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TEConnect is the podcast that tackles the news, trends, and technologies impacting the specialty IT reseller channel, software companies, and hardware manufacturers. Hosted by John Martin & Dean Reverman. Tell us what YOU want to hear about: teconnect@bluestarinc.com
Episodes
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
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:
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
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:
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
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
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
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
Sponsored by:
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
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:
Zebra's Entertainment Industry eBook
Honeywell's BOPIS Solutions
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
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
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
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
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
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