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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
Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
58 min
The modern kitchen serves many masters: food safety standards, "I want it now and I want it here" consumers, and delivery companies enabling those consumers. How are those demands influencing restaurant technology in the kitchen and front-of-the-house? Star Micronics' Christophe Naasz joins to explain. How do label printers and modern scanning solutions drive efficiency? What are the advantages of cloud POS vs. on-prem? What did Christophe see at NRA that excited or interested him?
Around the Nation: Watch Star's QSR Labeling Webinar!
#VARValue - How is Star helping restaurants keep up with kitchen demands and the increase in cloud-based POS systems?
On Our Radar
Christophe - Meta's Ray Ban AI glasses
Dean - €1million doorstop
John - "Super-vision" contact lenses
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025
49 min
The new Trump administration has been busy rolling back initiatives from previous administrations and rapidly overhauling government agencies. If you sell into the public sector, what do these rapid changes mean? We turn, as always, to our government guru, EVerged's Jeff Smith, to provide guidance. What is happening with EV charging rollouts and opportunities? How is the DOGE dismantling of agencies affecting tech investments? What does it mean for state and local businesses? What's Jeff's advice for handling uncertain times?
Around the Nation: Vote for the RSPA Vendor Awards of Excellence!
#VARValue - What did you learn from the first Trump administration that’s helping you navigate the new one? Or is it much different this time?
On Our Radar
Jeff - Autonomy & productivity
Dean - Manu jumping
John - Ghosted? Try the Closure chatbot
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by: Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer
May 22, 2025
May 22, 2025
1 hr 1 min
A run of new episodes starts next week with Jeff Smith returning to discuss government tech sales under the new Trump administration and the state of EV charging opportunities. To prepare, let's revisit Jeff's last appearance!
* * *
*Originally released May 9, 2024*
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 – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
50 min
"This is your roadmap," says Dean about our latest BlueStar Nation end-user survey results. We surveyed 125 education teachers, administrators, and IT leaders about their experiences using and deploying digital displays in the classroom. What frustrates them? Why aren't they using more interactive displays? Who is responsible for maintenance and support? What do they want out of their next upgrade? Your final grade depends on this episode!
Thanks to Samsung for sponsoring the survey!
Around the Nation: See BlueStar at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando!
#VARValue - What would you do with this data as a VAR? Are there any immediate conversations/actions to take?
On Our Radar
Dean - The ozone hole is healing
John - Scientists develop "emotion sticker"
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
1 hr 8 sec
We'll be back next week, breaking down a survey from Educators, but until then, let's revisit this conversation exploring how touchscreen displays complement AI solutions.
*Originally released August 8th, 2024*
-----------------------------------
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 – nation@bluestarinc.com
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
May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025
1 hr 6 min
Technology is rapidly advancing, and new inventions and innovations make our lives easier, but do you ever miss something simpler? That's the subject of this week's episode. Is it nostalgia, or do we get stubborn as we age? Sarah Schlueter, an old soul herself, joins us (with props!). When did we feel like we were on the cutting edge of tech adoption? What tech are we nostalgic for, and what do we wish we could go back to?
Around the Nation: Watch Unboxed on YouTube
On Our Radar
Sarah - Tech detox
Dean - Where does taxpayer money actually go, and where are allergies the worst?
John - Careless People
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Apr 24, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
1 hr 5 min
As AI continues to be a hot topic, we're looking to spotlight practical, tangible use cases on the pod this year, both within your business and solutions for your customers. Look for new episodes soon that address this topic, but in the meantime, if you missed it, check out this conversation we had with Honeywell's Michael Groskopf.
*Originally released Oct. 10, 2024*
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 - nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Honeywell PM45 Industrial Printer
Apr 17, 2025
Apr 17, 2025
1 hr 7 min
Sure, we're no longer the TEConnect Podcast, but TEC Bytes--our occasional round-up of interesting articles, lists, rankings, research, tech topics, and more--lives on! Here's what we're discussing:
- The Most Innovative Countries in 2024
- Best inventions of 2024
- Top low-stress/high-paying jobs
- COVID pandemic 5 years later
- Most technologically advanced stadiums
- Best sports moments
On Our Radar
Dean - Workdays are ending earlier
John - Music makes us move, even when we don't like it
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo's 70-Series Promo (ends June 30th, 2025)
Apr 10, 2025
Apr 10, 2025
50 min
Finding new opportunities in retail isn't easy. There is a lot of market saturation, a lot of competition, and a lot of technology options. But, it’s also a lucrative industry when you win business, so we want to give you an edge by equipping you with end-user data—actual insights from retailers about their tech in use, wishlist items, and support preferences. Then, we analyze those insights, compile the most relevant data, and give you some suggestions for interpreting it. Thanks to our friends at Elo for sponsoring this survey!
Read the full article at BlueStar Nation!
Around the Nation: Take advantage of BlueStar's Custom Configuration Services!
#VARValue - What would you do with this data as a VAR? Are there any immediate conversations/actions to take?
On Our Radar
Dean - Is chewing wood good for you?
John - The new movie trend? VHS!
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Apr 3, 2025
Apr 3, 2025
54 min
Facial recognition has become common for personal mobile devices, relying on our unique biological features for security and access control. However, the technology is still somewhat controversial in the broader business world. Terry Schulenburg with CyberLink, makers of FaceMe, will help us understand the technology, how the controversy is mainly manufactured by film/TV, and the opportunity for solution providers. What industries are embracing it? What is the liability for those who sell it?
Learn More about FaceMe during Terry's appearance on ISVs on Tap!
Around the Nation: Watch the TSC RFID Encoding Webinar
#VARValue - How does facial recognition technology fit alongside the solutions VARs are already selling? When should they engage the CyberLink team, and how will they help you win opportunities?
On Our Radar
Terry - AI in Hollywood
Dean - Bluetooth security issues
John - Who is your doctor taking money from?
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by: