Best Nerdfest Podcasts (2026)

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167: Back! With Our Picks Of 2025 1:39:05

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2d ago1:39:05

1:39:05

Well, we took a short break. Just 10 months. Barely a nap. We decided to get the band back together for an enormously fun 2025 review extravaganza. Hazel, Peter, Dan, Andy and Jon each reveal their top 3 favourite things of the year, from movies to TV shows to books to music to games and even a bit of theatre (darling).Andy also came up with a 12 D…

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Star Wars Nerdfest – Episode VI 1:22:31

7d ago1:22:31

1:22:31

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," a…

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Get Ready for NRF w/Intel’s Mariya Zorotovich 1:00:12

14d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

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…

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The RFID Revolution w/Patti Blessing, Mary Lou Bosco, and Teresa Williams 51:35

26d ago51:35

51:35

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 ma…

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The Tech We’re Thankful For w/Sarah Schlueter 1:19:17

1M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

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 pers…

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Next Level Visitor Management w/Epson’s Michael Weitz 1:03:05

1M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

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 tradition…

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Turn Rookies to Revenue Faster w/Mike Monocello 55:11

2M ago55:11

55:11

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 fro…

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The Case for Linerless Labels w/Epson’s Ian Livesay 35:56

2M ago35:56

35:56

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 o…

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Are Supply Chain Execs Overconfident About Their Operations? w/Honeywell’s Matt Sterner 49:52

2M ago49:52

49:52

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 s…

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From the Archives: Do You Like Scary Podcasts? w/Sarah Schlueter & Sam Hughes 1:19:44

2M ago1:19:44

1:19:44

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/T…

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From the Archives: The Human Element of Automation w/Newcastle's Kevin Ledversis & Honeywell's Kelley Wood 58:13

3M ago58:13

58:13

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 challeng…

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TEC Bytes 22 – The Final TECkoning? 1:06:54

3M ago1:06:54

1:06:54

It's time to dig into more fascinating topics, surveys, thought pieces, and lists to get you through your next awkward chat around the coffee maker, waiting for a virtual meeting to start, or to impress your friends and family. Have an idea for renaming the TEC Bytes episodes? Send your suggestion to [email protected], and you could win $100! …

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VARTECH 2025 Recap - AI, People, Connectivity, and a Boulder? 57:16

3M ago57:16

57:16

VARTECH 2025 made the most of its location at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, offering two packed days of networking, new technologies to explore, insightful education, and fun-filled evenings. Our theme, "Join the Quest," encouraged attendees to come together in partnership and accept the challenge of finding bold new solutions to their custom…

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Accelerating RFID Sales w/RedBeam’s Kevin Keith & Kyle Stanford 1:10:15

3M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

"I think customers have gone from RFID-curious to RFID-serious," says RedBeam VP of Sales Kevin Keith, reinforcing an ongoing trend of RFID growth and investment. He's joined this week by Solutions Architect Kyle Stanford to explain why the need is at an all-time high for resellers and integrators to build out their RFID business. What tips do they…

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From the Archives: RFID Experts Panel w/Eric Malmed, Steve Weiss, & Archit Dua 59:01

3M ago59:01

59:01

Next week, we'll be talking to our friends at Redbeam about Accelerating Your RFID Sales, so we thought we'd revisit last year's panel discussion on the trends pushing RFID forward, top use cases, and best practices. * * * Originally released June 20th, 2024 We recorded another live episode with a panel of RFID experts (Zebra’s Eric Malmed, Decisio…

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From the Archives: What Does Your Digital Presence Say About You? (Live at VARTECH 2024) 1:05:04

4M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

We're busy planning and executing VARTECH 2025 this week, so enjoy a couple of classics from the archives, starting with this one, recorded at last year's show. No live episode this year, but follow BlueStar on LinkedIn to keep up with all of the fun, cool tech, and new ideas we're sharing there. * * * Originally released Sep 26, 2024 Once again, w…

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Selling Driver Safety for Mobile Enterprises w/LifeSaver’s Ted Chen and Jim Hilton 1:00:30

4M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Distracted driving has been exacerbated with the widespread use of mobile devices, which constantly beckon to be looked at, touched, and interacted with. For enterprises that deploy drivers to deliver products or services, or operate internal vehicles such as forklifts, these distractions can lead to costly lawsuits, liabilities, and an inability t…

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Selling Hardware Longevity w/Logic Controls' Paul Peralta & Brian Wheeler 53:10

4M ago53:10

53:10

Planned obsolescence and routine replacement cycles are common in the consumer electronics industry. Those concepts also infiltrate enterprise hardware, undermining the notion that business equipment should be rugged, durable, and suitable for years of day-to-day use. If you're eager to swap out mobile computers, POS devices, printers, and other ha…

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From the Archives: How to Sell Connectivity Solutions w/iONLINE's Dave Farquharson & BlueStar's Jim Hilton 1:03:55

4M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

In two weeks, we'll be focusing on fleet & deliver driver safety and technology to minimize distractions. In preparation, we thought it would be helpful to revisit the importance of reliable, enterprise-ready connectivity to enable such solutions. Enjoy! * * * Originally published March 13, 2025 Mobile computing, IoT, AI, RFID, robotics, mPOS…the f…

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Retail Modernization 2.0 w/Intel's Rob Risany & Elo's Luke Wilwerding 1:07:32

5M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

A couple of years ago, Intel's Kristen Call joined the pod to discuss what retail modernization meant and how VARs should align their solutions for the future. Now, as the AI conversation grows louder, what has changed, and what did we get right back then? Returning guests Rob Risany & Luke Wilwerding talk expectations, skepticism, selling value, a…

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Scrappy Marketing w/OrderCounter's Crystal Barrineau and BlueStar's James Korte 1:28:42

5M ago1:28:42

1:28:42

We're getting scrappy this week to nerd out over marketing practices that don't require big budgets or large staffs. OrderCounter's Crystal Barrineau suggested this topic and volunteered her expertise as a scrappy marketer! Our own James Korte joins her for a valuable conversation about why marketing matters, real examples of simple-but-effective c…

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Meet the BlueStar Network & Connectivity Experts 1:11:01

5M ago1:11:01

1:11:01

You probably sell a lot of cool tech…mobile computers, POS systems, digital signage, printers, RFID, etc, and most of that stuff is designed to send and receive data and communicate with other systems, so it’s only as good as the networks it’s connected to. Is that connectivity something you are selling? Are you leaving it to specialized providers,…

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A Modern VAR’s Guide to Selling Digital Signage w/LG’s Mike Stachura & Matt Waidley 1:10:45

5M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

LG's Mike Stachura is bringing his incredible energy and enthusiasm for digital signage back to the pod (and in-studio!) with Disty Sales Director Matt Waidley. They are discussing current trends in signage, their favorite use cases, how AI is changing deployments and potential applications, and what's new with LG. Slip into some comfy shoes and en…

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From the Archives: Generative AI, Employee Experience, Cybersecurity & More w/LG’s Mike Stachura & Aaron Addison 1:22:37

6M ago1:22:37

1:22:37

LG's Mike Stachura brings his incredible energy back to the pod next week, so we thought we'd revisit his last appearance, which covered a wide range of topics and was a lot of fun. Originally released Aug 24th, 2023 * * * An epic AI trilogy deserves an epic conclusion, so this week, we welcomed LG’s Mike Stachura & Aaron Addison into the studio fo…

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TEC Bytes 21 - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Podcast 1:00:36

6M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

We're sharing another batch of interesting reads, trends, lists, and studies to give you something to discuss while waiting for your next meeting to start, over lunch with a client, or with friends and family. Topics: An all-AI agent company? 2024 restaurant trends The world's wealthiest and happiest cities Why Americans are working less What happe…

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Advice from a POS Reseller w/NRS’ Elie Katz 52:47

6M ago52:47

52:47

This week, we're seeking insights, advice, and experiences from one of our customers in the channel. Elie Katz, Founder & CEO of National Retail Solutions, tells us about building a POS business aimed at helping independent merchants compete against large chains and still have access to the latest and greatest technology. How can SMB VARs & ISVs st…

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Building Your AI Solutions Foundation w/Elo’s Luke Wilwerding 57:00

6M ago57:00

57:00

"It's put up or shut up time for AI!" proclaims John on this week's episode. He and Dean are ready to see real, tangible applications with AI. Thankfully, Elo's Luke Wilwerding brings the goods by helping us explore AI's actual potential and the tools and infrastructure VARs need to bring those solutions to their customers. How is AI already impact…

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Clinical Mobility Survey w/Zebra’s Kassaundra McKnight-Young 1:02:59

7M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

Our latest BlueStar Nation survey tackles mobile device usage, challenges, and expectations for clinical healthcare workers. To help us break down the data, we turned to an expert, Zebra's Healthcare CNIO Industry Principal Kassaundra McKnight-Young, to not only explain the benefits of enterprise mobility in the industry but also share her perspect…

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The New Era of Edge w/Scale Computing’s Jeff Ready 52:39

7M ago52:39

52:39

As more devices, solutions, and emerging tech like AI & machine vision demand rapid, near-instantaneous processing and response, relying solely on the cloud and centralized servers may not be enough. Scale Computing is helping VARs address the need for decentralization, and their CEO, Jeff Ready, joins the pod this week to provide context and a pat…

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How are Kitchens Evolving to Meet New Demands? w/Star Micronics’ Christophe Naasz 58:26

7M ago58:26

58:26

The modern kitchen serves many masters: food safety standards, "I want it now and I want it here" consumers, and delivery companies enabling those consumers. How are those demands influencing restaurant technology in the kitchen and front-of-the-house? Star Micronics' Christophe Naasz joins to explain. How do label printers and modern scanning solu…

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How Should Government VARs Navigate Trump 2.0? with Jeff Smith 49:02

7M ago49:02

49:02

The new Trump administration has been busy rolling back initiatives from previous administrations and rapidly overhauling government agencies. If you sell into the public sector, what do these rapid changes mean? We turn, as always, to our government guru, EVerged's Jeff Smith, to provide guidance. What is happening with EV charging rollouts and op…

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From the Archives - EV Charging & Sustainable Energy w/EVerged's Jeff Smith 1:01:29

7M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

A run of new episodes starts next week with Jeff Smith returning to discuss government tech sales under the new Trump administration and the state of EV charging opportunities. To prepare, let's revisit Jeff's last appearance! * * * *Originally released May 9, 2024* The electric & hybrid vehicle market continues to grow, spurred by government inves…

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Are Digital Displays Frustrating Educators & Their IT? 50:25

8M ago50:25

50:25

"This is your roadmap," says Dean about our latest BlueStar Nation end-user survey results. We surveyed 125 education teachers, administrators, and IT leaders about their experiences using and deploying digital displays in the classroom. What frustrates them? Why aren't they using more interactive displays? Who is responsible for maintenance and su…

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From the Archives - The Intersection of AI & Digital Signage w/Elo's Kristin Roubie 1:00:08

8M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

We'll be back next week, breaking down a survey from Educators, but until then, let's revisit this conversation exploring how touchscreen displays complement AI solutions. *Originally released August 8th, 2024* ----------------------------------- We’re talking more about AI with Elo’s Kristin Roubie, this time regarding digital displays and industr…

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Tech Nostalgia w/Sarah Schlueter 1:06:50

8M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Technology is rapidly advancing, and new inventions and innovations make our lives easier, but do you ever miss something simpler? That's the subject of this week's episode. Is it nostalgia, or do we get stubborn as we age? Sarah Schlueter, an old soul herself, joins us (with props!). When did we feel like we were on the cutting edge of tech adopti…

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From the Archives - Generative AI's Past, Present, & Future with Honeywell's Michael Groskopf 1:05:28

8M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

As AI continues to be a hot topic, we're looking to spotlight practical, tangible use cases on the pod this year, both within your business and solutions for your customers. Look for new episodes soon that address this topic, but in the meantime, if you missed it, check out this conversation we had with Honeywell's Michael Groskopf. *Originally rel…

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TEC Bytes 20 – Take Us Out to the Ballgame 1:07:11

9M ago1:07:11

1:07:11

Sure, we're no longer the TEConnect Podcast, but TEC Bytes--our occasional round-up of interesting articles, lists, rankings, research, tech topics, and more--lives on! Here's what we're discussing: The Most Innovative Countries in 2024 Best inventions of 2024 Top low-stress/high-paying jobs COVID pandemic 5 years later Most technologically advance…

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Retailers Speak! -- Support, mPOS, Payments & More 50:45

9M ago50:45

50:45

Finding new opportunities in retail isn't easy. There is a lot of market saturation, a lot of competition, and a lot of technology options. But, it’s also a lucrative industry when you win business, so we want to give you an edge by equipping you with end-user data—actual insights from retailers about their tech in use, wishlist items, and support …

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Has Pop Culture Ruined the Facial Recognition Market? w/CyberLink’s Terry Schulenburg 54:40

9M ago54:40

54:40

Facial recognition has become common for personal mobile devices, relying on our unique biological features for security and access control. However, the technology is still somewhat controversial in the broader business world. Terry Schulenburg with CyberLink, makers of FaceMe, will help us understand the technology, how the controversy is mainly …

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The Human Element of Automation w/Newcastle's Kevin Ledversis & Honeywell's Kelley Wood 58:13

9M ago58:13

58:13

Supply chain jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, and delivery are still facing 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 i…

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Restaurant Automation & AI w/Truffle Systems’ Sean McCaughan 51:38

10M ago51:38

51:38

Like many industries, automation & AI are finding a place in restaurants, adding to accelerated trends during the pandemic. This week's guest, Sean McCaughan of Truffle Systems, finds it easier than ever to make the case for innovation, but what solutions actually make a difference? How does "reading bus pans" make the case for AI and analytics to …

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How to Sell Network & Connectivity Solutions w/iONLINE’s Dave Farquharson & Jim Hilton 1:03:55

10M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Mobile computing, IoT, AI, RFID, robotics, mPOS…the future of enterprise technology is exciting, to be sure. Still, it’s only as good as the networks connecting these devices and transmitting all that data for analysis and action. Networking and connectivity solutions may not currently be part of your portfolio, but if you desire to be THE trusted …

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Can Retailers Overcome the Consumer Power Shift? w/Honeywell’s Tony Boncore 1:00:11

10M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

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 giant…

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Same Great Taste, New Packaging 45:14

10M ago45:14

45:14

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. Chec…

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166: The 2025 Oscar Sweepstakes! 1:04:57

10M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

It’s Nerdfest Oscars sweepstake time! Now in its sixth year, Hazel has outdone herself to make the 2025 version even more ridiculously complex. The sweepstake now includes 5 hats, a trivia section, jokers, and a regrettable round of roulette. Before that the nerds offer quickfire recommendations of the movies and TV shows we’ve been enjoying recent…

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BlueStar Nation Podcast Trailer 2:01

11M ago2:01

2:01

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-sa…

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165: Whats new in 2025! 1:00:54

11M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Join Jon, Dan, Hazel Andy and Peter as we squee excitedly about all the new stuff coming this year, including new movies for Captain America, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, Superman, Mission Impossible, Knives Out 3,Jurassic World Rebirth, Del Toro's Frankenstein and Liam Neeson's Naked Gun. New TV shows for Daredevil, Spiderman Ironheart and Wonder…

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Star Wars Nerdfest – Episode V 1:26:28

1y ago1:26:28

1:26:28

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…

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164: Best Stuff of 2024 1:05:47

1y ago1:05:47

1:05:47

It’s our end of year special! Our nerds each count down their top 3 favourite things of 2024-from films, TV shows, games, books, and music. Join us as we recap all that 2024 had to offer in the world of entertainment. We would love to hear what you enjoyed most this year, and let us know if you agree with our choices or you feel aggrieved by them. …

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RFID in Retail & Checkout w/Zebra’s Eric Malmed & EXO’s Rey Essex 55:25

1y ago55:25

55:25

"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 ev…