BlueStar Nation

War, defense spending, tariffs, regulatory loosening, and the evolution of AI have changed the landscape of government contracting and public-sector technology needs. What does that mean for resellers hoping to win in 2026? Zebra's Senior Government Contracts Manager, Chris Phann, joins the show to share his insights and recommendations. How can VARs ensure they are FAR compliant? What helps them...

Digital signage keeps improving, and the opportunities keep growing! This week, LG's Mike Stachura is back with dvLED expert Frank Mantz to discuss the current market and what next-gen displays mean for VARs and their customers. What did they geek out about at InfoComm? Why is dvLED outpacing LCD growth? How can VARs ensure they choose the right displays for their customers? What tips do they have...

Last week, we learned why healthcare leaders are struggling to move tech adoption beyond the pilot stage. This week, we find out how they are tackling, like most industries, the "AI conversation." Ambient Clinical Analytics CEO Brian Tufts joins the pod to discuss how the demands of patient care and the need to do more with data analysis are creating opportunities not only for VARs but also for re...

A recent survey of 100 hospital execs reveals that tech adoption often stalls after successful pilots and even when there is staff/IT buy-in. Why? Honeywell's Will Mobley joins to answer that question. How can VARs provide the right support to scale solutions? What are the top concerns healthcare leaders need solutions and partners to address? Where are workflow bottlenecks slowing down care or fo...

We're back with some interesting topics, surveys, data, lists, and discussions for your next watercooler chat, video call, or lunch meeting.   This week's topics: NASA's lunar base plans The world's most visited websites The hardest-working US cities Highest-grossing films of all time Gen Z is going to the mall... ...and wants to live in the past How much does it cost to raise a kid? UK banning ci...

No VAR can do it all, but that's kind of the point of the reseller channel: connecting manufacturers, distributors, resellers, software companies, and service providers to one another to help everyone provide solutions that meet customer needs. This week, Esper Founder & COO Shiv Sundar joins to explain how he saw a need to help resellers not just sell hardware, but ensure it was actually used...

Deploying RFID solutions is not as simple as slapping some tags on what you want to track and letting readers do their thing. While RFID is more popular than ever, it's critical to foster a strong, experienced partner network if you don't have that expertise in-house. This week, Atlas RFID 's Steven Wood & Tim Prybl join the pod to address issues and assumptions they've seen sink an opportunit...

While our show is typically aimed at resellers, MSPs, integrators, and software providers already working in the channel, this one is for the vendors just getting started or looking to develop a channel strategy!   You're a hardware manufacturer, software vendor, or services provider, and you've just signed up with the reseller channel. Your work is done, and skyrocketing profits will roll in any...

Brick-and-mortar consumers eventually find their way to a point of purchase, but are retailers utilizing that captive audience for more than just transactions and awkward upsell attempts? This week, PamiTV 's Kevin Brown joins to explain the psychology behind installing dynamic displays at the POS. How does it help stores and the brands they sell? Why does it enable retail to incorporate e-commerc...

It's more end-user, data-driven goodness...this time exploring a problem that retail execs are clearly passionate about — shrink & loss prevention! The latest BlueStar Nation survey (sponsored by Datalogic!) finds that retail execs are blaming self-checkout and internal issues for shrink and they're taking an active role in finding solutions. Listen to find out what they perceive is happening,...

Retail returns are a $1.9 TRILLION "business," and growing faster than sales for most retailers. As more brands offer fast, free returns, we've trained a generation of consumers to overbuy and expect a frictionless return experience. What does that do to the retail supply chain and inventory? To answer that question, we turn to IHL Group's Greg Buzek, who comes loaded with data, insights, and sugg...

We're breaking down the data from a new BlueStar Nation Survey of 100 restaurant owners and operators . Shockingly, we found that most of them are using consumer-grade displays for entertainment, menus, advertising, and more. Dean has a lot of thoughts about what's changed (and what still hasn't) since he sold digital signage. What are the top challenges and needs we can address? Who is making the...

Taking on the big, corporate-backed POS providers can feel daunting, but SMB retail and restaurants prefer personalized solutions customized to their unique needs. National Retail Solutions ' Founder/President/CEO, Elie Katz, returns to the pod to share more tips for winning with your local grocers, bodegas, gas stations, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and more. How is AI impacting smaller business...

The supply chain has undergone significant change this decade, and the advent of AI and a strong push for data-driven automation and efficiency suggest further change. As the giants of retail, commerce, and logistics innovate, what does it mean for SMB? This week, we have two of Zebra's Industry Principals, Wes Coleman (Warehouse) and Jim Musco (Retail), to share their thoughts and provide tips to...

TEC Bytes is dead...long live The Pulse! Same idea, snazzy new name. Here are the topics John & Dean are discussing this week. Pew Poll - American perceptions of AI Ranking airports by delays Things Americans CANNOT do Netflix embraces vertical video America's safest suburbs ...and the safest states Around the Nation: Check out BlueStar Webinars   On Our Radar Dean - Harvesting water from air...

Most businesses have key performance indicators, metrics, or other measurable outcomes they want to accomplish. In the supply chain, that could range from same-day shipping to upper-90% inventory accuracy and improved data. This week, Sonaria 's John Wirthlin joins the pod to explain why addressing those KPIs should be a cornerstone of your sales strategy. How does a KPI-first philosophy help sell...

Most organizations deploy a variety of devices for employee and customer use across a range of operating systems, including fixed and mobile devices. In a world increasingly reliant on data to power AI and automation and to create a competitive edge, those devices must communicate, integrate, and be seamlessly manageable. Device management is Esper's specialty, and today we're joined by Keith Szot...

We're back! To launch us into a new year, Dean shares his experiences and insights from NRF 2026. We follow that with a look at our most popular podcasts and content from 2025, audit our predictions at the start of last year, and make new ones for 2026.   NRF 2026 - What's In, What's Out - Read the Article!   Top 2025 Content: The RFID Revolution How to Sell Networking & Connectivity RFID for...

We're wrapping up our sixth season with the annual discussion of all things Star Wars with special guest Sam Hughes! What's the latest news on new movies, series, and scrapped projects? We're actually getting a new film next year ( The Mandalorian & Grogu ), but will it be good? After brief discussions on "Skeleton Crew," "Tales of the Underworld," and "Visions 3," we dig deep into season 2 of...

The NRF "Big Show" is a huge event that kicks off a new year for retailers, suppliers, consumer brands, technology providers, and more. For new and veteran attendees alike, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. This week, Intel's Mariya Zorotovich is bringing her experience from across the retail world to share tips for making the most of the show (and any industry event!). What does this year's...

The interest in RFID has never been higher, but what's driving it, and how can the channel capitalize on this momentum? This week, we have an all-star panel: Zebra's Patti Blessing, AIM Global's Mary Lou Bosco, and GS1 US's Teresa Williams. What does the RFID market look like from a broad perspective and within the channel? How are standards and mandates helping guide RFID adoption in industries l...

It's the 250th episode!!! We like to celebrate milestones with fun topics, and having this one fall on Thanksgiving presented the perfect opportunity to discuss the tech we are thankful for with Sarah Schlueter. First, we share our takes (some quite controversial?) on the Thanksgiving holiday, the food, and leftovers. Then, what tech makes our personal and professional lives better, and we wouldn'...

Visitor management is an oft-overlooked opportunity for resellers in industries they already serve, especially education, healthcare, government, and any enterprise where security, protecting sensitive information, or employee and guest safety are prioritized. This week, Epson's Michael Weitz joins to explain the challenges of outdated or traditional visitor management, where you should be looking...

BlueStar Academy is our new training program designed to help VARs, ISVs, and vendors give their new (or veteran) sales reps access to education on core technologies, industries, and skills to grow as a solution seller. This week, Mike Monocello, BlueStar Academy program leader and training specialist, explains what executives and managers want from these trainings, how he's building courses, and...

Labeling in fast-paced QSRs is a critical, time-sensitive task that ensures orders for in-store patrons, delivery drivers, and pickups are properly sorted and accurate. That's where linerless printing can make operations more efficient. This week, Epson's Thermal Label Product Manager, Ian Livesay, joins the podcast to make the case for linerless over die-cut labels. What problems does it solve? A...