The new Trump administration has been busy rolling back initiatives from previous administrations and rapidly overhauling government agencies. If you sell into the public sector, what do these rapid changes mean? We turn, as always, to our government guru, EVerged's Jeff Smith, to provide guidance. What is happening with EV charging rollouts and opportunities? How is the DOGE dismantling of agencies affecting tech investments? What does it mean for state and local businesses? What's Jeff's advice for handling uncertain times?

Around the Nation: Vote for the RSPA Vendor Awards of Excellence!

#VARValue - What did you learn from the first Trump administration that’s helping you navigate the new one? Or is it much different this time?

On Our Radar

Jeff - Autonomy & productivity

Dean - Manu jumping

John - Ghosted? Try the Closure chatbot

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:  Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer

A run of new episodes starts next week with Jeff Smith returning to discuss government tech sales under the new Trump administration and the state of EV charging opportunities. To prepare, let's revisit Jeff's last appearance!

* * *

*Originally released May 9, 2024*

The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government investment and consumer interest. This week, Jeff Smith, CEO of EVerged, explains why he is all-in on the market and its potential.  What trends and opportunities is he seeing? How does EVerged address sustainability questions? What makes this a perfect time to explore EV charging partnerships?

#VARValue—Beyond EV solutions, what else is happening in the public sector that VARs should focus on to find new opportunities? 

TEConnecting with us:

Jeff - X's AI & robotics initiatives, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid plane, and Zamboni EVs

Dean - Falling space junk

John - LG washer/dryer

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo Outdoor Open Frame Touchscreen

"This is your roadmap," says Dean about our latest BlueStar Nation end-user survey results. We surveyed 125 education teachers, administrators, and IT leaders about their experiences using and deploying digital displays in the classroom. What frustrates them? Why aren't they using more interactive displays? Who is responsible for maintenance and support? What do they want out of their next upgrade? Your final grade depends on this episode!

Thanks to Samsung for sponsoring the survey!

Around the Nation: See BlueStar at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando!

#VARValue - What would you do with this data as a VAR? Are there any immediate conversations/actions to take?

On Our Radar

Dean - The ozone hole is healing

John - Scientists develop "emotion sticker"

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo + Epson TrueOrderTM KDS

We'll be back next week, breaking down a survey from Educators, but until then, let's revisit this conversation exploring how touchscreen displays complement AI solutions.

*Originally released August 8th, 2024*

-----------------------------------

We’re talking more about AI with Elo’s Kristin Roubie, this time regarding digital displays and industries deploying the technologies together. How are Kristin & Elo approaching AI at the moment? What are some practical applications she’s seen or expects to grow? How does touch, in particular, amplify the power of AI?

#VARValue - What should VARs and their customers look for in an AI solution to ensure it takes advantage of displays like Elo’s? 

TEConnecting with us:

Kristin - Modern building materials

Dean - Dark oxygen

John - Notepad adds spell-check

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo I-Series 3

Technology is rapidly advancing, and new inventions and innovations make our lives easier, but do you ever miss something simpler? That's the subject of this week's episode. Is it nostalgia, or do we get stubborn as we age? Sarah Schlueter, an old soul herself, joins us (with props!). When did we feel like we were on the cutting edge of tech adoption? What tech are we nostalgic for, and what do we wish we could go back to?

Around the Nation: Watch Unboxed on YouTube

On Our Radar

Sarah - Tech detox

Dean - Where does taxpayer money actually go, and where are allergies the worst?

John - Careless People

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo Pay POS Systems

As AI continues to be a hot topic, we're looking to spotlight practical, tangible use cases on the pod this year, both within your business and solutions for your customers. Look for new episodes soon that address this topic, but in the meantime, if you missed it, check out this conversation we had with Honeywell's Michael Groskopf.

*Originally released Oct. 10, 2024*

It's been nearly two years since LLMs like ChatGPT exploded into the public consciousness, but how are businesses leveraging the technology to improve and grow? Honeywell PSS CIO Michael Groskopf shares some powerful but practical examples with us. What are two things he thinks all VARs could use gen AI for? How does it improve data analysis? What are his predictions for the future? It's a multi-modal episode that helps you focus on the fun part of your job description!

#VARValue - How is Honeywell tackling the AI explosion?

TEConnecting with us:

Michael - Bug-A-Salt

Dean - Aerosolized flu vaccinations

John - AI music scheme busted

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected] 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Honeywell PM45 Industrial Printer

Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer

Sure, we're no longer the TEConnect Podcast, but TEC Bytes--our occasional round-up of interesting articles, lists, rankings, research, tech topics, and more--lives on! Here's what we're discussing:

On Our Radar

Dean - Workdays are ending earlier

John - Music makes us move, even when we don't like it

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo's 70-Series Promo (ends June 30th, 2025)

Finding new opportunities in retail isn't easy. There is a lot of market saturation, a lot of competition, and a lot of technology options. But, it’s also a lucrative industry when you win business, so we want to give you an edge by equipping you with end-user data—actual insights from retailers about their tech in use, wishlist items, and support preferences. Then, we analyze those insights, compile the most relevant data, and give you some suggestions for interpreting it. Thanks to our friends at Elo for sponsoring this survey!

Read the full article at BlueStar Nation!

Around the Nation: Take advantage of BlueStar's Custom Configuration Services!

#VARValue - What would you do with this data as a VAR? Are there any immediate conversations/actions to take?

On Our Radar

Dean - Is chewing wood good for you?

John - The new movie trend? VHS!

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo Pay M100 POS Tablet

Facial recognition has become common for personal mobile devices, relying on our unique biological features for security and access control. However, the technology is still somewhat controversial in the broader business world. Terry Schulenburg with CyberLink, makers of FaceMe, will help us understand the technology, how the controversy is mainly manufactured by film/TV, and the opportunity for solution providers. What industries are embracing it? What is the liability for those who sell it? 

Learn More about FaceMe during Terry's appearance on ISVs on Tap!

Around the Nation: Watch the TSC RFID Encoding Webinar

#VARValue - How does facial recognition technology fit alongside the solutions VARs are already selling? When should they engage the CyberLink team, and how will they help you win opportunities?

On Our Radar

Terry - AI in Hollywood

Dean - Bluetooth security issues

John - Who is your doctor taking money from?

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo Outdoor Kiosk Solutions

Supply chain jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, and delivery are still facing a challenging labor market. At the same time, costs remain high, and consumer demands create more pressure to make, distribute, and deliver products quickly. That’s where automation technology has come in to help, but it’s not a total replacement for people, which makes it essential to understand the human element as well. Today, Newcastle’s Kevin Ledversis & Honeywell’s Kelley Wood are sharing their thoughts on the topic. What’s changed about labor post-pandemic? What are supply chain businesses saying about automating their workforce? Is AI a game-changer or a new complication in balancing workforce efficiency and productivity?

Around the Nation: Explore Industries & Technologies at BlueStarInc.com

#VARValue - Newcastle & Honeywell put a lot of thought into how technology helps and augments people, even as they also lean into automation and AI. How has that helped you grow, and what lessons can VARs take away from your approach?

On Our Radar

Kevin - Future shopping experiences at NRF

Kelley - The ARK robo-kitchen

Dean - 2025 predictions...from 100 years ago

John - Mining the moon

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

Sponsored by:

Elo's Quick Ship Program