*We're back with a new episode next week, but if you're looking for something fun to do with family/friends over the Thanksgiving holiday, here's a replay of our 200th episode and some Gen X vs. Millennial/Gen Z trivia!*

Wow! 200 episodes! We’ve been doing this for a while, and to mark this milestone, we're taking a break from our usual educational discussions to have some fun with another installment of Tech Trivia. It's Dean versus the younger generations, Sarah Schlueter and Sarah Stenger, in a battle of tech knowledge. Plus, as a special bonus, John & Dean finally do more than make a passing reference to the unofficial TEConnect Podcast film, “Minority Report.”

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

*We're off until December, so enjoy a replay of our episode on traceability in the food supply chain*

*Originally released March 28, 2024*

Traceability is more important than ever in the food supply chain, as it allows quick and efficient tracking and halting of potential contaminants and foodborne illnesses. This week, food supply chain expert Jim Hilton joins us (in the studio!) to explain the opportunities for VARs. Why are we seeing more recalls? How does the direct-to-consumer market affect the supply chain? What is the FSMA 204 Final Rule, and how will technology help suppliers comply quickly? It’s the episode that wants to know exactly where this salad came from.

#VARValue—What conversations should VARs who work with food manufacturers/suppliers have right now to prepare for these changes? 

TEConnecting with us:

Jim - Temperature control/sensors & truck connectivity

Dean - AI helps create new antibiotics

John - The EU's AI Act

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast 

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

Sponsored by:

Elo I-Series 3 w/Intel

What topics are John & Dean riffing on this week?

• Why some people don't have children

TEConnecting with us:

Dean - Why do plants wiggle

John - Watch "Homicide: Life on the Street" on Peacock

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo's Quick Ship Program

We're breaking down the data from another one of our #BlueStarNation end-user surveys, this time speaking to 125 retail leaders about point-of-sale. What are the top considerations when buying? What is the preferred OS? What are the biggest challenges? What is on their wishlist for their next solution?

Read the full article

Register for Elo's Payments & POS Panel Discussion

#VARValue - What should a retail VAR do with this info?

TEConnecting with us:

Dean - Meta AI data center "scuppered" by bees

John - How many unused gift cards do Americans have?

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo Pay 22"

In honor of a Halloween release, we're talking about the spooky season with special guests Sam Hughes and...the Ghostface killer from Scream? (It's Sarah Schlueter!) What are some movies/TV shows that have scared us? Favorite Halloween costumes? What technology scares us? Best candy? It's the episode so packed that Dean could only say, "Oh."

TEConnecting with us:

Sarah - The story behind Spirit Halloween

Sam - Digital literacy in an age of misinformation

Dean - Stem-cell therapy for diabetes

John - Evil on Paramount Plus

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo Pay M100

"The robots are here," says Juan Higueros, Co-Founder & COO of Bear Robotics. He joins us this week to discuss the robot market, where opportunities are taking off, and how VARs can play a huge role. What are service robots doing in the hospitality industry? What use case surprised Juan? What does a typical deployment look like? How does Juan address skepticism?

Check out Bear Robotics!

#VARValue - How is Bear partnering with VARs to find opportunities and bring robots to market?

TEConnecting with us:

Juan - Tesla's Optimus robot

Dean - Amazon & Google investing in nuclear

John - Why Congress is trying to keep AM radios in cars

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo Edge Connect

Shipping labels aren't going anywhere, but why are they so dull? Epson's Tessa Kohl returns to emphasize the opportunity to do more with a process all shippers utilize. How can labels level up with color, additional images and messages, and personalized content? How does such labeling benefit the shipper, and how is Epson helping your customers make the most of wasted box space? It's the episode that references far too many old cartoons.

#VARValue - Tell us about Label Boost, Epson’s software for creating these dynamic, versatile labels.

TEConnecting with us:

Tessa - Microsoft Recall & AI skepticism

Dean - Plastic-eating fungus

John - Mysterious sounds from the Mariana Trench

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Epson Label Boost Software

Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Honeywell PM45 Industrial Printer

Elo M51 Rugged Mobile Computer

We're reflecting on #VARTECH2024 one last time! Was it our biggest show ever? What was the theme, and how did William Shatner, Florida Man memes, and TED Conversations fit in? What were the hot technologies on the exhibit floor, in education sessions, and during the ISV and Solution presentations? Did BlueStar engineer a rocket launch just for their attendees? It's the episode that wonders why we do this to ourselves every year!

#VARValue - For VARs that didn’t attend, what did you learn that anyone can use? 

Follow BlueStar on YouTube to see VARTECH videos and much more!

TEConnecting with us:

Dean - Pocket-sized nuclear battery

John - The continued down-spiral of X/Twitter

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo IDS 04/54 Series

Once again, we took our show on the road to VARTECH in Orlando, Florida, to discuss websites and social media and how they can impact your business. James Korte gives us a breakdown of what "good" websites should contain and what they should do. What are some common pitfalls and mistakes? Is there a right way to do social media? Finally, we wrap up by gently critiquing some sites submitted by our audience.

#VARValue - Check out the sites we reviewed!

Check out the YouTube video to follow along with our website reviews: https://youtu.be/xDtuNQXAvTA 

TEConnecting with us:

James - Runway AI video

Dean - Bark Air

John - Are restaurant kiosks leading to smaller orders?

Keep in Touch!

Email - [email protected]

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

Submit your topic ideas - https://www.bluestarinc.com/en-us/about-the-company/bluestar-teconnect-podcast

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

Sponsored by:

Elo Quick Ship Program