TEConnect Podcast

The Tradeoffs of Retail Modernization w/Intel’s David Dobson

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Intel's Podcast Playlist

Elo Quick Ship Program

AI Beyond the LLMs w/ConnecTalk's Guy-Marie Joseph

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Elo Wallaby Pro

EV Charging & Sustainable Energy w/EVerged’s Jeff Smith

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen

TEC Bytes 16 - A TEC a Day Keeps Boredom Away

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Intel Sales Academy

Elo 70-Series Touch Monitors

TEC Beefs 2

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Elo Pay 7" POS System

AI Hype, Hesitance, and Meaningful Solutions with Intel’s David Allen

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/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 w/Intel

Next-Gen Channel Sales w/BlueStar Canada’s Michel Sirois

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 - hhttps://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 Wallaby Pro Stand

The Continuing Evolution of Warehousing w/StayLinked’s Justin Griffith

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/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

 

Sponsored by:

Elo 70 Series

Food Safety & the Supply Chain w/Jim Hilton

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/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 w/Intel

Don’t Forget the Printer Supplies! w/Jessica Kroth

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