TechSperience Solutions: Recent Episodes

Connection.com

Connection TechSperience is a boisterous group of tech enthusiasts keen on deciphering the inner workings of the IT world, sharing their passion (along with industry-insider secrets), and offering a fresh perspective on all things technology.

Healthcare organizations are under growing pressure to modernize IT environments while improving clinician experience, strengthening security, and preparing for the next wave of AI-enabled workflows.

In this episode, we’ll explore how AI-powered endpoints, intelligent collaboration tools, and modern device strategies are helping healthcare IT leaders balance operational efficiency with better patient outcomes.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Abhishek Khowala, Global Head of AI, Health and Life Sciences Vertical at
Intel

Alexander Stanton III, Account Executive for Healthcare at Lenovo

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction: AI endpoints and healthcare modernization overview
02:17 - Success story: Ohio children's hospital — modernization benefits
03:16 - Security in healthcare AI: Protecting models and managing endpoints
05:33 - Challenges faced by healthcare IT teams: Resources, regulation, data issues
07:54 - Criticality of security and managing AI complexity in healthcare
09:47 - The importance of practical AI adoption focused on patient outcomes
11:12 - How AI PCs enhance clinician workflows and patient safety
13:06 - Practical benefits of AI endpoints: reducing downtime and improving outcomes
14:01 - Role of Intel, Lenovo, and Microsoft in secure, effective AI deployment
15:21 - The significance of local processing in healthcare AI PCs — Intel’s innovation
17:18 - Leveraging Microsoft 365 for orchestrating complex workflows with AI
18:59 - Managing endpoint sprawl and prioritizing security in healthcare IT
20:25 - Enhancing threat detection with AI hardware and software integration
22:18 - Rethinking modernization: From IT assets to care quality investments
24:42 - Using endpoints at the point of care to meet KPIs and reduce data risks
26:06 - Early wins: Focus on outcomes, pilot projects, and stakeholder alignment
27:57 - Moving forward with healthcare modernization practices

Healthcare organizations face growing pressure to modernize clinical systems while defending against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. In this episode, host Kim Coombes is joined by Connection Security Center of Excellence experts John Chirrillo and Rob Di Girolamo to discuss Ripple Security Logic, a framework for understanding and managing risk across today's highly connected healthcare environments. The conversation explores the interconnected relationships between endpoints, medical devices, networks, cloud platforms, identities, and clinical workflows.

Hear from our experts as they discuss how XDR-powered observability, Zero Trust principles, AI-driven analytics, and resilience-focused strategies can help healthcare organizations reduce risk, strengthen threat detection, and support better patient outcomes.

Moderator: Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection
Guest: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Guest: Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection

Show Notes

(0:00) - Welcome and episode overview: Healthcare cybersecurity and Ripple Security
(1:02) - How Ripple Security changes organizational thinking about cybersecurity
(2:00) - Interconnected ecosystem of healthcare data and devices
(2:57) - Visualizing ripple effects on patient care and organizational risks
(3:27) - The number of connected devices per hospital bed
(4:26) - Growth of attack surface with connected medical devices
(5:24) - Importance of endpoint security and XDR's role in healthcare
(6:22) - How XDR correlates telemetry for threat detection
(7:20) - The critical role of observability versus simple data collection
(8:45) - Distinguishing noise from signals using context-aware observability
(10:10) - Significance of XDR in managing healthcare’s vast device ecosystem
(11:37) - Visibility challenges in healthcare networks and XDR’s benefits
(13:01) - Faster detection and response through integrated telemetry
(14:50) - The importance of east-west traffic monitoring and network segmentation
(17:37) - Redefining perimeter security in a remote and cloud-enabled world
(20:03) - Combating alert fatigue with AI-driven analytics
(21:55) - Security considerations for cloud adoption in healthcare
(25:08) - Impact of breaches and costs on healthcare organizations
(26:04) - Building resilience as a core component of cybersecurity strategy
(28:24) - Aligning security with business resilience and clinical continuity
(29:21) - Final thoughts: Trust, resilience, and proactive cybersecurity planning

In this episode, host Kim Coombes is joined by security experts John Chirillo and Rob Di Girolamo, along with Microsoft Security expert Robin Camirand, to unpack the most important insights from the RSAC 2026 Conference.

The discussion covers the rapid rise of Agentic AI security, the need to defend at machine speed, and the industry’s shift toward active defense as traditional response models struggle to keep up. The team also explores the growing importance of post-quantum cryptography as organizations prepare for the next phase of cryptographic risk.

Throughout the conversation, the panel reflects on RSAC’s defining theme, the “power of community,” and why collective defense is essential as threats become faster, more automated, and more complex. Whether you’re tracking AI-driven risks, planning for quantum readiness, or looking for clear takeaways from RSAC 2026, this episode delivers practical insights from experienced security leaders.

Moderator: Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection
Guest: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Guest: Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Guest: Robin Camirand, Inside Solution Architect and Microsoft Security SME, Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to RSAC 2026 Trends02:43 AI as a Tool and Threat in Cybersecurity05:22 Microsoft's Perspective on Identity and Security08:27 AI as a New Attack Surface10:58 The Future of Security Operations and SOC13:31 AI-Driven Attacks and Vulnerability Management16:17 Quantum Security: A Growing Concern18:51 Final Thoughts and Future Considerations

In today’s rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, cyber threats have become a frontline tactic—not through sophisticated zero-day exploits, but through the exploitation of basic security gaps like weak credentials, unpatched systems, and misconfigured environments. In this episode of the Connection Cybersecurity Podcast, host Kim Coombes is joined by security experts John Chirillo and Rob Di Girolamo to unpack the reality of modern cyber conflict.

Together, they explore how nation-state actors, ransomware groups, and hacktivists are converging, why critical infrastructure and mid-sized organizations alike are increasingly at risk, and how “proxy targeting” makes every company part of a larger attack surface. The conversation challenges common assumptions about cybersecurity, emphasizing that today’s greatest risk isn’t lack of advanced tools—but failure to address fundamental security hygiene and identity protection. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how cyber warfare is evolving, how it impacts organizations indirectly, and what practical steps leaders must take now to reduce exposure and strengthen resilience.

In this episode, the Connection Security Center of Excellence team looks beyond today’s headlines to uncover the threats most people won’t hear about until it’s too late. The team dives into the emerging risks shaping the next era of cybersecurity—from the looming reality of harvestnowdecryptlater attacks, to the potential for identity collapse in a passwordless world, to the rise of autonomous AI agents as adversaries.

Rather than reacting to the news cycle, we explore what security leaders should be thinking about before the story breaks. If you want to understand the risks that are quietly forming on the horizon—and how they could redefine trust, identity, and digital resilience—this conversation is your early warning system.

Speakers: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Challenges01:27 Understanding Harvest Now, Decrypt Later07:46 The Role of Identity in Security14:08 The Rise of AI-Driven Attackers20:44 Planning for the Future of Cybersecurity23:26 Mindset Shifts for Security Practitioners

Healthcare organizations are navigating modernization under intense regulatory, security, and resource constraints. This episode explores how the Microsoft technology stack shows up differently in healthcare.

The conversation breaks down hybrid cloud realities, Azure managed services, security and compliance, business resiliency, disaster recovery, and cost optimization, all grounded in real healthcare use cases. The episode also explores at how organizations can measure ROI beyond cost savings, connecting Microsoft investments to patient care, clinician experience, and operational resilience.

Speakers: Jennifer Johnson, Director of Healthcare at Connection

David Carey and Kevin Paiva, Senior Field Solution Architects at Connection

Show Notes:

00:10 Welcome and session overview
01:40 Why healthcare cloud adoption is different
02:10 Defining hybrid cloud in healthcare
03:00 Why hybrid is now the default model
03:55 Latency myths and performance realities
04:45 Which workloads belong on-prem vs. in the cloud
05:45 SaaS, staffing pressure, and infrastructure complexity
06:30 Azure managed services and Connection’s approach
07:45 Co-managed Azure vs. fully outsourced models
08:30 Why Azure over other hyperscalers
09:20 Azure security, HIPAA, and Zero Trust
10:30 Azure Health Data Services
11:45 Business continuity vs. business resiliency
14:10 What healthcare leaders worry about most today
15:00 Disaster recovery and Azure Expert MSP
16:30 Post-pandemic resource constraints
17:30 Application sprawl, security, and identity management
18:50 Cost containment and ROI in healthcare IT
21:15 The teams behind Connection’s Microsoft practice
24:45 Final takeaways and next steps

This conversation explores the transformative impact of clinical mobility and technology in healthcare, focusing on how Zebra Technologies enhances clinical workflows, improves patient and provider safety, and addresses security concerns. The discussion highlights innovations in nursing, the integration of AI, and the importance of measuring ROI in healthcare technology.

The speakers share insights on Zebra's role across the healthcare ecosystem and future innovations, emphasizing the need for effective tools to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes.

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to Clinical Mobility in Healthcare03:03 Transforming Clinical Workflows with Technology05:43 The Role of AI in Healthcare08:37 Enhancing Patient and Provider Safety11:22 Addressing Security in Healthcare Technology13:58 Zebra's Impact Across Healthcare Ecosystem17:02 Measuring ROI in Healthcare Technology19:46 Future Innovations and Acquisitions at Zebra22:39 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the intersection of data strategy and AI strategy, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between different roles within the organization. They outline their 12-month plans for AI implementation, focusing on governance, risk management, and the challenges of data governance.

The discussion also touches on the ownership of AI production systems and the principles that guide decision-making in the face of conflict. The speakers highlight the need for a balance between innovation and risk management, as well as the importance of maintaining strong partnerships within the organization.

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Data and AI Strategy

08:52 12-Month Plan for AI Implementation

17:45 Balancing Innovation and Risk Management

24:50 Data Governance and Security Challenges

27:21 Managing Shadow AI and Encouraging Innovation

28:46 Vision and Innovation: The Importance of Rechecking Paths

30:34 Navigating Customer Relationships and Risk Management

31:40 Understanding NPU Technology and Its Implications

34:09 Balancing AI Workloads: Cloud vs. Local Processing

35:31 Contractual Considerations in AI Partnerships

38:48 Ownership of AI Production Systems: A Collaborative Approach

43:29 Establishing Governance and Support Structures for AI

46:04 Defining Tiebreaker Principles in AI Decision-Making

50:07 Operationalizing Governance and Risk Management

51:55 Commitments to Innovation and Collaboration

In this episode, the Connection Security Center of Excellence team takes us on a journey—both literal and technical—sharing insights gained from a recent reconnaissance road trip across the United States. Their firsthand experiences offer a front-line perspective on the evolving landscape of post-quantum insecurity. Listeners will hear from our security experts as they unpack the evolving risk landscape that we may be challenged with in a post-quantum world—supported by real world field observations. Join us for a timely and thought-provoking discussion that blends technical insight with real-world reconnaissance that will help us all navigate the post-quantum future.

For more information on how to better secure your environment, visit Connection.com/Cybersecurity. Or, if you’re ready to start the conversation around what Connection can do to help your organization—Call 1.800.998.0067.

Speakers:

John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection

Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection

Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to the Quantum Road Trip

02:50 Objectives and Planning of the Research Trip

05:34 Understanding Post-Quantum Security

08:09 Current Preparedness for Quantum Threats

10:45 Real-World Observations and Insights

13:28 Future Predictions and Data Analysis

In this episode of the Connection Cybersecurity Podcast, host Kim Coombes is joined by our Security Center of Excellence leaders John Chirillo and Rob Di Girolamo, along with Microsoft Security expert Robin Camirand, to unpack the biggest insights from the RSAC 2025 Conference.

From the rise of AI-powered defenses and identity threats to the growing buzz around quantum computing, the team shares key takeaways, favorite moments, and what these trends mean for the future of cybersecurity. Whether you're curious about agentic AI, post-quantum cryptography, or just want to hear about goats and code-breaking shenanigans—this recap of the conference includes insights from our experts and has something for everyone.

For more information on how to better secure your environment, visit Connection.com/Cybersecurity

If you’re ready to start the conversation around what Connection can do to help your organization—Call 1.800.998.0067. Or, if you have a Connection account team already in place, please reach out.

Speakers

John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection

Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection

Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Robin Camirand, Inside Solution Architect, Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Welcome and Overview of RSAC 2025

02:27 Community and Collaboration at RSAC

04:39 Identity Management Challenges

07:58 Zero Trust Principles in Security

08:37 Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum Cryptography

10:20 Agentic AI in Security Operations

12:42 Emerging Defenses Against AI-Powered Attacks

14:48 Best Practices for Leveraging AI in Security

17:04 Favorite Moments from RSAC 2025

20:25 Summing Up RSAC 2025

Join Jamal Khan and Jennifer Johnson as they explore the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare, focusing on its applications, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the role of Chief AI Officers. This discussion highlights the importance of governance, patient consent, and the potential of AI to improve healthcare workflows while addressing data security challenges. Learn about how to implement AI responsibly for better healthcare outcomes and operational excellence.

Speakers:

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

Jennifer Johnson, Director of Healthcare Strategy and Business Development at Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 The Evolution of AI in Healthcare03:04 Ethics and Governance in AI Applications06:05 Data Privacy and Security Concerns08:49 The Role of Chief AI Officers12:07 Patient Consent and Data Usage14:54 AI's Impact on Healthcare Workflows18:00 Computational Power in Health Data Analysis20:47 Virtual Assistants in Healthcare24:00 Clinical Trials vs. Drug Discovery26:55 The Future of Patient Data Management28:11 AI Adoption in Insurance Companies33:05 Transparency and Explainability in AI37:28 AI Use Cases in Healthcare44:10 Cloud vs On-Prem AI Solutions49:23 Data Orchestration in Healthcare For more information on AI services for healthcare, visit https://www.cnxnhelix.com/healthcare.

Quantum computing represents a significant shift in computational power, offering both opportunities and challenges for securing sensitive data. Join the Connection Security Center of Excellence team as we delve into the transformative threats that quantum computing poses for cybersecurity and the countermeasures we should be considering to address those threats.

We'll explore the fundamentals of quantum computing, including concepts like qubits, superposition, and entanglement, and how these principles can enhance encryption and threat detection. Quantum cryptography, quantum random number generation, and quantum machine learning are some of the promising applications that could revolutionize device security.

However, quantum computing also poses risks to traditional cryptographic methods, potentially compromising data integrity, authentication protocols, and long-term data security. We'll discuss the need for quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms and the importance of transitioning to quantum-safe technologies to protect against future quantum-enabled threats.

Join us as we navigate the exciting yet complex landscape of quantum computing and security, highlighting the advancements, challenges, and future directions that will shape the approach to cybersecurity in the quantum era.

Speakers

John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection

Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection

Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Lindsay Nelmes, Microsoft Solution Sales Executive, Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction to Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity
02:31 Real-World Impacts of Quantum Computing
04:49 The Timeline for Quantum Threats
06:29 Industries at Risk and Proactive Measures
08:36 Understanding Quantum Resistant Algorithms
09:59 Leveraging Quantum for Cybersecurity Improvements
12:08 AI and Quantum Computing Synergy
14:07 Microsoft's Role in Quantum Security
15:30 Future Milestones in Quantum Computing
18:02 Misconceptions About Quantum Computing
20:12 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

For more information on how to better secure your environment, visit Connection.com/Cybersecurity.

AIOps is revolutionizing IT operations, enabling businesses to manage infrastructure more efficiently than ever. In this episode, we explore how automation, AI, and machine learning are reshaping IT management—driving self-healing systems, autonomous operations, and proactive performance optimization.

As organizations scale, ensuring resilience, minimizing downtime, and controlling costs are more critical than ever. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the key trends fueling AIOps adoption and the strategies IT leaders can use to future-proof their operations. Expect actionable insights on leveraging AI-driven automation for smarter, more scalable, and cost-effective IT management.

Speakers: Taruna Gandhi, Head of Product Marketing for OpsRamp, Hewlett Packard

Cameron Bulanda, VP of Technical Sales and Centers of Excellence, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Operations
03:11 The Importance of Observability
05:54 Breaking Down Silos with AIOps
09:10 Real-Life Examples of Self-Healing Systems
12:02 Proactive Management with AI Insights
14:51 Leveraging Anonymized Data for Better Insights
18:05 Future of AI in Operations Management
20:49 Driving Sustainability with AI
23:59 Choosing the Right Partner for AI Solutions

In a world where hospitals rely on interconnected medical devices to save lives, there are continuous hidden vulnerabilities lurking beneath the surface. This podcast dives into the realities of IoMT security with John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect and author of the newly released novella Silent 1ntrusions, alongside cybersecurity expert Rob Di Girolamo, to break down the threats, the lessons, and what we can do to defend against them.

We’ll delve into topics Silent 1ntrusions’ main character, Dr. Kristi Chiro experiences as she battles a relentless hacker. A pacemaker’s glitch, insulin pumps go haywire, and an entire hospital teeters on the edge of collapse. In an era of hyperconnected healthcare, how safe are we really?

Speakers: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to IOMT Security and Silent Intrusions
02:46 Real-World Inspirations Behind Silent Intrusions
06:10 Exploring IOMT Vulnerabilities in Healthcare
08:49 Challenges in Securing IOMT Devices
11:46 Attack Scenarios and Realistic Threats
14:50 Key Takeaways for Healthcare Professionals
18:08 Future Threats in Healthcare Security

Artificial intelligence for IT security operations (AISecOps) is revolutionizing cybersecurity. In this episode, we discuss how AI and machine learning are used to analyze IT data, allowing organizations to:

Proactively identify and respond to threats: Detect anomalies, predict outages, and automate incident response.
Improve efficiency: Streamline security operations and optimize resource allocation.
Enhance threat detection: Uncover complex attack patterns and stay ahead of emerging threats.

We'll cover real-world applications of AISecOps, the challenges in implementing this technology, and future trends in AI-driven security. Finally, we'll provide actionable insights for organizations looking to strengthen their security posture with AISecOps.

Speakers: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Kimberlee Coombes, Security Solution Architect, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AIOps and Cybersecurity03:07 The Role of AIOps in Threat Detection06:01 Adapting to Evolving Cyber Threats08:58 AI in Proactive Threat Hunting11:55 Challenges in AIOps: False Positives and Data Quality14:51 The Future of AIOps and Self-Healing Systems17:45 AI and Zero Trust Strategies21:07 AIOps for Small and Medium Businesses23:52 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In this episode, our Security Center of Excellence team delves into a real-world cybersecurity mystery and its unexpected solution. This incident is a perfect storm, highlighting the complexities of modern IT environments and how seemingly unrelated actions can cascade into significant business disruptions and major security incidents. But here's where it gets fascinating: what appeared to be a sophisticated cyber-attack turned out to be something far more mundane, yet equally dangerous.

The hero of this story is an AI-powered assistant, still in its proof-of-concept phase, that cracked the case. Join us as we unravel the mystery of the Phantom Brute Force attack and the AI detective that solved it. This isn’t just a mere cautionary tale about the complexities of modern IT environments; it serves as a stark reminder of how easily security can be compromised in unexpected ways.

Speakers: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Kimberlee Coombes, Senior Security Architect, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Challenges01:02 The Incident Unfolds: A Case Study03:51 Utilizing AI Tools for Incident Resolution10:29 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity15:35 Bridging Theory and Practice in Cybersecurity18:00 Best Practices: Hard-Coded Passwords and Change Management23:43 Empowering Users with AI Tools

In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, staying ahead isn't just an option—it's a necessity. In this episode, we peel back the layers of the latest attack vector trends and take you into the heart of a recent cyber incident that challenged conventional defenses. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about the human element—everyday people navigating an invisible battlefield.

We’ll break down the anatomy of a sophisticated malware attack that slipped past traditional security measures with ghost-like precision. Discover the tools, strategies, and decisions that led to its eventual detection, containment, and remediation.

Beyond the technical deep dive, we’ll explore the critical role of Zero-Trust principles in building resilient defenses and highlight how fostering a culture of awareness and vigilance can be the ultimate game-changer. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just starting your cybersecurity journey, this episode is packed with insights and actionable takeaways to fortify your defenses and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Speakers: John Chirillo, Principal Security Architect, Connection
Rob Di Girolamo, Senior Security Architect, Connection
Pam Kennedy, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, Connection
Kevin Knapp, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer, Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Trends02:50 Ransomware Evolution and Tactics06:07 AI's Role in Cyber Threats09:01 Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities11:52 Supply Chain and Vendor Attacks15:11 Identity-Based Attacks and Authentication Challenges18:05 Key Takeaways for Organizations20:57 Case Study: The Wave Browser Incident27:12 Post-Incident Analysis and Lessons Learned

The manufacturing sector is racing towards a digital future, but this innovation brings an explosion of cyber threats. This episode exposes the hidden vulnerabilities putting manufacturers at risk and reveals essential strategies to protect your operations. Discover how to secure vulnerable legacy systems, maximize your cybersecurity insurance, and gain critical visibility into Operational Technology (OT).

We'll also explore how Microsoft and AI are revolutionizing cybersecurity defense. Don't let cybercriminals cripple your progress. Tune in now for actionable insights and expert advice to fortify your manufacturing business against evolving threats.

Host: James Hilliard

Speakers: Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director, Connection

Travis Guinn, Principal Partner Solutions Architect for Security,
Microsoft

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to Industry 4.0 Security Challenges03:03 Assessing Current Security Postures in Manufacturing05:54 Cybersecurity Insurance and Its Impact on Manufacturers09:12 The Need for Visibility and Insight in Manufacturing12:02 Modernization and Integration of IT and OT14:52 Decision-Making in Cybersecurity Modernization17:49 Leveraging Microsoft Tools for Cybersecurity21:02 The Role of AI in Enhancing Cybersecurity25:46 Conclusion and Next Steps for Manufacturers

Manufacturing is undergoing a quiet transformation as AI becomes embedded across the industry, often without companies fully realizing it. Despite abundant data, many manufacturers are missing chances to boost productivity and quality control. With mature tools like Vision AI gaining traction, the future of manufacturing will rely on intelligent automation, edge computing, and AI as a workforce enhancer rather than a replacement.

In this episode, we delve into the current and future role of AI in manufacturing, highlighting practical applications and the impact on efficiency. We’ll cover how manufacturers can better leverage data, embrace embedded AI, and foster collaboration to successfully implement AI solutions, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning in this evolving space.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Ryan Spurr, Senior Manufacturing Strategy and Business Development Director at Connection

Jeff Minushkin, VP Helix Core Engineering

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Manufacturing02:52 Current State of AI Adoption in Manufacturing06:05 The Future of AI: Trends and Innovations09:03 Identifying Wins: Productivity and Quality Control11:51 Technological Changes on the Horizon14:47 Impact on Workforce: Operators, Engineers, and Managers20:50 Engagement Process: From Strategy to Execution26:57 The Path Forward with AI in Manufacturing

Embedded AI is revolutionizing industries by making advanced technology accessible to all organizations, driving innovation through applications like contract automation and proposal generation.

In this episode, we explore how our clients are leveraging embedded AI solutions and address key challenges, including ROI concerns and ethical considerations. Learn why it's vital to start your AI journey today—and how Connection can help you stay ahead.

If you want to learn more about how Connection is helping its customers to improve productivity through AI Embedded AI, check out our pages www.connection.com/solutions-services/artificial-intelligence and www.connection.com/solutions-services/digital-workspace.

Speakers: Brian Gatke – Vice President, GTM Solutions Strategy and Portfolio at Connection

Travis Cook – Director, Industry Solutions at Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption Challenges02:50 Understanding Embedded AI and Its Applications06:06 The Democratization of AI08:58 Navigating Hesitancy in AI Implementation11:47 Exploring Use Cases for AI in Various Industries15:09 The Importance of Clear Business Challenges18:02 Ethical Considerations in AI Deployment20:52 The Urgency of Getting Started with AI

AI is transforming the retail landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, personalize the customer experience, and optimize operations. But with these opportunities come new challenges.

In this episode, we explore how AI can empower employees, drive hyper-personalization, and revolutionize supply chain management. We also delve into the critical security risks associated with AI adoption and discuss how retailers can balance innovation with robust security measures.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Brian Gallagher, Connection Retail Strategy Director

Rai Basharat, Connection Senior Director Data Orchestration, Helix Center for Applied AI and Robotics

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Retail03:08 Top Benefits of AI for Retail05:59 Enhancing Customer Experience with AI08:52 AI's Role in Employee Productivity11:59 AI in Supply Chain Optimization14:48 Security Implications of AI in Retail18:00 Balancing Innovation and Security21:06 The Future of AI in Retail23:52 The Human-AI Relationship in Retail26:48 Conclusion and Next Steps

AI is revolutionizing healthcare by analyzing massive datasets to uncover hidden patterns, leading to breakthroughs in disease diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Join Jennifer Johnson and Jamal Khan as they explore AI's impact on healthcare. They delve into critical ethical considerations, governance structures, data security measures, and AI's role in clinical decision support.

Speakers: Jennifer Johnson, Director of Healthcare Strategy and Business Development at Connection

Jamal Kahn, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction and AI Ecosystem Shifts02:07 Ethical Considerations and Governance in AI Healthcare05:49 Challenges of Data Poisoning and Model Drift in AI Healthcare08:02 Role of CAIOs in Healthcare Governance and Data Strategy10:48 Importance of Patient Consent and Cross-Jurisdictional Challenges13:01AI's Impact on Healthcare Provider Work Environment17:45 Vetting AI Partners and Virtual Assistants in Healthcare19:39 Patient Accessibility and Engagement in Healthcare22:50 Clinical Trials and Technology in Healthcare24:13 Challenges of Merging Patient Data in Healthcare27:01 AI Adoption in Healthcare: Impact on Insurance Providers32:08 Challenges of Transparency and Explainability in AI35:58 AI in Clinical Settings: Promising Use Cases37:18 Choosing Hyperscalers for Healthcare AI Implementation48:01 Data Orchestration for Patient Care with AI50:17 Following Patients Through Care Settings with AI52:08 Excitement and Challenges of AI Integration in Healthcare

Feeling overwhelmed by the switch to Windows 11? Wondering if it's worth the hassle or worried about a complicated migration process? Unsure if Windows 11 is a complete overhaul or a familiar friend with new features?

In this podcast, we'll tackle all these questions and more, including the exciting world of AI integration within Windows 11.

We'll also explore strategies for planning your upgrade, running both Windows 10 and 11 side-by-side, and top tips for a smooth and successful migration. By the end of this episode, you'll be a Windows 11 upgrade pro, ready to unlock the next generation of user experience.

Host: James HilliardGuest: Rob McGilvrey, Americas Specialist for Windows Pro & Modern Endpoints at Microsoft Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Windows Upgrade Experiences02:22 Windows 11 as a Feature Update05:17 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 1108:05 Impact of Windows 11 on End User Productivity10:25 Hardware Requirements for Windows 1113:16 AI Integration in Windows 1116:05 Procurement Planning for New Hardware23:06 Creating a Refresh Plan for Windows 1126:23 Running Windows 10 and 11 Concurrently29:32 Tips for a Successful Windows 11 Migration30:27 Resources

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of revolutionary for the manufacturing industry. From research and development to production, and even extending to aftermarket services, AI can drastically improve productivity, bolster quality control, and optimize supply chains in the industry.

However, adopting AI in manufacturing is not without its challenges and complexities. Join us as we navigate this evolving landscape, explore practical applications of AI for manufacturers, and uncover the business benefits it can bring.

Guests:

Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
00:46 The Impact of AI in Manufacturing
03:01 Challenges in AI Adoption in Manufacturing
05:30 Unique Challenges in Manufacturing
08:22 Job Displacement in Manufacturing
09:40 Drivers for AI Adoption in Manufacturing
11:43 Factors Enabling AI Adoption
14:35 The Role of Data in AI Adoption
18:48 Applications of AI in Manufacturing
24:52 Use Cases and Workloads in AI
28:36 The Power of Camera Vision in Manufacturing
34:06 The Importance of Supply Chain Twins
38:41 The Role of Synthetic Data in AI
45:25 Connection's Approach to AI in Manufacturing
50:15 Six Areas of Focus
50:45 Partnerships and Technology Stacks
51:08 Opportunity and Feasible Use Cases
51:36 Limited Sampling of Use Cases
52:03 Learning More about AI in Manufacturing
52:17 Closing Remarks

Manufacturers demand better technology delivery. In this podcast, we'll explore how Connection's Technology Integration and Distribution Center (TIDC) can help manufacturing IT organizations invest in automation, tech modernization, and leverage our deep technology experience to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and free up it staff to focus on more strategic initiatives. Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

Mark Wulfhorst, Senior Director for the Solution Engineering Group at TIDC, Connection

Show Notes:

00:03 Introduction to Connections Technology Integration and Distribution Center00:49 Challenges Faced by Manufacturing Customers01:23 Disruptive Initiatives in Manufacturing02:12 The Changing Expectations of IT03:04 The Struggle to Hire Competent People03:57 The Reality of IT Staffing in Manufacturing05:30 The Increasing Demand for Better Technology Delivery06:39 The Evolution of Customer Needs and TIDC Services07:43 The Benefits of TIDC Services08:57 The Impact of COVID on IT Delivery11:43 The Transition to Windows 1120:12 The Role of TIDC in IT Asset Disposal22:05 The Engagement Process with TIDC23:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

The pace of work has increased exponentially—along with the crush of data, information, and always-on communications. People are struggling to shoulder the weight of it all, while business leaders feel pressure to increase productivity amid economic uncertainty.

New Windows 11 Pro devices are well-positioned to tackle these challenges and accelerate workflows and collaboration with experiences that elevate the potential of everyone on your team.

In this podcast, we'll discuss what the move to Windows 11 Pro devices can do for you and your users. With simple deployment and advanced security protection, the time to upgrade to Windows 11 is now.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Dan Ortiz, Director of Center of Excellence Workspace Transformation Solutions at Connection

Rob McGilvrey, Americas Specialist for Windows Pro & Modern Endpoints at Microsoft

Guests:

Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director at Connection

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prominent in the retail landscape. Discover how AI is reshaping the retail landscape, from enhancing customer experiences and optimizing supply chains to boosting employee engagement.

Join us as we explore practical applications of AI for retailers and uncover the business benefits it can bring.

We’re at an inflection point in U.S. manufacturing. Those that are not investing in advanced technologies today will quickly find themselves uncompetitive. Those that are beginning to modernize their facilities, however, are achieving smarter and more digitally excellent design and production.

In this podcast, we'll explore how manufacturers can leverage advanced technologies to modernize their spaces and ultimately yield big business benefits.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Blake Kerrigan, Senior Director for ThinkEdge Business Group at Lenovo

Zihan Wang, Global Business Development Manager at NVIDIA

Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

Show Notes:

[0:55] Are there one or two trends or issues across manufacturing that are leading teams to recognize the need to modernize today?

[4:52] What other trends from a technological standpoint are you seeing regarding manufacturers' need to modernize their facilities?

[7:00] AI is helping the manufacturing industry modernize faster. What are teams looking to do with AI?

[10:25] What are some of the leading cutting-edge manufacturers doing? What can we learn from them?

[14:01] How much education is needed to assist manufacturers with what they need to begin the modernization process?

[21:45] What are some case study examples of how manufacturers have modernized their facilities recently?

[25:00] How did our teams help Trek Bikes modernize their research and development manufacturing operations?

[28:01] How's Lenovo helping automotive manufacturers modernize the early stages of their manufacturing production operations?

[31:56] How has our team assisted Pegatron with modernizing its mass production?

[35:04] How can adopting smart technologies in manufacturing help with cost savings?

[37:55] To continue the conversation, visit www.connection.com/manufacturing and Ryan can loop in our other teams to jumpstart your modernization process.

Modernizing your data center is crucial to your organization's long-term success. In this podcast, we'll better define what data center modernization can look like for different organizations, talk through some of the ideas and promises from AMD, and offer up stories of where teams can succeed.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Kristin Hintlian – AMD Channel Sales Manager for Connection

Ken Bartels – Connection Technical Sales Executive for AMD (aka Resident Genius)

Show Notes:

[0:45] Modernization can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. What does a modern data center mean to customers?

[2:37] Are newer companies also looking to modernize due to how quickly the market is moving?

[4:40] What are some of the biggest and smallest data centers that you've been to, and how have they been able to modernize?

[7:00] What are the "people" challenges when modernizing data centers?

[11:40] Organizations are facing three big challenges surrounding data center modernization: needing better performance, reducing energy consumption, and reducing software licensing fees. How does AMD address these challenges?

[17:45] What cost savings in software licensing fees are customers seeing?

[19:35] Are there specific industries that are leading the modernization charge?

[21:50] What are some of the ways teams that have modernized with AMD have been able to push their healthcare organization forward?

[24:40] What are some examples in the manufacturing space where AMD has been able to help companies move forward?

[27:35] Walk us through some typical customer interactions in terms of how they can get an overall cost of ownership view of where they are at vs. adding new technologies.

[30:40] After the initial TCO analysis is completed, how can customers then get a good roadmap of how to get started based on their business goals?

[32:45] Reach out to your Connection account team for a TCO analysis to see what your data center modernization journey could look like.

The world of retail is currently experiencing a multitude of developments. Retailers are actively exploring which potential new technologies can help them to best achieve their desired business outcomes.

But before these new technologies can be truly transformational, it is essential to first establish a strong foundation that can support them. Listen on to learn how to ensure these fundamental elements are in place – and how you can effectively leverage them to modernize your stores.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director at Connection

Ed Durbin, Senior Director, Global Retail at VMWare

Show Notes:

[0:22] What are the top ideas that retail leaders are discussing surrounding retail store modernization?

[1:45] Are LoB leaders more "foot on the gas" and IT leaders more "foot on the break" when establishing store modernization initiatives?

[4:15] Are those focusing on the backend infrastructure early enough, or only after they've purchased new technologies?

[5:45] Do CIOs want their systems to be able to adopt any new technology?

[8:10] After a successful pilot, how do you execute that to scale?

[11:00] Are there one or two common hurdles that always stop POCs from moving to the rollout stage, and what can be done to overcome them?

[16:30] What are some initial steps people can be taking to modernize stores?

[22:00] What should retailers be focused on now?

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

It's time to rethink your IT strategy and support for remote employees. Learn how to simplify device manageability including provisioning, deployment, and security in this podcast featuring experts from Intel and Connection.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Rhett Livengood, Director of Digital Business Enabling at Intel

Mark Wulfhorst, Director of Technical Services and Solutions, Technology Integration and Distribution Center, Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

The aftereffects of COVID have brought new challenges requiring new ways of thinking. Most manufacturers and warehouses leverage some level of asset tracking, typically to minimize loss. But location or asset tracking can be used throughout the entire supply chain lifecycle to help identify operational efficiencies. Asset tracking gives you the data needed to make informed decisions. Experts from Zebra and Connection share example use cases in manufacturing and explain how you can gain new insights to lower costs, maximize resources, and stay competitive.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Terry Price, Senior Sales Engineer at Zebra Technologies
Ryan Spurr, Director of Manufacturing Strategy at Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

Retailers can reduce shrinkage, diminish stockout, and enhance experiences for customers and employees with artificial Intelligence (AI). But that is just scratching the surface. AI-enabled intelligent stores can optimize so much more like managing staffing resources, reaching sustainability goals, and even predicting customers’ needs.

This podcast explores how AI solutions – a combination of data management, connectivity, edge computing devices, and software – can create powerful results. Experts from NVIDIA, Lenovo, and Connection cover real-world examples of how retailers are getting their return on investment and what strategies have been successful to reaching strong business outcomes.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Cynthia Countouris, Director of Product Marketing & Enablement for Retail, NVIDIA
Matthew Bertucci, Retail Solutions Manager, Lenovo
Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director, Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

The healthcare industry is seeing tremendous change. With the pandemic, staffing shortages, and a backlog of patients needing care, now is the time to reset and question traditional approaches. Add in the pressure of data protection and compliance, supporting remote working environments, and providing telehealth services – finding the right technologies and endpoint security solutions is essential to the future of healthcare.

In this podcast, the experts at IGEL discuss how the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces is advancing user productivity, patient care, and security while simplifying endpoint management for healthcare enterprises everywhere.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Chris Feeney, Sr. Presales Engineer, Channel & Team Lead at IGEL
Carl Gersh, VP of Marketing – North America at IGEL

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

We often take power for granted. But when there’s a power failure, a planned outage, or a natural disaster, we’re reminded that power is such a necessity. In today’s digital world, data loss and downtime for IT can lead to long-term financial and reputational damage for organizations. The risks are even greater for healthcare and critical infrastructure industries. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear how simple it is to prevent data loss and power failure before it’s too late.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Joe Doherty, Power and Cooling Business Development Specialist at Connection
Hillary Watkins, Product Marketing Specialist for Single Phase UPS at Vertiv

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

In a recent Forrester report, 77% of full-time employees said PC devices play a critical factor in their ability to do their work. In today’s climate of hybrid and remote environments, how do you determine what technologies users need and what's at risk if user experience isn't prioritized? We talk to Intel about why developing persona-based solutions is critical to user productivity, onboarding, and overall happiness.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Rhett Livengood, Director of Digital Business Enabling at Intel

• Tim Burns, Vice President of Product Management and Workplace Transformation at Connection

Explore Your Wherever Workspace to learn more about persona-based bundles or visit the Intel showcase to discover their latest technologies.

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or Podbean.

Research by IDC show that 90% of enterprises around the world are relying on a mix of on-premises, or dedicated, private clouds, as well as public clouds, and legacy platforms to meet their infrastructure needs. Data center cloud solutions need to change as business needs fluctuate. This episode covers the best practices of a hybrid cloud strategy featuring experts from Intel and Connection.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Vijay Bandari, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
Steve Fowler, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
Kiran Agrahara, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
Kevin Slate, Senior Director of Cloud Services and at Connection

Colleges and universities are prime targets for cyber attackers. From the large volumes of PII to medical and research data, higher education institutions are a gold mine for bad actors. The pandemic also added new attack vectors as institutions turned to remote and hybrid learning environments. CISOs, CTOs, and IT teams within higher education have a very challenging task when it comes to cybersecurity and data protection. With open networks, diverse user types, and limited resources, what can colleges and universities do to enhance protection? Listen to this podcast for tips on how to develop a cybersecurity risk management plan for your institution.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Bobby Sears, Senior Vertical Alliances Manager, Higher Education at Connection
Steve Nardone, Senior Director of Security and Network Solutions at Connection
Tim Allen, Director of Operations and Technology at Connection

For additional cybersecurity resources, visit: https://www.connection.com/cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

K-12 is a highly targeted sector when it comes to cyberthreats. In a recent report by CoSN, cybersecurity is a top priority among CTOs. Remote and hybrid environments have drastically increased the volume of devices to support the needs of educators and students. And each device is a potential point of entry for bad actors. There’s also a lot of PII available on these networks, making school districts a prime target for data breaches and ransomware. Listen to this podcast to learn what school districts can do to enhance cybersecurity measures.

For additional cybersecurity resources, visit: https://www.connection.com/cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Pam Aulakh, Vertical Alliances Manager, K-12 at Connection
Steve Nardone, Senior Director of Security and Network Solutions at Connection
Tim Allen, Director of Operations and Technology at Connection

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Ryan Spurr, Director of Manufacturing Strategy at Connection
Steve Nardone, Senior Director of Security and Network Solutions at Connection
Tim Allen, Director of Operations and Technology at Connection

The pandemic, smart manufacturing initiatives, and Industry 4.0 trends has shifted manufacturing into a digital transformation. As such, the industry is now experiencing a dramatic uptick in ransomware attacks. The majority of these attacks target operational technology (OT) systems by gaining access through compromised home networks and the devices of remote workers. Manufacturing organizations have highly complex infrastructure and environments. Having an accurate picture of security vulnerabilities is a challenge in itself. Listen to this podcast to explore how manufacturing organizations can mitigate their cybersecurity risks and find a more secure path forward.

For additional cybersecurity resources, visit: https://www.connection.com/cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Dr. Keith Nelson, Director of Healthcare Strategy, Connection
Steve Nardone, Senior Director of Security & Network Solutions, Connection
Tim Allen, Director of Operations and Technology, Connection

The value of patient medical information makes healthcare entities prime targets for cybercriminals. According to IBM’s 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a healthcare data breach is $10.1 million, the highest across all industries. With many healthcare providers expanding beyond the four walls into remote and virtual care, now is the time evolve your organization’s cybersecurity posture. Hear from our cybersecurity and healthcare experts on what measures will help you better protect your patients’ data and healthcare practice. For additional cybersecurity resources, visit: https://www.connection.com/cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

Mobile technologies play a critical role in today’s digital world. While there’s a big focus on our remote and hybrid workforce, there are many industries that are in-person. This podcast explores how mobile technologies have evolved since the pandemic – from the frontline employee and customer experience point of view – across healthcare, retail, hospitality, warehousing, and manufacturing industries.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Terry Price, Senior Sales Engineer, Zebra Technologies

Show Notes:

[1:20] Mobile contact tracing and tracking technologies have taken off since COVID. In-person industries had to implement social distancing practices and set maximum capacity limits to minimize potential exposure.

[3:03] Serviceability for customers has drastically changed in the last few years. Customers expect instant gratification and convenience. Mobile technologies have become more necessary as we are quickly becoming a cashless society.

[8:09] Ease of use and manageability are also at the forefront for consumers. It’s key to leverage mobile technologies that use a “common” operating system, such as Android, to deliver a streamlined interface that users are familiar with.

[10:17] Healthcare workers require more out of their mobile devices than any other industry. Healthcare practitioners rely on technologies for patient care and life-and-death scenarios. These use cases require ruggedized mobile technologies that are fast and efficient.

[13:20] Disinfectant-ready devices are must-haves in healthcare. Retail and hospitality industries followed suit by adopting healthcare-grade devices.

[15:07] For many industries, ruggedized devices are critical, but decision-makers are sometimes hesitant on the upfront investment. A consumer-grade device will likely require more replacements and overall management. Ruggedized devices will result in an overall lower total cost of ownership.

[19:00] Each industry defines cybersecurity in different terms. For instance, in healthcare, HIPPA compliance requires that data cannot be stored on the device itself. Zebra works with software companies to develop solutions that can meet or exceed cybersecurity requirements and needs.

[23:49] How can a business start a mobile-first transformation? Determine the wireless and physical security infrastructure needed, find the right technologies that can elevate the employee and customer experience, and partner with experts to guide you through the process.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

James Hillard welcomes Nathan Coutinho from Logitech to discuss why organizations should reevaluate IT and office space planning. With high-turnover rates and many employees feeling “burnt out”, now is the time to pause and think about what solutions are needed to encourage meeting equity and enhance collaboration among in-person and remote teams. Listen to this episode to discover other strategies companies should consider to better support employee wellness and productivity.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Nathan Coutinho, Head of Analyst Relations and Business Strategy at Logitech

Show Notes:

[1:00] Video applications have come a long way. From barely loading frames in the 1990s to our daily need for collaboration and building relationships; users today depend on webcams, video platforms, and audio equipment. And this need will continue to push forward the evolution of these tools.

[3:20] Office spaces have changed too. The workforce went from collaborative meeting rooms to remote work environments due to the pandemic. Hybrid and remote models are here to stay.

[4:10] Having the right setup at home is important. There are so many physical factors; the right desk, the right chair, and the right environment all play a big role in your health. From the technology side, audio and video are critical elements for users to be their authentic selves.

[8:20] Poor video and audio can lead to fatigue. But not sharing your camera at all or using your camera too much can also lead to fatigue. These factors tie into the overall work culture.

[11:10] Because we are all at different levels of tech savviness, it’s important to have an inclusive mindset and an understanding that connectivity or accessibility issues may happen. Not everyone has the same access to technology either. For instance, some employees may be able to manage their bandwidth by setting up mesh routers or getting duplicate lines, but the average person may not have the means or even the knowledge to do this.

[17:35] What is meeting equity? Making sure employees working remotely can still get the full context of a meeting that’s taking place in the office. Getting the right framing, being able to see and hear everyone, and the ability to read body language has been a problem for years. Today’s web cameras can smoothly pan to those within a conference room so remote/hybrid employees can have a better experience. Web and audio technologies will continue to advance over the next five years.

[23:39] Organizations should have a thoughtful strategy when it comes to equipping employees with the right gear. There’s no silver bullet but enabling managers to lead their teams based on how they want to work is key, along with having the support from senior leaders.

[28:00] Now is the time to reset. Re-evaluate your office space. Consider flex spaces based on what meetings are happening and how those groups engage. Often, organizations rollout office spaces and collaboration tools without asking employees what they need and want. Adoption will always be hindered until companies really understand how employees want to work.

[33:57] How we work will continue to change. So, what can organizations do? Don’t assume people know how to use technologies. Training should be part of the strategy and supported by all leaders and departments. Persona-based understanding can help develop the right package of equipment and solutions. The goal is to delivery technologies that are so streamlined that its nearly invisible.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean.

Follow Connection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or read our latest insights.

The following is a 12-minute clip of Episode 106. Click here to listen to the full episode. Navigating the complexities of today's IT global supply chain issues is a challenging undertaking for any organization. This audio clip highlights a few strategies businesses can implement to procure and deliver necessary technologies needed by their employees.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Peter Waters, Senior Director of GlobalServe Solutions and Jessica Cerone, Director of Supply Chain at GlobalServe

Simplify IT procurement and deployment while empowering on-site, hybrid, and remote teams with customizable, best-of-breed hardware, software, and services bundles. Learn more at Your Wherever Workspace.

The following is a 6-minute clip of Episode 108. Click here to listen to the full episode. From low unemployment rates to a high demand for IT professionals due to hybrid and remote work environments, traditional recruiting activities are no longer effective. Listen to this clip to learn what new strategies are needed to fill your IT positions.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Patrick Dja Konan, Lifecycle Services IT Staffing Business Development Manager at Connection and Timothy Duffy, Lifecycle Services IT Staffing Business Development Manager at Connection

Simplify IT procurement and deployment while empowering on-site, hybrid, and remote teams with customizable, best-of-breed hardware, software, and services bundles. Learn more at Your Wherever Workspace.

The following is a 10-minute clip of Episode 109. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Host: James Hilliard Guest: Rhett Livengood, Director, Digital Business Enabling at Intel

Today’s digital work environment has elevated cyber security risks for organizations. It’s no longer safe to only rely on software-based solutions. This podcast clip explores why IT teams should adopt a “zero-trust” mindset and how you can equip your employees with the right tools, software, and training to help protect against costly cyberattacks.

Simplify IT procurement and deployment while empowering on-site, hybrid, and remote teams with customizable, best-of-breed hardware, software, and services bundles. Learn more at Your Wherever Workspace.

Host: James Hilliard Guest: Rhett Livengood, Director, Digital Business Enabling at Intel

Today’s digital work environment has elevated cyber security risks for organizations. It’s no longer safe to only rely on software-based solutions. This podcast explores why we IT teams should adopt a “zero-trust” mindset and how you can equip your employees with the right tools, software, and training to help protect against costly cyberattacks.

Show Notes:

[1:00] PC security has evolved drastically since the pandemic. With remote and hybrid work environments the norm today, security risks are even greater. Data breaches are unfortunately more common and can cause detrimental impacts. In a recent report, the average financial loss is $4.2M per breach (IBM).

[3:36] We're in a zero-trust environment now. Companies should assume that employees and organizations are being attacked at all times. No links or external data can be trusted.

[5:00] VPNs are difficult to maintain and manage and are no longer an effective approach to protect employees. Adding more security software slows systems down and don't lead to a great user experience.

[6:30] Intel has looked at building security right into the hardware as a solution without slowing down PCs to better support remote and hybrid employees.

[7:10] People are the weakest link when it comes to cyber security. Organizations should implement a recurring training program with reminders about multi-factor authentication, using unique and complex passwords, and paying attention to links. Phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated so highlighting what employees should look out for is key.

[10:05] Security patches should be seamless while also considering employees' working hours. Offering the user scheduling options is ideal to minimize business interruptions.

[12:56] Security should be a holistic mindset. It requires consideration of the employee, technology, security threats, and training. Multilayer device protection should include software, application, and hardware.

[15:40] When deploying PCs to employees, IT teams should be mindful about the software that is being loaded. Each program will impact PC performance which, in turn, impacts the employee experience. Work with a partner to effectively integrate software and systems for optimal protection and user experience.

[18:00] Protecting data involves encryption. Zero-trust applies here too. Nothing can be trusted.

[20:15] Security assessments and audits continue to be in the forefront when it comes to balancing employees' needs and tools, various work environments, and organizational security protocols.

[23:48] In the future, Artificial Intelligence will play a key role in automating security checks to help minimize user error.

Internal hiring managers looking to fill IT positions are currently experiencing a wide variety of challenges. Here's how Connection's IT Staffing Services can help.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Patrick Dja Konan, Lifecycle Services IT Staffing Business Development Manager at Connection

Timothy Duffy, Lifecycle Services IT Staffing Business Development Manager at Connection

Show Notes:

[1:00] IT staffing trivia: How many open IT positions are there right now?

[1:47] The power dynamic between those seeking employment and hiring managers

[2:45] IT staffing landscape of today vs. other times in history

[3:48] IT staffing predictions for the future

[6:10] Current emotional state of internal hiring managers

[7:40] Struggling to retain staff during the Great Resignation

[9:20] Tips to manage stress and anxiety for hiring managers struggling to fill a position

[12:32] Ineffective practices of hiring managers

[14:30] Disconnect between HR and hiring departments vs. IT departments

[17:20] How to get to 3-5 qualified candidates

[19:35] Where to find a great candidate pool

[21:30] How to nurture a talent pool

[23:10] Filling more temporary positions for time-sensitive projects

[26:05] Rate of repeat business in staffing services

[27:58] Why to choose Connection's IT Staffing Services

[33:08] Contact info

Today’s work-from-anywhere paradigm brings key challenges that organizations must address through IT transformation. This episode explores new PC solutions to address the needs of hybrid and remote employees while easing device management for IT staff. Topics include built-in security, accelerated compute capabilities, and automated data processing.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Rhett Livengood, Director, Digital Business Enabling at Intel

Show Notes:

[1:40] Top IT security and performance challenges we're seeing with remote/hybrid working.

[3:50] Work-from-home challenges from the personal perspective.

[7:55] How Intel strategized and mobilized to support the new remote working environment.

[11:00] Most PCs are outdated which can negatively impact security and performance.

[12:30] 12th Gen Intel Cores extend battery life by 2x and have embedded security.

[14:00] Software in PCs can prioritize video conferencing usage for improved user experience.

[19:00] Benefits of hardware/software integration and partnering with the right provider.

[22:51] With the current supply chain limitations, developing an advanced plan, teaming with a solutions provider that can advise on the best of breed technologies, and access to global resources are critical.

[28:00] Modern PCs can accommodate for Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6 extended, 5G, and 6G to elevate the employee experience at home.

Navigating the ever-growing complexities of today's global chain issues is a challenging undertaking for any organization. In this episode, we'll dive into how GlobalServe, part of the Connection family, is helping customers to navigate these challenges.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Peter Waters, Senior Director of GlobalServe Solutions

Jessica Cerone, Director of Supply Chain at GlobalServe

Show Notes:

[1:11] Introduction of guests

[1:30] What's one of the biggest issues customers are struggling with today?

[2:06] What is the solution to those issues?

[3:33] How can customers start to be more flexible with OEM standardization?

[5:25] Are people more flexible today than 2 years ago?

[6:24] Are we seeing more examples of customers mixing in different providers?

[8:06] What does the landscape look like from a global perspective where certain regions can acquire certain products?

[10:10] How can companies plan so far out when they were accustomed to an on-demand world?

[12:45] Is there any possibility of going back to where we were prior to Covid, or have things fundamentally changed?

[14:15] What are we seeing with pricing challenges?

[15:25] Are customers willing to pay more now, or are they still expecting bargains?

[16:42] How are we helping teams navigate shipping costs?

[18:41] How can you get creative with helping customers with these new challenges?

[24:58] How have GlobalServe's connections established throughout the years helped them to navigate the challenges of Covid?

[30:35] What are some examples of customer success stories?

[36:22] How is the experience of working in so many countries?

[41:05] Contact information

When COVID-19 hit, school IT teams found themselves needing to reevaluate the tools they were using. Modern solutions from Microsoft including Autopilot and Intune can bring an array of benefits to the education space. In this episode, we'll explore how the education field can utilize these technologies in schools to benefit teachers, administrators, and students.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Lisa Trisciani, VP of State, Local and Education Field Sales at Connection

Rick Sabarese, Director of End-User Computing and Mobility at Connection

Show Notes:

[0:35] Introduction of guests

[1:00] What were the biggest things that IT teams have learned over the last couple of years?

[2:42] What was Microsoft Autopilot doing in other areas like the business world that the education space realized they could also benefit from?

[3:44] How have platforms like Microsoft Autopilot helped make it easier to get technology devices up and running for students?

[5:38] Why are education customers looking at Microsoft Autopilot today?

[7:51] Can a technology device be kept with an individual student and stay with them for their entire time in school?

[9:25] How can Microsoft Autopilot alleviate technology responsibilities from teachers so that they can focus more on teaching?

[12:45] What benefits does Microsoft Autopilot provide to parents of students?

[15:06] What are some of the early feedback from school districts that have adopted Microsoft Autopilot?

[18:32] How does our team work with a school district to set up Autopilot so these machines can hit the ground running as soon as they hit a student's hands?

[20:20] In a hybrid environment, can Autopilot be utilized to manage Google devices?

[23:00] Are our students more well-versed in technology platforms today?

[24:44] How are schools funding new technology solutions? What are some of the funding opportunities out there?

[30:20] Contact information

Does your IT team need an IT team? Here are insights into our managed services and how they help teams to secure their environments.

Guest: John Chirillo, Managed Services Director at Connection

Guest: Tony The, Services Businesses Development Manager at Connection

Host: James Hilliard

Show Notes:

[0:45] Introduction of guests

[1:35] What are the top security breach challenges that IT teams are facing today?

[4:26] Is stealing credentials still a security issue?

[7:03] Are customers currently more interested in investing in security?

[8:11] What is the foundation and framework of Connection's managed services?

[9:49] Is the mindset of the organization more important than a specific technology?

[11:15] How do customers prioritize their security issues?

[12:36] How would Connection's managed services framework mitigate specific security risks?

[14:29] Where do certain technology toolsets fit in?

[17:07] How can we get teams on their best security footing for them?

[18:30] Is there still a wide variety of acceptable risk levels?

[22:00] What's the process for teams to understand and prioritize their security risks?

[24:05] How do you recommend that customers not get too far behind within their security environments?

[27:25] What's some memorable customer feedback you've received?

Learn more about the stimulus packages that have passed since COVID-19 and how it impacts information technology in the public sector space.

Guest 1 Title and Bio: Jeff Chabot, Public Sector Segment Director - Jeff is the Segment Strategy Director of the Schneider Electric Federal Sales Team. His team is responsible to lead the sale, customer support, design and implementation of critical power, cooling and management solutions in US Government information technology environments within and outside the continental United States. In his 22 years at Schneider Electric, Jeff has held various sales and sales leadership roles in commercial sales, state and local government sales and federal government sales. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science from Rhode Island College.

Host: James Hilliard

Show Notes

[0:30] Introduction of guest

[0:45] What are the choices and funding that are currently available for the public sector?

[2:00] What should be at top of mind for State and Local to consider with the American Rescue Plan?

[4:05] Is there a time period that teams need to spend these funds?

[4:33] Within State and Local, what are some of the top areas where they can spend their funds?

[5:00] Where are IT professionals spending these funds?

[6:10] Where are K-12 focusing their purchases?

[8:05] Are there similar types of spending in Higher Education?

[8:57] What is the application process that IT professionals need to be aware of to access these funds?

[10:19] How smooth has the process and experience been for folks so far?

[11:13] Anything else we should know about the American Rescue Plan?

[12:25] Have funds started to be released for the new Infrastructure Plan?

[13:40] How is broadband defined now and how is it a part of the Infrastructure Plan?

[15:42] Will more rural areas see more funding for broadband investments?

[16:38] What are all the aspects of broadband that are covered in the Infrastructure Plan?

[19:43] Could the Infrastructure Plan help with supply chain issues, inflation, and efficiency?

[20:51] When can people begin to apply and access the funds from this new Infrastructure Plan?

[21:22] What are some tips that you have that would make the most sense for people to spend these funds?

Finding the “best in class” IT resources to meet all for your wish-list items can be a challenge, especially when trying to future-proof your infrastructure and remote workforce all while maintaining security protocols and budgets during a world pandemic. Tech expectations continue to increase and the need for collaborative IT solutions has become paramount.

What have other companies done to roadmap their next 5 years of success? How have they overcome some of these challenges and mitigate the disasters of a wrong decision? Find out on this episode of TechSperience as we explore a “tour de force” of tech collaboration.

Guest 1: Laura Belincky – Sr. Business Development Manager, BSG

Guest 2: Brian McGuffin – National Business Development Manager, BSG

Guest 3: John Maslanik – Business Development Manager, BSG

Guest 4: Brian Chandler – Director, Business Development Manager’s Team, BSG

Guest 5: Derek Olson-Sr. Manager, Business Development Manager’s Team BSG

Host: James Hilliard

Show Notes:

[0:38] Introduction of guests

[1:30] How do you start the process of learning about your customers and what their pain points are?

[2:55] What's your favorite place to go to learn about a new customer?

[4:30] What's a unique place where someone has been able to uncover new information about a customer?

[5:31] Currently, what are the biggest pain points you are hearing from customers where solutions providers can help?

[8:16] Besides logistical pain points, what are some personal pain points we are hearing from customers?

[10:48] How do you start imagining the resources that you can provide a customer when they ask for products and/or services?

[13:20] How does bringing in more team members to sit in on meetings allow for more potential resources to the client?

[15:25] Are customers surprised that Connection can offer more services than they initially thought?

[19:05] How often do you find a customer is willing to talk to another customer about their experiences?

[24:40] Could you design a new data center from the ground up?

[26:33] What are your goals when engaging customers?

In 2022, many companies are navigating how to return to the office safely and smartly. In this episode, we address this challenge and explore some possible technology solutions surrounding RTO.

Guest 1 Title and Bio: Tony Dancona, Digital Workspace Evangelist and part of Connection Lab. With more than 25 years of experience in virtualization and end-user computing, Tony is considered a thought leader in the industry. He currently serves on different Technical Advisory Board including Dell Technologies, VMware and CRN Channel Company IOT.

Host: James Hilliard

Show Notes:

[0:20] Introduction of guest

[0:45] What did work look like in 2008?

[2:36] What does work look like currently?

[3:45] How are customers defining in-office collaboration?

[4:40] Are we lacking anything from working remotely?

[6:15] How do we make today's office safe?

[8:01] What technologies are you seeing most organizations trying to implement today to keep their offices safe?

[10:13] What benefits are there to utilizing some of this technology?

[11:25] Can some of this technology allow for exceptions?

[13:13] What technologies are companies looking at inside work environments?

[16:23] What verticals can this technology impact?

[17:31] How do we make offices smarter than they were a couple of years ago?

[20:51] What have been the advancements in conference technology?

[23:03] Give us a high-level primer on the Connect Aware app.

[27:50] To utilize the features of this app, what technologies are required?

[29:03] What changes do you expect to see in physical offices in the coming year?

Windows 11 Pro has arrived. Why should you make the switch? Listen in for more information on what you can expect from the upgrade – features, timelines, security, and more.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Burt Kersey, Lenovo Channel Account Executive

Guest 2: Ashley Lofaro, Microsoft OEM Senior Partner Development Specialist

Show Notes:

[00:19] Introduction of guests

[00:43] What are some of the promises of Windows 11?

[02:49] What can we expect from Lenovo devices as we start seeing Windows 11 roll out?

[06:00] What can we expect from the graphics interface of Windows 11?

[06:49] Can we set up custom desktops based on what you're using with Windows 11?

[08:30] What's the timeline for Windows 11 adoption and what are the conversations you hope to be happening during the transition?

[10:30] Are machines bought within the last year likely to accept Windows 11?

[13:55] What do teams that recently made a move to Windows 10 need to consider?

[14:53] What do teams that recently made a move to Windows 7 need to consider?

[15:46] What if a team buys Windows 11 machines, but needs to be on Windows 10 for a period of time?

[16:22] What are some things we can expect from hardware manufacturers like Lenovo to integrate with the security in Windows 11?

[19:30] What should IT teams be considering while looking at their networks before rolling out a more robust OS?

[21:51]What type of conversations do you anticipate you'll be having with teams looking into Windows 11?

[24:08] Is there something that Lenovo is looking at from a supply chain perspective to get customers the gear they need to support Windows 11?

Learn how Connection's partnership with Elo can help to address the new changes within the QSR industry, including staffing shortages, changes in customer demand and behavior, and supply chain issues.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director, Connection

Brian is a Retail veteran who has spent the past 5 years supporting the adoption of new technologies in retail to deliver amazing experiences to customers and employees.

Guest 2: Luke Wilwerding, Sr. Director of NA Sales, Elo

With over 20 years of interactive technology experience, Luke is at the forefront of innovation as retail customers create new shopping journeys that push engagement, creativity, information, and commerce. Elo solutions can be found across all verticals, with many of its' over 25 million installations deployed in many of the most popular retail chains and luxury brand stores across the globe. Working with some of the biggest retailers around the world, Luke is in a unique position to understand what’s coming next in retail.

Show Notes:

[0:38] Introduction of guests

[1:28] What industry trends were QSRs seeing in early 2020?

[4:40] In mid-2020, how did the retail industry adapt to Covid-19?

[8:45] From a supply chain standpoint, what technology inventory began to run low as a result of Covid-19?

[10:45] Have the changes been beneficial from a customer standpoint?

[16:38] How can kiosks help with new and evolving employee responsibilities?

[18:30] How can Elo products support the new POS capabilities needed?

[21:01] What's it like to manage the complexities that new technology products bring?

[23:56] What impact would adopting new POS systems have on retailers' networks?

[25:45] What products are available to improve QSR employee productivity?

[29:00] How has the ease of use of employee technology products improved?

[34:52] What's the experience look like when customers start the conversation with Elo?

[36:53] What's an innovation that you expect in the coming months to a year in the QSR space?

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Steven L. Crowther – VP of the TIDC

Guest: John Milburn – Sr. Director TIDC Operations

In the unprecedented COVID era, TIDC is still making things happen and doing more with less. Here's how they are mitigating around the current constraints on labor, supply chain constants, and the COVID-19 delta variant.

Show Notes

[0:40] Introduction of guests

[1:00] What are the biggest changes in customer demand?

[2:58] The Amazon effect and customers wanting goods sooner

[4:55] What were some of the things Connection did to adjust to changing customer demands?

[7:22] Where do we stand now with the work disruption that Covid brought on 18 months ago?

[9:33] How can customers rely on Connection to get gear into end-user hands?

[10:32] What has been the change in the labor force and the equipment they need?

[11:35] What impact did the labor shortage have on customers' needs for technology?

[13:07] What are some of the top IT requests due to the labor shortage?

[15:28] How can customers get insight through TIDC about current technology offerings?

[16:44] Is the labor shortage crisis easing up?

[18:40] What should organizations be planning for in early 2022 to make sure they get the right gear as more people rejoin the workforce?

[19:38] Where do we currently sit with supply chain constraints?

[24:30] Are we having to introduce customers to new products due to supply chain constraints on their preferred products?

[25:37] When will the supply shortage end?

[26:00] What should we be thinking about to stay ahead of supply chain issues?

[27:30] Are there certain technology products that you think might be limited in the coming months?

As we celebrate Cyber Security Awareness month, Connection in partnership with Intel, bring you a timely podcast to help your organization stay safe from cyber threats and help educate hybrid workers on best practices. Intel and the Connection Security practice collaborate and talk candidly with James to unveil some insights you many never have considered. Remember - "Do Your Part Be Cyber Smart"

BeCyberSmart

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Steve Nardone - Senior Director of Security Solutions

Guest: Yasser Rasheed - Global Director of Enterprise Clients at Intel

Show Notes

[0:55] Introduction of guests

[1:30] Is the hybrid workforce here to stay?

[3:33] Will there be more cybersecurity attacks as a result of the new hybrid workforce?

[6:10] Will the equipment of remote workers be able to protect them from cyberattacks?

[7:20] The 3 areas we'll be spending the remainder of time: "zero trust", hardware matters, and continuing to be students

[8:08] What does "zero trust" mean in the IT security community today?

[10:00] Who should own the "zero trust" mentality at an organization?

[12:15] How do you prevent user cybersecurity fatigue?

[14:31] What's an example of a great approach an organization is taking to get their end-users (hybrid workers) engaged with security?

[15:40] The importance that hardware still has in cybersecurity efforts

[18:23] Are there tools built into the hardware that can be added protection?

[20:25] What are newer security capabilities in machines, and how do they compare with what was running three years ago?

[23:10] What does it mean to become a "student of risk"?

[26:15] What's the difference between being a "student of risk" and a "student of threat"?

[27:44] What should an end-user do to raise a security alarm?

[29:30] Do we need to change how often we prepare for security attacks?

[31:50] What's something we can take away with to do something more securely than yesterday?

In order to survive, manufacturers must be agile in surviving disruption. Industry 4.0 technologies are reinventing how manufacturers do business and, to stay competitive, companies will need to embrace these technologies to capitalize on the efficiencies, cost savings, and improved uptimes that might be gained.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Ryan Spurr, Director of Manufacturing Strategy & Business Development at Connection

Guest 2: Dave Martin, Systems Engineering Manager at Meraki

Guest 3: Jordan Noonan, Solutions Marketing Manager at Meraki

Show Notes

[0:55] Introduction of Guests.

[2:05] Where were Manufacturing organizations before Covid?

[3:52] Do companies now have firmer transformation strategies?

[5:15] What are manufacturing table stakes you need to be competitive in Industry 4.0?

[7:28] The plant power problem and how has it changed?

[8:01] Niche use cases that Covid brought to the front for Manufacturers.

[10:01] How do you get Wi-Fi to every part of the factory?

[12:47] Analytics and Data

[14:27] Obstacles towards investment in next generation networking

[15:40] What can this new tech do for your organization?

[17:00] Who should you engage to start transformation?

[19:28] How do you merge the new network with legacy machines?

[20:53] What do you do to protect your tech when you bring in modern networks to legacy devices?

[24:48] How long does it take to discover a breach?

[26:00] Is there concern about upgrades and automations removing people?

[29:00] The talent shortage.

[30:50] What does the future hold?

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Robert Gates, Cloud Technical Architect at Microsoft

Guest 2: Trinh Tran, Partner Technology Strategist at Microsoft

Guest 3: Burton Kersey, Senior Channel Account Manager at Lenovo

Guest 4: Matt Skoog, Partner Development Specialist – Mobility Activations

Description: James Hilliard your host welcomes Robert Gates, Trinh Tran, Burton Kersey, and Matt Skoog to talk about collaborating in the modern office. They discuss the current work from home life, and the future of hybrid work as well as going back in office. One of the current major struggles is maintaining collaboration while at home, in the office, or on the go. Hear ways to solve for this growing issue and improve the way we collaborate and work.

Show Notes: [4:10] Robert talks about collaborating in Teams.

[5:02] Trinh discusses the expectations we have for our collaboration tools.

[7:42] Matt reflects on going remote and how things have changed over the years.

[9:54] Hybrid workplaces and what long term remote means for you and everyone else.

[12:37] Are we ready for a modular workplace?

[13:40] The need for a modern device, and how it changes how you work.

[15:12] Keeping employees happy and how a device impacts that and retains talent.

[18:12] How have collaboration tools changed to help us work better.

[19:52] Watercooler chatter can happen remotely.

[25:37] New ways of hybrid working.

[28:00] Pulling devices out of the closet for 2020, and why that doesn't work long term.

[28:42] Questions companies should ask themselves about their devices.

[32:02] What employees need is changing.

[34:01] What new features do we need to continue improving the hybrid environment?

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Business Dev Director at Connection

Guest 2: Tim Vanevenhoven, Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Aruba

Guest 3: Tim Kane, Retail Solutions Industry Consultant, North America Retail at Zebra Technologies

Description: James Hilliard your host welcomes Tim Vanevenhoven from Aruba, Tim Kane from Zebra, and Brian Gallagher, from Connection to talk about the trends and innovations to get you moving forward in this ever-changing environment. In today’s episode, they are continuing the conversation around retail and dive deep into how to enable a smarter physical store and empower your workforce with solutions from Aruba and Zebra.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[2:03] Brian talks about the current state of retail.

[3:42] Retailers acknowledge that they will never go back to pre-COVID.

[4:42] Tim from Aruba talks about the trends among customers in the retail environment.

[5:25] Having a clear path forward is the only way for retailers to win.

[6.11] Retail needs a holistic approach.

[7:05] It is not enough with connecting and securing data, it is about analyzing and acting on that data for better business outcomes.

[7:57] Examples of what retailers are doing and it’s having an impact on their business.

[9:56] Analytics are being used to predict if there could be an issue with the network.

[11:22] Are the employees engaged and enthusiastic about the changes brought by new technologies?

[15:21] Telephones have become the one device that is empowering associates.

[17:05] The “hyper-aware store” and what is providing to retailers.

[18:50] What are the specific technologies Aruba and Zebra are building and taking to the market together?

[21:09] Are retailers looking at their business from a whole solution standpoint?

[22:17] Retailers are looking for partners more than they ever had in the past.

[23:05] The digital transformation is not an event, it is a journey.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Business Dev Director at Connection

Guest 2: A special guest from Apple

James Hillard, your host, welcomes Brian Gallagher and a special guest from Apple to today’s episode to have a discussion about the current state of retail. Our experts talk about how important it is to empower your retail employees to engage with your customers. They present the latest mobile device solutions from Apple and services from Connection, with which you'll be able to equip your employees with the tools and technology they need to answer customer questions, speed them through the checkout process, and more.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:08] Brian shares his perspective about the state of retail.

[2:30] You need to think about your business holistically.

[3:27] Our Apple guest talks about the changes that we are seeing now started long before 2020.

[4:22] How is the retail industry approaching employees?

[7:03] Our Apple guest talks about the training directed to empower employees to give more personalized service.

[10:03] Incorporating technologies that make the consumer feel comfortable with.

[12:50] Our Apple guest and Brian talk about employee productivity.

[16:39] Brian and our Apple guest describe the relationship between Connection and Apple to enable retail employees.

[21:03] Focus on a simpler environment and placing the user as the center of the experience.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Business Dev Director at Connection

Guest 2: Jamal Khan, President Global Digital and ECommerce at Connection

In today’s episode, James Hilliard, your host, welcomes Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Business Dev. Director at Connection, and Jamal Khan, President Global Digital and ECommerce at Connection, to engage in a thoughtful discussion around the current state of retail, as well as the importance of developing an omnichannel strategy to meet your customers wherever they are.

Connection’s retail experts discussed understanding the fundamental impacts of digital retail today, evaluated true omnichannel health coming into the holiday season, store operations and labor hours strategies, and how to avoid critical mistakes along the digital retailing journey.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:28] Brian talks about the current situation in regards to the impact of COVID on retail.

[2:55] Jamal describes the core fundamentals that teams need to have under consideration in the retail transformation.

[3:46] The six legs of the e-commerce stool.

[7:30] Jamal talks about the value of data right now.

[7:58] Jamal explains the concept of hipper individualized buyer psychology.

[9:17] Brain talks about the customization of the retail experience.

[10:52] What are the mistakes that are happening in retail and how can they be avoided?

[13:24] Brian shares the example of Amazon’s growth.

[14:26] Can your retail company measure progress?

[17:08] Jamal explains the critical value of having the right culture in a company in order to make transitions successfully.

[18:02] What is Connection bringing to the different retail ecosystems?

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Pamela Aulakh, Vertical Alliance Manager for K12. Connection

Guest 2: Kevin Schmid. Public Sector Alliances Manager. Intel.

Description: Penny Conway, your host, is joined by Pamela Aulakh and Intel's Kevin Schmid for today’s episode to talk about the three ways that the CARES Act can support K12 education and how schools are laboraging founding for technology and the work they still have ahead of them. Now that schools are deep into the first half of a new school year, it is interesting to evaluate how things are going for teachers and school administrations.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com ,

Email Pamela Aulakh at K12solutions@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:25] Kevin introduces himself.

[2:20] Pam talks about her role at Connection as well as her background in education.

[3:58] Pam and Kevin talk about the current situation of teachers and school administrators while navigating the pandemic.

[6:17] What is the new piece of advice that Connection and Intel have to face the near future’s challenges?

[8:44].Pam talks about how to chose devices to fill not only the current needs but the future ones too.

[11:34] What are the priorities that can be expected at a national education level in 2021?

[12:02] Digital equity.

[13:30] Kevin dives deep into the topic of device selection in order for students to be more productive and teachers more effective in a hybrid educational environment .

[15:23] Pam talks about the current demand on devices.

[16:56] Pam gives advice for schools to ask for and administer the founding received through the CARES Act.

[17:38] How is Intel working with schools to manage timelines and laborage the CARES act founding?

[19:46] Kevin explains how to approach positively the uncertainty of the near future in regards to education.

[21:21] Pam explains why the disruption that has occurred in education is not a bad thing at all.

[23:40] A student’s laptop is now a required instruction material the same way a textbook was.

[25:38] Pam and Kevin share the best ways of reaching them.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Yasser Rasheed. Global Director (Enterprise Endpoint & Security Products) Intel Corporation

Guest 2: Stephen Nardone. Practice Director, Security Technology Solutions Group. Connection.

Description: According to the 2020 Harvey Nash KPMG CIO Survey, security is currently the number one priority across the IT landscape. According to the survey of over 2000 IT leaders before and during the pandemic, 41% of organizations have experienced additional cybersecurity incidents due to remote working. How prepared are you for the cybersecurity challenges that come from long term remote work?

Penny Conway, your host, is talking with the security experts from Intel and Connection about how to build a strategy to protect your data from now on.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:43] Yasser introduces his expertise.

[2:30] Stephen talks about his background and the expertise he is bringing to the podcast.

[4:36] Three-step strategy on how to build infrastructure and keep it up to date for ongoing protection.

[5:14] Yasser talks about the quickly shifting environment.

[6:45] Stephen talks about the impact that remote work has on cybersecurity.

[10:24] How do you control multiple environments?

[12:29] Stephen talks about effective protection and response technology.

[14:30] Protect, Detect, and Correct.

[16:51] Aspects to have under consideration ahead of time.

[19:08] How is the protection built into the infrastructure of a device?

[20:22] First: Modernize the infrastructure, get the right device.

[21:05] To refresh and update is supercritical.

[21:55] Stephen talks about his role in building the right infrastructure and keeping it up to date.

[25:45] Stephen talks about the importance of looking for the newest technologies and processes on the ecosystem to help identify where the risk is.

[29:03] Ongoing education for the most critical threat that we have: the human end-user.

[31:15] Constant education is needed.

[33:20] Stephen and Yasser share their closing thoughts about how to continue the much-needed education in regards to cybersecurity.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Steven L. Crowthers VP of TIDC

Guest: Mark Wulfhorst Director of Technical Services and Solutions

A continued conversation with the leaders of Connection's TIDC - Technical Integration and Distribution Center in Wilmington Ohio. Logistics companies throughout the Nation have been stressed with supply chain issues, increased shipping needs during the holiday season and an unprecedented number of vaccines being distributed in record time. All while dealing with Covid compliance and let's not forget to sprinkle in some bad winter weather for kicks.

Listen in while the experts talk the tech that has made their systems "Best In Class"

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Jeff Trent — Vice President, Federal Sales — Connection

Guest 2: Rachel Spannuth - Business Applications Specialist - Connection

Guest 3: Rob McIntosh- Marketing Manager Business Solutions Group - Connection

In the new age of digital collaboration MS Teams continues to evolve and emerge as the platform of choice for government agencies, businesses and education. On today's podcast, listen to how teams is being used from the perspective of an administrator and power users. Continue to be amazed!

Host: James Hilliard

Guest : Tom Halberda, - Director of E-Rate & Data Center Sales - Connection SLED

There has been no more important time in the history of our schools and libraries to take advantage of all the E-Rate program has to offer. Affordable internet and telecommunications during these challenging times is mission critical and E-Rate will help your school or library. James talks to Tom Halberda on how the E-Rate program has changed over the years and recent changes you need to know. Find out about approaching deadlines and exactly what E-rate funding can be used for. Connection expert Tom Halberda walks you through the motions and tells a few E-rate stories you'll want to hear.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Katie John — Senior Product Manager — Microsoft Center of Excellence

Guest 2: Jenny Gibson-Kautz, - Partner Development Specialist - Microsoft Center of Excellence

Guest 3: Rob McIntosh, - Marketing Manager - Connection Business Solutions Group

Microsoft currently has over 115,000,000 daily users and growing every day. Why the adoption? What are some of the advantages of Teams and what are the top 3 tips and tricks as suggested by Microsoft Experts? Listen in and learn new ways to use one of the fastest growing collaboration tools for our new virtual world!

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[4:37] Remote Work gets a face-lift with teams for a back to office feel from home.

[7:20] Collaboration, organization and a reduction in e-mails through the teams portal

[10:10] Utilizing the @ feature to tag someone and notify within teams

[10:31] Message notification and prioritization

[12:27] Open Federation and sharing teams outside your organization

[14:05] All new Whiteboard Function for interactive meetings

[16:23] Breakout rooms for events, large meetings, trainings and more.

[19:39] Wrap up and summary by Penny Conway

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Jason Buffington — Vice President, Solution Strategy — Veeam

Guest 2: Franklin Nsude, Sr. Microsoft Cloud Solutions Architect

According to a recent Veeam Customer Survey, 76% of Office 365 users don’t realize they needed to back up their data, this should make us all feel a little nervous, especially as we are living in a time when cyberattacks are happening all around us.

Penny Conway, your host, welcomes the experts from Veeam and Microsoft to talk about the seven reasons you need to be backing up your Office 365, your new number one priority!

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:28] Franklin introduces himself.

[1:53] Jason talks about his role at Veeam and his career in the data protection space.

[2:55] Who is in charge of backing up Microsoft 365?

[3:38] Reasons why you should back up your Microsoft 365.

[7:31] Franklin shares his view on the matter of public knowledge in regards to backups.

[9:43] Extending the retention period is not the same as an operational backup.

[10:01] Jason talks about Veeam’s history 12 years ago.

[12:11] Creating business continuity through backups.

[13:01] The seven reasons why you should care about backing up Microsoft 365.

[13:25] Reason #1: Accidental deletion.

[14:59] Reason #2: Retention Gaps.

[16:23] Reason #3: Internal threats.

[18:07] Reason #4: External threats and impacts.

[19:20] Reason #5: Legal compliance.

[19:55] Reason #6: Migration.

[21:42] Franklin talks about the possibility to use backup for migration.

[24:23] Reason #7: Teams!

[30:36] Jason shares about the changes in Microsoft Teams.

[31:35] Franklin talks about one of his experiences migrating data.

[35:00] How to start a backup service.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Brian Gillman, Vice-President of Product & Solutions Marketing at Vonage

Guest 2: John Fuhrman — Partner Alliance Manager-Cloud for Connection

Description: Throughout 2020 call centers have seen record-breaking call-in contact volumes. Your call center is often the first experience that a prospective patient has with your healthcare brand. Having the right technology in communication solutions can make all the difference. Penny Conway, your host, is today talking with leaders from Vonage and Connection about how the cloud can help you create an optimal patient experience from end to end.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:31] Brian introduces himself and talks about his expertise.

[1:58] John introduces himself and shares about his role at Connection.

[3:20] What has changed in the call centers since March 2020?

[5:33] Brian talks about two big changes in which people can now make contact with doctors and organizations.

[7:35] John talks about the change in the landscape in terms of getting up to speed in order to meet the current demands of consumers.

[10:23] Brian talks about the particularities of a healthcare call center.

[12:13] Penny shares her own patient experience.

[12:45] Do health provides really understand the frustration that a patient can experience from the first point of contact?

[17:12] 2020 promoted an entire business transformation.

[20:35] What are the new technology tools that are provided by Vonage and Connection to enhance a better patient experience?

[24:22] John talks about journey mapping.

[25:49] John explains the importance of companies to have the technology that allows them to be reliable, scalable, and accessible.

[30:21] How can organizations enhance the patients’ journey?

[31:24] IT needs to ensure the safety of the patient’s personal information.

[33:34] Brian talks about Vonage’s certification in regards to security compliance.

[37:04] It all starts with developing the right plan.

[40:17] Customers’ expectations that have changed this year will be forever changed.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Tony Dancona, Evangelist Digital Workspace and part of the Industry Solutions Group at Connection

Guest 2 Emily Hammond, Senior Director of Benefits and Compensation at Connection

Guest 3: Rob McIntosh, Marketing Manager for the Business Solution Group at Connection

Organizations across the country are taking on the enormous task of building strategies, policies, and technology-based solutions to return employees safely to the office.

Today’s episode is the first part of the new Return to Office Series, where Connection’s team will help you navigate the challenges ahead. The first segment of this series is about the ‘perception of’ and the ‘impact to’ employees, and the role the Human Resources department has in developing and implementing return to office technology.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:46] Tonny talks about his expertise.

[2:30] Emily introduces herself.

[3:10] Rob introduces himself and talks about his perspective as an end-user.

[4:25] Emily shares her experience as a professional in human resources about how employees are feeling about returning to their work at the office.

[6:06] As an employer be transparent about the reasons why you are asking people to come back to the office.

[7:30] Tony talks about the conversations that he is having with IT professionals about time planning for this return to the office.

[9:43] Rob shares his perspective as an employee who went back to the office.

[12:10] How do we bridge the gap between the new policies and the caring for employees?

[14:11] It is not all or nothing, certain people can return slowly to the office and some can stay working remotely following the company’s needs.

[15:50] Tony talks about the reality of going back to the office against the fear of feeling in a “big brother” space where employees are being constantly monitored.

[19:50] How does it look from an employer perspective when an employee has a temperature and is sent home?

[24:19] Tony talks about the 6 main components of the return to office solution.

[28:36] This pandemic is going to define how corporate America is moving forward.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Jason Burgeson, Systems Engineer for Aruba Networks.

If you are a small business your digital strategy could make or break you this year. According to a recent study by McKinsey, 70 to 80% of B2B customers prefer a digital interaction in the age of a pandemic. The top performers and digital engagement with customers were video and live online chat. Do you have the WiFi network to support the new keys to success?

Penny Conway, your host, welcomes Jason Burgeson, the expert from Systems Engineer for Aruba Networks, with over 10 years of IT & networking experience from deploying to designing.

In this episode, Jason talks about how to deploy a fast and secure WiFi network and how it may be easier than you think.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:28] Jason introduces himself and his role at Aruba Networks.

[3:15] Where are businesses in general in the digital transformation journey?

[7:23] Jason shares what he considers to be the starting point in figuring out how much WiFi access a business needs to be able to sustain this model in the future.

[9:40] Jason talks about the difference between a solution built for businesses and the ones designed for homes.

[10:55] Jason talks about 5G and WiFi 6 and how this new technology benefits small business owners.

[14:28] Jason compares WiFi 5 to Wifi 6.

[18:50] What is Aruba offering to small business owners?

[22:00] How does Instant On work?

[24:09] What kind of controls are in place in terms of how much bandwidth the users will be able to consume when they are using a business’ network?

[26:45] Jason talks about the matter of security.

[30:48] Jason shares the scalable features of the Instant On.

[31:16] Instant On has no subscription costs or licensing.

[32:10] Instant On offers 90 days of phone customer support.

Mentioned in this episode:

Contact Connections to get more information around Aruba’s Instant-On or visit https://arubainstanton.com

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Cameron Bulanda, Vice President Technical Sales at Connection

Guest 2: John Kuzma. Industry Technical Specialist- Intel Corporation

Description: In a previous episode Penny talked with Intel to talk about how a modern data center should look like as part of the digital transformation. Many of you already know the benefits of modernizing your data center but, do you really know the consequences if you don´t?

In today’s episode, Penny is back with the expert of Connection and Intel to really talk about the challenges of transforming and what could happen if you wait too long.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:15] Cameron introduces himself and his role at Connection.

[2:06] John Kuzma talks about his position at Intel Corporation.

[2:52] How does the evolution of the data center look like?

[5:40] What are customers thinking about when they start the digital transformation process?

[9:04] How does the conversation with a client look in regards to achieve a cohesive decision-making process and an outline of what they need to build for their future?

[10:55] Is there any hesitancy among the IT stakeholders of not making moves forward because of a lack of proper skills or resources?

[14:09] John shares stories about how Intel has been bridging the gap for customers in regards to the skills needed to enter the digital transformation.

[17:05] The work of assisting customers developing a cohesive ecosystem.

[21:40] What are the consequences for the organizations that are not modernizing their data center today?

[26:06] What are the industries that could be impacted by a potential upcoming disaster?

[29:20] John talks about the new technologies that Intel that will lebel up this normalization.

[32:45] Suggestion for companies that are on the edge and doubting about entering the digital transformation.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Rhett Livengood. Director, Digital Business Enabling at Intel Corporation

Description: The world has been talking about the growth of collaboration tools and demands on the PC market, but what else are we missing to do our jobs and do them well, it's time to start talking about how organizations are going to need to reimagine the roles and responsibilities of their leadership to hone in on what employees need to be safe, secure, and productive. I'm your host, penny Conway. And today I'm joined by Rhett Livengood to talk about what the future looks like for it and the leaders that support them.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:08] Rhett Livengood shares his background.

[2:29] Rhett Livengood talks about workplace transformation from a leadership standpoint.

[4:06] How to protect employees?

[6:05] 60% of remote workers do their work from their ling rooms.

[8:23] Is remote work temporary or is it here to stay?

[10:45] What are some of the building blocks that can cast that wide net of security to keep that human error from being such an issue in people's homes?

[11:30] Rhett shares how the Intel hardware shield works.

[12:30] The old refresh days are in the past.

[15:15] Rhett talks about the upcoming trend to recycling devices.

[17:50] How do we better measure productivity in this environment?

[20:44] Rhett shares his experience going into a fully remote setting.

[23:30] Rhett talks about how Intel has been monitoring how users feel at their workspaces as they go through this process of remote working.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Stacy Cote: Manager of Microsoft Program at Connection Team.

Guest 2: Matt Koehler: Global Business Development for Veeam Software

It took nearly a decade and a pandemic, but it is now safe to say that the Cloud is considered now a major benchmark of digital transformation. Whether you have fully adopted the could or you are just beginning your journey, you may be asking “What´s next?”. In today´s episode, Penny Conway, your host, is talking with experts from Veeam and Microsoft to answer your questions around security, integration, and managed services.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:14] Matt introduces himself and shares what brings him to the podcast

[1:39] Stacy Cote talks about her role at Connection.

[4:05] Matt shares about the digital transformation and introduction of Cloud nearly a decade ago.

[6:22] Nowadays there is a common fear about how to manage workload, employees, and connectivity.

[7:22] Stacy talks about some of the push-backs to the adoption of the cloud.

[10:34] The skill gap of being able to manage what makes the company operational today.

[11:13] What is entailed in managing a service or a solution?

[13:07] Matt talks about the benefits related to the partnership that Connection has with Veeam.

[15:38] Microsoft, Connection, and Veeam work together to secure and restore data.

[16:35] What would make a customer trust Veeam with his data?

[17:41] Matt talks about the increase of security risk with remote working.

[19:24] The most important, apart from securing data, is being able to get it back in a timely manner.

[21:20] How prevalent is going to be hiring a company to managed services?

[23:30] How do people get started with a managed services model for their cloud?

[25:55] When does a customer start to realize the cost-benefit of using managed services?

[27:46] What visibility does a customer maintain while using the managed services?

[30:38] Learn more about the partnership between Connection and Veeam

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Mike Gambrell, retired chief of police, Greenville SC Police Department and GovSOLV program director at SYNNEX

Guest 2: John Wiley, Government Channel Account Manager, Zebra Technologies

Description: In today’s episode, Penny Conway, Mike Gambell, and John Wiley are taking about how electronic citations can increase safety, efficiency, and accuracy for your department. Electronic citations solutions have several advantages over handwritten citations, and you will hear about them from the experts in the matter.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:21] John Wiley introduces himself and his work at Zebra Technologies.

[1:55] Mike Gambell talks about his background and current work.

[3:32] The matter of law enforcement.

[4:51] The two most dangerous calls for an officer are traffic stops and domestic violence situations.

[10:08] The current situation in the USA in regards to e-citations.

[13:25] E-citation enhances an officer’s response time.

[15:51] The cost of not implementing a solution can be greater than the cost of developing the answer to a particular problem.

[16:30] John talks about the cost of doing nothing vs the cost of doing something.

[19:04] John and Mike explain a way that a department can promote self-funding.

[22:55] Mike talks about how the full solution for officers provided by Zebra Technologies looks like.

[26:25] What actions can you take within your department to start making the necessary steps to enhance the efficiency and safety of the officers?

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Marcel Guerrette – Cisco Solution Specialist, Data Center (Cisco Employee), has 17-year experience in IT in numerous technical pre and post-sales support roles to help customers with their Data Center solutions.

Guest 2: Marc Sadinsky – Partner Account Manager at Intel Corporation, has 20 years of experience at Intel serving partner channels to deploy next-generation edge and data center solutions.

Description: Organizations across the country are looking for flexible and efficient ways to keep remote workforces connected. Like many others, you might be wondering where to start. In today’s episode, we are going to dive into the data center with experts from Cisco and Intel as they help you decrease your latency and avoid bottlenecks by modernizing your IT infrastructure.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:40] What was going on pre-pandemic? What were they facing at the data center when the pandemic hit?

[4:16] How does IT modernization look like now?

[6:40] How does a customer evaluate what he should have today based on what is working and what’s not?

[9:09] Is there enough budget to do an IT modernization?

[11:55] Transformation means how you are going to run your business and adapt in times of pandemic.

[13:30] Why now is the time to modernize your IT.

[14:44] The flows have changed from within the network, then going out of it, and now coming back in.

[15:50] Have industries taken the next step to modernize their data center?

[18:55] What are the benefits of HyperFlex as a solution?

[20:25] Years of collaboration between Intel and Cisco resulted in the creation of HyperFlex, an integral solution to IT modernization.

[22:01] How does hot swap work?

[25:33] Prepare for the things you are not anticipating.

[26:31] Marc and Marcel share what motivates them now about this “new normal”.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Microsoft- Kyle Van Son, US Commercial Master Trainer

Guest 2: Intel- Rhett Livengood, Director, Digital Business Enabling Client Computing Group Intel® Corporation

Guest 3: Lenovo- Burton Kersey, Channel Account Manager

Description: Short- and long-term impact of a worldwide pandemic has companies reevaluating remote work strategies. Minimum working arrangements, for the most part, have been met and now the challenge becomes improving and thriving during adverse conditions. Will employees return to the office? At what capacity? How are companies boosting “digital dexterity”, keeping the company assets secure all while utilizing best practices and sticking to a continuity plan? While financial departments evaluate cost-cutting measures during a lean economy, the need for a modern device, easy deployment, security, and compatibility may no longer be a luxury but a necessity. Hear from our 3 subject experts how they have been more productive working from home thanks in no small part from modern devices.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[2:42] Kyle talks about the work from home situation for him.

[3:54] Burt shares the shifts in his work as a result of the pandemic.

[4:34] Rhett talks about his level of productivity working from home.

[6:30] Microsoft Teams has been a success to online workers and students.

[7:44] Burt talks about Microsoft Teams on Lenovo computers to make work from home more productive.

[9:28].How Intel experienced the transition during pandemic times.

[10:56] The benefits of Wi-Fi 6.

[12:30] Kyle talks about how they have been encouraging people to move to the newest version of Windows.

[13:43] The benefits of acquiring modern devices.

[16:16] The challenges of transitioning to full work from home.

[17:03] Rhett shares what he does to stay productive

[19:20] Kyle talks about how they manage at his team to stay efficient and motivated at the same time.

[20:49] How can you keep your team engaged?

[22:57] Having great tools can help attract the right talent.

[24:33] Employees are going to start demanding the flexibility of working from home.

[26:10] The matter of safety and the devices that can provide it.

[27:10] Rhett, Burt, James, and Kyle share what they learned and implemented to enhance the working from home experience.

Learn more about our guests:

Kyle Van Son has been delivering training and evangelism with Microsoft in different capacities since the days of Windows 7, from humble beginnings showing of Windows Live Photo Gallery in Win 7 at a Sam’s Club to helping build Best Buy’s Microsoft Expert program, and more, before transitioning to the commercial space in January of 2019.

Rhett Livengood is Intel’s WW Director of Digital Business Enabling working with solution providers (system integrators, IT outsourcers, resellers, managed service providers) to integrate Intel technology into customer workplace transformation solutions. He was most recently Intel’s WW B2B Customer Engagement Director managing lead generation activities, Intel’s Enterprise Board of Advisors and online sales development working targeting Global 5000 enterprises and SMB customers worldwide.

During his career in the IT industry, Rhett has managed regional and worldwide sales and marketing for Intel’s Services group. He was Worldwide Marketing Manager for Intel’s Software group and Product Marketing Manager of Intel’s Mobile Computing Group and held marketing and engineering positions in Intel’s memory, processor, software, and platform divisions. He was the worldwide director of Marketing at Lam Research. Rhett began his career as a design engineer at Honeywell.

Rhett holds a BS degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Iowa and an MS degree in Electronic Materials Process Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is an Intel Achievement Award winner.

Burton Kersey is the Senior Channel Account Manager at Lenovo. His role involves managing Mobile Workstation and Desktop Workstation sales for Connection and SHI, he Developed and executed strategies to achieve Lenovo's Workstation growth targets. Burton administered on-site product, sales, and technical workstation training to Connection and SHI account managers, he also consulted daily as a technical workstation expert on end-user opportunities, calls, and visits. Burton works at Cargo where he is the Inside Channel, Account Manager. His responsibilities include building relationships with Lenovo's partners resulting in net new revenue, channel development and expansion, account acquisition, and SMB growth. Burton works with approximately 100+ certified partners currently and discuss Lenovo's brand and channel program operations.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Microsoft and Intel services

Visit Lenovo

Microsoft Sponsored

AI and Machine Learning - Impacts and Pitfalls with Jamal Khan Parts I and II

Sponsored by Microsoft

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Jamal Khan, President of Global Digital and eCommerce Marketing for Connection.

Microsoft sponsored AI podcast parts I and II with Jamal Khan. Both episodes together together kicking off our AI series focussing on AI, Machine Learning and their effects on CySec, national infrastructure, the job market and much more.

Fact vs. Fiction and the data explosion.
Democratization of toolsets: Tremendous advantages for developers to streamline process and development time.
- Microsoft AZURE ML Studio is an amazing working environment for developers. What was historically a difficult undertaking now saves hours and produces more efficient results and reporting. The studio leverages AI technology and simplifies the process.
Learn the pace at which the AI and machine learning are growing and how it will impact the job market.
How nations are building capabilities in this space.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest 1: Todd Gustafson, President of HP Federal

Guest 2: Thomas Gardner Chief Technology Officer Directory Services Team

Guest 3: Penny Conway

Description: Federal agencies are faced with increasing security challenges. Many agencies know the importance of securing endpoints like printers and computers, but what they may not know is that those devices could be subject to foreign threats due to risk factors in the supply chain itself before it ever connects to your network.

The DoD recently put procurement regulations in place to ensure the security of your devices and information. Find out in today’s episode what you need to know to avoid the pitfalls that come from purchasing LPTA products with weak supply chains.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[2:36] Todd shares how he, as the President of HP Federal, and his team reacted to the COVID strike.

[4:15] Thomas talks about the shift COVID-19 has imposed in the way the work is done.

[6:10] Thomas talks about the preparedness of teams to work from home from a technological standpoint.

[7:35] Thomas shares the challenges they faced and how they dealt with them.

[11:00] Todd gives his point of view in regard to the questions the federal workers have to make themselves before purchasing a computer.

[11:41] Todd gives an update on the HP supply chain.

[14:28] Penny shares her experience with the “mad grab for products” as a result of the pandemic.

[16:28] Thomas talks about his involvement in the Department of Homeland Security as a supply risk management task force.

[17:34] Top threats to businesses and agencies that could impact operations and missions.

[19:43] HP is building now 2 and a half PCs per second and 1 and a half printers per second every day.

[20:25] All of us have changed, our work styles and habits, and also the hackers have adapted to these changes.

[22:10] Every year, millions of dollars are invested in HP labs to make their products more secure.

[24:45] Penny talks about the trend in choices that people are making when purchasing computers and printers and assuring security.

[27:40] Thomas talks about the application of Augmented Intelligence into the security environment.

[30:42] What is next to keep working efficiently, effectively, and securely?

[36:01] It is an exciting time for the services’ part of the world.

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Amanda Cronin - HP Partner Business Manager

Tech 2 talks Chrome! 3 Steps to Manage a Chrome Shortage. Spikes in Chrome demand due to Covid wreaking havoc on the supply chain. Special pricing, discounts and alternatives to meet current challenges. Tyler and Amanda talk mobility, programs and how to address your current needs.

Communicate your timeline with Connection Account Manager
Take advantage of, and ask, for any available pricing programs.
Identify alternatives, like Windows, for immediate needs.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Bill Miller – Zoom Channel Account Manager

Guest 2: Glen Bevcar – Poly National Channel Account Manager

Description: As we are approaching the change of the season both public and private sectors are looking to maximize the virtual experience. Remote work and learning are now inevitable, and better, easier, and more effective experiences are being created for learners and workers. Poly’s audio and video innovations make Zoom’s Voice and Video communications feel natural and work effortlessly. Poly provides a wide portfolio of Zoom Certified solutions, from room video to conference phones—for huddles spaces up to large rooms—and from headsets to desk phones. It is possible to make every experience a great one optimized for Zoom Meetings, Zoom Rooms, and Zoom Phone.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:20] Glenn Bevcar introduces himself to the audience.

[1:45] Bill Miller presents himself.

[2:32] Glenn and Bill talk about the challenges while enabling the new virtual environment.

[5:47] Zoom is a simple application that people knew how to use even before the pandemic.

[6:31] The close relationship between Poly and Zoom is bringing many benefits to consumers.

[7:54] Tips to create a better virtual experience.

[10:35] Bill and Glenn talk about the hassle of working with multiple platforms.

[14:01] Glenn talks about the different kinds of users and what feels and works better for each of them.

[16:54] How we work vs where we work.

[18:07] Ubiquitous communication regardless of which device you are using.: “The Work-Anywhere Syndrom”.

[19:42] The importance of video calls: We communicate more with our body language than with do with the words that we use.

[20:47] Bill gives an example of the benefits from the Poly and Zoom connection.

[22:31] The value of video.

[23:06] Are we going to be able to make the virtual space more natural and engaging with the use of technology?

[29:28] Technology must be simple to use, deploy, and manage.

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Dan McCormick: Print Supplies Partner Business Manager for HP

The latest in Tech in under 5 minutes!

Recycling Supplies while Social Distancing. You don't have to sacrifice your recycling efforts while printing at home. Original HP supplies come with everything you need to recycle your used cartridges from home at not cost to you & no need to go to a drop-off location.

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Dan McCormick: Print Supplies Partner Business Manager for HP

Is printing at home harmful to your health? 96% of non-HP toner cartridges tested failed Indoor Air Quality tests. These cartridges emit up to 191% over the allowed limit for total VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which could be harmful to your health.

Learn how HP is protecting you both at home and work.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Brad Saffer – Global Education Strategy Lead (Cisco)

Guest 2: Sean McCann – Sr. Manager for Higher Ed Alliances for Connection

Guest 3: Pam Aulakh – Vertical Alliance Manager, K-12 for Connection

Description: The move to distance learning during the pandemic exposed a variety of issues facing education today, such as the lack of scalable, secure technology, the lack of access for various student populations as well as challenges for educators trying to teach in a new medium. Schools and colleges are now confronted with the reality that they need to address these challenges as they put hybrid learning models in place for the fall.

In today’s episode, James Hilliard, your host, is accompanied by Brad Saffer, Sean McCann, and Pam Aulakh, to give you valuable information about the current situation of education institutions and the factors they need to consider in their planning.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:32] Pam shares her personal connection to education and career.

[2:03] Sean talks about his expertise in higher education.

[2:33] Brad talks about his current homeschooling experience.

[4:04] The great efforts of teachers during pandemic times.

[5:03] Pam talks about the challenges with regard to the availability of technology.

[6:27] What do schools need to do to prepare for the next school year?

[8:20] Creative ways for bridging the gap in getting more technology out to the learners.

[11:20] The perspective of an elementary school teacher and their students’ access to technology.

[12:45] The technology challenges for higher education students.

[13:50] Pam shares her thoughts about how to approach challenges regarding access to technology and training for students.

[17:27] Cisco is offering faculty training on how to structure content and how to provide an online experience that keeps students engaged.

[19:50] What kind of support are the teachers craving from their schools?

[21:19] Is higher ed. in a better place with regard to remote learning?

[23:19] The pandemic uncovered the fact that things can’t be done the same way in education.

[24:40] What should the future for education look like?

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Timothy Allen. Director of Networking and Collaboration Practice

Guest 2: Jonathan Copeland. Sr. Solutions Architect

Description: Like many events, CISCO Live went virtual this year for their 2020 conference, this two-day virtual event included recorded content, live keynotes, panel discussions, and more. CEO Chuck Robbins kicked off the event with a message that included a pledge to power an inclusive future for all.

In today’s episode, Penny Conway, your host is joined by Timothy Allen and Jonathan Copeland to break down this full event and share what CISCO has in store for 2020 and beyond.

Tim Allen has been in the IT Industry for over 30 years and has been with Connection for over 20 years. He currently leads our Networking Practice which is our engineering services team that works directly with our customers on technology implementations. Jonathan Copeland has also been in the IT Industry for over 30 years and has been with Connection for nearly 7 years. Jonathan is a Sr. Solution Architect with a focus on Data Center and Security. Additionally, he has been focused on Cloud and DevOps and recently achieved his Amazon AWS Solution Architect Associate certification.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:18] Timothy Allen introduces himself, sharing his work at Connection.

[1:46] Jonathan Copeland presents himself and talks about his work at Connection.

[2:52] The CISCO event was virtually and its participants certainly missed the live experience and social networking.

[3:33] What was enhanced at the CISCO virtual event?

[5:30] The highlights of the keynote session.

[7:01] CISCO found a new way to repurpose equipment to help COVID patients stay connected with their loved ones.

[8:18] The security advancements CISCO communicated during the event.

[12:05] How did security was flicked by most of the workforce working remotely?

[14:02] The security challenge of dealing with several devices some of them that cannot be controlled.

[15:15] CISCO is going to integrate third-party platforms.

[17:09] Powering an inclusive future for all.

[17:33] CISCO announces in regards to accessibility.

[20:11] CISCO is offering a free platform for learning about programming.

[23:48] Sneak preview of what we are going to see in 2021.

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Tyler Meckes

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

May 30th marked a historic flight for Elon Musk's SpaceX company and the U.S. space prog;ram. As the first privately-funded, reusable rocket reached for the stars, Americans have something to cheer about amongst all of the chaos of the last 3 months. Today we talk space, satellites and the significance of technology on this episode of What the Tech Just Happened!

Host: Penny Conway

Guest 1: Orin Wentworth Senior Channel Manager

Guest 2: John Fuhrman Partner Alliance Manager for Cloud

Description: The first wave of the pandemic triggered the acceleration of digital transformation, creating a playground of opportunity for cloud IT platforms. Your host, Penny Conway, is joined today by Orin Wentworth and John Fuhrman to talk about what forces are shaping communication and APIs in the new modern enterprise and how you can navigate them within your own organization.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:21] Orin Wentworth introduces himself.

[1:55] John Fuhrman talks about himself and his role at Connection.

[2:49] UCAS: Unified Communication As a Service

[3:44] CCAS: Contact Center As a Service

[5:14] The need to create something that the customers need and enjoy interacting with.

[5:48] The evolution of call centers.

[8:49] What communication can be happening among organizations and consumers to ease business? How are they deciding when to use people or systems to attend the needs of consumers?

[14:45] The new way of the IT decision-makers: The opportunity to plug in to get towards the end result.

[16:08] We can bring you the prettiest service in the world but if you don’t have the internet, it just won’t work.

[18:08] The matter of connectivity.

[21:06] Guaranteeing the equivalent of an HD television to cell phone calls.

[23:18] The preparation for the future of communications.

[26:29] 80% of organizations will make the transition to UCAS or CCAS within the next 18 months.

[29:51] Everything you need in a single subscription to do your job well.

[30:58] Connection is offering support for hybrid environments.

Host: Penny Conway

Co Host: Tyler "Marbles" Meckes

Co Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Sam Harrington: Connection Web Merchandising Tsar

This week's What the Tech Just Happened focuses on the all New HP Reverb G2 VR headset. An exclusive pre-order only available through Connection. Learn all the latest on this revolutionary headset, how to pre-order and have some fun with the What the Tech Just Happened gang.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Pam Aulakh, Vertical Alliance Manager for K12 at Connection Public Sector Solutions

Description: This is a unique opportunity to sponsor thought leadership on the future challenges in K-12 and how Connection, with our partners, can support customers with solutions. Pam Aulakh joins the podcast with an extensive background in K-12 Education & Technology. Prior to joining Connection, she held many roles in Brevard Public Schools as a Teacher, Technology Integrator, and Manager of EdTech Training.

Today’s episode is the third and final segment of this series where Penny Conway, your host, continues the conversation with Pam Aulakh, this time to talk about how teachers became the new students since they will have to learn what new skills will be required for teachers post-pandemic and the professional development they will need in order to get them there.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[2:02] Pam Aulakh shares her professional background.

[3:20] How to prepare teachers for a complete online learning-teaching experience.

[5:20] Teachers adapted to the online setting as a survival response since there was no other choice, and they will be able to easily incorporate these technologies into the classrooms in the future.

[6:46] Teachers won´t be fired as a result of not understanding the technology, but universities are preparing new teachers to be technology savvy.

[7:50] New pedagogies for teachers working in a remote situation.

[9:30] Paula Aulakh talks about the different ways in which teachers will assess the students’ learning.

[11:55] Key certifications and courses for teachers’ professional development for distance learning.

[12:30] Teachers are spending 70% of their time troubleshooting technology.

[13:35] Students should take responsibility of their own learning while using technology as an aid.

[16:00] We want to create a generation of thinkers and problem-solvers.

[17:30] Key takeaways from the Cares Act that schools should look into in order to build a professional development plan for the new normal.

[19:53] We are all learning on this together.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Pam Aulakh, Vertical Alliance Manager for K12 at Connection Public Sector Solutions

This is a unique opportunity to sponsor thought leadership on the future challenges in K-12 and how Connection, with our partners, can support customers with solutions. Pam Aulakh joins the podcast with an extensive background in K-12 Education & Technology. Prior to joining Connection, she held many roles in Brevard Public Schools as a Teacher, Technology Integrator, and Manager of EdTech Training.

In this second episode, Penny Conway, your host, is continuing the conversation with Pam Aulakh to address accessibility while social distancing. Asking the questions of how we can address accessibility and equality challenges in a distance learning environment.

Reach out to the Connection Team

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:29] Pam Aulakh introduces herself and shares her background.

[4:00] How have the schools adapted to the students that need special attention?

[4:30] Pam Aulakh talks about the struggles and challenges of providing one on one assistance to students while keeping social distancing.

[6:50] Pam Aulakh talks about the tools that schools should take advantage of to assure education is accessible to every student.

[9:53] The matter of delivering training for the teachers, parents, and students to be able to understand and use the technological tools that assist distance learning.

[10:30] The future of students with special needs.

[12:10] Pam Aulakh suggests how schools should manage the funding from the CARES Act to provide equity for every student to meet their learning needs.

[14:07] How to evaluate which device is most appropriate for each student.

[15:49] The motivation behind the CARES Act funding is for schools to develop a fully functional remote plan.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Pam Aulakh, Vertical Alliance Manager for K12 at Connection Public Sector Solutions

This is a unique opportunity to sponsor thought leadership on the future challenges in K-12 and how Connection, with our partners, can support customers with solutions. Pam Aulakh joins the podcast with an extensive background in K-12 Education & Technology. Prior to joining Connection, she held many roles in Brevard Public Schools as a Teacher, Technology Integrator, and Manager of EdTech Training. Pam Aulakh talks in this episode, about how to build a return strategy, which means creating flexibility to transition from in-classroom to distance learning while minimizing disruption.

Reach out to the Connection Team

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:34] Pam Aulakh introduces herself, her background, and talks about what brings her to the podcast.

[3:30] How quickly and effectively schools adapted to distance learning?

[5:29] The parents’ role in enabling education from home.

[6:42] Distant education really is a community effort.

[7:40] The role of states in finding out what are the parent’s concerns on regards to supporting the students on remote learning.

[9:17] Top three aspects that a school district should consider to take advantage of the Cares Act to manage the foundings of microbrands and help them build the plan.

[11:07] How are schools supporting students who do not have access to a device?

[14:55] Equipping and strategizing for a possible return to school.

[15:40] What will the “new normal” for education look like?

[18:26] 60% of teachers were already assigning online homework at home.

[19:11] Districts are bringing equity and opportunity for every student.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Jim Stevens, Channel Sales Manager, National at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

Data Centers more than ever need to be secure and equipped to help companies analyze their current business models through data insight and analysis. The world is facing the strike of COVID-19, organizations across the USA are adapting to the “new normal” and looking in the rearview mirror all at the same time, many are asking the question about how they are going to manage and secure data in the future while also managing their cash flow.

Today, Penny Conway, your host is accompanied by Jim Stevens to help you develop a data center strategy as they discuss iLO Advanced Management, Silicon Root of Trust capabilities, Cyber Catalyst and Hybrid IT from now and beyond.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:12] Jim Stevens talks about his background, his professional expertise, and what brings him to the podcast.

[3:29] Jim shares his expert definition of VDI and how it can contribute to people working from their homes.

[7:11] VDI makes sure that all your end users are highly productive, have access to all their applications, and very secure systems regardless of the device they are using.

[10:10] How HPE is preventing securities issues in your devices.

[11:58] HP offers the only server in the world that checks for security threats all the time.

[13:26] If you are running an HPE server you can even get additional insurance.

[15:10] Managing the entire environment with an HPE server: Nimble.

[17:22] SimpliVity Hyperconverged by HPE reduces 90% of the data in real-time.

[18:23] Jim explains how Synergy by HPE provides a solution for composability.

[20:11] Jim talks about the crucial importance of connection.

[21:35] Cost saving and time-saving at the same time.

[22:52] Which data should you send to the cloud?

[26:21] It is a really exciting time for a change.

Host: Penny Conway

Co Host: Tyler Meckes

On this week's episode of What the Tech Just Happened, Tyler and Penny discuss the winners and losers in the retail space during Covid. Digital Transformation has transformed retail and forced a quick adoption rate by customers turning this industry upside down. Listen in as we look at current stats, trends, trials and tribulations of mom in pops to retail moguls.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Sean McCann, Sr. Manager Higher Ed Alliances at Connection

In times of COVID-19 students have been following distance learning modalities for the past two months, and now, getting closer to the end of the school year, Inside Higher Ed recently reported that up to 29% of college students could make the decision to defer college until the pandemic is over. In today’s episode Penny Conway, your host, is talking with Sean McCann about how higher education can prepare to survive what could be the biggest gap year in History.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:17] Sean talks about his role at Connection.

[1:50] Higher Ed division has an institutional side and a student side, both needed to go through preparation in order to be ready for the current educational needs.

[4:18] In the past there used to be a negative perspective about online learning.

[4:56] Online education leaves higher margins of profit but the challenge is that it is more difficult to scale.

[6:14] Sean talks about how colleges are reimagining their campuses.

[8:55] Sean explains how the reduction of students is going to affect the school’s budget.

[12:27] Most of the students have remained in schools for the end of the semester.

[13:12] Sean explains different possible outcomes with regard to education this upcoming September.

[13:46] Higher Ed has reduced its reliance on data centers.

[14:45] Sean gives his personal recommendation to people who are making switches with regards to higher education as a result of the new scenario imposed by the pandemic.

[16:55] COVID is giving schools an opportunity for growth and change, the ones that don’t improve and adapt won’t survive.

[19:19] Students are customers and now the quality of customer service is more important than ever.

[20:48] The new perimeter is one of the major security concerns that schools are dealing with now.

[22:40] Is the pandemic positive for E-Sports?

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

The Covid-19 crisis rages on and Work From Home continues to evolve. On this week's episode of What the Tech Just Happened, Penny shares her smart home adventures and speaks to some of the security risks as it relates to our ever changing home office.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest 1: Cindy Blanchard Sr. Program Manager | Connection Financial Services cblanchard@connectionfs.com Direct: (603) 682 7411 | Toll Free: (800) 347 0628 | Fax: (972) 755 8210

Guest 2: Kirk Sipes Senior Vice President, Business Development | Connection Financial Services - ksipes@connectionfs.com Phone: 972-755-8283

With the strike of COVID-19 the disruption of businesses’ usual and growing expenses, budgets set in 2019 are no longer viable. How is your business handling the new normal?

As companies establish short, mid, and long-term strategies to deal with the current economic environment and what it means for their business, the questions may outnumber the answers. But obtaining technology can be simple, and Connection Financial Services can help. Penny Conway, your host, welcomes Cindy Blanchard and Kirk Sipes from Connection Financial Services to this episode to talk about how to develop a financial strategy for the new normal.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:15] Cindy and Kirk introduce themselves.

[3:26] The necessary adaptation to commercial planning for the new year.

[5:03] Everyone is holding on to cash as a result of the uncertainty imposed by the current health and financial crisis.

[6:20] How are Cindy and Kirk handling the fear of customers to purchase new technology?

[7:17] Defer payments and let customers invest in the technology that they need without making payments in the next 90 days, allowing them to hold on to their cash.

[8:08] Connection Financial Services offers short and long term financial solutions according to the customer’s needs.

[11:00] Cindy shares her financial projection for the near future.

[13:10] Schools have applied innovations and adaptations to reach their students and provide an efficient education system.

[14:01] Kirk talks about what can´t be financed.

[16:28] 25% of small businesses won’t be able to survive the current financial crisis.

[19:03] Connection Financial Services offers end of term options for their customers.

[21:30] An optimistic outlook for the future of the nation in difficult times.

Host: Penny Conway

Co Host: Robert McIntosh

Co Host: Tyler "Marbles" Meckes

What the Tech Just Happened takes a look at what business may look like one year later.

How we're changing computing with mobile devices and PCs
The future of Cryptocurrency
The tech side of sanitation moving forward

All this and more as Tyler Meckes Joins Penny and Rob to the virtual roundtable.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Dr. Keith Nelson — Healthcare Strategy and Business Development Director — Connection

In today’s episode Penny Conway and Rob McIntosh, your hosts, are accompanied by Dr. Keith Nelson to talk about what has changed in healthcare, what are the biggest challenges in moving forward, and what can be expected from telehub in the future. Dr. Keith dives deep into the history of telemedicine, how it has been a great approach to bring health services to patients while respecting social distancing, and the amazing opportunities this modality presents for the future of healthcare.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com.

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin. and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:15] Dr. Keith Nelson introduces himself.

[2:35] Dr. Keith talks about the biggest changes in healthcare over the last 7 weeks.

[3:52] Telemedicine has boomed.

[4:32] Dr. Keith talks about the future for telemedicine implementation and its five categories.

[9:01] The concern of losing the in-person experience.

[9:13] What are the biggest challenges healthcare is facing?

[11:56] The issue of privacy while using telemedicine.

[13:29] Telemedicine presents a cross-state coverage problem.

[15:50] What are the advancements in healthcare that will remain after the pandemic?

[17:35] Further consolidation in the medical industry is expected.

[21:26] Dr. Keith shares his thoughts with regards to the future of AI as an assistant in diagnosis.

[22:40] Telemedicine hit the mainstream within days.

[24:50] Population Health allows doctors to identify, track, and treat individual patients to prevent diseases from occurring.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

On the latest episode of What the Tech Just Happened, discussions around the return to work with a little play on the title - Penny and Rob ask the question: What the Tech Is Next?

Phasing in the return to the economy while asking the questions: What did you learn during Covid 19? How will you listen to your employees and how are you going to evaluate next steps like meetings and essential travel? All of this and more as we're on the the horizon of the "New Normal" .

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Tim Figueredo - National Account Manager APC

Storm season is right around the corner do you have a proactive management strategy for your backup power? Are you in "React When It Fails" mode? A failure could mean bringing down the entire network. Who's responsible for keeping things going during power loss?

Tim and Tyler bring you through the ABC's of remote management of your back-up power to make sure your network continues to run. The complete rundown in under 3 minutes on the latest Tech Two With Tyler!

THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY: POLY

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Joe Mukherjee - Director, Systems Engineering Americas Channels and Canada Joe.Mukherjee@poly.com

Guest: Lane Shelton, Vice President of Microsoft Center of Excellence

The strike of COVID-19 around the world has found us all in different situations, many have been lucky enough to still work and learn from home, adapting to the changes in how to communicate and to collaborate in times of social distancing and uncertainty. Video has certainly eased our lives, brought us closer to our loved ones and allowed us to keep on with our jobs.

In today’s episode, Penny Conway welcomes Joe Mukherjee and Lane Shelton to talk about what are the technologies that are here to stay and to share their thoughts about how the future of video and voice looks like.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:21] Joe Mukherjee and Lane Shelton introduce themselves.

[4:00] What is the value of video now?

[5:50] Everyone is mass adopting video as a means of communicating, learning, and working.

[7:12] Is working from home perdure in time?

[7:24] The benefits of working from office vs working from home.

[10:00] Joe and Lane share their predictions for the near future regarding virtual work.

[14:40] Customers are slowly embracing Microsoft Teams.

[17:30] Today there are 44 million subscribers to Microsoft Teams.

[19:24] Strengthening the levels of security.

[20:45] There will be a need for redesigning the workplace.

[22:30] Microsoft is achieving the balance between security and agility.

[26:06] The new normal will become an improvement.

[26:49] The three pillars of the modern workplace.

[31:16] This crisis brings the opportunity to have better relationships with customers and coworkers.

[31:40] Joe wishes the connectivity among human beings stays after the crisis.

[33:20] The quality of our relationships has improved.

Mentioned in this episode:

TechSperience Podcast Episode 39: Get More Out of Microsoft Team with Poly Collaboration

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Tyler Marshall National Account Manager Tripp Lite

Tripp Lite doing their part to help battle COVID-19. Learn more about the partnership with McCormick Place in Chicago as efforts are underway to transform the convention center into a 3,000-bed COVID-19 care center. Tripp Lite partnered with the city to be the primary provider of medical grade power strips. Hear all the latest from Tripp Lite as the two Tyler's give the run-down in under two minutes.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Steven L. Crowthers VP of TIDC

Guest: Mark Wulfhorst Director of Technical Services and Solutions

Description: Today’s episode was recorded on April 6th, 2020, COVID-19 has currently infected over 200 countries, with 1.2 million cases around the world, 46 states in the US have asked their citizens to stay home with the consequent closing of nonessential businesses...now what?

Your host, Penny Conway is accompanied by Steven L. Crowthers and Mark Wulfhorst to this episode. They are sharing how TIDC reacted to this crisis by developing a business continuity plan on the go and how they adapt to the new normal. Proactive readiness in operations is now the key to keeping your employees safe while supporting your customers’ essential needs, and these are the two fundamental principles that TIDC’s task force has been exercising to maintain their quality and volume of production and service.

Reach out to the Connection Team.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog

Key takeaways:

[1:20] Mark Wulfhorst and Steven Crowthers introduce themselves.

[3:22] What changes have TIDC seen in their daily operations?

[4:25] What kind of configurations and support are TIDC giving to the health care support?

[6:26] There is no playbook on how to deal with a pandemic.

[7:05] TIDC made the safety of their employees their priority.

[8:11] Excelling in business in times of crisis.

[10:55] Teamwork is needed to plan how to approach the “new normal”.

[13:10] The task force focused on supporting customers’ needs while taking care of the safety of the employees.

[16:31] The involvement of Human Resources to coach employees about the changes the company was implementing was crucial for the success of the new business plan.

[18:05] TIDC started fever testing their employees before they entered the facilities, which brought 63% of their employees back to work, feeling safer.

[20:23] What can you do for your employees from a financial perspective?

[27:20] Ensuring business continuity thanks to exceptional leadership.

[28:07] Steven extends his advice to business owners in how to set up a Task Force.

[31:01] Communication is the key.

[33:24] Technology arousing from these challenging times.

[34:55] It is time to plan for an uncertain future.

Host: Penny Conway

Cohost: Rob McIntosh

The Coronavirus rages on as companies across the globe assess how a world pandemic has transformed how they do business overnight. The "next normal" is explored in this week's "What the Tech Just Happened" episode as Penny discusses a McKenzie report on the 5 Horizons and the steps and cautions of going back to the office.

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

As businesses across the country begin settling in to the "New Normal" many companies are discovering users may need a little extra training to utilize the full benefits of the collaboration tools.

Penny wants to jump start the process by sharing her favorite tips and tricks of Cisco's Webex. Take a few minutes to listen, you'll be glad you did!

Reach out to the Connection Team for more information.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Check out Penny's helpful youtube tutorial: WEBEX TIPS AND TRICKS

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Danik Inselman, Key Account Manager at LG Electronics

With the current state of the world and traditional sports at a near stand-still, esports is positioned to explode at a greater rate than initially anticipated for 2020 and beyond. Esports is a growing industry that is outnumbering HBO, Netflix, and ESPN combined in viewership. How is this happening? What are the predictions for esports in the near future? Danik Inselman is diving deep into the topic, sharing why there is a very promising future for the esports industry. The statistics are simply impressive: In 2019 the audience for esports was 194 million people and it is projected to reach 276 million for 2022 — this is a similar audience size as the NFL. Esports is also projected to be a $1.5 billion industry in 2020 and it is expected to reach $2.3 billion in 2022. To top it off, esports is currently being considered to become an Olympic Games sport. This industry is meant to blow your mind!

Reach out to the Connection Team and your LG sales rep for more.

Email us at podcast@connection.com

Key takeaways:

[1:28] Danik Inselman talks about his professional journey.

[3:09] What does esports feel like to a gamer?

[4:31] In 2019 the audience for esports was 194 million people, the prize pool was $113 million, and it is projected that in 2022 the esports audiences will reach 276 million, a similar size to that of the NFL.

[5:20] Traditional sports are declining in terms of viewership while esports offers a new beginning.

[5:58] The current situation with COVID19 and its effect on esports.

[7:13] Danik shares the secret behind the rapid growth of esports.

[8:14] The profile of the esports player is broad, nearly anyone can play.

[10:01] Danik presents a brief history of gaming.

[11:30] Danik explains how the involvement and interest of colleges in esports changed the industry.

[12:24] What is LG offering to the esports arena?

[15:55] Danik talks about the holy grail in the gamer’s industry: an incredibly fast gaming IPS monitor.

[17:08] 200 colleges in the 2018-2019 school year offered $16 million in esports scholarships.

[17:31] A "test" showcase in Tokyo is planned to determine if esports will be considered a legitimate sport.

[18:16] Streaming is a huge part of esports.

[20:10] Esports are offering an opportunity for children that would never practice a traditional sport.

[22:11] The scenario for different generations using esports simultaneously.

[23:57] How can schools start engaging with the LG team to develop an esports program?

Learn more about Danik Inselman:

Danik has a BS in Business, specializing in Computer Science, a BTh in Theology, certificates in Robotics from Allen Bradley and will soon be testing for his CTS. He has been in this industry for more than 15 years and is an avid gamer. Danik worked for Connection for numerous years before working for LG.

Email Danik at Dan.inselman@lge.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Caldwell University’s partnership with LG

What the Tech Just Happened on the TechSperience channel joins the rest of the world and goes remote. On this episode, Penny and Rob discuss bandwidth issues on the internet, creativity on social media, Robots, Drones, facial recognition and the challenges and joys of working from home!

Host: Penny Conway

Co Host: Rob McIntosh

We're not in Kansas anymore as Penny Conway and Sarah Bates take us down the yellow brick road of subscription services leading us to what's behind the IT curtain of strategic device management. Courageous IT decision makers have decided to look at the heart of their operational and financial problems and discovered this no-brainer solution.

TechSperience's 51st episode simplifies and demystifies DaaS and how it can relate to your business no matter what the scale.

Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Penny Conway, Connection's Product Manager Device as a Service for HP

Guest: Sarah Bates, HP Partner Business Manager for Business Solutions

Working Remotely? Educating from the home? Currently we're all dealing with a new normal as well as some extreme challenges. Conversely, there are opportunities we may never had the chance to embrace without being faced with this adversity. Listen to our 50th Episode on the TechSperience channel as Penny and Rob discuss the brighter side to "self quarantine"

Innovation and Productivity will be the by-product of the new Voluntary Remote Workforce.

Discussion topics: Top 3 things Employers should have top of mind during the Coronavirus pandemic and the top 3 things employees can do to improve their time at home.

Host: Penny Conway

Cohost: Rob McIntosh

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Brett Hurley, Regional Sales Manager - ViewSonic

The modern classroom is racing to keep up with the modern student. Kids are growing up interacting with everything and actual expect a certain level of interactivity when it comes to technology in education.

In this episode, Penny speaks with Brett Hurley, an expert from ViewSonic as they talk about interactive collaboration displays and all the incredible new features that help bring learning to a tech level that will blow your mind.

The Rise in the remote workforce and the merging of hardware and software. No better partner than Microsoft's surface and teams to get you through. Check out this episode of Tech Two With Tyler and hear our expert speak to a solution you may be overlooking in this weeks two minute drill!

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Daniel Sanon- Partner Develop Manager for Microsoft Surface Line.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the material discussed in this episode is of a timely nature and the situation around COVID-19 is fluid and fast moving. In the short time that elapsed since our recording (March 10th), the World Health Organization has officially declared the disease a pandemic.

In this special edition of "What the Tech Just Happened", Learn how AI and Data Science are playing a crucial role in the Covid-19 outbreak. Learn what BlueDot understood about activity around Wuhan, China 9 days before the World Health Organization issued a public statement. Also learn how Tech companies are responding to the demands of Business to move their work-force to a remote model. Schools and universities are facing similar challenges as they turn to their on-line models during the pandemic.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Jamal Khan, President of Global Digital and eCommerce Marketing for Connection.

Guest: Lane Shelton, VP and Principal Consultant for Microsoft Center of Excellence for Connection

Guest: Andre Stoykovich: Program Manager for Cisco

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Tech Two with Tyler takes a look at the Lenovo ThinkSmart View work place personal assistant. Be more effective and more collaborative at a low price point.

Host Tyler: Meckes

Burt Kersey: Channel Account Manager for Lenovo

Tech 2 with Tyler covers the exploding world of Apple and how company's are utilizing "Mac as a Service". Tyler and his guest Steve Dougherty, discuss some new services to make tech purchasing easier, cost-effective and scalable! Enjoy the latest from Tyler and Apple.

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Steve Dougherty- Apple Business Development Specialist

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Matt Skoog - Partner Development Specialist for Mobility

Matt Skoog joins us in the studio and shares his knowledge of 5G technology. Where it is now, where it's going and a look at the different networks - Not all 5G is created equal.

Listen to the discussion and learn how 5G is affecting just about every industry it touches.

Taking a look at the latest in tech with some insights and some laughs. This weeks episode discusses what's happening with Tech salaries, Amazon's new cashierless Amazon Go stores, Warren Buffet finally trading in his flip phone, the latest Tesla news, Xerox potential merger and much more!

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

First aired December 18, 2019, we went on location to explore the modern day warehouse. We took a look at Connection's own TIDC (Technical Integration and Distribution Center). If you missed it the first time around, Listen and learn how advances in technology are changing the way distribution centers are utilized. Check out the link below for more information on the warehouse and take a look at the video we made while on location.

Host: Robert McIntosh

Guest: Colleen McMichael, Director of Quality Assurance DC

Mark Wulfhorst, Dir Technical Services Operations, Configuration Services

A Look Inside Connection's Technical Integration and Distribution Center

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Rumbles in the Cloud. Cloud wars heat up - Who's currently on top? Who's not? What companies are investing and emerging as leaders in this lucrative space we call the cloud. From AWS and Google Cloud Platform to Microsoft's Azure, Alibaba and IBM. News that's fit to Tech about!

Microsoft Sponsored Talk on Artificial Intelligence Part I

Originally aired August 21 2019. Part I of our series on AI.

Sponsored by Microsoft

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Jamal Khan, President of Global Digital and eCommerce Marketing for Connection.

In this episode of TechSperience, Penny Conway has a frank discussion with Jamal Khan on AI and how machine learning is infiltrating our everyday lives.

Fact vs. Fiction and the data explosion.
Democratization of toolsets: Tremendous advantages for developers to streamline process and development time.
- Microsoft AZURE ML Studio is an amazing working environment for developers. What was historically a difficult undertaking now saves hours and produces more efficient results and reporting. The studio leverages AI technology and simplifies the process.
Learn the pace at which the AI and machine learning are growing and how it will impact the job market.

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Chaos in Iowa - The tech malfunction that rocked the Democratic caucuses. From a new app glitch to jammed phone lines. Technology in all it's glory can present unexpected consequences if not deployed correctly. Lessons to be learned from both sides of the political landscape.

Security Practices at Local MSP Providers

As A Service Trends providing timely solutions saving money and providing services to both consumers and businesses.

TechSperience #WeSolveIT #election #vote #getoutthevote #XaaS #AsaService

A look back and a look forward at the life of the Chromebook. Samsung, the original creator of the Chromebook, talks about the classroom of the future and the impact of the partnership of Google and the Chromebook in education. From myth busting to questions answered, Ally Condo and Kristine Nielsen provide insight, information and a peek into the release of the all new Chromebook 4 and 4+!!

Host: Penny Conway

Guests:

Allyson Condo - Channel Account Manager Chrome Enterprise and Education Kristine Nielsen - Channel Account Manager Samsung Chromebooks

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Take a break from the deep tech talks and join us for a fun post SuperBowl chat as Penny and Rob talk about SuperBowl commercials. Also listen in as we touch on 24 dangerous apps and the perils of downloading - next on What The Tech Just Happened February 6th, 2020.

From everyone at the Connection TechSperience channel, we'd like to Congratulate the Kansas City Chiefs on their spectacular Super Bowl win!

Microsoft Sponsored Talk on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Cyber Security.

Part II of our series on AI continues as we podcast about how Artificial Intelligence is impacting Cyber Security. Join Penny and her guest Jamal Khan as they talk CySec, machine take-over, national infrastructure and how nations are building capabilities in this space.

Host: Penny Conway

Jamal Khan: President of GlobalServe

Host: Penny Conway

Co-host: Robert Mcintosh

Join us for a fun look at tech and all the latest Tech News including:

Why Tech Giants are looking to eSports stars to promote their streaming platforms
FBI haults Apple encryption
A tribute to Clayton Christensen
Is Apple ditching the lightning cable?

And much much more!

Host: Penny Conway

Guest1: Sam Kennedy - Senior Director/Chief Product Evangelist Poly

Guest 2: Glen Bevcar - National Channel Manager Poly

Poly voice and video is discussed from a "Teams" perspective. What you're missing could hurt you. Is your collaboration strategy all that it could be? Our experts discuss teams, poly, video and a whole lot more!

Tech 2 with Tyler brings in the HPE team of experts to explain the Autonomous Data center in under 5 minutes. HPE's Infosight optimizes workloads and harnesses the power of cloud-based machine learning to help simplify your IT. Take 5 minutes and see what's new in infrastructure!

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: From HPE - Robb Lippy, Michael Monahon and Joel Hammond.

Host: Tyler Meckes

Guest: Penny Bonnano Samsung

Tech 2 With Tyer is Tech in under 5 minutes! Penny Bonnano from Samsung Mobility gives a quick run down of the power of Samsung Knox! Mobile security that's simple and effective.

If you or your business is a user of mobile devices, give a quick 5 minute listen to what Penny has to say.

Social Media is being socially responsible. Learn about one woman's plight to end harassment on a popular social site and how leadership responded.

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Host: Penny Conway

CoHost: Rob McIntosh

Tech topics include Mobility and wearables, Y2K bug hits parking meters, Microsoft EOL for Windows 7 is here, Disney plus and more! Join us for a fun morning tech chat with a few laughs mixed in.

eSports has millions of fans from all walks of life tuning into the action. Listen in as we explore the world of competitive video gaming with some of Connection's die hard gamers!

Host: Tyler Meckes

Panel of Gamers:

Steve Dougherty - Business Development Specialist for Apple

Brian Mitchell - Dedicated Support Representative

Chris Hardie - Account Manager

Learn more about Connection's eSports program: https://www.govconnection.com/public-sector/higher-education/esports

VEEAM Software was acquired by Insight Partners for 5 billion dollars. Insight Partners - a venture capital firm (not to be confused with Insight), just purchased VEEAM Software, one of the leaders in Backup Solutions.

"The acquisition, which is expected to be closed in Q1 2020, will enable Veeam to accelerate its Act II (Veeam’s evolution into Hybrid Cloud), help the company expand into new markets and continue its growth trajectory."

This week on "What the Tech Just Happened", Penny and Rob explore the tech trends in the corporate world for 2020. AI, 3D printing, mobile payment systems, 5G and much more!

Who really cares about print and what can the modern printer really do? Listen in as we discuss printer security, feeds and speeds and sustainability. We cover the new world of printing and what the landscape looks like in the new decade.

Host: Rob McIntosh

Guest: Tim Field, Territory Sales Manager - Lexmark.

A SPECIAL NEW YEAR EDITION OF TECHSPERIENCE

Join us for a fun round table discussion with representatives from the baby boomers to Gen Z! Listen in to this new 2020 1-hour special and learn how technology has changed the way the generations work and play!

Baby Boomer – Born between 1946 and 1964

Generation X – Born between 1965 and 1976

Millennials/Generation Y – Born between 1977 and 1995

Generation Z/GenZ – Born between 1996 and Now

Host: Penny Conway

Guests:

BABY BOOMERS: Robert McIntosh, Nick Souris, Robert Howard

Generation X: Jason St. Jean, Andre Stoykovich

Generation Y: Emily Sloan, Penny Conway, Jason Rivard

Generation Z: Anne Gindi, Kerri Sears

It's something you've been hearing about for a while - yet legacy systems may still remain active inside your organization. After all, these PCs still operate and your employees remain productive, right? Listen to this podcast where we sit down with Microsoft experts and uncover the true cost of delaying an upgrade.

Host: Penny Conway

Guests:

Deana Sweeney-Grammo - Microsoft Regional Sales Director Ashley Lofaro - Microsoft Windows Devices PDS Carrie Alicata - Microsoft Solutions Associate

TechSperience takes a close look at the latest tech trends in retail from mobility and digital signage to the entire store experience. Brick and Mortar vs. "Click and Mortar"

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director

Guest: Amanda Toé, Marketing Programs Associate

Guest: Rick Reebenacker, Marketing Manager

Our 2nd installment of the weekly podcast of "What the Tech Just Happened?" on the TechSperience podcast channel. Penny and Rob take a look at the emerging careers spawned by technology - A look ahead at the job market in 2020.

Host: Penny Conway

Cohost: Rob McIntosh

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

TechSperience episode 29 explores the modern day warehouse and a look at Connection's own TIDC (Technical Integration and Distribution Center). Listen and learn how advances in technology are changing the way distribution centers are utilized.

Host: Robert McIntosh

Guest: Colleen McMichael, Director of Quality Assurance DC

Mark Wulfhorst, Dir Technical Services Operations, Configuration Services

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Welcome to our first show of the new segment "What the Tech Just Happened" on the TechSperience Channel. The Thursday edition focuses on What's New in the World of Tech as we attempt to break it into byte size chunks for the tech savvy to consume.

Penny Conway and Rob McIntosh have fun in this episode chatting about some of the hot tech for the holiday season. Join us for this light edition as we Tech the Halls with holiday gear!

Host: Penny Conway

Co-Host: Rob McIntosh

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Digital Signage is everywhere! What is it and how is it transforming business from employee engagement to customer experience? Engage and Amaze! We also discover the interesting use of AI within digital signage.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: Toby Mackey: Sr. Product Manager for Digital Signage Practice

Guest: Pat McCusker: Business Development Manager for Digital Signage Practice.

Read the transcript for this episode here.

What you don't know will make you happy! Tech companies are driving positive environmental change. Listen to this inspiring podcast and learn how one Tech Mogul is making environmental decisions that are changing the world.

Read the transcript for this episode here.

It's the age of the "Smart Office". Transformation comes at all levels and when time = money, it's been estimated that businesses waste 34 Billion dollars a year in lost time just on conference call delays alone.

In this episode of TechSperience, our host Tyler Meckes is joined by Dan Fischetti, Connection's Sr. Program Manager for Microsoft Center of Excellence (COE) and Bob Knep, Sr. Global Alliance Manager for Logitech continue discussions on the hot topic of efficiency in the conference room as both Microsoft and Logitech offer their expertise and explain an "easy to implement" solution. Listen in and learn how these two tech giants can help cure your conference room blues!

Read the transcript for this episode here.

In this episode, TechSperience explores Lenovo’s new addition to the conference room—the ThinkSmart Hub 500. This breakthrough in full-collaboration solutions satisfies the needs of small-to-medium-sized meeting spaces. Best of all, it supports Microsoft Teams and offers unlimited call-in capacity. Save time and money and revolutionize your collaboration experience.

Hosted by: James Hilliard

Guests:

Dan Fischetti: Senior Program Manager Microsoft Center of Excellence

Scott Roberts: Lenovo Program Manager

Burt Kersey: Channel Account Manager

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

We take you to the cloud and back with a consumption model that helps you implement on-demand services so you can kick the IT head-aches to the curb. GreenLake Flex Capacity explained by Keith Early: GreenLake Specialist for HPE. A simple discussion to help get you in the "Everything-As-A-Service" game.

You can read the transcription for this episode here.

Episode 22 tackles the tough issue of how to make our schools more safe! Traditional school security measures have not kept pace with today’s physical and digital threats. The threats to our students and educators are becoming more and more complex, and despite the significant investments already made, you want to do more to protect your educators, students, and staff from the threats of violence, intimidation, crime and cyber-attacks.

Cisco talks about some of the available technologies to help keep students and faculty safe including Meraki MV Cameras, Zebra Security card printers, Network Security and Informacast.

Our guest include a great panel from Cisco and Zebra

Kayleigh Cassidy – Meraki Channel Account Manager
Jay Gaworecki – Zebra Identity Solutions Manager
Craig Cole – Cisco Safer School BDM (Remote call in)
Tom Willoughby – Singlewire NE Territory Manager (Remote call in)
Andre Stoykovich – Program Manager, Cisco Marketing

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

In this episode of TechSperience, our host Penny Conway is joined by Michael Henson, Dir. National Partner Accounts, Ruckus Sales at CommScope to talk about vaping and bullying in K12 and although this is not an IT problem, it can be solved with an IT solution.

In recent weeks the CDC reported 13 deaths and over 800 illnesses directly related to vaping. It was also reported that vaping by teenagers has breached over 3.6M as of November 2018, up from 1.5M from 2017. The National Institute of Health on Drug Abuse reports that vaping in High School impacts an average of nearly 2 in 5 students.

Learn how technology and a Ruckus-Soter solution can help schools combat this horrible epidemic.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Episode 20 is the 8th installment of our National Cyber Security Awareness Month series. Penny Conway continues discussions with the Connection TSG Cyber Security group and Jeannette Riker, HPE Product Manager. Listen as Jeannette speaks to HPE's complete end to end security approach and learn why HPE boasts "The industry's most secure server in the world"

Show Notes

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

Episode 19 is a continuation of the TechSperience Cyber Security Series as we have a candid discussion with Marc Sadinsky, Partner Manager for Intel. Discussions focus on Intel's VPro chip set and how it can be used to protect end user devices. What is the Intel Security first pledge and what does it mean to the end user?

New technologies and integration of security capabilities - learn where Intel heading and learn what you may or may not know about Intel Vpro Chipset and why it's such a critical component of endpoint security.

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

TechSperience episode 18 picks up at week 3 of our National Cyber Security Awareness Month series where our host, Penny Conway talks with David Booth, Technical Sales Executive for Cisco Solutions Architecture and Marsilda Bialczak Cisco Product Development Specialist.

Our guests are joined by our TSG Cyber Security Solutions Team Steve Nardone, Rob Di Girolamo and Bill Virtue. Discussions include: Demystifying the Cisco Meraki partnership, Cisco Umbrella, Cisco's collaboration with Duo and the importance of zero-trust security inside and outside the corporate network as well as a multitude of other security solutions as we uncover the need for multiple solutions within the security ecosystem.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

In this episode of our National Cyber Security Awareness Month series, Lane Shelton VP of Microsoft Center of Excellence speaks to Cloud Security and the many features and benefits in the Microsoft Tech Stack including,Windows 10, M365, A3 and A5 as they create a safer work environment for digital transformation.

The Connection TSG Cyber Security Team discusses risk management and the need to push updates and utilize many of the security tools Microsoft offers.

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

Continuing our National Cyber Security Awareness Month podcast series, Sarah Bates, Partner Business Manager from HP discusses with our host, Penny Conway, and the Connection TSG Cyber Security Team, how HPs innovative security features can fit into your Organization's security practice to help eliminate critical threats.

Learn about visual hacking as well as other threats and best practices to prevent them.

60% of employees take computers out of the office.
9 out of 10 visual hacker attempts are successful.
75% of Sr. Managers have not considered visual hacking as a threat.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Episode 15 is part 2 of our continued round table discussion to kick-off National Cyber Security Month starting tomorrow. What would happen if you talked with experts about some interesting, crazy and scary cyber security issues they've come across? Listen in to a very interesting Cyber Security Podcast.

Hosted by Penny Conway with special guests...

Steve Nardone: Director of Connection's Cyber Security Practice

Lane Shelton: Head of Connection's Microsoft Center of Excellence

Mitch Tanaki: Sr. Security Engineer

Bill Virtue: Sr. Security Engineer

Rob Di Girolamo: Product Manager for Security Consulting and Professional Services

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Episode 14 is a Round table discussion with the TSG Cyber Security Team as they talk about the fact that you've probably already been compromised on a security level. How to prepare for the when - it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when you're going to get compromised and next steps.

How secure is secure? Find out this and other answers as Penny Conway uncovers some interesting facts about cyber security with the Connection TSG.

Protect, Detect, React. Detection and reaction are the most critical parts of a strong security solution.

Hosted by Penny Conway with special guests from the Connection's Cyber Security Practice:

Steve Nardone: Director of Connection's Cyber Security Practice

Lane Shelton: Head of Connection's Microsoft Center of Excellence

Mitch Tanaki: Sr. Security Engineer

Bill Virtue: Sr. Security Engineer

Rob Di Girolamo: Product Manager for Security Consulting and Professional Services

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Kick-Off to Cyber Security Month! Episode 13 is a round table discussion with Connection's Technical Solutions Cyber Security Team and the advantages of a security assessment and security health check. Uncover areas your company or organization could be vulnerable and steps to take to secure your IT, protect your IT, own your IT.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Episode 12 of TechSperience dives into all things Managed Print Services. With companies spending an average of 3% of annual revenue on printing, Managed Print Services are estimated to double in growth by 2025. This TechSperience episode helps to simplify and demystify MPS.

Guests include: Craig Burns, Partner Business Manager from HP and Katie Mackenzie, Connection Product Manager for Print and Supplies.

Join us as we listen to Sree Vasukuttan Product Marketing Coordinator and Dan Fischetti, Sr. Program Manager both from the Microsoft Center of Excellence. Discussions on M365 in the modern workspace, how Microsoft Teams works and migration to AZURE.

How are you securing your data from end user to the data center? How are you dealing with Windows Server and Sql Server End of Life?

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

In this episode of Techsperience we'll explore learning outside the four walls of school. The latest technologies from Google and Microsoft enable schools to engage students where ever and however they learn best.

Ally and Alex go head to head again in this latest episode of the "battle of the titans". All in good fun, we take a hard look at a day in the life in education and a product and feature example from a student perspective.

A true look at the student experience from both the Google and Microsoft perspective.

Speakers:

Ally Condo, Google.
Alex DeRossi, Microsoft Education.

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

In this episode of TechSperience, Penny Conway has a frank discussion with Jamal Khan, President of Global Digital and eCommerce Marketing for Connection, on AI and how machine learning is infiltrating our everyday lives.

Fact vs. Fiction and the data explosion.
Democratization of toolsets: Tremendous advantages for developers to streamline process and development time.
- Microsoft AZURE ML Studio is an amazing working environment for developers. What was historically a difficult undertaking now saves hours and produces more efficient results and reporting. The studio leverages AI technology and simplifies the process.
Learn the pace at which the AI and machine learning are growing and how it will impact the job market.

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

On this episode of TechSperience, Penny Conway has a fun and interesting perspective talk with Lane Shelton on the cultural differences between Google and Microsoft. Listen and see if you can determine if your company is Microsoft or Google - Centric based on your Cafeteria. Have fun and leave a comment and let us know!

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

Episode 07 of Connection TechSperience focuses on a great organization celebrating the accomplishments of Women in Technology. Dale Howard and Judy Rafferty talk with Penny Conway and how women help each other advance careers and balance life's demands.

Learn how WOW was formed and the wonderful journey since the early days.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

In this episode of Connection Techsperience Penny Conway and John Fuhrman take a deep dive into the world of UCAAS - Unified Communication as a Service. Learn about UCAAS, how it can benefit your organization and what you can do to harness the power of this exciting as a Service addition.

Host: Penny Conway

Guest: John Fuhrman - Partner Alliance Manager - Cloud

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

On this episode of Connection TechSperience, Colonel Brian Prickett of the Clinton County Sheriff's Office is interviewed by James Hilliard on mobile device technology in law enforcement. Learn how mobile devices and Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) have revolutionized law enforcement over the past 25 years.

MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals) and connectivity
Evolution to wireless
Law Enforcement Software on the road
Technology allows more time on the road than at a desk
Mobile Device Challenges in law enforcement
MDT Compliance and training for officers
Law Enforcement Security with MDTs

You can read the transcript for this episode here.

Now’s the time to migrate to Windows 10 Pro on a modern device. Listen to our podcast and find out how to protect what you’ve built, get more done anywhere, and simplify IT.

Learn about security issues, mistakes to avoid, cost wasters and features available on newer devices running Windows 10.

Intel integration and the engine behind the magic!

Also learn about employee attraction and retention through technology, leveraging DaaS and Autopilot, Security and much more.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Game-based learning is pushing education towards an increasingly digital future. Through the A+ Academy, Connection® Public Sector Solutions and Microsoft have teamed up to offer the latest in technology to help your school adapt to changing classroom trends. From Minecraft: Education Edition to virtual and augmented reality, we have the right partners to help you maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.

Find out how Microsoft and Minecraft: Education Edition are at the head of the class in driving 21st century learning and skillsets by reading our blog or listening to the podcast.

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery have evolved into Business Resiliency. Listen to this podcast—hosted by James Hilliard and Connection’s Kurt Hildebrand, Director of the Data Center Practice—to discover why Business Resiliency is a modern-day requirement for an organization to survive disasters, power events, and more.

You can read the transcript of this episode here.

Microsoft and Google are working together! Microsoft and Google experts Alex DeRossi and Allyson Condo square off (all in good fun) to provide you with the real story on device and software compatibility in the classroom to give you the knowledge you need to choose the right devices and applications for your school.

You can read the transcript here.