CompTIA Volley

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest research in the field of data management and analytics. More and more, companies are looking to their data to be the differentiating factor that will drive internal efficiency or external growth. While the ultimate goal is data analytics, most companies are finding that the first order of business is building structure and process around the data they a...

Carolyn and Seth dive into the hype around web3, the concept of decentralizing the internet using blockchain. Starting with a quick history of web1/web2.0/web3, the two define the web3 concept as a shift toward ownership of content rather than production of content. The technology being used for web3 concepts has already launched cryptocurrencies and NFTs, but there is still a challenge in finding...

Carolyn and Seth welcome Marie Rourke, owner of Whitefox Marketing, to talk about how marketing practices are evolving for companies in the IT channel. Historically, vendors have provided marketing funds for their partners, and those funds are still available, but vendors are doing more to tie the funds to expected outcomes and also provide guidance around the best way to invest in marketing. Addi...

Carolyn and Seth discuss some of the findings from CompTIA's recent data on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the IT channel. DEI is a major concern for many firms, but there are many challenges when it comes to moving the needle. Smaller firms are exploring actions beyond hiring and workforce training, including being more selective about working with companies that have clear DEI strategie...

Carolyn and Seth start 2022 by diving into one of the hottest topics in technology: the metaverse. After giving a high-level definition of the metaverse as online life, the discussion turns to the recent hype around the metaverse as a killer app for VR. The main question moving forward is around immersion--how often do people want to be fully immersed in online activities? Whether VR is the main t...

Carolyn and Seth take a look back at some of the big technology trends from 2021. The consistency in regulatory pressure and the growing concerns around cybersecurity were two main stories, and many other events fell under the umbrella of resiliency. From digital transformation to remote work to chip shortages, the common thread was a desire to build more resiliency into business operations. To cl...

Carolyn and Seth talk with Gavin Garbutt, chairman and co-founder of Augmentt, about business tech purchasing in 2022. With budgets on the rise, businesses will be exploring both the tactical and strategic side of IT. Items on the wish list include consulting around technology opportunities, managing cloud systems, and Microsoft 365 security.

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's new research, the IT Industry Outlook 2022. The theme of the report is "Return to Strategy," as both IT professionals and IT channel firms start moving back toward the dual mindset around tactics and strategy that was developing pre-pandemic. The report includes 10 trends to watch, including a shift toward consulting for channel firms and the evolution of soft...

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Randy Gross, CompTIA's CIO and EVP of Cert Operations, for the annual holiday episode. They discuss one thing in tech that's scary (the threat of disruption), one thing they are thankful for (broad access to technology), and one thing on the wish list (removing more friction).

Carolyn and Seth welcome Ricardo Frost, VP and CIO of RFK Solutionz, to discuss some real world issues in cybersecurity. Ricardo talks about the need to build focused cybersecurity budgets, the importance of training, and the benefits of audits in redefining strategy.

Carolyn and Seth review CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity research as Cybersecurity Awareness Month kicks off. As cybersecurity continues to be a moving target for many businesses, a more structured approach is needed. Companies need to start with policy, where a zero trust approach is becoming the best practice. From there, they need to build out the processes and people that are required for stro...

Carolyn and Seth talk with Mark Plunkett, Vice President of custom training at CompTIA Tech Career Academy. Mark gives an overview of custom training programs, which are developed with educational institutions, government entities, and private organizations in order to build a pipeline for technical talent, especially among underserved populations. As demand for technical skills continues to skyro...

Carolyn and Seth talk about the steps companies need to take as they build their data capabilities. Most companies need to start with building comprehensive plans for all their data, including storage options, classification schemes and breaking down data silos. From there, they can move into the analysis that adds new value. Businesses may have to explore many different options for adding data sk...

Carolyn and Seth talk with Matt Britt, executive chef and assistant professor at Johnson and Wales, about the intersection of technology and the culinary industry. The pandemic greatly accelerated the need for restaurants to become digital, and Matt talks about the different ways technology is being used for both customer experience and back kitchen improvements. Culinary Now podcast: https://podc...

Carolyn and Seth talk with Amy Kardel, CompTIA's VP of Strategic Workforce Relationships, about the Apprenticeships for Tech program. Amy shares the characteristics that make apprenticeships unique--a structured approach to learning workplace skills and typically leading to a permanent position. With demand for technical skills skyrocketing, apprenticeships offer a new avenue for businesses to fin...

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest data around SMB tech adoption. The SMB segment is the largest part of the economy, but they have not always been leaders in technology adoption. While the pandemic drove SMBs even more towards core IT infrastructure, the mindset around strategic IT may not have shifted dramatically. Moving forward, the focus will be on how SMB needs are changing and whe...

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest data around IT automation. Automation is certainly not a new concept, but it is growing in importance as companies use technology strategically and systems become more complex. The discussion covers the perception of automation as a benefit vs. a threat, the challenges in connected a variety of systems, and the skills needed to help businesses achieve a...

Carolyn and Seth talk with Kelly Lyndgaard, CEO of Unshattered, about the ways that technology can help a nonprofit. Unshattered offers women in recovery opportunities to develop professional skills and find a sense of community by creating and selling custom handbags. Kelly talks about how technology provided a foundation for their previous efforts and how technology became more strategically imp...

Carolyn and Seth celebrate 5 years of the Volley podcast and welcome their new producer Andrea McMillian. They they dive into CompTIA's latest data on the state of the IT channel, discussing the general sentiment among solution providers, the growing imperative around partner experience, and the opportunities and challenges of exploring new verticals. CompTIA's 9th State of the channel will be ava...

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Nancy Hammervik, CompTIA's EVP of Industry Relations and newly appointed CEO of CompTIA Tech Academy, to talk about her new role and the mission of CTCA. The academy is the evolution of CompTIA's IT Ready program, offering technical training and business skills to candidates seeking an IT position. Nancy talks about the steps the academy is taking toward accreditation...

Carolyn and Seth welcome Diana Deibel and Rebecca Evanhoe, authors of Conversations with Things. The field of user experience has become more critical as expectations change around technology, and natural language interfaces require many new considerations. Diana and Rebecca share insights from their book, including the questions companies should ask as they think about building conversational tec...

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest data on emerging technology. With emerging technology most commonly showing up embedded in broader solutions, the best place to start the discussion is around the foundations that companies are building with their IT operations. Companies are investing in a very balanced way across infrastructure, software, cybersecurity, and data. These investments inc...

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Dave Sobel, host of the Business of Tech podcast. The three talk about technology topics that are flying under the radar but could have big implications ahead. First, they discuss the digital divide within the tech industry--how the issues that make headlines from the tech giants are not always the issues being faced by the average tech firm, and how the seemingly sim...

Carolyn and Seth take a look at the ways that technology has changed the field of journalism. Using the recent legislation passed in Australia as a starting point, they discuss how legislation in this area needs to understand internet economics and properly address market dynamics. Then they move into a broader discussion on how technology and social media have changed journalism for better and fo...

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's latest data around the help desk function. A significant number of companies want to make technology a core competency, and that includes robust technical support. Most of the skills needed are still the traditional technical skills that have been in place for years, but the level of knowledge needs to expand. In addition, the customer experience is becoming a...