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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
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
1hr 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*
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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
1hr 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
1hr 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
1hr 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:
Mar 27, 2025
Mar 27, 2025
58 min
Supply chain jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, and delivery are still facing a challenging labor market. At the same time, costs remain high, and consumer demands create more pressure to make, distribute, and deliver products quickly. That’s where automation technology has come in to help, but it’s not a total replacement for people, which makes it essential to understand the human element as well. Today, Newcastle’s Kevin Ledversis & Honeywell’s Kelley Wood are sharing their thoughts on the topic. What’s changed about labor post-pandemic? What are supply chain businesses saying about automating their workforce? Is AI a game-changer or a new complication in balancing workforce efficiency and productivity?
Around the Nation: Explore Industries & Technologies at BlueStarInc.com
#VARValue - Newcastle & Honeywell put a lot of thought into how technology helps and augments people, even as they also lean into automation and AI. How has that helped you grow, and what lessons can VARs take away from your approach?
On Our Radar
Kevin - Future shopping experiences at NRF
Kelley - The ARK robo-kitchen
Dean - 2025 predictions...from 100 years ago
John - Mining the moon
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:
Mar 20, 2025
Mar 20, 2025
51 min
Like many industries, automation & AI are finding a place in restaurants, adding to accelerated trends during the pandemic. This week's guest, Sean McCaughan of Truffle Systems, finds it easier than ever to make the case for innovation, but what solutions actually make a difference? How does "reading bus pans" make the case for AI and analytics to reduce costs and minimize food waste? How is Truffle solving the "last three feet problem" in places like hospital cafeterias? It's the episode with 25% less mashed potatoes!
#VARValue - Learn about Truffle's GoBox solution and how it can help VARs address a problem that few look to solve.
On Our Radar
Sean - Quantum computing
Dean - Vehicle-launched drones?
John - Scientists discover the heaviest antimatter particle
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:
Mar 13, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
1hr 3 min
Mobile computing, IoT, AI, RFID, robotics, mPOS…the future of enterprise technology is exciting, to be sure. Still, it’s only as good as the networks connecting these devices and transmitting all that data for analysis and action. Networking and connectivity solutions may not currently be part of your portfolio, but if you desire to be THE trusted provider for your customers, they should be. Today, we’re talking to iONLINE’s Dave Farquharson & industry vet (now a BlueStar colleague) Jim Hilton to help you understand the connectivity landscape, the importance of multi-carrier interoperability, how to approach selling network solutions, and how to find and win opportunities.
Check out our new Connectivity Services site!
#VARValue - What is iONLINE looking for in the channel, and how do they help resellers find opportunities, win business, and overcome networking hurdles?
Around the Nation: The 2U Tour is coming to a city near you!
On Our Radar
Dave - Waymo and AI
Jim - Robotics
Dean - AI couples therapy?
John - The "city-killer" asteroid (that's no longer a concern?)
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: