Rugged Rants: Recent Episodes
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America
Android™ is the open-source operating system that gives customers the flexibility and customizability they need to effectively conduct business. Despite the brand’s consumer success with its smartphone line, this multi-faceted B2B approach is equally strong, and is already the OS of choice for business leaders across a multitude of industries. But how can the Android OS benefit your business? Find out on this week’s episode of RUGGED RANTS, as host Barry Ross talks all things Android with guest Jack Weixel, head of global partnerships for Android dedicated devices at Google.
With over 88% market share according to Net Applications, Windows is the popular desktop operating system that consumers and businesses alike have been using for years. Microsoft’s Windows 10 has continued the legacy, with organizations across industries relying on the OS for its stability, security and ability to unify Windows platforms across devices with universal apps and compatibility. But how has Windows evolved to get to this point? And what has everyone so hooked on Windows 10? In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross and guest Craig Jackowski, group manager of Panasonic’s Product Management Group, discuss Windows 10 and how it continues to support a multitude of business applications.
Although the ocean covers 70% of the earth’s surface, more than 90% of it remains unexplored, lying more than 2.5 miles beneath sea level. Deep-sea exploration can change the way we see our world, taking us to the wreckage of the Titanic or facilitating the discovery of a new species. Yet these areas are only accessible with high-tech submarines equipped with rugged, handheld mobile technologies to control navigation, alarms and tracking systems. On this week’s episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Patrick Lahey, president and co-founder of Triton Submarines to discuss the role of technology in deep-sea exploration and why pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery is so important.
As emergency personnel rushed to the scene on 9/11 in New York City, they found themselves unable to communicate as a result of cellular network congestion, preventing the interoperability and connectivity they needed. In the years following, first responders found themselves dealing with this same issue time and time again. The need was clear: first responders required a network for emergency communication, and FirstNet was born. On this week’s episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross discusses the nation’s public safety communications platform with guest Doug Clark, executive director, FirstNet Program at AT&T.
Pew Research Center cites that 77% of employees use their personal devices at work regardless of their employer’s policies. But this intersection of personal and work devices continues to pose cybersecurity risks in a world already plagued by malware attacks, which could cost an estimated $6 trillion annually by 2021. These attacks can come from anywhere and happen to anyone: civilians, large multinational enterprises, organized criminal networks, even governments. So what can we do to defend ourselves? On this week’s episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross discusses the importance of cybersecurity for enterprises large and small with Peter Waxman, principal group program manager of enterprise and security, core operating systems, and intelligence edge at Microsoft.
From Tom Brady’s athlete recovery sleepwear to Ralph Lauren’s self-heating jacket, flexible electronics are gaining traction in the retail market. However, this technology is not limited to apparel – foldable smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip along with a host of other bendable, wearable and malleable tech are also part of this increasingly popular electronics category. With their low cost and smart sensing capabilities, flexible electronics have the potential to generate a host of data and analytics that can be applied to other industries. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Nick DeGaetano, General Manager of Strategic Business Development at Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America, about the use cases for flexible electronics and how this technology helps create a promising future for the retail industry and beyond.
Often, the most challenging and expensive part of a product’s journey is in the last mile. As e-commerce retailers like Amazon continue to raise consumer expectations with faster deliveries and real-time visibility into order status, businesses across industries are turning to technology to keep up. However, technology is not a “one size fits all” solution – what works for some companies, may not work for others. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Jim Ward, president and founder of Elite EXTRA, about last mile delivery challenges and how technologies like automation and data analytics can help to optimize supply chain operations while providing a premium customer experience.
Did you know electric vehicles have been around since the early 1900s? While EVs may not be new, the rising popularity of electric mobility, or e-mobility, transportation solutions is. Before Tesla, EVs were clunky vehicles that resembled golf carts in many cases. Today, EVs are increasingly popular with sleek new designs coming out from the likes of Tesla as well as traditional automotive manufacturers and newer startups. But e-mobility doesn’t stop with consumer vehicles – electric options are making headway in the marine and aviation industries too. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Tavis Szeto, Director for Mobility & Technology at Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America, about the rising demand for e-mobility and how manufacturers are updating their processes and products to keep up.
Businesses today are so focused on integrating digital technologies to transform how they work and serve customers, that they are getting distracted by hype. Many companies are implementing new technologies and tools before they even understand if and how they will solve customers’ pain points. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, Susan Campbell is joined by Faisal Pandit, president of Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America, to discuss why digital transformation must be driven by customer experience to be successful and how companies like McDonald’s have seen success.
Canada’s technology market is similar to the U.S., but smaller and more nimble. As a result, businesses are taking advantage of shorter tech adoption and deployment cycles, and thinking of ways to utilize new technologies to solve customers’ problems. However, adopting new technology isn’t always smooth sailing: Budget, skillsets and manpower can sometimes slow down its deployment, just like in the U.S. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Susan Black, general manager of Panasonic Canada, about how businesses deploy technology to solve problems and what tech trends will shape the future.
Have you ever wondered how your Apple Watch connects to its data plan even though there’s no SIM card? That’s right: it uses eSIM! While one might think eSIM is mostly used in consumer electronics, devices and wearables, employees and enterprises also benefit from the technology. For example, eSIM enhances bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs within businesses by untethering the workforce, allowing employees to work from their own devices and offering them the flexibility to toggle between a business line and a personal one. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Craig Jackowski speaks with Heidi Wilson, sales director of Mobile Operators at IDEMIA, about eSIM use cases and the future of wireless tech.
Remember analog TVs? It took years to transition from analog to digital cable, but today, new technology is changing the way we live and work at a faster pace than we’ve ever seen – and this is especially true for the cable and telecom industry. Now, with emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality entering the workplace, installers and field technicians in the cable industry are challenged to keep up with the pace of these advancements. Fortunately, training and career courses allow workers to update their skills, and at the same time, help organizations fill vacancies from within. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Zenita Henderson, vice president of marketing and business development at SCTE•ISBE, about the importance of reskilling the workforce, benefits of micro-training sessions and how employees can best prepare themselves for future career opportunities.
Today, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly part of companies’ DNA, but for Panasonic, CSR has been a focus since the company’s founding 100+ years ago. CSR programs serve the dual benefit of improving the communities they impact while simultaneously helping companies create brand identities that many consumers – especially millennials – find attractive. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Faisal Pandit, president of Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America, about the importance of giving back through CSR initiatives as well as one initiative he’s particularly passionate about: working with rapper, actor and philanthropist, Common, through Art in Motion, a creative arts school based in Chicago. To learn more about Art in Motion and how you can help out, visit: https://www.aimchicago.org/.
What can a marketing team learn from a comic book writer? How can someone who studies ants help an airline with its boarding process? Cross-pollination, or the practice of introducing ideas from outside an organization or industry to spur innovation, will help your organization – and your employees – flourish. But how can executives implement cross-pollination in their own organizations? In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Founder of the Big Heads Network, John Palumbo, about what cross-pollination is, how it works and what organizations can hope to achieve after implementing this cross-industry networking tactic.
As brands compete for market share, consumer interest and sales, each must find a way to differentiate itself. To do so, companies can take three critical steps: 1) Define their brand purpose, 2) Determine how technology can support it and 3) Communicate this strategy through creative storytelling. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, Susan Campbell is joined by Larry Weber; CEO of Racepoint Global, founder of the Weber Group and author of several books on marketing in the digital age; to discuss the power of purpose-driven marketing.
In its early days, financial technology – or fintech – focused on monetizing technologies and value-added services for the financial industry. But since its inception, fintech has ultimately reinvented the way we handle our money, our business operations and our daily routines. Now, we are able to make payments with a simple tap of our phone, trade bitcoin and cryptocurrency for real-world products and manage personal wealth with the click of a button. With all of these technologies, businesses have a lot to consider when evaluating their fintech strategy. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Jennifer Byrne, co-founder and president of Quesnay Inc., about this topic and more.
As technological innovation continues to change the way we work, new devices and software are permeating organizational strategy and value-creation models. In turn, executives are adapting by forging strategic, effective partnerships to drive business growth and achieve their goals. But what partners does your business really need? Are you making the right connections in your professional network to help your business grow? In this episode, Host Barry Ross and Kim Murtagh, group manager of strategic alliances at Panasonic, discuss alliances, partnerships and what to look for in a successful relationship.
In any crisis – whether it’s a natural disaster, a terror attack or an industrial catastrophe – every second counts. This year, hundreds of first responders and industry partners will gather at the third annual Operation Convergent Response (OCR) event in Georgia where attendees can engage in interactive disaster scenarios and participate in immersive learning experiences, all with technology at the heart of operations. In this episode, Host Susan Campbell and Tammy McLean, Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives at Verizon, discuss how OCR originally came together and how cutting edge technologies can help first responders save more lives.
Millennials are now the largest generation in the workforce. As they increasingly enter decision making roles, businesses are figuring out new ways to adapt to the needs, wants and skillsets of this new generation, which expects constant connectivity and the latest technology at their fingertips. In this episode, Host Susan Campbell and Brian Rowley, VP of marketing at Panasonic Systems Solutions Company, discuss the impacts of technology on the workforce and how next gen workers will shape the way we work.
When laptops first came onto the market decades ago, they enabled workers to move freely amongst offices and buildings without leaving their work behind – something they hadn’t been able to do before. Fast forward twenty years, and mobility has advanced even further, with tablets, handhelds, cell phones and more designed to keep workers connected to the internet and to each other, no matter where their work may take them. In this episode, Host Susan Campbell, group manager of Panasonic System Solutions North America, invites Magnus McDermid, SVP of Mobility Solutions USA & VP of Enterprise Solutions Canada, to discuss the evolution of the mobile workforce and what it means for the future of work.
Since the release of the Fitbit activity tracker in 2009, wearable technology has taken the market by storm as top brands like Apple, Microsoft and even Nike consistently release more and more wearable products to a consumer base hungry for the latest lifestyle tech. But what potential do these devices hold for employers? Should businesses be deploying wearables to their employees, and for what purpose? In this episode, host Barry Ross, senior product and marketing manager at Panasonic, and guest John Harris, global research and development director at Panasonic, discuss the wearable technology market and how it may impact work across industries.
Rugged devices are reliable and sturdy, but what makes them even stronger is the product planning, deployment, security, repair and replacement services behind them. In this episode Host Barry Ross, senior product and marketing manager at Panasonic, and Walt Chantlos, national sales manager at Panasonic ProServices, discuss the importance of customer support and feedback, and how professional services (ProServices) play a crucial role in the success of any mobile deployment.
Getting wireless connectivity isn’t as easy as it should be for mobile workers – that is, until P.180 was born. In this episode, Host Barry Ross, senior product and marketing manager at Panasonic, speaks with Mary Beth Hall, Panasonic’s director of wireless strategy, about wireless connectivity pain points and the benefits Panasonic’s P.180 solution can bring to mobile workers across the globe.
Released in early September, the TOUGHBOOK 55 is the latest rugged laptop from Panasonic bringing unprecedented battery life, modularity and customizability to customers. In this episode, Host Craig Jackowski, group manager of product management at Panasonic, invites Anthony Mungiello, senior product manager at Panasonic, to discuss how the TOUGHBOOK 55 came to fruition. Spoiler alert: customer input played a crucial role.
Over the past year, 5G connectivity has taken center stage as leaders in the telecommunications space jockey for market share, fueling excitement around the idea of a faster, stronger, more powerful generation of wireless. But what does 5G really mean? In this episode, Host Craig Jackowski, Panasonic’s group manager of product management, speaks with Mary Beth Hall, Panasonic’s director of wireless strategy, about 5G and what this next generation of connectivity means for the industry.