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BlueStar Nation is the podcast that tackles the hot topics, trends, and emerging technologies impacting the specialty IT reseller channel, software companies, MSPs, and hardware manufacturers. Hosted by John Martin & Dean Reverman. Tell us what YOU want to hear about: nation@bluestarinc.com
Episodes
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
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:
Zebra RFID Portfolio: https://response.bluestarinc.com/become-a-zebra-rfid-reseller-at-bluestar/
Thursday Jun 03, 2021
Thursday Jun 03, 2021
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
Thursday May 27, 2021
Thursday May 27, 2021
“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
Zebra Mobility DNA eBook
Thursday May 20, 2021
Thursday May 20, 2021
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:
Thursday May 13, 2021
Thursday May 13, 2021
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
Thursday May 06, 2021
Thursday May 06, 2021
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
Zebra PartnerConnect Program
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
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
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
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
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
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:
Code CR7000 series
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
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: