TechSperience Solutions

Episode 129: Boosting Workplace Productivity with Embedded AI

Embedded AI is revolutionizing industries by making advanced technology accessible to all organizations, driving innovation through applications like contract automation and proposal generation.

In this episode, we explore how our clients are leveraging embedded AI solutions and address key challenges, including ROI concerns and ethical considerations. Learn why it's vital to start your AI journey today—and how Connection can help you stay ahead.

If you want to learn more about how Connection is helping its customers to improve productivity through AI Embedded AI, check out our pages  www.connection.com/solutions-services/artificial-intelligence and www.connection.com/solutions-services/digital-workspace.

 

Speakers: Brian Gatke – Vice President, GTM Solutions Strategy and Portfolio at Connection

Travis Cook – Director, Industry Solutions at Connection

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption Challenges

02:50 Understanding Embedded AI and Its Applications

06:06 The Democratization of AI

08:58 Navigating Hesitancy in AI Implementation

11:47 Exploring Use Cases for AI in Various Industries

15:09 The Importance of Clear Business Challenges

18:02 Ethical Considerations in AI Deployment

20:52 The Urgency of Getting Started with AI

Episode 128: AI-Powered Retail – Balancing Innovation and Security

AI is transforming the retail landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, personalize the customer experience, and optimize operations. But with these opportunities come new challenges.

In this episode, we explore how AI can empower employees, drive hyper-personalization, and revolutionize supply chain management. We also delve into the critical security risks associated with AI adoption and discuss how retailers can balance innovation with robust security measures.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Brian Gallagher, Connection Retail Strategy Director 

Rai Basharat, Connection Senior Director Data Orchestration, Helix Center for Applied AI and Robotics

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Retail

03:08 Top Benefits of AI for Retail

05:59 Enhancing Customer Experience with AI

08:52 AI's Role in Employee Productivity

11:59 AI in Supply Chain Optimization

14:48 Security Implications of AI in Retail

18:00 Balancing Innovation and Security

21:06 The Future of AI in Retail

23:52 The Human-AI Relationship in Retail

26:48 Conclusion and Next Steps

 

Episode 127: AI in Healthcare – A Revolution in Progress

AI is revolutionizing healthcare by analyzing massive datasets to uncover hidden patterns, leading to breakthroughs in disease diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Join Jennifer Johnson and Jamal Khan as they explore AI's impact on healthcare. They delve into critical ethical considerations, governance structures, data security measures, and AI's role in clinical decision support.

Speakers: Jennifer Johnson, Director of Healthcare Strategy and Business Development at Connection

Jamal Kahn, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

 

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction and AI Ecosystem Shifts

02:07 Ethical Considerations and Governance in AI Healthcare

05:49 Challenges of Data Poisoning and Model Drift in AI Healthcare

08:02 Role of CAIOs in Healthcare Governance and Data Strategy

10:48 Importance of Patient Consent and Cross-Jurisdictional Challenges

13:01AI's  Impact on Healthcare Provider Work Environment

17:45 Vetting AI Partners and Virtual Assistants in Healthcare

19:39 Patient Accessibility and Engagement in Healthcare

22:50 Clinical Trials and Technology in Healthcare

24:13 Challenges of Merging Patient Data in Healthcare

27:01 AI Adoption in Healthcare: Impact on Insurance Providers

32:08 Challenges of Transparency and Explainability in AI

35:58 AI in Clinical Settings: Promising Use Cases

37:18 Choosing Hyperscalers for Healthcare AI Implementation

48:01 Data Orchestration for Patient Care with AI

50:17 Following Patients Through Care Settings with AI

52:08 Excitement and Challenges of AI Integration in Healthcare

Episode 126: Enhance Your Experience with Windows 11 Pro Devices

Feeling overwhelmed by the switch to Windows 11? Wondering if it's worth the hassle or worried about a complicated migration process? Unsure if Windows 11 is a complete overhaul or a familiar friend with new features?

In this podcast, we'll tackle all these questions and more, including the exciting world of AI integration within Windows 11.

We'll also explore strategies for planning your upgrade, running both Windows 10 and 11 side-by-side, and top tips for a smooth and successful migration. By the end of this episode, you'll be a Windows 11 upgrade pro, ready to unlock the next generation of user experience.

Host: James Hilliard

Guest: Rob McGilvrey, Americas Specialist for Windows Pro & Modern Endpoints at Microsoft

 

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction and Windows Upgrade Experiences

02:22 Windows 11 as a Feature Update

05:17 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 11

08:05 Impact of Windows 11 on End User Productivity

10:25 Hardware Requirements for Windows 11

13:16 AI Integration in Windows 11

16:05 Procurement Planning for New Hardware

23:06 Creating a Refresh Plan for Windows 11

26:23 Running Windows 10 and 11 Concurrently

29:32 Tips for a Successful Windows 11 Migration

30:27 Resources

Episode 125: Navigating the AI Revolution in Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of revolutionary for the manufacturing industry. From research and development to production, and even extending to aftermarket services, AI can drastically improve productivity, bolster quality control, and optimize supply chains in the industry.

However, adopting AI in manufacturing is not without its challenges and complexities. Join us as we navigate this evolving landscape, explore practical applications of AI for manufacturers, and uncover the business benefits it can bring.

Guests:

Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

Show Notes

00:00 Introduction
00:46 The Impact of AI in Manufacturing
03:01 Challenges in AI Adoption in Manufacturing
05:30 Unique Challenges in Manufacturing
08:22 Job Displacement in Manufacturing
09:40 Drivers for AI Adoption in Manufacturing
11:43 Factors Enabling AI Adoption
14:35 The Role of Data in AI Adoption
18:48 Applications of AI in Manufacturing
24:52 Use Cases and Workloads in AI
28:36 The Power of Camera Vision in Manufacturing
34:06 The Importance of Supply Chain Twins
38:41 The Role of Synthetic Data in AI
45:25 Connection's Approach to AI in Manufacturing
50:15 Six Areas of Focus
50:45 Partnerships and Technology Stacks
51:08 Opportunity and Feasible Use Cases
51:36 Limited Sampling of Use Cases
52:03 Learning More about AI in Manufacturing
52:17 Closing Remarks

Episode 124: Leveraging the Power of TIDC in Manufacturing

Manufacturers demand better technology delivery.

 

In this podcast, we'll explore how Connection's Technology Integration and Distribution Center (TIDC) can help manufacturing IT organizations invest in automation, tech modernization, and leverage our deep technology experience to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and free up it staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.

 

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

Mark Wulfhorst, Senior Director for the Solution Engineering Group at TIDC, Connection

Show Notes:

00:03 Introduction to Connections Technology Integration and Distribution Center

00:49 Challenges Faced by Manufacturing Customers

01:23 Disruptive Initiatives in Manufacturing

02:12 The Changing Expectations of IT

03:04 The Struggle to Hire Competent People

03:57 The Reality of IT Staffing in Manufacturing

05:30 The Increasing Demand for Better Technology Delivery

06:39 The Evolution of Customer Needs and TIDC Services

07:43 The Benefits of TIDC Services

08:57 The Impact of COVID on IT Delivery

11:43 The Transition to Windows 11

20:12 The Role of TIDC in IT Asset Disposal

22:05 The Engagement Process with TIDC

23:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

 

 

Episode 123: Migrating to Windows 11 Pro Devices to Boost Productivity with AI

The pace of work has increased exponentially—along with the crush of data, information, and always-on communications. People are struggling to shoulder the weight of it all, while business leaders feel pressure to increase productivity amid economic uncertainty.

New Windows 11 Pro devices are well-positioned to tackle these challenges and accelerate workflows and collaboration with experiences that elevate the potential of everyone on your team. 

In this podcast, we'll discuss what the move to Windows 11 Pro devices can do for you and your users. With simple deployment and advanced security protection, the time to upgrade to Windows 11 is now. 

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Dan Ortiz, Director of Center of Excellence Workspace Transformation Solutions at Connection

Rob McGilvrey, Americas Specialist for Windows Pro & Modern Endpoints at Microsoft

Episode 122: Transforming Retail Through the Power of AI

Guests:

Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director at Connection

Jamal Khan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Connection

 

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prominent in the retail landscape. Discover how AI is reshaping the retail landscape, from enhancing customer experiences and optimizing supply chains to boosting employee engagement.

Join us as we explore practical applications of AI for retailers and uncover the business benefits it can bring.

Episode 121: Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Modernize Manufacturing

We’re at an inflection point in U.S. manufacturing. Those that are not investing in advanced technologies today will quickly find themselves uncompetitive. Those that are beginning to modernize their facilities, however, are achieving smarter and more digitally excellent design and production.

In this podcast, we'll explore how manufacturers can leverage advanced technologies to modernize their spaces and ultimately yield big business benefits.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Blake Kerrigan, Senior Director for ThinkEdge Business Group at Lenovo

Zihan Wang, Global Business Development Manager at NVIDIA

Ryan Spurr, Manufacturing Strategy Director at Connection

 

Show Notes:

[0:55] Are there one or two trends or issues across manufacturing that are leading teams to recognize the need to modernize today?

[4:52] What other trends from a technological standpoint are you seeing regarding manufacturers' need to modernize their facilities?

[7:00] AI is helping the manufacturing industry modernize faster. What are teams looking to do with AI?

[10:25] What are some of the leading cutting-edge manufacturers doing? What can we learn from them?

[14:01] How much education is needed to assist manufacturers with what they need to begin the modernization process?

[21:45] What are some case study examples of how manufacturers have modernized their facilities recently?

[25:00] How did our teams help Trek Bikes modernize their research and development manufacturing operations?

[28:01] How's Lenovo helping automotive manufacturers modernize the early stages of their manufacturing production operations?

[31:56] How has our team assisted Pegatron with modernizing its mass production?

[35:04] How can adopting smart technologies in manufacturing help with cost savings?

[37:55] To continue the conversation, visit www.connection.com/manufacturing and Ryan can loop in our other teams to jumpstart your modernization process.

 

Episode 120: How to Modernize Your Data Center and Save Big with AMD

Modernizing your data center is crucial to your organization's long-term success. In this podcast, we'll better define what data center modernization can look like for different organizations, talk through some of the ideas and promises from AMD, and offer up stories of where teams can succeed.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Kristin Hintlian – AMD Channel Sales Manager for Connection

Ken Bartels – Connection Technical Sales Executive for AMD (aka Resident Genius)

Show Notes:

[0:45] Modernization can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. What does a modern data center mean to customers?

[2:37] Are newer companies also looking to modernize due to how quickly the market is moving?

[4:40] What are some of the biggest and smallest data centers that you've been to, and how have they been able to modernize?

[7:00] What are the "people" challenges when modernizing data centers?

[11:40] Organizations are facing three big challenges surrounding data center modernization: needing better performance, reducing energy consumption, and reducing software licensing fees. How does AMD address these challenges?

[17:45] What cost savings in software licensing fees are customers seeing?

[19:35] Are there specific industries that are leading the modernization charge?

[21:50] What are some of the ways teams that have modernized with AMD have been able to push their healthcare organization forward?

[24:40] What are some examples in the manufacturing space where AMD has been able to help companies move forward?

[27:35] Walk us through some typical customer interactions in terms of how they can get an overall cost of ownership view of where they are at vs. adding new technologies.

[30:40] After the initial TCO analysis is completed, how can customers then get a good roadmap of how to get started based on their business goals?

[32:45] Reach out to your Connection account team for a TCO analysis to see what your data center modernization journey could look like.