TEConnect Podcast: Recent Episodes
teconnect
TEConnect is the podcast that tackles the news, trends and technologies impacting the IT reseller channel, software companies and hardware manufacturers. Hosted by John Martin & Dean Reverman. Tell us what YOU want to hear about @TEConnectPod on Twitter or email teconnect@bluestarinc.com
What topics are John & Dean riffing on this week?
- Why some people don't have children
- A hybrid work A/B test
- FAA approves air taxis
- Younger generations are not answering the phone
- US state name meanings
- Worst workplace jargon
- The best TV episodes of all time
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Why do plants wiggle
John - Watch "Homicide: Life on the Street" on Peacock
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo's Quick Ship Program
We're breaking down the data from another one of our #BlueStarNation end-user surveys, this time speaking to 125 retail leaders about point-of-sale. What are the top considerations when buying? What is the preferred OS? What are the biggest challenges? What is on their wishlist for their next solution?
Read the full article
Register for Elo's Payments & POS Panel Discussion
VARValue - What should a retail VAR do with this info?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Meta AI data center "scuppered" by bees
John - How many unused gift cards do Americans have?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 22"
In honor of a Halloween release, we're talking about the spooky season with special guests Sam Hughes and...the Ghostface killer from Scream? (It's Sarah Schlueter!) What are some movies/TV shows that have scared us? Favorite Halloween costumes? What technology scares us? Best candy? It's the episode so packed that Dean could only say, "Oh."
TEConnecting with us:
Sarah - The story behind Spirit Halloween
Sam - Digital literacy in an age of misinformation
Dean - Stem-cell therapy for diabetes
John - Evil on Paramount Plus
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay M100
"The robots are here," says Juan Higueros, Co-Founder & COO of Bear Robotics. He joins us this week to discuss the robot market, where opportunities are taking off, and how VARs can play a huge role. What are service robots doing in the hospitality industry? What use case surprised Juan? What does a typical deployment look like? How does Juan address skepticism?
Check out Bear Robotics!
VARValue - How is Bear partnering with VARs to find opportunities and bring robots to market?
TEConnecting with us:
Juan - Tesla's Optimus robot
Dean - Amazon & Google investing in nuclear
John - Why Congress is trying to keep AM radios in cars
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Shipping labels aren't going anywhere, but why are they so dull? Epson's Tessa Kohl returns to emphasize the opportunity to do more with a process all shippers utilize. How can labels level up with color, additional images and messages, and personalized content? How does such labeling benefit the shipper, and how is Epson helping your customers make the most of wasted box space? It's the episode that references far too many old cartoons.
VARValue - Tell us about Label Boost, Epson’s software for creating these dynamic, versatile labels.
TEConnecting with us:
Tessa - Microsoft Recall & AI skepticism
Dean - Plastic-eating fungus
John - Mysterious sounds from the Mariana Trench
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson Label Boost Software
Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer
It's been nearly two years since LLMs like ChatGPT exploded into the public consciousness, but how are businesses leveraging the technology to improve and grow? Honeywell PSS CIO Michael Groskopf shares some powerful but practical examples with us. What are two things he thinks all VARs could use gen AI for? How does it improve data analysis? What are his predictions for the future? It's a multi-modal episode that helps you focus on the fun part of your job description!
VARValue - How is Honeywell tackling the AI explosion?
TEConnecting with us:
Michael - Bug-A-Salt
Dean - Aerosolized flu vaccinations
John - AI music scheme busted
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Honeywell PM45 Industrial Printer
Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer
We're reflecting on #VARTECH2024 one last time! Was it our biggest show ever? What was the theme, and how did William Shatner, Florida Man memes, and TED Conversations fit in? What were the hot technologies on the exhibit floor, in education sessions, and during the ISV and Solution presentations? Did BlueStar engineer a rocket launch just for their attendees? It's the episode that wonders why we do this to ourselves every year!
VARValue - For VARs that didn’t attend, what did you learn that anyone can use?
Follow BlueStar on YouTube to see VARTECH videos and much more!
https://www.youtube.com/@BlueStarinc
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Pocket-sized nuclear battery
John - The continued down-spiral of X/Twitter
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo IDS 04/54 Series
Once again, we took our show on the road to VARTECH in Orlando, Florida, to discuss websites and social media and how they can impact your business. James Korte gives us a breakdown of what "good" websites should contain and what they should do. What are some common pitfalls and mistakes? Is there a right way to do social media? Finally, we wrap up by gently critiquing some sites submitted by our audience.
VARValue - Check out the sites we reviewed!
- https://www.digi-trax.com/
- https://www.posperpanama.com/
- https://technicalservicesgd.com/
Check out the YouTube video to follow along with our website reviews: https://youtu.be/xDtuNQXAvTA
TEConnecting with us:
James - Runway AI video
Dean - Bark Air
John - Are restaurant kiosks leading to smaller orders?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Quick Ship Program
We're off this week, recovering from #VARTECH2024, but as a prelude to the episode we recorded there on website design and social media, here's a flashback to one of our most popular episodes with Barcoding's Krystal Cotriss! See you next week with a new ep!
Originally released July 21, 2022
Having smart content, a strong message, and an understanding of your audience is a great place to start marketing, but without great design, it’s just so many words. We turned to an expert, Krystal Cotriss, Lead Designer & Content Strategist with Barcoding, Inc., who stresses the importance of design to attracting customers, making a good impression, and driving engagement. She’ll help us explore free or low-cost tools anyone with little to no experience could use, from photos to fonts and beyond. We’re also talking website design (one of John’s pet peeves) and some design aesthetics and clichés that Krystal is “over.” Check out her post and bookmark all of the handy links!
VARValue – Let’s say someone is looking to hire a designer or employ some freelancers. What should they be looking for, asking about, or expecting?
Krystal's blog with a plethora of free resources: https://krystalcarpintieri.medium.com/free-design-resources-for-designers-marketers-more-e6b8bb3dbf0e
Kel Lauren's Best Free Design Resources: https://youtu.be/myYwUoXfxt4
TEConnecting with us:
Krystal - Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Dean - Cancer Genome Scanner & Companies Making the Most Money Per Second
John - Alexa speaking as the voice of a deceased loved one
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
As POS evolves, so does the need for receipt printers to keep up with modern hardware, software, unique use cases, new types of commerce, and myriad connectivity options. That presents many potential problems, which Star Micronics' Kate Orara & Bill Shuff are here to tackle! What's happening with interfaces? How do tablets change printing needs? What happens to device management across multiple locations? What about peripherals? It's the episode that's getting hangry.
VARValue - How does Star's mC-Print3 series solve these problems?
TEConnecting with us:
Bill - Sustainability, bioplastics & seaweed
Kate - Gen Z leading the use of sick days
Dean - $16K humanoid robot
John - Farmers need reliable connectivity, too
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics mC-Print3 Thermal Receipt Printer
Elo I-Series 3
Mobile devices are as standard in the workplace as in our personal lives, so we turned to an expert—Zebra's Eric Hilton—to investigate the market, potential opportunities, and the results of a recent BlueStar Nation survey of Field Service Companies. How have consumer devices affected the enterprise market? What challenges and problems do field technicians say they encounter more from rugged devices? When and how should VARs position CBRS-enabled devices?
VARValue - How does Zebra's Mobility DNA platform help VARs win business and keep it?
TEConnecting with us:
Eric - How AI makes us more efficient
Dean - North Korean trash balloons
John - Scientists creating real-life Dune "stillsuits"
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra-Sponsored Field Service Survey
Elo Pay 7"
John & Dean have more hot topics and deep dives to get you through the holiday weekend and break the ice at your next team meeting.
- What’s going on with Amazon drones?
- What US cities have the highest rent?
- What cities are most polluted?
- Who are the world’s most sustainable companies?
- What bands put together the best single-show setlist?
- What are the best US states to retire to?
- Starter homes that cost how much?
It’s the episode that’s perfectly happy right where it is.
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Reasons to love America
John - Record-setting Chinese bridge/tunnel system
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Solutions
Intel has been increasingly investing in our channel, but what does their interest in VARs and solution integrators mean? This week, Intel’s VP of Global Distribution & Partner Sales, David Guzzi, shares his insights as someone with experience in the channel. What’s changed, and how is it impacting Intel’s market strategy? What has surprised him about working with VARs? Why partner with Intel, and what do they bring to VARs to help them find and win business?
VARValue - How is Intel helping drive solutions & outcome-based selling to VARs and integrators with their education programs?
Join Intel's Partner Alliance! https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner-alliance/overview.html
TEConnecting with us:
David - How AI is impacting soccer
Dean - Joby Aviation - hydrogen-electric air taxis
John - Using chatbots to combat phone scammers
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel/Toshiba TCx-900
7” Elo Pay
The robots are here and moving into the reseller channel, but what does that mean for you? Intel’s Robotics Specialist, Milt Walker, joins the show to share his insights into the market and where there may already be opportunities for VARs willing to add robots to your offerings. What industries and use cases are easy fits for robots? What are some common objections to buying/selling robots? How can VARs turn robotics into recurring revenue and demonstrate ROI for their customers?
VARValue—Entering the robotics market might not be right for every VAR. What recommendations or checkpoints should they consider to determine if robotics are the right fit for their tech stack, and how does Intel support them?
TEConnecting with us:
Milt - James Webb telescope
Dean - Robots w/living tissue faces?
John - Lego moon bricks
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel/Toshiba TCx-900
Elo Quick Ship
We’re talking more about AI with Elo’s Kristin Roubie, this time regarding digital displays and industries deploying the technologies together. How are Kristin & Elo approaching AI at the moment? What are some practical applications she’s seen or expects to grow? How does touch, in particular, amplify the power of AI?
VARValue - What should VARs and their customers look for in an AI solution to ensure it takes advantage of displays like Elo’s?
TEConnecting with us:
Kristin - Modern building materials
Dean - Dark oxygen
John - Notepad adds spell-check
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3
Restaurant and hospitality kitchens are more chaotic than ever, pulled in multiple directions between in-house customers, take-out, delivery apps, and sometimes ghost kitchen responsibilities. This week, Epson’s Tessa Kohl explains their challenges with labor, tackling waste, inefficiencies, and narrow margins, and the role of KDS in a full kitchen technology solution. It’s the episode that’s looking to reduce your cognitive load!
VARValue - Tell us about TrueOrder, Epson’s new KDS software. How will this help VARs win some business?
TEConnecting with us:
Tessa - The evolution of generative AI
Dean - Limited value of multivitamins
John - NASA Mars mission sim ends
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bhttps://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson TrueOrder KDS
Elo 04/54 Interactive Touch Displays
No one thinks about batteries until they run out and need replacement or a charge. Any downtime wastes time and productivity for enterprise operations using handheld computers, scanners, printers, and other mobility devices. This week, GTS’ Rob Cass and Danny Rockett join the pod to explain why battery health is so important, how to stay ahead of problems, and how VARs can generate new revenue with customers still using legacy devices. What are the benefits of custom batteries? What’s rapid disassembly? It’s the episode that needs to find a charger!
VARValue - For anyone unfamiliar with GTS, give us an overview of your key products and services.
TEConnecting with us:
Danny - Exoskeleton batteries
Rob - Lithium phosphate battery jump
Dean - Nanorobot kills cancer cells
John - NASCAR EV
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7"
Wow! 200 episodes! We’ve been doing this for a while, and to mark this milestone, we're taking a break from our usual educational discussions to have some fun with another installment of Tech Trivia. It's Dean versus the younger generations, Sarah Schlueter and Sarah Stenger, in a battle of tech knowledge. Plus, as a special bonus, John & Dean finally do more than make a passing reference to the unofficial TEConnect Podcast film, “Minority Report.”
Thank you to our viewers/listeners and sponsors! Elo, Zebra, Intel, Epson, Star, Honeywell, Datalogic, Wasp, MicroTouch, Code by Brady, Toshiba, & LG
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Solutions
It’s no secret on this podcast that we believe in full solution-selling as the path forward for VARs, but resellers and integrators have probably been burned a few times by software providers and shifting customer expectations, especially in highly competitive industries like restaurants/hospitality. Is leading with software still worth it? This week, Tonic POS CEO Tyler Young joins us, not just to affirm his belief that it is but to explain why VARs should be more selective than ever about choosing ISV partners…and vice versa. What challenges does “software-first” create? What does an ISV look for in a quality partner? What best practices have Tyler and his team deployed to grow and win? It’s the episode that wants to help everybody win!
VARValue - What differentiates Tonic POS from other offerings? What can VARs expect when working with you?
Innovating with Intention: The Tonic POS Approach to Product DevelopmentTEConnecting with us:
Tyler - Sonos headphones & Boston Robotics
Dean - ALCHEM-E electronic drum kit
John - The Bear, Season 3
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Quick Ship Program
Most VARs and solution integrators, especially those with smaller businesses, are not legal experts and probably don’t have experts on staff. That can make navigating contracts, new partner agreements, and legal disputes difficult to navigate. This week, RSPA Legal Counsel Jill Miller joins the pod to explain some common errors she sees, the bare minimums all business owners should put in place, and how retail payments, in particular, create unique challenges.
VARValue - Explain your role with the RSPA and how members can utilize your expertise.
https://www.gorspa.org/legal-documents/
TEConnecting with us:
Jill - Bartesian
Dean - Bandle and billboards you can smell?
John - Spinal cord stimulation for the paralyzed
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7"
We're getting in the summer spirit by discussing baseball stadiums, blockbuster movies, and, of course, the zombie internet!
Topics:
First AI-generated music video
Gen Z opting for trade school
Ranking the most beautiful ballparks in Major League Baseball
Apple Music 100 Best Albums
How AI is zombifying the internet
Ranking summer blockbusters
AI controlled jets
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - US banning Kaspersky anti-virus software
John - X-ray vision coming?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo 70-Series
We recorded another live episode with a panel of RFID experts (Zebra’s Eric Malmed, DecisionPoint’s Steve Weiss, & RFID4U’s Archit Dua) and an eager audience. What trends and technology innovations are moving the RFID market? What recommendations or best practices can help VARs sell RFID to SMB customers? What are some specific use cases for RFID in warehousing and retail? It’s the episode that forces everyone to answer, “Is this the Year of RFID?”
Get your Zebra Refresh Report! https://reach.bluestarinc.com/refreshthebase
VARValue - Questions from the audience!
TEConnecting with us:
Archit - Apple WWDC
Eric - Tech in sports
Steve - Robotics
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Solutions
Is AI fatigue setting in? Maybe, but that doesn't mean there isn't a real opportunity for VARs to be found. MicroTouch's John Dittig joins the show this week to help us separate the hype from the reality of AI solutions. What industries and end-users are most interested in AI? What needs do they want to be addressed? Is SMB better suited for innovation at this point? How will AI help sell more hardware? It's an "incrinculent" episode!
VARValue - How is MicroTouch approaching AI solutions, and how are you helping VARs find the right partners to solve their customer’s needs?
TEConnecting with us:
John D - LetzChat
Dean - Combining AI with robotics
John M - Deepfake conversations with dead loved ones
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
MicroTouch's AI Town Hall
We are again investigating the results of an excellent BlueStar Nation end-user survey (shout out to HP and Intel for sponsoring this one!), this time from SMB grocery leaders. The survey focused on the tech they currently use and want to deploy and where they see industry challenges that tech could solve. How are grocers addressing customer experience and collecting data? What are they most interested in improving? What opportunities for VARs does the data show?
Read the Article and More at BlueStar Nation
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Why is ice slippery and disappearing web pages
John - AI determining ER admissions
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Next week, we'll discuss the results of a grocery executive survey, exploring what technologies they are using and considering and how they envision tech impacting the industry. In preparation, we thought we'd revisit this conversation with Epson's David Vander Dussen.
Grocery stores are an essential service, but they’re not immune to the changing whims of consumers and the desire for convenient options and dynamic shopping experiences. The razor-thin margins they operate under can cause challenges to VARs hoping to pitch new technology, but Epson’s David Vander Dussen is back on the pod to emphasize the opportunities. Why are midsize & regional chains still seeing growth? How have grocers changed their offerings and workflow? Why is the demand for dynamic color labeling higher than ever? It’s the episode where we learn why Dean is banned from grocery shopping.
VARValue—For VARs that work primarily with SMB grocer chains or local independents, what’s the pitch for implementing tech like color labeling?
References:
Why Grocery Chains are Outperforming Expectations Amid Inflation
FMI study: Private brands not just about price
How to Ramp Up Online Grocery—without Breaking the Bank
The State of Grocery in North America
TEConnecting with us:
David - World Cup Video Assistant Referee
Dean - The success of the DART mission and robotics companies commit to not weaponizing
John - New Apple devices might confuse rollercoaster for a car crash
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson's New Mobilink Printers
Retail has “grown up” a lot in the last few years, as competition and shifting customer expectations drive innovation and open the door to new technologies. But that modernization can come with some tradeoffs as retailers determine what is must-have vs. nice-to-have. Intel’s Global Retail Director, David Dobson, joins the pod to explain the outcomes that retailers are pursuing and how we can help. How is AI affecting retail? How do retail leaders determine what innovations to pursue? What’s causing hesitation, and how can VARs & ISVs become go-to solution architects for the industry?
VARValue - What’s your future view on how modernization will happen on the edge and how VARs and their ISV partners can be modern solution architects?
TEConnecting with us:
David - The moon landing and creation of DARPA
Dean - Project Astra
John - Dublin to NYC portal
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel's Podcast Playlist
Elo Quick Ship Program
Guy-Marie Joseph is not just another AI enthusiast. He has been deeply involved in AI, studying its foundations since college. This extensive experience makes him the perfect person to help us delve into the LLM hype, explore practical use cases, and share insights on the road ahead. What does the “intelligence” part of AI really mean? What’s the next step to make AI more practical? How does ConnecTalk approach AI in their day-to-day business?
VARValue - As a reseller yourself, what are some examples of how ConnecTalk has used AI to improve your internal operations and build better customer solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Guy-Marie - Tools to analyze cybersecurity threats & understanding RF
Dean - Sound-suppressing silk
John - What is the ideal movie run-time?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government investment and consumer interest. This week, Jeff Smith, CEO of EVerged, explains why he is all-in on the market and its potential. What trends and opportunities is he seeing? How does EVerged address sustainability questions? What makes this a perfect time to explore EV charging partnerships?
VARValue—Beyond EV solutions, what else is happening in the public sector that VARs should focus on to find new opportunities?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - X's AI & robotics initiatives, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid plane, and Zamboni EVs
Dean - Falling space junk
John - LG washer/dryer
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen
Here's some new news, lists, and interesting studies to share around watercoolers both real and virtual!
- The effects of the "she"-conomy
- The coolest streets in the world
- Americans sleep less and stress more
- New airline cancellation/fee rules
- How much soda is too much?
- The end of noncompetes
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How easy is it to brute force your password?
John - Google Maps photobomb dog
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel Sales Academy
Elo 70-Series Touch Monitors
We’re normally tech-positive on the show, but this week, Dean & John are sharing some of their “beefs” with technology, the things that frustrate or confuse them, including:
- Dynamic fast-food pricing
- The death of social media
- Pennies
- Paywalled news
- America's most popular beers
- Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” stores
- Healthcare information connectivity
It’s the episode that has a few things to get off its chest.
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Designing the next moon buggy
John - Lyft
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7" POS System
Technological progress often comes in waves that are met with intense discussion, scrutiny, skepticism, and acceptance. Artificial intelligence is the latest wave disrupting the reseller channel, but one that demands a response sooner rather than later. This week, Intel’s Director of US Distribution, David Allen, is not only explaining the history of such inflection points and why AI is perhaps the most important ever but also shedding light on Intel's strategic approach to partnerships and vetted solutions. This approach is crucial in helping solution providers deliver on the hype of AI. What is the “siliconomy”? How will a "wait and see "attitude affect VARs? What has to change to go to market with emerging technologies?
VARValue - How is Intel helping take BlueStar's TEConnect Program to the next level?
TEConnecting with us:
David - Bose headphones & a Bluetooth transmitter for airplane movie viewing
Dean - The emotion of live vs. streamed music
John - Extraordinary on Hulu
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3 w/Intel
The modern customer is continually evolving, which demands that sales tactics also change, especially in our complex channel model. This week, BlueStar Canada’s President, Michel Sirois, shares his experience and insights on a highly relevant topic to our work. Is the new “generation” of buyers actually an age thing? How do we approach buyers with more information at their fingertips, time spent doing self-research, and unwilling to pick up the phone for a “cold call”? How can VARs/integrators/MSPs adapt? And because we have to talk about it…can AI enable salespeople?
VARValue - How do you see BlueStar’s role changing to help our partners sell and grow their businesses?
TEConnecting with us:
Michel - The end of cookies
Dean - NASA/DARPA/DRACO nuclear rocket to Mars
John - Paris Olympics & booksellers
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro Stand
It’s been three years since StayLinked CTO Justin Griffith last appeared on the pod. He discussed the struggle to get warehouses to adopt new technology, even during the pandemic. Has anything changed since then? How is AI impacting the conversation? What other emerging supply chain technologies is he watching? Most importantly, what does Justin think of the Apple Vision Pro?
VARValue - How is StayLinked helping VARs strengthen their supply chain solution offerings?
StayLinked's VDC Research Report: https://info.staylinked.com/vdc-warehouse-report-2024
TEConnecting with us:
Justin - 3M paper bubble wrap
Dean - NCAA/ESPN media deal and the annual number of objects launched into space
John - How celebs handle cell phone usage
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo 70 Series
Traceability is more important than ever in the food supply chain, as it allows quick and efficient tracking and halting of potential contaminants and foodborne illnesses. This week, food supply chain expert Jim Hilton joins us (in the studio!) to explain the opportunities for VARs. Why are we seeing more recalls? How does the direct-to-consumer market affect the supply chain? What is the FSMA 204 Final Rule, and how will technology help suppliers comply quickly? It’s the episode that wants to know exactly where this salad came from.
VARValue—What conversations should VARs who work with food manufacturers/suppliers have right now to prepare for these changes?
TEConnecting with us:
Jim - Temperature control/sensors & truck connectivity
Dean - AI helps create new antibiotics
John - The EU's AI Act
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3 w/Intel
A printer is only as good as its ability to print. That makes the supplies and consumables, like labels, paper, printheads, and more, critical components for a total printer solution and an opportunity for resellers to make steady recurring revenue! BlueStar’s Jessica Kroth, who has over 15 years of experience and a passion for the topic, shares her tips with us this week. How much profit can be gained from supplies vs. hardware alone? What risks do VARs and their customers take when buying supplies from third parties or online retailers? How does selling supplies give you a competitive advantage? It’s the podcast you may want to print out and tape to the wall for reference!
VARValue — How does BlueStar make it easy for VARs to generate recurring revenue from their customers' printer needs?
BlueStar's Media & Consumables
TEConnecting with us:
Jess - AI & trusted sources
Dean - Why humans don't have tails
John - Airpods Pro - Gen 2
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7" POS System
In our industry, looking back can be as important as looking forward, so this week, we’re tapping into a channel veteran for insights and lessons. Code Corporation’s Dave Judy has nearly 50 years of experience in retail, sales, and barcode technology. What’s his background, and how has Code grown & changed? What is his selling philosophy, and why does the channel make it even easier? What professional and personal lessons has Dave learned? Finally, how is Dave helping make driver’s licensing easier in the age of digital wallets?
VARValue - What advice do you have for the next generation in this channel? Is there any new/upcoming tech you think will be a big deal sooner rather than later?
TEConnecting with us:
Dave - Digital driver's licensing
Dean - World's smallest QR code
John - Disney star launches satellite data startup
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Storefronts and public venues offer plenty of opportunities for national and local brands to market & advertise. It’s also a potential source of recurring revenue for retailers, venue owners, and VARs. That’s the idea behind pDOOH (Programmatic Digital Out-of-Home) advertising, which uses “monetized & managed digital signage” in highly trafficked areas. Ben Simon, BlueStar’s Emerging Technologies BDM, and Joe Kunigonis, CEO of Smartify Media, our partner in the pDOOH initiative, explain the landscape, the solution, and how VARs benefit from selling it.
VARValue - What should VARs interested in these solutions do next? How should they identify potential customers, and how do we help?
Learn More About pDOOH: https://pdooh.bluestarinc.com/
TEConnecting with us:
Ben - Dyson Zone - headphones w/air purifier
Joe - Mobile to screen sync
Dean - Chomper, the $20M baby T-Rex
John - Beef-infused rice
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo 70-Series Touch Monitors
RFID adoption is rapidly increasing, but traditional AIDC barcode VARs may still be uncertain if they want to add the technology to their portfolio. This week, TSC Printronix's RFID expert, Chris Brown, acknowledges the complexity of RFID solutions alongside the potential for your business. He presents what he sees as four clear options for barcoding VARs to take on (or not) RFID, followed by a look at mandates pushing the technology down the supply chain. What's the "Walmart blast off?" What other industries are primed for RFID? How does the "tush push" fit into this conversation?
VARValue - Thinking about the process for implementing RFID, how does TSC help VARs get an opportunity over the finish line?
TSC Printronix Webinars
RFID Printers - April 2023
Genuine Supplies, Powered by DLS - August 2023
TEConnecting with us:
Chris - RFID asset tracking
Dean - Bipedal robots get us one step closer to Terminator
John - Oh, and AI LLMs are already acting like Skynet
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame
When the guys need a last-minute guest, bringing in James Korte and telling him to talk marketing is never a bad idea! James predictably nails it with a dive into SEO strategy and how SMB solution providers can position themselves high in organic searches. How long does it take? Where do you start? What should you create? How do you know it's working? Finally, we give you some concrete examples. It's the episode that's constantly Googling itself.
VARValue - What can anyone listening (regardless of their position or marketing prowess) do to help their company’s SEO?
TEConnecting with us:
James - Rediscovering Pinterest
Dean - AI water consumption
John - Is KITT finally coming?
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 3 with Intel
We're sifting through the data from another BlueStar Nation end-user survey (sponsored by Samsung): 125 retailer leaders shared their concerns, expectations, and perceptions about deploying digital displays. Why aren't they utilizing it? How would they if they did? Are their cost expectations accurate? Who do they think would be responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and managing content? It's an episode filled with data to help YOU find and win business.
VARValue - Dean's takeaways as a former digital signage reseller.
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Boston Dynamics = Cyberdyne Systems?
John - NASA beams a cat video via laser
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Mobile POS
We’re covering six more topics in technology, business, entertainment, and more!
Topics Discussed:
- MIT’s 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2024
- US companies that failed in China
- 50 years of video game revenues
- Most popular apps by downloads
- LinkedIn for dating?
- CES 2024 (and this article)
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - "Shotski" record
John - Strike Force Five podcast
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Pay 7"
VARs and MSPs can sometimes be represented as operating in two different, siloed segments of the B2B technology market, but in a world where “one source” partners and consultants are more valuable than ever, collaboration is the future. This week, we’re joined by Shane Mishler, VP & COO of SD Tech, an MSP that’s already doing just that. How does Shane equate tech consulting to a construction project? How do MSPs handle requests that are outside of their scope? What emerging tech are his clients asking about?
VARValue - How can VARs develop better mutual relationships with MSPs?
TEConnecting with us:
Shane - Samsung "Ballie"
Dean - Thwarting deepfake photos w/camera tech
John - The Nintendo Switch (and Breath of the Wild)
Keep in Touch!
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect Peripherals
Finding a parking place has been a struggle as long as there have been motor vehicles. That’s especially true in big cities, at sporting events, entertainment venues, airports, and anywhere else that must accommodate large numbers of drivers. This week on the pod, OmniQ’s John Whiteman walks us through the technology that’s simplifying parking for drivers, garage/lot owners, and operators. How has AI changed parking technology? What hardware opportunities can VARs find with parking solutions? What are the benefits and recurring revenue? It’s the episode that just wants to get to the big game on time!
VARValue - Where should VARs interested in parking opportunities begin? Who should they speak to, how would OmniQ fit into the process, and what do they gain by working with you?
TEConnecting with us:
John W - Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Dean - Nuclear fusion enters "new era"
John - Hangover free beer
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame
We’re kicking off a new year of the podcast by exploring a topic that most of us have struggled with at some point--finding the right “fit” for our clothes--and some cool new tech that’s tackling the problem and improving apparel retailers’ bottom line in the process. We’re joined by Intel partner Fit:match’s Founder & CEO Haniff Brown. Fit:match uses “3D shape mapping” to match shoppers to a similar digital twin and allow retailers to recommend the best fit and styles for that body type. How does it work? Where did he see a need? How does this technology mitigate returns issues? What’s the hardware angle? It’s the episode that just wants all of their shirts to fit the same.
VARValue - What are you looking for in the reseller channel and from VARs? What will they get from partnering with you?
BlueStar Nation Survey - Retail Returns Management: https://nation.bluestarinc.com/articles/end-user-survey-returns-management-the-cost-loss-tools-and-approaches
TEConnecting with us:
Haniff - OpenAI drama
Dean - Jupiter jetstream
John - Data center waste heats homes
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Intel AI Solutions
Elo 70 Series
Another year of the podcast is closing out, so it must be time for the annual Star Wars episode! Sam & Marko join us to talk about the latest news for the franchise, including new movies, Dave Filoni’s promotion, and the end of Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser. We recap season 3 of The Mandalorian and the first (only?) of Ahsoka before John & Sam pitch why fans should check out the Rebels animated series. Finally, we share our favorite Star Wars weapons and spicy takes on the franchise that could bring down certain members of the fandom on us.
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas (or spicy takes!) - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Mobile POS Computer
Zebra RS6100 Ring Scanner
We have an all-star lineup for the latest round of Tech Trivia. Dean defends his recent crown (from episode 150) against two-time champion Whitney Gerrety, Sarah Schlueter, and Sam Hughes. They’ll tackle three rounds of increasingly difficult questions and have a few laughs on the way. Who stayed up late making costumes? Who comes from behind to tie for the lead? What does Sarah think is a Pixar film? Is John the real winner? It’s the episode that required more editing than usual…mostly because of Sam.
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra Pay - More Info & VAR Webinar
We’re kicking off three weeks of fun eps to conclude our year. First up, more TEC Bytes…random stories, lists, and observations to discuss and debate around the watercooler, at a holiday party, or with that family member who still gives fruitcakes as presents.
Topics:
- Top Hotel Bars
- Better thinking skills for kids
- The average “global human day”
- American views on marriage & family
- The world’s population as 1000 people
- American sleep habits
- Word of the year
- Best inventions of ‘23
Our Favorite Tech Christmas Gifts:
Dean - Boss Drum Pad
John - Fisher Price Record Player
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Printing Supplies
Elo 70 Series
Live sporting events are still very popular, but the expectations of an attendee have grown a bit beyond “I want to see my team win.” Fans want an experience, and venues want them to stay (and pay) for as long as possible. Technology is becoming a big part of those experiences, so we wanted to explore the potential opportunities for VARs. Elo’s Raimon Chikhani has the insights to help! Why is attendance near or above pre-COVID levels at stadiums? How are younger generations approaching sporting events? How does legalized sports betting change the live experience? Where does digital signage, in particular, enable smarter stadiums? It’s the episode that just wants to focus on the game.
VARValue - Tell us about how Elo is helping make stadiums “smarter” and more exciting for fans.
Referenced Articles:
Attendance Evolution
Generational Trends for Immersive Sporting Events
TEConnecting with us:
Raimon - Mobile devices for QSR & retail
Dean - LA home for sale...with meth lab!
John - Repurposing wind turbines
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra Refresh the Base
As we wrap up National Diabetes Month, we talk to BlueStar's Healthcare BDM, JoAnna Witting, to discuss how technology can assist healthcare providers with managing chronic conditions, impact public health, and improve patient outcomes. How do virtual care and remote patient monitoring help rural and underserved communities? What solutions make in-home and visiting nurse services more manageable, accessible, and safer? Where can VARs find new opportunities with healthcare providers?
VARValue - How does BlueStar help VARs find and win new opportunities in healthcare?
VeeOne Virtual Care eBook
TEConnecting with us:
JoAnna - Drones
Dean - Eye-scanning AI
John - Taylor Swift/Jets SEO conspiracy
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Mobile POS
Zebra Competitive Intelligence Portal
Labor and economic issues have recently led to some contraction in the warehouse market. Still, Zebra’s 2023 Warehousing Vision Study indicates optimism and growth for the future, led by the growing adoption of automation technology. This week, Zebra’s Andre Luecht and Hy-Tek Intralogistics John Klare, Jr. explain what they see and hear from warehouse leaders and affirm the study’s findings. How are decision-makers implementing sensor-based technology? What’s frustrating (and helping) them with order accuracy and SLA demands? How is automation helping attract and retain warehouse labor? Don’t hit snooze on this episode!
VARValue - Where should VARs focus their efforts now to move warehouse customers toward more automation, and how should they plan for the future?
TEConnecting with us:
John K. - Robotics
Andre - Spatial computing
Dean - LTA Research's Pathfinder 1 airship
John M. - It's okay to hit snooze!
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra - BlueStar Nation Reverse Logistics Survey
Elo Outdoor Open Frame
As holiday shopping ramps up, we spoke with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions’ Fredrik Carlegren, who helped us break down an excellent white paper that lays out three obstacles facing retailers to improve the customer experience through technology. What does Fredrik think got us where we are today? How do we close the gap between intention and implementation? How do brick-and-mortar stores bring digital experiences in-house and turn a profit? What should VARs & ISVs do to help their retail customers keep up? It’s the episode that’s determined to get the hottest toy of the season before anyone else!
VARValue - Tell us a little about how Toshiba embraces innovation and focuses on customer experience.
Webinar Recording - Get to Know Toshiba Point of Sale
TEConnecting with us:
Fredrik - Corporate vs. store expectations and AI innovations
Dean - "Poison pixels" to protect artwork from AI
John - Nerfball
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Toshiba TCx®️ 810 POS
Elo Z-Stands
Zebra POS/Payments Panel Discussion
Operating systems are necessarily more complex than ever. Still, they must also be simple to use, reliable, and secure, especially the OS that runs digital signage and kiosks for retail or hospitality businesses. This week, Google’s Brandy Au and HP’s David Gosman join the show to explain the OS progression, trends, and current needs. How are market forces and modern hardware changing operating systems? How does ChromeOS benefit signage and kiosk deployments? When should you recommend Android or ChromeOS? It’s the episode that’s not done telling scary stories about the blue screen of death.
VARValue - Tell us more about the HP & Google partnership. How do you help VARs find opportunities and sell new solutions?
Webinar - Modernize Retail w/HP Engage & Google ChromeOS
TEConnecting with us:
David - AI/machine learning for retail
Brandy - Riding in a self-driving vehicle
Dean - What Americans fear the most
John - The end of Netflix DVD-by-mail service (Farewell video)
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra TC22/27 Mobile Computers
Elo Wallaby Pro
Retailers are never going to stop being interested in improving the customer experience. We have more to discuss in upcoming episodes, but we thought we should revisit this episode with CDW's Andy Szanger.
(Originally released Aug. 3, 2023) Consumers are returning to brick-and-mortar stores, but after years of convenience and digital shopping, expectations for seamless, fast, and maybe even fun visits are higher than ever. This week, CDW’s Andy Szanger joins the pod to discuss how retail tech can improve customer journeys and create an “experience” that keeps them coming back. How much do consumers value their time? Why is improving employee experience just as necessary as customers'? Are experiential solutions just for Tier 1 retailers?
VARValue - What new retail tech, innovations, or trends should VARs be learning more about that are likely to become part of their tech stack in the future?
Referenced Articles:
Forbes - "How Tech is Making the Retail Industry More Efficient and Improving the Customer Experience"
Lightspeed - "What is Experiential Retail?"
Lowe's "Project Unlock" - Video
TEConnecting with us:
Andy - Web3
Dean - Netflix Adds New Subscribers
John - Apple Fixes "Ducking" Problem
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/lan...
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue...
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subsc...
Outsourcing some aspects of a business can be beneficial, but when it comes to color label printing, especially for highly regulated and rapidly changing industries, it’s best to do it yourself. This week, Epson’s Andy Scherz & Mark Middendorf, passionate advocates for color labeling, join the show to explain and help you make the case to end-users. When does it make sense financially to print in-house? How does it help with regulatory compliance? How much waste is incurred with third-party printing? It’s the episode that’s smaller and more capable than you think!
VARValue - Epson has been very proactive with color label printing. Tell us how you help VARs address the issues we’ve discussed.
TEConnecting with us:
Mark & Andy - Cloud printing & device access
Dean - ISS falling apart
John - Crabs saving coral reefs
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson ColorWorks CW-C400
Zebra ET60/65 Tablets
Elo 70 Series Touch Monitors
Looking for more interesting articles, surveys, and topics to share with colleagues and clients? Dean & John are riffing on six more water cooler subjects for your listening pleasure. It’s the episode that shoehorns some creepiness in time for Friday the 13th!
Topics Discussed:
- The most famous streets in the US
- Americans' attitudes toward retirement
- What powered the world in 2022?
- Best countries for adventure
- Oldest & youngest states
- Fun facts about Google at 25
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Coke Y3000 AI flavor
John - Earthquake lights
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame
Zebra RS6100 Ring Scanner
BlueStar’s VARTECH is consistently the #1 reseller channel show, and this year’s global event in San Antonio, TX, broke attendance records. We’re recapping the highlights and key moments for those who couldn’t go. What was the theme, and how did it fit with keynote speaker/musician Jimmy Yeary? What did we see on the CodeZone tradeshow floor? Which ISVs shined during TEConnect Live? What were the evening events like? It’s the episode that wouldn’t last three seconds on an angry bull.
VARValue - For VARs that didn’t attend, what did you learn that anyone can use?
Check Out the VARTECH 2023 Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLhOzZ0CZ_E9S1PbHGYswU7jTB0gKy-Gt&si=QNPeXUjowncVwKx1
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Alien bodies? and wine flood
John - Hollywood strikes
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Z Stands
Zebra TC73/78 Mobile Computers
By now, most of us have dabbled with ChatGPT or another generative AI, but what can it do to help improve our daily work and businesses? James Korte joins the guys for an episode recorded live at VARTECH 2023 with an audience that had plenty of thoughts. We recap the marketing uses, James updates us on what the image generators can do, and we look at a list of other ways you can deploy this technology. Finally, we compare and contrast ChatGPT, Bard, Bing Chat, LlaMA, and Claude.
Slides shown during the presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HSGKZW2Zi-RxjaCzq_2bsObZUP6JsF9M/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100394876516957773492&rtpof=true&sd=true
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Star Wars X-Wing model up for auction
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Refresh the Base
Elo M50
A “legacy” POS can be a reseller’s bane as they strive to introduce upgraded technology and modernization to retail and hospitality. CBS’ Jeremy Julian (host of The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast) is back on the show to explain his three-step approach to encouraging POS replacement. How does he define a legacy POS, and why are businesses hesitant to update? What should end users consider, why is connectivity important, and what does the ideal VAR/ISV look like when an opportunity comes along? It’s the episode that owes Jim Roddy a few drinks!
VARValue - Software often gets the most attention when discussing new POS, but why is evaluating the latest hardware just as crucial when upgrading?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeremy - ChatGPT
Dean - Flying taxis
John - EVs and auto insurance
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Legacy Printer Refresh
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
As the crew recovers from VARTECH ‘23, here’s another round of interesting lists, stories, and water cooler topics to ponder.
- The US's top-ranked podcast subjects
- Best beer cities in America
- Americans' relationship with alcohol
- Which jobs will shrink the most in the next decade
- IBM quantum computer reaches key milestone
- Ranking brand reputations
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Cruise cuts its robotaxi fleet and Brady Bunch home for sale
John - TEC Beef - school technology
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Linux Devices
Zebra Healthcare Device eBook
The term “emerging technologies” can come with a lot of baggage for VARs who may not be interested in taking on the risk of unproven solutions but could also miss out on the benefits of embracing the next trend as it takes off. Intel’s Justin Christiansen joins the pod this week to help us take a practical approach to those concerns. What stories does Justin tell to explain the transformative experiences of emerging tech? How does Intel help the reseller channel drive success? What advice does he have to prepare end users for the coming AI wave?
VARValue - What should we expect from Intel at VARTECH and beyond for those not attending?
References:
McKinsey - The State of AI in 2023
TEConnect Podcast Intel Playlist
BlueStar Nation - Are End User Orgs Embracing AI? (Survey)
TEConnecting with us:
Justin - Generative AI assisting with metadata
Dean - AI recipe generator gone wrong
John - Food packaging that detects contamination
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra Warehouse Visibility Study
We have another panel of amazing guests with a live audience watching and asking questions. This time, we’re talking POS & payment trends and other topics important to retail & hospitality. Our guests? Zebra’s Director of Product Management (POS/Payments) Andrew Kim, CDW Director of Strategic Industries Andy Szanger, and Retail Management Hero CEO Jeff Riley. Is the shift happening toward mobile & tabPOS, especially in SMB? How will PCI 4.0 implementation impact payment solutions? How does the move from Windows to cloud-based software affect VAR/ISV relationships? What other opportunities exist when a business takes POS upgrades off the table?
VARValue - (Questions from the audience)
- What are the cybersecurity risks of using an all-in-one mobile device for POS, payments, inventory management, etc.?
- What's changed the most about POS in the last five years?
- What other payment trends are you following?
Request Your Zebra Refresh the Base Report!
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - ChatGPT
Andrew - RFID for retail shopping
Andy - NYC bans TikTok on city-owned devices
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Sales Trifecta
Elo Z-Stands
An epic AI trilogy deserves an epic conclusion, so this week, we welcomed LG’s Mike Stachura & Aaron Addison into the studio for various topics and a lot of laughter. First, we discuss some predictions for generative AI’s impact on business. Next, we dig into the importance of addressing employee experience by featuring the story of Fordlandia. Finally, what does Constantinople have to do with cybersecurity? It’s the episode that knows how to be professional and charming at the same time.
VARValue - How is LG addressing the topics we’ve discussed today, and how are you helping VARs tackle these timely solution needs with their customers?
Check out LG's All-in-One Thin Client
TEConnecting with us:
Mike - Aliens
Aaron - Electric toothbrushes
Dean - Acoustic hacking
John - Self-repossessing cars
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Large Format
Zebra Sell & Win Club
Part two of our AI trilogy focuses on the specific benefits and use cases for retail, and we turned to the globe-trotting Tony Boncore from Honeywell for his expertise. How has AI already been part of retail? What are retailers’ current expectations and barriers to adoption? How does AI impact checkout and inventory management? What is Tony watching for in the next 5-10 years?
VARValue - For VARs interested in developing partnerships to go to market with AI solutions, where do you recommend they start, and how should they vet potential partners?
Honeywell Report: Navigating the AI Revolution
TEConnecting with us:
Tony - AI capabilities, including recipe testing
Dean - Wearable sweat sensor
John - How do we know it's really ET calling?
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Honeywell CT30XP
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
Zebra Future-Proofing Retailers eBook
This week begins a trilogy of episodes with artificial intelligence at the center of the conversation. To kick things off, meldCX’s VP of Business Development, Raffi Vartian, is here to give his experienced perspective. How does an AI expert view the explosion of interest in recent months? What are “visual analytics,” and how does it fit into what resellers are currently doing? How does AI take digital signage to the next level? What’s the use case for education?
VARValue - Are these AI solutions viable when you get below the Tier 1 retailers or hospitality venues?
Referenced Articles/Sources
Innovative Digital Signage Campaigns
Using AI in Schools
TEConnecting with us:
Raffi - Next-gen communication networks (like Starlink)
Dean - Electrified cement
John - JWST stellar nursery image
Talk to us!
X/Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Refresh the Base
Elo Linux Devices
Consumers are returning to brick-and-mortar stores, but after years of convenience and digital shopping, expectations for seamless, fast, and maybe even fun visits are higher than ever. This week, CDW’s Andy Szanger joins the pod to discuss how retail tech can improve customer journeys and create an “experience” that keeps them coming back. How much do consumers value their time? Why is improving employee experience just as important as customers? Are experiential solutions just for Tier 1 retailers?
VARValue - What new retail tech, innovations, or trends should VARs be learning more about that is likely to become part of their tech stack in the future?
Referenced Articles:
Forbes - "How Tech is Making the Retail Industry More Efficient and Improving the Customer Experience"
Lightspeed - "What is Experiential Retail?"
Lowe's "Project Unlock" - Video
TEConnecting with us:
Andy - Web3
Dean - Netflix Adds New Subscribers
John - Apple Fixes "Ducking" Problem
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Z-Stands
Zebra Retail Fulfillment eBook
Toshiba TCX810
The AI conversation has not slowed since we recorded this episode in the spring, so it was a good time to revisit our conversation with Barcoding's Jody Costa about generative AI tools, their potential to improve marketing efforts, and what to beware of. We'll return with a new episode next week on Customer Journey and Experiential Shopping!
(Originally released March 2, 2023) Unless you’ve been on a severe information detox, you’ve probably seen more than a few stories recently about AI and various tools for content creation. Not ones to miss a trend, we asked Barcoding’s Jody Costa to return to the pod to weigh in. She shares her experience with ChatGPT and similar programs, whether AI will impact marketing jobs, and the positives and negatives of using them in our business. It’s the episode that still feels pretty good about its job security.
VARValue - Beyond marketing & advertising, in what other ways can AI tools be used by VARs to improve their business?
Referenced articles & further reading:
BlueStar Nation - Creating Ads for Your Business Using AI
ChatGPT Sees Strong Early Adoption - Fishbowl
Google Unveils Bard - CNET
Eden Bidani post - LinkedIn
OpenAI is Using Media Websites to Train ChatGPT - Moguldom
The Prompt Box is a Minefield - The Convivial Society
Marketing AI Institute
TEConnecting with us:
Jody - Jurassic Park & evolution
Dean - Subscription Trash
John - Accidental James Webb Discovery
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra TC53/58 Touch Computers
Elo 70 Series
Most businesses know they have to do some marketing to let potential customers know who they are and what they do while retaining existing business, but this week, we’re taking those efforts up a notch. IPCMobile’s VP of Marketing, Tolgar Alpagut, joins to explain how. What is attribution mirage, and how is it harder to know where to market? What’s the baseline for effective marketing? Is organic or paid posting on LinkedIn better? Are we over-relying on shiny new tools like AI and automation?
VARValue - What’s one thing a VAR or ISV could do in the next few weeks to immediately improve their marketing efforts? (Tolgar also recommends Microsoft Clarity.)
References:
Attribution Mirage - Banker Creative
Dark Social - SparkToro
TEConnecting with us:
Tolgar - Google I/O- Imagen Video and Phenaki text to video
Dean - Lawyer used ChatGPT
John - Secret Invasion opening credits
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets
Elo 70 Series Displays
We’re back to dig into a new BlueStar Nation survey (sponsored by our friends at Elo!) with 100 actual retailers about the self-service technology they currently deploy. Who did we talk to? What’s their perception of the cost of self-service solutions? How do they use them? How often do they experience technical problems? It’s the episode that doesn’t need any help to get the job done!
Full article: https://nation.bluestarinc.com/articles/100-retailers-told-us-about-self-service-technology-use-in-their-stores
VARValue - For retail, POS, or digital display VARs, what are the key takeaways here?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Muon GPS & "colachup"
John - The Internet of Animals
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra Legacy Printer Refresh
Electric vehicle sales are rapidly growing, bolstered by government incentives, environmental concerns, and substantial investment in charging infrastructure—an opportunity for the reseller industry. This week, BlueStar’s Emerging Technologies BDM, Ben Simon, joins us to explain the landscape for EV charging, our partnership with Loop, and how VARs can cash in. What does an EV charging solution look like? What industries and business types should be installing chargers? How do they generate recurring revenue? What options are there to finance these projects?
VARValue - If a VAR is interested in EVCSaaS, how do they get started?
References:
- White House Statement on EV charging network growth
- BlueStar's EVCSaaS site
TEConnecting with us:
Ben - EV Delorean
Dean - House built with disposable diapers
John - Wishcycling
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Mobile POS
Zebra Promotions
Retailers are balancing a “new normal” of heightened customer expectations in-store and online with staffing shortages and inventory challenges. The back-of-house, supply chain, and warehousing aspects of retail require better tech solutions that VARs need to understand and drive. This week, Zebra’s Retail and Warehousing/Supply Chain SMEs, Tim Kane & John Wirthlin, help us look at the opportunities and break down the trends shaping retail fulfillment. How is the retail supply chain adapting? How can we help address customer expectations and operational visibility and empower employees?
Read the Zebra Retail Fulfillment eBook
VARValue - For VARs currently working with retailers or supply chain customers that serve retail, what kind of questions should they ask to find out where these fulfillment solutions could be an option?
TEConnecting with us:
Tim - The pace of automation & AI
John W. - RFID baggage tags
Dean - Google text to music AI
John M - Traffic noise impact on work
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra Workforce Connect
It’s another excuse to have fun as we celebrate 150 episodes by playing another round of Tech Trivia! Whitney Gerrety is back as a two-time defending champion. Sarah Schlueter is our newest contestant, and this time, John steps out of host duties to compete. Who comes out on top, who talks smack, who’s buzzing in early, who bursts into song, and will anyone tune in for another 150 episodes?
Thank you to all of our sponsors, listeners, and guests!
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Tablet Solutions
Elo POS Solutions
As the world shifts gears from the challenges wrought by the COVID pandemic, questions about what’s next in healthcare technology are hard to ignore. Elo’s Katharine Cummings returns to the show to discuss what she’s hearing and seeing as she returns to regular visits with healthcare orgs. What do healthcare leaders expect from tech and funding in coming years? What’s changed about how telehealth is used? What’s the potential for AI in medicine? Are there opportunities on the cybersecurity side for VARs? It’s the episode that doubles as an early Father’s Day gift!
VARValue - Any other predictions or growth opportunities that you and Elo are watching or working on solutions for?
How technology will shape healthcare in 2023 - HealthcareDive TEConnecting with us:
Katharine - Bryan Johnson's Blueprint
Dean - Optogenetics
John - "Dream glove" boosts creativity
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZD611 Premium Desktop Printers
Elo Wallaby Pro
We’re big fans of partner-assisted selling, a perk of working within the reseller channel. This week, we’re focusing on partnering with hardware manufacturers with our friends at Star Micronics, Kate Orara (Partner Development) & Mark Rasho (Product Integration). What does partner-assisted selling & solutions mean to them? What should VARs & ISVs expect from their vendor relationships? How early or often should manufacturers be brought in on an opportunity?
VARValue - Let’s talk about Star in particular. What do you offer VARs & ISVs as a partner?
TEConnecting with us:
Mark - mC-Label3
Kate - Cruise Robotaxis
Dean - The end of MTV News
John - Automaker subscription services
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics Tablet Stands
Elo I-Series 4
Zebra Sales Trifecta
When a last-minute schedule change leaves us with a slot to fill, Dean & John are happy to once again riff on hot topics, interesting articles, and list debates.
This week's topics:
- The Death of Social Media?
- Vinyl is Back On Top
- World-Changing Ideas for 2023
- The Fasties
- Is There Science Behind Late People?
- Superhero Film Fatigue
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - PTO around the world
John - Worthless workplace data
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo 70 Series
Zebra/BlueStar Nation Warehouse Survey
Adopting the latest technology and trends is helping retailers of all tiers separate from their competitors and keep up with consumer expectations, but what does that modernization mean, and where can VARs and ISVs find opportunities, especially at the SMB level? Intel’s Retail Industry Advisor, Kristen Call, is here to explain! What does digital transformation look like in retail? What do retailers get wrong when modernizing, and how can our channel help? What is the “blended” approach? It’s the episode that might give you retail flashbacks.
VARValue – We’ve spoken with Intel software partners like VSBLTY, Pathr, & WaitTime. Why do you think it’s important for VARs to develop relationships with companies like those to take their retail solutions to the next level?
TEConnecting with us:
Kristen - ChatGPT
Dean - Sargassum seaweed blob & northern elephant seals' sleep habits
John - Predator dinosaurs had lips?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Future Proofing Retailers eBook
Elo M60 Mobile POS
We’re breaking down another BlueStar Nation blog article; this time, our findings from a lengthy warehouse and supply chain professionals survey. Where do they typically encounter errors in daily practices? What kind of hardware is most used? Is RFID table stakes now? What technology issues do companies trust to in-house vs. outside IT firms? What emerging technology do they expect to invest in soon? If you don’t care about the answers to those questions, you’re in the wrong business!
VARValue - What is something Supply Chain VARs could do immediately to capitalize on these findings?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Toronto Airport Gold Heist & the Great Maple Syrup Heist
John - Beer Bots
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra ZT Industrial Printers
We’re digging into the latest hot topics, news articles, and water cooler discussions, so you don’t have to!
- ProMat 2023
- UK’s 4-Day Work Week Pilot Results
- State of the US EV Charging Network
- How Far Does $100K Go?
- Where Generations Get Their News
- Kiosk Marketplace Census Report
VARValue - Any takeaways from these stories relevant to the channel?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Beetles absorbing water...through their butts? and Free pizza for TSwift tix
John - Marvel Snap mobile game
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Sell & Win Club
Elo Edge Connect
Over 40% of people prefer ordering from a kiosk, a growing trend accelerated by COVID but has persisted due to labor shortages, convenience, and generational preferences. This week, Epson’s David Vander Dussen & Josh Stanphill return to the pod to explain the self-service trend, what it means as consumer return to stores, and where opportunities lie for VARs. How does self-service affect label printing needs? What does “experiential” retail mean to our guests? What trends are they watching next?
VARValue - What is Epson doing differently to meet these new needs in retail and hospitality?
Referenced Articles:
Restaurant Consumer Insights
Delaget 2022 QSR Operational Index
Making the Case for Kiosks
TEConnecting with us:
David - Self-driving AI lawnmower
Josh - Café Specialty coffee maker & Companion dog-babysitting robot
Dean - SpaceX Superheavy Starship (recorded one day before it exploded)
John - Apple Savings Account
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Epson OmniLink m30III Receipt Printer
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra Future-Proofing Retailers eBook
There are quite a few steps between food & beverage manufacturing and what we ultimately consume, and those steps are filled with the need for technology to manage processes, meet delivery demands, and grow brand recognition for companies large and small. This week, CIS Group’s Julie Desroches joins us to share her experience in F&B that’s informed her expertise in software solutions for the industry. What’s changed in distribution over the years, and what challenges do companies face to get their products onto store shelves? How do technologies like route planning, mobile POS, and communications help SMB businesses? What does Julie think will change the industry next?
VARValue - What advice do you have for VARs looking to grow their business with F&B?
TEConnecting with us:
Julie - Her clients
Dean - Classic "Bigfoot" footage stabilized with AI
John - Alphabet layoffs affecting robotics
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZT Industrial Printers
Elo I-Series 4
We’re not shy to talk about the importance of effective marketing to build your brand and illustrate your value-add to current and potential customers, but don’t just take it from us! This week, we brought in a panel of experts from around the channel to weigh in: Elo CMO John Lamb, Barcoding VP of Marketing Jody Costa, and 42Gears’ Director of Channel Marketing Jean Secrist. Why do they think marketing is important? What tips do they have for VARs & ISVs working on a budget or with minimal staff? What trends are they following, and what’s the benefit of working within our channel?
VARValue - When defining what industries or target markets to focus on, what are the top sources of information you use to make educated decisions?
Check out Elo's 70-Series Touchmonitors!
TEConnecting with us:
Jean - NCAA brackets & sports tech
John Lamb - 5G devices
Jody - ChatSpot
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra Media & Supplies
Elo Edge Connect
“That’s an American thing.” Trends and tech adoption can differ in the US from the rest of the world, so we thought we’d explore that in the retail industry. We’re joined by two members of the BlueStar EU team, Richard Austin & Jord Malcorps, who start by sharing some things they find very different about the states. On the retail side, we discuss how businesses juggle tech needs in-store and online. Is omnichannel table stakes at this point? Why has Europe been more open to payment flexibility? It’s the episode that’s not sure it can fit in the garage, but you’ll hear us coming down the road!
VARValue - Any other trends or predictions from the Lightspeed article or your own insights that can help retail-focused VARs this year?
Retail Predictions & Trends 2023 - Lightspeed
TEConnecting with us:
Richard - Amusing out-of-office responses
Jord - Crypto & blockchain payments
Dean - Most Loved & Hated Brands
John - Solid metal ball at Earth's core
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra Printing Portfolio
It started with a simple request from Jody Costa to ChatGPT: “What questions should I ask the BlueStar TEConnect podcast?” The results are a baseline for our pod, industry, and our thoughts on the channel, so we thought we’d answer them! What led us to start the pod, and what have we learned? What are our thoughts on diversity & inclusion in the tech industry? What emerging tech are we watching? It’s the episode that’s got new digs but the same goofballs on the mic.
VARValue - Could you share some of your favorite resources for staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the reseller channel?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Why the floppy disk won't die
John - How bees are affected by climate change
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZD Desktop Printers
Elo Wallaby Pro
To bring additional value to VARs & ISVs, we’ve conducted multiple surveys for our BlueStar Nation blog with end users in various industries to gain insights into how they use technology and where opportunities might lie. In this episode, we explore two surveys, starting with artificial intelligence. Who’s using it and why? What do businesses think would need to change to incorporate AI? Next, we tackle restaurant point-of-sale insights. How long are systems in use? What are the most popular POS? What do owners like most and least? What other tech are they using? We’ve got the receipts to help you win business!
VARValue - What else would you add for VARs to take from these surveys?
AI Survey
Restaurant POS Survey
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - New Dictionary.com words
John - A 4th traffic light color?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo Large Format Displays
Zebra Mobile Computing Portfolio
The sales and sales management landscape constantly changes, but it’s always a good time to reevaluate your prospecting and client management approach. Terry Miller, President of V-KATA, is here to explain what he sees from his time selling in the channel. Where does he see stagnation occurring? What are salespeople doing right and wrong? How did good leaders pivot during the pandemic? What is poor CRM management doing to the sales process, and how are Terry and V-KATA trying to fix it? It’s the podcast that would like a few minutes of your time.
VARValue - What’s your advice to VARs in sales management themselves, or maybe someone who thinks their management could use the kind of shakeup you’ve described?
TEConnecting with us:
Terry - Gong.io and V3 Stent
Dean - The world's new most popular cuisine
John - Vocal fatigue sensor
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star/
Sponsored by:
Zebra ET Tablets
Elo Restaurant/QSR Solutions
VARs know that point-of-sale hardware and software is not a “copy & paste” proposition. Every retailer or restaurant has differing needs or industry-specific concerns, yet cheap or “free” POS providers will suggest that any setup will do. Auto-Star’s Josh Wintoniak joins us this week to dispel that myth and help explain how to talk to end-users, why back-of-the-house is an essential part of the conversation, and what types of retailers benefit from specialized POS systems. It’s the episode that can’t help you unlock your car but will entertain you while you wait.
VARValue - Let’s talk hardware for a moment. Some selectivity and business-specific needs should be considered there, too, right?
Webinar w/Josh - Affordable Grocery Self-Service for Retail VARs
TEConnecting with us:
Josh - ChatGPT
Dean - Spotify's AI DJ & why shooting down balloons is making scientists nervous
John - Twitter & Meta "verified"
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo E-Series 2 POS
Zebra Barcode Scanner Portfolio
Unless you’ve been on a severe information detox, you’ve probably seen more than a few stories recently about AI and various tools for content creation. Not ones to miss a trend, we asked Barcoding’s Jody Costa to return to the pod to weigh in. She shares her experience with ChatGPT and similar programs, whether AI will impact marketing jobs and the positives and negatives of using them in our business. It’s the episode that still feels pretty good about its job security.
VARValue - Beyond marketing & advertising, in what other ways can AI tools be used by VARs to improve their business?
Referenced articles & further reading:
BlueStar Nation - Creating Ads for Your Business Using AI
ChatGPT Sees Strong Early Adoption - Fishbowl
Google Unveils Bard - CNET
Eden Bidani post - LinkedIn
OpenAI is Using Media Websites to Train ChatGPT - Moguldom
The Prompt Box is a Minefield - The Convivial Society
Marketing AI Institute
TEConnecting with us:
Jody - Jurassic Park & evolution
Dean - Subscription Trash
John - Accidental James Webb Discovery
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra TC53/58 Touch Computers
Elo 70 Series
It’s time to riff on more exciting stories, trends, lists, and technology.
Topics Covered:
- The Most Sinful Cities in America
- MIT’s 10 Breakthrough Technologies for ‘23
- A Chronicle of the Four-Day Workweek
- AI – What Do Workers Think & What’s China Doing?
- Tulsa Bet on Remote Workers
- US Migration Patterns
- Cracking Down on Digital Piracy
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - TEC BEEF: Indoor security drone and the Corruption Perceptions Index
John - Businesses wasting money on software licenses
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Touch Solutions
Zebra RFID Portfolio
Government consultant and expert Jeff Smith is back to catch us up on what's been happening with public sector technology. How is the spending of approved U.S. funds going? What's Jeff's take on public safety as a branch eager for new tech? Are there opportunities in education? Finally, we asked him to look into his crystal ball and give us predictions and trends to watch out for in 2023.
VARValue - What should VARs be doing now with their government accounts, and whom should they talk with to get the year off to a strong start?
Referenced Articles:
Deloitte Gov't Tech Trends '23
State of the States Forecast
4 Federal Government IT Trends to Watch in 2023
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - NASA's X57 all-electric plane
Dean - Getty Image AI lawsuit and what's the #1 dream job worldwide?
John - Audi's EV SUV concept vehicle
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra Public Safety Tech
Elo Large Format Displays
After he threw out an idea to discuss Web3, we turned the tables on James Korte and invited him to join us! First, a quick review of Web1 & 2—essentially what the internet has been to date—before explaining what Web3 could be and why. How would Web3 be built? What advantages and disadvantages would it create? Does Web3’s connection to blockchain & cryptocurrency concern us? Is this internet iteration feasible, or is the idea the path to something else?
VARValue - Does this mean anything to our channel yet? If it came to pass, what would it mean?
Referenced articles:
What is Web3? - Harvard Business Review
What Is Web3 All About? An Easy Explanation With Examples - Forbes
TEConnecting with us:
James - ChatGPT & Notion
Dean - Brainwave rhythms
John - Real-life T-1000?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra WS50
Automation is increasingly a part of our daily lives, and we’ve preached it as a way for VARs to make their own business more efficient. In this episode, MicroTouch’s Tyler Wells helps us identify how they can take that automation to their customers, combating labor shortages, addressing new expectations for speed, and staying ahead of the competition. How do touchscreens fit into the conversation? What industries benefit the most? When should VARs get in on robotics?
Tyler's XaaS Journal article:
https://www.xaasjournal.com/vars-get-ready-to-ride-the-automation-and-robotic-systems-adoption-wave/
VARValue - For VARs exploring automation with their customers, how can partners like MicroTouch help them win business?
TEConnecting with us:
Tyler - Electric car adoption, fission/fusion advancements, automation in manufacturing
Dean - "Silent" cargo delivery drone
John - No more airplane mode?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
MicroTouch Mach Series
Zebra RFID Opportunity eBook
No one likes crowds, long lines, or waiting. We didn’t before COVID changed how we felt about being around strangers, and we certainly don’t today--but how do retailers, hospitality, and event companies find the right solutions to a problem that’s been around as long as people have congregated? Zack Klima, Founder & CEO of WaitTime, has his own story about the frustration of waiting which led to his solution, crowd management technology that benefits fans, attendees, and customers but also provides valuable intelligence to venues and businesses. How does it work? What hardware is involved, and how should VARs approach their customers to find opportunities? It’s the episode that offers “no-brainer tech” to add to your solution stack.
VARValue - What should VARs be asking their customers to determine if a crowd management solution is viable, and when should they get WaitTime involved?
WaitTime webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8354486700101210112
WaitTime Blog - 10 Questions to Determine Crowd Management Needs:
https://www.thewaittimes.com/post/10-questions-to-align-crowd-technology-solutions-to-your-needs
TEConnecting with us:
Zack - AI advancements
Dean - ChatGPT
John - Sink Twice
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra Temp Sensing Tech
Elo Restaurant/QSR Solutions
We’re kicking off the fourth year of the pod by looking back and ahead. First, we reflect on 2022 and the stories, trends, surprises, disappointments, and personal moments that stood out to us in the channel, our lives, and the world at large. After that, it’s fun with “Best of” lists, predictions and resolutions, our top episodes of the year, and more!
ALERT!! We need YOUR help! Please send us your ideas for the podcast. What topics, industries, technologies, and partners interest you? https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
VARValue - What’s your advice for VARs looking ahead?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - VALL-E AI voice simulator
John - CES 2023
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo 70 Series Touchmonitors
Zebra Public Safety Tech eBook
Star Wars SPOILERS in this episode We wrap up another year on the pod with our third annual Star Wars discussion, and we have a lot to cover! Would any of us pay $5000 for a Star Wars-themed drink? Is the amount of SW content too little or too much? We discuss "The Book of Boba Fett," "Obi-Wan Kenobi," "Tales of the Jedi," and "Andor." Are the prequels cool again? What's coming next year? What are some VFX sequences that stand out to us in the franchise?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Large Format Displays
Zebra TC series mobile computers
Working in this channel, you have to be pretty fond of technology, and it's probably been a big part of your life. In this episode, we're reflecting on the gadgets and gizmos we grew up (or old) with, but to make sure we had some perspective beyond John & Dean's pre-internet days, we brought in a couple of Millennials in Sam & Sarah. Are we early tech adopters? What was our first computer? First portable music player? Gaming system? Mobile phone? Finally, we discuss "old" tech that seems absurd now.
VARValue - Let’s discuss the importance of understanding generational gaps like we’ve heard today.
What's John's "webplayer" looked like: https://me.pcmag.com/en/consumer/2644/how-many-of-these-weird-internet-appliances-do-you-remember?p=1
TEConnecting with us:
Sarah - Fun fact: In 1992, the first text message was sent...it said "Merry Christmas"
Sam - Has Cleopatra been found?
Dean - The "A Christmas Story" house is up for sale & assembler robots
John - Sewer spiders
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra RFID Portfolio
Much of the "next-gen" tech and innovation we expect to inform our future relies on computer/machine vision, but what can it do, and how do VARs benefit? We posed those questions to Intel's Rob Risany, returning to the pod to emphasize the partnerships they bring to the table and the channel. Why is data quality so important to utilizing computer vision? What are the use cases in retail and other industries?
VARValue - The computer vision market value is projected to hit $48 billion this year. How can VARs work with BlueStar and Intel partners to get a piece of that?
Referenced articles:
- Forbes - 5 Computer Vision Trends in 2022
- Shutterstock - 3 Predictions for Computer Vision
- BlueStar Nation - AI Survey
TEConnecting with us:
Rob - Making math more efficient
Dean - Scientists create a "baby" wormhole
John - World Cup privacy concerns
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 4
Zebra ET Tablets
“Modernizing [government]…I know that seems like an oxymoron,” says DACRA Tech’s COO Tami Wanless. She joins the pod this week to talk about how technology can make a difference in local governments. What are local officials dealing with daily, and what’s slowing down modernization efforts? What’s her advice for VARs that don’t want to tackle government opportunities? What’s DACRA’s approach to modernization? It’s the episode that’s letting you off with a warning but don’t ignore this sector again!
VARValue - Is there any low-hanging fruit to help communities modernize that our VARs should be focusing on as an easy way to introduce solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Tami - Optimizing squad car "real estate" and barcode scanners
Dean - New data transmission record set
John - Is Facebook done with news?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro
Zebra ZD Desktop Printers
When one of our new listeners asked us what we would do differently and where would we focus our energies if we were starting all over again in the reseller channel, we put ourselves in the shoes of a newbie. What is the value proposition of a VAR over direct sales? How has the channel changed since Dean was on the VAR side? What have some of our actual VAR partners said they would do differently? Where do we recommend new VARs focus their time and energy? Finally, we’ll share a bit about how BlueStar helps and some personal advice.
Thanks to Danny Cedano at DBK Concepts for suggesting this topic!
VARValue - Even if you’re an established veteran in the industry, why is it important to think like a newbie or consider what you’d do if you started over again?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Most popular days to work in the office and AI imagines "living" buildings
John - Combustible poop
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Restaurant/QSR Solutions
Zebra RFID eBook
Get ready for the holidays with some hot topics and interesting stories in science, tech, business, and pop culture that you can share.
- Pro-China fake eco-warriors
- 7 global megatrends shaping the world
- Quantum internet
- 2022 airport satisfaction survey
- State of the restaurant industry
- What is “Dad Brain”?
- Taylor Swift’s new album breaks records
- Brands are concerned about “genericide”
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How to fire up the dance floor
John - The 12 deadliest viruses in history
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your TEC Bytes & topic suggestions: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra Managed Print Services
Healthcare organizations are still under tremendous pressure, battling costs, burnout, and labor challenges while still being expected to deliver quality care. Utilizing analytics and data in clinical decision support is an important first step to combating those issues. This week, Ambient Clinical Analytics’ Tim Kuebelbeck joins the pod to explain. What should clinicians be doing with the data they collect? What should they look for when selecting a support platform? How do VARs benefit? It’s the episode that thinks that healthcare should at least strive for a “C” on its report card!
VARValue - Healthcare can be a tough industry to tackle for resellers. How can they position themselves as trusted partners to tackle big problems and offer truly useful solutions beyond basic hardware?
The Director's Guide to Improved Sepsis Detection & Compliance
TEConnecting with us:
Tim - (Not TEConnecting) Antiquated moving trucks
Dean - Is anyone actually in the Metaverse?
John - OceanGate tours to Titanic
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Touch Computer
Zebra ET40/45 Tablets
A lot of think-pieces, LinkedIn posts, and hand-wringing have accompanied the shifting dynamic of labor and when/where/how (maybe even if) we work over the last few years. It’s being felt in nearly every industry, including those like supply chain, retail, and hospitality that our VARs sell to. This week, Honeywell’s Kelley Wood joins the show to discuss the labor crisis, break down where we are, why, and what might happen next. How does the generational divide fit in? How does technology impact expectations, job performance, and the ability of businesses to attract and retain quality employees? It’s the episode that’s always done it this way and doesn’t see a reason to change!
VARValue - When pitching solutions designed to solve some labor issues, how do we ensure that we’re still being sensitive to the human element?
TEConnecting with us:
Kelley - Robotics in foodservice
Dean - Job perks wish list
John - Amazon scraps home delivery robots
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by: Honeywell CT30 XP
Grocery stores are an essential service, but they’re not immune to the changing whims of consumers and the desire for convenient options and dynamic shopping experiences. The razor-thin margins they operate under can cause challenges to VARs hoping to pitch new technology, but Epson’s David Vander Dussen is back on the pod to emphasize the opportunities. Why are midsize & regional chains still seeing growth? How have grocers changed their offerings and workflow? Why is the demand for dynamic color labeling higher than ever? It’s the episode where we learn why Dean is banned from grocery shopping.
VARValue - For VARs that work primarily with SMB grocer chains or local independents, what’s the pitch to implement tech like color labeling?
References:
Why Grocery Chains are Outperforming Expectations Amid Inflation
FMI study: Private brands not just about price
How to Ramp Up Online Grocery—without Breaking the Bank
The State of Grocery in North America
TEConnecting with us:
David - World Cup Video Assistant Referee
Dean - The success of the DART mission and robotics companies commit to not weaponizing
John - New Apple devices might confuse rollercoaster for a car crash
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Epson's New Mobilink Printers
We’re debunking some myths in this week’s episode…specifically, that commercial kitchens are no place for thermal printers. Star Micronics’ John Maieli, who has plenty of back-of-house experience, explains the importance of printers in the kitchen and why thermal is the best option. What’s the “state of the industry”? What’s the real difference between impact & thermal printing and why is the latter ideal for this use case? How should VARs respond to common misconceptions and pushback on these devices? It’s the episode where Dean busts out his “best” Super Mario impression.
VARValue - How do you and Star advise VARs to approach existing and new customers about opting for thermal print in their operations?
Star Blog - Why Thermal Printers Have A Place In Today’s Modern Kitchens
TEConnecting with us:
John Maieli - 3D printing food
Dean - A future "AmAsia" supercontinent?
John Martin - Grammarly
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your podcast ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics mPOP
In-store traffic is still vital to retail businesses, but simply getting them through the doors is not enough in a hyper-competitive market. That's where digital signage enabled with machine vision can change the game. Jay Hutton, Founder & CEO of VSBLTY, is on the pod this week to explain the growth potential of what they call “the store as a medium,” using dynamic, eye-catching displays to “entice, engage, and interact” with shoppers, ultimately driving more revenue and unplanned purchases. What data backs up this use case? What does it look like in-store? What do retailers get out of it? It’s the episode that’s dropping its vowels and going full Spielberg blockbuster.
VARValue - How do VARs get in on this? What should they be looking for?
TEConnecting with us:
Jay - The ethics of AI and "nano-nukes"
Dean - Ally Robotics
John - Invisibility cloak?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Intel - Check out TEConnect Live from VARTECH 2022
Zebra TC53/58 Touch Computers
Elo Large Format Displays
“Identify a practical need and create a solution.” That’s a good mantra for any solution provider, but also the simple impetus behind the creation of self-service options in a variety of industries. Elo’s Luke Wilwerding is back on the pod to explore the early days of self-service through today. What slowed (and accelerated) adoption? What’s changed about form factors? How should VARs address concerns and misconceptions like installation issues, smaller purchases, and higher losses?
VARValue - How does Elo help VARs bring self-service to SMB?
CNN Article - "Nobody likes self-checkout. Here's why it's everywhere."
TEConnecting with us:
Luke - James Webb telescope images
Dean (and Luke) - NASA DART mission
John - Why AI will never rule the world
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topics for the show! https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 4
Elo Edge Connect
VARTECH 2022 is in the rearview, but what we learned there and what it means for our channel has just begun. Whether you attended and need a refresher or didn’t and want to know what happened, we’ve got you covered, from Opening Session to the CodeZone floor! What were the themes of the show? Who was the keynote speaker that brought tears to attendees' eyes? What is VAR 2.0 (and 3.0)? It’s the episode that condenses two exhausting days into an hour that’s much easier on your feet.
VARValue - For VARs that didn’t attend, what did we learn that anyone can use?
VARTECH Event Highlights Video
US Breakout feat. CoCard's Dan Brattland
TEConnect Live feat. over 40 ISVs
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Modular nuclear plants
John - Chicago simulates eVTOL (sky taxis) flights & infrastructure
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod, surveys, marketing questions, etc...: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Mobile Touch Computer
Zebra WS50 Android Wearable Computer
After a long few days at VARTECH 2022, Dean & John happily turn over their marketing session for VARs to the incomparable James Korte, who helps us respond to survey responses from attendees about their current marketing situations and, most importantly, what you need help with to improve your marketing. How does an SMB market on a budget? What kind of content should you be creating? How can manufacturers help you fund your campaigns? What kind of marketing provides the best ROI and what should that ROI even look like? What are some best practices for LinkedIn?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - LEGO Dunder Mifflin set
James - Midjourney AI
John - Playing video games w/his son
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod, surveys, marketing questions, etc...: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Solutions
Zebra Tablet Portfolio
While we're off recording a new episode live at VARTECH 2022, we thought it was a great time to revisit last year's episode on properly utilizing LinkedIn for business. Next week, we'll be back with a new episode offering free and low-cost tips for marketing & content creation based on questions and concerns YOU gave us!
(ORIGINALLY RELEASED 10/21/21) It's the second of our live episodes recorded at VARTECH 2021 in Orlando Florida! For this one, James Korte, unofficial third host, joins us to discuss how VARs and TSCs should be utilizing LinkedIn for their business. What should you emphasize for personal and company pages? How important is it to post and share content? What does the LinkedIn algorithm seem to "reward"? Is it useful to market on the platform? Finally, what about other social media platforms? It's the episode that wants you to acknowledge your age!
VARValue - What is something our audience or anyone listening could do right now to improve their social reach?
TEConnecting with us: James - Rivian EV trucks & SUVs Dean - mRNA cancer therapy John - Building his own lightsaber
Talk to us! Twitter - @TEConnectPod Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Many healthcare providers (and patients) finally embraced telehealth and virtual visits in recent years, but that’s just one aspect of what has become known as a “continuum of care.” VeeOne Health’s Kevin Leal joins us to explain this concept and how virtual care technology is really allowing everyone to access healthcare at home or in local facilities, including specialists not normally found in rural communities. How does virtual care help close gaps in healthcare? What are the benefits of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and building a community of care that includes family or other caregivers? How can resellers start a conversation that leads to this broader solution? It’s the episode that reminds you to take your medicine and schedule your annual checkup.
VARValue - What does this mean for VARs? Where should they start looking for opportunities and how does VeeOne help?
Zebra/VeeOne eBook
TEConnecting with us:
Kevin - Biostickers for continuous patient monitoring & autonomous robots in healthcare settings
Dean - China seeding clouds and a restaurant run entirely by robots
John - Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" is crashing hard drives
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Solutions
Zebra Tablet Portfolio
“Smart cities” has been a popular concept for most of the 21st century and yet, very few cities can make the claim that they’ve achieved the status. Few experts will even agree on what it means and many smart city projects have hit dead ends due to costs, privacy issues, and challenges related to scope. Thankfully, Advantech’s Charlie Wu returned to the show and help us break down where cities can start to get "smart," first by explaining the difference between machine vision & learning. How will future cities manage traffic and autonomous vehicles? How about resource management like sewage, water, and parking? Finally, we dig into the public safety angle and the privacy issues that come with it.
VARValue - For VARs that aren’t certain where they fit in the smart city discussion, who should they be talking to and what should they be keeping an eye on?
Scrapped Toronto Smart City Article
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - How much radiation does your smartphone emit?
Charlie - Not watching as much TV
John - The odds of dying by space junk
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas and get a FREE t-shirt! https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Advantech's Newest Products
In the summer of 2021, a survey of retail apparel executives’ biggest challenges found that 48% said out of stocks and 42% said unclear inventory. Supply chain woes obviously contributed to that, but another issue is the continued reliance on barcodes for inventory counts, especially at the bulk level. This week, SML Group’s CTO & SVP of RFID Solutions, Dean Frew, is on the pod to explain the necessity for retailers to start tracking inventory down to individual items using RFID. What is BOPIS 2.0? How does RFID tagging improve customer experience? How are retailers rethinking distribution and manufacturing?
VARValue - Is item-level RFID right for all types of retail? Where does it make the most sense?
SML's State of Retail Reports:
- Part 1
- Part 2
TEConnecting with us:
Dean F - Battery-powered snowblower
Dean R - Russia departing the ISS
John - Fossil fuel emissions are messing up carbon dating
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Cannabis POS Solutions
Zebra RFID Portfolio
Once again, we’re giving you some insights into the thoughts, pain points, and needs of YOUR customers. This time, it’s a survey we did with warehouse managers, looking to uncover their biggest technology challenges. Some of the answers were what you would expect, some were surprising, and we’re going to break it all down for you.
Questions asked:
- Which of the following is the biggest problem area in your warehouse?
- What is the #1 tech-related issue in your warehouse?
- If money wasn’t an issue, what new tech would you most like to implement or upgrade?
Opportunities for VARs and ISVs include training, recurring revenue, data capture, and networking.
VARValue - What would you as a VAR do with this info?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - China's "surveillance" garden
John - TEC beef with modern refrigerators
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send us your survey suggestions: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra RFD90
Elo Edge Connect
We’re back with more deep dives, debates, and quirky commentary on some interesting news stories, business topics, and just some fun stuff we’ve come across.
- Should you discuss pay with colleagues?
- What are the top dance songs of all time (and why is Dean offended by the list)?
- 2022 social media stats
- What are the best (& worst) places to start a career?
- What does “Wi-Fi” actually mean?
- What’s the status of work-from-home?
- Millennials are staying close to their hometowns
- Intel bolstering chip production in the US
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Y Combinator
John - Nest thermostat & Coredy smart vacuum
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your TEC Bytes! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo E-Series 2
Zebra Print Engines
We all know that cloud computing is where it’s at, but not all businesses, especially retail & hospitality, are on board just yet. This week, Star Micronics’ Christophe Naasz is here to help VARs explain the benefits of cloud-based solutions. How do they improve customer experience? What are the best talking points and questions to ask your customers? How do cloud solutions benefit management and back-of-the-house insights? Finally, what’s Star’s philosophy on the cloud? It’s the episode that’s laying in the grass saying, “Hey, that cloud looks like recurring revenue!”
VARValue – What type of customers should VARs be looking at to sell cloud solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Christophe - Peripheral connectivity
Dean - Amazon sues Facebook for fake reviews
John - Arlo video doorbell
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic suggestions (and get a t-shirt!) - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Star POS Scanners
We talk a lot about touchscreen technology in healthcare as it relates to patient experience, but the staff, clinicians, and caregivers like modern touch technology, too! Elo’s Director of Healthcare (and former clinician herself) Katharine Cummings joins the pod to explain how touchscreens create efficiencies. How does the customer-facing stuff (check-in, wayfinding, etc…) benefit staff? Why would healthcare workers prefer touch technology over traditional computers or devices? Where else are touchscreens used in medical facilities outside of clinical work?
VARValue – What kind of questions should VARs be asking their healthcare customers to uncover touchscreen opportunities? Who should they be talking to?
Healthcare Kiosks Webinar feat. Katharine: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3673671081680770312
TEConnecting with us:
Katharine - Software partners that consider clinicians
Dean - NASA launches CAPSTONE to scout for lunar station and Space sports
John - Agrivoltaics
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas or interests: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Solutions
Having smart content, a strong message, and an understanding of your audience is a great place to start marketing, but without great design, it’s just so many words. We turned to an expert, Krystal Cotriss, Lead Designer & Content Strategist with Barcoding, Inc., who stresses the importance of design to attracting customers, making a good impression, and driving engagement. She’ll help us explore free or low-cost tools anyone with little to no experience could use, from photos to fonts and beyond. We’re also talking website design (one of John’s pet peeves) and some design aesthetics and clichés that Krystal is “over.” Check out her post and bookmark all of the handy links!
VARValue – Let’s say someone is looking to hire a designer or employ some freelancers. What should they be looking for, asking about, or expecting?
Krystal's blog with a plethora of free resources: https://krystalcarpintieri.medium.com/free-design-resources-for-designers-marketers-more-e6b8bb3dbf0e
Kel Lauren's Best Free Design Resources: https://youtu.be/myYwUoXfxt4
TEConnecting with us:
Krystal - Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Dean - Cancer Genome Scanner & Companies Making the Most Money Per Second
John - Alexa speaking as the voice of a deceased loved one
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your podcast topics: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
Zebra WS50 Wearable Computer
Retail obviously isn’t the same as it was pre-pandemic, but much of what’s changed is for the better and was already beginning to happen anyway. This week, Tony Boncore, Honeywell’s Global Retail Marketing Manager, is on the show to help us talk specifically about how consumer behavior and demand have moved the needle. What is he seeing now and expects over the next year or so? Are retailers essentially becoming distribution centers? What about the challenge of returns? How should retailers change their mindset to accommodate online shoppers? What new technologies are facilitating these changes? It’s the episode that is ready to get “phygital.”
VARValue – Addressing consumer experiences with tech is important, but how can VARs also position their solutions as beneficial for store owners and their employees, too?
Referenced Articles:
- 7 Trends Reshaping Smart Retail - CTA
- The Future is Now: 3 Retail Trends to Watch - RetailCustomerExperience.com
- NRF 2022: 4 Key Trends from This Year's Big Show - Forbes
TEConnecting with us:
Tony - Biometric sneakers
Dean - Micrometeor strikes James Webb telescope
John - Google translation glasses
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the show and get a free T-shirt! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Honeywell CT30 XP
Spatial intelligence is a way of understanding the movement of people and objects through physical spaces, but the AI and analytics necessary to gather and use that data require an expert. That expert is George Shaw, Founder & CEO of Pathr.ai, who joins us to explain Pathr’s methodology and tech. How does this data benefit retail? What other industries benefit from spatial intelligence? How do they address privacy concerns?
VARValue - For VARs interested in fitting Pathr solutions into their tech stack, how do they work with them and help them generate recurring revenue and sell more hardware?
Watch Supermicro's Edge Computing Webinar
TEConnecting with us:
George (and John) - Did Google create a sentient AI?
Dean - Microsoft eliminating facial recognition tools
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your episode ideas: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Intel AI for Retail & Hospitality
Tired of hearing/talking about our broken supply chain? So are we! However, not talking about it doesn’t solve any problems or help us understand what to expect next, so we’re diving in and consulting an industry veteran, Code Corp’s Director of Operations, Dave Frick. He fills us in on what he’s been hearing and seeing. What’s next? What’s working and what isn’t? Are other challenges looming? What’s changed about planning & forecasting inventory? How can VARs help supply chain partners that are too busy for sales conversations or new solutions right now?
VARValue - What’s your advice for VARs with customers that simply don’t have the time for “sales” conversations or adopting new technology? What can they do to truly help?
TEConnecting with us:
Dave - Drones for warehouse management
Dean - Robotic finger w/human skin
John - 3D printed ear
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your episode ideas: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Code CortexDecoder
We’re pretty tech positive on this show. We love technology and science and its potential to assist and improve our lives, jobs, and the world’s various problems. But sometimes innovation can be very frustrating, which leads us to a few of our “TEC Beefs”—things that annoy us, frustrate us, or completely confuse us. This week, we’re getting some of that stuff off our chests.
- Are some scientific studies unnecessary? (i.e. How we see faces in everyday objects)
- Subscription services that (intentionally?) make it hard to cancel
- Netflix cracking down on password sharing
- Apple tooling around with the Podcasts app
- Too many charging cable interfaces!
- Streaming series eps are getting very long
- Social media algorithms with little to no control
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Mastercard biometric checkout
John - Severance on Apple TV+
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas (or TEC Beefs!) - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Mobile Pay Computer
Zebra Co-Marketing Tool
Selling point-of-sale technology is probably one of the hardest asks in the reseller channel. While there are thousands of businesses that need it, there are also a LOT of options on the market. So what moves the needle? What do retailers like or dislike about their current system? What would they change? What would make them switch? In connection with our recently published findings on BlueStar Nation, we’re doing a deep dive into the survey results from over 80 retail owners about the technology their business uses every day. The answers were often surprising, but they tell an important story about what VARs can actually do to win more business and conquer POS inertia.
VARValue - What would you do as a VAR with this information?
Subscribe to BlueStar Nation: https://nation.bluestarinc.com/
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Uber Eats Autonomous Delivery
John - But really, what are the odds a malicious alien race could attack Earth?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for topics, surveys, or guests: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets
Elo 3203L Interactive Display
There are more people in the world over the age of 65 than under 5. That means a huge amount of money and resources are devoted to health care for an aging population with increasingly fewer people to attend to their daily needs. That’s where technology comes into play, but with much of that population still uncomfortable with modern devices, how do you engage seniors to stay on top of their health, maintain connections to friends and family, and manage chronic conditions. Independa’s Founder & CEO, Kian Saneii, joins us to explain a simple solution…incorporate modern tech into a device most older people use every single day—their TV! How do you pitch this kind of solution to LTC and other healthcare facilities? How does such a remote management platform work? It’s the episode that acknowledges we’re not getting any younger.
VARValue - What should VARs be looking for or asking about with their customers and how does Independa help?
Independa's Telehealth Study
TEConnecting with us:
Kian - Voyager 1 sending interesting data
Dean - Tastee Tape
John - BeReal app
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas (and get a free t-shirt!): https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Solutions
Zebra TC52x-HC Mobile Computers
Holy podcast, friends…we’ve reached 100 episodes! That means it’s time to reflect on where we came from and where we’re going next. How do we feel about our earliest episodes? Should anyone listen to podcasts at higher speeds? What are some of our favorite episodes, guests and moments? What do we think we’ll be talking about at 200 episodes? Finally, we play another round of Tech Trivia with returning champ Whitney Gerrety & new contestant Patrick Troutt. It’s the episode that doesn’t even know how it got here, but you’re stuck with us now! (Plus, listen for a couple bloopers Marko inserted!)
Thank YOU for listening!
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo DICOM Monitors
Zebra Media & Supplies
We’re touching stuff again! (Sort of…) Touchscreens are, of course, very common in our daily lives and we’re seeing more of them in industries like retail and hospitality, but we wanted to know if there were any unique use cases that VARs could take advantage of. MicroTouch’s Bill Nulf joins us to answer that question. How are touchscreens used in correctional facilities? Cannabis dispensaries? Healthcare? Bill also gives us a speed round of additional opportunities. It’s the episode where Dean emphatically notes he doesn’t frequent prisons!
VARValue - How does MicroTouch help VARs find and win unique opportunities for touchscreen technology?
What's TEConnecting with us:
Bill - BMW color changing cars
Dean - Rewinding skin cells 30 years
John - An oral history of Disney's "The Black Hole"
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas! https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
MicroTouch IC-215P All-in-One
We know…everyone is dealing with supply, component, and/or labor shortages. You’re ready to sell, your customers are ready to buy, but you simply can’t get the product they need. While we don’t have a quick fix for that (spoiler alert, no one does), something you can sell right now are Services. Epson’s Andy Scherz is back on the pod to explain. What does “services’ mean to him? How do they fit into a full solution provider’s offerings and what’s the benefit? How do we offer services to end users in a way that doesn’t just feel like an “add-on”? Dean says your business will probably die if you aren’t listening to this episode!
VARValue - Let’s talk a bit about BlueStar’s services and how we help VARs become a trusted partner.
TEConnecting with us:
Andy - RFID
Dean - Paper-thin loudspeaker
John - RIP iPod
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas! https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Epson's ColorWorks Printers
A lot of discussions around asset or inventory management, mobility, connectivity, cloud-access, etc… revolves around work and processes taking place within four walls, but field-based workers need the same kind of tech, too! This week, Versona System’s Dan Fuller is here to help us look for opportunities for rugged hardware, barcodes, RFID, enterprise devices, and more for businesses who operate in remote areas or are consistently on the go. What’s the pitch for purpose-built versus consumer devices? What does asset management look like in the field? It’s the episode that just wants its refrigerator fixed!
VARValue - How does Versona assist VARs with driving mobility solutions to field-based customers? Are there any devices that you’re excited to show off?
Versona Tool Management eBook
TEConnecting with us:
Dan - No battery BLE tagging
Dean - More interesting info from the UFO files
John - 9 Innings '22
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send us your topic ideas! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
Zebra Workforce Connect
“Crypto is a great buzzword…but you’ve gotta find a practical use for it.” So says BlockChyp CEO Jon Decker, who joins us this week to discuss this aspect of currency and payments that still feels a bit bleeding edge. What does the crypto market look like right now? What’s keeping it from becoming another source of recurring revenue like other payments have? How does this discussion compare to the rollout of contactless payments? It’s the episode that would like to talk to you about TEConnectCoin.
VARValue - What’s the “pitch” for VARs and ISVs to both consider making crypto part of their strategy and for how to get their customers to do the same?
Referenced Articles:
Jon's RSPA Article
ExplodingTopics/Bitcoin Stats
TEConnecting with us:
Jon - NFTs
Dean - Pay with your hand
John - Heardle & Framed
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your ideas for the pod: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra Partner Connect for ISVs (and BlueStar's TEConnect Program)
Dean, John & Marko have been traveling, so we thought we'd revisit our most popular episode from the first year of the pod! It's also a great refresher on the struggle to introduce contactless payments to widespread use ahead of next week's new episode on Cryptocurrency. Enjoy!
Contactless has become quite the buzzword this year, but contactless payments are not new. This week, we’re joined by two VPs from the world of payments, PAX Technology’s Heather Hatch & EVO Payments’ PJ Tierney. They help us understand the technology and why this movement isn’t as much of a headache as the switch to EMV was. What makes a payment contactless? Why was the US so far behind before the pandemic? What are the hardware needs? How are software partners adapting and how does BlueStar help? It’s another episode where John complains about having any contact with other humans.
VARValue – What should VARs do to help retailers get over the contactless hurdle?
TEConnecting with us:
PJ - Niche vertical startups
Heather - Innovation in a pandemic
Dean - Walmart COVID test kit drone delivery
John - Raised by Wolves on HBO Max
Sponsored by:
EloPOS Pack
Honeywell Smart Talk
Zebra EC30 Mobile Computer
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
It’s once again time to nibble on a few stories and topics from the world of science, tech and business. Listen for your next watercooler discussion or to impress your friends and family!
- China’s “Thousand Talents Program”
- World’s Most Innovative Companies
- Using AI to Gauge Emotional Intelligence
- The Wendyverse
- Global Minimum Tax
- Best Cities for Remote Work
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Space Balloon & Hydra Market shut down
John - Raised by Wolves on HBO MAX
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send your topic ideas or TEC Bytes stories!
Sponsored by:
Elo - M60 Pay
Zebra - Modernizing the Warehouse
Sifting through our inboxes, it may feel like email marketing is more junk than useful, but when done properly, it’s still one of the most cost-effective and high-ROI methods for reaching your targeted audience. Barcoding Inc.’s Jody Costa returns to the pod to help us understand how to be more deliberate and coordinated with our emails. How do you build a strong list of subscribers? How do you keep them from unsubscribing? What should you be sending them? It’s the episode that reminds Dean that Millennials are actually adults now!
VARValue – What social media and/or email platforms do you recommend for resellers to use? (Thanks to George Biastre for the question and for suggesting the topic!)
Referenced Articles:
- Is Email Marketing Dead? - HubSpot
- Is Email Marketing Dead? Definitely No. - Mageplaza
TEConnecting with us:
Jody - Fire pits
Dean - Meta's Universal Translator
John - Esquire's 50 Best Sci-Fi Novels list
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas!
Sponsored by:
Intel On-Demand Webinar - "Powering the Smart Stores & QSRs of the Future"
Elo - I-Series 4
Zebra - PartnerConnect Co-Marketing Tools
We’re going to assume you don’t still treat sales like a strictly transactional process (and if you do, you definitely need to listen), but what does it really mean to be a consultative partner? Elo’s Luke Wilwerding is back to help us answer that question. Why is a customer-centric approach more important than ever? What does a consultative sale look like from start to close? How do salespeople overcome hurdles like objections or asking for the business?
VARValue – How does Elo fit into the consultative sales cycle?
Referenced Articles:
7 Ways to Win Deals with Consultative Sales - HubSpot
TEConnecting with us:
Luke - Edge computing
Dean - Virgin Galactic selling space flights
John - Stir dating app for single parents
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your podcast ideas: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Pay
Most industries understand the value of using enterprise mobile devices over consumer options, but are they properly caring for, storing, and maintaining them to maximize their potential? This week, Randy Murphy from Zebra joins the pod to discuss that very problem and a simple solution—deploying “intelligent” cabinets. What’s the need here? What options are available? What does the ROI and benefits look like? It’s the episode that reminds you that Sheriff ZAM is watching!
VARValue – How does selling/deploying intelligent cabinets and storage options help VARs sell more devices and services in general?
Bon AppeTech is Back!
TEConnecting with us:
Randy - Bringing broadband to the world
Dean - MIT Top Potential Tech Breakthroughs
John - Resurrecting the Tasmanian Tiger
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit Your Topic Suggestions: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets
Sports betting is a fast-growing industry around the world, especially in the U.S. since a 2018 ruling opened it up for states to legalize it. As existing and specialized venues rush to capitalize, there’s opportunity to provide innovative technology solutions. Elo’s Jim Foster returns to discuss what’s happening and how retailers are attempting to attract gamers. How can digital signage help build exciting social gaming environments? Where should hospitality resellers focus their attention? What other entertainment venues are benefitting from modern display tech? We’re “all in” on this episode!
VARValue – How does Elo help VARs equip their gaming customers with the best solutions?
Elo Sports Betting site
What’s TEConnecting with us?
Jim – EV market
Dean – Frosties NFT scam
John – Amazon shuttering bookstores (and the Amazon Go SNL sketch)
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email – TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send us your topic suggestions! - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 4
Look, robots are cool, and we like to joke about whether a Terminator-style world takeover could happen, but they also have very practical value when used alongside workers, especially in warehousing, distribution & manufacturing. Mark Wheeler, Zebra’s Director of Supply Chain Solutions, joins the show to discuss the current market for robots. What’s holding supply chain leaders back from implementing augmentation technology? What happens to facilities that embrace this kind of automation? What kind of data and analytics can robots bring to enterprises?
VARValue – What type of customer benefits the most from robots? Any success stories? What’s the future for robots in other industries? (Shoutout to Cory McClelland from Arrowhead Resellers for the topic and these questions!)
Referenced Articles:
Zebra Warehousing Study
Waytek Case Study
TEConnecting with us:
Mark - Robots!
Dean - ISS to be retired
John - The average person doesn't have a chance with the smart home
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit YOUR ideas for the pod - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Zebra Modernizing the Warehouse w/Android
It’s another installment of TEC Bytes, where Dean & John riff on some topics in the world of science, tech, news, and business. Gather around the watercooler or video conference and discuss!
- The mystery of “Never COVID”
- Robot umps coming to Triple A baseball
- Safest Cities in America?
- Super Bowl commercials
- Population growth hits a new low
- How to Be a Disruptor
- Top Tech Trends
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Pollination robots and Belgium introduces the 4-day workweek
John - CES 2022 tech
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send us your suggestions for episodes or TEC Bytes - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo M60 Pay
Zebra TC Mobile Computers
We're in year 3 of the pod, but still bringing you the same hot topics, industry trends, innovations, tips and, of course, technology solutions you've come to expect! Tell us what you want to hear about on Twitter (@TEConnectPod) or email us: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
What's TEConnecting with You?
We’re doing some (educated) prognosticating on this week’s episode! Citizen’s Tracy Tucker joins us to talk about how the reseller channel has evolved during his career and where we might be going next. How important is software to keep you ahead of the competition? What is the role of distribution and their relationships with both vendors and resellers? How is the “Amazon effect” challenging everyone? Finally, what will the channel look like in 3-5 years?
VARValue – What are one or two things VARs should be doing now to ensure they’re still around and relevant for the channel future we’ve described?
TEConnecting with us:
Tracy - FIDO (Fast ID Online)
Dean - Google search is dying
John - The history of the iBeer app
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Send us your topic suggestions!
Sponsored by:
Citizen CT-E301 and CT-S310II
Many businesses rely on label printing to package, ship, receive, market, and provide critical info, but managing all of the files, conditional printing, and processes around those labels can be a headache without the right tools in place. This week, we bring in the expert, Matt Brine from Seagull Scientific (makers of the beloved BarTender software). He explains what so many organizations do wrong with their labeling. Where are the pain points? What industries benefit the most from enterprise labeling? What’s coming in the new BarTender 2022 release?
VARValue – What should VARs be looking for or asking about to determine if an enterprise print solution is right for their customers?
TEConnecting with us:
Matt - Fitness trackers and Bialetti Mini Express
Dean - UK scientists smash nuclear fusion energy record
John - Dark stores
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
What do you want to hear on the show?
Sponsored by:
Elo E-Series 2
Zebra Modernizing the Warehouse
We’ve all been buying more stuff online in the last couple years, but did you know that B2B ecommerce has actually grown more than B2C during that time? That also means the supply chain and labor issues that are slowing down small consumer purchases are even more problematic when a business is ordering hundreds or thousands of items. This week, Newcastle Systems’ Drew Arnold joins us to dig into what’s happening and how VARs can offer mobility solutions to overcome their customer’s “in-house” issues and improve efficiencies, receiving, accuracy, employee satisfaction, and more.
VARValue – How does Newcastle help VARs capture the ‘low-hanging fruit” of mobility solutions?
Newcastle's ROI Calculator
TEConnecting with us:
Drew - Dr. Alexa
Dean - 5G and airports
John - NASA's DART Mission
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Request podcast topics - https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo's I-Series 4
Zebra Vehicle Mounted Computers
The trilogy is complete! James Korte returns to finish what we started almost a year ago with part three of our deep dive into the insights he gained from “The Challenger Customer.” This time it’s all about finding people within the businesses you’re targeting who can be the “cheerleader” and advocate for your product, service or company. First, we explore what kind of content and marketing helps reach the right people with the right message. Then, we discuss who to target within a buying group and how to make them fall in love with you and your offerings. Finally, how do you equip that “mobilizer” with the tools and talking points to help them fight on your behalf?
VARValue - How does BlueStar help with creating demand and equipping mobilizers to advocate on our behalf?
TEConnecting with us:
James - Bing ad targeting & Web3
Dean - TikTok stars out-earning CEOs & REvil is disbanded (wink, wink)
John - Wordle
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas!
https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect Peripherals
Zebra DS3600-KD Rugged Barcode Scanner
Is this the Year of RFID? Dean says yes, but we also know that RFID is not meant to be the ultimate, complete replacement for other forms of tracking and collecting information. This week, A2B Tracking’s Founder & CEO, Peter Collins, joins us to explain his “common sense” approach to RFID. What’s the pitch for RFID over (or alongside) barcodes? How does RFID help address labor issues? How important is it to have a strategy in place and what should we look for in partnerships?
VARValue - Tell us a little about how A2B Tracking helps VARs implement RFID with their customers.
TEConnecting with us:
Pete - Connected devices & clothing technology
Dean - Samsung remote that recharges wirelessly
John - Exoplanet with a 16 hour year
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit your topic ideas! https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo 6553L Interactive Signage
Zebra RFD40 UHF RFID Sled
Would you like a piece of $1.2 trillion in government spending? Of course, you would! With the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal late last year, the US government has made a huge investment in projects that is either directly going to utilize modern technology or will require workers that are equipped with the latest hardware. Jeff Smith, our favorite government expert, is back to help us break down the opportunities (not just for government-specific resellers) and the timeline for projects to reach kick off and reach fruition. We’ll also check in on what’s happening at the state/local levels and wonder how the looming midterm elections impact projects in the works. It’s the episode where Dean is going to take over a small country and fill it with Teslas.
VARValue - Even if you are not a government VAR, what should you keep an eye on as these initiatives get underway?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - Billionaires playing in space
Dean - Self-healing steel
John - Self-replicating living robots
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Got a topic suggestion? https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Sponsored by:
Elo 1502LM Medical Grade Monitors
Zebra ET Tablets
We’re back! After enjoying some much-needed time away, the podcast enters its third year with a sneak preview of what’s to come. What are we looking forward to in 2022? What happened when John & Producer Marko thought that Dean might not return to the pod this year? What are we keeping an eye on in tech within the channel and beyond? Finally, we give you a sneak peek at some of the episodes ahead.
Check out the podcast co-host tryout video: https://youtu.be/fY_Za7M-JWU?t=721
TEConnecting with us:
Dean & John - The James Webb Space Telescope
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Submit an idea for the podcast!
Sponsored by:
Elo E-Series 2
Zebra TC Mobile Computers
We’re wrapping up the second year of the podcast with some reflections and predictions. We discuss the ongoing pandemic (but not for too long, we promise!), cicadas, space exploration, supply chain issues, work-from-home, and much more. Pivoting to the reseller channel, what do we see happening now and expect to see in 2022? We also look back at the podcast itself, including our most popular episodes and milestones. Finally, we wrap with some of our favorite things (movies, TV, podcasts, books, etc…) this year.
TOPIC CHALLENGE! Send us your ideas for future episode topics, guests, tech, etc… for a chance to win some cash and get a TEConnect Podcast t-shirt. Listen for more details.
We’ll be back January 20th!
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Essential Edge
Zebra ET80/85 2-in-1 Tablets
It’s our annual Star Wars nerdfest! This time, Sam Hughes joins us to riff on what’s been happening in our favorite sci-fi franchise over the last year. SPOILER ALERT We talk the latter half of “The Mandalorian” season 2, including the introduction of Ahsoka Tano to live action, Baby Yoda’s real name, and a surprise cameo in the season finale. Then, we discuss “Star Wars: Visions,” the series of non-canonical (?) shorts from renowned anime studios, followed by a rundown of what’s next for the Star Wars universe. Then, we have a debate over what we want from the franchise going forward. Can future mass-audience films work outside of the Skywalker/Jedi storylines? Are streaming series the best route for now? Finally, we reminisce about some of our favorite Star Wars merchandise.
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Touch Computer
Zebra RFD40 UHF RFID Sled
Dean & John are back to bantering about hot topics in science, tech and business. 1. Epic Games vs. Apple ruling, 2. Tinder “Plus One,” 3. Life was better before social media (duh…) 4. Chinese limits on gaming for kids, 5. Most (and least) valuable college majors, 6. Facebook/Meta and the Metaverse. Also, stick around for a simple challenge that can get you some cash and prizes!
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Apple allows consumers to fix products at home
John - Anamorphic murals
Talk to us! (And send us your ideas for topics by 1/15/22!)
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 4
Zebra DS3600
The mighty barcode scan has come a long way from that pack of gum in the 70s. Not only have we progressed to 2D/QR codes to hold more information, but new technology like LIDAR, laser-marking, and the complex cameras in our personal mobile devices has changed the scanning game and will continue to. This week, we turned to an expert in the field, Bruce Scharf from Code Corporation. What new tech has him geeking out? Why should we be wary of “free” scanning apps? How will scanning change with the growth of AR & AI?
VARValue - What verticals benefit the most from new scanning technologies?
TEConnecting with us
Bruce - Energy storage & NFC
Dean - Scar tissue repair
John - Russia blows up a satellite
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code CR2700 healthcare barcode reader
We’re bringing you something fun and lighthearted for Thanksgiving…the podcast version of our former hit Tech Trivia gameshow! This time Dean gets to be a contestant, competing against BlueStar’s own Whitney “Willow” Gerrety & Austin “Tremor” Hearn. Why those nicknames? Who studied harder for the show? Are the questions rigged for Dean? Is it Berenstain or Berenstein Bears? It’s an episode you can share with (and compete against) the whole family!
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra Workforce Connect
Elo Cannabis POS
Evolis Primacy
Intel has a pretty big reputation in the tech world and BlueStar is proud to be one of the “IoT Solution Aggregators.” This week, Intel’s Rob Risany joins the pod to explain what that means, along with a discussion about deploying market-ready solutions. What are the benefits to VARs and end users? Where is there still hesitance to embrace “pre-built” solutions? We also take a moment to talk about ourselves and how BlueStar enables VARs to go-to-market with all of the partners, services and even financing they need. Pay attention around the 18:00 mark for a challenge from Rob & Intel to bring us your own ideas for market-ready solutions!
VARValue - What markets/industries are strong targets for market-ready solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Rob - Indy Autonomous Challenge & Minecraft machine vision
Dean - World's oldest home & Computer Space
John - American Crime Story: Impeachment and the legacy of Monica Lewinsky in the internet age
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Intel's Retail Tech Webinar
The “Fourth Industrial Revolution” can be a bit of a nebulous term depending on who you ask, so we asked an expert! Elo’s Jim Foster joins us to explain how connectivity, IoT, cloud computing, modern display technology, and more are playing big parts in creating the factories, warehouses and enterprises of the future. How does he define Industry 4.0? What are some of the signals end users and businesses give that they’re ready to innovate? How does touchscreen tech and Android in particular factor in? And how does this impact the supply chain as a whole?
VARValue - How does Elo help VARs in this transition to Industry 4.0?
TEConnecting with us:
Jim - The Metaverse
Dean - The Great Firewall of China
John - Dubai's 3D printed laboratory
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo DICOM Medical Monitors
The point-of-sale (POS) market is pretty big and showing no signs of contracting anytime soon. That means there’s a lot of opportunity, but also a lot of competition in the market. This week, Jeremy Julian (Custom Business Solutions & host of The Restaurant Technology Guys podcast) joins to help us understand when and why restaurants and retailers change POS systems. How does he approach POS from a marketing standpoint? How important is differentiation? What’s the downside of “free” POS systems?
VARValue - What are one or two tips for VARs who want to stand out in the market?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeremy - Innovation with cameras
Dean - Lithium nanofiber batteries
John - Astronomers may have spotted the first known exoplanet in another galaxy
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series 4
Evolis Kiosk card printers
Zebra Vertical Markets eBook
Grocery stores have always been an essential business in any community but during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were the one place we all still had to go, leading to increased demand, supply shortages, and opportunities for innovation. This week, Elo's Ruth Cooley joins us to discuss what she's seen change since the start of 2020 and look ahead at what's to come. We look at 5 pain points for customers and how a little modernization can combat them. How does display technology bring customers back in-store and generate those precious impulse buys? Hint: maybe figuring out what to pair with a nice cabernet?
VARValue - How is Elo helping VARs position new technology to grocers, especially local or regional ones?
Check out Elo Grocery solutions at https://www.elotouch.com/grocery
TEConnecting with us
Ruth - Elo's upcoming M60 & Android AIO devices
Dean - Portl holograms
John - Squid Game
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo's 5053L Display
It's the second of our live episodes recorded at VARTECH 2021 in Orlando Florida! For this one, James Korte, unofficial third host, joins us to discuss how VARs and TSCs should be utilizing LinkedIn for their business. What should you emphasize for personal and company pages? How important is it to post and share content? What does the LinkedIn algorithm seem to "reward"? Is it useful to market on the platform? Finally, what about other social media platforms? It's the episode that wants you to acknowledge your age!
VARValue - What is something our audience or anyone listening could do right now to improve their social reach?
TEConnecting with us:
James - Rivian EV trucks & SUVs
Dean - mRNA cancer therapy
John - Building his own lightsaber
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo EssentialEdge
Zebra Modernizing Warehouses w/Android
Evolis Primacy
After a year and a half of podcasting from our little studio, we took the show on the road for the first time to VARTECH 2021 in Orlando before a live audience! For this episode, we had a great conversation with Barcoding, Inc.’s VP of Marketing, Jody Costa, who helped us understand what our listeners actually dealt with during the early days of the pandemic and how marketing had to scramble to adjust. What did she learn? What worked or didn’t? What does it really mean to be creative with your marketing? How do you maintain a brand while still stretching creatively? It’s the podcast that now celebrates National Barcode Day!
VARValue - Where should our audience or listeners start to self-evaluate their own marketing efforts?
Think Again by Adam Grant
TEConnecting with us:
Jody - Saildrone hurricane probe (and check out the Dorothy scene from Twister -25 year old spoilers)
Dean - The most popular cocktail and the fastest growing/declining jobs
John - Lucid Air electric vehicle
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo M50
Evolis Kiosk Card Printers
Zebra Fixed RFID Readers
While we work on some special episodes this week, here’s another round-up of the latest in tech, science and pop culture news and stories. 1. The latest in robotics for distribution. 2. The Jeopardy! host saga. 3. Best US states to do business & the most/least stressed cities. 4. Emma, the robot masseuse. 5. Fake public comments on the net neutrality issue. 6. The theatre vs. streaming debate (ScarJo, Patty Jenkins). 7. REvil goes offline.
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Audi's transforming AV
John - Retro Bowl
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluesarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Cannabis POS
Epson T88VII Receipt Printer
Zebra Service Contracts eBook
Contactless solutions have been a popular topic for the past couple years, but when it comes to ID cards and badges, the technology has been in place for much longer. Many of us already use them for physical access to buildings or specific areas, but there are plenty of applications beyond opening a door. Evolis’ Sean Barrett is here to explain! He walks us through the history of ID & access control technologies, how modern contactless & proximity cards are printed and encoded, and how smart cards can be used for identity authentication, single-sign on, secure print and much more.
VARValue – How does Evolis help VARs that are trying to introduce ID/access management to their customers?
TEConnecting with us
Sean - Tesla Bot
Dean - Most popular AirBnB
John - Apple Airpods Pro
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Evolis Primacy Card Printer
Evolis Kiosk Printers
It’s a world of color, so why do we still have to look at so many black & white labels? We’re joined by Epson’s Andy Scherz to explain why color labeling is beneficial for all businesses looking to communicate clearly, grab attention, create brand recognition, and more! We’ll explore which industries really benefit, dispel some myths and objections, and provide some tips to help you convince customers it’s time to make the switch.
VARValue – How can VARs partner with Epson to sell color print solutions?
TEConnecting with us:
Andy - The pervasiveness of video
Dean - Tech Workers Secretly Working Multiple Jobs from Home
John - Autonomous Work Pod
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Epson T88VII Receipt Printer
Everyone wants to see their company grow, but are they ready to do so at scale? This week, author, “Growth Geek,” and founder of Lolly.co Daniel Cooper joins us from across the pond to explain the difference between traditional growth and rapid scaling. What is “normalization deviance”? What can go wrong when companies try to scale without being ready? What are some of the simple systems we can structure to start the process? What does the new world of remote work mean for hiring the best possible team to expand your business?
VARValue – For VARs that think they’re ready to scale, what are one or two things you think they can do right now?
Learn more about Daniel's company and his upcoming book, Upgrade, at Lolly.co
TEConnecting with us:
Daniel - SwitchBot
Dean - How we spent our time in 2020 (or did we?)
John - Why delivery drones are struggling to take off
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Cannabis POS
Zebra Service Contracts eBook
This week, we kick off with a nearly 30 year old music reference before diving into the world of Edge Computing with Advantech’s Charlie Wu. He helps us understand how it differs from cloud computing, what resources are needed to compute on the edge, and some practical examples of industries or situations where mission-critical, near instant computing is necessary and vital.
VARValue - How does Advantech help businesses get started with edge computing?
TEConnecting with us:
Charlie - AI, facial recognition & autonomous vehicles
Dean - Geneticists using Excel
John - Cultivated/cultured meat
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Advantech AIM-75S Industrial-Grade Tablet
We have pretty high expectations for our travel, dining, and entertainment, even before the pandemic. Customers crave experiences that feel unique or catered to them. This week, we’re doing some future thinking with Epson’s Joshua Stanphill & David Vander Dussen. First, where are the priorities for the next 6 months to a year? What technologies do we expect to take off over the next decade and how? What about recreational events like sports, concerts, etc…? It’s the episode that doesn’t want to spend too much time on its feet!
VARValue – What should VARs be investing in or working on with their hospitality customers to “future-proof” that business?
TEConnecting with us:
Josh - Digitally enabled saltwater reef tank
David - Microfulfillment
Dean - NASA Recruiting for Simulated Mars Mission
John - Disney's Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser "resort"
Sponsored by:
Epson OmniLink TM-m30II-SL Receipt Printer
Asset management feels like a relatively simplistic concept, but treating it as such results in assets that are lost, damaged, outdated or unsafe. This week, we’re joined by Shrikant Nistane from Crave InfoTech, who takes a smarter approach to the topic and how it dramatically impacts business functionality. What’s the difference between asset and inventory management? What is the asset management “maturity curve”? What do most enterprises get wrong? We’ll also explore some industries that you might not think of that can benefit from better asset management.
VARValue – How can VARs refresh their asset management conversations for customers that think they’re doing fine?
TEConnecting with us:
Shrikant - Self-driving vehicles and blockchain
Dean - Cruise driverless shuttles
John - Are we investing too much in skills that will soon be obsolete?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra Desktop Printers
Elo Edge Connect
“Customer journey”—the practice of understanding how someone reaches a buying decision—is a popular topic in sales, but what about literally mapping someone’s physical journey in spaces like conference halls, showrooms, retail stores or even within a workplace? This episode, we’re talking to the innovative co-owner and EVP of FastSensor, Kalon Welch. They use sensors to gather anonymous signals from mobile devices to understand how people move within a space and provide actionable data. How does this differ from beaconing or other monitoring systems? How did they pivot to provide real benefit during the pandemic? How do sensors help prove ROI for events? What does it mean for growing retail trends? It’s the episode that includes an “Inception pirouette!”
VARValue – What should VARs be asking or looking for to suggest sensor-driven analytics as a solution?
TEConnecting with us:
Kalon - "True" AI
Dean - Northrup to build homes in moon orbit
John - Scary smart AI toys
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Return to Work Solutions
Zebra Intelligent Cabinets
While debit and credit cards have been popular for some time, cash still had a big piece of the pie as well. Now, “non-cash” payments like in-app, online, mobile wallets and other electronic options are adding convenience and changing the way consumers think about how they pay for something. Chris Lenz from North American Bancard joins us to weigh in on the topic and help us push that conversation forward with SMB retailers. How has the discussion changed during his time in the industry? What did we learn during the pandemic as businesses were forced to accept other payment types? Why is this change not just for big box national chains? Finally, we’ll address some myths, concerns and misconceptions about new payment types.
VARValue – How does NAB help VARs sell new payment types to SMB customers?
TEConnecting with us:
Chris - Biometrics & smart contact lenses
Dean - Amazon wants to monitor our sleep
John - PostDates - Get Your Stuff Back
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Interactive QSR Solutions
Zebra Media Supplies
We all know that retail went through dramatic and unexpected change in the last couple years. Concepts like BOPIS, curbside pickup, delivery, omnichannel, and more leapt to the forefront to keep businesses afloat and push the industry into the future that consumers wanted all along. We’ve talked a lot about the software angle to make these innovations happen, but what about the hardware? BlueFletch’s Brett Cooper joins us to explain why enterprise mobile devices are the only way to go to enable these trends. Why not consumer devices? How do we emphasize the “rugged” aspect of purpose-built devices? Why is Android the preferred OS? It’s the episode where John spends his time texting with T9 under the table.
VARValue – How do the latest rugged devices help VARs partner with leading software providers?
BlueFletch Blog Post
TEConnecting with us:
Brett - Apple Macbooks w/M1 chip
Dean - Legend of Zelda sells for $870K
John - Botrista Robotic beverage maker
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra EC50/EC55
James Korte, BlueStar’s Digital Marketing Manager, returns for part 2 of his deep dive into B2B marketing and selling based on the book The Challenger Customer. Last time we helped you understand how B2B buying groups work. This time, we’re going to tackle how to find and create demand for your products, solutions or services. It’s not as simple as having brand recognition, the biggest selection or the best pricing. How do we find the true pain points of customers? What is the Mental Model and how do we convince customers that their status quo needs to change? What is Spark/Interest/Confront?
VARValue - What are some key takeaways and a practical example from this discussion?
Revisit part 1 of our discussion
TEConnecting with us:
James - Alyce marketing "gift" platform
Dean - Pavement "sunscreen"
John - Are aliens tuning in during their Earth Transit Zone?
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Touch Computer
Zebra Fixed RFID Readers
We’re midway through the second year of unexpected challenges and innovation for retail and hospitality. Even as restrictions are lifted and some normalcy returns, customer expectations for where and how they purchase have changed forever. This week, Star Micronics’ Partner Development Manager (and fellow podcaster!) Brianna Moriarty joins us to dive into five POS trends to expect for the rest of the year. Is online ordering going to slow down? Are consumers still concerned about health & safety? What are end users expecting when adopting and integrating new technology? Finally, what’s next for self-service kiosks?
VARValue - What should resellers be talking about with their POS customers to capitalize on these trends?
Referenced Article: https://www.starmicronics.com/blog/pos-trends/
Check out Brianna's Rising Stars Podcast
TEConnecting with us:
Brianna - BOPIS
Dean - CRISPR Gene Editing
John - Solar & wind power are cheaper than coal
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics' Antimicrobial covers
Dean & John are back to breaking down some interesting items happening in the news and the worlds of tech, science and business.
- What’s affecting some birds in the Midwest and Southern US?
- The SolarWinds hackers are at it again!
- What trends are reshaping work in 2021?
- Why is Google delaying privacy updates to Chrome?
- What is polywork?
- Finally, we’ll explore how one person can literally wreck a major sporting event for a photo op.
VARValue - What can VARs take away from some of these stories?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - The UFO Report and Hubble Telescope in "safe mode"
John - The Ford F-150 Lightning
What stories would you like us to discuss?
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo POS Solutions
Zebra Healthcare Solutions
As another generation of seniors begins transitioning into long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes and other facilities, the technological infrastructure in place for the industry is in dire need of upgrades. This week, Dr. Majd Alwan, Executive Director of CAST at Leading Age, joins us to explore where we are currently and what’s going to change as our elderly population becomes increasingly tech savvy. We all know what went wrong in senior living during the pandemic, but how did technology help some things go right? How are Boomers affecting the demand for updated tech? How does Leading Age help drive the conversation, advocate for change, and provide resources to VARs and TSCs that want to help?
VARValue - Tell us about the resources that CAST offers VARs & ISVs to help them move their customers forward.
- Technology Selection Tools
- CAST Case Studies
- Strategic IT Planning Tools
- Cybersecurity Resources
TEConnecting with us:
Majd - Wearable devices, service robots & exoskeletons
Dean - PDK infinitely recyclable plastics
John - How to do laundry in space
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra Patient Identity Management
Food safety is topical for restaurants, grocers and, of course, customers. From foodborne illnesses to food allergies, hyperlocal sourcing, and FDA guidelines, there is a lot for businesses sell, prepare or deliver food to keep and mind and be vigilant about. This week, Zebra’s Ashley Barey joins us to discuss how we can utilize technology to combat some of these issues and where opportunities may lie for resellers. What does the FDA have planned that we should be talking about now? How did the pandemic impact the discussion? What are some key technologies for storage, traceability and delivery? What about food waste? It’s the episode that you should sniff to make sure it’s still fresh.
VARValue - Where do you start with positioning food safety technology? Who is the typical audience for this?
TEConnecting with us:
Ashley - Trackable pill technology
Dean - The perfect number of working hours
John - Nikola's self-driving truck that wasn't
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra Electronic Temperature Sensors
Business to business selling, like everything else, has changed dramatically over the past year and a half, but as we return to some sense of normalcy, what does that mean for the rest of 2021 and beyond? We’re diving into some trends and behavior shifts coming out of the pandemic as technology weaknesses were exposed. How much are budgets being cut? What’s the new balance between customer interactions via digital channels and face-to-face? How much of a factor is user experience? What do younger generations expect as they take control of businesses? It’s the episode that knows you probably aren’t looking at us while you listen.
VARValue - Which of these trends are actionable today?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Morpheus unhackable CPU
John - Criminals busted by FBI created messaging app
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo DICOM Medical Monitors
Zebra's "What Can You See?" Campaign
It’s buying season! Well, at least it is if you are a government reseller. This week, we brought back Jeff Smith to help us prepare. We dig into the Biden administration’s Infrastructure/American Jobs Plan to figure out where there may be opportunities that impact our channel in the years to come. Then, we talk about what to expect as the federal government moves into their Q4 and SLED winds down their year. What should VARs be doing right now? What’s next on the to-do list? Finally, we ask Jeff to identify any technologies or solutions that we should be focusing on this year.
VARValue - How does BlueStar and Zebra help gov’t VARs during the buying season?
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - IT modernization
Dean - Space junk
John - Amazon Sidewalk
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra ZD Series Printers (https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/manufacturers/manufacturer-microsites/zebra/zd421zd621.html)
Is it time for RFID to take over? Is it time to get rid of barcodes? The answer to both questions is probably “no” because there is a place and a reason for BOTH technologies to coexist. This week, CDO Technologies’ Todd Muckerheide & Quantiv Group’s Mark Wyatt are here to explain the wild world of AIT and why it’s okay to admit that RFID isn’t for everybody. Where should we look at one application over the other? How do barcodes & RFID help automate processes? What are other benefits of RFID beyond asset and inventory tracking? Tune in to learn how to help your customers do more with less!
VARValue - What tips, advice or best practices do you have for working in the channel?
What's TEConnecting with us?
Mark - Zoomable user interfaces
Todd - Mars Ingenuity helicopter
Dean - Baidu driverless taxis - https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/baidu-rolls-paid-driverless-taxi-service-beijing-77449116
John - Bitcoin farm "bust" - https://gizmodo.com/british-cops-thought-they-were-raiding-a-weed-farm-but-1846991137
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Access: https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/manufacturers/manufacturer-microsites/elo/open-safely-with-elo-self-service.html
Zebra RFID Portfolio: https://response.bluestarinc.com/become-a-zebra-rfid-reseller-at-bluestar/
We decided to shake things up a bit this week. Rather than dive into one topic, Dean & John are riffing on several topics in the news and discussions happening online. Is anyone (but especially kids) truly equipped to handle social media? Is a “great resignation” coming as businesses reopen? Does big tech deserve to be regulated? Is it okay to be funny at work? Is cryptocurrency basically a prank the rich are playing on the rest of us? Finally, are you living in a “lazy” state and what does that even mean? We want to hear from YOU! Give us your thoughts on these topics and send us any stories you’d like to hear us discuss in future TEC Bytes episodes.
TEConnecting with us!
Dean - Mammals can breathe through their butts (in an emergency)
John - RIP Internet Explorer
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra Electronic Temperature Sensors
“What do you need for this project?” That can feel like a loaded question to ask a customer if you’re worried they’ll respond with something you can’t do, but when you have service partners in your corner, you can ask it with confidence. This week, BlueStar’s Service Program Manager, Alex Bowles, joins us to explain how these partnerships can help you with unusual requests, time consuming projects, or offerings that simply aren’t in your comfort zone. Custom labeling, special packaging, pre-configuration, site-surveys, networking, installation, key injection…all managed by pros who give you the credit. Oh, and did we mention BlueStar Services can do all of those and then some? We’re kinda cool that way. It’s the episode that has a hard time saying no to anything!
VARValue – What should VARs be discussing with their customers to highlight service offerings?
Check out BlueStar's Service offerings at https://www.bluestarinc.com/us-en/value-adds/bluestar-services.html or call your BlueStar rep and tell them what you need!
TEConnecting with us:
Alex – Reddit, Robin Hood, Twitter, Cryptocurrency Dean – Perseverance Extracts Oxygen from Mars John – Spiking nuclear reactions at Chernobyl (also highly recommend the Chernobyl miniseries on HBO)
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code CR2700 Barcode Scanners w/FIPS Validation
Elo In-a-Box Solutions
Zebra Mobility DNA eBook
It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate, we thought we’d talk about the most popular mobile OS in the world…Android! You might have noticed that Android is becoming an exciting platform for both consumers and enterprise. Elo’s Neeraj Pendse joins us to discuss why and the benefits that can be gained across multiple verticals. What makes it suitable for fixed devices like kiosks and POS? How did Android enable some of the changes that occurred over the past year? Are any industries still resistant? What’s Android’s reputation for reliability and security? Finally, we’ll dig into some opportunities in the market. It’s the episode where two Apple snobs and a self-professed “product guy” acknowledge that Android has a LOT of flexibility for our channel.
VARValue – How does Android enable the next tech trends and innovations? What kind of opportunities are you seeing?
What's TEConnecting with us?
Neeraj - Artificial intelligence
Dean - Brazil rejects Russian Sputnik vaccine
John - Are foldable phones really necessary?
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
Security is vital to most enterprises, both to maintain their own IP and data, but also in protecting sensitive information for their customers. With high-profile hacks, ransomware, malware and security breaches dominating headlines, businesses simply can't afford the risk or cost of even a single event. This week, we're joined by Honeywell's Stan Zywicki to discuss what this means for VARs and how to make security an important part of your own strategy. What do you miss out on by not discussing security? Who ultimately is responsible? What are some important questions you should be asking and why? Change your password and secure your devices, you won't want to ignore this one.
VARValue - If anyone is still hesitant to get into security, what are one or two simple things they can do to get started?
What's TEConnecting with Us?
Stan - WiFi 6
Dean - Direct energy attacks
John - Apple's new app-tracking approval feature
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored By:
Honeywell's Xenon XP w/FIPS
Whether your business is already growing or looking to it’s important to make that growth sustainable so that you can hold on to your base, add new customers and maybe try out some new ideas without forgetting what made you successful in the first place. This week, we’re offering up six tips to do just that. What’s your core competency? How much do you know about what’s happening in the channel? How are you using data? Do you have a reliable base of recurring revenue? Are your “steady Eddie” customers happy?
VARValue – What services does BlueStar offer to support sustainable growth?
Sign up for the TEConnect Today newsletter at https://teconnectportal.bluestarinc.com
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Netflix's "Play Something" button
John - Disaster Girl meme sold as NFT
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code CR7000 iPhone cases
Elo Medical-Grade Monitors
Zebra PartnerConnect Program
We preach automation every day in the channel—to improve workflows, enhance customer experience and eliminate inefficiencies—but do we practice that same philosophy in our own business? This week, we unpack the gains of internal business automation. We’ll discuss tools like professional services automation, chatbots, automated marketing, and more. How does automation improve profitability? Where can you remove redundancies? How can your web presence do some work for you? Where are you missing out on repeat business? It’s the episode that demands you fix your website and work smarter, not harder!
VARValue – Where would you recommend VARs look first to automate their business? Is there any downside to automating?
Check out the first issue of TEConnect Today!
Subscribe to get each new issue at teconnectportal.bluestarinc.com
What's TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Tech internships (and their ridiculous salaries)
John - Ted Lasso on Apple TV+
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code CortexDecoder
Zebra ZD Series printers
Elo POS Solutions
We spend every day talking, selling, marketing and using technology, but how often do we stop to consider the relationship between it and our daily lives? This week, MicroTouch’s Gene Halsey, a pioneer in the realm of touch technology, joins the pod to explore how our gadgets and innovations change the world we live in and what we can accomplish every day. When does the pursuit of "new" actually fail to meet real needs? Where did Gene see use cases before anyone else did? What is our obligation to make sure the digital divide doesn’t get wider and leave anyone behind? Finally, Gene helps us look at what’s next in touch (and touchless) tech. Get out your favorite flip-phone, send us a T9 text, and put on your 3D TV glasses!
VARValue – How does understanding the relationship between tech and society add value to solution selling?
TEConnecting with us:
Gene - Autonomous vehicles and their ethical/moral dilemmas
Dean - Nano Diamond Batteries
John - Vaccines!
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code - FIPS Validated Solutions
Zebra - CS60 Healthcare Companion Scanners
The one and only James Korte is back and he did the homework for us! He’s been reading a book called The Challenger Customer, which explores the complexities of selling and marketing to buying groups rather than individuals. We’ll explore how these groups are formed, why they present challenges, and where breakdowns occur. Who/what are you actually competing with? What are the common roles in a buying group? How do you get into the process earlier and champion change with your customers?
VARValue – What are some key takeaways to consider when tackling buying groups?
What's TEConnecting with us:
James - Oribi
Dean - 3D-printed housing community
John - NOT TEconnecting - The Fox/Bally Regional Sports Networks debacle
Talk to Us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo In-a-Box Solutions
Code CR7000 series
Zebra TC21/TC26 Healthcare mobile computers
Digital transformation is a broad term and it can mean different things to different people in a variety of industries. Machine vision. AI. IoT. Cloud computing. All of those buzzy, “future of tech” innovations sound great but how much of it is actually in practical application? We’re joined by Code’s Brian Lampright, Sr. Product Manager of Software, to explore not just what is happening with these big ideas, but how to explain, sell and speak confidently about them. How did the pandemic change those conversations? Where do you start “pitching” these ideas to customers that know they are the future but aren’t sure where to start? Plus, we’ll explore some real world applications where digital transformation has truly made a difference and how to ask the right kind of questions.
VARValue – How does digital transformation make it easier to sell purpose-built enterprise devices?
TEConnecting with us:
Brian – Microsoft Flight Simulator
Dean – Hackers clone Google's 2FA Titan keys
John – Apple’s connected ecosystem
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Code's CortexDecoder scanning software
Supply chain came under a lot of scrutiny around this time last year as stay-at-home orders swept the world and people found themselves in need of more supplies, food and fundamentals than we typically keep on hand. It’s easy to assume that all the cool new tech we know is available for warehouses would make it easy to pivot to meet higher demand, but what you may not know is that there is a lot of hesitancy to adopt it. This week, we’re joined by StayLinked CTO Justin Griffith to get to the bottom of this. What’s preventing new tech adoption? How have legacy systems become so entrenched? Where do we start the conversation to move forward? And how does this affect hardware sales? It’s the episode that begs you not to take away our spreadsheets and green screens.
VARValue – If you were to advise a VAR that has customers still using legacy systems, where would you recommend they start the conversation to upgrade?
TEConnecting with us:
Justin - 3D printing and massless batteries
Dean - Joby Aviation "flying cars"
John - Scientists Announce a Physical Warp Drive Is Now Possible. Seriously.
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra RFID portfolio
Elo M50 Mobile Computer
It’s another topic from the new #TEConnect Today newsletter! Recurring revenue is an increasingly popular concept in the reseller channel and while it might normally be something we associate with companies deploying Software as a Service, there’s no reason it can’t be applied to hardware, services and full solutions. We’ll get into the benefits to your business, your financials, your customers and your employees. What are some other paths to recurring revenue? Finally, we’ll tell you a bit about how BlueStar can make it easier to offer this model to your customers and still meet your own goals. #Stickiness
VARValue – What is BlueStar’s HybridSaaS program?
Subscribe to TEConnect Today!
What's TEConnecting with us?
Dean - Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
John - Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Access
Zebra Patient Identity Solutions
It has now been just over a year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and the world changed in ways we could have never predicted. While we reflect on what we’ve lost and missed out on over the last year, it’s also important to think about what we’ve gained in innovations and technology. Healthcare, of course, had the most to learn, adapt and struggle with so we brought in Mike DeLibero from Agilant to find out what he experienced with those customers. Where were the biggest challenges? What technology suddenly leapt from “interested” to “must have”? We’re talking telehealth, purpose-built devices, contactless solutions and much more.
VARValue - What are some tips, advice or best practices you have for VARs working in the channel and healthcare in particular?
TEConnecting with us
Mike - Patient experience software
Dean - Data trusts
John - Kinect touchless elevator
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
BlueStar - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Access
Zebra Patient Identity Management
As a sneak preview of BlueStar’s new TEConnect Today newsletter, Dean & John dive into one of the articles featured in the first issue: “The Good VAR Channel Partner Checklist.” We have five tips for what to expect from a good channel partner, doubling as a primer for how to be such a partner as well. What questions should you ask internally before you start “courting”? What should you ask prospective partners? How much should you expect to know about a company’s customer base, their culture, and their financials? Don’t lower your expectations to find the right partner(s)!
VARValue – How should VARs self-evaluate to make sure THEY are a good channel partner?
Sign Up for the TEConnect Today Newsletter!!
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Deep Nostalgia
John - Cradlewise smart crib
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
You might have noticed that we have a new President and new administration in the U.S. That means new priorities, new policies and new people to work with for resellers that operate in the public sector. It’s a complex time with a lot of nuance to navigate and there’s no time to waste! To provide some tips and tricks, we’ve brought in Jeff Smith, a consultant who frequently works with Zebra and is super savvy about government selling. What are VARs thinking about as the Biden administration takes over? What is the Technology Modernization Fund? What are the differences between cybersecurity & cloud security? Finally, how does Jeff recommend VARs approach state & local partners?
VARValue – What should government VARs be doing right now to get a leg up and create a path to success this year?
Resources:
Federal Cloud Computing Strategy
TMF info
Top 10 State CIO Priorities
TEConnecting with us:
Jeff - AI defense technologies
Dean - Organic slime
John - Amazon Zoox robotaxi
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra's "What Can You See?" Campaign
A year into the pandemic, all businesses and communities have felt some impact, but perhaps the most troubling has been to our elderly population, particularly those living in senior/assisted living and long-term care facilities. Not only in the number of COVID deaths and outbreaks, but in the isolation and disconnection that residents are feeling as restricted or no visitations separate them from loved ones on the outside. This week, we are joined by AccuShield’s COO, Lever Stewart, to discuss how technology is not only helping keep our seniors safe from illness, but also from other vulnerabilities that were present in these settings long before the virus. How did their business change? Are temperature screenings still useful? What technology is vital to this industry post-COVID, for both residents and their loved ones?
Learn more about AccuShield
TEConnecting with us:
Lever - Fall prevention technology, interactive TVs for seniors
Dean - Roblox
John - Anti-laser charging
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Touch Solutions for Healthcare
Zebra TC21/26 Healthcare Mobile Computers
It’s been a while since we could gather en masse at concerts, sporting events or other entertainment. We know these industries were impacted in massive ways by the pandemic and while some have been able to reopen in limited ways, there’s still a long road ahead and some changes will be permanent. This week, we’re joined by Shannon Moyes from Volante Systems, experts in point-of-sale software. She has some excellent insight into how technology can help hospitality re-open, stay open, and be on the cutting edge of new innovations. How important is it to understand your customer’s point of view? What is “digital labor?” Do you know if your food came from a storefront or a ghost kitchen? What about corporate/educational/hospital dining…how have those businesses survived closures? We’re ready to pack our bags and break out a giant foam finger!
VARValue - How does Volante work in the reseller channel and what is their business model?
Learn more about Volante Systems
TEConnecting with us:
Shannon - Apple Watch and health analytics
Dean - "Lego" cars - eBussy
John - Declassified UFO archives
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Zebra CS60 Series Scanners
Over the past year, we’ve talked a lot about what we touch and, more importantly, who else has touched it. Transmission of microbes, infections and viruses is a real concern, but the technology to combat it isn’t entirely new. This week, we’re joined by Robyn Ewers from Seal Shield, a company that specializes in infection control technology, and BlueStar’s Matt Jordan. What’s the difference between cleaning & disinfecting? Healthcare has always paid attention to infection prevention, but what are other industries learning? Are personal devices part of the problem? You’ll never look at your keyboard the same way after this one!
VARValue - How should VARs talk to customers that may think they already have infection control figured out?
Learn more about Seal Shield
Fierce Healthcare article: "One year of COVID-19: Providence infectious disease expert shares lessons learned from the front lines"
TEConnecting with us:
Robyn - Skygazer app
Matt - Vertical market adaptation to COVID
Dean - "10 Facts About Viruses" (Seal Shield website)
John - “Researchers Develop Framework To Identify Health Impacts Of Self-Driving Vehicles” – Texas A&M Today
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra Healthcare Solutions
Elo DICOM Medical Monitors
Facial recognition technology pops up routinely in the news, often in alarming stories about the dangers, privacy issues, and who should or should not have access to the technology and the data it captures. However, the technology also has a lot of useful benefits for security and intelligent access, far beyond other biometrics and standard passwords. We’re joined by Richard Carriere of CyberLink, creators of FaceMe, to discuss how the technology works and some use cases you might not know. We also dive into some of those concerns, negative press, and how important it is to work with the right company to address those. It’s the episode where John gives everyone a tip to impress your Valentine!
VARValue – How does CyberLink work in the reseller channel? What is their business model?
Learn more about FaceMe
TEConnecting with us:
Richard - Ember mug
Dean - Game Stop stock debacle
John - Recipe box services (Blue Apron & Hello Fresh)
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo's 3203L Interactive Display
Zebra RFID Portfolio
It’s a new year and, if we recall our days in sales correctly, salespeople are planning out their account strategies for the year. We’re here to help by bringing in Luke Wilwerding, Elo’s Sr. Director of NA Field Sales. Luke is a big believer in “people buy from people” as the starting principle in learning how to dig deeper into your accounts. We’ll discuss how being personable, asking questions and addressing simple needs can turn into major partnerships. What does Luke see that works and doesn’t when he’s in the field? How do strategies change from established accounts to new ones? What tips do we have for 2021 as we continue selling from a distance?
VARValue – How does working with a vendor like Elo (and a distributor like BlueStar) help you win and dig deeper?
TEConnecting with us:
Luke - Robotics at CES 2021
Dean - In-home robots
John - 60 Songs That Explain the '90s Podcast
Sponsored by:
Elo's M50 Mobile Computer
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Happy New Year! After a much-needed break, John & Dean are back with a new season of the pod! Before we get to all of the great guests and content you're used to, we wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the new topics we're planning to tackle, the kind of guests we'll be adding to the mix and a brief overview of BlueStar's TEConnect program. We also discuss some of the cool gadgets we received for the holidays and have a brief follow up discussion on "The Mandalorian" and all the new Star Wars content that's been announced.
Learn more about the TEConnect program at https://www.teconnect.com/
Tell us what YOU want to hear on the show:
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
The strangest year most of us have ever known (and hopefully ever will) is coming to a close and of course we have to recap it, riff on it and put it to bed before turning the page to 2021. What went wrong (duh...)? What went right? We'll reflect on the podcast, our channel, what we've learned, and look forward to the year to come, making some predictions and not-really-resolutions. To wrap things up, we'll also geek out about some of our favorite things this year that helped us pass the time and bring some silver linings to one massive cloud.
A HUGE thank you to our sponsors, listeners, guests and all of the amazing people who made our first year possible. We will be back in the new year with more content, great guests and our usual level of tech nerdiness. Stay connected!
Our Favorite 2020 Things and Recommendations:
Dean - Hamilton, The Haunting of Hill House, biking
John - The Mandalorian, Lovecraft Country, His Dark Materials, The Queen's Gambit, Onward, Fiona Apple's "Fetch the Bolt Cutters", The Greatest Discovery podcast
Sponsored by:
Elo Edge Connect
Honeywell CT40XP
Zebra Healthcare Solutions
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
The nerds speak!
In a year of great distress and unprecedented weirdness,
Dean, Marko & John were tasked with starting a podcast for BlueStar,
because we still need to provide all our awesome, geeky customers with information!
After months of interviewing amazing guests from the reseller channel,
we decided to spend some time talking about something completely different—
Star Wars!
Why? Because we know our customers
are just as interested in the Star Wars canon as we are…
and, we all need a break from reality, right?
How and when did they become fans?
John ranks the movies (with some controversy)
What makes Star Wars so fun and timeless?
Who are our favorite characters?
Don’t check your midichlorian levels,
this is the podcast you’re looking for.
Our Favorite Star Wars Tech:
Marko - Hacksmith Industries' Plasma Proto-Lightsaber Build and Test
Dean - Holograms
John - The Millennium Falcon
Sponsored by:
Elo Access Control Solutions
Honeywell CT40-HC Mobile Computer for Healthcare
Zebra ISV eBook
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
The first of our fun episodes to wrap up the year! Technology in popular culture has always been cyclical in how it’s influenced by what’s happening in the world and, in turn, influences and inspires us. In this episode, we examine that relationship and highlight some of the cultural milestones in film and television that introduced concepts that came true, as well as how popular technology impacts our entire way of life. How much did Star Trek get right about future tech? What tech is unlikely to ever happen or is so far off, it’s still science fiction? What are some of our favorite TV shows or movies for cool tech? It’s the episode where we get our geek on, with some special returning guests!
Our Favorite Pop Culture Tech:
Mike Stachura: SpaceX Earth to Earth rocket travel
Sam Kalany: Back to the Future II & WALL-E
James Korte: Election night touch screens
Mark Ryan: Plugging into the Matrix
Dean: Sampling in music (John references Andrew Bird one-man orchestra)
John: Holodeck
Terry Miller: Men in Black Neuralyzer & Star Trek Transporters
Sponsored by:
Elo Touch Solutions for Healthcare
Zebra Scan Selector Tool
Honeywell RT10 Tablet
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Printers are a vital component of many workplaces, from retail and hospitality to warehousing, manufacturing & healthcare, but these devices are more than just boxes for spitting out labels and receipts. They are increasingly connected to organizational infrastructure and systems and there are a multitude of options for printer media. We're joined this week by Zebra's Leo Lowy & Christine Weber to discuss. How can printers be a network security risk and how can you prevent it? What types of media are available and how does one decide what they need? Hint, we were imPRESSed by the acronym for making those decisions.
VARValue – What should VARs be talking to their customers about regarding printer security and supplies?
TEConnecting with us:
Leo - 5G
Christine - Temptime
Dean - Dry ice storage and shortages
John - RIP Alex Trebek
Sponsored by:
Zebra's "Printer Media & Consumables" eBook
Zebra's "What Can You See?" campaign
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Manufacturers and resellers are inevitably intertwined. One really can’t exist without the other, but understanding how to collaborate and communicate can make the difference between a successful relationship and just a company who makes stuff and a company who might sell that stuff. This week, we’re joined by Epson Channel Manager Brett Van Riper to talk about what makes a meaningful relationship in this channel. What are the best “behaviors” that inspire vendors to work with resellers and vice-versa? What pain points can complicate things? How has Epson built their partner network and what have they learned?
VARValue – What is a VAR’s responsibility in keeping a vendor partnership strong?
TEConnecting with us:
Brett - Cloud applications
Dean - “'Dark by 2050': U.S. Faces Steep Challenges in Electrical Workforce Gap"
John – Sleep Number bed
Sponsored by:
Epson OmniLink TM-m30II-NT thermal receipt printer
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Are you still saying “when things go back to normal”? If so, Dean and John are here to tell you that you’re living a lie! Okay, we’re not that harsh about it, but we do think it’s important to stop planning for or expecting a return to the way life and business was conducted before 2020. What are the biggest changes that have impacted the reseller channel? What is the continued impact into 2021 and beyond? What industries are in danger of never recovering? It's the episode where Dean calls John a germaphobe and John talks about zoos.
VARValue - What are some key things VARs should be considering/doing NOW to prepare for what’s next?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Sonos speakers
John - OSIRIS Rex collecting samples from Asteroid Bennu
Sponsored by:
Elo's Huddle Kit
Honeywell Granit XP scanner
Zebra's RFID Portfolio
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Contactless has become quite the buzzword this year, but contactless payments are not new. This week, we’re joined by two VPs from the world of payments, PAX Technology’s Heather Hatch & EVO Payments’ PJ Tierney. They help us understand the technology and why this movement isn’t as much of a headache as the switch to EMV was. What makes a payment contactless? Why was the US so far behind before the pandemic? What are the hardware needs? How are software partners adapting and how does BlueStar help? It’s another episode where John complains about having any contact with other humans.
VARValue – What should VARs do to help retailers get over the contactless hurdle?
TEConnecting with us:
PJ - Niche vertical startups
Heather - Innovation in a pandemic
Dean - Walmart COVID test kit drone delivery
John - Raised by Wolves on HBO Max
Sponsored by:
EloPOS Pack
Honeywell Smart Talk
Zebra EC30 Mobile Computer
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
If it seems like we've been spending a lot of time on digital signage, it's for good reason. When was the last time a paper sign taped in a window or on a counter really caught your attention? Would you want important safety info or a great deal relayed on a handwritten board in a corner somewhere or on a dynamic, eye-catching display? This episode, we're joined by Kristin Roubie, Elo's Sr. Channel Manager for Interactive Solutions, to dive one last time (at least this year) into the wide world of digital signage. How has it helped businesses during COVID? How is it impacting smart cities, education and healthcare? Are touchscreens a liability now? Finally, what kind of cool tech could be used with displays in the future?
VARValue - Why should VARs add digital signage to their portfolio?
TEConnecting with Us:
Kristin - The new Motorola Razr and the Roomba
Dean - Redefining the sales role post-COVID
John - MetaBall Studios sci-fi starship size comparisons video
Sponsored by:
Elo 6553L Interactive Signage
Talk to Us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
You’ve probably been ordering more items from the comfort of home. As in-store operations shut down and in-person shopping became alarming during a pandemic, ship-to-home increased dramatically and is here to stay. The national, well-known shippers were used to primarily delivering to businesses, so distribution centers must now rely on local delivery networks and drivers to get packages that “last mile” to you. Terry Miller, VP of Sales for ShipTrack, joins us to discuss the importance of visibility, the hardware and services to enable last mile delivery, and how shippers are striving to build the workforce necessary to meet demand.
VARValue - What can VARs gain by working with software companies like ShipTrack?
TEConnecting with us:
Terry - Zebra heads-up display wearable computers
Dean - 3D printed chicken nuggets
John - Apple TV Remote app
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby
Honeywell Operational Intelligence
Zebra PrintSecure
Way back in episode 16 we did a 101 course on Digital Signage (DS) to help you understand what you needed from a hardware, software and components perspective. This week, we’re digging deeper with two of Samsung’s Technical Account Managers, Philip Merced & John McAndrews. What different skills will VARs need to sell and implement DS solutions? What are the content options and how does it inform display needs? How does DS integrate with existing systems and how has it been deployed during the pandemic?
VARValue - Why should VARs sell digital signage?
TEConnecting with us:
John McAndrews - The evolution of SSD
Philip - Micro LED like Samsung's The Wall
Dean - Digital networking and TEConnect Live
John - Air Force robot dogs
Sponsored by:
Samsung's BHT 55" Pro TV Terrace Edition
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
By now, we all know about “the cloud”—that place where data can be stored and accessed without needing a physical space in our homes or on our devices. For businesses like hospitality, retail, healthcare, food service and more, cloud-based software can improve the flow of data, rapidly manage inventory and supply chain, and even impact customer experience. This week, we chat with Jon Levin, Star Micronics’ Director of Product Management, to learn more about how cloud computing works, the advantages it provides and some possible future uses.
VARValue - How do VARs benefit from selling cloud-based software?
TEConnecting with us:
Jon - Augmented reality
Dean - MartyrMade podcast
John - "Your paper notebook could become your next tablet" - Purdue Research article
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Many of our topics focus on technology that’s pretty visible to us as consumers or users, but there is a lot of innovation happening in places we don’t typically see. This week, we bring in Michael Noyes, Honeywell’s VP & GM of Productivity Products, to discuss Smart Manufacturing and Industrial IoT. What is a smart factory? How does IIoT differ from the IoT we usually discuss? How is this technology integrating with existing systems? How is smart manufacturing helping companies stay open and productive in a pandemic? The robots are not really replacing us, but they are making our jobs and processes more productive.
VARValue – What resources & emerging technologies should VARs be leveraging to help manufacturers get “smart”?
TEConnecting with us:
Mike - Digital twins & modeling for piloting and large assets
John - Digital twinning & virtual factory tours
Dean - CRISPR technology and modifying the "germ line"
Sponsored by:
Honeywell PX940 Industrial Printer
Ever come across a video ad or an article on social media offering information, tips or guidance on a topic of specific interest to you? Odds are, you were on the receiving end of Content Marketing, where the goal isn’t to directly sell you something, but indirectly lead you to learning more about a product or service that can solve a problem or address a need. It’s an effective tool for generating leads or raising awareness for your brand, but it’s also a slower, long-term play than traditional advertising. BlueStar’s Digital Marketing Manager James Korte returns to discuss. What kind of content can you use? What are the goals? What makes an effective campaign and what tools do you need to get started?
VARValue – We discuss a couple successful BlueStar Appware Campaigns for end user lead generation.
Resources:
- Example eBook on Veterinary Practice Management
- Free & Inexpensive Marketing Tools presentation
Stats of Note:
- 91% of B2B marketers use Content Marketing
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays are most common for content consumption
- Q3 and Q4 have higher rates, especially in November
- 30% of content requests come from the IT sector
- Nurtured leads make 47% larger purchases
Sponsored by:
Elo Unified Android Architecture
Honeywell CK65 Mobile Computer
Zebra's Keys to RFID Success eBook
Talk to Us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Remember when “work from home” (WFH) was something we envied? Or just a special privilege from time to time if your boss was cool? For many office workers, it’s been the typical workday for months and may continue to be for months or even years to come. This week, Dean & John explore remote work. What is our current situation? Will remote workers want to come back when it’s considered safe to do so? Are we working more from home than we would in the office? What are the challenges and benefits to WFH? Finally, we discuss the privilege that allows many of us to work from home, but asking so many to do so raises new questions about access, affordability and what being an “essential” worker truly means.
VARValue – What are our tips & tricks for remote work?
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Biomimicry
John - The End of the World w/Josh Clark podcast
Sponsored by:
Elo Safe Self-Service Solutions
Zebra COVID Patient ID Solution
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
“It’s the year of RFID!” If you’ve heard that before and roll your eyes at it every time, we get it. RFID is that technology that always seems on the cusp of exploding into the mainstream and, in many ways, it has but we know that some VARs aren’t really believers yet. We brought in two RFID experts, Miles Data’s Elton Saunders (our first VAR guest) and Tagit Solution’s Sandee Mukherjee, to talk about what they’re seeing with the technology. What are the common current applications? Are there industries that should be using RFID and really aren’t? What are some unique use cases that we might not have thought about?
VARValue – What would you say to VARs who are hesitant to get into RFID applications and projects?
TEConnecting with us:
Sandee & Elton – Convergence of RFID, Blockchain & Cloud Technology
Elton - Amazon Go store technology
Dean – Elon Musk’s Neuralink
John – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (streaming on Netflix)
Sponsored by:
Zebra RFID Portfolio
Elo Edge Connect
Talk to us!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
We’re willing to bet you know when you have a good or bad manager, but if YOU are in management, are you sure what your employees would say? In this episode, Dean & John, both with management experience of their own, discuss what makes good and bad managers. What are some of the popular management techniques and styles? What does management look like right now, with employees working from home and potentially under more stress and uncertainty than ever? Are management and leadership two different things? They say people don’t leave podcasts, but they leave bad podcast hosts. We hope you aren’t going anywhere!
VARValue – What are some additional tips, tricks and recommendations we can offer to managers?
References:
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
The Top 7 Management Styles - Workzone.com
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - AI Deep Learning
John - "AI-Based Method Predicts Smell of Chemicals" - UC Riverside
Sponsors:
Elo Touch Solutions for Healthcare
Zebra Healthcare Scanner Instant Rebate & Red Cross Contribution
Talk to Us!!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Hello class, welcome to Digital Signage 101, a subject that is a bit taboo to some resellers and we want to dispel the myths around it. Our guest lecturers are LG’s Mike Stachura and BlueStar’s Patrick Troutt. Professor Stachura is going to talk about the top industries using digital signage and some you might not expect, choosing the right software & content, and why commercial units are much better than consumer for all day/every day usage. Professor Troutt is an expert in the critical components and how VARs can partner with BlueStar to find the right people to create the right solutions. By the end of this class, you’ll get an “A” if you get out there and sell some digital signage!
VARValue - Why should VARs not currently selling Digital Signage get into the technology?
TEConnecting with us:
Mike - Near-field communications (NFC)
Patrick - Restaurant apps/rewards & TTM Manager
Dean - UFOs are real!
John - RIP Grant Imahara
Sponsored by:
LG's Health Protocol Solutions
Talk to us!
Twitter - @TEConnectPod
Email - TEConnect@BlueStarinc.com
Distribution has been a big, growing business for some time now, but probably never more so than when a pandemic forced millions to stay home and rely on ship-to-home, curbside pickup and other methods to get the products they need quickly and safely. We all know that these demands (and some panic buying) put a strain on our supply chain and exposed some weaknesses in processes and the ability to keep employees within warehouses and distribution centers safe and healthy. This week, we’re joined by Savant’s Chris Jackson and BlueStar’s Kevin Thomas to discuss the technology that’s moving distribution into the future. Where are robots, RFID, AI and wearables fitting in? What is the current and future impact of COVID-19? What have we learned and how can we secure the supply chain against future crises?
VARValue – Why should VARs partner with a WMS provider to tackle distribution and supply chain issues?
TEConnecting with Us:
Chris - Life After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy
Kevin - Mobile Hotspots
Dean - Companies Start to Think Remote Work Isn't So Great After All - WSJ
John - Face ID on the iPhone 11
Sponsored by:
Zebra's eBook: 5 Surefire Ways VARs Can Help Warehouses & DCs Future-Proof Their Mobile Enterprise
Talk to us:
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
Do you trust two marketers moonlighting as podcasters to teach you the dos and don’ts of sales presentations? You should, because Dean & John have plenty of experience both as the sellers and the customer. We took some time away from technology to discuss what makes an effective presentation. What are the clichés of sales? What works and doesn’t work when presenting or pitching? What should you do before, during and after a presentation? Finally, what is the TUFA method? Come for the tips and stick around for a passionate discussion on the special effects between the original Star Wars trilogy and the prequels.
VARValue – How can a better presentation help SMB VARs take on the big guys?
TEConnecting with Us:
Dean – CGI vs. Practical Effects
John – MIT’s UV-C Autonomous Disinfecting Robot
Resources & References:
IMPAX Corporation
Sponsored by:
Elo Huddle Kit
Not long ago, working with the cannabis industry was treated with kid gloves, hushed tones and met with resistance as a viable place to do business. Now, as legalization steadily moves across the US and around the world, it’s turned into an industry ripe for growth and opportunity. We have quite the roundtable for this episode: Dave Albert from Retail Control Systems, BlueStar’s Duane Roebuck and returning guest James Korte, each with valuable and unique experience into how this industry works compared to traditional retailers, manufacturers or distributors. How does the perception of the industry differ from the reality? How has COVID-19 impacted them? What technology is taking off? What are the challenges for resellers looking to break in and how do we market to people that may not be as easily reached as other industries?
VARValue – How does BlueStar assist VARs with entering the cannabis space?
TEConnecting with our guests:
James - Camp Chef Pellet Grill
Duane - Sonos Wireless Sound System
Dave - Sonos and biking
Cannabis Industry Resources:
BlueStar's Seed-to-Sale Tech Guide
MJ Biz Daily
Ganjapreneur
BlueStar's HybridSaaS
Talk to Us:
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: TEConnect@bluestarinc.com
It’s no secret that online and mobile ordering has become a huge part of the retail and restaurant landscape this year. The ability to shift operations to an online platform for delivery, takeout or curbside pickup is what may have saved thousands of businesses from closing forever. This week, we spoke with Epson’s ISV BDM, Josh Stanphill, about his experience with the demand changes. What makes a “good” software for this new normal? How should VARs be approaching this and pitching the benefits in the moment and beyond? What’s a “phantom/cloud kitchen”?
VARValue – How can VARs help educate and inform their customers on how to select the right online/mobile ordering platform?
TEConnecting with Us:
Josh – SteelSeries gaming keyboards
Dean - SongShift
John – JustWatch
Sponsored by:
Epson OmniLink Printers
Access to mobile, flexible and powerful technology for day-to-day work in healthcare is more important than ever, but with a variety of choices in consumer-grade and purpose-built devices, the market can get a little cloudy for providers. To help us sort it out, we spoke with Honeywell’s Healthcare Marketing Manager, Phoebe Cresswell. She discusses a Honeywell/HIMSS co-study on how healthcare organizations are selecting mobility solutions. What are the driving factors? How is patient experience impacted? What are the most important differences in choosing an enterprise device over, say, an iPhone? What keeps hospital IT directors up at night?
VARValue - How do VARs help educate healthcare organizations on the benefits of enterprise devices?
TEConnecting with Us:
Phoebe: AI in Healthcare
Dean: Vaccine production
John: Jelle's Marble Runs
Sponsored by:
Honeywell's Drive-Thru Testing Solutions
For our 10th episode, Dean & John decided to riff about a topic that nearly all businesses deal with…multiple generations working together. How do you define a generation? What are the stereotypes? Is the Boomer vs. Millennial clash real? Do younger generations feel more stress? Don’t we all kind of want the same things? It’s the episode where two Gen Xers probably sound older than they planned to!
VARValue - What should VARs do to make their business more welcoming to all generations?
What did NOT TEConnect with us?
Dean - Snapchat
John - Facebook
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Self-Service
Honeywell QSR Drive-Thru Solutions
Zebra Ruggedized Devices eBook
Retail technology has come a long way in just a couple decades. Green screens gave way to Windows, Android, Linux, cloud-based, mobile and now we’re looking at retail as a multi-channel experience for consumers to shop wherever and however they want. This week, we’re joined by Sonal Apte, who has a wonderful depth of knowledge on these topics and more. Where does the Windows vs. Android debate currently rest? What is Unified Commerce? What innovations are on the horizon? It's the episode where John tries to whistle badly and we once again reference "Minority Report" but are not getting paid to do so!
VARValue - How do VARs position themselves for the future of retail technology?
TEConnecting with Us:
Sonal: Avi Schiffman's Coronavirus Tracking Site (Business Insider article)
Dean: Real-Time Inventory
John: Wind of Change podcast (Original Scorpions song)
Sponsored by:
EloPOS Retail System
Terms like artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics get thrown around in many industries and may still feel like high-level futuristic concepts, but they are not and they are actively improving outcomes, especially in healthcare. Matt Jordan returns to the podcast with special guest Chris Sullivan, Zebra's Global Healthcare Practice Lead, to dive into how these concepts are making a difference right now. Where is AI currently in use and how did the pandemic accelerate that? What is machine learning? Is predictive analytics as simple as putting data you already have to work?
We had some technical difficulties just before shifting to our recurring segments so the audio for Chris & Matt changes a bit at that point.
VARValue - How do VARs fit into the process of implementing these high level initiatives in healthcare?
TEConnecting with Us:
Matt - VR in Medicine
Chris - Bluetooth Portable Stereo & Zebra MotionWorks Proximity
Dean - SpaceX' Dragon Capsule
John - SNES Classic
Sponsored by:
Zebra's Refresh Program
Unattended kiosks were already growing as benefits like line-busting, auto-upselling and reallocation of resources caught on. As the need for fewer points of face-to-face contact increased in recent months, they took on a new safety role as well. This week, we talk with Augusto Echecopar, Star Micronics’ Channel Partner Executive and Kiosk Champion (such a cool title)! Will the new norm of kiosks continue on post-pandemic? Where does the barrier-to-entry sit for resellers? How is AI transforming the retail kiosk landscape? How does the 2002 Spielberg film “Minority Report” fit into this conversation?
This episode was one of our earliest recorded (late April). John was remote, his dog was barking in the background and he made an unedited flub at the end. Thankfully, he got better at this hosting thing.
VARValue - What are some of the perceptions and misconceptions around selling kiosk technology that VARs should let go of?
TEConnecting with Us:
Augusto - Quantum Computing
Dean - Video Conferencing
John - Streaming TV
Sponsored by:
Star Micronics SteadyLAN for mc3 Printers
BlueStar's James Korte returns (see our first episode!) to discuss email marketing. Reaching customers via email might feel archaic after over two decades of use, but it's still one of the most effective and easy-to-use marketing tools. In the clutter of messages filling inboxes, how do you make yours stand out? What are some simple, free tools you can use? How do you give subscribers control over the content they receive from you?
VARValue - Where should resellers begin to improve their own email marketing?
TEConnecting with Us:
James - Duolingo
Dean - K-Cups
John - Letterboxd
Sponsored by:
Zebra Media & Consumables
Honeywell Pharmacy Barcode Scanning Solutions
Elo 6503L Large-Format Touchscreen Signage
Getting patients involved in their own care is an important aspect of public health, so the growth of mobile technology, telehealth and self-service is important to shifting attitudes and giving providers more actionable information. Elo's Director of Healthcare, Jeff Fountaine, joins us to discuss how new tech is streamlining the experience for patients and clinicians alike. What technologies that suddenly became vital during a pandemic will now be the norm? Where are we encountering stumbling blocks? What's the future of check-in, the exam room and post-visit?
VARValue - How do resellers help promote patient engagement?
TEConnecting with Us:
Jeff - Drone Technology
Dean - FLIR Systems Temperature Technology
John - WordPress app
Talk to Us!
@TEConnectPod on Twitter
teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Self-Service
Digital transformation expert Dr. Christine Perales and BlueStar's Healthcare BDM Matt Jordan discuss the acceleration of digital technologies in healthcare during the pandemic and what it means for the future. How is telehealth impacted? What are organizations doing with analytics? How is all of this change impacting the reseller channel?
We had some audio noise during the early part of the podcast so we had to jump from the guest intro right into our topic, skipping out on a great shoutout to our frontline healthcare workers putting their lives on the line everyday to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. They are true heroes.
VARValue - How do VARs approach healthcare customers during a crisis?
TEConnecting with Us:
Matt - RFID/RTLS
Dr. Perales - Augmented Intelligence
Dean - "It's Time to Put AI on a Data Diet"
John - Staying In with Emily & Kumail podcast
Talk to Us!
@TEConnectPod on Twitter
teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Medical Grade Touch Monitors
Honeywell Healthcare Solutions
Zebra's Real-Time Data for Healthcare eBook
The U.S. is pretty far behind the rest of the world in adopting contactless and mobile payments, but that's likely to change dramatically as retailers and customers look to eliminate touching terminals that hundreds or thousands of others have touched as well. Toby Hutchinson, BlueStar's Payment Sales Manager, joins us to talk about the demand shift. What are the benefits beyond the obvious? How does pay-at-table improve business? What was slowing down the adoption before?
VARValue - How does BlueStar assist with payments?
TEConnecting with Us:
Toby - Cryptocurrency
Dean - Telemedicine
John - Newcomers podcast
Talk to Us!
@TEConnectPod on Twitter
teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Elo Healthcare Self-Service
Zebra's Entertainment Industry eBook
Honeywell's BOPIS Solutions
The world of retail has changed pretty dramatically in the first half of 2020. Karen Bomber, Honeywell's Director of Vertical Marketing, helps us sort out the tech solutions and trends benefiting and transforming retailers. How is personalization driving customer experience? Who benefits and struggles with innovations like curbside pickup, BOPIS and self-checkout? Finally, we make some predictions about the future of retail.
Recorded mid-May 2020
VARValue - How should VARs think outside of the box in retail?
TEConnecting with Us:
Karen: Voice-Enablement
Dean: Board Games
John: "Autonomous Vehicles are Ready to Disrupt Society..." - Cold Call podcast ep
Talk to Us!
@TEConnectPod on Twitter
teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Honeywell's Guided Work for Retail
Welcome to the TEConnect Podcast! For the first episode, we invited James Korte, BlueStar's Digital Marketing Manager, on to discuss a timely topic...Marketing in a Crisis. Should your business address a crisis directly, indirectly or leave it alone? What kind of messages fall flat or could harm your reputation?
VARValue - How can marketing help you right now?
TEConnecting with Us:
James - Social Distancing Technology
Dean - Wearable Tech
John - MLB.com content
Talk to Us!
@TEConnectPod on Twitter
teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Sponsored by:
Zebra's PartnerConnect Program
Honeywell's No-Touch/Reduced Touch Drive-Thru Solutions
Elo's Corporate Collaboration Solutions
It's the trailer! For our podcast! Who are the hosts? What will we talk about? Who is this for? Come on, we can't spoil it all for you...just listen!
Tell us what YOU want to hear about!
Twitter: @TEConnectPod
Email: teconnect@bluestarinc.com