunities for businesses and professionals around the world.
The conversation explores how commercial drones have evolved far beyond aerial photography, becoming essential tools for precision agriculture, mining, environmental rehabilitation and defence. Mahmood explains how AI powered drones use multi-spectral imaging to identify crop health issues, reduce chemical usage and improve farming efficiency, while autonomous drone technology supports mine rehabilitation through large scale tree planting and environmental monitoring. Anthony and Mahmood also discuss how smartphone technology accelerated drone innovation by making cameras, sensors and processors smaller, more affordable and more powerful, enabling industries to capture detailed data and create highly accurate digital models for smarter decision making.
Anthony and Mahmood then examine the practical role of AI in business growth, using Global Drone Solutions as a real world example. Mahmood explains how AI driven lead qualification, CRM automation and intelligent customer insights have improved conversion rates, streamlined customer service and increased operational efficiency without significantly increasing headcount. They also discuss how AI is reducing repetitive administrative work, allowing employees to focus on higher value activities, while drones equipped with thermal imaging and intelligent automation are making tasks such as roof inspections faster, safer and more accurate.
The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion about leadership, innovation and the future of work. Mahmood shares why helping others succeed remains the driving force behind his business, from training more than 8,000 drone pilots to partnering with WeRobotics to develop drone training programmes in emerging economies. Anthony offers practical insights into overcoming resistance to AI adoption, emphasising that successful implementation depends on using technology to support people rather than replace them. Together, they explore how organisations can embrace AI with confidence, build stronger customer experiences and create sustainable long-term growth through continuous innovation, meaningful relationships and a clear sense of purpose.
#DevReadyPodcast #AI #CommercialDrones #Innovation #Technology #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #AerionTechnologies

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, is joined by Sean Campbell, Founder of Executive Minds and host of The Next Breakthrough with Sean Campbell. for an insightful discussion on AI adoption, digital transformation, business strategy and leadership. Drawing on decades of international experience across the United States, Thailand, Sweden and Australia, Sean shares practical lessons from corporate IT, marketing technology, consulting and executive coaching. Together, they explore how organisations can embrace AI, modernise their operations and build technology strategies that deliver lasting business value. This episode is essential listening for business leaders, founders and technology professionals looking to navigate AI, software development and organisational change with confidence.
Sean reflects on his career journey, explaining how his early work in corporate training, instructional design and change management taught him that successful technology adoption always begins with people. He shares how helping traditional businesses embrace new systems shaped his leadership philosophy, combining technical expertise with communication, empathy and a practical understanding of business operations. Throughout the conversation, Anthony and Sean emphasise that every successful digital transformation relies on clear planning, stakeholder engagement and structured processes before any technology is introduced.
The discussion then turns to artificial intelligence and its growing impact on software development, business operations and marketing technology. Sean explains that while AI has made it easier to prototype ideas, automate repetitive tasks and accelerate innovation, moving from experimentation to production requires governance, security, compliance and thoughtful change management. Anthony reinforces the importance of defining requirements, designing robust systems and continuously testing AI solutions to ensure they remain reliable as models evolve. They also explore why domain-specific AI, supported by trusted knowledge and expert context, can deliver stronger business outcomes than relying solely on publicly available information.
Anthony and Sean also examine the strategic decisions businesses face when investing in technology, including whether to build custom software or adopt off the shelf platforms. They discuss how software should support competitive advantage, operational efficiency and long-term growth while balancing ownership, flexibility and ongoing maintenance. Looking beyond technology itself, Sean explains that as AI becomes increasingly accessible, organisations will stand apart through exceptional customer experiences, strong organisational culture and meaningful human connections. Their conversation concludes with a powerful reminder that the future belongs to businesses that combine technological innovation with leadership, creativity and a genuine focus on delivering value to people.
#DevReadyPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AIStrategy #DigitalTransformation #BusinessLeadership #SoftwareDevelopment #Innovation #AerionTechnologies

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Ben Grozier, Co-Founder and CEO of ClassCover and Director of EPC Sports, joins Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and  Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, to share the story behind one of Australia's leading EdTech platforms. Drawing on his experience as a professional tennis coach, teacher and entrepreneur, Ben reveals how a simple frustration within the education sector evolved into a technology business used by thousands of schools. This episode explores software product development, startup validation, SaaS growth, product leadership and scaling technology businesses, offering practical lessons for founders, product managers and business leaders.
Ben explains how ClassCover was born after witnessing the inefficiency of schools relying on endless phone calls to secure casual teachers. He reflects on building the first version of the platform in 2011, admitting that instinct played a greater role than formal product validation in the early days, while highlighting the importance of timing, trusted partnerships and learning directly from customers. Andrew and Ben discuss why founders must own the product vision, create clear workflows and prioritise the right features, ensuring developers have the direction needed to build software that solves genuine business problems.
The conversation also explores why launching a lightweight minimum viable product and building strong customer relationships remain essential for long-term success. Ben shares how reserving budget for sales, marketing and customer feedback allowed ClassCover to evolve through real-world use rather than assumptions. Together, Andrew and Ben discuss the value of listening to customers, earning trust through hands-on support and maintaining realistic expectations as startups grow through continuous iteration instead of chasing rapid, unsustainable growth.
Ben offers valuable insights into scaling a SaaS business, particularly the realities of selling to enterprise and government customers where procurement cycles can span many years. He introduces the concept of "runway resilience", explaining why sustainable revenue from customers within a founder's control creates the stability needed while larger contracts progress. The discussion also covers leadership, highlighting the importance of focusing on high-impact work, creating psychologically safe teams and embracing vulnerability, curiosity and continuous learning throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
Looking ahead, Ben shares ClassCover's vision of becoming the leading professional platform for educators by expanding into recruitment, professional development, networking and additional education services. Rather than spreading resources across multiple industries, ClassCover continues to deepen its expertise within education, strengthening its value for teachers and schools alike. Andrew concludes by reinforcing that enduring technology companies are built through deep industry knowledge, meaningful customer relationships and a commitment to evolving alongside the people they serve.
#DevReadyPodcast #ClassCover #EdTech #SaaS #Startup #Entrepreneurship #SoftwareDevelopment #ProductManagement #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #AerionTechnologies