Get Ready for NRF w/Intel’s Mariya Zorotovich

We're wrapping up our sixth season with the annual discussion of all things Star Wars with special guest Sam Hughes! What's the latest news on new movies, series, and scrapped projects? We're actually getting a new film next year (The Mandalorian & Grogu), but will it be good? After brief discussions on "Skeleton Crew," "Tales of the Underworld," and "Visions 3," we dig deep into season 2 of "Andor," one of our favorite Star Wars projects.   Around the Nation: Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you in BlueStar Nation!   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 Steel

The NRF "Big Show" is a huge event that kicks off a new year for retailers, suppliers, consumer brands, technology providers, and more. For new and veteran attendees alike, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. This week, Intel's Mariya Zorotovich is bringing her experience from across the retail world to share tips for making the most of the show (and any industry event!). What does this year's theme, "The Next Now," mean? What should first-timers expect, and how do veterans prepare? How do we differentiate between cool ideas and real potential solutions that could represent growth for the channel? Put on your comfy shoes and enjoy!   Learn more about how Intel is elevating retail customer experience with their partners at NRF! Around the Nation: Watch the IHL 2026 Retail Trends Webinar #VARValue - For VARs, ISVs, and vendor partners attending NRF, what is Intel’s approach to the show, and how will they be interacting with existing and potential partners? What does BlueStar do at the show?   On Our Radar Mariya - Agentic AI for checkout & change leadership Dean - Toy Story 5 John - Is grey hair a good thing?   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: EloPOS Instant Rebate Promo

The interest in RFID has never been higher, but what's driving it, and how can the channel capitalize on this momentum? This week, we have an all-star panel: Zebra's Patti Blessing, AIM Global's Mary Lou Bosco, and GS1 US's Teresa Williams. What does the RFID market look like from a broad perspective and within the channel? How are standards and mandates helping guide RFID adoption in industries like retail and healthcare? Is RFID the solution for fighting organized retail crime? Listen to find out why RFID is like a vegetable.   Around the Nation: Check out next week's NRF Prep episode with Intel's Mariya Zorotovich #VARValue - Final thoughts on the future of RFID and how Zebra, AIM, and GS1 are helping the channel grow and prepare.   On Our Radar Teresa - NFC tags around the home Mary Lou - Ja'Marr Chase suspension Patti - Shopping with RFID Dean - AI country artist John - Gabb smart watch for kids   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: Zebra TC22R Handheld RFID Reader Elo Legacy

It's the 250th episode!!! We like to celebrate milestones with fun topics, and having this one fall on Thanksgiving presented the perfect opportunity to discuss the tech we are thankful for with Sarah Schlueter. First, we share our takes (some quite controversial?) on the Thanksgiving holiday, the food, and leftovers. Then, what tech makes our personal and professional lives better, and we wouldn't want to live without? You'll also hear from colleagues and friends around the channel. Thanks to all our listeners who keep us going...on to the next 250!   Around the Nation: BlueStar's Webinar Series   On Our Radar Sarah - Bye bye to the penny Dean - Russia's AIdol robot flops John - Parasocial - Cambridge Dictionary word of the year   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 Self-Service Array

Visitor management is an oft-overlooked opportunity for resellers in industries they already serve, especially education, healthcare, government, and any enterprise where security, protecting sensitive information, or employee and guest safety are prioritized. This week, Epson's Michael Weitz joins to explain the challenges of outdated or traditional visitor management, where you should be looking for business, and why color-printing badges and passes elevate the process. It's the episode that's looking a little shady...   Around the Nation: Need help with your next project? Ask about our Custom Configuration capabilities! #VARValue - How does the Colorworks printer line enhance the visitor management process, and how should VARs approach their customers about changing existing technology?    On Our Radar Michael - RAMaggeddon Dean - Workslop John - iPhone Pocket   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: Epson C4000 Color Inkjet Label Printer Elo Non-Touch Displays

BlueStar Academy is our new training program designed to help VARs, ISVs, and vendors give their new (or veteran) sales reps access to education on core technologies, industries, and skills to grow as a solution seller. This week, Mike Monocello, BlueStar Academy program leader and training specialist, explains what executives and managers want from these trainings, how he's building courses, and what attendees can expect. Pay attention...there may be a quiz later!   Learn more about BlueStar Academy and provide your feedback to guide our schedule for 2026   Around the Nation: Find software partners on TEConnect Live   On Our Radar Mike - Network-attached storage James - Mirage AI Video John - MLB The Show 2025   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 I-Series 5 rf IDEAS WAVE ID Minis

Labeling in fast-paced QSRs is a critical, time-sensitive task that ensures orders for in-store patrons, delivery drivers, and pickups are properly sorted and accurate. That's where linerless printing can make operations more efficient. This week, Epson's Thermal Label Product Manager, Ian Livesay, joins the podcast to make the case for linerless over die-cut labels. What problems does it solve? Are there other industries that could use them? It's an aggressively sticky episode!   Around the Nation: Watch the BlueStar/Intel Solutions Summit #VARValue - How does Epson approach linerless label printing? What are some key products VARs should know about, and how do they help you win business?   On Our Radar Ian - AI-enabled recycling John - IKEA smartphone bed   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: Epson TM-L100 Liner-free Label Printer EloPOS Instant Rebate Promo

Manufacturers, distributors, T&L, and warehousing are always looking to become more efficient and productive, but are they embracing automation in the same areas we think they should? That was the subject of the latest BlueStar Nation end-user survey, sponsored by our friends at Honeywell. We asked their industry expert, Matt Sterner, to join the show to dissect the data. Why were business leaders so confident about their inventory and shipping practices? What did the data reveal about ongoing manual practices? How often are equipment downtimes and safety issues impacting productivity? It's an episode packed with insight and just a little hot air.   Read about the survey results here!   Around the Nation: Tell us what technology you're thankful for and tune in to our Thanksgiving episode (#250!!)  #VARValue - Did any other findings in the survey stand out to Matt? How is Honeywell helping the reseller community tackle productivity with their customers?    On Our Radar Matt - Freight theft Dean - Pivotal BlackFly "flying car" John - Why do onions make us cry so easily?   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 Steel

It's spooky season, so we're revisiting last year's Halloween episode where we riff on all things tricks and treats! * * * Originally released October 31st, 2024 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 Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe    Sponsored by: Elo Pay M100

We'll be back later this month with the results of a survey on warehouse and manufacturing automation, making this a great time to revisit this conversation about addressing human work and augmentation alongside technology. * * * Originally aired March 27, 2025 Supply chain jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, and delivery continue to face 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