TEConnect Podcast teconnect

Is AI fatigue setting in? Maybe, but that doesn't mean there isn't a real opportunity for VARs to be found. MicroTouch's John Dittig joins the show this week to help us separate the hype from the reality of AI solutions. What industries and end-users are most interested in AI? What needs do they want to be addressed? Is SMB better suited for innovation at this point? How will AI help sell more hardware? It's an "incrinculent" episode!
 
#VARValue - How is MicroTouch approaching AI solutions, and how are you helping VARs find the right partners to solve their customer’s needs?
 
TEConnecting with us:
John D - LetzChat
Dean - Combining AI with robotics
John M - Deepfake conversations with dead loved ones
 
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
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
MicroTouch's AI Town Hall

We are again investigating the results of an excellent BlueStar Nation end-user survey (shout out to HP and Intel for sponsoring this one!), this time from SMB grocery leaders. The survey focused on the tech they currently use and want to deploy and where they see industry challenges that tech could solve. How are grocers addressing customer experience and collecting data? What are they most interested in improving? What opportunities for VARs does the data show?
 
Read the Article and More at BlueStar Nation
 
TEConnecting with us:
Dean - Why is ice slippery and disappearing web pages
John - AI determining ER admissions
 
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
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Next week, we'll discuss the results of a grocery executive survey, exploring what technologies they are using and considering and how they envision tech impacting the industry. In preparation, we thought we'd revisit this conversation with Epson's David Vander Dussen.
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Grocery stores are an essential service, but they’re not immune to the changing whims of consumers and the desire for convenient options and dynamic shopping experiences. The razor-thin margins they operate under can cause challenges to VARs hoping to pitch new technology, but Epson’s David Vander Dussen is back on the pod to emphasize the opportunities. Why are midsize & regional chains still seeing growth? How have grocers changed their offerings and workflow? Why is the demand for dynamic color labeling higher than ever? It’s the episode where we learn why Dean is banned from grocery shopping.
 
#VARValue—For VARs that work primarily with SMB grocer chains or local independents, what’s the pitch for implementing tech like color labeling?
 
References: 
Why Grocery Chains are Outperforming Expectations Amid Inflation
FMI study: Private brands not just about price
How to Ramp Up Online Grocery—without Breaking the Bank
The State of Grocery in North America
 
TEConnecting with us:
David - World Cup Video Assistant Referee
Dean - The success of the DART mission and robotics companies commit to not weaponizing
John - New Apple devices might confuse rollercoaster for a car crash
 
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
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Epson's New Mobilink Printers

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/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Intel's Podcast Playlist
Elo Quick Ship Program

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/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Wallaby Pro

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/us-en/landing-pages/podcast-topics.html
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 
 
Sponsored by:
Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen