RFID in Retail & Checkout w/Zebra’s Eric Malmed & EXO’s Rey Essex

Not long ago, retailers held most of the power in how consumers found, purchased, and knew about products and services. The internet age, social media, and always-on-hand mobile devices shifted that dynamic in favor of the consumer. Will technology restore the balance of power or allow SMB retailers to compete against the big box & e-commerce giants? Honeywell's Tony Boncore returns to the show to explain. What did he see at NRF? How do AI and mobility tools empower associates to create better customer experiences?    Around the Nation: Check out the latest RSPA Retail IT Channel Study and catch Dean on an episode of the Trusted Advisor Podcast to discuss the findings!   #VARValue - How is Honeywell leveraging AI for its retail devices?   On Our Radar Tony - AI lie detectors Dean - What is a topological cubit? John - An all-AI school curriculum?   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

The podcast returns with a new name but is committed to the same great topics, guests, and education! This week, we begin with a brief explainer for the name change before reviewing the content topics that had the most attention in 2024. Dean gives us his thoughts on #NRF2025, and we discuss what's been "On Our Radar" since our last recording.   Check out ISVs on Tap!   On Our Radar Dean - How often should you wash your towels John - Apple settles Siri lawsuit and video games for mental health   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 - Available thru June 2025!

The TEConnect Podcast is now BlueStar Nation! It has the same great content, the same hosts, and new packaging! Each week, John Martin & Dean Reverman explore the hottest trends, emerging technologies, new opportunities, and sales & marketing tips for the specialty IT reseller channel. Hear from experts in AI, RFID, robotics, barcoding, point-of-sale, AIDC, edge computing, automation, digital signage, and so much more. You can watch on YouTube (@BlueStarInc), subscribe anywhere you get podcasts, and tell us what you want to hear about on the show! Email - [email protected] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe 

We’re wrapping up the year (and this podcast iteration?) with another deep dive into Star Wars news, recent projects, and our thoughts on the franchise. We’re talking “Bad Batch” season 3, “Tales of the Empire,” and the now-canceled “The Acolyte.” What’s next for Star Wars? Will we get a new movie in 2026? What do hardcore fans really want? Is Star Wars still fun?   We're rebranding as the BlueStar Nation Podcast in 2025!! Let us know what you want to see and hear on the show.   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 M100 & the Elo Pay 22"

"This is the year of arrival." That's how EXO co-founder Rey Essex responds to the question, "Was this the year of RFID?" Rey joins Zebra's Eric Malmed to help us find new retail RFID opportunities. What industries is item-level RFID applicable for? How does EXO's RFID checkout solution work, and why has it taken off in sports stadiums and large events?   #VARValue - Learn about the Zebra/EXO partnership and the joint kiosk solution on display at NRF ’25 in January.   Check out (pun intended) EXO's solutions   TEConnecting with us: Eric - The Kennedy Space Center & NASA using RFID Rey - Google Notebook LLM Dean - Where do Americans get their news John - Crayola trademarks the smell of their crayons   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: Zebra Ready Solutions Elo Edge Connect

Video produces 1200% more engagement than text/images only. That makes the medium a valuable tool to extend the reach and interest in your business. This week, videographer and owner of Faust Film, Max Faust, joined us in advocating for video as a "24/7 sales rep." How does video supplement other content strategies? What does a typical video shoot look like, and what misconceptions do businesses have when creating or engaging video services? How can you still utilize video on a budget or novice skills? It's the episode that's got a perfect face for radio.   Watch "When Chaos Calls," the film about BlueStar's warehouse automation Max shot   Want to utilize Max's talents? https://faustfilm.media/ BlueStar can help, too: Demand Lab Marketing Services   Articles/stats referenced Generational YouTube consumption HubSpot - How Video Consumption is Changing   #VARValue - What recommendations do you have for resellers wanting to start a video strategy from scratch? Are there best practices or some baseline equipment they should employ if they want to do it in-house?    TEConnecting with us: Max - Topaz Labs AI video editing Dean - A sink-cleaning robot John - Watch Memory: The Origins of Alien, currently streaming 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 IDS 04/54 Series

*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 A hybrid work A/B test FAA approves air taxis Younger generations are not answering the phone US state name meanings Worst workplace jargon The best TV episodes of all time   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"