TechSperience Solutions

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.

 

Episode 119: Retail Store Modernization

Success in retail has become centered on the customer experience. Take the friction out of purchasing with VMware while using an infrastructure that’s already in place. Check out this TechSperience podcast to hear from the retail experts at VMware and Connection on how to connect employees with consumers and transform your locations into faster and more efficient stores.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director at Connection

Ed Durbin, Senior Director, Global Retail at VMWare

Show Notes:

[0:22] What are the top ideas that retail leaders are discussing surrounding retail store modernization?

[1:45] Are LoB leaders more "foot on the gas" and IT leaders more "foot on the break" when establishing store modernization initiatives?

[4:15] Are those focusing on the backend infrastructure early enough, or only after they've purchased new technologies?

[5:45] Do CIOs want their systems to be able to adopt any new technology? 

[8:10] After a successful pilot, how do you execute that to scale?

[11:00] Are there one or two common hurdles that always stop POCs from moving to the rollout stage, and what can be done to overcome them?

[16:30] What are some initial steps people can be taking to modernize stores?

[22:00] What should retailers be focused on now?

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. 

Episode 118: Optimize IT Support and Manageability in Today’s Remote Environment

It's time to rethink your IT strategy and support for remote employees. Learn how to simplify device manageability including provisioning, deployment, and security in this podcast featuring experts from Intel and Connection.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

Rhett Livengood, Director of Digital Business Enabling at Intel

Mark Wulfhorst, Director of Technical Services and Solutions, Technology Integration and Distribution Center, Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. 

 

Episode 117: Optimize Manufacturing Operations with Asset Tracking Technologies

The aftereffects of COVID have brought new challenges requiring new ways of thinking. Most manufacturers and warehouses leverage some level of asset tracking, typically to minimize loss. But location or asset tracking can be used throughout the entire supply chain lifecycle to help identify operational efficiencies. Asset tracking gives you the data needed to make informed decisions. Experts from Zebra and Connection share example use cases in manufacturing and explain how you can gain new insights to lower costs, maximize resources, and stay competitive.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Terry Price, Senior Sales Engineer at Zebra Technologies
• Ryan Spurr, Director of Manufacturing Strategy at Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. 

Episode 116: How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Everything in Retail

Retailers can reduce shrinkage, diminish stockout, and enhance experiences for customers and employees with artificial Intelligence (AI). But that is just scratching the surface. AI-enabled intelligent stores can optimize so much more like managing staffing resources, reaching sustainability goals, and even predicting customers’ needs.

This podcast explores how AI solutions – a combination of data management, connectivity, edge computing devices, and software – can create powerful results. Experts from NVIDIA, Lenovo, and Connection cover real-world examples of how retailers are getting their return on investment and what strategies have been successful to reaching strong business outcomes.   

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Cynthia Countouris, Director of Product Marketing & Enablement for Retail, NVIDIA
• Matthew Bertucci, Retail Solutions Manager, Lenovo
• Brian Gallagher, Retail Strategy Director, Connection

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. 

 

Episode 115: Next-Gen Endpoint Security for the Healthcare Sector

The healthcare industry is seeing tremendous change. With the pandemic, staffing shortages, and a backlog of patients needing care, now is the time to reset and question traditional approaches. Add in the pressure of data protection and compliance, supporting remote working environments, and providing telehealth services – finding the right technologies and endpoint security solutions is essential to the future of healthcare.

In this podcast, the experts at IGEL discuss how the next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces is advancing user productivity, patient care, and security while simplifying endpoint management for healthcare enterprises everywhere.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Chris Feeney, Sr. Presales Engineer, Channel & Team Lead at IGEL
• Carl Gersh, VP of Marketing – North America at IGEL

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. 

Episode 114: Prevent Data Loss with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Solutions

We often take power for granted. But when there’s a power failure, a planned outage, or a natural disaster, we’re reminded that power is such a necessity. In today’s digital world, data loss and downtime for IT can lead to long-term financial and reputational damage for organizations. The risks are even greater for healthcare and critical infrastructure industries. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear how simple it is to prevent data loss and power failure before it’s too late.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Joe Doherty, Power and Cooling Business Development Specialist at Connection
• Hillary Watkins, Product Marketing Specialist for Single Phase UPS at Vertiv

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Podbean.

 

Episode 113: The Technology Link - Enhancing User Experience

In a recent Forrester report, 77% of full-time employees said PC devices play a critical factor in their ability to do their work. In today’s climate of hybrid and remote environments, how do you determine what technologies users need and what's at risk if user experience isn't prioritized? Listen to this podcast to hear why developing persona-based solutions is critical to user productivity, onboarding, and overall happiness.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Rhett Livengood, Director of Digital Business Enabling at Intel

• Tim Burns, Vice President of Product Management and Workplace Transformation at Connection

Explore Your Wherever Workspace to learn more about persona-based bundles or visit the Intel showcase to discover their latest technologies.

You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or Podbean. 

 

Episode 112: Hybrid Cloud Strategies for the Modern Data Center

Research by IDC show that 90% of enterprises around the world are relying on a mix of on-premises, or dedicated, private clouds, as well as public clouds, and legacy platforms to meet their infrastructure needs. Data center cloud solutions need to change as business needs fluctuate. This episode covers the best practices of a hybrid cloud strategy featuring experts from Intel and Connection.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests: 

• Vijay Bandari, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
• Steve Fowler, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
• Kiran Agrahara, Cloud Solution Architect at Intel
• Kevin Slate, Senior Director of Cloud Services and at Connection

 

Cybersecurity Awareness Podcast: Spotlight on Higher Education

Colleges and universities are prime targets for cyber attackers. From the large volumes of PII to medical and research data, higher education institutions are a gold mine for bad actors. The pandemic also added new attack vectors as institutions turned to remote and hybrid learning environments. CISOs, CTOs, and IT teams within higher education have a very challenging task when it comes to cybersecurity and data protection. With open networks, diverse user types, and limited resources, what can colleges and universities do to enhance protection? Listen to this podcast for tips on how to develop a cybersecurity risk management plan for your institution.

Host: James Hilliard

Guests:

• Bobby Sears, Senior Vertical Alliances Manager, Higher Education at Connection
• Steve Nardone, Senior Director of Security and Network Solutions at Connection
• Tim Allen, Director of Operations and Technology at Connection

 

For additional cybersecurity resources, visit: https://www.connection.com/cybersecurityawarenessmonth.

Thank you for listening. You can hear us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Podbean. 

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