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  • From Classroom to Conference room: How HSO's graduate program is shaping Sam's career

From Classroom to Conference room: How HSO's graduate program is shaping Sam's career

Sam Yeo began his journey with HSO through a graduate program, earning certifications and looking to work on various projects across a wide range of industries. Let's see what the future holds for Sam.

Meet
Sam Yeo
Graduate Consultant

What made you join HSO?

I think when doing my research prior to applying, you get the vibe that HSO does care about its people and the work that they do.

...also, the assessment day was a really big thing for me. Walking in and meeting directors, and really senior people like managing directors, who would give you their time and wanted to be there that day to meet people like myself, who had very little prior experience, was great.

How did you find the onboarding process?

I really enjoyed it - talking to people, getting to understand their backgrounds, and understanding ourselves as well. Being able to understand myself with insights to see where my strengths and weaknesses are, and which areas I am stronger in, was something I really enjoyed.

What were the challenges you faced?

Things that I was challenged by were, of course, the technical aspects. With my experience lacking a little bit in Dynamics, being able to understand the system and really drill down into it was something challenging, but enjoyable.

How did you find your initial foray into the business?

Yeah, I think what I’ve enjoyed is being able to talk to people at various levels and understand their experiences and expertise. Path sessions with Peter Sharpe, Director of Enterprise Architecture, HSO and Mike Stanbridge, Enterprise Architect, HSO recently have been great; they've been able to share so much about their expertise and give us so much time.

They have said, "If you need us, just book a meeting in the diary. We are always happy to take that time," and that is what I have loved. Being able to talk to people of different levels and everyone having time for you, even though we are brand new graduates with very little experience, is wonderful.

Even though we aren’t valuable to them at the moment in terms of a business perspective, they always wanted to give their time to help us develop, which is so lovely. It really makes you feel at home.

The best thing I can say for new starters is just talk to people.
Everyone is willing to give you their time, instead of saying they do not have the time at all, they’ll simply say right look at my calendar, find a time that works for us both, set it up and I will be there, and that’s great.

So being able to utilise that and make the most of it, if people are willing to give you their time, try and take it and learn from these skilled people in their expert areas and prospective people looking to join HSO.

Sam Yeo Graduate Consultant

What advice would you give yourself?

Personally, I have a little bit of a lack of experience in the working world, and that was something about which I was slightly worried.

Of course, having met people who are on the graduate scheme on the assessment day and seeing their experience, I understood that everyone is on a level playing field with the graduates.

We have not worked with Dynamics before, so being able to give yourself that confidence and say that you can do this, and knowing that you will be able to learn this, is important. Just have confidence in your abilities and your skills.

What are you looking forward to over the next few months?

Going into projects. I have now completed two certifications and have one left, so I am really looking forward to being able to work on projects in a different capacity.

Looking at things from a supply chain perspective or in various other ways, and being able to develop those skills in these different projects and areas, is something I am excited about.

HSO Graduate Programs

We have been running our graduate scheme for the past seven years recruiting and developing our graduates into business associates who have a real impact on the business and for our customers. Get to know how.

Graduate Programs

Want to join our HSO family?

See our vacancies below

Remote GB

Consulting & Technology

D365 F&O Solution Architect

About HSOHSO Success and AmbitionHSO has grown organically to have more than 400 people throughout the UK and we expect to continue to grow significantly in the next five years. We are a leading member of the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle, founded in 1987, and specialize in sectors such as Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Financial Services and Local Government. We’ve won several prestigious awards over the last few years including being voted in the UK’s top 10 Best Large companies to work for the last 3 years running. This year we are also proud to have been named the D365 Finance Microsoft Partner of the Year Award and Finalist for D365 Sales & Marketing.HSO is the place to work for those in the Microsoft Dynamics channel. People join and stay because we care; about adding value to our customers, about delivering what we say we will, striving to improve ourselves, being inclusive and having fun.The core values that enable us to work so well together, also mean our customers want to work with us. We choose to be different to other Microsoft Partners. Caring about our people, customers and quality of work differentiates us. We always support our people and customers to achieve shared, agreed goals.Reason for vacancyDue to the continued growth of the business, there is a need to increase the team to ensure that our customers receive the best attention we can give them.Job Purpose:The Solution Architect will take a leading role in designing and implementing solutions for our customers.You will play a key role in the entire project life cycle covering analysis, software design, development, testing and business integration. You will be the product expert for HSO’s Dynamics AX vertical solutions and as such must already have experience in Dynamics AX D365 as an architect and have been responsible for shaping previous systems on an enterprise scale.You will own the end to end solution design for prospective and existing customers to ensure delivered solutions are implemented in a cost effective, quality, controlled manner that satisfies the customers functional, technical and business requirements. This is a high visibility role, both internally and externally. The Solution Architect works with HSO customers and prospects. Your role may also be the bridge between sales and technical with a pre-sales element and responsibility. Good customer awareness and practice is essential in order to be able to fulfil the breadth of the role.Key Responsibilities· Lead the solution implementation and services proposal during the pre-sales process· Define and lead the requirements analysis and take a lead role in requirements workshops· Guide the customer to the right solution for their business based on your knowledge of Dynamics AX and our industry solutions· Provide the link between the implementation teams and the business community, ensuring the new system fits in with the customer’s trading cycles· Oversee the business consultants and developers in the solution design, including quality assuring their work· To work with current and prospective customers to fully understand their solution requirements in order to produce optimal solutions architecture· To act as a lead consultant in project scoping activities· To work closely with consultant and development teams to provide estimates and quotes for new solution· To produce systems architecture and design documentation to agreed standards· To understand the HSO project delivery methodology and recommend the implementation approach for new solutions· To work closely with project teams and act as a point of reference/escalation during the implementation of a solution, closely aligned with the Project Manager· To act as a point of reference/escalation for HSO support teams once a solution has been implemented· To act as the technical design authority for any change requests to a current solution· Liaise with clients in order to analyse business processes, clarify customer requirements and determine the scope of required solution.· Business Process design/mapping and documentation· Leading implementation through to delivery and initial post go-live support· Develop design specifications· Lead internal solutions design and process mapping workshops· Manage customer expectations regarding the solution whilst ensuring the maximum use is being made of the software· Participate in pre-sales activities as requested.· Represent HSO in a professional and positive manner at all times· Adhere to health and safety policy, and other requirements relating to care of equipment.· Ensure that all Microsoft Certifications and Accreditations required to fulfil this Role within HSO are met as determined by you and the Consulting Head

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Remote GB

Consulting & Technology

Power Platform Architect

About HSOHSO Success and AmbitionHSO has grown organically to have more than 400 people throughout the UK and we expect to continue to grow significantly in the next five years. We are a leading member of the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle, founded in 1987, and specialize in sectors such as Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Financial Services and Local Government. We’ve won several prestigious awards over the last few years including being voted in the UK’s top 10 Best Large companies to work for the last 3 years running. This year we are also proud to have been named the D365 Finance Microsoft Partner of the Year Award and Finalist for D365 Sales & Marketing.HSO is the place to work for those in the Microsoft Dynamics channel. People join and stay because we care; about adding value to our customers, about delivering what we say we will, striving to improve ourselves, being inclusive and having fun.The core values that enable us to work so well together, also mean our customers want to work with us. We choose to be different to other Microsoft Partners. Caring about our people, customers and quality of work differentiates us. We always support our people and customers to achieve shared, agreed goals.Job PurposeAs the Cloud Solution Architect you will lead all engagements with our customers from presales to discovery, designing and implementation of wider cloud services with a focus on Power platform solutions. This means having overall ownership of the solution, ensuring that the delivered solutions are implemented in a cost-effective, high quality and controlled manner that satisfies customers’ technical and business requirements. Your responsibilities will involve leading customer workshops, documenting requirements, defining deliverables, and estimating projects with the assistance of the delivery team.The role is key in designing new go-to-market propositions working with sales teams to ensure correct customer alignment, and with the AP Delivery Lead to ensure the team has the necessary skills and expertise to implement the solution.The role works closely with the Cloud Strategist and other Cloud Solution Architects to ensure that AP solutions are aligned with the overall cloud strategy for that customer.This role is part of the small senior leadership team for the AP team and will help guide the delivery team to develop the skills required to be the best Power Platform partner in the market.Reports to: Application Platform Practice LeadOverview of Experience and Key ResponsibilitiesEngagement- Promote new or emerging Technologies to the HSO Management Team where you believe HSO can benefit and provide a competitive advantage.- Responsible for developing relationships with the Microsoft team to help with sales and delivery of our projects.- Collaborate closely with the Business App practice within HSO to identify opportunities for the AP and wider Cloud services.- Work in tandem with the Practice and delivery leads to define propositions, solution packages, and implementation accelerators.Managing Risk- Support EA and pre-sales teams to ensure workable solutions are being promoted and to create end-to-end solutions.- Support commercial teams and contribute towards commercial estimates on AP solution designs.- Own technical delivery and architecture design on key AP projects, with the ability to deep dive into the technical inquiries on proposed solutions, while also working within agreed commercial parameters.- Provide the link between the implementation teams and the Cloud Strategist and wider Enterprise Architecture team, ensuring the proposed cloud infrastructure provides a solid foundation for the solution being provided.- Produce systems architecture and design documentation to agreed HSO standards.- Provide the link between the customer team, HSO implementation teams, HSO technical teams and Microsoft.- Ensure that all Microsoft Certifications and Accreditations required to fulfil this Role within HSO are met as determined by you and the Team Lead.- To understand the HSO project delivery methodology and apply this implementation approach to all HSO Projects.- To work closely with project teams and act as a point of reference/escalation during the implementation of a Cloud solution, particularly through go-live advising/improving on the scalability and performance of the solution.- To act as a point of reference/escalation for HSO support teams once a cloud solution has been implemented.- Acts as a Technical lead and mentor colleagues to share knowledge

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Remote GB

Consulting & Technology

Cloud Solution Architect - Data & AI

HSO Success and AmbitionHSO has grown organically to have more than 400 people throughout the UK and we expect to continue to grow significantly in the next five years. We are a leading member of the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle, founded in 1987, and specialize in sectors such as Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Financial Services and Local Government. We’ve won several prestigious awards over the last few years including being voted in the UK’s top 10 Best Large companies to work for the last 3 years running. This year we are also proud to have been named the D365 Finance Microsoft Partner of the Year Award and Finalist for D365 Sales & Marketing.HSO is the place to work for those in the Microsoft Dynamics channel. People join and stay because we care; about adding value to our customers, about delivering what we say we will, striving to improve ourselves, being inclusive and having fun.The core values that enable us to work so well together, also mean our customers want to work with us. We choose to be different to other Microsoft Partners. Caring about our people, customers and quality of work differentiates us. We always support our people and customers to achieve shared, agreed goals.Job Purpose As the Cloud Solution Architect you will lead all engagements with our customers from presales to discovery, designing and implementation of wider cloud services with a focus on Data & AI.  This means having overall ownership of the solution, ensuring that the delivered solutions are implemented in a cost-effective, high quality and controlled manner that satisfies customers’ technical and business requirements. Your responsibilities will involve leading customer workshops, documenting requirements, defining deliverables, and estimating projects with the assistance of the delivery team.The role is key in designing new go-to-market propositions working with sales teams to ensure correct customer alignment, and with the Data & AI Delivery Lead to ensure the team has the necessary skills and expertise to implement the solution. The role works closely with the Cloud Strategist and other Cloud Solution Architects to ensure that Data & AI solutions are aligned with the overall cloud strategy for that customer. This role is part of the small senior leadership team for the Data and AI team and will help guide the delivery team to develop skills required to be the best Data and AI partner in the market. This role has a utilisation target of 40%, which will covered by the paid engagement as part of presales and discovery workshops and related deliverables. Reports to Data and AI Practice Lead LocationThis is a hybrid role and can be based either from our Reading, Glasgow or Manchester offices, or home.  Please expect a large amount of planned travel which will involve overnight stays near customers, our offices and other UK locations for meetings, events and training.

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