This week, we're seeking insights, advice, and experiences from one of our customers in the channel. Elie Katz, Founder & CEO of National Retail Solutions, tells us about building a POS business aimed at helping independent merchants compete against large chains and still have access to the latest and greatest technology. How can SMB VARs & ISVs stand out in a crowd? What does the channel bring to VARs? Are there recurring revenue "hacks"? And what does public service have to do with being a good salesperson?

Check out NRS' offerings: https://nrsplus.com/

Around the Nation: Follow BlueStar on LinkedIn

#VARValue - What advice do you have for resellers to stay relevant in the years to come? Are there industries/technologies/trends you’re watching closely?

On Our Radar

Elie - Expanding into restaurants

Dean - AI-generated ad

John - Indications of extraterrestrial life?

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

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

Sponsored by

Elo M51 Mobile Computer

"It's put up or shut up time for AI!" proclaims John on this week's episode. He and Dean are ready to see real, tangible applications with AI. Thankfully, Elo's Luke Wilwerding brings the goods by helping us explore AI's actual potential and the tools and infrastructure VARs need to bring those solutions to their customers. How is AI already impacting your device sales? What are end-users saying they want? Will AI eliminate the touchscreen? What should VARs be doing in their business to prepare for future AI opportunities?

Around the Nation: Find BlueStar at RetailNow 2025!

#VARValue - Elo recently announced new I-Series 5 and Backpack 5 products built for an Elo.AI initiative. Tells us a bit about that initiative, what it means for your hardware, and how VARs can take advantage to develop their own AI solutions.

On Our Radar

Luke - How AI accelerates science

Dean - Walmart delivery drones

John - Cluely

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

Our latest BlueStar Nation survey tackles mobile device usage, challenges, and expectations for clinical healthcare workers. To help us break down the data, we turned to an expert, Zebra's Healthcare CNIO Industry Principal Kassaundra McKnight-Young, to not only explain the benefits of enterprise mobility in the industry but also share her perspective as an active clinician. Is there still an opportunity to move healthcare away from consumer devices? How can communication between care teams be improved? Who are the key decision-makers for healthcare tech? Why are so many clinicians leaving the industry entirely?

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

#VARValue - Did any other findings in this survey stand out to you? How is Zebra helping the reseller community tackle clinical mobility needs?

On Our Radar

Kassaundra - Clinical staff duress

Dean - The evolutionary benefits of itching

John - Is our galaxy going to collide with another?

Keep in Touch!

Email – [email protected]

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

Sponsored by:

Zebra's HC25 & HC55 Rugged Healthcare Mobile Computers

Elo's Quick Ship Program

As more devices, solutions, and emerging tech like AI & machine vision demand rapid, near-instantaneous processing and response, relying solely on the cloud and centralized servers may not be enough. Scale Computing is helping VARs address the need for decentralization, and their CEO, Jeff Ready, joins the pod this week to provide context and a path forward. How does a Robert Frost poem explain contemporary attitudes toward edge computing? What's happening with VMWare? What misconceptions persist about edge vs. cloud? It's the episode that really encourages you to attend our poetry slam.

Around the Nation: The 2U Tour Rolls On!

#VARValue - How is Scale helping resellers and ISVs deliver stronger solutions on the edge?

On Our Radar

Jeff - AI-assisted app development

Dean - Tardigrade radiation shield

John - Blue Book exams return

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 70-Series Instant Rebate (ends June 30th, 2025!)

The modern kitchen serves many masters: food safety standards, "I want it now and I want it here" consumers, and delivery companies enabling those consumers. How are those demands influencing restaurant technology in the kitchen and front-of-the-house? Star Micronics' Christophe Naasz joins to explain. How do label printers and modern scanning solutions drive efficiency? What are the advantages of cloud POS vs. on-prem? What did Christophe see at NRA that excited or interested him?

Around the Nation: Watch Star's QSR Labeling Webinar!

#VARValue - How is Star helping restaurants keep up with kitchen demands and the increase in cloud-based POS systems?

On Our Radar

Christophe - Meta's Ray Ban AI glasses

Dean - €1million doorstop

John - "Super-vision" contact lenses

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:

Star Micronics Thermal Printers

Elo Pay POS Systems

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