Telecom Reseller / Technology Reseller News

“We're creating a workforce that’s ready to walk into the AI era—not just with technical knowledge, but with real-world readiness.” — Aaron Ritchie, SVP of Solutions, Uptime Crew

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Publisher Doug Green speaks with Aaron Ritchie, Senior Vice President of Solutions at Uptime Crew, a newly launched division of Smoothstack. The conversation dives deep into how Uptime Crew is addressing the labor shortfall that’s emerging across critical sectors like data centers and semiconductor fabrication—industries that are essential to powering the AI-driven future.

Founded in 2018, Smoothstack made its name delivering "Hire, Train, Deploy" (HTD) solutions for software engineering roles. Now, through Uptime Crew, the same model is being extended to high-tech, hands-on careers where demand is skyrocketing—from data center technicians to field engineers supporting chip manufacturing.

Unlike traditional staffing firms, Uptime Crew hires full-time employees, pays for their immersive 7–10 week training, and deploys them into mission-critical environments. These candidates often come from unexpected backgrounds—military veterans, auto mechanics, Geek Squad technicians—and are reskilled to thrive in high-stakes, high-tech roles. With national security and economic independence driving massive investment in U.S.-based chip production and data centers (projected to grow from 3,000 to 12,000 facilities), the pressure to find qualified talent is intense.

Ritchie explains how Uptime Crew’s tailored approach accelerates time-to-productivity by 66% for clients, reduces attrition, and helps companies de-risk hiring amid exponential growth. In one case study, a rapidly expanding tech client saw immediate ROI by partnering with Uptime Crew to build a custom curriculum that mirrored its operational environment.

Learn more: https://uptimecrew.com

“ChannelCon is different. It’s the one place where our industry comes together—unbiased, vendor-neutral, and 100% member driven.” — Dan Wensley, CEO, GTIA

As ChannelCon 2025 approaches, the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is poised to reintroduce itself to the world with a renewed mission, a powerful global presence, and a truly member-first agenda. In a podcast conversation with Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green, GTIA CEO Dan Wensley shared how the organization—formerly operating under another name—has embraced a new identity while preserving its most valued traditions.

Wensley, a 20+ year veteran of the IT channel and longtime member of the organization, stepped into the CEO role earlier this year with a clear goal: elevate the voice of the global channel and deliver unparalleled value to vendors, MSPs, distributors, and IT service providers through peer connection, research, and education.

At the heart of GTIA’s activities is ChannelCon, the organization’s flagship event. This year’s conference—taking place July 29–31 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee—marks the first under the GTIA banner. It promises a dynamic mix of AI-focused tracks, emerging tech showcases, peer-to-peer engagement, and headliner entertainment, including performances by Gretchen Wilson, Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts), and Trace Adkins.

Dan Wensley

Wensley emphasized what sets ChannelCon apart: its vendor-neutral exhibit floor, grassroots-driven content, and research-informed programming. Highlights include:

A visionary panel featuring Jason McGee, Austin McChord, Chris Day, and Nick Heddy (Pax8), moderated by GTIA analyst Carolyn April

A new SMB market research report detailing national tech buying trends

Over 60 member-driven sessions on cybersecurity, AI, and business operations

A robust Podcast Row and a reinvigorated charitable foundation, with $1.5 million in donations slated for 2025

GTIA's commitment to both local impact and global outreach is also on display through its expanding international footprint and upcoming ChannelCon EMEA later this year.

Wensley concluded with an open invitation: “If you’re part of the channel, ChannelCon is your event. Whether you're a startup or a legacy vendor, this is your platform.”

Learn more and register at: https://channelcon.gtia.org

“If you’re going to do something, do it right. Don’t cut corners. Use the right partners.” — Jake Jacoby, TELCLOUD

In the latest episode of the POTS and Shots podcast series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, reconnects with Jake Jacoby, Founder and CEO of TELCLOUD, to unpack one of the most overlooked—but absolutely critical—elements of delivering POTS replacement: billing and compliance.

For many MSPs and resellers, the conversation around telecom billing evokes little more than eye rolls. But Jacoby makes the case that billing isn’t just admin—it’s the core of doing business right. And for those new to telecom, the complexity of telco billing can quickly become a costly trap if not handled properly. Taxes, regulatory compliance, and FCC filings aren’t optional—they’re mandatory and can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the industry.

That’s where TELCLOUD’s Telco Bill Center comes in.

A Turnkey Solution to a Complex Problem

Jacoby explains that TELCLOUD acts as the telco of record through its TBC Communications division, handling everything from tax calculation and billing to collections and regulatory filings. For resellers, this translates into a fully managed, co-branded billing platform that requires no upfront investment and ensures complete compliance.

“We’ve created the easy button for resellers,” said Jacoby. “They can remain white-labeled in service delivery, but TELCLOUD takes care of the billing complexity behind the scenes.”

Key features of the Telco Bill Center include:

FCC and state tax compliance

USF contribution management

Customer invoicing and payment collection

White-label service delivery with co-branded billing

Built-in revenue sharing with resellers

Protecting the Channel—and the Customer

Doug and Jake explore how failing to address compliance can jeopardize the entire reseller-customer relationship. TELCLOUD's billing platform not only ensures tax and regulatory compliance, but also safeguards both the reseller and the end customer from legal and financial risk.

Jacoby emphasizes that TELCLOUD’s approach aligns with its broader philosophy: enable resellers to sell and scale, without being bogged down in the infrastructure of compliance.

And Now for the Shot…

As always, the “Shots” portion of the podcast adds a flavorful twist. This time, Jake brings out Arete Añejo, a sipping tequila from El Llano Distillery—one of the oldest family-run distilleries in Tequila, Mexico. With notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and butterscotch, it’s a smooth reminder that, like great telecom billing, craftsmanship matters.

Learn More

Visit www.telcloud.com or call 844-900-2270 to explore TELCLOUD’s solutions.

“Sitting in a meeting and not contributing is more impersonal than letting a bot attend in your place.” — Andy Abramson, Founder & CEO, Comunicano

In a wide-ranging and fast-moving conversation with Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green, veteran communications strategist Andy Abramson delivers a provocative take on the state—and future—of meetings in the AI era.

Abramson, Founder and CEO of Comunicano and a decades-long force in telecom PR and strategic communications, begins by challenging the conventional wisdom that in-person meeting attendance is always better. Responding to a Washington Post article about AI bots attending meetings on behalf of humans, Abramson argues that automation isn’t the enemy of productivity—in fact, it might finally deliver on it.

“Most meetings are dominated by three or four people,” says Abramson. “The rest are scrolling Instagram, shopping online—or worse. Bots can attend in their place, and with the right tools, those people can get more value from the meeting in 10 minutes than they would in 60.”

Doug Green probes the implications: Is this the end of collaboration? Or its rebirth? Abramson believes AI will actually foster better group dynamics. With meeting notes, summaries, searchable transcripts, and VCons (virtual conversation containers), information is more accessible than ever, and participation can be asynchronous but no less impactful. He points out that voice dominance and politics often muffle valuable ideas in large group settings. Streamlining who attends—based on contribution, not hierarchy—can amplify creativity and productivity.

Drawing on his background in sports and media, Abramson outlines a playbook for smarter meetings: track engagement like player stats, rotate voices for freshness, and cut people loose when their time is better spent elsewhere. He even likens the future of meetings to modern coaching—leaders must evolve into facilitators who optimize team contribution rather than merely host a room.

The conversation also touches on the origins of online collaboration in the 1980s, with Abramson offering a vivid tour of early digital bulletin boards and a pre-Internet proto-social network culture. This historical perspective leads to a discussion of VCon, a now-emerging open-source standard that encapsulates conversations—recordings, transcripts, summaries, and context—into portable, interoperable, and privacy-aware containers.

“VCon is the PDF of conversations,” says Abramson. “It’s portable, secure, and creates an immutable record of everything that was said, decided, and assigned.”

Green and Abramson close by offering practical advice for leaders: use the data from your meetings—who spoke, who didn’t—to refine participation, increase engagement, and free up your team's most valuable resource: time.

Learn More

Subscribe to Andy Abramson’s daily newsletter at comunicano.substack.com

Visit Comunicano: https://comunicano.com

“We’re not just solving a power problem—we’re enabling the next generation of digital infrastructure.” — Jim Summers, CEO, Gas Power Compute Infrastructure

In an era where AI and cloud computing are driving data center demand through the roof, the question of how to power that future has become just as critical as the technology itself. In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation with Jim Summers, CEO of Gas Power Compute Infrastructure (GPC), Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green explores the very real energy bottlenecks now threatening digital transformation.

Founded to address the widening gap between data center demand and utility grid capacity, GPC delivers onsite, natural gas-powered energy infrastructure—turning traditional thinking about power delivery on its head.

The Grid Can’t Keep Up—But Data Centers Can’t Wait

For decades, power in the U.S. was abundant, and few thought twice about availability. But now, as Summers explains, we are entering the fourth industrial revolution—an era defined by hyper-connected devices, mobility, and generative AI—all powered by data centers. These new centers are no longer requesting 10 megawatts—they’re asking for 100 or even a gigawatt of capacity.

The utilities simply can’t keep up. Aging infrastructure, permitting delays, and the realities of a slow-moving grid have pushed many operators to face years-long timelines just to connect to adequate power.

Enter On-Site Generation: Behind-the-Meter, Ahead of the Curve

GPC’s solution: on-site, behind-the-meter generation using clean-burning, flexible natural gas. This approach offers three key benefits:

Speed to Power – On-site generation bypasses grid delays, enabling faster deployment.

Reliability – Natural gas turbines, especially in redundant (N+1) configurations, can offer five nines reliability.

Sustainability – On-site gas can outperform the grid’s coal-heavy mix in emissions, while achieving efficiencies of up to 85% through waste heat recapture.

Summers emphasizes the often-overlooked efficiency and environmental advantage of natural gas. Unlike grid power—which loses up to 15% in transmission—GPC’s approach delivers power where it’s used, minimizing waste and opening the door to future hydrogen and biogas adoption with the same infrastructure.

From Heavy Industry to High Tech: Lessons Reapplied

Drawing on decades of experience in energy infrastructure for chemical plants, paper mills, and refineries, Summers and his team are now applying proven self-generation strategies to a new challenge: digital infrastructure. The parallels are clear—both need reliable, high-volume, and resilient power.

“We’re really taking what heavy industry figured out years ago and putting it to work for data centers,” said Summers.

Dispelling Myths, Delivering Certainty

A few persistent myths linger around onsite generation, Summers noted. Is it legal? Yes—in all 50 states. Is it reliable? Even more so than many utility grids today. Is it sustainable? Absolutely—especially compared to coal-fired baseline generation still running across the U.S.

What GPC brings is not just technology, but turnkey solutions and long-term partnerships. “We don’t lead with equipment. We lead with relationships,” says Summers, underscoring the company's deep bench of energy veterans, capital backing, and holistic project management—from permitting to fuel sourcing to system operation.

Complexity, Simplified

In the end, Summers argues, the goal is to help customers turn a highly complex energy challenge into an opportunity. As data center developers and operators face mounting urgency, GPC stands ready to provide not only power, but peace of mind.

“Every time you use your phone, you’re tapping into a data center. But the reality is, that data center might be competing with homes and hospitals for grid power on a 117-degree day. That’s why we built GPC—to give our clients control, speed,

“Voice isn’t dead. It’s forming a great alliance with AI.” — Julia Fraser, Executive Vice President, Americas, Sinch

In a compelling conversation with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, Julia Fraser of Sinch shares a front-line view into the dual revolutions transforming business communications today: RCS (Rich Communication Services) and AI. Representing the Americas for the Sweden-headquartered cloud communications company, Fraser highlights how these technologies are reshaping customer engagement—while keeping human connection at the center.

Branded Trust and Richer Messaging

Sinch’s new research—spanning nearly 3,000 consumers and over 1,600 business leaders—shows that 54% of consumers prefer RCS over SMS/MMS, with 59% calling it a “game changer.” Fraser explains how branded and verified RCS messages not only improve trust and open rates, but also drive tangible results like abandoned cart recoveries. “When a consumer knows the message is really from their bank or retailer, they’re more likely to act,” Fraser notes.

AI-Powered Personalization, Real-Time Care

The discussion dives deep into how AI enhances everything from marketing to customer care. Whether it’s a personalized retail offer or a voicebot that helps resolve flight delays or financial fraud, AI is helping organizations anticipate needs and respond quickly. “AI isn’t something to fear,” Fraser stresses. “It drives productivity and deeper personalization—across all generations.”

Voice + AI = The Future

Despite predictions that voice is on its way out, Fraser says the opposite is true—especially in financial services and healthcare. Sinch’s data shows that 63% of businesses plan to adopt voice AI bots this year, with that figure rising to 86% in financial services. Whether it’s a late flight, a blocked card, or a bereavement call, voice remains critical—and AI makes it faster, smarter, and more empathetic.

Human-Centered Design

From seamless triage in healthcare to respectful handling of debt collection, Fraser emphasizes the need to know when to hand a conversation off from a bot to a human. “It’s not just about resolution. It’s about doing so with trust, security, and empathy.”

Four Pillars of Communication Success

Sinch organizes its customer communication strategy around four pillars:

Keep customers informed

Keep customers safe

Keep customers happy

Drive engagement and loyalty through personalization

And RCS and AI—working together—power all four.

For more insights and to access Sinch’s full research report, visit sinch.com.

"We don’t alter how people sound—but we do help them become better communicators.” — Andreas Orebo Wenzel, Vice President of Engage AI, Jabra

In a revealing conversation with Technology Reseller News, Jabra’s Vice President of Engage AI, Andreas Orebo Wenzel, joined publisher Doug Green to unveil the company’s latest breakthrough in contact center technology: Engage AI Complete—a new, human-centered AI software platform designed to improve the agent and customer experience in real time.

Known globally for its professional-grade headsets and audio devices, Jabra is now turning up the volume on software innovation. With decades of institutional knowledge from serving contact centers, Jabra is expanding its footprint with tools that do more than capture audio—they understand it.

Beyond Speech-to-Text: The Missing 38%

“Only 7% of human communication comes from the words we say,” noted Orebo Wenzel. “Another 38% comes from how we say them—our tone of voice.” While most AI tools focus on transcription and summarization, Jabra’s platform is tackling this underexplored territory.

Engage AI Complete leverages a proprietary tone-of-voice model to give agents real-time, non-intrusive feedback during live calls. If an agent starts to sound disengaged or fatigued, the software acts like a virtual mirror—quietly alerting them and enabling instant course correction. It's not surveillance; it's coaching.

Gamification Meets Empathy

Designed to feel supportive rather than supervisory, Engage AI Complete gamifies agent performance. By earning badges, improving scores, and staying in the “green zone,” agents are encouraged to continually refine their communication style—empowered by feedback, not punished by it.

“Contact center work is hard,” said Orebo Wenzel. “Our job is to make it easier, more engaging, and more fulfilling by giving agents tools that help them grow in real time.”

A Platform for the Future

Engage AI Complete builds on Jabra’s existing Engage AI platform and introduces advanced capabilities like speech-to-text and dual-channel analysis. Together, these tools offer a complete picture of both what was said and how it was said—unlocking new potential for agent coaching, quality assurance, and customer satisfaction.

Jabra’s software is headset-agnostic but delivers enhanced performance when paired with its professional-grade devices. The result? A seamlessly integrated audio-AI solution that enhances both technical quality and human connection.

Looking Ahead

As Jabra enters the second half of 2025, the company plans to focus on extracting even deeper insights from its dual-layer analysis engine, giving agents the power to proactively manage tone, content, and customer satisfaction—all from their desktop in real time.

For more information on Jabra’s Engage AI Complete, visit www.jabra.com.

“A 30% duty can turn a profitable product into a loss-maker if it's not accounted for.” — Noa Sussman, TecEx

In the latest installment of the TecEx podcast series, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, is joined once again by Noa Sussman of TecEx to unpack the real-world financial impact of tariffs, duties, and VAT on global technology deployments—and why it’s no longer just a logistics issue, but a boardroom concern.

The Hidden Cost of Global Trade Decisions

Sussman warns that companies still underestimate how duties and tariffs directly affect sourcing and profitability. With geopolitical tensions and shifting regulations, a 10% or 30% tariff isn’t theoretical—it’s immediate and impactful. “It can take a product from black to red if you don’t factor it into your pricing,” Sussman explains. Sourcing from countries like China or exporting to regulated markets like Europe means companies must think beyond cost and lead times—they must assess tax exposure and long-term compliance risks.

VAT: Not Just a Cost of Doing Business

The discussion also dives into VAT—how it varies across jurisdictions, and how misunderstandings about reclaim rules can cause serious cash flow issues. Sussman shares how a poorly timed or misunderstood VAT payment can delay deployments and disrupt go-to-market timelines.

Case Study: When Classification Goes Wrong

In a striking real-world example, Sussman recounts how one client misclassified a component’s country of origin, triggering a massive tariff on an entire $1 million shipment rather than a single $5,000 part. The error, based on incomplete paperwork and poor compliance oversight, led to unexpected duties, delays, and financial loss—something a strategic partner like TecEx could have prevented.

Strategic Solutions: Planning and Partners

From leveraging free trade agreements to properly classifying products and understanding country-specific tax rules, Sussman outlines how planning can lower costs and reduce risk. He also introduces the concept of “duty drawback programs”—a lesser-known tool that allows qualified companies to recoup paid duties under certain conditions.

“Too many companies make the sale before they think about VAT or duties,” Sussman notes. “By then, it’s too late.”

Final Word: Don’t Go It Alone

For organizations deploying globally—whether into data centers or manufacturing facilities—the message is clear: bringing in a seasoned trade and compliance partner isn’t optional. It’s essential.

To learn more about navigating global deployment and compliance with confidence, visit tecex.com.

Podcast with Chris McHenry, VP at Aviatrix, and Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News

“Wiz detects. We react and enforce.” — Chris McHenry, Aviatrix

In this timely conversation, Doug Green of Technology Reseller News sits down with Chris McHenry, Vice President at Aviatrix, to explore the company's groundbreaking partnership with Wiz—and how the two are working together to solve one of the most urgent problems in enterprise IT: cloud security.

Aviatrix is focused on reinventing network security for the cloud era, helping enterprises regain the controls they've lost in the transition from traditional data centers to cloud-native architectures. “CISOs consistently tell us their cloud environments feel less secure than their data centers,” McHenry notes. That’s where Aviatrix steps in—by delivering Zero Trust security at the network layer, with cloud-native tools that provide perimeter protection, lateral movement control, and runtime enforcement.

The conversation zeroes in on the company's recent integration with Wiz, the cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) that recently made headlines with its massive $30 billion acquisition by Google. According to McHenry, the partnership is more than strategic—it's foundational. “They detect attacks, we stop them,” he says, describing a “closed-loop” response system where Wiz identifies high-risk incidents and Aviatrix’s Cloud Native Security Fabric automatically reacts in real time, quarantining threats and blocking malicious activity.

As AI rapidly redefines the modern enterprise, McHenry explains how Aviatrix is evolving to meet the dual challenge: using AI to both secure cloud environments and enhance the performance of security operations. From custom AI-powered risk analysis to integrations with Microsoft Copilot for Security, the company is pushing innovation at both ends of the spectrum.

And for the reseller community, there’s even more upside. Aviatrix is proudly channel-first. “We sell almost entirely through the channel,” says McHenry, inviting partners—especially those already working with Wiz—to expand their practices with Aviatrix’s complementary offerings. “This is a big opportunity to help your customers modernize cloud security without lifting and shifting legacy firewalls.”

The stakes are rising, and this partnership is gaining attention for good reason. “Google’s acquisition of Wiz validates just how critical cloud security is,” says McHenry. “And our integration gives organizations an immediate path to both detect and respond to threats—at scale.”

This podcast is the first of a two-part series. Stay tuned for part two, where Aviatrix CEO Doug Merritt will dive deeper into the strategic vision shaping the next decade of secure cloud infrastructure.

Learn more at: www.aviatrix.com

Podcast with Chris Drake, SVP at iconectiv, hosted by Doug Green, Publisher, Technology Reseller News

“Anything that’s powerful and transformative, you have to follow the directions.” — Chris Drake, iconectiv

In an era where mobile numbers have become not just identifiers but wallets, communication channels, and business platforms, ensuring trust and authenticity in messaging has never been more important. In a timely and in-depth discussion, Chris Drake, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Development at iconectiv, joined Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green to explore the emerging role of Rich Business Messaging (RBM) in a world increasingly threatened by AI-driven fraud.

From Mobile Vulnerability to Trusted Conversations

Chris Drake highlights how the ubiquitous mobile phone number—once just a contact point—has become a rich target for impersonation scams, deepfake fraud, and phishing attacks. RBM, built on the global RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard, offers businesses a secure, multimedia-rich way to communicate with customers while solving for the twin challenges of CX (Customer Experience) and security.

Drake explains that RBM delivers interactive, tap-based messaging (like carousels and smart reply buttons), enabling users to easily engage with brands. But the real differentiator lies in the secure onboarding and authentication behind every message. With iconectiv as a trusted vetting authority, senders are cryptographically verified and continuously monitored—ensuring only legitimate entities are allowed to reach consumers via RBM.

A New Messaging Paradigm

RBM transforms mobile messaging into what Drake calls “conversational commerce.” But with that transformation comes responsibility. Businesses must “use as directed,” meaning onboarding, identity proof, encrypted connections, and authenticated communication paths must be properly implemented. Otherwise, the very tools meant to protect users could be exploited by bad actors.

As Drake notes, “RBM brings that sense of legitimacy which is so lacking lately.” It provides a path forward where consumers feel safe engaging, buying, and responding via mobile—and brands can confidently deliver interactive experiences without compromising security.

iconectiv’s Role

iconectiv supports this evolution by offering identity vetting, cryptographic proofs, and continuous monitoring of sender behavior. The company ensures that brands not only enter the RBM ecosystem with integrity—but maintain that integrity over time. Drake emphasizes the importance of ongoing oversight to detect anomalies, malicious links, or reputational issues that may arise after initial onboarding.

Conclusion

RBM is more than just a messaging upgrade—it’s a foundational shift in how businesses communicate in a mobile-first, AI-challenged landscape. With proper implementation, it offers a rare balance: a better customer experience and stronger protection against fraud.

To learn more about RBM and secure digital messaging, visit iconectiv.com.