While the world becomes increasingly digital – with the need for online activity at a premium – more than 42 million Americans still lack access to affordable, reliable and high-performing broadband services. In cities and suburbs, network infrastructure can serve thousands, whereas rural areas only cover a few dozen homes and businesses, pressuring revenue generation and affecting overall return on investment.

Established by the Federal Government, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, is designed to address this challenge. However, with federal funding currently under scrutiny, the program may face changes. In this podcast, iconectiv Director of Product Management Sharon Dileo, discusses the importance of broadband equity and iconectiv’s role in helping facilitate this program, regardless of potential changes.

“Programs like this provide those in rural areas with more opportunities to participate in the digital economy and society,” Dileo said. “As a trusted, neutral partner to the telecommunications industry for decades, iconectiv is poised to solve key telecom infrastructure challenges the BEAD program faces to help ensure it’s success.”

About iconectiv

iconectiv provides services to secure digital identity, numerous data exchanges, registries, and other information as a service offerings. These address numbering intelligence, Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Business (KYB), fraud prevention, as well as network and operations management for the global communications industry. It provides numbering services in more than a dozen countries, including serving as the Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA) for the United States. As a trusted partner of the communications ecosystem, iconectiv is dedicated to keeping people connected, businesses running and commerce flowing. This includes making sure incoming and outgoing phone calls and messages are verified and identified, and that communications service providers can trust the information in their systems and networks.

www.iconectiv.com

"Let AI qualify your leads, but do it in a way that’s compliant, scalable, and legally sound," says Paul Kleen, CEO, Pitchit. At Cloud Connections 2025, Paul Kleen, CEO of Pitchit, will take the stage as a Gold Sponsor and keynote speaker to address one of the most pressing topics in cloud communications: how AI-powered lead qualification intersects with compliance regulations like TCPA. In a recent episode of Technology Reseller News, Doug Green sat down with Kleen to explore how businesses can harness AI to scale sales operations while staying legally compliant.

AI-Powered Lead Qualification Meets Compliance

Pitchit specializes in AI-driven lead qualification, optimizing customer interactions for industries like telecom, internet services, home security, healthcare, and insurance. The platform helps businesses:

Maximize revenue through automated lead processing

Ensure regulatory compliance with TCPA, Do Not Call (DNC) lists, and more

Reduce costs by replacing manual outreach with AI-driven workflows

"AI has transformed lead qualification, but it also introduces risks. Pitchit is designed to help businesses navigate compliance while scaling operations," Kleen explained.

Understanding TCPA and AI’s Role in Compliance

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), originally enacted in the 1990s, has evolved to address robo-dialing, AI-driven outreach, and digital marketing compliance. Kleen’s keynote will cover:

TCPA fundamentals and how they apply to AI-driven lead generation

How businesses can use AI without violating compliance regulations

Best practices for ensuring consumer consent and respecting opt-outs

"No one wants to be bombarded with unwanted calls and emails. TCPA protects consumers, and businesses must adapt to these evolving regulations," Kleen emphasized.

Free Compliance Resources for Businesses

To help businesses stay ahead, Pitchit has partnered with Rica Law to open-source its research on TCPA, DNC, and AI compliance. The resources include:

A publicly available compliance database detailing key regulations

Step-by-step guides on compliant AI workflows

The Pitchit Academy, featuring free video tutorials on implementing compliant AI strategies

Visit: Pitchit Academy for free access to compliance resources.

Cloud Connections 2025: Don’t Miss the Keynote

April 14-16, 2025

St. Petersburg, Florida

Keynote: AI & TCPA – Compliance in the Age of Automated Outreach

"This session is essential for businesses using AI in sales and marketing. Understanding compliance is the key to unlocking AI’s full potential without risk," Kleen concluded.

For more information, visit PitchIt.ai and attend Cloud Connections 2025 to gain firsthand insights from industry leaders.

#AI #TCPA #CloudConnections #LeadGeneration #Compliance #CloudCommunications

"AI is real, and it has huge potential for PBX systems." – Christian Stredicke, Vodia

March 2025 – In the latest episode of Technology Reseller News, Christian Stredicke, CEO of Vodia, joins Doug Green to explore an emerging trend in business communications: the intersection of AI and PBX systems. While AI has revolutionized many areas of enterprise technology, its integration with private branch exchange (PBX) systems remains largely untapped. Vodia is aiming to change that.

AI and PBX: A New Frontier

Vodia, a leading provider of software-based PBX solutions, has been a key player in the evolution of business phone systems for over 20 years. As AI-driven automation and real-time analytics continue to gain traction, Stredicke highlights the potential for AI to enhance user experiences and streamline business communications. “A PBX is all about managing calls efficiently. AI can make that process smarter, enabling seamless call transfers, voice-activated commands, and better user interactions,” Stredicke explains.

How Vodia is Leveraging AI

Vodia is actively integrating AI into PBX functionality in two key areas:

Call Transfers & Routing: AI-enhanced PBX systems can intelligently route calls to the correct recipient based on real-time context, eliminating the need for manual input or rigid menu structures.

Voice-Activated PBX Commands: Traditional DTMF (press 1 for sales, press 2 for support) menus could soon be a thing of the past. AI can allow users to speak naturally to navigate call options, check voicemail, or activate call forwarding.

“Imagine a world where users can simply say, ‘Connect me to accounting’ instead of navigating complex menus. That’s where AI is taking us,” Stredicke adds.

The Role of AI in Customer Experience

A major benefit of AI-powered PBX is its potential to enhance customer interactions. In industries like healthcare, hospitality, and senior living facilities, AI can help efficiently connect callers with the right staff, saving time and improving service levels.

In nursing homes, AI can route calls to specific rooms or connect family members to the right caregiver without requiring human intervention.

In enterprise settings, AI-driven PBX can help reduce call center workload while maintaining high-quality interactions.

Challenges and Considerations

While the future of AI-driven PBX is promising, Stredicke acknowledges user adoption and privacy concerns as key challenges. “People still need to feel comfortable with AI. While AI can enhance efficiency, customers must trust the system to handle their calls securely and effectively,” he notes. Another consideration is balancing automation with human touch. AI excels at routine call routing, but when it comes to high-value interactions, businesses still need human agents to provide personalized service.

Final Thoughts: The Future of AI in PBX

As AI adoption grows, Vodia is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-powered PBX evolution. With seamless AI integration, businesses can expect faster, smarter, and more intuitive communication systems. “AI has the power to remove complexity from business communications. It’s about making PBX systems work smarter, not harder,” Stredicke concludes.

Learn More

For more information on how Vodia is revolutionizing PBX with AI, visit Vodia.com.

"If you don’t invest in training, you’ll pay for it elsewhere—through turnover, lost productivity, or poor customer experiences," says Alecia Geter, Founder & CEO, Gaitway Learning. In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Alecia Geter, founder of Gaitway Learning, joins Doug Green to discuss how effective training and talent development drive business success. With a background in corporate training, HR, and leadership development, Geter helps businesses create structured systems that not only engage employees but also improve retention, reduce hiring costs, and enhance customer service.

The Hidden Costs of Poor Training

Many businesses underestimate how basic onboarding and skill development impact the bottom line. Geter shares eye-opening examples of companies failing to provide employees with login credentials, clear job responsibilities, or even proper management support—leading to frustration, inefficiency, and high turnover.

Common mistakes include:

Employees receiving laptops without login credentials

Workers unsure of who their manager is

Sales teams not fully understanding what they’re selling

Lack of structured training leading to lost productivity

"When businesses neglect training, the problem doesn’t disappear—it shifts into hiring struggles, lost revenue, and frustrated customers," says Geter.

A Smarter Approach to Employee Development

At Gaitway Learning, the focus is on tailored, scalable talent development. Whether through needs assessments, leadership workshops, or fractional L&D services, Geter’s firm meets businesses where they are, ensuring training investments deliver real ROI.

Fractional L&D Services: Scalable solutions for businesses without a full-time training team

Workshops & Courses: Soft skills training to complement AI-driven automation

Structured Onboarding: Reducing turnover by equipping employees from day one

Why Training is Essential for MSPs & Technology Resellers

At IT Expo & MSP Expo, a major issue discussed was sales teams struggling to sell what they don’t fully understand. Geter emphasizes the need for product training and knowledge management to ensure sales teams confidently present solutions to customers.

Success Story: One client cut training time from 5,000+ hours to 1,800 hours annually, simply by implementing structured learning plans and tracking systems—saving time and money.

Making Training Affordable & Effective

For SMBs worried about budget constraints, Geter offers cost-effective training strategies that don’t require hiring full-time staff.

"You don’t have to hire an entire L&D department—start with a needs analysis, build a roadmap, and engage only when needed," says Geter.

Learn More

For businesses looking to enhance employee success, improve retention, and boost profitability, visit gaitwaylearning.com or connect with Alecia Geter on LinkedIn.

#EmployeeTraining #TalentDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #MSP #Leadership #WorkforceSuccess

"It’s not just about sending emails—it’s about nurturing them to land in the right inbox," says Vitek Patil, CEO, The Lead Marke. At ITEXPO 2025, Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green sat down with Vitek Patil, Founder and CEO of The Lead Market, to discuss the science of effective email marketing. Fresh from co-moderating a session on "Making the Perfect Pitch," Patil shared key strategies on how businesses can ensure their emails reach their intended audience.

The Secret to Email Success: Nurturing, Not Just Sending

Patil emphasized that many businesses mistakenly focus on volume rather than deliverability. Simply blasting emails isn’t enough, warming up your email process and establishing credibility with providers is critical. "Prospects are waiting to hear from you, but if your emails don’t land in their inbox, your efforts are wasted," he explained. By nurturing email campaigns—optimizing content, timing, and engagement—businesses can significantly improve email deliverability and response rates.

How The Lead Market is Transforming B2B Lead Generation

The Lead Market specializes in:

B2B lead generation

LinkedIn-based prospecting

AI-powered web scraping for targeted data collection

Personalized email campaign strategies

Appointment scheduling for high-value leads

With a data-driven approach, The Lead Market helps businesses move beyond cold outreach and toward meaningful customer engagement.

Learn More

Visit: tlminsightsales.com

Book a Consultation: Click "Get Started" on the website to schedule a call with Patil and his team.

#EmailMarketing #LeadGeneration #B2BSales #ITExpo2025 #TheLeadMarket

"VCons are incredible. You can take all your phone calls online, analyze them, and unlock insights like never before." – Claude Hayne, Founder of AdJumps and MindMaking. At ITEXPO 2025, Claude Hayne, founder of AdJumps and MindMaking, joined Technology Reseller News to discuss how VCons (Voice Conversations) and AI are revolutionizing the way businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs)—engage with their customers, optimize sales, and improve marketing strategies. With decades of experience in advertising and communications technology, Hayne has closely followed the evolution of SIP, VoIP, and AI-driven analytics. His latest venture, MindMaking, is designed to help businesses capture, analyze, and act on the wealth of insights hidden in customer conversations.

What Are VCons and Why Do They Matter?

VCons, or Voice Conversations, represent a new frontier in business communications. These AI-enhanced, data-rich call records allow companies to not only store customer interactions but turn them into searchable, actionable data.

Hayne explains:

"Imagine being able to Google your business conversations. Instead of manually listening to hundreds of recorded calls, businesses can now instantly search and analyze their customer interactions. AI can tell you: Who are your best customers? What are they asking for that you don’t yet offer? What common complaints do you receive? These insights have never been this accessible before."

MindMaking: Bringing Enterprise-Level AI to SMBs

One of the biggest challenges for small businesses and independent professionals—from doctors and lawyers to retail stores and service providers—is access to high-quality marketing intelligence. Large corporations invest millions in customer analytics, call center insights, and AI-driven decision-making tools. MindMaking aims to bridge this gap by providing a federated AI-powered platform that small businesses can easily adopt and use.

With MindMaking, SMBs can:

✅ Digitally store and analyze their customer interactions in a centralized platform

✅ Use AI-driven search capabilities to extract key business insights

✅ Identify trends and opportunities to enhance products, services, and customer engagement

✅ Optimize sales and marketing strategies with real-time data

The Evolution of VCons and AI in Customer Engagement

Hayne’s journey toward developing MindMaking began four years ago when he was searching for ways to optimize ad performance and analyze customer interactions. After an introduction to Thomas Howe, a key figure in the VCon space, he quickly recognized the transformative potential of AI-enhanced voice conversations.

"Businesses are sitting on a goldmine of customer data hidden in phone conversations," Hayne explains. "With AI, we can surface that data and provide meaningful insights that drive growth and efficiency."

What’s Next for MindMaking?

While MindMaking and AdJumps are still in early development, the foundation is set for businesses to start leveraging AI-driven voice analytics in new and powerful ways.

"We’re finalizing the core functionality of MindMaking now," Hayne says. "Once it’s in place, we’ll integrate AdJumps to create a seamless solution for SMBs to not only analyze their interactions but use that data to drive smarter marketing campaigns."

As AI continues to reshape customer interactions, marketing, and decision-making, MindMaking’s VCon-powered platform is positioned to offer SMBs the same competitive advantages that large enterprises enjoy.

Learn More

Stay updated on MindMaking at mindmaking.com

Discover how AdJumps is evolving marketing tech at adjumps.com

#VCons #AI #BusinessIntelligence #SMBTech #MarketingTech #ITExpo2025

Cloud Connections 2025 Preview: BroadSource’s SecurePII Takes Center Stage

March 2025 – Technology Reseller News – BroadSource has officially launched SecurePII, a cutting-edge real-time redaction platform designed to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in telecommunications networks. In a special Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) podcast, Haydn Faltyn and Bill Placke from BroadSource joined Doug Green to discuss the technology, its market impact, and why service providers should take notice.

The Growing Need for Real-Time PII Protection

BroadSource has long been a leader in delivering technology solutions to cloud communications providers. With SecurePII, they are addressing a critical issue in telecommunications: how to protect PII that traverses carrier networks.

The demand for real-time data redaction has surged due to increasing regulatory requirements, including CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, and the evolving PCI DSS 4.0 standard. Faltyn explains:

“We launched SecureCall as a PCI-compliant platform for credit card redaction last year. But service providers and enterprises alike need more—protection beyond just payment information. SecurePII extends our technology to safeguard all forms of personal data in voice communications.”

Shifting the Compliance Conversation

Placke highlights the legal and compliance challenges that enterprises face, as regulators worldwide introduce stricter measures around data privacy.

“Legal teams are often forced to say ‘no’ to new initiatives because of concerns over PII exposure. SecurePII flips the script—by redacting sensitive data in real time, businesses can fully leverage AI, analytics, and automation without compliance roadblocks.”

A Game Changer for AI-Driven Business Communications

The rise of AI and large language models (LLMs) has created a data dilemma for enterprises: how can they safely utilize voice data for AI applications, customer analytics, and automation without violating data privacy laws?

With SecurePII, BroadSource provides a solution that allows organizations to extract value from their data without storing or processing sensitive customer information. By removing PII in real-time, businesses can:

Enhance AI training models without compliance risks

Increase customer trust by ensuring privacy protection

Reduce operational risks and costs associated with data breaches and regulatory fines

Impact on Contact Centers and CX

A core use case for SecurePII is contact centers, where credit card details, account numbers, and personal information are frequently exchanged over voice channels. The platform ensures:

Seamless transactions without the risk of human agents being exposed to sensitive data

A frictionless customer experience that retains the personal touch while safeguarding information

Higher revenue retention—BroadSource has observed a 9% increase in revenue when businesses implement SecurePII in customer interactions

BroadSource’s SecurePII Roadmap and Upcoming Events

The launch of SecurePII marks a new strategic direction for BroadSource, emphasizing data security as a core value for service providers. Faltyn and Placke will be presenting SecurePII at:

Cavell’s Summit Europe 2025 – A premier event for cloud communications leaders

Cloud Connections 2025 (CCA Conference, St. Petersburg, FL) – Where BroadSource will showcase SecurePII’s capabilities to global service providers

Where to Learn More

SecurePII is now live, and service providers can integrate it into their networks today. BroadSource has also launched a dedicated website for SecurePII, providing resources, case studies, and implementation details.

Visit: www.securepii.cloud

BroadSource’s mission is clear—to empower service providers with the tools to protect their networks, comply with global regulations, and enable the future of AI-driven business communications. With SecurePII,

Breaking News: Phound CEO Dave Erickson Unveils Persona Management in Exclusive Podcast Interview, "We all have 'multiple me’s,' but traditional phone services don’t accommodate that reality," Erickson explains. “Phound lets you create distinct personas for work, family, and personal life, seamlessly switching between them while maintaining control and privacy.”

Long Beach, CA – March 10, 2025 – In an exclusive Technology Reseller News podcast, Dave Erickson, Co-Founder of Phound, sat down with Doug Green to discuss today’s breaking news—the official launch of Phound’s Persona Management feature.

Solving the "Multiple Me’s" Problem

In an era where individuals juggle multiple roles—employee, parent, entrepreneur, community member—Phound’s Persona Management allows users to organize their digital identities within a single, secure communication app.

"We all have 'multiple me’s,' but traditional phone services don’t accommodate that reality," Erickson explains. “Phound lets you create distinct personas for work, family, and personal life, seamlessly switching between them while maintaining control and privacy.”

How Persona Management Works:

Create Separate Digital Identities – Define unique personas for business, personal life, and side ventures.

Control Communication – Set boundaries and permissions for each persona, ensuring privacy.

Seamlessly Switch Personas – Adapt communication style on the fly—without juggling multiple apps or devices.

Beyond Personas: Phound’s Vision for Trust & Security

Erickson emphasizes that Persona Management is part of Phound’s broader initiative to restore trust in phone communication.

"Caller ID isn’t real ID. It can be spoofed easily, creating security risks. Phound brings authenticity back through government-backed identity verification and AI-driven spam blocking."

Why It Matters

Rebuilding Trust in Phone Numbers – Phound offers verified, distinct identities for secure, purpose-driven communication.

Enhanced Call Management – Users can customize call handling per persona, filtering unwanted noise.

Interoperability – Works with existing phone numbers—landline, VoIP, or mobile.

"Phound is restoring the original purpose of the phone number," says Erickson. "It’s time to take back control of our digital identities."

Listen Now & Learn More

Persona Management is live today—users can try it now by verifying their existing phone number on Phound.app.

Listen to the full podcast interview now on Technology Reseller News, Telecom Reseller, and all major podcast platforms.

#BreakingNews #Phound #PersonaManagement #DigitalIdentity #Privacy #AI #TrustInTech

https://www.youtube.com/live/EL1n8akNWig?si=T6m0QmsD1mj9E-Dl

"No matter where you start your journey with us, we’re here to support you," says Jeanne Duca, Chief Marketing Officer at BCN. In a rapidly evolving telecom landscape, BCN is embracing AI-driven marketing strategies to enhance engagement, streamline content creation, and reinforce its commitment to the channel. In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Jeanne Duca joins Doug Green to discuss BCN’s AI-powered marketing approach, new digital content initiatives, and the company’s latest advancements in connectivity solutions.

BCN’s AI-Powered Marketing Evolution

With over 30 years in the industry, BCN has built a strong reputation as a managed technology solutions provider, catering primarily to mid-market and enterprise-level businesses. Selling exclusively through the channel, BCN has eliminated channel conflict, making marketing precision and messaging consistency a top priority.

To address the need for rapid content creation and enhanced engagement, BCN has integrated AI into its marketing workflow. “The use of AI tools—whether for content creation or avatars for communication—is helping us develop more, better content faster,” says Duca. “This ensures that our technology advisors receive timely, relevant insights they can leverage with their customers.”

New Digital Content Initiatives

BCN has launched three new content series to better engage its partner community:

Beyond the Network Podcast – A thought leadership series featuring technology advisors, TSD community members, and partners discussing industry trends and best practices.

Top Shelf with BCN – A relaxed, conversational series discussing emerging technologies, with the debut episode focusing on low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite solutions in partnership with Tuufi Phi.

Sunday Tech Trends with BCN – A short video series on key industry trends, paired with interactive LinkedIn surveys to foster engagement and gather real-time feedback from viewers.

These initiatives align with BCN’s commitment to delivering high-value, digestible content that resonates with today’s audiences. “People don’t want to read as much anymore,” says Duca. “By leveraging AI for video creation, we can present our messages in a way that aligns with how people prefer to consume content.”

AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

Duca emphasizes that AI is a productivity tool that enhances, but does not replace, human creativity and strategy. “AI is the engine, but human ingenuity is the driver,” she explains. “The brands that find the right balance between the two will stand out in the industry.”

This mindset extends to internal communications as well. AI-driven content strategies have helped BCN enhance employee engagement, streamline training materials, and reinforce its core messaging across all stakeholders. “Our internal messaging needs to be just as clear and consistent as our external communications,” Duca notes. “The BCN experience is built on alignment between our employees, partners, and customers.”

Advancing Connectivity and Security

Looking ahead to 2025, BCN is redefining connectivity to meet the growing demands of AI-driven applications and digital transformation initiatives. “Connectivity has always been at the heart of our solutions, but today, customers want it to be unbreakable and secure,” says Duca.

BCN’s SD-WAN portfolio, which now includes Adaptive Networks alongside Cato, BigLeaf, Cisco Meraki, and Peplink, ensures customers have resilient, high-performance connectivity tailored to their needs. “With AI-powered applications driving unprecedented bandwidth requirements, customers need secure, redundant, and scalable solutions,” Duca adds.

Meet BCN at Channel Partners 2025

BCN will be at Channel Partners 2025 in Las Vegas, where the company will host a networking reception and private meetings in its Palazzo suite. “We’re looking forward to seeing our partners and welcoming new connections,” says Duca. “And yes,

"Throwing more money at a problem has never solved the problem," says Nick Foy, Founder of Silverdale. "Sometimes, the best thing you can do is stop, take a step back, and reassess."

In this episode of Technology Reseller News, Foy discusses the hidden costs of inefficient ERP systems and how companies can reclaim control of their business operations.

The ERP Challenge

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are meant to streamline operations, yet many businesses find themselves struggling with slow, fragmented systems that hinder productivity. "Most people don’t call it ERP," Foy explains. "They call it ‘the damn system’ because it’s slow, outdated, and frustrating to use." Over time, companies build patchwork solutions—layering new systems on top of old ones—without a cohesive strategy.

Kit-Bashed Systems and Hidden Costs

Many organizations unknowingly sabotage themselves by adopting multiple disconnected tools. "Every business thinks they need the ‘best in breed’ for CRM, marketing, and inventory management," Foy says. "But if those tools don’t talk to each other, you end up spending more time fixing data than running your business."

The Case for Stopping

Foy advises companies to stop throwing money at broken systems and instead assess their situation. Silverdale conducts ERP audits, often finding that businesses need to start fresh. Unlike traditional consultants who bill hourly, Silverdale offers fixed-price, fixed-timeline solutions. "If a provider won’t commit to a fixed cost, run," Foy warns.

The ROI of Fixing ERP

Companies that optimize their ERP systems experience increased efficiency, better decision-making, and cost savings. "Access to the right data at the right time leads to better purchasing, scheduling, and inventory management," Foy explains.

To learn more, visit silverdale.us.