The world of technology is complex. Each episode of TechSperience will uncover helpful technology, cybersecurity, cloud, and workplace transformation tips to help the everyday IT professional. Tune in for advice from leading IT experts covering retail, manufacturing, healthcare, K-12, higher education, and more.
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Host: Penny Conway
Guest: Rhett Livengood. Director, Digital Business Enabling at Intel Corporation
Description: The world has been talking about the growth of collaboration tools and demands on the PC market, but what else are we missing to do our jobs and do them well, it's time to start talking about how organizations are going to need to reimagine the roles and responsibilities of their leadership to hone in on what employees need to be safe, secure, and productive. I'm your host, penny Conway. And today I'm joined by Rhett Livengood to talk about what the future looks like for it and the leaders that support them.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[1:08] Rhett Livengood shares his background.
[2:29] Rhett Livengood talks about workplace transformation from a leadership standpoint.
[4:06] How to protect employees?
[6:05] 60% of remote workers do their work from their ling rooms.
[8:23] Is remote work temporary or is it here to stay?
[10:45] What are some of the building blocks that can cast that wide net of security to keep that human error from being such an issue in people's homes?
[11:30] Rhett shares how the Intel hardware shield works.
[12:30] The old refresh days are in the past.
[15:15] Rhett talks about the upcoming trend to recycling devices.
[17:50] How do we better measure productivity in this environment?
[20:44] Rhett shares his experience going into a fully remote setting.
[23:30] Rhett talks about how Intel has been monitoring how users feel at their workspaces as they go through this process of remote working.
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Tuesday Sep 15, 2020
Host: Penny Conway
Guest 1: Stacy Cote: Manager of Microsoft Program at Connection Team.
Guest 2: Matt Koehler: Global Business Development for Veeam Software
It took nearly a decade and a pandemic, but it is now safe to say that the Cloud is considered now a major benchmark of digital transformation. Whether you have fully adopted the could or you are just beginning your journey, you may be asking “What´s next?”. In today´s episode, Penny Conway, your host, is talking with experts from Veeam and Microsoft to answer your questions around security, integration, and managed services.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[1:14] Matt introduces himself and shares what brings him to the podcast
[1:39] Stacy Cote talks about her role at Connection.
[4:05] Matt shares about the digital transformation and introduction of Cloud nearly a decade ago.
[6:22] Nowadays there is a common fear about how to manage workload, employees, and connectivity.
[7:22] Stacy talks about some of the push-backs to the adoption of the cloud.
[10:34] The skill gap of being able to manage what makes the company operational today.
[11:13] What is entailed in managing a service or a solution?
[13:07] Matt talks about the benefits related to the partnership that Connection has with Veeam.
[15:38] Microsoft, Connection, and Veeam work together to secure and restore data.
[16:35] What would make a customer trust Veeam with his data?
[17:41] Matt talks about the increase of security risk with remote working.
[19:24] The most important, apart from securing data, is being able to get it back in a timely manner.
[21:20] How prevalent is going to be hiring a company to managed services?
[23:30] How do people get started with a managed services model for their cloud?
[25:55] When does a customer start to realize the cost-benefit of using managed services?
[27:46] What visibility does a customer maintain while using the managed services?
[30:38] Learn more about the partnership between Connection and Veeam
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Tuesday Sep 08, 2020
Host: Penny Conway
Guest 1: Mike Gambrell, retired chief of police, Greenville SC Police Department and GovSOLV program director at SYNNEX
Guest 2: John Wiley, Government Channel Account Manager, Zebra Technologies
Description: In today’s episode, Penny Conway, Mike Gambell, and John Wiley are taking about how electronic citations can increase safety, efficiency, and accuracy for your department. Electronic citations solutions have several advantages over handwritten citations, and you will hear about them from the experts in the matter.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[1:21] John Wiley introduces himself and his work at Zebra Technologies.
[1:55] Mike Gambell talks about his background and current work.
[3:32] The matter of law enforcement.
[4:51] The two most dangerous calls for an officer are traffic stops and domestic violence situations.
[10:08] The current situation in the USA in regards to e-citations.
[13:25] E-citation enhances an officer’s response time.
[15:51] The cost of not implementing a solution can be greater than the cost of developing the answer to a particular problem.
[16:30] John talks about the cost of doing nothing vs the cost of doing something.
[19:04] John and Mike explain a way that a department can promote self-funding.
[22:55] Mike talks about how the full solution for officers provided by Zebra Technologies looks like.
[26:25] What actions can you take within your department to start making the necessary steps to enhance the efficiency and safety of the officers?
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Host: Penny Conway
Guest 1: Marcel Guerrette – Cisco Solution Specialist, Data Center (Cisco Employee), has 17-year experience in IT in numerous technical pre and post-sales support roles to help customers with their Data Center solutions.
Guest 2: Marc Sadinsky – Partner Account Manager at Intel Corporation, has 20 years of experience at Intel serving partner channels to deploy next-generation edge and data center solutions.
Description: Organizations across the country are looking for flexible and efficient ways to keep remote workforces connected. Like many others, you might be wondering where to start. In today’s episode, we are going to dive into the data center with experts from Cisco and Intel as they help you decrease your latency and avoid bottlenecks by modernizing your IT infrastructure.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[1:40] What was going on pre-pandemic? What were they facing at the data center when the pandemic hit?
[4:16] How does IT modernization look like now?
[6:40] How does a customer evaluate what he should have today based on what is working and what’s not?
[9:09] Is there enough budget to do an IT modernization?
[11:55] Transformation means how you are going to run your business and adapt in times of pandemic.
[13:30] Why now is the time to modernize your IT.
[14:44] The flows have changed from within the network, then going out of it, and now coming back in.
[15:50] Have industries taken the next step to modernize their data center?
[18:55] What are the benefits of HyperFlex as a solution?
[20:25] Years of collaboration between Intel and Cisco resulted in the creation of HyperFlex, an integral solution to IT modernization.
[22:01] How does hot swap work?
[25:33] Prepare for the things you are not anticipating.
[26:31] Marc and Marcel share what motivates them now about this “new normal”.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Host: James Hilliard
Guest 1: Microsoft- Kyle Van Son, US Commercial Master Trainer
Guest 2: Intel- Rhett Livengood, Director, Digital Business Enabling Client Computing Group Intel® Corporation
Guest 3: Lenovo- Burton Kersey, Channel Account Manager
Description: Short- and long-term impact of a worldwide pandemic has companies reevaluating remote work strategies. Minimum working arrangements, for the most part, have been met and now the challenge becomes improving and thriving during adverse conditions. Will employees return to the office? At what capacity? How are companies boosting “digital dexterity”, keeping the company assets secure all while utilizing best practices and sticking to a continuity plan? While financial departments evaluate cost-cutting measures during a lean economy, the need for a modern device, easy deployment, security, and compatibility may no longer be a luxury but a necessity. Hear from our 3 subject experts how they have been more productive working from home thanks in no small part from modern devices.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[2:42] Kyle talks about the work from home situation for him.
[3:54] Burt shares the shifts in his work as a result of the pandemic.
[4:34] Rhett talks about his level of productivity working from home.
[6:30] Microsoft Teams has been a success to online workers and students.
[7:44] Burt talks about Microsoft Teams on Lenovo computers to make work from home more productive.
[9:28].How Intel experienced the transition during pandemic times.
[10:56] The benefits of Wi-Fi 6.
[12:30] Kyle talks about how they have been encouraging people to move to the newest version of Windows.
[13:43] The benefits of acquiring modern devices.
[16:16] The challenges of transitioning to full work from home.
[17:03] Rhett shares what he does to stay productive
[19:20] Kyle talks about how they manage at his team to stay efficient and motivated at the same time.
[20:49] How can you keep your team engaged?
[22:57] Having great tools can help attract the right talent.
[24:33] Employees are going to start demanding the flexibility of working from home.
[26:10] The matter of safety and the devices that can provide it.
[27:10] Rhett, Burt, James, and Kyle share what they learned and implemented to enhance the working from home experience.
Learn more about our guests:
Kyle Van Son has been delivering training and evangelism with Microsoft in different capacities since the days of Windows 7, from humble beginnings showing of Windows Live Photo Gallery in Win 7 at a Sam’s Club to helping build Best Buy’s Microsoft Expert program, and more, before transitioning to the commercial space in January of 2019.
Rhett Livengood is Intel’s WW Director of Digital Business Enabling working with solution providers (system integrators, IT outsourcers, resellers, managed service providers) to integrate Intel technology into customer workplace transformation solutions. He was most recently Intel’s WW B2B Customer Engagement Director managing lead generation activities, Intel’s Enterprise Board of Advisors and online sales development working targeting Global 5000 enterprises and SMB customers worldwide.
During his career in the IT industry, Rhett has managed regional and worldwide sales and marketing for Intel’s Services group. He was Worldwide Marketing Manager for Intel’s Software group and Product Marketing Manager of Intel’s Mobile Computing Group and held marketing and engineering positions in Intel’s memory, processor, software, and platform divisions. He was the worldwide director of Marketing at Lam Research. Rhett began his career as a design engineer at Honeywell.
Rhett holds a BS degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Iowa and an MS degree in Electronic Materials Process Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is an Intel Achievement Award winner.
Burton Kersey is the Senior Channel Account Manager at Lenovo. His role involves managing Mobile Workstation and Desktop Workstation sales for Connection and SHI, he Developed and executed strategies to achieve Lenovo's Workstation growth targets. Burton administered on-site product, sales, and technical workstation training to Connection and SHI account managers, he also consulted daily as a technical workstation expert on end-user opportunities, calls, and visits. Burton works at Cargo where he is the Inside Channel, Account Manager. His responsibilities include building relationships with Lenovo's partners resulting in net new revenue, channel development and expansion, account acquisition, and SMB growth. Burton works with approximately 100+ certified partners currently and discuss Lenovo's brand and channel program operations.
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn more about Microsoft and Intel services
Visit Lenovo
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
Microsoft Sponsored
AI and Machine Learning - Impacts and Pitfalls with Jamal Khan Parts I and II
Sponsored by Microsoft
Host: Penny Conway
Guest: Jamal Khan, President of Global Digital and eCommerce Marketing for Connection.
Microsoft sponsored AI podcast parts I and II with Jamal Khan. Both episodes together together kicking off our AI series focussing on AI, Machine Learning and their effects on CySec, national infrastructure, the job market and much more.
- Fact vs. Fiction and the data explosion.
- Democratization of toolsets: Tremendous advantages for developers to streamline process and development time.
- Microsoft AZURE ML Studio is an amazing working environment for developers. What was historically a difficult undertaking now saves hours and produces more efficient results and reporting. The studio leverages AI technology and simplifies the process.
- Learn the pace at which the AI and machine learning are growing and how it will impact the job market.
- How nations are building capabilities in this space.
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Tuesday Aug 11, 2020
Host: James Hilliard
Guest 1: Todd Gustafson, President of HP Federal
Guest 2: Thomas Gardner Chief Technology Officer Directory Services Team
Guest 3: Penny Conway
Description: Federal agencies are faced with increasing security challenges. Many agencies know the importance of securing endpoints like printers and computers, but what they may not know is that those devices could be subject to foreign threats due to risk factors in the supply chain itself before it ever connects to your network.
The DoD recently put procurement regulations in place to ensure the security of your devices and information. Find out in today’s episode what you need to know to avoid the pitfalls that come from purchasing LPTA products with weak supply chains.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[2:36] Todd shares how he, as the President of HP Federal, and his team reacted to the COVID strike.
[4:15] Thomas talks about the shift COVID-19 has imposed in the way the work is done.
[6:10] Thomas talks about the preparedness of teams to work from home from a technological standpoint.
[7:35] Thomas shares the challenges they faced and how they dealt with them.
[11:00] Todd gives his point of view in regard to the questions the federal workers have to make themselves before purchasing a computer.
[11:41] Todd gives an update on the HP supply chain.
[14:28] Penny shares her experience with the “mad grab for products” as a result of the pandemic.
[16:28] Thomas talks about his involvement in the Department of Homeland Security as a supply risk management task force.
[17:34] Top threats to businesses and agencies that could impact operations and missions.
[19:43] HP is building now 2 and a half PCs per second and 1 and a half printers per second every day.
[20:25] All of us have changed, our work styles and habits, and also the hackers have adapted to these changes.
[22:10] Every year, millions of dollars are invested in HP labs to make their products more secure.
[24:45] Penny talks about the trend in choices that people are making when purchasing computers and printers and assuring security.
[27:40] Thomas talks about the application of Augmented Intelligence into the security environment.
[30:42] What is next to keep working efficiently, effectively, and securely?
[36:01] It is an exciting time for the services’ part of the world.
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Host: Tyler Meckes
Guest: Amanda Cronin - HP Partner Business Manager
Tech 2 talks Chrome! 3 Steps to Manage a Chrome Shortage. Spikes in Chrome demand due to Covid wreaking havoc on the supply chain. Special pricing, discounts and alternatives to meet current challenges. Tyler and Amanda talk mobility, programs and how to address your current needs.
- Communicate your timeline with Connection Account Manager
- Take advantage of, and ask, for any available pricing programs.
- Identify alternatives, like Windows, for immediate needs.
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Host: Penny Conway
Guest 1: Bill Miller – Zoom Channel Account Manager
Guest 2: Glen Bevcar – Poly National Channel Account Manager
Description: As we are approaching the change of the season both public and private sectors are looking to maximize the virtual experience. Remote work and learning are now inevitable, and better, easier, and more effective experiences are being created for learners and workers. Poly’s audio and video innovations make Zoom’s Voice and Video communications feel natural and work effortlessly. Poly provides a wide portfolio of Zoom Certified solutions, from room video to conference phones—for huddles spaces up to large rooms—and from headsets to desk phones. It is possible to make every experience a great one optimized for Zoom Meetings, Zoom Rooms, and Zoom Phone.
Reach out to the Connection Team.
Email us at podcast@connection.com
Follow Connection We Solve IT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Blog
Key takeaways:
[1:20] Glenn Bevcar introduces himself to the audience.
[1:45] Bill Miller presents himself.
[2:32] Glenn and Bill talk about the challenges while enabling the new virtual environment.
[5:47] Zoom is a simple application that people knew how to use even before the pandemic.
[6:31] The close relationship between Poly and Zoom is bringing many benefits to consumers.
[7:54] Tips to create a better virtual experience.
[10:35] Bill and Glenn talk about the hassle of working with multiple platforms.
[14:01] Glenn talks about the different kinds of users and what feels and works better for each of them.
[16:54] How we work vs where we work.
[18:07] Ubiquitous communication regardless of which device you are using.: “The Work-Anywhere Syndrom”.
[19:42] The importance of video calls: We communicate more with our body language than with do with the words that we use.
[20:47] Bill gives an example of the benefits from the Poly and Zoom connection.
[22:31] The value of video.
[23:06] Are we going to be able to make the virtual space more natural and engaging with the use of technology?
[29:28] Technology must be simple to use, deploy, and manage.
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Host: Tyler Meckes
Guest: Dan McCormick: Print Supplies Partner Business Manager for HP
The latest in Tech in under 5 minutes!
Recycling Supplies while Social Distancing. You don't have to sacrifice your recycling efforts while printing at home. Original HP supplies come with everything you need to recycle your used cartridges from home at not cost to you & no need to go to a drop-off location.